For You, Anything

Chapter 16

Monday
Autumn POV
TRIGGER WARNING: mention of abuse and R
I think I'm going to have a panic attack. After Liz and Marcus left I couldn't sleep until Sunday. When I woke up I was going to head downstairs to meet with Miranda about the trial today but I was met with Ava's voice. Oh how I missed her voice. I know the last time I heard it, it wasn't exactly the happiest moment. And I missed her and apparently she was thinking about me while she was in Paris because she had Maya tell me where they were so I wouldn't worry. Even though it didn't exactly help, it warmed my heart that she thought about me.

I heard them talking about New York and the plan but she hadn't given her mom a decision. I didn't understand why she wasn't taking it. It sounded like an amazing opportunity for her. I was about to make my presence known but she ended the conversation with, "I need to talk to Autumn.". I hate hearing that. I know we aren't together but every time someone says that it's never good.

So I trapped myself in my room all day and said I wasn't feeling well. I hadn't seen Ava since Friday night at the dinner and she's supposed to be coming to the trial. Everyone is. God. I'm nervous.

The door knocking threw me out of my mind. "Darling, we're leaving at 12. The car will be outside to pick us up." Miranda said on the other side.

"Ok thank you. I'll be ready." I called out.

"Breakfast is ready. So try to come down soon." She said then I heard her steps go downstairs.
I took a deep breath and got out of bed. I laid out a brown Houndstooth Pattern Collar Dress and matched it with brown heels and gold jewelry.

I got in the shower and thought about all the years I've dealt with his abuse. His words, his fist, his kicks. He was so sweet in the beginning. The first two years were like a fairy tale and that should've told me what was to come. We didn't have a single an argument those years but once we moved in together it was like a shift. We were both still in school and yet he expected me to do everything around the house. Clean, cook, provide groceries. And when it didn't meet his standards he'd lashed out. It was just degrading words at first. But one night in the 5th year he came home drunk. I was confused because I had never seen him drunk. From my knowledge he didn't drink. But his clothes were all out of place. Lipstick was on his neck and cheek. And he smelled like a mixture of perfume and alcohol. I confronted him as soon as he came in the office where I was studying. I was going to leave him that night. That was the night, that could've changed everything. But when I was about to walk out, he grabbed me by my hair and dragged me to the bedroom. He pushed me onto the bed and when I screamed for him to stop he hit me until I stopped. I never stopped until he hit me so hard I was knocked unconscious and I didn't wake up until he was just getting off of my limpless body.

That was when I got the Medusa tattoo on my leg. I didn't tell Ava because I know she would've gone to find him and kill him just like my dad did with my uncle. I've already made the statement to the police when they came to the office with Miranda. She didn't know and she comforted me the remainder of that meeting. And unfortunately I know I will have to talk about it again today.

I got out the shower it was only 11 so i still had time to get dressed and eat breakfast.
I headed downstairs and was met with Liz and Marcus in the living room talking. Looks serious. Liz is in a baby blue fitted suit and white collar blouse and white heels and Marcus is in a grey suit with a black collared shirt and grey shoes. His hair is really wavy. He always wear durags so I thought he was hiding it.
I walk into the kitchen and stopped when I see Maya, Miranda and the woman who makes my heart melt just by her look, talking by the sink. Ava is facing me and Maya and Miranda look like they're informing her something. I can't really hear.

Ava's eyes find mine and they stop talking. "Good morning Autumn. You look gorgeous as always." Maya said, making me blush.

"Thank you Maya. You all look amazing. You guys are a very attractive group of people." I said with raised eyebrows. They all laughed. The one I train my ears to hear is Ava's. It's so youthful. It's beautiful.