For the next few weeks Austin and Ally saw very little of each other. John made sure to keep Ally busy and out of the house with any task his mind could manage to think up. Austin could tell that John did not care about the paleness of her face, her lack of communication, her dark circles, her obvious lack of sleep. He just wanted to keep her away from Austin, and it was working. As Ally would follow his every command as if she was a lost puppy searching for its owner. Ally was overworked to the bone, probably not getting enough to eat or drink and running off of lukewarm coffee. Some nights she wouldn't get home until 3 am, only to be woken up again at 6 and told that she needed to do more or try harder or re-record a whole song. The evil glint held in Johns eyes when the two would stroll in every morning was stomach churning. Austin would watch as he smirked at Ally's overly tired expression and put on a menacing smile to fake his happy pep talks. "It'll all be worth it," he would say; "You'll thank me for this when it's all over." But Austin could hear the sarcasm and spite dripping from his words, he could see the hatred seeping from his eyes, he could feel daggers John glared puncture his chest, right where he'd been wounded before. It stung.
Austin practically begged Jimmy to ask John for one, simple off day. He knew that Jimmy didn't know of anything that was happening beyond the studio but all it took was one simple glance at Ally to know that she was run ragged and stripped raw.
"Why don't you take the week off, go on a trip or something. Get out of the studio and your condo and just relax. I'll book you two a flight and tell John about it in the morning," Jimmy stated, as he began typing away at his computer.
"A whole week?!" Ally beamed, her shoulders perking at the thought of sleeping longer than three hours each night; "You really mean it!?"
Jimmy nodded; "I can tell you need it. I can see John is being a little… pushy and overworking you lately and while I'm not your manager I can't just sit and let this happen. It's illegal to overwork someone, I'll have to let him know that while you two are out of town."
"Why don't we go to New York, I have a vacation house there with endless land. It'll just be the two of us. It's so far out that you wouldn't see another house for miles," Austin replied, smiling down at his sleepy wife. Despite this though, she sported a truthfully happy smile. She couldn't wait to sleep in and spend the next seven days with just Austin. It was all she needed.
"Perfect, I'll let it be known that the house needs to be dusted and stocked with groceries, your jet will arrive here in about four hours so you should go home and pack. Ally, I suggest you don't answer any calls from John until you've landed in New York," he said warmly, averting his gaze to her. She wasn't sure why, but she felt grateful for Jimmy, it was like he knew some of what was going on, and was protecting her. She couldn't be more appreciative.
.
For the next two hours Ally packed with vigor and excitement, she couldn't wait to board a plane and fly miles and miles away from John and his never-ending tasks. She felt giddy just knowing that she would finally be somewhere where he wasn't.
She would finally be truthfully alone with Austin. From what he'd told her about his vacation home, no one even knew it existed besides Jimmy himself. He went on to explain how the whole property was gated and so far away from society that you could walk outside and enjoy everything about it without being bombarded by paparazzi. Ally decided that she would not mind taking full advantage of this. Nothing and no one would stop her from enjoying her time.
"I can't wait to spend the week with you," Austin said, strolling into their newly cleaned room and placing a kiss atop her head.
"Neither can I," she replied, attempting to wipe the tiredness from her eyes; "One thing I need more than anything is real sleep. This month and last month are the definition of a true living hell I'm not sure how much more of this I could have taken."
Austin nodded in agreement, his eyes shifting; "You don't think that us going out of town is going to make things worse, do you?" he asked; "What if John drops you while you're gone and airs everything to the media?"
Ally shook her head; "I don't know, I hope not. It at least feels like Jimmy is on our side in terms of the overworking thing. Maybe now that he's aware of it he'll keep a close eye on it. As for everything else, I don't think he would, but I can't be too sure."
"Hopefully Jimmy will talk some sense into him, maybe keep him distracted for the week while we relax," he replied; "Why don't you stop rushing around so much and come lay down. I'm sure if you forget anything we can buy it in New York."
She furrowed her brows at the man, but did not protest as he zipped her suitcase and lay it flat on the floor, gesturing for her to follow him as he laid down. She happily obliged, her eyes drooping immediately as her face met with the warmth of his chest.
"Everything is going to be okay, you know," he spoke softly, running his fingers through her hair. She smiled and nodded before her world was finally overtaken by sleep.
.
When the two finally arrived in New York it was nearing 8:30 at night and Ally hadn't slept a wink the entire flight. She was too excited, too mesmerized by the glowing lights below her, too satisfied with ignoring John's calls and texts. He couldn't do anything, and she loved that. She felt as if her whole life was different as they headed to his vacation home, the weight of her career that once sat begrudgingly upon her shoulders was suddenly lifted, the air around her was easier to breathe (despite it being New York,) she finally felt free.
"I think the first thing you need to do when we arrive to the house, is sleep," Austin commented, breaking the comforting silence that sat thickly in the air.
Ally averted her drooping eyes to her husband, nodding in agreement; "I know, but I think I'm way too excited to sleep the rest of the day away. I want to explore the house and cook some dinner since all we've had is take out for the past two weeks."
"You don't have to do that you know, we'll be here for a whole week and you've got plenty of time to cook," he replied; "I can just tell you're super tired and I don't want you overworking yourself any more than you already have."
"I promise I won't, I don't even feel tired, especially now. I can't while knowing that I'm in a new place and there's so much for me to explore."
"Okay, Dora," he responded with a light chuckle. Ally rolled her eyes at this snarky remark but remained silent they neared Austin's quaint yet elegant seeming home. A cream colored fountain sat perfectly in front of the home as the gates opened. The greenery in front was obviously well kept even though Austin wasn't here often and the home itself held an elegance and warmth that reminded Ally of she and her father's home when she was just 14 years old. It didn't woe her whatsoever, but it didn't disappoint her. In fact, it made her feel more welcome than she'd ever felt before. She removed her seatbelt and opened the door, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the blue sky. The warm sun graciously blanketed her body, as she made her way to the front of the house.
.
Despite Ally's protest about staying up and cooking, the moment they'd settled in the house and relaxed for a few moments, she was out cold. She refused to check her phone and read John's messages even after Austin insisted that she should. Part of him thought she was afraid, and the other part thought she was simply fed up and not wanting to deal with his antics.
The house was silent as she slept ever so peacefully on the sofa, and Austin didn't know what to do with himself. It'd been so long since he'd just had time to himself to think, to just be himself. The last time he'd been in this very home was a mere two years earlier when he was so stressed and overworked he flew out without even letting Jimmy know. He went off the grid for a full two weeks and when he returned home he asked Jimmy to tone down his push and authority over him, to which Jimmy hesitantly obliged. Much like the situation Ally was in at that very moment, except hers was a lot more severe than his had ever been. He would never understand the true stress and pain that Ally was enduring at that very moment. The nervousness he felt about the whole situation was likely a small slither of what Ally was feeling, but not at all close. He wondered how he would be able to protect her from everything that John was threatening when he couldn't even figure out how to tell his own manager when he needed a break. How could he possibly stand up to a man with so much power and envy in his hands. How could he ever bring himself to tell John off with everything that was on the line?
But this was supposed to be his getaway from all of that, as long as he wasn't back home with all of those never-ending issues he shouldn't waste his time worrying about them. He promised Ally that this would be a time to relax and enjoy their time with each other.
However, just as he began to ease his mind, his phone began to ring loudly beside him. He heaved a sigh but picked it up. John's name flashed teasingly on the screen, daring him to answer it. He dared a glance back at Ally and without thinking, left the room.
"Hello," he answered cautiously into the phone.
"You shouldn't expect Jimmy to keep quiet about your whereabouts all the time. I hope you know he told me about you guys leaving the city a good hour or two after you landed," he said, Austin could hear the stress and strain in his voice; "I'm not meaning to be so evil towards her. I know overworking her can ruin my career and possibly end her life. I wasn't thinking and I'm sorry about it."
Austin was taken aback, he wasn't expecting John to be so calm about everything, especially because of his previous actions; "It's alright I guess," he replied.
"Just let Ally know that this doesn't mean she's off the hook, and I still meant what I said," he added, the tone of his voice darkening; "I know you probably don't understand. But you don't need to. Stay in your line and I'll stay in mine."
"You're not in a place to tell me what lane I should stay in," Austin retorted; "This is my wife you're talking about here, and the way you've been treating her is far more than unacceptable. I'd have half a mind to report you to the police."
"You'd be one dumb son of a bitch to report me to the police while I know the things I know Austin. Listen to me when I tell you that doing that, would only be the beginning of my reign of terror on your life. I will single handedly destroy your reputation, your life, and your precious love all at once."
Austin sucked in a breath, his grip tightening on the phone in his hand. It was one thing to threaten him, but to threaten Ally as well? That was over stepping too many boundaries.
"Listen, I came here to take a vacation from all of this. I have a wife who's overexerted, an album I need to brainstorm on, and a charity concert I need to mentally prepare for. I suggest you leave us alone for at least this week. That's all we're asking, when we're back we won't have an option but to listen to what you have to say."
John chuckled darkly on the other end of the phone, Austin could nearly picture the disgusting smirk he had plastered on his face. He loved to see Ally suffer, because in his mind, she deserved it for not sharing the same feelings as him; "I won't keep you any longer than I already have, so enjoy your vacation and don't expect me to go easy on you when you get back."
Austin opened his mouth to reply, he had a few specific profanities he wanted to spit at the man so that he could have the last word. But before he could even mutter a syllable, the phone hung up. He heaved a sigh anger boiling through his veins, thick and laced with venom daring to be spat at John the moment he laid eyes on the man again. He hated that man, more than anything, he hated what he was doing to Ally. He hated that he had power over their every move and he couldn't do anything to stop it.
He threw his phone onto the bed, a soft thud filling the room for a split second before it was again, filled with silence. He paced back and forth, his mind running wild with ways they could trick that vile man into breaking the contract, ways they could escape without anyone knowing, ways they could just sit back and live and enjoy each other for once. But every hopeful thought led to yet another dead end. Maybe if Austin hadn't chosen Ally to fake this marriage with, he wouldn't be in this mess. It was his selfishness that put them in the situation they were in now. If it wasn't for his greed, and his desire for more power and fame, Ally would be living her life separate from Austin, without a care in the world. In that moment he wished that he could go back and stop himself from making such a poor decision, he wished he could tell himself about all the grief he would end up putting her in because of his stupid contract. Yes, he loved having Ally around, he loved seeing her in the mornings, and talking to her at night when she'd be too tired to do anything else besides come home, throw herself onto the bed, and talk until she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. He loved Ally.
But if he had the chance to go back, he would. Not because he regretted it, but because he couldn't bare to see Ally hurt so much because of him.
He did this, there was no one else at fault but him.
And he hated knowing that even more than anything else.
.
Ally didn't expect to sleep so long, but by the time she finally peeled her eyes open it was 6 in the morning. She stretched lazily and sat up from her uncomfortable, curled position on the couch. Austin slept peacefully in a chair across from her, a book that was only turned to its second page rested in his lap, and his messy blonde locks danced in the sunlight like they did almost every morning. She hadn't felt this good in a long time, it comforted her to know that she wouldn't have to endure another day at the studio for a week. She would make sure not to count the days and hours until she went back, she wanted to enjoy her time with Austin until the very last second of their vacation.
She stood up, the floorboards beneath her creaking so noisily it startled her.
"I see you've become acquainted with my nosiest floor board," Austin said, popping an eye open.
"Oh I'm sorry! Did I wake you? I didn't mean to, I was just getting up to make some breakfast," she replied.
"No, I've been awake since 5:30, I was trying to read this book but its boring so I gave up on it and just started thinking, I guess I kinda zoned out for a second," he shrugged his shoulders and placed his book on the coffee table; "You've been knocked out for quite some time, I was starting to wonder if you'd be asleep this whole trip."
Ally rolled her eyes at the boy and threw herself back down on the sofa; "I probably could if I didn't need food or water to survive, then again I'm not sure if even then I would, I'm too eager to spend all my time with you."
He smiled at her, she'd grown to love his smile so much.
Then again, she'd pretty much grown to love everything about the boy.
That's what being in love felt like according to all the movies.
*rereads end of chapter* WHAT DID THAT JUST SAY IN LOVE?! I'M SHOOK.
Sorry for no updates for a while, you guys know life's got me by the neck right now but I always come back don't I?
This is a filler, so it doesn't display much to the story as a whole but it does give you guys a less eventful chapter with a little bit of Auslly sprinkled throughout it.
I plan on only having two chapters with them in New York, this one and the next one, so just know that. However the next chapter will not be filler as its going to contain a lot that's going to contribute to the progression and ending of the story.
Until next time De Mi Amor!
Stay Lovely
Nikki x3