chapter 7: Acting To Care

Autumn
I was so angry and frustrated at the same time.
No, Autumn. You're stronger. It shouldn't even affect you.
"But how can I not react? He called me his cousin, Steven. His freaking cousin," I let out, smacking the table with my hand in anger.
Currently, I am having lunch in my restaurant with Steven. I was angry with Dante, so I didn't call him. However, I needed someone to talk with to clear off my mind. I had no other choice but to call Steven instead.
He took a sip of his espresso. Even Steven was an espresso lover.
"I still don't understand why I came here. You know that I have the means to tell Ian everything," he said calmly.
I glared and pointed my finger at him. "If you do, I swear, Steven, I will never talk to you again," I threatened him.
He chuckled. "Really? You really won't talk? Then I am calling him right now."
Steven took out his phone. I glared at him before snatching the phone away from his hand.
"You're always mean to me, just like that stupid Ian. Did he teach you to be mean with me?" I asked in annoyance.
Steven was close to me, but he always chose Ian over me. Still, he keeps my tiny secrets. He's a good promise keeper.
"Alright, look. I had no idea of him dating Alana. This is totally new. I am going to look over Alana Oakley. Ian never had girlfriends, not even when he signed the marriage papers. Something is probably cooking up in his mind. Chill out. Alana won't last long. Ian has a plan," he said, trying to assure me.
"Whatever the reason is, he could introduce me as his friend. Why cousin?" I grumbled, taking a bite of my chocolate bar.
Steven smirked which made me roll my eyes as he spoke up, "Because he didn't want to take a risk of Alana doubting, and knowing Ian, he just wanted to get an impulse reaction out of you."
"I hate it when he does that!" I pouted before continuing, "And he should tell me everything before doing something like this. I am his wife after all."
"Mr. Beckett, are you dating Ms. Oakley?"
Our eyes snapped on the television. Ian was in an interview. An interviewer asked him that question. I and Steven looked at the screen with full curiosity, eagerly waiting for his answer.
Say, no you dimwit.
Say, no.
"He will say no��" Steven was cut off with Ian's answer on TV.
"Yes." As soon as he replied, I got up and slammed the chair hard.
How could it all be a well-prepared plan if he called Alana, his girl in front of the entire world? This is bullshit.
Blood rushing in my ears, I stomped out the restaurant and got into my car. It roared loudly as I haphazardly started driving without a second thought.
"I am his cousin and Alana is his girlfriend. Of course! He doesn't even care a little bit for me. Not that I care, but still! We should care for each other because things are different now. He is crazy and careless," I muttered under my breath, my eyes glued to the street, making my way to my mafia base.
Soon, I stepped inside the base of the Shadow. Reece approached me and said, "We made the arrangements, leader. After you check, we will send it."
I nodded with a blank look on my face. "Call Dante. Tell him to unlock the torture chamber and bring the two traitors of the Shadow," I told him.
His eyes grew wide in horror. He was familiar with that phase of mine. Whenever I was extremely angry, I would do that.
Immediately he lowered his head, mumbling, "Yes, leader."
The traitors of the mafia were held captive in the dungeon. I just needed a perfect time to release my anger. They were my pawns to get myself some peace.
I checked all the boxes only to find everything was nicely packed. It was for our next shipment.
"If I hear another mistake this time, those who are going to be responsible for this shipment will have their heads on the next boxes. I swear on my gang," I said sternly. "Be careful this time."
I looked at my wristwatch. It was 7 PM already. Time really flies fast. I walked towards the torture chamber. Dante was standing outside, waiting for me. He glanced at me before opening the door.
I stepped in boldly only to find Susan and Nita were there, already crying in fear. They were my so-called close friends from high school. They shivered in terror and were a crying mess already.
Three weeks ago, they deceived our gang by giving news to the enemies. For me, everyone was equal when it was about work which was why they were chained to the chairs. I took out my pocket knife and gave a devilish smirk
"Remember, in high school, when you won the Prom Queen title by wearing my dress?" I asked Nita, running the pocketknife around her wrist. "Answer me. Don't you remember? You should. You ruined my prom dress just for the Prom Queen title."
My eyes darkened as I pushed the knife into her hand. Her screams filled the entire room. Meanwhile, Susan whimpered seeing Nita.
"You told Susan's boyfriend that I had a crush on him, didn't you? When in reality, it was you falling for him," I said, twisting the knife further. "You��" I stopped midway at the ringing of my phone.
I took it out and checked the caller ID. It was my so-called cheating husband��oops, a distant cousin. Glaring at the name, I switched off my phone.
I faced Nita again. Much to my dismay, she fainted. Then I looked at Susan.
"You thought I was cheating with your boyfriend and ruined my Valentine's Day by burning my decorations." The memories of my past flashed in front of me as I stabbed her in her stomach.
I pulled out the knife and stabbed her again. "That was high school. But, this time, you fooled my gang. Earlier, you got forgiveness. This time, all you will get is death."
When Nita regained her consciousness, I tortured both of them by electrocuting them after I stabbed them a few times. Once I was satisfied, I got out of the chamber.
"Sam, kill them if they are not dead yet," I ordered one of my men. He nodded before bowing and getting in the torture room. I dialed Dante's number. "Is everything going smooth with the shipment?"
"Yes, leader," he breathed out and paused for a brief moment. "Are you okay now, Autumn?" When I hummed in response, he sucked in deep breath and said, "Look, I am sorry. I am extremely sorry. Please forgive me."
I deadpanned, "I will forgive you after I make you repay the loss."
��Thank you,�� he said with a sigh. After a few seconds of silence, he let out, "Ian called me, by the way. He was worried about you."
I chuckled humorlessly. "Yeah, right. And I am Zac Efron's lover," saying that, I cut the call.
I headed for the Beckett mansion. Frankly speaking, I had no intention of going there. But if I went to the Emerson mansion at three in the morning, my parents would faint at the doorstep. So, I had to go back to the Beckett mansion and face Ian even if I didn't want to. I just needed some alone time. I have faced a lot of things in my life. Facing Ian was nothing.
I am strong.
I trudged inside the bedroom. As soon as I closed the door, the lights flickered.
Ian was sitting on the bed, playing with his Rubix cube. His eyes scanned me from head to toe before he decided to ask, "Where the hell were you, Autumn?"
I removed my jacket and headed towards the closet. "To a place where you don't exist," I retorted and took my clothes from the closet.
Suddenly, Ian pulled me towards his chiseled chest. My heart started throbbing painfully.
"Why didn't you answer my phone? For God's sake, you are my wife. You should let me know about your whereabouts."
I gave him a tight-lipped smile. "No, I shouldn't. You didn't let me know about Alana Oakley. You hid the truth and told her I was your cousin. How could you, Ian?" I asked breathlessly. I tried to free myself from his grip, but he snaked an arm around my waist, pulling me closer towards him. An odd sensation hit me.
"You don't know anything, Autumn. Why is blood all over your shirt? Where were you?" he questioned. For a moment, I sensed him being concerned.
"I don't find it necessary to answer your question. Leave me alone, Ian." I tried to push him away, which was futile again.
He cupped my cheeks. "What's wrong?"
He had the audacity to ask me what's wrong!
Not being able to control myself anymore, I decided to open up. "I hate you, Ian. I hate you." I let my tears out. For the first time, I was crying openly in front of someone. I always cried alone because I didn't want to show my weakness to anyone. "I hate you. I can't tolerate you because you ruined my life. You married me yesterday, and today, you are dating someone else. I never wanted to give this marriage a chance, but couldn't you hold yourself for six months?"
Immediately, Ian wiped my tears with his thumb, his eyes meeting mine as I saw a glint of concern there until he freed me from his grip. "This is the harsh truth, wifey. Face it." He headed towards the bed and deadpanned, "It's past three in the morning. You ruined my bedtime routine. Don't expect me to be soothing with you. I don't want you coming home late at night, that��s it because if something happens to you, I have to answer our respective parents. Besides, you can go wherever you want. I don't care."
He pulled the blanket over him and closed his eyes as I looked at him in disbelief.
Why was he acting like that? How could I show him my weak, pathetic self by crying? Why was I such a fool?
Getting angrier at myself, I decided to take a nice bath. Once I was done, I got into the bed. "I hate you, Ian," I mumbled before closing my eyes.
How could I have cried in front of him? Why did he act like he cared when he really didn't? What was going in his shrewd mind?
I just couldn��t wait for this contract marriage to end. Six fucking months.