Chapter140 Pretend Lovers
With a slight sidestep, Winona Sullivan dodged Austin's arm: "Cut the act, I'm here for business, not whatever you're implying. I need your help with something."
Austin looked at his empty hand, shrugged nonchalantly, and followed her to their table.
The booth was designed with couples in mind, so cramming four people into that snug space was like stuffing sardines in a can—even with two standing, it was unbearably crowded.
Austin glanced up at the pair of bodyguards, straight-backed and stoic as statues, under the watchful eye of the server. "Why don't you guys take a seat in the next booth over? I'll cover it," he offered.
One of the guards looked down at him, dismissing the suggestion with a firm "No."
Clearly, this guy had his sights set on Winona with less than honorable intentions.
Wearing a smirk that was all courtesy and no substance, Austin said, "Would you mind waiting outside then? Standing there like a pair of bookends can't be comfortable, and frankly, it's making me uneasy."
The subtle aura of menace that Austin naturally exuded snapped the bodyguards to attention, their nerves taut.
Trained professionals, they were sworn to their employer's service, so despite sensing danger, there was no sign of retreat, only the instinct to shield Winona Sullivan behind them.
"It's alright," Winona told them, "Mr. Robinson is a friend. We have some private matters to discuss outside."
With a simple nod, the bodyguards complied—one stepped outside, and the other made his way to the reception.
The booth was draped with a double layer of curtains, fabric and sheer. Austin only lowered the sheer layer, ensuring discretion. He wouldn't let Winona be the subject of gossip—rumors about him were of no consequence, but he wouldn't stand for any slander directed at the girl he fancied.
As for ending up in this couple-centric café, it was pure fluke; he'd overhead his sister mention it in passing. After all, being fresh back in town for just a month and not one for the social scene, how else would he know about it?
Winona pulled out her phone, which Layla had managed to smash. "Could you find someone to retrieve the data?"
He took the shattered device, raising an eyebrow in mock horror. "What'd you do, run over this with a truck?"
Winona simply sighed.
"Is the data important?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll see what can be done," Austin said, pocketing the phone, and then he flashed a grin at Winona. "Does this mean you owe me one?"
"If there's ever anything I can do to help..."
"Austin!"
The interruption came in the form of a chipper, feminine voice, and barely a second later, the curtain swung aside. Chloe peered in, her eyes lighting up like crescent moons upon spotting Austin, "Wow, what a crazy coincidence to find you here..."
It was no coincidence at all. She had brought her friend along intentionally for a rendezvous with her brother after he had mentioned this place. He didn't drink coffee and certainly didn't have a girlfriend, so it made no sense why he'd come to a café that catered to romantic themes.
Her voice abruptly halted as her gaze landed on Winona Sullivan at his side, her slightly chubby, baby-faced cheeks instantly flushed with embarrassment, "Bro, is she your girlfriend?"
Chloe didn't dare to look back at her best friend's expression. Wendy had harbored a crush on her brother for so long, and she remained single all these years while Austin was in the military. Although she claimed she wasn't waiting for him, everyone could tell—Wendy was waiting for her brother.
Now that she finally had him back, before she could muster the courage to confess, she had to watch the man she'd liked for years seemingly swooped up by someone else—it was more than anyone could bear.
Austin ran his tongue over his teeth thoughtfully, leaning in close to Winona Sullivan's ear: "Help me out?"
Winona Sullivan only offered an awkward silence in response.
Her proximity brought his warmth spilling over her ear, causing her to instinctively lean away.
Austin spoke up, "Didn’t you say I could come to you if I needed help? Play along with me, consider it a favor returned."
Without waiting to see if Winona Sullivan was willing, Austin nonchalantly placed his hand on the back of her chair—never touching her, yet to everyone else, the gesture was a clear claim of possession, "Mhm."
Chloe's face fell as she felt Wendy's hand, which she held, tremble.
"When did you guys start dating? Just the day before yesterday, mom asked you, and you said you were still single, right?"
"Just started yesterday," Austin replied with a nonchalant, unruffled demeanor, "Why, does it take years to confirm a relationship?"
Chloe looked at Winona Sullivan, "Sister, you and my brother are really… boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Winona Sullivan could only offer an uneasy smile.
As a rising internet sensation, the heat from being secretive about her marriage to Zachary Bailey had just cooled off, yet it was possible many still recognized her. Although Austin asked for her help, nodding in agreement was still somewhat difficult for her.
"You're not just someone my brother hired to fool mom, are you?"
Austin wrapped an arm over Winona Sullivan's shoulder, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
Meeting Chloe's inquisitive gaze, Winona Sullivan hesitated before nodding.
"So, you were hired to act?"
"Act nothing, kiddo. Lay off the soap operas. Do you think your brother would do something like that? Besides, with my looks, do I need to pay someone to play a role?"
Chloe quickly nodded in agreement.
Austin remained silent.
Just as he was about to playfully knock on her head, Wendy stepped up. She glanced at Winona Sullivan several times with a subtle curiosity before speaking up softly, "Austin, this lady looks vaguely familiar. Have I seen her somewhere before?"
"Oh, you've probably seen her in my family albums," Austin responded nonchalantly.
Wendy fell silent. As Chloe's bestie with a soft spot for Austin, she had indeed flipped through the Robinsons' family albums, even pocketed a few pictures. But she was certain this face wasn't in them.
The face...
She furrowed her brows, deep in thought, when suddenly an image flashed through her mind.
Wendy's eyes widened in shock as she stared incredulously at Winona Sullivan, who was glaring at Austin.
Austin gestured dismissively, "Alright, you girls go and enjoy yourselves. Don’t crowd around me. It's hard enough to court a lady without an audience."
Winona Sullivan had nothing left to say. Austin had one thing right – he didn’t need to pay an actress. With his looks and honeyed words, there were plenty of girls willing to play his girlfriend.
Wendy’s expression turned icy with evident disdain, "Miss, does Austin know about this?"
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