Still Breathing

Chapter 28: Someday at Christmas

Marleys Pov

Present day Dec 2022

As I'm decorating the Christmas tree that is in the middle of my ridiculously big foyer, I jump when I hear a knock at the door. I frown at the man on the other side. He waves as I get closer and smiles big when I open the door. "Hi." I take in the fact that he is dressed in all black and has a hearing aid in one ear. People have been coming in and out of here for weeks since I've been here. a maid, a cook and a gardener and someone that cleans our pool. who the hell is this?

The man holds his hand out for me to shake. "Hi. I'm clint barton. I'm the new guy, that's head of security?"

I shrug and smile. "sure. Come on in."

He walks in and takes in the huge extravagant foyer. Then he peaks into the library and whistles. "this is fancy."

I grunt "yea." I get a better look at him as he continues to take in the house before saying, "Stephen is in his office. Ill let him know you're here."

He doesn't look at me, he glances at all the windows and says, "cool."

I sigh as I walk to find Stephen. No doubt another plant to watch my every move. this is ridiculous. at least the house is big enough for me to hide from them. I knock on the door. it's a minute before Stephen opens the door. "a Mr. barton head of security is here to see you."

"I'll be out in a minute."

I turn and walk back towards the kitchen. I'm not surprised when I see our guest in there roaming around, touching things. He keeps staring at the windows. I glance from him to the windows and back again before I say, "he will be out in a second. would you like a drink?"

"water please."

I walk to the fridge and get his water. at least this one is polite. I smile politely as I inch my way out of the kitchen, he notices and says, "No don't worry, I don't need company."

"excuse me?" I walk back in and ask.

He chuckles and something about it makes me smile. I shake my head. don't fall for it. for all I know, he could just be another client.

He sits down at the counter, and he looks down the hall where Stephens office is and then turns back to me. "you two been married long?"

"were not married. Been deaf long?"

He laughs and says, "Nat told me you were something else."

"you know Nat?"

Before he can answer, Stephen walks out and says, "Hello! Yes. Clint Barton. You come highly recommended. James spoke very highly of you."

I roll my eyes and walk out of the kitchen. Another one of his cronies. I go back to decorating the tree because if I go in my room, Stephen will come up that and the last thing I want is to be in an enclosed space with him.

I look over at all the boxes of decorations I'm tasked with putting up before the Christmas eve party. I cant ask the staff to help me and I refuse to invite anyone I actually want to see over. I'm hit with a sudden urge to kick this fucking tree over when I hear Stephen and Clint heading my way.

"Honey, this is Mr. Barton. He will be setting up a new security system and he will also be our onsite armed security."

"onsite?"

"yes. He will be here to keep watch and report any suspicious activity especially when you're here alone." He glances from me to clint it takes everything in me not to sigh out loud.