chapter 25: A Vacation Or Honeymoon?

Autumn
Life is going smoothly, and I wish I could live a life like this forever.
My wound was almost healed. Last night, Sabrina had just put a bandage over it and made me take a painkiller. It was nothing major.
I was currently working in my restaurant as I skipped my work for a while. I didn't want to be like that anymore. If I continue to skip my work, I won't be able to set a proper example for my employees. I don't want to do that.
While I was cooking, Mr. Atticus said all of a sudden, "Your leave is accepted, Autumn."
I furrowed my eyebrows. "What leave?"
He pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. "This application, where you want a leave to go on a tour or maybe on a honeymoon."
I snatched the paper from his hand. It was indeed my application for a week's leave. I mumbled, "I didn't submit this."
He shrugged. "I know. It's your husband who sent this. Maybe he wants to go on a honeymoon."
I glared at him before taking out my phone. I called Ian. He was in the Becketts' Armament Company. He was the managing director there. "I assume my dear wifey got to know about the trip," Ian let out as soon as he picked up the call.
"You're annoying. Just when I thought I would continue coming to work, you made me take a week's leave. It reminded me of the time when I used to sit for studying and you would call me for no reason. That would ruin my every interest in studying."
As we went to different high schools, our exam schedules were different. So, he used to ruin my study time, later I had to stay awake at night until I completed the syllabus.
"Still, you got good grades," he reasoned out.
"Yeah, right because my parents would disown me if I got anything but straight A's. You know how they are."
"But��"
"Wait. You're changing the topic, Ian. Tell me why we are going on a trip."
"We need a break from everything, you know. " He continued, "So, how about we go to Paris?"
I thought for a while. It was not a bad idea. I could clear my mind regarding Lennox and spend some alone time with Ian. With work, we couldn't give each other time, but if we go on a vacation, we can have all the time in the world for each other. Besides, going to the Eiffel Tower with Ian would be nice. The reason is that we like each other. And who knows? Maybe I can even fall for this guy after spending all the time with him.
Actually, I don't mind falling for Ian. When I will start falling for him, I will realize it on my own. I hope that one day, I will love him. I want to give our relationship a chance.
But what about Montez? How can I forget his memories?
"You know, Montez. We will fly to Paris together and kiss each other on the Eiffel Tower. Won't that be romantic?"
"Of course, baby. One day, we will."
"Autumn?" Ian brought me out of my trance. "Are you already daydreaming of Paris? Don't you wanna go?"
I wanted to go, but with someone else.
"Do we have different options for the destination?"
"Actually, no. Isabel said that you always wanted to go to Paris. So, I arranged everything."
"Okay, then," I sighed. "Paris it is then."
You have to move on, Autumn! Montez is your past and Ian is your present. Hopefully, your future too.
"Alright. We will leave tomorrow. See you later, wifey." He hung up and I put my phone inside my pocket.
"So...?" Mr. Atticus asked.
"Looks like I really need the seven days leave."
He smiled. "So, it's a honeymoon."
I glared at him. "No, it isn't. Now get back to work."
We continued to work. Dante kept calling me, but I avoided it. I was angry at him for telling Ian everything. If it were an emergency, Dante would tell Reece to call me. So, I was sure he was calling me just to apologize.
After work, I headed back home. I was talking with dad because he was upset with me for not calling him regularly. "Dad, calm down. I am okay."
"Well, you should inform this old man here, who's always worrying about you. I cannot have you risking your life for anything, okay?"
I heaved a sigh. "I know. I am okay."
"You're my only child, honey. I won't be able to bear it if you have another wound. God forbid, if something happens to you again, I will bring you back to my place," he said sternly.
"What, Dad? Why would you do that? Wait. Are you possibly blaming Ian for everything?" I asked him in disbelief. He stayed silent. It was evident that he held Ian responsible for everything. "What's his fault?" I questioned, already getting annoyed.
"He couldn't stop you from putting yourself in danger. How can he protect you from other dangers then?" He continued, "Look at me. Did you ever see your mom getting hurt while I was in the mafia?"
"Dad, he always tries to save me. Look, he got himself kidnapped too just to give me emotional support. He even took the blows of the whip."
"I appreciate what he did, but Autumn, when you were with us, you didn't even get a little bit of pain. And now, you're��" I cut him off.
"Look, Dad. I understand your worries, but I am sure, even if something happens to me, Ian will always save me. So, chill out."
How can he be sure that I never got any pain while I was with him? He was the first person to send me to the training. However, he just wanted me to be the best.
He sighed in frustration. "Fine! But remember, if I feel as if he cannot protect you, I will bring you back here."
"Okay. Fine!" When I spotted Aubree going towards the gym, I said, "I gotta go, now. Bye, Dad. Love you!"
I hung up the call and ran behind Aubree. "Ev!" She pretended not to hear me. I increased my pace and stopped her. "Ev, what's wrong? Why are you avoiding me?"
She looked at me weirdly. "What? No, I am not avoiding you. Actually, I didn't hear you."
"Are you okay?" I examined her expression. She kept a blank face.
"Of course."
"Steven, stop this nonsense. I said I don't know!" Ian snapped. We looked at him. He was entering the house, with air-pods in his ear.
"What got into him?" I asked. When I got no answer, I saw that Aubree already disappeared. Why was she acting strange?
"Thanks for teaching me," Lia said to her new trainer. She was getting trained under a female trainer, which was a wise decision. They walked out of the room.
"Vi, come I will help you pack." Isabel grabbed my arm out of nowhere and almost dragged me to my room.
"Pack whatever you want, Al." I plopped on the couch and started watching 'Money Heist' as I was in love with this series.
"Okay," she simply stated.
As soon as the episode started, I kept my concentration on the screen. I lost track of time while watching it.
"I have to book a room where there's television," I flinched hearing the sudden voice. I turned to see Ian so I glanced back at the screen.
"Seriously, you have a weird addiction to TV."
He sat beside me. The smell of mint hit my nostrils. I assume he just took a shower as well.
Why didn't I notice him entering the room or Isabel leaving?
"You do realize we are leaving tomorrow in the morning, right?" he again asked. I hummed in response. "You have to get up early."
"Stop disturbing me, Ian." My eyes were glued on the screen. I could no longer hear his voice. He got up and plopped on the bed.
"I am sleeping. We have to get up early," he mumbled.
I stayed silent and continued watching the series. After some time, I whined, "Oh my god! Berlin cannot die. No, no!" My eyes became watery at the last episode of Season One. "Ian! Hand me the tissue box," I said.
"What?" he asked groggily.
"Hand me the tissue box."
"Get it yourself and let me sleep."
"Do it now, Ian!"
He groaned and got up. Then he handed me the tissue box.
I wiped my tears, but I didn't stop sulking on the fact that Berlin died. "Hand me a bar of chocolate." I called him again, "Ian."
"Why don't you get up and get it yourself? And let me sleep, you mad woman!" he snapped.
"He's dead. Berlin died and you want me to get up for a bar of chocolate? The nightstand is near you. Just hand me one and sleep."
He murmured, "I really feel like shooting myself."
He handed me a bar of dark chocolate. "No, hand me th �� "
"Get it yourself, you crazy woman!" he hollered. I looked at him to see he was already on the bed. He pulled the blanket over him and drifted into a deep slumber.
I rolled my eyes. "Never mind."
I unwrapped the dark chocolate and started munching it while watching season two.
I didn't realize that I was losing my sleeping time. Who knew that I would be sulking on the day of our trip? Besides, how will this trip turn into? I had no idea, but I was quite okay with it. After all, what's the worst that can happen?