Love in action

Part 6

Natasha had a very good night's sleep. She was so happy after the kiss, so proud. She felt like a teenager, first time experiencing a kiss.

But her happiness was short lived. Her phone beeped. Thinking it was a text from Steve, she danced to get it.

But her beautiful smile vanished, as she saw who the text was from.

Please tell me where you are. I miss you.

It read. She didn't feel like replying. She threw the phone aside. The last thing she wanted to do was talk to him. Especially after such a blissful date with Steve.

She curled up on her sofa, Steve wouldn't be home, so she had no choice but sulk alone. She turned the television on and switched channels.

Another beep.

Natalia, please. For once just listen to me.

She was so annoyed, she put the phone on complete silent and tried hard to concentrate on the TV show.

It was hopeless. Even when she didn't want to, she was thinking about him. Annoyed, she picked her phone back up, finding more texts.

I know you are angry as always, just listen to me, I would make it up to you.

Natalia?? You fine, right?

Natalia!! You are scaring me now, babe. Please, for old time's sake.

One text won't kill you.

Natasha huffed, and then started typing.

I am alive. Better off without you. Much happier. Stop irritating me, and making our old memories bitter.

She hit send, and then regretted it a little bit. Letting him think of worse would definitely given her sadistic pleasure. But she cared about him. A lot. She couldn't do that.

After a lot of disturbing thoughts , she heard the siren of Steve's car.

She opened the door, and watched him move out and lock the car. Putting every thought aside, she rushed to him, and as he turned, she threw her arms around his neck. Hugging him tight.

"Woah!! Natasha??!! Are you alright? " he asked, worried.

She started sobbing, her tears just started rushing through her eyes on to her cheek, wetting his perfect uniform.

Steve rubbed her back, "Hey, calm down. Come, let's go inside".

She didn't leave him, she just kept sobbing like a child. Steve sighed, he wrapped his arm tightly around her waist, and below her hips, lifting her off ground, with difficulty due to the improper hold. But he managed to carry her inside her own house, since the door was open.

He sat down on the sofa, and settled her on his lap.

"Why aren't you shouting and asking the reason? " she asked, as he silently rubbed her back.

"Because I know, you would only tell me when you can, and if you want to so.. Take your time and space. I am here" he replied.

"This is what makes you so different " she said, looking at him, finally stopping to sob. He looked into her eyes, and then wiped her tears with his thumbs, holding her face gently.

"You wanna.. Come over.. We can sort this out at lunch" he said, "I can't stay in my uniform for long"

She smiled, "Yes, of course. Let's go" she said.

They both headed to his house and he quickly changed. Then he sat by her on the couch and held her hand.

"Do you.. Want to tell me? " he asked.

"I think... I should " she said, looked down, "I.. Its my ex"

"Your ex? Natasha? Is he bothering you? Just tell me I.. " Steve was angered.

"No, calm down, Mr. Cop. He.. Well.. He and I have been in an, on again, off again, relationship for a few years. And.. We were together during our struggling days. He is... A director.. Assistant director.. So, I.. Rose to fame pretty quickly and he got jealous and insecure and we broke up. But then he.. He apologized.. A lot. And I did love him so much so I.. We were back. And then.. It was going good.. But something or the other.. And.. We broke up more then like six times in our four years relationship. But then... " her tears returned, and she wiped it off, " I thought I was.. Pregnant.. And I.. I told him that maybe.. But he... "

"He what? " Steve could see how her face changed and her voice broke.

"Before we were even sure, he told me to.. Get an abortion... Like it would affect our careers. He didn't.. He just didn't care Steve. And that was it. I have forgiven him for many things. For this.. I could never forgive him" she said.

Steve's heart broke to see her in so much pain, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and cupped her cheek with the other hand.

"What.. " he didn't want to ask, but he wanted to know.

"I wasn't pregnant.. I was on strict contraceptives. But I just thought.. It.. I am glad I wasn't. I don't to be linked to him, not through a baby, at any cost" she said.

They remained in silence for sometime.

"Do you still love him? " he asked.

"I don't know. But I think before love comes respect, and.. I have no respect left for him in my heart" she said.

"I think.. I should tell you about someone in my life too" he said.

"You.. Yeah, please do" she said, wiping her tears and sitting up straight.

He stood up and walked, "She was my highschool friend. And then... She was so strong, the bravest woman ever. She was her own woman, she defined herself. She worked and earned for her own and her brother's education. She... She was my inspiration. And I was so scared, so nervous to ask her for prom. I never thought she would agree to ho out with me. I thought she would friend zone me forever. But she did.. She was so happy. And she told me she loved me but was too egoistic to confess first"

Natasha smiled, it sounded so beautiful and perfect, she couldn't understand what went wrong.

"Then, what went wrong Steve? Why did you break up? " she asked, standing up.

"We didn't break up, Natasha" he said, and turned with his eyes full of tears, "She died".

******
So, more bonding.
Nat and Steve both have a past.
Who is Nat's ex? Guesses? 
Do give your reviews.