Chapter 50: Chapter 50

"Hey…"

I glanced at Steve, who took a seat beside me. I greeted him weakly before looking away again, playing with my fingers. I was staring at the veranda before me, looking at the beauteous scenery of Harry's garden. So far, none of Allen's troupes have made a move yet. The news spread like wildfire, so the whole city was awfully silent. It's like everyone is dead, and you're the only ones who were alive. However, that doesn't mean we need to tear down the walls we have built for months.

"How are you doing?" he asked, leaning against the railings. I sighed, looking down at the ground while playing with my fingers.

"I'm fine," I mumbled, almost whispered. Steve didn't say anything for a moment. Instead, he listens to the muteness beside me roaming his eyes around the whole area. I didn't mind if he would stand here beside me and say nothing. I know why he is here.

"I'm sorry." he suddenly mumbled, and when I glanced at him, he was coating his lips with his tongue, nibbling on his lower lip. He looked discomfited when he noticed I was looking at his face, so he looked straight ahead, sighing in remorse.

"Honestly, I was speechless earlier. I am still shocked about it," he stated, chuckling. I remained unspoken, waiting for him to finish what he wanted to say.

"I didn't know. I was expecting him to attack me or anything because he was injured and blood was covering his path…but he didn't. He wasn't even mad at me. He stood there, talking about how he changed his way of life because of you. And man, I was like, no wonder when he was still in a coma you couldn't stop thinking about him?" he sighed, shaking his head while smiling before looking into a thin distance.

His eyes gleamed, but I could also see their trouble.

"You two are so in love that I feel like it's a sin to reap you two apart. Now I get why Harry wants to help you two. You deserve to have a second chance."

I breathed in, chewing on my inner cheeks. I glanced at him and noticed Steve's seriousness when he mentioned our relationship. I placed my hand on his shoulder, tapping it mildly. Steve was shocked, but he let me.

"To be honest, Ethan actually doesn't talk about what he truly felt. The guy has trust issues after living in an abusive household."

I clenched my jaw, squinting my eyes while recalling all the stories Ethan had told me about his childhood. How he was traumatized by closed spaces. How he loathes the dark even though his heart turned into one. I was glad I met and saved him from drowning before it was too late.

"Then I guess he trusts me." Steve chuckled, then shuffled his hair. He stood up straight, and I dropped my hands to my side when Steve twisted me to look at him directly in the eyes. He placed both arms on my shoulder, giving me a solemn look of humility.

"I promise you, Natasha." he swallowed the lump in his throat, giving me a reassuring determined look.

"I will also help you and Ethan to get out of this country. Don't worry about us when you land successfully in Asia. We can book a flight there for some time." he winked.

"I will keep Ethan's trust. I won't tell a single soul out there about his identity even though the news is still spreading wildly. I will tell them wrong about the werewolf they have seen on Television. I will tell them how this werewolf saved my friend and gave him another chance to live." he sighed, looking at the ground.

"I know I have acted like a jerk and almost shot you with a bullet. If it weren't for Ethan, you might be dead right now, and it's because of me." Steve's shoulder started to shake. My lisp parted slightly as I tried to solace him, but he looked away, motioning me to let him cry.

"Despite almost killing you, your husband still forgives me. How sick of a person I am? Fuck…" Steve then clenched his fist.

"That's why I promise you, Natasha. You two will get out of here safely." when he lifted his face up, I saw how drenched it was because of his tears. I don't know if I should be worried for him or laugh because I am not used to seeing him vulnerable like this.

I pulled him into a tight hug, tapping on his back.

"It's okay, Steve. We forgive you. Don't ever think I will hate you. You're a nice gentleman. You're just…shock." I mumbled the last part because I was unsure if I told the last word correctly.

"Yeah, and scared too. But then, my perspective changed, and I admire him as a man now." Steve chuckled, but then someone coughed to interrupt our moment together. I pulled away from the hug only to see Ethan standing there, arms crossed against his chest.

Steve suddenly pulled and gave way to Ethan. I couldn't help but snicker because he looks like a puppy getting scolded by his owner. Speaking of puppies, I suddenly missed Bobby, and I hope he is doing fine back in Harry's old mansion we used to live.

Ethan didn't say anything, but he crossed the gap between us. His eyes remained on my face. He stroked my cheeks the moment he stopped before me. I rested my cheeks against his palm, eyeing him.

"Are you done packing our stuff?" I asked, and he nodded in response. I glanced down at his arms, which were covered with bandages. I stroke it carefully. He didn't flinch when my fingers were placed above the bandages.

"Does it sting?" I asked worriedly, and he tilted his head slightly, gazing down at the arm I was fondling.

"It doesn't. Don't worry, I was sleeping for almost a month. There's a lot of energy that is restored in." the side of his lips curved up a little, winking. My face heated, and I smacked his chest playfully when Steve feigned a cough, catching our attention.

"Hey, man. Look, I am still sorry about what happened earlier. I was not thinking straight that time."

Steve has been telling how sorry he was to Ethan after his speech earlier. Ethan already forgives me and all, which is also to my surprise, honestly. Ethan wouldn't miss a chance to throw claws and slashes his enemy into pieces. But then, he proved how he had changed for the better. Which is too bad. It's not enough for the government to forgive him.

Ethan waved off his hands in dismissal.

"It's nothing," he said casually.

"By the way, Harry is calling all of us. We need to get down." Ethan suddenly changed the topic. I guess he was earnest about the part he already forgives Steve and doesn't want to further the case.

We all agreed to stroll our way down to the first floor of this house. While climbing the stairs, I noticed a group of men standing straight. They are bulky, muscular, and wearing black suites to emphasize their roles. They look like they come out straight from an action movie. Harry was in front of them, telling them orders.

"You guys are going to defend the helicopter on the ground in case someone shoots at us…." I heard Harry's dominant voice echoing.

"Helicopter?" I asked, and Steve winked at me, smiling proudly.

"Guess who is going to fly the helicopter." he gestured his hands, rolling his eyes in circles, and I sighed, pointing at him weakly.

"Good, all clear. Now let's get moving. We don't have much more time to waste." Harry exclaimed authoritatively, and his guards suddenly went towards the stairs, going up to the top floors.

Harry turned his heel on us, delighted to see us complete here. He crosses his arms, eyeing each of us before executing his plan.

"I already pulled some strings to make your fake IDs. Don't worry about the passport since we will use my private jet."

"But why with the helicopter? What's that for?" I don't know if I have lost my memory or what, but I couldn't remember the helicopter's purpose.

"This whole city is in lockdown, and there are surveillance and military troupes all over the roads. So, we must go over them if we can't go through them." Harry explained, and that makes sense.

"Steve here will be the one who will ride us towards the airport. It's six hours away, but with that ride, we can make it there earlier."

I couldn't help but feel the excitement, at the same time, worry that was creeping through my system. This is it. We are going to escape this country and leave our real identity here.

"My guards will protect us from the ground. We are surrounded by my own armies." Harry turned his back on us and was about to head up on the floor when Ethan stopped him.

My heart skipped a beat when Ethan placed his hands on Harry, who was also speechless when he turned around, looking at Ethan straight in the eyes. A long deafening silence prevails the two before Ethan speaks with sincerity.

"Thank you for everything."

We sighed in relief, and Harry smiled in return, giving Ethan a fist bump.

"It's nothing. You did save my life out there." Harry gestured his head.

These two… could make a perfect partners in crimes.

We both headed now towards the rooftop of this house. Ethan helped me climb up the stairs. The moment the sun hit my face, I covered my eyes with the back of my hand. When my eyes adjusted to the light, my jaw dropped when I saw the majestic helicopter before me.

"There she is…." Steve said, walking past me.

"Meet Helena 2000. She's the fastest helicopter that mankind created."