Still Breathing

Chapter 16: Iris

Bucky Pov present day 2022

Board of Directors weekend getaway at Barnes country estate.

Masquerade Ball

As I'm standing in the mirror fixing my tie, I am overcome with sadness. I stand here frozen in my grief. I'm overwhelmed by fear of losing her again. I can't walk away from here without her. I walk over to my bed and sit and think about how badly I need her. I feel like a stranger here in this life without her. I stand up and I look around this room. just like my apartment, all I see is her. she consumes every part of my life and me.

I sigh as I finish getting ready. I slip on my shoes and then go into the bathroom to check my hair. I spray on some cologne and then check the time. it's after 7, shit! I'm late. I was supposed to be greeting the guest with my parents.

When I arrive into the ballroom, I hear the orchestra playing ray Charles, you don't know me. the person singing is doing a very good job. I grab my black mask. I look around the room at the masked guest as they dance and talk amongst each other. I see my parents dancing. My mother looking lovely in Blue with hints of green with a matching mask. along with the accessories added she gives off the appearance of a peacock.

All the men are wearing basic tux, some with top hats, capes, and a simple black mask. there are a select few who does go all out like the women, like my father. He looks like something out of phantom of the opera. But a good majority wears the simply black mask.

I look around and I see Wanda and Pietro both in black and gold. Pietro wearing a mask resembling a dragon and Wanda looking beautiful in gold and wearing an owl mask. I walk into the crowd and grab myself a glass of champagne as I take in everyone. I get a glimpse of Eve dressed in deep violet. Her mask is simply decorated with feathers and jewels. I walk over to her and ask, "Where is the husband?"

She turns to me and eyes me up and down. then she steps very closely to me and says, "he is in bed. not feeling well."

She looks around like she doesn't want anyone to know. I take her hand and ask her to dance. I escort her to the dance floor, and I take her in my arms. We sway to the music, and I'm amazed she hasn't groped me yet. I smile at how normal out interaction is. I spin her and she gracefully comes back to me. we smile at each other, for once enjoying each other company.

"I think this is the first time we've had a normal interaction." I say into her ear.

She pulls back and looks at me frowning a little. "You don't call what we've done normal?" she laughs and says, "maybe your right, what we've always had in the bedroom..." she takes a second to reminisce about our time together before saying, "Only one person could rival you in the bedroom, and that was Tony."

I look at her shocked. So the rumors are true. We both laugh and I spin her again. eve is an extraordinary woman.

When the song ends, I go find my mother and I ask her to dance. I hug my mother close to me. we danced in silence. Her warmth is all I needed right now. when the song ended, I tell her, "I love you mom."

She places a hand on my cheek and say, "I love you more" before walking away.

I walk over to the bar to order something stronger that champagne. I check the time. its almost 8 and Marley still isn't here. apart of me is praying they didn't skip out early. Wanda and Pietro comes over and I roll my eyes. these two were attached at the hip. I turn to Wanda and ask her if she would like to dance. she tells me no. I laugh at her boldness.

"Where is she?" I ask them to get straight to the point.

Wanda sips her champagne and says, "She will be down soon. She had a..." she looks at Pietro before finishing. "She uh... had a little problem getting the dress on."