CRAVE - Bucky Barnes x Marvel AU

Part 14

"Honey, no." Howard's voice was much too comforting to be healthy "you just come here and cry, hunny, we'll sort this whole thing out."

I did exactly what he said and hugged him before lying back on my office couch, watching him sit in my desk and reply to emails from the press.

The bank was happy with my decision, that was the only positive. Howard had replied with "Miss White won't be making any official statements about the situation," to everyone.

My workers were being overworked, all offers from other brands to collaborate had gone out the window, my designers were now furiously trying to create something.

I didn't know if Hela was still on the table.

The reminder of her brought back Nat into my head, I tried to push it out. I'd told Howard every last detail, he'd told me not to fret and either worry about Crave, or don't worry at all.

I felt a little better the second I saw Wanda come in with a DVD, blanket and pillows, nail polish and a plate of snacks.

"I'll take care of you, Lizzie," she set them all down on the coffee table, then snuggling next to me with the blanket as she switched on the movie.

"Thanks Wanda," I rested my head on her shoulder as she painted me nails while we watched Clueless.

My mind drifted off during the movie, I could see Howard in his own office now doing piles of paperwork. This wasn't fair on him. I decided I would go and completely handle the financial situation myself.

Straight after the movie.

-

I got off the phone with the banker for the last time, I refreshed my computer page and saw my bank account quadruple.

That was the end of my beloved Bugatti and oversized house, I know my parents wouldn't be too thrilled.

It had been a few days, me and Howard were the only ones working, Wanda came in occasionally. I was too lucky to have her.

Every time I tried to clear the situation up in my head, these words just kept coming back up.

James. Ruined. My. Life.

It was no exaggeration, he was just like every other right winged man I'd worked with, an upper class, snobby, dirty money, flirty, controlling-

I burst into tears before I could let myself think anymore.

Stop lying.

I remembered the way I cried into him at the cafe, the way he'd let me take charge at times, how he alway always put me before anybody else- wether that be his own best friend or business colleagues.

You just made one big fat fucking mistake.

I almost gasped, my senses clicked together. I picked up my phone, I hadn't switched it on since I took that picture, there were probably millions of notifications by now.

I am ELIZABETH WHITE! Boss woman, CEO of her scratch built company, the modern day Cruella! Nobody will break me down that way.

I put my phone down, blocked the press's contacts, and began working hard. Working like this had gotten me out of tougher times- why should this time be any different?

So no big brand wanted to work with me- that's fine. I began contacting smaller businesses based in London, of course they'd work with me. This was my original dream anyway.

This is all a good thing.

I spent the rest of the day working, I was meeting Wanda at five for her to help me move into my new house.

-

Five rolled around. I don't know why I've no enthusiasm these days.

Scrap that, of course I do.

"Thanks, Wanda!" I tried to say cheerfully as she place the last box on my kitchen counter "how are the twins?"

"They're good, growing everyday!" I laughed a little "Vis has taken them to see a match, do you want to come and have dinner?"

"I'd love to," I smiled "why don't we eat here? Kinda like a housewarming party?"

"Sure thing!" Wanda planned to come back later, I began unpacking some of my boxes as I got used to my new home.

I was an apartment near Tower Bridge, sort of stored away but still with the hustle and bustle. All my views were completely varied, I felt somewhat free and cramped at the same time.

The door opened to the main living area and kitchen, with a door leading down the hall to a bathroom and two bedrooms. I had a mini balcony which was basically the rooftop of someone else's apartment. I couldn't tell who's, it's impossible to understand the architecture.

I'd chosen mostly beige and light academia aesthetics, not what my old place was like, but it somehow calmed me.

-

I finished cooking the pasta I made, it was simple but I'm sure it tasted good.

I welcomed Wanda inside, she admired what I'd done with the place in the few short hours she was gone. We sat at the kitchen table and she thankfully enjoyed the pasta.

"So how's your love life?" Wanda asked as we sat on the couch after dinner with a glass of wine "I've never seen anybody else around work?"

"Oh no!" I exclaimed, feeling a little of the wine in my head "me and love do not mix! I've never been in any sort of relationship."

"I guess Howard was talking crap then," she shrugged, taking another sip.

"Howard? What did he say?" I asked, knowing that Howard was a very wise man.

"That you and scary business man were mad for each other."

"You mean James?" I asked, feeling a little more sober at his mentioning. She nodded. "No! I felt something at first I guess... but now I hate him-"

"This is your first time being in love, Lizzie!" She sat up to face me "you said you've never been in a relationship?"

"Yeah?"

"So how do you expect everything to go right? You've no idea how to act around him, you blush non stop and go out of Cruella mode-"

"Wait, I what?" I asked surprised "what do you mean?"

"Hmph..." she sipped her wine like it was coffee and shrugged "I don't even know why you walked out on him."

"Because he kept touching me!" I exclaimed "I was uncomfortable."

"So yes, that's on him." Wanda set her glass down and turned to face me seriously "but to the outside, you're a tough nut to crack. He was probably trying to get you that way because you're pretty known to always be with men-"

"But I'm not!"

"I know, it's just the press. It's probably the only way he knew to get your attention, because you also make him weak at the knees."

I sat there thinking everything over. Nobody ever cracks my nut, and nobody comes close to James's. But I did? I didn't see it.

"How? He doesn't show it?"

"Of course he doesn't show it!" Wanda told me like it was obvious gossip "he's the world's toughest business man who only wears dark colours."

She began to smile once she saw she'd made me realise what I'd done.

"So?" I asked her "SO?" My voice became excited and scared, I'd definitely made a bad decision.

"You still love him!?" She stood up and joined hands with me, I had no idea why she was pulling me up to jump up and down with her.

"I- I guess I do,"