Always You ✔

26 Chapter

Austin P.O.V

The horrible images from the night before kept playing in my mind, and I needed something to numb the pain. I stormed into the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of whiskey, and poured a hefty glass. I hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning, but I didn’t care. At this point, I didn’t want to feel anything.

I moved to the living room, sinking into my couch. Sebrina was ruining me. I knew she wasn’t my type—she was everything I wasn’t. She believed in commitment, in love, in family, and friends. I couldn’t stand people around me, couldn’t stand the idea of being needed by anyone.

My family used me. My father was obsessed with his reputation and only saw me as a tool for that. My brother, Kai, always took everything I admired—jobs, opportunities, people—just to prove that he could. And my mother, well... she loved me, but only in so much as I was Kai's reflection. A carbon copy she could be proud of.

I downed the glass, feeling my head spin, the weight of exhaustion pulling at me. My eyes grew heavy, and before I knew it, I passed out.

---

The Next Day

I woke up groggy, my head pounding like a jackhammer. I reached for my phone, squinting as I saw the time—1:00 p.m. Shit. There was no point going to the office now. I unlocked my phone, noticing a string of missed calls and messages from Sebrina. Despite the headache, a smile tugged at my lips.

Sebrina: Hey, where are you?
Sebrina: You okay? Are you sick?
Sebrina: You're not coming to the office?
Sebrina: Please call me when you see my text.

I typed out a quick reply.

Austin: Just woke up. I won’t be coming in today.

Her reply came faster than I expected.

Sebrina: Why? Something happen?

Austin: Nothing serious. Just not feeling well.

Sebrina: Did you eat anything? Took any meds?

I stared at her message for a moment, feeling confused. Why was she suddenly so concerned about me? Not that I was complaining—it felt good, knowing someone cared.

Austin: No, but I will. Don’t worry. Focus on your work.

Sebrina: Okay, take care.

I sighed, tossing my phone aside and dragging myself to the shower. After a long, hot rinse, I ordered some food and painkillers. My head was killing me, and I felt feverish.

When the doorbell rang, I assumed it was the delivery guy. But when I opened the door, it wasn’t food—it was Valeria.

“Hey, handsome,” she winked, stepping into the apartment before I could protest.

I groaned. “Why are you here?”

She pouted, crossing her arms. “You don’t want me here?”

“That’s not what I meant. You said you had important work to do,” I reminded her, feeling my patience wearing thin.

She shrugged, pushing past me to the living room. “Yeah, well, I wanted to see your new apartment and... you.”

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. This was not what I needed right now.

“Val, if you don’t have anything important to do, can you please leave? I need some time alone.”

Her eyes narrowed. “So, you’re kicking me out?”

“I just need some space,” I repeated, keeping my voice calm. But she wasn’t budging.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out, and my blood froze. It was a picture from an unknown number. A photo of Kai and Valeria—on a beach—kissing.

I smashed my phone to the floor in rage, the screen cracking with a sharp snap. Valeria jumped, her face pale. “Austin, what happened?” Her voice was soft, but my patience was gone.

“What happened? What happened?!” I stood up, my fists clenched. “Care to explain why the fuck you’re kissing my brother?”

Her face went blank for a second before she stammered, “I—I didn’t! Why would I kiss Kai?”

I stared at her, my eyes burning with fury. “Don’t play dumb, Valeria. Tell me the truth, or I’ll beat it out of Kai myself.”

Her eyes widened in fear. “Please, Austin, don’t ruin everything. It’s not what you think,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“What the fuck is wrong with you, Val? You used me... and my brother too!” I roared, taking a step toward her. She backed up, her eyes wide with terror.

“Austin, nothing serious happened between me and Kai,” she pleaded. “Just drop it. It doesn’t mean anything!”

I scoffed, running my hands through my hair. “He’s my brother, for God’s sake! How could you be so cheap?”

She interrupted me, her voice hardening. “Oh, please. Don’t act like you’re some saint. We were both using each other. And I know you’ve got something going on with your little assistant.”

I lunged forward, grabbing her shoulders roughly. “Say one more word about Sebrina, and I swear you’ll regret it.”

Valeria’s eyes filled with fear, but she still managed to sneer. “You’re nothing without your family, Austin. You know that. You’ve always been an option for everyone—including me.”

I felt my heart drop, her words cutting deeper than any knife. I had always been an option. For her. For my family. For everyone. She took a step closer, her voice lowering. “Even your precious assistant knows it. That’s why she didn’t tell you the truth when she saw us.”

My head snapped up. “Sebrina saw this?”

Valeria smirked. “Oh yeah. She saw us. She didn’t tell you because she knows you’re nothing more than a stepping stone. I bet she’s just waiting for Kai to make his move on her.”

Something inside me snapped. “GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the apartment.

Valeria flinched but didn’t say another word. She grabbed her bag and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

I collapsed on the couch, staring at my broken phone. Somehow, it still worked, and I managed to type out a message to Sebrina.

Austin: Please come to my house. I need to talk to you. My address is xxxxx.

Now all I could do was wait. I didn’t believe Valeria’s lies, but I needed to hear it from Sebrina herself. I needed to know the truth.

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Till then adios mi amor <3.