Autumn'sPOV -
" Hey ! Your Mom has been calling you for a while . Why dont you pick up " Scar asked.
" No ! I don't want to talk to her . That's why I came with you here. I already texted her fir her permission." I argued.
My phone rings again.
" Yeah ! I know that but she is just worried about you . You should just pick up and assure her you are alright . " She replied.
I was defeated this time hence I had to pick up her call.
I tapped on the green call icon and voice of my dad came through .
I checked again . The call was from mom .
I assumed my mom must have been using some sort of voice - altering app but my assumption crumbled the minute the person on the other end spoke.
" Kiddo. When are you coming home . Your Mom and I want to talk to you " He said. His voice soft and calm . He had always been a gentleman ofcourse.
" Why do you have Moms mobile phone . You never pick up her calls??" I asked.
He just laughed and said " Your mom here is a little bu-
It seemed my mom snatched her phone back .
" Beta ! Come back home as soon as you can. We someone special here , waiting to meet you " She said as she chuckled .
" Hey !! I told you let me talk to her . Why are you butting in . I want to talk to my daughter " he snapped.
" Calm down a bit . You can talk to her when she comes back home . Alright. Anyways , come back home as soon as you can . He is waiting " She stated and the call ended.
My Mom seemed happy . Looks like she is determined to talk to me but it was difficult to talk to her . I couldn't even face her yesterday morning and now she wants us to talk and Whoever this person is ..... Thankyou for ruining my day . I am so grateful. Ahhhhhhhh . * I grabbed my hair in frustration *
" Looks like you need to go back home. " Scarlet remarked as she grabbed my attention towards her.
" *Sigh* Yes I guess so . By the way , what's the time right now . "
" It's only 11a.m. right now . " She replied.
" Alright . I asked Ryan to ask for leave for both of us fot yesterday and today and maybe tomorrow too for you if need be . For now , I will go back home "
Scar nodded . I stood up and went towards the elevator . She followed me.
" Hey . You need to Rest . You don't have to walk me out " I said softly.
She ignored me and as soon as the doors opened , she walked past me into the elevator and pressed the ground floor button . I followed her .
Our floor arrived soon enough . I glanced around me but except for the household staff I couldn't find anyone else. I noticed this when I came too but didn't ask .
" Scar where are your parents. When I came I didn't find anyone , I mean your family, your parents . No one " I asked in a calm tone.
" Well my parents are on a business trip to Korea but they will be back soon . However , most of the time I am alone since they are always on these business trips " She answered.
" Aww ... you must feel so lonely in here . "
" Yeah but since you are here. I won't feel so lonely anymore . Infact , we can hang out often . I would have loved to show you this entire house but better luck next time. We didn't get a chance to eat either. I will just let it go this time since you are in a hurry but the next time i am not letting you leave even if fire strikes your house." She happily stated.
I nodded. She didn't want me to leave yet but Boss of the house called me home and i can't refuse her .
We walked towards the door as she motioned her driver to get the car .
" Ash , wait here . My driver will drop you to your house " She declared and gave me a look I couldn't refuse.
I just nodded in response.
Her driver came with a black car , came put of it and opened the door to the car for me .
" Hey . Goodbye , I will meet you tomorrow if possible so , just rest as much as you can today . " I said and smiled at her as I moved towards the car and got in .
" I have got a lot to talk about too but meet you later . Byeeee !! " She said as she waved at me .
I waved at her too as the driver started the car . I sat up straight as we drive past the driveway. I even glanced behind me , Scar went inside already .
I looked around me, the garden by the house , a pool and what not. I must have missed all of this when we arrived.
We were on the road . We passed by the buildings , parks , hospitals.
I slowly rolled down the window and leaned on it . The cold breeze touched my face and blew my hair . It was fun.
" You must be a real good friend to Miss Scarlet . She is a cheerful person but there's a lot people don't know about her but you seem quiet special to her." The diver broke the ice as he looked at the rear- view mirror.
I just smiled at him. I mean , I know that already dude . Just think about it , who would bring a friend home who you just met two 2 days ago but whatever It is we have grown so much closer in such a short period of time.
I was lost in thought until the car suddenly stopped . Looks like we are home . The car stopped right in front of my house .
The driver , came out and opened the door for me. I stepped out the car .
" Goodbye ! Miss Autumn " he said in a stiff tone , got back in the car and drove off.
I walked towards the door and opened it .
As I stepped inside I saw Mom , Dad and a strong male figure dressed in suit . All sitting on the couch in the living room .
The male figure was no one other than my older brother . Wow , he is finally back home . Yayyy!! I quickly walked towards him and hugged him tightly . He did the same .
" Hey. You didn't even call me when you were coming home . It's been so long since we last saw each other " I complained.
" Hey ! Hey ! My baby sister . I just wanted to surprise you. Why are you complaining so much . Huh ..." he said softly.
* Ahmm ... Ahmmm *. Someone cleared their throat making us look at her .
It was Mom obviously.
" I want to talk to you , urgently. Sit down. " She ordered.
I did as she said and sat right in front her while my brother sat beside me .
We looked at each other in the eye until she finally spoke .
" So , you dad and I had a serious conversation yesterday while you were not at home . So listen carefully. " She commanded.
" I am all ears "
" You are not going to back down from pursuing Designing are you . " She said firmly.
" Of course not and you can't force me to ,either "
Yes ! Yes ! We give her attitude .ATTITUDE!!!.
" Alright , I see . I have one condition for you . I you agree to it , you can go ahead and study designing " She stated.
" What Condition??"
" So your Condition is --*a long pause*--that you will not become a designer after you graduate and are done with your studies . " She said.
" What ?? What kind of nonsense is that . It's like you work hard to cook , the food is served and placed in front of you but you can't eat it . " I snapped.
Wow . She is really something . Is this her important talk .
" Well.... it's a win - win situation for both of us . You get to study design and we get to not have a designer daughter " She argued.
" What ??? I don't understand what your problem is . Why do you not want me to become a designer huh !! What's wrong with that . " I argued back .
" I don't want a designer daughter . If you can't fulfill this condition then sorry you can't get your way with this one , young lady " my mom said , her voice low and firm.
" Mom , what are you saying . That's not - my brother started but was cut off by my dad.
" Honey ! That's enough. Let's not get this conversation heated . You know what happens right . " My dad said softly.
I looked at her . It seemed that she realized it too and didn't say anything.
" Oh look at that . You are stopping me from something you used to be . I mean you were a designer too weren't you . " I said , my voice cracking.
It seemed as if something shattered inside her. Her eyes were bloodshot and tears were welling in them . She looked at her hands which were clenched on her lap.
" - Also , If you don't want me you can choose to disown me . " I continued.
" SCARLET !!!!" My brother snapped.
Tears started falling from my mother's eyes.
" SCARLET !! GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM . NOWWWW." My dad shouted at me .
It was the first time my dad shouted at me. He was fuming with anger. He sat close to his wife and hugged her . My mom who was in my dad's embrace didn't say anything and continued crying.
It was the first time Dad had ever shouted at me. He was furious. He pulled Mom into his arms, and she buried her face in his chest, crying silently.
I stood up from the couch. My head spun instantly — too fast, too hard. I hadn't eaten since yesterday, and I'd barely drunk anything all day. My vision tunneled, the edges going dark, like someone was slowly closing shutters around my eyes.
A cold sweat broke out on my neck. My chest felt tight, my heartbeat suddenly loud in my ears. I tried to take a breath, but the air wouldn't come right.
I took a step toward my room, then another. The floor tilted under me. I reached for the wall, but my fingers couldn't grip. My legs gave out, and I crumpled to the floor.
The last thing I saw was my brother's face rushing toward me before everything went black.
****
Austin's Pov( Autumn's Brother ) :
Autumn got up from her seat. She was walking fast, but I noticed it — she was swaying slightly, like she was fighting to stay upright. I knew that look. She hadn't eaten, hadn't drunk enough, and now this argument had pushed her body over the edge.
I followed her up the stairs. She turned once, took a few huge strides, then her knees buckled. I lunged forward and caught her just before she hit the floor.
Mom and Dad came running up, panting. Mom's eyes were still red, her face pale.
"I shouldn't have shouted at her. Whenever she's stressed like this and hasn't eaten or drunk enough, she faints. Alya, please bring her meds and a glass of water," Dad said, his voice tight as he called one of our house maids .
"It's my fault. I should've let her stay at her friend's house. I shouldn't have called her back," Mom whispered, tears slipping down again.
"It's alright, Mom, Dad. She has a lot of triggers, and it's going to happen. We can't avoid it. This would only stop if she agrees to face her trauma. That's the only real cure," I said, lifting her carefully and laying her on her bed.
Alya came in with water and the pills. She sat beside Autumn until she stirred slightly, then gently helped her take the medicine. Autumn's breathing evened out, and she slipped back into sleep.
I motioned for Alya to leave and asked my parents to rest. Then I sat beside her, holding her hand.
My eyes landed on her face. She looked so much like Dad, but her spirit was all Mom — stubborn, fierce, unbreakable. She's also, obviously, the second most good-looking in the family after me.
I squeezed her hand. I wanted to apologize for everything she's had to go through without doing anything wrong. For not being able to protect her from this pain, from Mom's past, from the weight of expectations.
Sometimes I feel so useless. I can run a company, make deals, handle crises — but I can't fix this. I can't erase her triggers or make Mom understand.
All I want is for her to be happy. To study design, to become the designer she's always dreamed of being. But because of old wounds and unspoken rules, she's going to have to fight for it.
She was such an innocent soul as a kid. My eyes landed on the portrait of us playing football, and then on the photo of her winning that design contest. Mom threw a fit that day too just because she wanted Autumn to stay away from designing but for all I care about , She had a natural talent just like Mom .
Whatever it takes me . I will help my sister do what she really wants to even if I have to go against our parents. I will make her dream come true . I will do everything for this little munchkin.
"She'll always be my precious baby sister," I whispered, a tear slipping down. "And no one, not even the past, will ever break that."
To be continued...