Chapter 1807
Audrey sat in the car, anxiously watching as the sky grew darker. She couldn't sit still any longer and got out, walking to the front to ask, "Austin, what's going on? How long is this gonna take?"
"It's just a small oil leak in the engine. Should be done in about ten minutes," Austin replied casually. "If you're tired of waiting, you can take a walk around. I'll call you when it's ready."
Audrey sighed and wandered up a small hill nearby, looking out into the distance. The surrounding fields were barren, with only a few scattered trees. There was no sign of a village, and she had no idea where they were. Regret suddenly filled her heart. She shouldn't have taken Austin's car; it would have been better to stay at Chad's place overnight. But it was too late to change anything now.
The sun was already halfway below the horizon, resembling a giant egg yolk. The light was soft and not at all harsh, like a lover's gaze, making one feel intoxicated. The clouds around it were edged with gold, creating a spectacular scene.
Audrey watched this natural wonder, her hair blowing wildly in the wind. Countless ancient poems flashed through her mind, but none could accurately describe her current feelings.
Life was unpredictable; no one knew what tomorrow would bring. But the sun would always rise on time, bringing light and warmth to the world. Compared to the vastness of the universe and the endlessness of time, her worries seemed insignificant.
Not far away, Austin looked up at Audrey standing on the hill, her figure tall and graceful, her face bathed in the glow of the setting sun. She looked like a goddess descended to earth, exuding a delicate beauty mixed with a hint of aloofness, making her seem otherworldly.
A flicker of greed crossed his eyes, like a hungry coyote eyeing a plump deer, waiting for nightfall to make his move.
Audrey snapped out of her daze as the sun completely disappeared below the horizon. Seeing Austin still busy at the car, she frowned slightly and quickly walked down the hill. "Austin, is it not fixed yet?" She asked softly.
"Almost there," Austin said, fiddling with some wires while his eyes roamed over Audrey's tall, curvy figure. Her coat hugged her mature, voluptuous body, accentuating her curves. In the dim light, she looked even more alluring, stirring up unspeakable desires.
Another half hour passed, and it was completely dark. Audrey had to use her phone's flashlight to help Austin see. But eventually, her phone battery ran low, and Austin, looking dejected, said, "It's no use. One of the wires seems to have a bad connection. The car won't start."
"What do we do now?" Audrey asked, feeling a bit nervous as she looked around at the pitch-black surroundings. "Should we call the police? Austin, where exactly are we?"
"I'm not sure either. I rarely take this road. There aren't any houses for miles around," Austin said, noticing Audrey's fearful expression. He felt a surge of satisfaction. Women only rely on men when they're vulnerable, and this was his chance to show his manly charm. "Don't worry, Audrey. If I can't fix the car, I'll call a friend to come pick us up. He'll get us back to town. It's windy out here; you should get back in the car so you don't catch a cold. I'll keep trying to fix it."
Seeing Austin sweating and working hard, Audrey couldn't bring herself to complain. She got back in the car and suddenly her phone rang. It was Kevin. She quickly answered.
"Audrey, why aren't you back yet? I've made dinner and I'm waiting for you," Kevin's slightly impatient voice came through the phone.
"Kevin, I'm still on the road. There's a bit of traffic, so I might be late. You go ahead and eat," Audrey explained, not wanting Kevin to know she was with Austin, fearing he might get jealous.
"It's okay, I'll wait for you. I made a special pizza this time. You have to try it," Kevin said with a chuckle.
"Okay, I'll be home soon..." Audrey started to say, but her phone died. She put it back in her pocket, feeling a pang of longing for Kevin's voice. Only Kevin could make her feel at ease.
Just then, Austin got back in the car and said, "Audrey, I called my friend. He'll come pick us up, but it'll take about an hour."
"Alright," Audrey said, feeling a bit frustrated. If Austin had called for help right away, she might have been home by now. Or if they hadn't taken the back road, they could have easily caught a ride on the main road.
But Austin had asked for her opinion, and she had insisted on taking the shortcut. She couldn't blame him entirely. No one could have predicted the car breaking down. It was just bad luck. Thinking back to her awkward encounter with the shepherd and accidentally witnessing Austin and Caroline's affair, Audrey felt she shouldn't have left home today. Staying in with Kevin, watching a movie, and chatting would have been much better.
As time passed, the wind picked up, howling eerily. The car wasn't heated, and Audrey, dressed lightly, felt cold. She hugged herself tightly, curling up in her seat.
Seeing this, Austin quickly took off his jacket and handed it to her. "Audrey, put on my jacket."
"No, you don't have much on either," Audrey protested, seeing Austin only had a sweater underneath.
"I'm a tough guy; a little cold won't hurt me," Austin insisted, pushing the jacket into her hands. "Audrey, don't be polite. It's my fault you're in this situation. If Chad finds out, he'll give me an earful."
"Austin, don't say that. You were just trying to help. It's not your fault," Audrey said, feeling warmer with Austin's jacket. Her impression of him improved slightly. Despite his flaws, he was more responsible than someone like Quentin. At least he wasn't taking advantage of her vulnerability.
"Good intentions don't always lead to good outcomes," Austin sighed, trying to change her perception of him.
"Being a village head isn't easy. The higher-ups see us as laborers. They send a directive, and we have to inform every household. The villagers aren't as easygoing as city folks. They can get physical. I've been chased around the village more than once. See this scar on my face? Someone cut me with a knife."
Audrey noticed the scar and said, "I didn't realize being a village head was so tough."
"People trust me, so I have to do my best," Austin continued. "But it's hard to please everyone. Take Chad's family, for example. With you and Jason away, and Lucas working in the mines, Caroline has to manage everything. I try to help when I can. Caroline insists on feeding me, and if I refuse, it might hurt her feelings. But if I accept, people might gossip. It's a tough spot."
Audrey remained silent, thinking that even if he had good intentions, it didn't excuse his affair with Caroline.
Austin, sensing her thoughts, said, "Audrey, there's something I've been holding in. I don't know if I should tell you, but it's eating me up inside."
"Go ahead. I promise I won't tell anyone," Audrey said, curious about what he had to say.
"It's about Caroline. One time, I was helping with coal delivery, and she insisted I stay for dinner. I couldn't refuse. During dinner, she suddenly hugged me, saying she was scared being alone with Lucas away. I couldn't resist, and we ended up together," Austin confessed.
"You and Caroline..." Audrey was shocked. She knew about their affair but didn't expect Austin to admit it. Her mind raced, unsure how to react—anger, sympathy, or something else.
"Audrey, I know you must think I'm despicable," Austin said, sounding remorseful. "I admit I'm not a good person, but I never meant to ruin Caroline's family. I'm trying to make up for my mistake. Please don't think badly of Caroline. She's a good woman. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have helped her, but I did, and it led to this. It's all on me." He then started slapping himself, adding to the drama.
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