chapter 13: Past Upcoming

Autumn
Remind me, why do I have friends? I was peacefully sleeping, but Isabel disrupted it by calling me to go to her room. I told her that I would, but after I freshened up. So here I was, currently sitting with Isabel. I told her everything about yesterday. She and Dante were my best friends after all.
She jumped in excitement, "Oh my God! Did Ian do that?"
"He did." I grinned as I further spoke, "Even I couldn't believe it at first."
"My brother is growing up emotionally."
"At last!" I said. "Hey, listen. Ian might ask you about him, so don't even dare to open your mouth. Not even the name."
She nodded in assurance. "What actually happened between you and Montez, by the way?"
I didn't want to hear his name, but I had to face her question. I cleared my throat and answered, "Well, stuff ended because new products were on the way."
She held my hand. "It's okay, Aut. If you don't want to tell me, I won't force you. Don't lie, at least."
I smiled at her words. "Thank you."
She mumbled, "Anytime."
"Autumn, Mom called. She wants to talk to you." Ian was standing at the entrance of Isabel's door. I stood up, took the phone, and started walking down the hallway.
Ada chirped, "Hey, Autumn! How are you, sweetie?"
"I am fine. What about you?"
"I am fine too. Hey, the new year is coming soon. As always, I arrange the small new year party, since, you know, the other people are hopeless."
I hummed in response.
She was right. Ada used to invite us during the new year, and she was the one making all the arrangements, from cooking to decorating the house with lights. She had to cook a lot of dishes. I pitied her every time. Whenever my mom or I offered her to help, she would instantly deny.
"But I am not there this new year. Still, I don't want this celebration to stop. I bet my children won't even bother to arrange a party. Can you please arrange everything this time? As you always watched me doing stuff and you are a great chef, I think you'd handle it nicely," Ada said hesitantly.
I wanted to bang my head on the wall.
Preparing all the dishes within three days, including today. Fuck my life!
I scanned the entire hallway. It was fully empty. How was I supposed to decorate it within this minimum time?
"So, will you, dear? I am telling you because I am counting you on this," she spoke to me again when I didn't respond.
"Yes," I said. "Don't worry. I will handle it."
She heaved a sigh in relief. "I knew you would never refuse. See, Simon? She's nothing like Ian. You spoiled our son." I assumed she was talking to Simon while holding the phone. I was walking back to Isabel's room and was about to enter, but I stopped when I heard Ian and Isabel talking.
"Who was her boyfriend in high school, Isabel?" Ian asked.
She tried to change the topic and said with a smile, "And I am fine, thank you. How are you, my dear brother?"
He glared at her and said slowly, "Isabel." My eyes grew wide at hearing this. It was the first time I heard Ian calling his sister 'Isabel' in this harsh and dangerous tone.
"I am sorry, Ian. I cannot tell you anything. And it was in the past, for God's sake! So, stop asking me about it. When Aut is comfortable enough, she will tell you the entire story."
"Well, at least, tell me his name," he reasoned out.
It was my time to interrupt, so I stepped out of the shadows and mumbled, "Ian." Two pairs of eyes looked at me. Isabel mouthed a 'thank you' to me. "Here, take the phone. Mom's still on the line, talking to Dad." I handed him the phone.
"If she's talking to Dad, then it means there's no more need to talk to her. I have to cut the call." He just hung up the phone and walked past me.
As soon as he left, Isabel jumped, "Oh my God! You were so right. He really came here for that. And he even called me, 'Isabel' in such a harsh tone. Can you believe that?"
I said, "I know."
"Why don't you just tell him about you-know-who?" she said it as if I was talking about Voldermort.
"If I tell him, he will react unnecessarily." And find the entire truth, which is exactly what I don't want to happen. "Anyway, Bel, I need to prepare everything for the new year party. Want to help me out?"
She instantly sat up and grabbed her laptop. "I have so much work! I probably can't, sorry."
I rolled my eyes. Isabel knew it would take a lot of effort preparing for the new year. That's why she chose to betray me. Some friends I have!
"Backstabbing Drama Queen," I retorted.
She grinned. I marched down to the kitchen.
"Hello, Ma��am. Do you need anything?" Maya asked. She was Ada's personal caretaker. I huffed in response, which made her chuckle. "New year's preparation, right?"
"Yes," I grumbled.
Maya assured me, saying, "Don't worry. She assigned me to help you."
"Well, glad to have you here. I am getting frustrated. I hate it when I get full responsibility for something all of a sudden."
Maya smiled. "It's okay, Ma��am Come here. I am going to explain everything."
I nodded. She explained everything to me from the start. I wondered how I would have managed all these without her. "You have a bandage on your wrist, yet I find you in the kitchen. Wow!" said Ian unexpectedly.
I narrowed my eyes in his direction. He was leaning against the wall, crossing his arms. He looked at me in disappointment, though I found his posture hot.
"I didn't expect this from you. Out of all the people, you are not conscious of yourself. No wonder why you didn't hesitate to pull out that stunt last night." He walked towards me.
"I'll excuse myself," Maya said and bowed before leaving the kitchen.
"But, Maya..."
"Shh." Ian put a finger on my lips, shushing me.
What is he up to?
He removed his finger after I was quiet and caressed my cheeks. Every time his fingers brushed against my cheek, a shiver ran down my spine. He stared deep into my eyes with a mixed look of worry, grief, and affection. Wait, affection?
"Montez William, your highschool sweetheart since freshman year," he whispered. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He continued, "He was selected for Harvard, but never reached the airport even though he left his house with luggage. He even called you, but you were in training. With me."
"You... I don't want to hear anymore, Ian." I tried to push him away, but he held me by my waist this time. Each time I was close to him, my heartbeat quickened. I hated it.
"He went missing after that. I wonder why no one reported it even though it's been seven years." He raised his eyebrows.
"Autumn, why did you call me?"
"Montez, I wanted you to meet him."
"Do you know anything about him going missing, wifey?" Ian asked, but my mind was replaying the horrifying scenario of that day. "Autumn?"
"Huh?"
He scanned my facial expression as I gulped. ��Do you know anything about him going missing?�� he repeated.
"No," I said. "I don't know where he went. We broke up because the long distance relationship between us was impossible to continue." I pushed Ian away. "Now, get lost. I need to order some stuff for the party."
He chuckled. "New year party? I wonder if my dear wife forgot about her bodyguard lying in the dungeon."
My body stiffened with shock. How could I forget Spencer? Crap it!
No, don't say 'Crap it!' because that's what Ian's expression was.
"He's still alive, right?" I hesitated while asking.
Ian started to play with his Rubix cube, which I never noticed. When did he even bring that in the kitchen?
I waited for an answer. He was purposely testing my tolerance level because he was still silent.
"Well...?" I couldn't help but ask.
He smirked. "Being the generous person I am��which I always was��he's still alive. But if I don't get the red-velvet pastries before the clock hits twelve and we welcome a new year, I will be sacrificing him on that day, I swear."
He pinched the tip of my nose and ran off the kitchen. I stood there dumbstruck. What's going on with him?
How did he get to know about Montez? Who told him the name?
Isabel would never break the promise. She wasn't like that. Who else knew apart from��oh, now I get it.
Without wasting a second, I got out of the kitchen and drove towards the base. I barged into Dante's cabin.
"Dante Regine!" I hollered. I saw him sitting on his chair. I took my gun and put the muzzle on his forehead.
"Wha��God! What's wrong with you, Autumn?" he cried. "At first it was Ian, and now, it's you. Today is not my lucky day. I got held at gunpoint once and counting this, it's twice!"
I didn't remove the gun and asked, "Why did you tell Ian Montez?"
"He put me at gunpoint. Plus, the condition he put in Spencer, I don't want to be in that place ever," he answered, getting scared.
"Ugh! I hate that freaking Ian. Do you know what he did?" I sighed and removed the gun. Then I sat next to him, telling him the entire story.
"I don't want to get in between. You are both equally crazy!" Dante commented after hearing it all from me.
I smiled at his words. Then we talked regarding our gang until it was time for me to go home.
"I better start making the red velvet pastries now. It's nighttime. He can eat them as dessert. I am pretty sure he ate dinner. He never skips a meal," I muttered. "Though, I should ask him once. Just for assurance."
I stepped inside the study, where Ian, Aubree, and Steven were.
"So Lennox Gibian is perfect then. He trained me and Autumn. He can easily train Lia. 'Cause I ain't sending her to any camp. Lennox can teach her here," I heard Ian say.
My entire world seemed to shatter down, hearing this name which I never wanted to hear again.
Lennox Gibian.
"What do you think, wifey?"
"Autumn?" Steven called me this time.
"Should we call Lennox Gibian then? Is he a good trainer in your eyes, since he trained you too?" questioned Aubree.
Good trainer?
I started taking deep breaths.
"Are you okay?" she asked, with a fully concerned tone.
Lennox Gibian.
"Autumn? What ��"
"I��I have to go," I interrupted Steven and ran to our bedroom. I closed the door and took my emoticon pillow, laying on the bed.
I was shivering. "He, Lennox Gibian... He's��he will come again." I let my tears down, which I have been holding since I heard his name. "He will ruin me again. I hate him. I hate him so much. What if he harms my family this time? How will I protect everyone?"
"Autumn?" I flinched at first hearing the sudden voice. Realizing it was Ian, I felt comfortable. I got up and wrapped my arms around Ian tightly. My head was on his chest, hearing his fastening heartbeats. He wrapped his arms around me too.
For once in my entire life, I felt safe in someone's arms.