chapter 37: Work This Out

Autumn
I was in the basement of Steven's casino. I didn't expect a torture cell there. I was shocked when I saw one.
Lennox was tied to the chair, most probably dead. There were only three fingers on two of his hands. Ian did a nice job with him. I just needed to do the main task. "I'll leave while you take care of him," Ian muttered.
As he was about to go, I held his hand. I said, "Stay with me. It will give me strength." He bit his lips and nodded.
I untied Lennox and threw him on the floor. He should feel the pain of getting thrown on the cold floor, lying on his own blood.
I intently looked at Lennox. This was the person who ruined my entire life. Ian was my hope and after I got kidnapped by this person, even he decided to leave me.
I grabbed him by his hair. "You ruined my entire life. My entire happiness!" I banged his head on the floor. "I told you, I would kill you with my bare hands. But I don't mind the condition you are staying in. Ian did a nice job with you."
"You..." he tried to speak, but I banged his head on the chair this time before he could.
"You know what, Lennox Gibian? I changed my mind. I will shoot you directly in your heart after I kill you by banging your head. I am a good person, so I want to give you a peaceful death like you wanted to give me." I repeatedly banged his head on the chair. "You killed Montez. You ruined my life by snatching away my confidence. You created a distance between me and Ian. I still had a reason to live, but now, I have none. It's all your fault!
"You deserve to die. That's your fate! The amount of torture you put me through, will never fade away. It will remain fresh in my mind. But the only thing which will give me satisfaction is that I killed you." I continued, "That's your end. Apologize to Montez when you see him."
I didn't realize his condition until Ian had put a hand on my shoulder. He said softly, "Autumn, he's dead. You already smashed his head."
I saw the blood all over my dress and the floor. I got up and took the gun. I pointed it straight on his heart and shot him.
I said confidently, "This is what he deserves." The biggest hurdle in my life was removed. I felt satisfied.
Ian mumbled, "He deserves much more than this. As I said, I will chop his entire body into pieces before burning it."
"You better do that."
"Go and change. You are leaving today with your parents." He walked towards the dead body. He was really doing this, wasn't he?
"I won't go unless I see you before entering the jet," I said sternly and got out of the cell without waiting for his response.
Aubree was waiting for me outside. We were walking together. She let out, "He was miserable."
"I know."
"Don't leave him, Autumn."
I let out a frustrated sigh. "I don't want to leave him, Ev. That guy is throwing me away like garbage. I don't know what to do!"
"Think smartly. Ian definitely has a reason."
"I asked him but he just stayed silent."
"You know when he stays silent, it's either he doesn't want to say it or he's thinking." I hummed in response.
Ian didn't want to say the reason. What was the problem here? What was I missing out?
After we reached the suite, my parents were waiting for me. I was left alone with them.
"Your things are already in our private jet. After dinner, we will leave," dad let out.
"Why can't I go with Ian?"
"He wants to part ways with you, Autumn. He told us," Dad said, getting irritated. "Just don't be a lovesick puppy. Respect his decision and continue the life you had previously."
"Honey..." Mom wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Sometimes, things don't go the way we want it to go. We have to accept our destiny, even though it's hard for us."
"Why doesn't he want me in his life? Why am I so unlucky, Mom?" I didn't hold back my tears this time. It was the first time I was crying in front of my parents after many years. I always loved to cry alone, when no one was watching. Dad hated whenever I cried. Maybe he changed...
"Only weak people cry, Autumn. Stop being emotional. Be strong!"
No, he never changed.
"Cruz!" mom raised her voice. "She's opening up after ages. Cut some slack."
I didn't want to go back to my old life. I was habituated with Ian. He never complained when I cried. Instead, he would support me. I was happy with him.
"Just learn to forget him because that's how your life's gonna be after we head back to Canada," dad said before storming off the room.
I laid my head on mom's shoulder and cried until it was time for the dinner.
Everyone but Ian was at dinner. I told him that I wouldn't go before seeing him and I meant it. I knew that he would come. I was not a person who would go against my own words.
"Mr. Atticus went crazy seeing your live video. I had to explain to him everything from the beginning," Steven informed me. "Aunt Ada fainted while watching it. We got an earful from Uncle Simon."
"Oh," this was the only thing that came out of my mouth. I tried to pay heed to his words, but all I could think of was Ian.
Why was Ian doing this to me? Was it because of Lennox? Or Montez?
Thank you for forgiving me, Montez. After I was rescued, it assured me that I was forgiven by you. Now, please help me to convince that hulk on not letting me go.
There had to be a way to stay with Ian. How could I live without him?
"It's time to go, honey," mom whispered. The place we had dinner was near to our jet. It was just a two-minute walk from here. Ian didn't come yet. Maybe I would see him where the jet was.
I got up and followed my parents. After reaching the spot, I hugged Aubree and Steven. "We will meet soon. After all, you need to clear your mind by blabbering nonsense to me during my work time," Steven retorted which made me roll my eyes.
Aubree just gave me a look which said, 'Think about the Ian topic.' I slightly nodded in her direction.
"Autumn, it's time," Dad said aloud. He and Mom were already inside the jet.
"Coming!" I said to them and waved my hand at Aubree and Steven. I glanced behind them, but there was no sign of Ian.
I headed towards the jet. I got inside and looked out through the window. "Please, just come Ian. I need to look into your eyes to know your real emotion. You may not say anything, but your eyes speak the words of your heart."
We had put on our seat belts. We were about to take off soon. Just then, I saw the familiar figure behind Steven and Aubree. He was looking at me. Our gazes met and I saw the familiar emotion in it.
The love in his eyes. He was in love with me. Ian Beckett was in love with Autumn Beckett. Everything was perfect. Then, what went wrong?