Torn [A Robert Downey Jr. Fan-Fic]

Chapter 8

"Mummy, why are we already going home?", Elsa asked curiously as we exited the hospital.

"Because I have to take care of you, sweetie", I answered and held her hand.

"Why can't I go back to grandpa?", she wanted to know.

"Grandpa doesn't feel very well", I lied to her, "Nathan gave me one day off so I can care for you!"

"He's funny", she giggled as we sat down in my car, "Is he your friend?"

"Yes, we are friends", I agreed and started the engine.

"Can he visit us again?"

"Honey, I don't think he's going to visit us", I countered.

"Why? You said you're friends..."

"Yeah, but he's also my boss", I tried to explain.

"But he promised me...", she cried and crossed her arms.

"Elsa, please!", I tried to calm her down.

I looked at the mirror and saw her on the backseat. Her big blue eyes stared at me intensely.

"I'm sorry, sweetie", I apologized and grabbed her hand.

For her, it was not easy to understand why I couldn't invite Nathan.

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*Nathan's P.O.V.*

A little bell rang as I entered the bar.

Two men looked up to me but quickly turned away again.

The bar was almost empty but I didn't mind. I just needed a place to sit down where I was not alone. My house was too quiet to stay there.

"Water, please", I ordered and sat down at the counter.

I sighed.

What the hell was wrong with me?

I stared at the golden ring on my finger.

The barkeeper handed me a glass.

"Thanks", I mumbled and had a sip.

"I really hope that's water", a deep male voice next to me said.

I turned around.

"Hey Nate", Tony greeted and sat down right next to me.

"Hey, brother", I greeted back and had another sip, "And yes, it is water!"

He seemed to be relieved.

"What are you doing here?", he wanted to know.

"Just... I can't stand the silence any longer", I admitted still staring at the ring.

It was a monument to my failure. I screwed up my life and this little ring remembered me every fucking day. But when I was with her there seemed to be something like hope. She was a silver lining on the horizon. If only...

I carefully pulled off the golden ring and put it on the counter.

"I assume, you've met someone", Tony concluded smirkingly, "That's good, Nate! It was time for you to move on."

I forced myself to smile.

"Who's the lucky one?", he asked curiously.

"She's gorgeous", I said and smiled as soon as I thought about her and her big brown eyes looking at me, "She's beautiful, intelligent and independent..."