The Substitute Bride

Charles helped Autumn check her baggage in, got her boarding pass and took her to the security checkpoint. "Go, " he told her. Autumn turned to him and with a gentle wave, said, "You go home now. I'm leaving."

"Bon voyage!" Charles watched her leave and did not turn away until she was out of his sight.

He already began to miss her. He now knew what it was like to miss someone.

On the plane, Autumn took a blindfold out of her coat pocket, and asked the stewardess for a blanket, ready to sleep. She was about to fall asleep when there came a familiar voice. "Can I sit here?"

She quickly took off the blindfold and saw Sam standing by her seat, smiling. Then he sat down at the empty seat next to her before she could answer him.

Autumn was baffled. It wasn't until Sam fastened his seat belt that she understood what was going on. "Why... why are you here?" she asked.

"Surprised?" Sam shot back with a smile. Wendy had told him about Autumn's flight. He didn't know how she got the information, but upon learning it, he booked the same flight almost without hesitation.

"Yes. How did you know that I was going to Z City?" Autumn asked again, frowning.

"Relax, it's just a coincidence. I have an appointment with a client in Z City to sign a contract today. I wasn't expecting to see you here either. It looks like the trip won't be too boring, " Sam answered, still smiling.

"Really?" Autumn didn't believe him.

"Of course. Get some sleep if you're sleepy. I'll wake you up when the plane lands, " Sam said.

Autumn was really sleepy, so she put her blindfold back on and fell asleep. Sitting next to her, Sam was deep in thought.

When Wendy told him about Autumn's flight, he was actually a bit hesitant. But when he found out that Autumn's destination was Z City, he immediately decided to join her.

When Autumn was very young, he told her that Z City was a beautiful city with mountains and seas,

eyes, just like you."

"..." 'That won't help.' Autumn thought.

"Can you tell me where you and your mom got separated?" she asked Cindy. It was getting dark, and Autumn was getting a little worried.

"Over there..." Cindy pointed in one direction and told her, "My mom asked me to wait for her over there, but I ran after a seagull and now I can't find her..."

"Don't worry, I'll help you look for your mom." Cindy looked frightened and clung to Autumn, her chubby little hand clasping hers.

She had been waiting for a long time before Autumn showed up. As Autumn looked like her mother, she knew she must be a good person, so she asked her for help.

"Are you scared?" Sensing Cindy getting really anxious, Autumn picked her up. "Let me tell you a story. "Once upon a time, there was a little rabbit with an injured eye. One day he met a big rabbit. The big rabbit said, 'I'll take you to a wonderful place. When your eye heals, you can see the most beautiful scenery in the world...'"

During the story, Cindy became less afraid. Leaning on Autumn's shoulder, she listened closely and occasionally asked questions. Autumn finally arrived with Cindy at the place where the girl pointed to earlier. "Cindy, did your mother ask you to wait for her here?" she tried to confirm.