𝓑𝓪𝓭 𝓡𝓸𝓶𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮 ❸

Chapter 7 - All Bets Are Off

That Weekend

After Steve grudgingly mentioned to Tony that ‘his girl’ had kissed another guy, the billionaire immediately insisted Steve to go with his initial plan of making her jealous. Tony even said that the timing was perfect because it was the Stark Industries Annual Ball. The man went as far as inviting all the women from his elite group of people for Steve to choose as his date to the event.

Steve, on the other hand, was still opposed to the idea and refused to even come, “I don’t feel like going this year, Tony.”

“What?! As your best friend, I’ll be very offended if you don’t come!” The brown-haired man stated, “Besides, this is your chance to get back at that girl who dumped you... by sleeping with other girls. Yes, plural.”

“I’m not going to just sleep around with a bunch of women, Stark.”

“I can’t believe this, I thought you wanted her back?”

“Yes, I do want her back but I will not go with your plan.” Steve countered, “It’s stupid and juvenile.”

“But it will work.”

“I’d rather give up on her than let her believe that I only want her for sex.”

“So, will you come to the party or not?”

“Sorry, buddy. I’m gonna skip it this year.”

“WHY?!??” Tony whined, “Come on, man, are you really going to leave me to face those people all by myself?”

“Now you sound like a clingy girlfriend and it’s creeping me out.”

In the end, Steve gave into his friend’s incessant plea to come to the gala as long as he didn’t have to bring a date. This would mark his first appearance in a high society event in almost half a decade. Steve preferred to keep his life private and generally avoided any social gatherings because his mom liked to set him up with random women. Sarah Rogers was so keen on seeing his son finally meet a nice girl and get married. But Steve wouldn’t want to settle down, unless he found the right one.

Steve arrived at the party alone but his presence still attracted a lot of attention, especially from reporters and photographers. The blond man kept it to himself most of the evening, opting to sit at the bar and drink alone. Some women did come up to him, but he politely turned them down. Steve had been around these people for too long to know that most women only wanted him for his money and his family’s reputation. Many had tried to conquer his heart but none of them succeeded. Until her.

As was always the case recently, Steve found his thoughts wandering back to Natasha. He couldn’t stop thinking about her even after she had ripped his heart out of his chest. His eyes absently traveled to the dance floor and instantly, he was reminded of the dance he had with Natasha. How nice would it be to dance with her again? To have her in his arms again? Steve set his glass down and quickly left the party without telling anyone. The mere thought of Natasha made him miss her even more.

“Where to, sir?” David asked as Steve got into his limo.

“Do you still remember Miss Romanov’s apartment?”

“Of course, sir.”

“Take me there.”

His chauffeur did as Steve requested and drove him to a 5-storey apartment building on the Upper West Side. However, Steve didn’t get out of the car. He simply sat inside and looked out of the car window, his blue eyes searching for any sign of what could be Natasha’s room. Suddenly he noticed the familiar red hair standing with her back to the window while talking to a dark-blond man whom Steve recognized as Clint Barton.