Let Me In {sequel} ━ ✰ Natasha Romanoff ✰

Chapter Four

Y/n would have never expected the people she worked with in the research department at the university would be such a rowdy bunch. They were louder than anyone else here which caught the attention of a few people walking around.

They were all older than her and had much more expertise. Prisha, the professor she was working closely with and who knew professor Nowak from Brecker, was in her 40s but she was drinking like a teenager. It's Friday night so Y/n can understand the celebratory mode coming from them, but she was just so damn surprised. They were at a bar called 'Hooligans' and they were ordering some hard liquor. Hell, she's about 10 to 15 years their senior and she was ready to go pick up Kennedy from the daycare center and turn in for the night!

She looks at her phone for the time; 5:17pm. She had felt so bad about leaving Kennedy at the daycare center for any longer than usual. She stopped by to check on her before she ended up here with her colleagues. Kennedy wasn't too pressed about leaving seeing as she was playing with some other kids around her age. Y/n had hoped the five year old would be begging to go back to the hotel so she could have an excuse as to why she couldn't join Prisha and the rest, but that plan had failed.

She wasn't in the mood for drinking, but the atmosphere felt like it called for everyone to be at least buzzed. She ordered a mojito lime mocktail (making sure to whisper the "mocktail" part to the bartender so no one would in her group would hear her). She maybe would have considered drinking with them if she was back at home. But, even then she's not big on drinking.

It has been a while since she's felt left out of the fun. Her personal life at home is purposefully quiet and what some would consider "boring." She was out of place even with people who she thought were just like her.

"You don't want another drink?"

The voice belonged to Peter, another research assistant at the university. He was only a few years older than Y/n and had a shiny wedding band on his ring finger. Still, that didn't stop him from flirting with Y/n from time to time which made her not like him.

"I really shouldn't drink. I have to pick up Kennedy after this."

Y/n did not plan to tell her colleagues about Kennedy, but it had just kind of come up. They asked questions about her, but all Y/n had for them was a few photos and one answer, "She's not my biological daughter, but she's mine."

Peter is a nice guy, but he acted too familiar with her. At first Y/n thought it was his way of welcoming her and making her feel comfortable, but then it became too much. He offered to take them out for dinner one night which made Y/n wonder if he's really married or not. He hasn't mentioned a wife, but she just doesn't trust him or that ring on his finger.

"The daycare closes at 10. One good thing about the school is that they're very accommodating for the staff that works late. It's a really great place...really nice benefits too."

Y/n wanted to roll her eyes so bad, but decided against it. Not only has Peter tried to get her to take the opening research assistant position, but so has Prisha, and even professor Nowak sent a random email about it. Y/n's current answer is no. She doesn't uproot her life with Kennedy and moves from their quiet town to a busy city. All Y/n has is herself and the five year old, so the move does not sound realistic at all. She would be getting paid more and Peter is right about the good benefits. But, it just doesn't sound doable right now. She left the state of Illinois for a reason and isn't planning to make a permanent comeback.

"I'm glad you enjoy working there, Peter," she shoots him down with a smile and averts her eyes. No matter how much her body language shows that she's uncomfortable with him and this chat, he doesn't stop trying to convince her to come work here in the city.