chapter 19: Fall In Like?

Autumn
The entire place was now a massacre. The Silver and the Shadow had this place surrounded together.
As soon as Lennox got the news, he tried to run away. Ian went after him. I stood still in the room. The door was open, so lights flashed over me.
I still couldn't overcome the fact that Ian took the blows for me. He took the whipping by covering me. When I tried to push him away, he turned to face me and held me tightly. He wrapped me in his arms, while Lennox continued hitting his back. Each time the whip hit him, I winced in pain for him. I didn't feel that much pain when I was tortured at the beginning. The fact that Ian was getting hurt made my heart suffer.
I felt my vision getting blurry all of a sudden. I could hear Ian's voice. He was yelling, "I can't believe that motherfucker ran away! It's your fault. Why did you��fuck! Autumn?!" Ian ran towards me and I fell down. Darkness engulfed me.
When I woke up, I was back in our bedroom. Isabel was sitting next to me.
She heaved a sigh in relief. "Thank god, you woke up!" Isabel pulled me into a big hug before making me sit properly and said, "You had us worried, Vi. Are you okay, now? Feeling better? The doctor said you would be up, but none of us rested until we saw you getting up with our own eyes. Now, I can tell everyone to not stress out. Though, I made sure everyone is ready."
All of a sudden, I asked, "Where is Ian?"
She crossed her arms, glaring at me. "I can't believe this! You got up and instead of taking care of yourself, you are asking about my stupid brother."
"Bel, where is Ian?"
"First, freshen up. It's a New Year! You can meet Ian later on. He is not going anywhere."
"But��" she cut me off.
"No ifs and buts! Go and freshen up. I kept your dress inside the washroom and don't worry. I made Ian wear a matching suit." Before I could protest, she pushed me inside the washroom.
I rolled my eyes. Then I decided to take a bath because I really looked ugly. However, my wounds were covered with plasters. My body pain subsided a little bit. I wondered if Ian got his wounds treated too.
After I slipped into the green sleeveless dress, I let my red hair down. I did light makeup because it was a joyous occasion.
"I need a new haircut. I will put bangs in front," I mumbled looking in the mirror. Thank god that everything was fine. However, I needed to see Ian.
When I got out, I noticed Isabel's outfit. She wore a pink off-shoulder dress. She grinned at me and let out, "Wow... You look so freaking beautiful!"
I smiled. "Thank you, Al. Even you look so pretty."
"Let's go downstairs. I am so happy! I informed everyone," she said, squealing in happiness.
We walked downstairs. Everyone was in the living room. My parents and Dante were also there.
Mom wrapped me in her arms. "Oh, dear! You had us so worried."
"Rosalie, stop squeezing her. My daughter won't be able to breathe properly because of you, " said dad. After mom, I hugged dad. He patted my head. "I am proud of you, dear. You are indeed very strong. I cannot believe Lennox would do that!" he spat out.
I glanced at Ian who was sitting comfortably on the couch. He looked awesome and fresh, like always. Did he tell everything to dad? Including my past?
Ian sensed my thoughts. He shook his head. Immediate satisfaction filled in me. He just told them that Lennox kidnapped me because he wanted the gang, which was true though. He didn't tell my past.
After the hugs, I sat next to Ian.
"You are nutcase, Autumn! Why would you do that?" Dante scolded me. "Didn't you ever think about what we would do without L.L?"
I looked at my fingernails and murmured, "I just did what I thought was right."
"What you did was what a madwoman would do," Ian retorted. "Dad, did you marry her off to me so that she didn't have to go to the asylum?"
I narrowed my eyes at him.
Dad laughed. "Ian, I am so sorry. You found the truth."
"Mom!" I whined.
Mom glared at dad, which was enough to make him silent. She spoke, "Stop troubling my daughter. She just woke up."
"I am so damn hungry," Steven mumbled, but we heard him. "I am gonna go and eat something now. I saw red velvet pastries on a tray, untouched."
Ian said in a clear voice, "I dare you to touch that."
Steven smirked.
"You didn't eat the pastries," I mumbled. "What about Spencer?"
"He was safely returned to me, L.L," Dante assured me.
"I am so sorry, Ian. It all happened because of me. I��"Lia started but Ian cut her off.
"It was not your fault. Someone else did something, so it's not your fault."
"Yeah. That someone even hit me somewhere. I don't think there'll be any offspring of Steven anymore," retorted Steven. I gave an apologetic smile to him. I took out my phone and texted him.
Autumn:
Sorry :(
Steven:
It's okay ;) Just apologize to the volcano next to you.
I glanced at Ian. He didn't even look at me. He was listening to something dad was saying. So, I gave a small nod to Steven.
"I want to find that stupid ugly trainer and shower him with love," Aubree told us. "Damn! Why didn't we catch him?"
I decided to text Ian. I took out my phone and typed the message.
Autumn:
Come upstairs. I wanna talk to you.
He saw the text, but he ignored it as if it was an advertisement. I knew he was upset with me, but I had to persuade him. Him staying angry with me was more annoying than him teasing me.
"Ian, come upstairs," I whispered to him. Others were busy with their talks.
He side-eyed me and got into another conversation, avoiding me like I was wearing an invisible cloak. "Ev, did mom and dad call you?"
"Yes. I didn't tell them the truth. Otherwise, you know mom would drag dad back here."
I let out a frustrated sigh. So, here comes the ignoring phase, right? Don't worry, my dear husband. If you are difficult, then I am not lesser than you. A devilish plan popped in my mind.
"I am going to bring chocolate pastries from the kitchen," I said while getting up. I was near Ian so I placed a hand on my forehead. "I..." I pretended to faint. Ian instantly caught me. I was familiar with his soft touch.
"Autumn?" I heard his panicked voice. "I am gonna take her to our room. Steven, just call the damn doctor and shoot him."
Ian carried me in bridal style. I opened an eye and saw that others were following him too.
Oh, shit!
I saw Steven calling someone, probably the doctor. His blue eyes fell on me and I winked at him. Steven's eyes grew as wide as saucers. He understood and put his phone back in his pocket.
"All right. I don't think everyone has to follow Ian like a lost puppy. He can handle his wife," he said, stopping others. "Let's go and eat some food. I am hungry and so are you guys. Come." Everyone really listened to him.
Ian entered the room and placed me on the bed. He was about to leave, but I held his hand. He gazed at me.
"That was all an act then. Crap it!" he grumbled.
I stood up. I left his hand and held my ears. "I am so sorry, Ian. Sorry for the trouble you had to go through for me. Sorry for everything." He stared at me blankly as I further spoke, "I thought if I sacrificed my life, you would take care of the Shadow. Everyone will move on." I walked closer to him. "But I didn't know my husband cared for me as if his life was Autumn."
He raised his eyebrows in amusement, but he didn't break his silent treatment. I knew he got it from Ada. Simon used to complain to my dad whenever he got the silent treatment. He would melt Ada's with his romance.
I stood on the tea table, to meet his height. Instead, I became a bit taller than him. I cupped his cheeks. He remained quiet this entire time.
I looked at his pink luscious lips. I wondered how it would feel to kiss them.
Out of nervousness, I bit my lips. I didn't know what was going on with me. However, I leaned to kiss him. My heart was running a marathon.
Our lips were a few centimeters away. That's when Ian's phone started ringing.
He moved away and looked at the caller ID. I peeked and saw the familiar annoying name.
Alana
I couldn't control the sudden gush of anger whirling inside me. Without a second thought, I took his phone and smashed it on the wall.
Well, at least the phone wasn't ringing anymore. I inhaled a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I took a glimpse at Ian. He had an amused smile on his face.
I felt my cheeks heating up as I ran into the washroom, muttering to myself as I went. "Fuck! You're insanely crazy, Autumn. Why is Alana affecting you so much? It's not like Ian likes her. But why does it even matter to you?" I asked myself, looking in the mirror.
"Am I getting jealous? How can I get jealous when I don't like him? And why the hell am I blushing?" I stopped for a moment as a question got in my head. I let out with a gasp, "Do I like Ian?"