chapter 8: A Lunch With A Loner?

Autumn
I didn't have insomnia. It was just that I slept less. Simple.
Currently, I am in the kitchen; I woke up at 6 AM. I gave leave to the chef because I wanted to cook breakfast by myself. Cooking made me happy, at least.
"Prepare my pancakes and send it to me," I heard the familiar feminine voice. "Oops... I thought the chef was here."
Isabel approached me. She was wearing her yoga outfit. Her green eyes were contemplating her pale skin. I wonder, to whom did she get her curly brown hair? Simon and Ada, none of them had that type of hair. Her curls were rare and beautiful.
"When did you get home? Mom said you were on an urgent business tour," I asked and arched an eyebrow.
Isabel smiled and said, "I reached home at two in the morning. I was so tired, so I slept after I got here. Now I am all chirpy."
"I can make your pancakes. I was about to cook breakfast for everyone anyway," I mumbled and started taking out the necessary ingredients.
"Where is the chef? Why are you taking the trouble?" she asked curiously.
"I gave him a day off," I answered.
Isabel sighed and walked towards me. "I can't cook. However, I can give you some company. We can gossip like we used and relive the old memories. Remember those moments you went to that stupid training with my stupid brother?"
I breathed out in an obvious tone, "Of course. Why will I forget it? You have to idea how much I miss our bonding."
Isabel sat on the counter-top and grumbled, "I hated growing up. We all parted ways. All of us started getting busy. I still remember the day when you and Ian were sent to the training."
I couldn't help but giggle at that memory. Isabel went crazy. She tied me and Ian with rope so that we couldn't go. Aubree and Steven helped us by tying her so that we could go to the camp. Lia didn't understand where we were going. She cried all throughout our goodbyes.
"It was really crazy,�� I mumbled, thinking of it with a small smile. ��When we got back, you started getting busy with the armament company.��
She placed her hands on her hips. "Don't blame me. You were one who changed. I wonder what that stupid trainer taught you. You barely talked to me. You only contacted Aubree because she was in the mafia," Isabel complained.
I started making pancakes, avoiding her words. Isabel and I were best friends until I was sent away for the mafia training. She was two years older than me, but we were in the same high school and same grade level until I left.
"You woke up very early. Certainly, you have changed. You used to sleep like a Snorlax," she simply stated.
I whispered, "Things change, Bel."
Her eyes flickered in surprise. Bel, the nickname I used to call her.
"I knew nothing would destroy our friendship, Aut. You were just off-track. But now, we are together forever since you married that stupid man." She got down and pulled me into a hug. "Are you okay?"
I hummed in response.
I had no sisters, but Isabel had always been my lifeline. I wish I didn't push her away when I needed someone. I just didn't want to pressurize her with my burden.
I asked her, "What about you?"
"I am fine, as usual. I just missed you a lot." I handed her the strawberry pancakes which were her favorite. She started digging into it immediately. "Thank God, I didn't choose the mafia life. Otherwise, I had to marry someone for the gang as well. You were lucky that you married someone you like."
My head snapped in her direction. "What are you talking about? I am the unlucky one." She rolled her eyes at my answer as I further spoke, ��What? I am serious. I got married to the guy I hated since childhood.��
"Please, Aut. We all know the lov��" I interrupted her.
"No, Bel. Not that rubbish word, please."
I didn't want to even hear that word. It haunted me. Suddenly, I remembered something from my past.
'Love? Is that what you got? Just love?'
No, stop! Don't think about it, Autumn.
'It's crazy, isn't it?'
No, no. Shove it away, Autumn! Don't remember!
"Autumn? Shit, I am calling Ian," Isabel's voice brought me out of my trance. "Ian!"
The realization hit me hard. "No, Bel. Don't call him!" However, it was too late.
"What's wrong, Isabel? When did you get here?" Ian came running towards the kitchen. He looked at me and then back at her.
"Isabel?" Aubree followed Ian.
��How is it that I can still hear Isabel��s voice even in my dream?�� Steven was the last one to enter. ��Oh, she��s really here.��
Great!
"Autumn, are you okay?" Ian asked, scanning my expression.
"Yes, I��"
"No, she isn't, Ian," Isabel interrupted me, but I stepped into her foot before she could continue. "She was��ouch."
"Bel is being extra." I smiled at everyone and said, "Everyone, get out of the kitchen. Since you all are awake now, I am going to serve breakfast."
They looked at me weirdly, nonetheless, obeyed me.
I prepared breakfast and served it on the table. Isabel sat beside Aubree, who was sitting next to Steven. They left a chair empty beside Ian on purpose. I didn't sit on it yet.
"Won't you join us?" Aubree asked.
"I already ate when I got up. I am full," I said politely. It was the truth though. I had chocolate cookies before making breakfast. I was feeling full.
"Ian, what's with the Alana girl? Are you really dating her?" Isabel asked curiously.
Ian glanced at me. "Yes. It's just for business purposes." He added, "But some people don't understand. Some annoying and stupid people."
Steven cackled.
"If you cleared everything beforehand then you wouldn't have looked like the stupid one," Aubree protested.
Thank you, Aubree!
He retorted, "She could give me time to explain."
"You had all the time before we signed the wedding papers," I decided to speak up.
Ian stood up and looked at me, while stating, "You had the time to tell me where you were last night too."
I narrowed my eyes and pointed my index finger at him. "You had the time to tell me that you were announcing someone else as your girlfriend and bringing her to my restaurant for a romantic breakfast. You didn't even tell me you would introduce me as your cousin!"
"Well, you have insomnia and trust issues. You are just a loner. Did you tell me that?" he asked in a calm tone. But he didn't know what he just said.
I was a loner.
'You have to be a loner to rule the Mafia.' That person's words hit my mind.
"No! I am not a loner. I am not��I��"
Ian's eyes softened as I shook my head, memories flashing in my mind. "Autumn��what are you ta��Autumn!"
I ran off the door before he could even talk to me.
'You are just a loner.'
I went into my car and drove to my restaurant almost at a speed of light. "I have people with me. I am not a loner," I muttered and wiped my tears. "I am not a loner. Ian is wrong."
My phone jingled all of a sudden.
Asshole Ian: I am coming to your restaurant during lunch. Don't you dare leave from there before I come.
I didn't reply to his message. I looked at my appearance for one last time before getting out of the car, deciding to keep myself occupied with work all day.
After I was done with my work, it was already lunchtime.
Dante called me. "Everything went smooth, Autumn. This time nothing happened. So, do you forgive me now?" he asked me with a pleading tone.
"I will, if we hang out tonight. We can go to a bar or a nice restaurant. I really need someone to talk with. I was very rude to you as well. We need to have a long talk. A friend to friend one," I said, wanting to keep myself as distracted as possible.
Dante laughed. "Of course. You should stop scaring me with your bossy look. Besides, are you okay? I saw the news, so I knew your reason for anger last night. So��"
"Yes, I am okay. I don't care whom Ian dates. I have people in my life as well. I don't need him," I grumbled.
"Oh, I am wounded, wifey," Ian said out of nowhere and snatched the phone from my hand. "Talk to you later, Dante." With that, he cut the call.
"What the hell? Why did you do that?"
"Why wouldn't I? I came here to have lunch with my wife, only to find her talking to another man saying that she didn't even need me," he grumbled while taking me to the romantic area. "Chill out. I had booked a table here already so I am not breaking any rules."
I cringed as I asked, "Is Alana coming for lunch?"
He let out a chuckle. "No, I am having lunch with my wife here."
��Cousin,�� I corrected him. ��Did you forget?�� I teased as he pulled out a chair for me.
Ian glared at me before taking a seat. Then he said, " That started creeping me out the moment I said it. Don't remind me."
I placed my hands on his. "What? That I am your cousin?"
He instantly pulled his hand away. "You always do the opposite of what I say." He continued, "But hey, you stayed after my text. Does this mean you finally obeyed me?"
I rolled my eyes and deadpanned, "Don't give yourself much importance. Where will I go rather than my restaurant at this hour?"
He smirked. "Yeah, right."
"What will you have for lunch, Sir, and Autumn?" Mr. Atticus looked at me in amusement.
I shook my head, already denying as the answer to the question he had in his mind.
Ian ordered his food. I was about to order my one, but Mr. Atticus stopped me, saying, "It is the same one, right?"
I nodded with a smile and he went away.
"He was here ever since you opened the restaurant, wasn't he?" inquired Ian after Mr. Atticus left.
"Mr. Atticus?" I told him, "Yes."
Ian took a deep breath. "Are you angry with me?"
I arched an eyebrow, asking, "Does it matter?"
"Are you?"
"Does it?"
"No," we answered at the same time.
"I wonder how Alana even likes you. I mean, look at you," I scoffed and took a sip of my drink.
He furrowed his eyebrows. "What's wrong with me?"
I answered without a second thought, "Everything."
"Well, I know that. That's what makes me perfect. I am perfectly wrong at everything." Ian's eyes looked deep into mine. His blue eyes were trying to tell me something I couldn't comprehend.
"Here's your food." Mr. Atticus came in between and served us our food. We started eating and discussed a few things.
It felt nice. For a moment I felt I wasn��t a loner for real.
I wore a black off-shoulder dress that reached up to my thigh and put on dark red lipstick after straightening my red hair.
I put on my black stilettos when I saw Dante's text. We were supposed to have dinner together. He wanted to pick me up, but I said that I would go by myself.
"Dinner is served. Why aren't yo��Woah! Where are you going?" Ian scanned me from head to toe.
I cleared my throat. "Eyes up, Mister."
"Where are you going?" he asked once again.
I deadpanned, "Out."
"With?"
I rolled my eyes before answering him, "Dante."
He checked the time on his phone. "At nine in the evening? You're not going," he stated in an oblivious tone.
"Excuse me?" My eyes held disbelief as I asked, "Who are you to decide that?"
"Your lawfully wedded husband," he retorted.
"On paper." I added, "I am just going out with Dante for dinner. You cannot stop me. When you go out with Alana, do I say anything?" I took my purse while talking.
I had to leave before Ian started thinking of something. I didn't want him to ruin my hang out and the way he was looking at me blankly, I knew he was looking for ways to stop me.
"You are not going, Autumn. You��" I walked past him, completely ignoring his words. "Where are you going? Stop. Autumn, I said stop."
I started walking faster because he began chasing me. Due to my stupid heels, I was unable to run.
When I reached the garage, someone grabbed my hand. Knowing the familiar touch, I said, "Ian, leave me. Release my hand." I tried to wriggle free from his grip, but he picked me up in his arms. He was carrying me in bridal style. It would have been romantic if the situation and the person carrying me were different.
I tried to set myself free, but he was stronger than me. He continued walking towards a place.
"Ian!" I yelled when we got inside a dark room. I clutched his collar. Suddenly, the door we entered through closed with a loud thud.
"Crap it!" Ian uttered in annoyance, making me more scared now.