Bonus Chapter!- Cyrus

**~One year later~**

I'll never forget the look on Autumn's face the day I chickened out of choosing her. A year passed, and I still couldn't get her out of my head. No matter how many times I've tried to reach out to her, she wouldn't answer. I knew that it wouldn't make up for it, but I even sent her money as some consolation for the pain I had caused. The things I promised would happen weren't, and I figured that would at least help her get settled and on her feet. It was a cheap trick to get her to talk to me, but it didn't work anyway. I should have known better.

Regardless, things weren't the same around here in Sunbury. My mother got what she wanted, and I was unhappy. Not to mention my parents have been having marital problems ever since. My father was on my side and didn't agree with my mother's cheap tactics. He could see how unhappy I was about the whole thing. The joy I once felt was missing because Autumn wasn't with me. Every day I wondered if she missed us as much as I did. Every night I lie in my bed thinking about her being next to me. The bathroom even reminds me of her because she loved it so much. Taking showers indeed will never feel the same. It was no fun not seeing her reaction to me using my battery without her. As much as my heart yearned for her, she was gone.

That wasn't one of my biggest problems now. My problem now was that my mom was trying to force something that wasn't there. Admittedly, I've grown to like Jenna somehow but not in the way I'm supposed to. She was fantastic to be around and wasn't as bitchy as she came across during the competition. Still, there was nothing about her to write home about. Jenna was like my mother because they only cared about material items. That is fine, but it doesn't make me like her more than on a friendship basis. It certainly didn't make me want to marry her.

"I'm not doing that," I say matter-of-factly.

My mother rolled her eyes. "Why not? Marriage can be a wonderful thing," she says.

"Yeah, when you love someone," I argued. "I don't love Jenna."

It sounded harsh coming out of my mouth, especially with Jenna sitting beside me. Was I supposed to lie, though? I didn't love her in the slightest my heart still belonged to Autumn. One day we were going to make things, and I wasn't going to waste it marrying Jenna. I spent a whole year with the girl, and I felt no emotions. She was a lovely girl and friendly to me as well. We spent a few great moments together, but nothing to write home about. My plan wasn't to hurt her, but to show them that their cheap tricks wouldn't make me magically fall in love with Jenna.

My mom frowned, "why not? It's been a year already." She wasn't letting this go.

"Because I love someone else." I smile to myself. "I'll have her back one day."

Jenna looked sad but stayed silent. She knew I was talking about Autumn, and I'm sure it bothered her. There was nothing anyone could do to change my mind. Autumn was the girl for me since the day I met her. It wasn't anything for her to gain except a bit of status, but even then, she didn't want that. She just wanted me, and that's hard to come by when you're as wealthy as I am.

"Get over it; she'll never be a part of this family!" My mother yelled at me. "Get your head out of your ass because, in two months, you two will be newlyweds."

"But, Farrah, I don't think-"

"I don't want to hear it! Now come on, we have a wedding to plan." She cut Jenna off, dragging her away.

I sighed, slumping back in my seat. Talking to that woman never ceases to give me a pounding headache. She was the worst when it came to me talking about Autumn. The very mention of her name and she loses all sense of reality. It would be easier if my mom liked her, but that didn't matter anymore. As long as I liked her, that was good enough for me. It was also interesting that my dad also took a liking to her. He wasn't very present during the two months aside from teaching me about the family business. The most important thing to him was my happiness, and that's where my parents bumped heads.

Before I could get up to walk away, my dad came in to talk to me. My mother probably sent him because that lady was psycho. It's not like he would force me into this if that's what she was thinking. Nothing would change my mind, no matter who she tried to get to talk to me about it. The marriage she desperately wanted wasn't going to work. Who said I even wanted to get married in the first place?

My dad sat down next to me, looking stressed out. "I know your mom has been crazy for the past year, but just indulge her for the time being." He told me.

I scoffed. "Are you kidding? She's trying to make me marry someone I don't even love."

"I know, son, but you have to trust me on this one. You'll see when the time comes."

That made me wonder what my dad was up to. "What do you have planned?" I asked, curious to know what he was brewing up.

He stood up with a smirk on his face. "Nothing that wasn't going to happen anyway."

That didn't tell me much, but I didn't bother to question him on it, either. I trusted what he was saying, and if I had to go along with this shit idea, I would. At least for the time being. Right now, I was going to check in with Jeremy.

Throughout the past year, he's been keeping me updated with Autumn. Her mom was serious about him, and they even got a lovely house not far from here. Of course, he still worked for us because my mom adored him. Jeremy has been with my family for as long as I can remember. It's safe to say he wasn't going anywhere. Thank goodness.

I sat down in the kitchen, smiling at Jeremy. "You know what I'm going to ask you, right?" It's become an everyday thing.

He laughed, shaking his head, much to my dismay. "I'm sorry, Cyrus, but she wants nothing to do with you."

"What did she say?" I needed to know how she felt.

"Every time I bring you up, she changes the subject," he said.

That sounds like something she would do. It was safe to say she hated my guts. Or maybe that was her way of coping. Either way, it didn't bring me any closer to her. If we could only have a conversation, I wouldn't have to marry Jenna, and we could finally be happy. Jeremy didn't think I should send any more money. If I kept throwing that at her, she'd hate me a lot more. Plus, we didn't need a repeat of Northport. It wasn't easy to gauge what to do because she wouldn't speak to me! I was like the plague in her eyes.

"You could at least tell her we need to talk? I'm desperate." I was very.

Jeremy nodded. "She will be my stepdaughter one day, and if she dates anyone, I hope for it to be you."

I smiled, embracing his compliment. "Thanks, Jer," I say, standing up. "My mother may come bearing news. Try not to let it startle you."

He looked at me, confused about what I was saying. "Is it more children?"

I nearly choked. "She can barely take care of two children you can forget about a third."

That caused him to laugh some more as I walked out the kitchen. I was coming for my mom a lot today. Sometimes she just pissed me off to no end. Especially about Autumn. I loved that girl with everything in and I was going to win her back. It didn't matter if my mom didn't like it this time. My focus will strictly be on winning her back in anyway possible. I had two months time to get my shit together, and I was going to make the most out of those two months.

Autumn, I will get you back.