Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Suddenly, Harry spits on his food, making a mess on the table. I duck, dodging the chewed food he burst. While Steve, on the other hand, was too stunned to even move from his spot, he didn't avert his face, and the food landed on his features. Steve threw tantrums, slamming his hands on the table before running out of the kitchen, heading straight to the sink to clean his face.

"Sir Harry! Are you okay?" some maids asked when they hurriedly head to Harry's side, caressing his back. Rena got a glass of water and then gave it to Harry.

I slowly went back to my seat, helping with cleaning the table. I guess Harry didn't expect that.

"Dude! Why did you do that? You're so fucking gross!" Steve argued while throwing his hands in the air with exasperation, gritting his teeth in rage. Harry waved his hand in dismissal, and the maids took a step back, back to their place.

"S-sorry, I was just shocked…I haven't been to a beach before…."

"Yeah, I know. I've been asking you this long, but you're always busy." Steve rolled his eyes before glancing at me, causing me to flinch on my spot.

"How about you, Natasha? Do you want to come along?" Steve wiggled his brows teasingly, resting his elbow on the table and leaning his face closer.

"Wait, have you been to a beach before?" Steve raised his brow, his voice turning severe in just a snap. This guy can shift his set of moods in just seconds, and it's scaring me a little.

I slowly shook my head in response. Steve stood on the floor and started climbing up on the chair. I heard gasps and low screams coming from the maids. Harry shook his head in annoyance while slapping his forehead. While I, on the other hand, was holding my laugh because he looked ridiculous. I wonder if Steve has a wife or a girlfriend? Because if yes, he wouldn't act so childish.

Well, I guess he's single.

"That settles. We're going to the beach and this time, no excuses! I swear, Harry if you make any excuses this time and won't make time for your best pal, I will cut ties with you!" Steve crossed his hands while shaking his head, shooting daggers towards Harry's spot, who raised his hand weakly while crossing his heart.

"I promise," he said in a lazy tone, making Steve smile in satisfaction. I mean, didn't he notice how uninterested Harry looks? He suddenly glances in my way, making me pause in my spot.

"Do you want to go, Natasha?" Harry asked while beaming. Now, all of them were looking at me, and I was under pressure to say something offensive. I'm scared, and it's my first time going to a beach. Apparently, I didn't know how to swim or what the ocean looked like, but then I didn't want to hurt Steve's feelings, so I nodded, smiling weakly.

"Y-yes," I said, and Steve punched his fist in the air as if he had won a lottery.

"Hey! Where are you going?!" Harry asked while standing up from his seat because Steve had disappeared abruptly from our sight.

"Going to buy some sunscreens! Duh!" his voice echoed in the living room, and I heard a loud slam of the door coming from the entrance.

I sat there, blinking and trying to process what had just happened. It was as if a storm had passed, and everything was bright now. The maids went to take Steve's plate. Harry placed his hands on the table before walking toward my spot.

"Are you sure, Natasha? You can back out if you want to, and I will ask someone to replace-"

I waved my hand, "It's okay. I also want to experience it, actually. I'm just scared because I don't know how to swim." I said, admitting it embarrassingly because, at my age, I should know how to.

Harry beamed confidently, "Don't worry, you're safe with us. Steve and I were swimmers during our younger years, and I think I still have the skill." he said, chuckling slightly.

"I'm glad, Harry." I tilted my head, smiling widely, "then sure, I can go with you."

Harry didn't say anything as he just kept staring at my face. He shook his head slightly before we decided to go on our separate ways. Harry was going to call someone to buy our stuff, which I declined, but he insisted while going to Ethan's room to say where I was going.

"Hey, love." I grabbed his hand and kissed the back of it, stroking it gently with love and care.

"We're going out really soon, but don't worry, I will come back and head straight here once we return. Harry and his friend are going on a trip, and they told me to come with them. Even though I am frightened because it's public and people might recognize me but don't worry, I will devise something on my features, so people won't know I am they are looking for." I mumbled closely against his lips, afraid someone outside might hear me.

I did make sure to lock the doors before sitting beside him. I stayed here and slept beside him, so he could feel I was still here. I have no idea how long we will remain on the beach, but I hope two days is enough for them. It's risky to set my feet outside, and they would find out my whereabouts, but I will do something so that Harry and his friends won't find it suspicious.

I know Harry understood that I might have a trauma because he knows someone out there wanted to kill us. He, with his bodyguards, can protect us, but he doesn't have any idea we're up against a government. Once he finds out about it, it will be over for this family.

"Scissors and hair color? You want to dye your hair?" Rena asked, blinking rapidly.

I nodded, "Yeah, I'm thinking of changing my looks, you know? What type of hair color suits me?" I asked, tilting my head to the side to show her my hair. My hair reaches below my shoulder, and good thing I have some split ends to have a reason to dye my hair.

Rena's lips parted, pointing her fingers at me, "Oh, I see. I think golden hair suits you."

I paused for a moment, thinking of myself having short blonde hair.

"You really think so?" I asked, and she gave me two thumbs up, confident in her words.

"Wait, I know we have stocks here since sir Harry used to dye his hair back when he was young. Don't worry. I won't give you something that's already expired. I am not that cruel. Wait here." Rena sprinted from my sight, heading towards the house's first floor.

I closed the door, heading straight to the mirror to inspect my looks. To change my features, I need to use darker makeup shades since my parts are vindicated. Harry bought me some makeup before since he thought I was a woman and a woman loves this thing but not all, apparently. But I can do my own makeup. It's just that I need to use it right now.

Harry informed me earlier we're leaving tomorrow morning. I still have lots of time to prepare this. Someone knocked on the door, and Rena came back with the materials I needed. She helped me set up everything, and I even offered her a helping hand to dye my hair. I was glad she was here to provide assistance. Still, I couldn't help but feel awful whenever I think I'm lying to Rena, not just to her but to everyone else in this house.

"You want to cut your hair? But why? This length suits your face shape…." Rena felt awful about the cutting part, but I nodded in response before smiling at her through the mirror.

"It's okay, Rena." my life is more precious than my hair.

She sighed before cutting it. Every piece fell to the ground, and something inside me was pulling my heart down. It's like I'm carrying something heavy both on my shoulder I couldn't see. I smiled bitterly to myself. Probably because I have been running away for some time now, and it has become normal in our lives to change our looks just to run free in this country.

"Oh my god! I didn't expect it would suit you!"

I flinched when Rena jumped in glee while clapping her hands in delight. I looked in the mirror to see the result, and even I was shocked to see myself. I tilted my head, caressing my cheeks, trying to wake up myself if this was actually me. Wow, for a moment there, I don't even recognize myself. I look…mature and fierce, gone the sweet-looking Natasha. It's still me, though I need this so Allen and his goons wouldn't think it's us.

Our battle hasn't ended yet. It's still ongoing, and I need to fight for Ethan.

"Thank you, Rena," I said to her. I hugged her tight, and she embraced me back. A tear escaped my eyes, and I couldn't stop my emotions from bursting this time.

"Hey… what's wrong? Why are you crying all of a sudden?" Rena asked when she took a step back to look at me. I felt her fingers caressing my cheeks and wiping off the hair strands covering my face.

I shook my head, but the tears won't just stop falling. I suddenly felt lost, abandoned, dreaded, anxious, and everything…my emotions were mixed. It's hard for me to depict what is consuming me.

Rena was saying something, but I couldn't hear her words clearly. If only there was a way to end our sufferings. If only I could ask Harry for help…

If only I could tell him…