Chapter 27: Chapter 27

“Fuck, dude, I told you she lost consciousness earlier when she saw her husband. There was this relieved in her expression, thankful. It feels like they had been through some worst shits.”

“So, she had a husband?”

“Aren’t you listening carefully?!”

“Well, you lost me at the husband.”

“Unbelievable!”

I shifted from my spot when I heard faint noises again. I slowly opened my eyes, and the same chandelier hanging on the ceiling greeted me. I blink, processing what had happened when I recalled everything. I suddenly sat straight, eyes widened in horror, and at the same time, I heard yells coming from the end of the bed.

I flinched because of their squealing voices. I scratched the corners of my eyes before I finally recognized who it was.

“Harry…” I called his name. He was with a man I hadn’t seen before, not until now. Harry and the man were hugging each other. I looked at them from head to feet, raising a brow and totally confused about what was happening here.

Harry soon realized he was hugging his friend, I presume. He pushed the man away with force, stumbling and dropping to the floor. Harry composed himself, a little bit embarrassed since his face was ruddy-tinted when he crossed our gap and sat beside us.

“Are you okay now? You lost consciousness again earlier. I cold a doctor and said that you haven’t eaten anything yet.”

Harry took something from the side table and saw it was a tray of food and fruits. There were slices of bread that looked fluffy and yogurt, which made me salivate. I restrained myself from jumping on him and grabbed the food from his grip. Remember, Natasha. You are inside his house and have to look decent enough since he saved you and your family.

The syrupy and delicious smell filled my nostrils when Harry placed the tray above my lap. I couldn’t hold myself anymore. I grabbed the bread and munched on it as if I hadn’t eaten anything for years. I was really starving. I

“Do you bought a cave woman here?” an unfamiliar voice said. When I lifted my head, I saw Harry’s friend crossing his arms and shaking his head disappointingly at Harry. The latter just slapped his forehead, ashamed.

“She’s not, okay?!” Harry yelled at his friend, frustrated. The friend raised his hands, accepting his defeat before walking closer to us. Because of what he said, I suddenly slowed down eating, and Harry encouraged me.

“No! It’s okay. You can eat at whatever pace you like. I understand that you’re hungry.” his lips curved into an adorable smile. I couldn’t help but smile back, flattered because of his generosity.

I bowed my head a little before continuing my meal. I heard his friend cough and then offered my hands for a shake.

“I’m Steve, Harry’s best friend here. A pleasure to meet you…?” he trailed off, waiting for me to say my name.

I swallowed first, looking down at my hands.

“Natasha. My name is Natasha.” I said in a low tone, finishing off the bread. Steve waved his hands, waiting for me to accept it. I chuckled slightly before finally taking it.

“Cool, you have a nice name,” Steve commented.

I didn’t say anything after that and just focused on eating. Silenced filled us, and only my heartbeat was all I could hear. However, I could sense someone was observing me, so I had to glance at the two who were pointing at each other while looking at me. I raised a brow, confused about what was going on here.

“Harry wants to ask you something.” Steve smack his friend’s back, pushing him closer to me.

“Dude-” Harry was about to throw hands when I spoke.

“About what?” I have a feeling I know where this is heading, but I need to make sure first.

The two fell silent and had no idea how to ask me. I understand the awkwardness since everything happens so quickly. Their peaceful and quiet lives suddenly filled with chaos when we arrived. I know it’s a burden to have us here, but this is just for the meantime. Once we receive it, we’ll return to our everyday lives.

“Ah, Natasha,” Harry called my name when I looked away, clenching my hands into a fist.

“I know it might be hard for you right now, but I need to know what happened so I can help-”

“You wouldn’t understand, Harry,” I mumbled, cutting his words off.

He was speechless at first before continuing.

“I know, but you can trust me on this one. You don’t have to say every detail. I just need to know why you were covered with blood and all wounded, along with your husband.”

I bit my tongue, coating my dried lips with my lips. Suddenly, the space around me tightened, and remembering what had happened before Harry took us in was engraved in my head. It was like a broken vinyl playing all day, even if it’s broken. I didn’t realize that my tears were already falling off, abruptly getting all frustrated with our everyday life.

“We were being chased. They wouldn’t stop until they want us dead.” I choked back a sob, recalling what was Allen’s expression while delivering his speech about justice.

“We’re just a couple, having our normal lives when everything falls apart. They had found us and shot us, making sure to prevail their justice.”

“I-I don’t understand. Why do they want to kill you-”

“-because we are living in an unfair society, Harry.”

I glanced back at him. My vision was blurry from the tears. I inhaled sharply, catching my breath for a second. Their faces look torn apart. Harry was fighting his urge not to hold me while I was talking. He sat there patiently, waiting for me to finish my words.

“All of us are victims. I am a victim. My husband was a victim. He didn’t want it to happen. He was just a lost boy before I found him and rescued him from the pain he endured for years. He was abused, neglected, beaten, and thrown away.”

I said this with hand motions, expressing what my heart was screaming. I closed my eyes, clenching hard on my chest, where my heart throbbed painfully.

“He also saved me from my nightmare. He saved me from my traumas. We have had each other’s back since we ran away from our normal lives. We pushed away everything that seems normal and decided to live in a chaotic world where everyone contemns us, especially him.”

“I-it was hellish. Our lives have been…h-hellish. Now, after they had almost killed us, we successfully escaped, but they left us with no clothes, shelter to live, food, or water. We’re homeless now, Harry.” I covered my face with my palms, crying my heart out.

“It’s all because of justice they wanted to happen when we’re just victims too.”

I finally managed to stop explaining to them everything I felt. It feels good since I suddenly let out all the burdens my shoulder carries. I wiped off the tears in my cheeks when someone stopped me. I glanced at the hand which was holding my pulse and saw Harry. But what made me feel in a daze was when I saw a hint of tears in his eyes.

Mixtures of emotions are what I saw in them. Pity, anger, sorrow, and mourning. He leaned closer, bringing my hands down on my side, caressing my top palm.

“I’m sorry for what happened to you and your husband.” Harry breathed out, closing his eyes for a while.

“Both of you didn’t deserve it. I was blown away by your words and how you described your emotions with everything you went through. It was nerve-racking, and even if I was in your situation, I don’t think I would survive for that long.”

“From now on, Natasha. You don’t have to worry about finding a new home. I will give you and your husband a new life here in my house.”

Harry caressed my cheeks, removing the tears. When our eyes locked for a moment, I saw how thankful he was to see me here alive and still kicking.

“I’m proud of you, little rock star. You made it this far.” he tapped my back, giving me a warm smile.

I was hesitant to accept his offer. I know the risk if we live here. He might find out about Ethan’s identity. He might kill him or call the authorities. I am so sick of running away, and I wanted to have peace of life.

“So, is this the part you two are going to kiss?” suddenly, Steve spoke out of nowhere, making me look away from Harry’s stares, and Harry smacked him on his back.

“Dude, she’s married. Didn’t you fucking hear?” Harry said, a little bit ashamed of his friend.

Steve grumbled something under his breath before looking my way, smiling a little.

“I was actually shocked to see you crying as if you’re begging from the heavens to end this quickly. But then, Harry is right. You two made it this far, and we will make sure those fuckers who are chasing you won’t find you here.”

Harry nodded, placing his hand above my shoulder.

“You have my words and respect, Natasha. I will protect you and your husband. You can stay here as long as you want. But for now, you need to recharge yourselves.” Harry advised before standing up, but before he could leave, Steve suddenly spoke.

“So, you aren’t going to tell her?”

“Dude! You’re such-”

“Tell me what?” my brows knitted into a straight line, confused. What are they talking about?

Harry looked at his friend, wanting to curse him, but Steve just looked at him in a way that said he needed to tell me because I deserved to know it. Harry sighed in defeat, sitting again on the bed, taking his courage to finally speak.

“Your husband is in a coma.”