chapter 16: Running Willingly

Autumn
I completed the final touch and mumbled, "Done." I kept the eight pieces of red-velvet pastries in the fridge.
At last, I made them. Tonight, I will give it to Ian so that he can release Spencer. Lia wouldn't start her training today because Lennox had some important work. Well, that was what Ian said. But I know there's something more to it and it's bugging me since then.
I didn't have to go to the restaurant today because we had three days' leave. The leave was given from the 31st of December to the 2nd of January. I loved New Year, and so did Mr. Atticus. This was why we kept a special vacation on the occasion of the New Year. On this occasion, we all wear new clothes. My new year started with renewing my life. Mom always bought my dress. Since we get three days' holiday, she buys three dresses for me to wear.
She sent me the dresses today. Today, I had to wear a new dress because a guest would possibly come tonight.
I took a bath and slipped into the maroon dress. It reached up to my thigh. It had a black belt hugging my waist. I wore a watch and my diamond earrings. Since the dress was high-neck, I didn't feel the need to wear a necklace.
Ian entered the room, his phone on his ear even though he was on leave. "No, Al��" He noticed me. "��ino. I told you, we will not build a casino there, Alino."
I arched an eyebrow. "Al...ino?"
"We will talk about it later. I told you." He hung up his phone. "Are you going somewhere?"
I shook my head and said, "Just celebrating the 31st of December. And a guest can come by anytime."
"Well, then you better change because that guest won't last long to observe your appearance. We made arrangements." He put his hand in his pocket. I avoided his remark.
I went towards the closet and took out a maroon suit for him. "Change into this. I need to take a picture of us. The Shadow people questioned Dante if we were happy, why didn't I have a picture of us in the cabin." I handed him the suit as I continued, "So we have to take a picture today and send it to Dante. He will handle the rest."
He let out a humorless chuckle. "And we are twinning for that? What are we, siblings?"
I retorted, "Of course. That's what you said to Alana."
"I told you not to bring that up," he groaned before going to the washroom to change. I bit my lips and waited for him. After he got out, I couldn't help but admire him. He ran a hand through his hair in front of the mirror. Then he turned to me and asked, "Do I look weird?"
"Perfect," I blurt out. He raised his eyebrows in amusement. When I realized what I said, I added, "��ly weird. Perfectly weird."
He burst into laughter. He looks handsome from every angle. Damn.
Shut up, Autumn!
"Let's go. Steven promised to take the pictures," I said as I entwined our hands. Then, we walked towards the garden where we met Steven. It was evening so he had set up everything.
"Wow. Here comes the lovebirds, looking lovely," he said when his eyes traveled from head to toe of our appearance and instructed, "Ian, wrap an arm around Autumn's waist and kiss her forehead."
"What?" I let out.
"Yes, Autumn. If either of you throws tantrums, I will just walk away. I want to make this quick. I cannot wait to roast that Illy Willy dude." I couldn't help but laugh hearing Steven.
"You mean, Ilian?" I questioned which made him nod his head in return.
He said, "Okay, now focus."
We stood in our respective positions. Ian did what Steven told him, and he placed his soft lips on my forehead. I didn't know why I reacted like that, but I closed my eyes and smiled.
"Wow... This is the most beautiful picture. It really came out better than I expected. Look." Steven showed us the picture and he was right. It really came out beautiful.
"Guys, the target is here!" Aubree hollered, making the three of us run back inside the house.
We saw a guy standing in the living room. It was Ilian Coree, no doubt about that. He looked very handsome. He was fair and had grey eyes. His blond hair was brushed nicely. He spoke with his thick British accent, "Hi, I am Ilian Coree."
He pulled out a hand to shake it but Ian, Steven, and Aubree, none of them shook his hand. In the awkward environment, I shook my hand with his.
"Nice to meet you, Ilian." I smiled. "I am Autumn Eme �� Beckett, Isabel's sister-in-law."
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Autumn. I heard a lot about you from Isabel." He smiled back.
"Please sit. Bel will be here soon." He nodded and sat on one of the couches. I walked towards the three sulking human beings. "Act nicely, please. I am just requesting you all for the first and hopefully the last time."
"I am already getting a weird vibe, and you had to say that," Ian grumbled and took a seat, which made me slightly confused.
Steven and Aubree nodded at me and sat as well. They all introduced themselves and started talking with Ilian. However, Ian was acting quite weird. He remained silent most of the time.
Isabel came down with Lia. Thank god, Lia didn't have her first day of training. She was happy, which she always should be.
"Hey, Ilian baby," Isabel let out and was about to kiss him, but Steven interrupted.
"Okay, I didn't sign up for this."
"Alright, let's have dinner. I am hungry!" whined Lia.
"Yeah," I said. "Let's go and have dinner. Come on, everyone."
They agreed and were heading towards the dining area. Only Ian was in the living room.
I stood next to him and asked, "Are you okay?" It seemed that he didn't even hear me. I placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ian?"
He snapped out of his trance and replied, "Huh?"
I asked again, "Are you okay?"
"I have doubled the security today but still, don't leave my sight, Autumn. I am serious." I looked at him. His blue eyes were piercing through my green ones.
I nodded with a smile and entwined our hands. "Let's go and have dinner."
We went to the dining area. The food was served. We sat and started eating.
Everyone talked and gossiped. Even I tried to enjoy myself, but I couldn't. Ian was feeling something odd. He wasn't even including himself in any conversation properly. How could I relax?
Steven and Aubree seemed to like Ilian for Isabel. After Ilian left, we were back in the living room. We sat on the couch.
Suddenly, my phone rang. It was from an unknown number. I always answered an unknown number because it could be important.
I could feel Ian looking at the caller ID as I hesitantly picked up the call.
"Hello?"
"Hello, my favorite student." My whole body became numb hearing the nickname. His voice sounded different here, but the nickname was a sign that it was indeed him. He said through the phone, "Utter my name and your gang members die. Also Ian's."
I saw everyone looking at me. I got up and was about to excuse myself but Ian grabbed my hand. He indicated to me to sit back. God, why are you doing this to me?
Ian snatched the phone and put it on the speaker.
"Now, listen to me," spoke Lennox. "I placed bombs in the base of the Silver and the Shadow. It was easy for me. I spent my whole day on this."
Everyone stayed silent. They waited for me to speak. "What proof do you have?" I asked with a shaken voice and Ian held my hand.
"I knew you would ask that. That's why I am sending you a video. Check it, but don't you dare cut the call."
My phone chimed again. I checked the video he sent and Lennox was right. He placed the bombs in such a way that none could even guess where it was. The place was very dark.
He announced, "It's not the time bombs. I press a red button, everyone dies. I press the yellow button, the bomb stops functioning."
"What do you want?" I asked after a while.
He laughed out loudly. "You know what I want. Meet me at that place. I will take you hostage and let them stay alive."
Ian pressed my hand harder while Steven shook his head in my direction. Isabel mumbled, 'no'. Lia stayed silent and Aubree glared at the phone.
I closed my eyes and let out, "Okay. But promise me, you will not back out from your words. You will stop the bomb."
"You have exactly thirty minutes. I never broke my promises. You know that, Autumn."
"Okay," I let out and saw everyone glaring at me. "See you then." I cut the call and ran towards the main door.
Aubree jumped in front of me. Steven grabbed my waist, so I hit Steven on this groin. He hissed in pain and instantly released me.
I was about to walk past Aubree. Ian abruptly took me in his arms while I tried to free myself. "Leave me, Ian! I have to go."
He took me to Aubree's room as it was on this floor. The others followed him. He placed me on the chair.
"Isabel, bring a rope or chain��something to tie this crazy woman!" he hollered.
"Ian, let me go! He will kill our people!" I tried to wriggle out of his strong grip.
"I don't care who the fuck he is! He won't be able to do anything. Just stay still, Autumn."
"We have a freaking bomb in our base. How did this happen under your watch? Also, inform Dante! Their base also has a bomb!" Steven shouted through the phone.
"Ian, he is always up to his words. He will kill our people if I don't go within half an hour. Please, let me go," I cried.
"Are you fucking out of your mind? Of course, you are! He will hold you hostage. He might even kill you!" he yelled. "I will never let that happen to you."
I confronted, "Don't you know the type of bomb he implanted? It's from your company. You made these types of bombs. It has no options for diffusion, Ian! It just works on the command of the remote."
He muttered something under his breath. Then he looked at Aubree and said, "It's from our company. Check who recently bought them and find a way to diffuse it!"
"I'll ask Isabel," she muttered before going out of the room.
Ian was talking with Steven as he made Lia hold my hands.
Aubree and Isabel were out. The emergency door of Aubree's room was just behind me. She always used it. She even had a car which she parked there.
Big mistake, Ian.
I pinched Lia's hand. She squealed in pain and removed her hand. I jumped out of the chair as I took the car keys from the table.
Ian and Steven noticed me as I scooted towards the emergency door. It was open, so I ran there but I could hear footsteps behind me.
I saw the car and instantly got in. Without a second thought, I hurriedly started the car and drove to the place where it all began. The place where dad introduced me to Lennox Gibian for the first time. In front of the Becketts' Armament Company.
Who knew I would come here to meet Lennox once again?