“Hey, love. Today is the day we’re going out. I hope they will take care of you here. I did trust Harry when he told me he’s leaving a nurse here to be with you. Even though I don’t want to be separated from you, but….” I leaned my face closer to him, inching my lips. I wish how he would open his eyes right now and kiss me, but that would take a miracle to happen. But I won’t give up easily. I will wait no matter how long it takes.
“I don’t want to be suspicious around them. I need to maintain our secrets, to maintain this family. I won’t let anyone ruin it again.” I closed my eyes, praying on his chest before standing up. I just hope Ethan wouldn’t throw his hands when he saw I changed my appearance. He might think I’m another woman but knowing him, he would notice immediately it’s me.
That’s how strong my love for him and his love for me.
“Take care, my love. I will return, and if anything goes wrong, please give me a sign to come back here as soon as possible.” I mumbled, staring down at his body. I suppress my emotions from bursting out. I don’t want to ruin the make-up. I need to maintain this strong presence so no one from Allen’s minions would suspect me if I stumble with him.
The door opens, and the guy nurse walks in. He smiled at me, gesturing his head, and I nodded back, telling him my regards and gratitude before stepping out of the room. I sighed before clenching my fist. If only I could easily say that I don’t want to come with them but knowing Steve, he would see every detail of why I don’t want to go, and he knows I’m in perfect shape if I made an excuse I’m sick.
I lifted my chin before finally mustering up the courage to set my feet on the first floor. While walking down the stairs, I could hear a series of heavy footsteps coming from the helpers. They must have been busy preparing Harry’s belongings. When I peeked at them, I saw Harry was talking with someone on his phone while looking at his wristwatch. Beside him is Steve, who crossed his arms, tapping on the floor. I know they have been waiting for me, but I am still having doubts earlier inside my room.
Because once again, I’m walking into a thin thread, and below me are sharp knives pointing and waiting for me to fall.
“What’s taking Natasha so long? She’s been there for hours.” I heard Steve say, and Harry scolded him.
“Dude, she’s a woman, and most of them take time to prepare, of course, understand that. She needs to regain her confidence. You’re lucky you’re a man who only needs to dry his balls.” Harry rolled his eyes, and Steve shivered in disgust.
“Too much detail, man. I understand women take time to dress and do their make-up but still don’t need it. They are all beautiful just the way they are, though.” Steve mumbled, avoiding eye contact with his friend, who nudged him on his waist, teasing him.
“Finally, you have a girlfriend?”
“Nah, man. I’m just being appreciative.”
When I finally reached the bottom floor, I noticed some of the workers were shocked to see me, and only Rena was the one who didn’t seem to look surprised. Instead, she gave me two thumbs up, encouraging me. I smiled at her, putting some strands of my hair behind my ear, blocking my view. I realized only Harry and Steve were the ones who hadn’t been looking at me since they were busy arguing whether Steve was taken or not.
“Sir Harry, Ma’am Natasha is here.” Rena pressed herself between the two.
“Finally-” Steve stopped himself, and his jaw dropped. Harry waved his hands in front of his friend’s face, but Steve grabbed his jaw and forced him to look at me.
“What the-” before Harry could even curse at his friend, his eyes were set on me, making him speechless.
I stood there, uncomfortable from the stares I was receiving. I know Rena told me blonde suits me, but I am not sure since the way they make faces is making me ill. I shook these negative thoughts away, crossing the gap between us.
“I’m ready,” I told Harry, and he blinked, trying to process this.
“Are you really Natasha?” he asked, pointing his finger at me. I nodded. So, my plan work. They didn’t even recognize me at first glance. I’m glad about that.
“Wow, for a moment there, I want to fuck you-” Steve was blown away, and he hit the wall when Harry punched him in his gut, stopping him from finishing his sentence. Steve was joking, but that’s way below the belt because I’m already taken, and only Ethan can fuck me.
Harry scolded his friend, and Steve just lay there, half unconscious. We decided to finally leave the place, and I said goodbye to Bobby first. I promised I would buy something for him once we set home. I haven’t forgotten about our baby dog, of course. Seems like he’s having fun playing outside with his new friends, and Bobby deserves to have a new life here. After all, he went through the same trauma we had. We’ve been in so much hell, and I don’t want to bring my family back into that situation.
“Natasha? Are you okay?”
I flinched when Harry asked me. He was driving the car, and I was seated beside him. While Steve, on the other hand, was placed in the back seat.
“Huh?” I tilted my head, making sure did I heard him right? Harry focused his eyes on the road, but he spoke.
“You’re clenching your hands. Your nails are almost digging into your flesh. What are you thinking?” he asked, carefully since he doesn’t want to cross a line, and I understand he’s just concerned about it.
“Nothing, just…scared,” I whispered, closing my eyes before resting them on the window. I don’t know how long the trip will take, but I hope it won’t be that far. Since Harry has a job and knows I would miss my family back home.
“To those who are chasing you and want to kill you?” he asked, making me pause from my spot. I opened my eyes, staring outside through the window to see the cars and buildings we passed.
I didn’t say anything, but I think my silence did answer his question. Harry let out a violent sigh before asking again.
“I don’t want to be rude, Natasha, or you would think of me as someone who wants to control your life. But as someone who is helping you with all my heart, I wanted to know who are they so I can help-”
“Y-you don’t understand, Harry,” I whispered, squeezing my body tightly.
“I understand, Natasha. Look, I am not going to judge you. I am willing to understand your perspective and who did this monstrosity to you. I’m worried because what if those people are still on the loose? And they are lurking in the shadows, ready to cast a fight?”
stop…
“I can use my connections and everything I have to track them down and make them pay for what they did to you and your family, Natasha. Just please, you need to open your heart.”
“H-harry…” no, don’t give in, Natasha. He wouldn’t understand it. Once he finds out that police were the ones that were chasing us, doubts will cloud his mind, and he will think we’re criminals.
He wouldn’t believe me anymore, and our chance of survival will all end here. I closed my eyes, shaking my head because I had difficulty making a choice. Harry is nice. He’s a good guy. He has done many great things for my family, but that’s not why I should tell him everything. He would kill Ethan. He would kill me. He would throw away Bobby.
Just the thought of it is making my stomach twist a knot.
“Back in my company, Natasha. When you brought my lunch to me….” Harry mumbled, and this time I was listening attentively. My heart started to beat faster against my chest. My fingers were trembling, but I tried my best to control them so they won’t raise questionable acts.
“W-what?” I swallowed the tense feeling down in my throat.
“You were so scared as if something triggered you. You were begging and saying nonsense things to us…that we should spare your life. I don’t understand it at first….” Harry trailed off, and I saw how he clenched his hands on the steering wheel. He didn’t say anything for a while as his eyes were fixated on the road.
I do remember making a scene there because I remember Allen and his goons chasing us. I knitted my brows into a straight line, taking a sharp breath to calm down my nerves.
“But when I saw you looking at my guard about to take you away, you went berserk. You’re scared while looking at him as if he had done something horrible to you in your past life.”
My eyes widened, and my heart skipped a beat at what he said. For a moment, everything around us stopped moving, and the only thing I could see was Harry, whose eyes were fixed on the road.
“I have been thinking about this many times recently, but I just want to ensure if I am right….” Harry’s lips move in a slow phase.
“Those who wanted to kill you, are they from the authorities?”