CRAVE - Bucky Barnes x Marvel AU

Part 3

Emails clogged my day. Sunday, a day where I make sure I relax, or else I'll go mad.

Another email, Howard.

Hi honey, I've got 2 brands wanting to do Winter. I think we should leave the Camden Market thing for Spring or something like that, until we can get another investor. For now, Burberry's on the line arguing with Fendi. I'll let them fight. Emailed Wanda's design, they both want it. I'll leave the number to an investor!

- the world's best PA xoxo

I smiled, he never signs his name. I'm disappointed that we can't have small businesses collaborating with a bug brand like Crave AGAIN this year, it's been my dream since the company started. But we're almost bankrupt. So we're better off sticking with offers from the big shots.

I dialled the number Howard left me for 'JBB and Co.' I'd heard of them, they'd helped Chanel through a sticky phase once or twice. I was surprised Howard was able to get them to agree to reach out.

"Hello?" A receptionist seemed to answer

"Hi, I'm calling from Crave. I've been given this number,"

"Yes Miss, I'll put you through to somebody now."

I held on the line as she put me through. I never usually told them my name on calls like this, it's the best way to see how they treat clients.

"Hello ma'am my name is Sam Wilson, how can I be of service today?" He answered the phone

"Elizabeth White, you reached out about investing about Crave. My schedule is full today, but could I come in for a meeting tomorrow then?"

"Yes, of course," I heard his tone change to a little more serious once he heard it was me he was talking to. Not many CEOs get involved upfront in their business.

"What time would suit you, Miss White?"

"Any at all," I said, crossing my fingers he'd say anytime but lunch.

"How about eleven?" I heard him typing furiously, trying to keep his cool

"Yes, I'll be there."

"You know the directions ok? We can have somebody come pick you up if you'd prefer?"

"I'll be fine, thankyou."

"Have a good day then," he hung up after that, for a split second I heard voices exclaiming ten things at once in the background.

I sat back on my chair, sipping my hazelnut black coffee with lavender syrup. I was creative with my drinks.

For the rest of the day I did what I liked to do best; garden, clean and speed round London in my collection of sports cars.

Arranging a bouquet of flowers I'd picked in the garden, my mind trailed back to what Howard had said yesterday. It's been ten years. You're living your life to the fullest- what more could you want?

//FLASHBACK- TEN YEARS AGO//

"Don't worry Lizzie, it's bloody breathtaking!" Natasha Romanoff insisted at my final project. My final year studying art at Oxford, my ballgown made of nothing but plastic bottles stood on display.

"Thanks Nat," I rested my head on her shoulder as we admired my years worth of hard work "last night at the club?"

"Sure, we've deserved it!" She exclaimed, already on her way to get ready.

Later that night at the club....

I sat by the bar, downing my millionth shot, trying everything the bar had. Nat was dancing in the centre of the floor, all eyes on her. She was studying film making and theatre at Oxford, originally from Chicago. She was already practically a movie star.

"Another round?" Hela sat down casually besides me

"You bet!" I laughed, ordering her one as well. We chatted for a while, keeping an eye on Nat in case she toppled off the chair she was climbing up.

Out of nowhere, I felt something suddenly hit the back of my shoulder. Too drunk to tell what it was, it gave me a screeching burning pain anyway. The bang that followed it made me turn around to the entrance, just as Hela knocked me off my stool and down to the ground with her.

I was confused, much too drunk to realise what was happening, but I knew that three men stood in the doorway with machine guns was bad.

I looked over at Nat, she was running across the floor to me. My heart raced, where could we run out to? She dived down next to me and Hela, her heels making her slip as she tried to hide.

One of the men saw us making a commotion, ignoring the other screaming students or the electronic music still blasting from the speakers. He walked towards us slowly, gripping the gun's trigger.

"Lizzie..." Hela whispered to me, tugging me back behind the bar, trying to hide

The man saw her mouth move, his eyes turned bloodshot, aiming the gun straight at her face. His finger moved onto the trigger, Hela's eyes flashed with fear.

I bit my lip to stop myself from screaming. It drew blood, but it wasn't my blood that was pooling onto the floor.

Nat lay there, dead, bloody hair covering her face.

I tried to scream, nothing came out. I shot daggers through my eyes towards Hela, who pulled Nat just in time in front of her like a human shield.

Hatred ran cold through my blood. I wanted to scream. To cry. To kill. To die.

Before I could take action against anything, police had stormed in, taking the three men down.

I curled in a ball on the floor, shaking. My mind was suddenly sober, but I couldn't get my body to act or speak it. My shaking hand reached out to Nat, lying there, helpless.

Before I knew it paramedics had come in and scooped us both up before my fingertips barely brushed her, the last view I ever had of her.

//BACK TO REALITY//

I forced myself not to think about it.

I sat alone at my six seat dining table, my fresh bouquet filling the air with sickly sweet floral scent.

Sure Howard, I'm living my best life. What more could I want?