Still Breathing

Chapter 23: Crying

Bucky Pov present day 2022

This morning, I decided to drive the motorcycle and spend the day at the zoo. I figured it will be easier to keep my hands off her if there are little children around. According to Steve and Nat, Strange will be gone for the next few more days. Hopefully with a little more time, I can convince Marley to come back to me.

I park in front of the building and remove my helmet. While waiting, I check the time, 8:43 am. I frown. Something feels off. I can't quite put my finger on it, but the more time I spend with her. something about her, seems different. I've noticed the blank stares and the way she moves. Its cautious, like she has to think twice before doing anything. then theres times when she gets this sad far off looks in her eyes.

Knowing that Strange and my father is close, and the fact that my father only surrounds himself with like minded people, it makes me question what kind of man Stephen strange it. I've never heard much about him before now. so it makes it hard to figure him out. I sigh as I run a hand down my face.

I check the time again and its 9:05. I get off my bike and walk into the lobby. I shake the hand of the doorman and when I step all the way in, I take a look around. she isn't in here waiting for me. so I sit in the little waiting area. I check my phone for any messages. Nothing.

I sit for another 30 minutes and finally I walk over to the front desk to ask them to allow me up. but no one is there. I call out, "hello?"

I huff. Nothing. No one answers or comes to the front. So I go to sit back in the waiting area. 1 hour later, still no Marley and the guy at the front desk still hasn't returned. I try to call but the call goes straight to voicemail. I try to just take the elevator up, but the access code to the penthouse has been changed.

I go outside and sit on my motorcycle. Could what I did yesterday scared her away? if she didn't want to see me today, she would've told me. she wouldn't just leave me hanging. But she has done it before, says the little voice in the back of my head. she doesn't love you. not really. She just like how you make her feel. She never wanted to marry you. you were never good enough.

I squeeze the bridge of my nose and close my eyes to stop the burning. I try to shut out the intrusive thoughts and focus on her. nothing she has done the last few days has shown me otherwise. But I have to remind myself, she belongs to someone else. she is marrying strange. She will be his wife.

I pace up and down the sidewalk for the next hour. I call and text. No response. straight to voicemail. When I go back into the lobby, I finally catch the guy at the front desk. "Hey! can I get access to the top penthouse?"

"Who are you here to see?"

"Strange. Marley strange." I nervously tap the desk with my fingers as he types something in the computer.

The guy looks at me nervously, "I'm under strict orders, not to allow any visitors at this time."

I turn and I walk outside. I pull out my cell and call Steve. it rings twice before he picks up. I hear him say to someone on the other side, excuse me. "Hey."

I frown when I hear a familiar voice in the background and I ask, "Where are you?"

"Lunch meeting. Everything okay?"

I growl into the phone, "with who?"

"your father and Dr. Strange. Why?"

"where are you?" I get on my bike as I refuse to answer his questions.

"Scarpettas. What's wrong buck?"

I hang up and I head straight to the restaurant. When I arrive, I barely put my bike in park before hopping off and storming into the restaurant, past the hostess. I vaguely hear her as she walks closely behind me, telling me I can't just barge in, that I need a reservation. I spot my father and I walk over to the table in the far corner by the window.