[2] Just A Lost Girl | Avallone the Avenger

CHAPTER SIX

"I'll be back soon. Fury just wanted me to do this mission with Captain. I promise, I'll be back." Natasha said, packing her clothes into a small bag. It had been three weeks since I had seen the mysterious woman, and she haunted my dreams almost every night.
"How long will it take you?" I asked, as she zipped the bag up and slung it over her shoulder. Delay, delay, delay. "I don't know. But I promise I'll be back within two months."
"Two months?!" I yelled, running after her. Natasha shrugged her shoulders like it was nothing and walked towards the black BMW that stood, waiting in the driveway. "I'll be back within two months." She said, whirling around. Her emphasis on the word within, calmed me slightly.
Nat brought me into a hug. "I'll see you later, Avvy. Stay safe." I smiled at her and nodded, "You too." Ronald walked towards us and took the bag on Natasha and stored it in the boot of the car. "Ron, take care of her, make sure she doesn't do anything . . . stupid." She paused at the end for effect, and I playfully slapped her on the arm.
"See you later." She said, waving through the car window. I returned the gesture and watch the car saunter out of the driveway. "She'll be back." Ronnie said behind me, placing his hand on the small of my back and leading me inside.
"I know, I'm just going to miss her. She's been here supporting me the whole time, and it feels weird to watch her leave. I'm in a place I don't really know, Ronald." I said, whimpering slightly. Juts then, as I was speaking, I realised that I was alone.
Ronald nodded. "I understand. I was like that too when I was first recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D.. It's just something you have to get used to. And, when you do, the feeling of helplessness, and having to rely on someone passes."
He was right. I shouldn't have to rely on anyone. "Thanks." I mumbled as we parted ways. I would be meeting with someone from the business we were targeting in a few hours, and I would be doing it alone. I needed to prepare.
I walked into my wardrobe and changed into the most business yet attractive looking outfit I could concoct. Satisfied, I stepped away from the wall-tall mirror that hung on the door and walked into my bedroom.
The smell of bagels reached my nose, and my eyes wandered over to the glass table that so gracefully stood in the middle of my room. Indeed, my nose was correct, it was bagels. I graciously sauntered over to the table and sat down on one of the cream couches.
"You look lovely, my dear." An all-too-familiar voice said. I didn't dare look away from the bagels, as I was afraid she would disappear just like she did in my dreams.
A minute of silence passed between her first speaking and her second. "Look at me, child." Her voice gently persuaded me. I glanced up, and saw her standing there, her face almost filling the room with her beauty.
Each time I saw her, she was more beautiful than the last. And each time, I asked the same question. "Who are you?"
"As I have said many times before, that does not need an answer at the moment. Please, eat. Soon, you may become too nervous to." She ushered to the food, and I instantly obeyed. I was hungry.
When I had finished, I looked up to speak to her again, but she was gone, leaving only a note. I carefully walked over to the paper that lay on the floor, afraid it would disappear just like her.
It didn't. Instead, it lay in my hands, unopened. I could not bring myself to open it just yet. Maybe later. I slipped it underneath my shirt and into my little 'pocket' for reading later.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. Two more house to go. Sighing, I picked up the empty tray and walked to the kitchen.
As I entered, the smells immediately made me feel at home, even though I haven't worked in the diner for quite some time now. "Hello, May." I greeted the cook. She smiled at me and returned to preparing the dinner. Roast chicken with cranberry sauce and salad. Delicious.
After placing the dirty dishes in the sink, and depositing the tray where it needed to go, I left and made my way to the library, where the meeting would be held. Already, people were setting up. Everything had to be perfect for when they came. We needed to fool them completely.
"Nice." Ronald said, behind me. I turned and smiled at him. As of late, he had been breaking his way of speaking to say wonderful things, which surprised me quite often, in a good way.
"Thank you, that is, if you are talking about my clothing." I replied. He smiled and nodded, "I am." He nodded towards the door on the opposite side of the room.
I hadn't yet had the chance to explore that far, so I was naturally curious. I followed him towards the door, and passed through when he held it open for me. Inside was a whole series of computers and technology.
I inhaled, filled with awe. This was pretty cool. "We will be monitoring your meeting with Harrison the whole time from this room." A man to my left said. I nodded and walked through the rows of computers.
"But, what if he, I mean Harrison, decides to check what is in here? I mean, he can easily just waltz through the door and see all this, just like I have done." I stated, looking back and forth between the computers.
The man who had talked to me before smiled. "Ah, that is why we will be placing a bookshelf in front of the door." I nodded my approval of such actions and exited the room.
"I will see you again in an hour and a half, Avallone." Ronald said, taking leave of me and walking through the door. I stayed in the library for around ten minutes, helping with the preparation and setup before returning to my room.
Now, I just had to kill an hour and fifty minutes. Great. I started pacing back and forth in my bedroom. Suddenly, I realised I was chewing on my fingernails, an annoying habit I had picked up from my brother.

~

Finally, it was ten minutes till Harrison arrived, and I was already waiting in the library. My nerves were strained as I paced the room. How was I going to do this? I knew close to nothing about actually owning a professional business. When I owned the diner, I didn't really collaborate that much with others, except the diner / restaurant / cafe get togethers we had, which were only casual.
Would I be able to do this without Natasha? She was the person who kept me strong in this, made me keep my character the whole time, would I really be able to pull it off?
"You'll be fine. Just quit pacing and calm down." Ronald said, laying his hand gently on my shoulder. It was calming and I stopped pacing. "I'm just so nervous, Ronnie." I said, sitting down on one of the library's couches.
Ronald nodded. "I totally understand, but you'll get through this. Trust me." I smiled at his encouragement and gave him a grateful hug before shooing him out of the room, this was my territory for a few hours.

~

"Harrison Johns." The man in front of me said, offering his hand. I took and replied, "Avallone Thorpe. Very nice to meet you." We had agreed to my fake name before. My cover needed to be strictly maintained, at all times. Only once so far have I heard the name Clancy been mentioned.
"And to you too. So, let's get straight down to business." He said, taking a seat on one of the couches. I sat on the opposite one and nodded. This was going to be a long few hours.