chapter 9: Surprising Visitor

Autumn
First, I was afraid of the darkness. Second, Ian said 'Crap it!', which he says whenever there's something wrong. Third, well... I just wanted to make three points. Why don't I ever have perfect three points?
"What's wrong?" I asked Ian.
Ian said, "Wait." He placed me down and I instantly grabbed his hand.
"I'm afraid of��"
"Darkness," he completed for me. "I know. That's why I am searching for the lights. I am not leaving you."
I knew he said that for a purpose, but somehow, I wished it had a double meaning. I grew up with you, Ian. We never left each other.
Shut up, Autumn!
He started walking and I followed him. All of a sudden, the lights flashed, and I was met with Ian's handsome face.
"We are stuck in this basement," he stated, looking calm like always.
I looked at him in horror. "What do you mean by we are stuck? We just got in!"
He placed his hands inside his pocket, leaving my hand. "The door was open, so I just entered. I forgot that there was a card to unlock the door," he said and sat on one of the tires.
"You don't have the card," I assumed and sat hopelessly on another tire in front of him. "We are indeed stuck in this basement. Maybe forever."
He sighed, saying, "Don't overthink it. I'm sure someone will find us."
I took out my phone. "We can call Steven."
Ian shook his head in denial and stated, "We don't have a network in the basement."
"Who opened this stupid door and forgot to unlock it?" I mumbled in frustration. "It's all your fault!"
He deadpanned, "I even forgot where I kept the card. I barely come here so I didn't open the door."
��But you brought me here,�� I pointed out. ��I cannot even text Dante. He must be waiting for me. My hangout is ruined, all thanks to you��
Ian rolled his eyes. "Stop whining. It was just a hangout. Think about us, whether we are getting out of here or not."
"I hate you, Ian. I didn't even have dinner yet."
"As if I ate," he deadpanned while he got up and looked for something in a box. "I got it," he muttered as a smile formed over his lips. I noticed an old Rubix cube in his hand.
"You are going to play with this now? Great." I heaved a sigh and questioned, "Why did you stop me from going out, Ian?"
He started playing with the cube. "My wish."
I felt my anger growing inside me. "You stopped me just because it was your wish? This makes you sound like a psychopath."
When Ian realized I was waiting for an answer from him, he said, "I don't want you to come late at night. What if your family or my parents found out? They will give me the whole 'care for your wife' speech."
I sucked in a deep breath and started speaking, "Firstly, you stopped me because you didn't want me to come home late at night. It means you are stopping me to meet my friend. Secondly, you called me a loner. Thi��"
"Sorry," he blurted out after interrupting me.
"What?" I batted my eyelashes at him, unable to digest what I just heard.
Ian looked at me. "I didn't know this loner thing would affect you so much. It just slipped away from my mouth." He placed the Rubix back and approached me. He grabbed my hand and I stood up as he continued, "The sorry was also for not informing you about Alana. It's all business. Once the deal ends, everything with her will end. Then I promise to stay loyal..." he proceeded after a brief pause, "For six months. Just six months."
My heart almost melted at his words. "Were you concerned about me last night?" I couldn't help but ask him.
We have all the time now. So why not have a long talk?
"I was just worried about what I will answer to Cruz and Rosalie." His minty breath fanned on my face.
I knew him more than he thought. He was concerned. After all, actions spoke louder than words. Today, he didn't let me go because he was afraid that I would come late tonight as well. Moreover, he waited for me last night; that didn't change the fact of me hating him.
"I am hungry," I blurted out.
He chuckled. "I know the feeling."
We both sat again, this time our hands entwined.
"Don't you feel weird to adjust in this marriage?" I asked seriously.
Ian thought for a while before answering, "Yes, I do, but I'm trying to adjust. I mean, look. I used to annoy you and now I can annoy you even more. But I can't deal with the emotions. I don't even understand why people cry."
I let out a small laugh. "You're emotionally challenged, Ian."
"Maybe," he mumbled.
"I thought we could be friends and stay normal. But then, Alana happened. Still, can we be friends?" I offered him.
He looked puzzled for a while, before saying, "Enemies turning into friends just because they got married. Weird story."
"We have to be lovey-dovey for the gang, remember? You have to clear it to them that the deal with Alana is pure business. Don't forget what Dad and Mom said," I reminded him.
Ian nodded his head. "I will tell them." He shoved the Rubix towards me. "Here. Shuffle it."
I took it and started shuffling it. After I was sure that it looked very complicated, I handed it to him.
He solved it within a few seconds, making me dumbfounded. "How did you do this within a few seconds?" I asked, dumbstruck.
He replied, "Cause I am smarter than you."
I pouted and took the cube again. "This time, I will make sure it's very complicated to solve."
After I was done, I gave it to him. It took him less time than before.
"How...?" I asked once again.
He laughed at my reaction. "Here. I'll show you the technique. It's just the algorithm..." He continued explaining the rules.
However, my mind just drooled over his handsome face. Why was he being difficult with me when he could be friendly? The best part was that we always acted normal when we were assigned the same work. It was as if we never hated each other.
Now, I think it's not fully hatred. It's just we couldn't tolerate each other. Now we have to, for six months.
Destiny is cruel.
"You got that, right?" he asked, bringing me out of my trance.
I shook my head in denial.
He sighed and explained to me again. This time I made sure to hear perfectly. While learning the rules, I didn't know when I dozed off, making his shoulder my pillow.
"Wake up, lovebirds!" Steven hollered.
My eyes jolted open. Steven was standing in front of us, and I was still lying on Ian's shoulder, who was fast asleep.
I got up and pulled Steven into a big hug. I said with happiness, "At last, you found us!"
"What's there to find? I just came here to change my tire. I opened the basement and decided to change the tire today in the morning. When I found the door locked, I unlocked it again and saw you guys. It was a coincidence, I swear." Steven raised his hands in surrender before I could scold him.
"So, it was you. I should've known." I didn't know when Ian got up. He just said that and walked past Steven, "Changing tires, yeah right."
Steven smirked. I was confused as I stood between them.
"Hashtag boy facts. Get lost now," Steven slightly pushed me seeing me confused, and I followed Ian to the bedroom.
"I am not going to the restaurant today," I informed Ian.
"Why? I don��t have any reservations in your restaurant today. Your espresso warned me to never bring Alana with me there. However, if she books a table in your restaurant, I will have no choice. So, don't chop my head." I saw him giving me a small smile.
I turned in the opposite direction and smiled as well because of his words.
"I have to go to my office. See 'ya later if I survive," Ian said to me.
I heard the door closed, which meant he already was on his way. After I texted Dante and apologized for not going to the hangout last night, I walked towards the shelf and took out a new book.
'Me Before You' by JoJo Moyes.
I read all genres of books. Now, I was in the mood for a romantic one. I sat on the bed and started reading it, hoping my time would pass. After reading for some time, I decided to walk around the house. I was currently in the living room. None of the family members were present right now.
I texted Isabel because I was bored and she said that she was coming home.
"Ma��am, someone from Italy is here. She insists on meeting Ma'am Isabel," one of the guards informed me.
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. The Becketts had no relatives in Italy, did they?
I said to the guard, "Send her in."
Soon, I saw a pale-skinned woman entering through the door. She wore a long, polka-dotted dress. It didn't suit her at all. I cringed at her fashion sense. However, her brown curls matched her brown eyes.
Even though I was seeing her for the first time, her curls were kind of like Isabel's. Those rare curls...
"Hello. Who are you?" I asked with a smile.
She smiled back at me. Her smile didn't look welcoming at all. I could sense trouble as she replied, "I am Nora and I am here to meet Isabel Beckett."