The Russian Fugitive

The Morning After

Y/n POV:

After I came home that night from the carnival, I was too depleted and didn't go to check on Natasha I assumed that she was with Leah in the maid's quarters, where she usually is after a day's work.

The next morning no one came into my room for my morning routine, I woke up into still shut windows and no clothes prepared, and obviously no Natasha or even Leah

I called out for her but instead of a green-eyed redhead, an anxious blue-eyed blonde came trotting in. Leah looks like a mess, dark circles under her bloodshot eyes, and her lower lip is trapped between her teeth to stop it from quivering as she stifles a sob and a piece of paper in both her hands

At first, I thought she received bad news from home, this woman has gone through more than any person living in this house, I envy her resilience, how she put up with all the turbulence in her life

"Oh goodness, Leah... What's the matter?" I tossed my sheets aside and ushered her in, she put the piece of paper in the pocket of her apron before wiping her nose with the back of her hand only to wipe it again on her apron

She sat on the bed looking anywhere but me, she sat there for a while saying nothing. I figured whatever the news was has winded her up so I didn't push for her to tell as I know she would whenever she's ready.

The silence has started to get heavy so I carefully chose my words to ask,

"Is it from home?" Leah still seems to be miles away as it took her a couple of seconds to respond

"What?"

"You seem really out of it today Leah, why don't you take the rest of the day off?"

"No... Uhm it's all good, it's just, the disease that killed my father has struck one of my siblings as well... The youngest"

"That's terrible news, Leah! I'd go talk to my father so he could send a doctor to check on your sibling" I scrambled to my feet but Leah stopped me

"Don't bother Y/n, my brother has it sorted out... Thank you."

"Are you sure?" She nodded.

"Oh well, can you fetch Natasha for me then?"

"Natasha isn't here, I'm sorry"

"What do you mean she's not here, has Cleo taken her to the town again?"

"I suppose that is the case"

"Off you go then, I can handle myself today, you seem befuddled, take a rest."

On her way out Leah didn't notice the letter that she tucked in her apron fell, I dared not to let her know of it the moment I saw my name neatly written on the paper

Curiously I picked it up moved to my desk where the letter opener sits but that wasn't necessary as it was already opened

I have never seen Natasha's penmanship before and how I wish that I have seen it in a different circumstance rather than this

In the letter lies her goodbyes, stating that she has left Amherst the night before, taking advantage of my absence

I have anticipated this long before but it's different when it's already happening.

Out of all people in the world, I never would've guessed that it will be Natasha, the woman who I have learned to trust and love with every bone of me to be the first person who made me realize how easily disposable I am.

All of my senses have left my body, I don't know how long I've been sitting there clutching the paper tightly that it has crumbled in my fist.

I refuse to believe that Natasha would just leave me like that and with no clue to where on earth had she gone to or an apparent reason as to why she left.

I recall nothing that will be enough reason for her to disappear, we did not fight, because we never did. I know she was extremely jealous of Pietro but Natasha is not that superficial

Something about that letter is too well inscribed, scripted if you might say, but surely something is not sitting well with me

Emotions stirred in me but I have no idea what I'm feeling, is it anger, hurt, sadness, emptiness? I can't point it out but I sat there unable to move, staring out the ocean beyond my windows as the words etched themselves in my brain letter by letter as if it's stabbing me slowly making sure that I feel the burns of it seeping through my skin.

I screamed and wailed as I feel my emotions to the brim and my room receiving the ends of my range, I tore the paper into pieces with such hatred, thrashed my table, and whatever my hands landed upon is thrown around or outside my window, then I picked up the letter opener and flung it on my mirror, the loud crash echoed throughout the house and a shard flew off across the room hitting me on the cheek, finally, I stopped feeling the adrenaline wash off.

My father, the maids, and Leah all witnessed my tantrum show and they all looked at me with pity which I replied with a glare, I felt small as I sat there on the floor staring at my reflection on the shattered mirror, never have I ever shown such an act.

Cleo was the only one who dared to come inside, she hold off my stare unbothered as if this is just something she sees every day, she sat down beside me and pulled me to her chest without saying anything

Usually, I'd lash out at her but there I was like a meek child hanging on her mother's arms as I sobbed

"Love will mend you most magically but will also destroy you most brutally, that when you stare in the mirror and won't recognize the person staring back at you."

We sat there while she cradled me, perhaps Cleo wasn't an unpleasant person, after all, maybe I was just too blinded by my grief that I refuse to give her a chance.

"Why don't we get this awful cut on your face treated hm?" She hummed lowly, I'm exhausted to even answer that she just went and asked one of the maids to get her what she needs.

She stayed there with me treated the gash on my cheek, threw comforting smiles my way every now and then, held me close when I start to cry again, it felt almost like it was my mother.

The Maximoff twins arrived at the manor late afternoon but were immediately denied of my presence courtesy of Cleo who hasn't left my side since.

Pietro the persistent young man that he is, pushed his luck and insisted to 'take care of me'. Seeing people treat you nicely out of pity is sickening and making myself  think that they are genuinely concerned is beyond possible

Wanda must have noticed how uncomfortable I am, adamantly dragged her brother outside. I felt bad realizing that I'm being rude to them so I politely walked them out of the manor and bid them proper goodbyes

"I'm really sorry for Pietro's behavior"

"Don't be silly Wanda, we know he's just trying to help, and we highly appreciate that, so thank you" Cleo took Wanda's hand in hers squeezing it reassuringly

"I'm so sorry for -"

"Don't be, it isn't the end of the world, is it?" I countered quickly refusing to be reminded over and over that she's gone with a blurred chance of her coming back.

"If there's anything we can do to help, just let us know" Pietro suggested,

"Of course, thank you." Cleo smiled at him

Wanda went in and hugged me then whispered,

"She'll come back."