Nefarious

7.

Natasha's P.O.V.

I walk up to him and instantly am taken aback by his broad frame taking me into a hug. At first, not knowing what to do, I stand with my arms beside me in an awkward position. When I notice he doesn't let go, I ease into the hug and pat his back.

"Hey, is everything okay?" I ask in a concerned voice.

I couldn't ask about what happened at the bar right now. First, I had to figure out why he was acting like this. He seemed, disturbed.

"I should be asking you that." Niall spoke, still hugging me.

"Why so?" I question yet again, feeling really confused as to why he should be asking me if I'm okay or not.

"Nat. It's okay. I understand your mom is a touchy subject for you and that man should have never brought it up-" his words were cut off by me dropping my hands to my side yet again.

I felt tears dwell in my eyes as I felt him pull away from me. I didn't want to cry in front of him. I certainly couldn't tell him about my nightmare. I was stuck in my own head, yet again.

"Where were you?" I ask him, trying to change the subject.

"After dropping you to your room in your drunk state, I headed out for a walk. I came back to check on you in your room but you weren't here. Where were you?" he states and changed the topic back to me again.

How could I tell him I was looking for him, trying to find out what he told me just now because I was high.

"I'll tell you tomorrow. I'm very sleepy right now so I'll see you in the morning yeah?" I answer cutting the conversation short, not wanting to answer his questions anymore.

He gave me a slight nod, patting my arm. I walked into my room and shut the door behind me. I didn't want to think about what happened anymore. I couldn't think about it further.

Before I knew it, I was drifting off in my bed. Not wanting to think about anything more. I needed some quiet. My thoughts alone were eating at my brain and I couldn't bare thinking. At all.

I woke up in the morning, feeling indifferent. I could hear the birds chirping, the sun was shining and the men were screaming. All was good.

I wasn't going to let last night get to me anymore. It was just a bad acid trip. People have bad acid trips all the time. It was fine. I was fine.

Without giving it more thought, I jumped out of bed wanting to get my day started. I knew that I had to get going and do things as I normally do. I wanted to work out today. I wanted to release the pent up tension I had.

So, a work out, I did. The gym my dad had built in that remote area had everything I needed. My main focus today though, was the punching bag. That way, I could imagine punching Harry in the face, while also releasing tension. Two birds with one stone.

After finishing my workout, to say that I was feeling energised, was an understatement. Working out always got my mind off of things, it was basically my escape.

I headed out of they gym and back to my room. I felt better than when I woke up. I felt more alive. More, in my body. I took a shower and decided to go meet with Niall.

He too, noticed my chirpy behaviour and even though he asked me if I was okay, I shrugged and asked him to change the topic. We spent the day together yet again. Discussing the heist, planning, and talking about badass ways to shoot people.

When night fell, I decided I wanted to go see my dad. He always made me feel better.

I knocked on his bedroom door to hear his soft but strong voice.

"Come in." He said, lifting up his glasses to look at me.

"Hi dad." I answer, closing the door behind me as I walked up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey pumpkin, big day tomorrow, you excited?" He replies like he was talking about a competition I was going to, when instead he was talking about an actual heist.

"Yeah, mostly nervous though. I just hope I don't mess anything up." I answer, feeling scared.

I see him as he walks to his wardrobe without answering to what I said. I see him turn around with a small navy blue box in his hand, wrapped in blue ribbon. Blue was my favourite colour.

He hands me the blue box and encourages me to open it.

When I open the box, I see a beautiful metal ring band with the words "Eris" engraved on it. When I look at my dad, I see him cleaning his glasses, looking at me as well.

"Eris is the greek goddess of chaos" He says as he switches looking between the ring and me.

"Your mom, had a knack for greek mythology. We had this made for you, so you would wear it when you were going to prove yourself to the committee." He adds, making me emotional.

"Tomorrow is that day, pumpkin. If she was here, she would have been so proud of you." He continues.

I could feel tears form in my eyes. I loved my mom so much. She loved me so much. I left the room after saying goodnight to my dad and headed for my own room.

That night, I wore the ring and fell asleep. Knowing that I can make her proud. Knowing that she is what gives me strength.

I felt at peace again.