The Stars Above Us

-•𝐂hapter 𝐓hirteen•-

-𑁍-

Ian's pov

". . . Welcome to Vienna, Austria, where the local time is 14:35. . ."

I didn't bother listening to all this crap as I unbuckled myself and walked out of jet. The cold air of Austria hit me with all it's might sending a shiver throughout my body and I could feel goosebumps rising on my skin.

Ignoring the chill of Austria, I walked to the car waiting for me. A chauffer waiting for my arrival opened the car door for me. I slipped in the car and in no time we were driving to the town I actually flew all the way here.

Hallstatt.

I decided to come to this town after two years and for the first time I was travelling for a reason not at all related to company or business. This time I took a selfish decision and came here for myself. For my peace. The peace I felt in this town two years ago was something I never expected to happen in my life but I still felt it.

And to feel it again I was on my way to that town but still that peace was lost. The more we drove closer to Hallstatt the more I craved for peace. I was comfortable, very comfortable in my work and life but I always missed something and two years ago I felt a sliver of what I was missing but it was still missing.

In few hours the car was driving in the town of Hallstatt and in no time I was standing in front of the building of the small apartment I own here. This would be the only property I own that my father or family doesn't know about and I prefer to keep it that way but not I am feeling that I rebelled for all the wrong reasons.

The peace I thought I would find was nowhere to be found today.

I pulled away the scarf I had wrapped around my neck and then relieved myself of my coat. I got hold of my suitcase dragging it to the only bedroom this apartment comprise. I walked up to turn on the heating system and because there were no servants here I was supposed to do everything on my own.

Honestly, it wasn't that bad.

I like the solitude here. It is so calm here, even though I can't find the peace I once had here I enjoy being alone here. I like it here. I took my time arranging my wardrobe and then setting bed for myself before going to take bath and change into comfortable clothes. I settled on the couch in small living room and my eyes fell on the photo frames on the console table under the table.

Momma. Her photos were placed there. I walked up to the particular photo frame which housed her photograph with me, only photo I had with her. Memories of the day came crashing back into my mind.

•••

It was a sunny day today in Chicago and it turned even more good when momma snuck me out of my bedroom and out into the vast lawns. She had prepared a whole picnic for me with her chicken sandwiches and freshly squeezed juice with some sliced fruit. I was not so fond of eating but this picnic was the best.

"Ian, darling go and play with your football. I am sitting right here" I nodded enthusiastically before running away with the football. I didn't wander off far away because I was afraid of Dad and his wife. They are bad people, very bad. And I am afraid of them. Even momma hates them.

"Momma catch it" I threw the ball towards her but my aim was wrong and it flew in a different direction which made her laugh out loud. Her laugh is pretty. I ran off to get the ball and kept on playing in front of her.

She laid down on the picnic mat with her book getting engrossed in her reading. I was still playing with the ball when I saw someone coming from distance. Afraid I ran off to momma who stood up as I approached her.