"I told you, I won't leave here without seeing him," a resolute woman's voice echoed through the sterile hall, thick with tension.
"Ma'am, I cannot assist you with that. Please exit the premises if you are here to cause trouble," came the measured response of another woman, her tone laced with authority.
"Who are you anyway? If you can't let me through, perhaps I should take matters into my own hands," the first woman shot back defiantly, her frustration palpable.
"Ma'am, please—this is a government facility. Creating a disturbance could lead to your arrest. I'm warning you: leave now," the second woman insisted, her voice steady but firm.
Angel Swan glanced at the name tag of the second woman, recognizing her. "Violet. Maybe you don't realize who I am, but I am—"
"I know exactly who you are, Angel Swan; who doesn't?" Violet interrupted, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed the situation.
"What? And if you are aware, wouldn't you understand that what you're doing could lead to unprecedented trouble for you?" Angel's voice quivered with a mix of desperation and anger.
Violet laughed sharply, her amusement seeming to draw the attention of onlookers. The nearby security guards shifted, moving closer to assess the scene.
"And you think I care about that? Angel Swan or whatever title you fancy calling yourself?" Violet's indifference left Angel momentarily speechless; she opened her mouth, but no words emerged.
Behind her, the bodyguards whispered quietly among themselves. "Should we handle her?" one suggested cautiously. Angel swiftly shook her head, refusing to escalate the situation.
"Can't you help me, please?" she implored, her voice softening in a moment of vulnerability.
"I'm sorry, but I can't assist you. Your arrogance is working against you," Violet replied, turning her back and preparing to walk away.
"Please?" Angel's voice held an almost pleading note.
"She said no," a new, cold voice interrupted. Lee stepped forward, shooting Angel a glare filled with contempt.
"Who the hell are you?" she snapped back, irritation flaring within her.
"Doesn't matter. Just leave," Lee said dismissively, stepping past her as if she were an afterthought.
"You can't do this!" Angel shouted, her frustration rising as she turned to the men she had brought along. "Let's go," she directed them, pointing towards Lee and Violet.
Instantly, the guards moved in, stepping between the two groups, their expressions set and unyielding. Lee and Violet halted and turned to face Angel again.
"You didn't even give me a chance to explain," Angel said, disappointment lacing her voice.
"I have to see him, no matter the cost," she added fiercely, determination etching her features.
With resolve, the men behind her stepped forward, causing the guards to brandish their weapons, ready for conflict. The air crackled with tension, the standoff growing more intense by the second.
"Stop!" A commanding voice rang out, cutting through the tension like a knife. Austin appeared at the far end of the room, Mister Kosov standing at his side, his expression carefully neutral.
"Are you sure about this?" Mister Kosov asked quietly, concern flickering in his eyes.
Austin nodded, determination firming his jaw. "Let's do this peacefully," he replied, striding towards the gathering crowd. The onlookers quickly parted, creating a path for him, their faces a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
As he reached Violet and Lee, Austin smiled, a glint of camaraderie lighting up his expression. They acknowledged him with curt nods, understanding the delicate nature of the situation.
"Angel Swan, long time no see," he announced loudly, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd.
"I heard you were looking for me—well, here I am," he declared, stretching his arms wide in a gesture of openness.
The guards stepped aside, sensing the gravity of the moment as Angel locked her gaze with Austin. "Austin Dre, finally we meet again," she remarked, stepping forward with a blend of caution and eagerness. The guards exchanged glances but, with a nod from Austin, allowed her to approach.
They stood face-to-face, the weight of their shared history palpable in the air. A charming smile spread across Angel's face as she looked him up and down, a mix of nostalgia and longing in her expression.
"You're still the same, my dear Austin Dre," she said, her voice light yet layered with unspoken emotions.
Austin laughed softly, humor mingling with sincerity as he replied, "I can't say you're wrong, but I'm still just me."
In an unexpected surge of affection, Angel rushed forward and embraced him warmly, the years of separation collapsing into that single moment. Austin returned the gesture, memories flooding back and wrapping around them like a comforting shroud.
"I missed you—very, very much," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Austin felt a wave of conflicting emotions wash over him—guilt, joy, and sorrow intertwined. "Me too, Angel," he replied in a hushed tone. "I missed you too. I felt so guilty seeing you like this, you know?" His voice faltered.
Angel pulled back slightly to meet his gaze, her eyes serious. "No, Austin, it was never your fault. You were not the cause of any of this," she reassured him, her sincerity shining through the weight of their shared past.
"But...?" Austin stammered, his mind racing as he struggled to find the right words. The weight of the moment bore heavily on him, a mix of confusion and vulnerability coursing through his veins.
She released her grip on his hands, her expression shifting to one of determination. "Can we go somewhere to talk about this?" she asked, her voice steady yet soft.
Austin Dre nodded, his heart beating loudly in his chest. He cast a quick glance at Lee, who stood nearby, before instructing, "Wait by the door." Understanding the cue, Lee nodded in response and positioned himself at the entrance.
Mister Kosov, surveying the room, quickly motioned for everyone else to disperse. The guards shuffled away, leaving only a handful of people: Angel's guards, Lee, Mister Kosov himself, Violet, Angel Swan, and Austin Dre.
"Professor Kosov," Angel called out, her tone breaking the tense atmosphere.
A smile crept across Mister Kosov's face. "Nice to see you again, Angel Swan," he replied warmly, his voice betraying a hint of nostalgia.
"Ma'am," the leader of Angel's guards addressed her with a mixture of respect and authority.
"Stay there," she instructed firmly, her gaze unwavering.
The guard nodded reluctantly, then she and Austin moved towards Mister Kosov's office, the heavy door closing behind them with a definitive thud.
Inside, Austin felt a tumult of emotions swirling within him—he felt hollow and defeated, wandering through the moment without direction. Outside, Lee stood firm at the entrance, acutely aware of the contemptuous glares from Angel's guards. The leader stepped forward, his expression fierce.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here? Didn't you hear what she said?" His voice was laced with aggression.
Lee stood his ground, a sneer forming on his lips. "Are you out of your mind? Didn't you hear what he said?" His voice cut through the tension.
The guard hesitated, taken aback by Lee's audacity. After a moment of reflection, he begrudgingly acknowledged the truth in Lee's words.
"Whatever," he muttered, storming back to his post, anger radiating from him.
Inside the office, an uncomfortable silence stretched between Austin and Angel. They exchanged glances, until Angel finally broke the stillness, clearing her throat as she steadied herself.
"I know it has been so long," she began, her voice steady yet tinged with regret.
Austin remained silent, allowing the space for her to gather her thoughts and continue.
"I heard what happened, and I'm truly sorry," she said, her voice quivering slightly as tears shimmered in her eyes, reflecting the emotional weight of the moment.
"You don't have to apologize; it was my choice, and the consequences are mine to bear," he replied, his tone measured, yet thick with the remnants of pain.
"No, Austin, you have nothing to regret. Perhaps it was for the best that things unfolded the way they did. That woman, Sonya Clay, has always held you back," Angel declared, sudden anger flaring in her eyes at the mere mention of Sonya's name.
"It's all in the past now," he responded, trying to dismiss the dark memories that encroached.
"Yes, it is. But what about your present? And your future?" she pressed, her eyes searching deeply into his, seeking an answer that might bridge the chasm between them.
Austin snorted softly, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "Future? Do I even care about one?" His words dripped with disillusionment.
He turned to her, a scintillate of determination igniting within. "I want to live for myself and for those who truly care about me."
Her faint smile ignited a flicker of warmth in the room. "That's great, Austin Dre. But remember, I care deeply about you, too," she said, her sincerity striking him like a gentle wave.
For a brief moment, he was rendered speechless, grappling with the depth of her affection.
"I thought that after all this time you would...," she began, her voice trailing off as he interrupted.
"Austin, I tried, but I can't get you out of my mind. I don't feel whole without you. Now that I know your current position, I feel even more determined not to let you go," she confessed, wiping away a tear that threatened to spill over, the sincerity of her admission hanging in the air.
"I don't know what to say," he replied, looking down in shame, facing the reality of their tangled emotions.
"Many people tell me I was bewitched by that woman, Sonya. Maybe they're right; maybe it's true," he added softly, his gaze troubled.
"Maybe, maybe not," Angel replied thoughtfully, and he nodded in reluctant agreement.
"So, what are you planning to do about it?" she asked, her voice steady, probing for a glimpse of his intentions.
"I just want to live my best life, like it's my last—without any regrets," he stated firmly, the clarity of his desire illuminating the complexity of their conversation.
"Okay?" Angel Swan hesitated, caught off guard by the lingering tension in the air. Her mind raced, searching for the right words.
"Austin," she finally said, her voice laced with concern, "I have known you all your life. How are you going to survive without a job?" The weight of her worry hung between them, palpable and heavy.
Austin Dre met her gaze with a radiant smile, one so charming that it sent a warm flutter through her heart. "I can survive and live the way I want on my own, Angel. You don't need to worry about me," he assured her, his tone light yet resolute.
"But..." She felt the urge to debate him, her instincts kicking in to protect him from his own recklessness.
"Even though you've known me your entire life, there are many things about me that you don't know, Angel Swan," he replied, a hint of mystery dancing in his eyes.
"Really?" she asked, curiosity piqued, leaning closer as if to draw out the secrets hidden beneath his confident exterior.
"Yeah," he nodded, his expression playful yet serious.
"Well, I want to know everything about you," she insisted, her voice a mix of determination and urgency.
"I don't think I have enough time," he teased, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"I don't care," she said earnestly, her gaze piercing through the playful facade. "Just promise you won't leave me again." The sincerity in her voice hung in the air, making the moment feel electric.
Austin Dre paused, contemplating her words. "What have I got to lose? I'm truly sorry for what I've done in the past," he replied, a note of vulnerability seeping into his tone.
She smiled softly, a mixture of relief and hope washing over her. Rising from her seat, she moved toward him, taking his hands in hers, their warmth intertwining like a familiar embrace. "Let's make new memories and forget about the past," she whispered, her voice filled with a sweet determination.
He nodded, a glimmer of understanding passing between them. With a gentle rise on her toes, she leaned in and placed a tender kiss on his cheek. When she pulled away, the look on Austin's face reflected a dazed surprise, as if her kiss had awakened a depth of emotions he had long buried.
"Let's go," she announced, snapping him back to the present with a bright smile. Taking her hand, he returned her smile, feeling a sense of possibility as they walked out of the room together.