The Forsaken Truth (Marvel's Avengers)

A New Home

I stood on the other side of the door, hand poised awkwardly on the handle as I contemplated going in.
The bar was just short of deserted at the hour, just a few minutes after opening.
Peering in through the foggy glass, I could barely make out the distinguishable shapes of workers setting up for the day.

Let's just get this over with.

Deciding to listen, I took a deep breath and twisted the handle, pushing through and stepping in the warm interior.

At my arrival, a few eyes turned my way, including Aiden's, who immediately rushed over.
"Oh My God! Where have you been?! I thought you were kidnapped or something!"

I looked at him in amusement. "I've just been absent for like three days."

"Well, yeah bu-"

"Oh there you are!"
I flinched at the voice of my boss, glancing up as she sauntered up to me.

"Hello, Ms. Sylva."

She ignored my greeting. "Where have you been? You didn't even call or text that you'll be taking days off. You didn't even reply back to mine."
Her tone was more worried than scolding and I slightly relaxed.

"I'm so sorry, it's just that an emergency came up and I had to leave the country for sometime. I haven't had the chance to check my phone since." I spoke in a genuinely sincere tone, giving her the half truth.

If only she knew what the 'emergency' really was.

"Is everything alright?" Aiden asked, seemingly concerned.

I offered him a tiny smile. "It will be."

"Aiden, go and get the rest of the preparations done. The customers will be arriving shortly." My boss ordered her son, not unkindly.

With a nod and a thumbs-up, he whirled around and trotted away, leaving us alone.

Ms. Sylva stared at me solemnly. "I'm not mad at you, Aylin. This is your first time you've taken days off from this job, but I would've appreciated you informing me beforehand about it."

I opened my mouth to apologise again but she waved me off.
"The reason I wanted to talk to you personally was because I have an offer for you."

"An offer?" Seeing my confusion, she nodded.

"My brother-in-law owns a cafe in Manhattan, but unfortunately his business is suffering. I advised that he should hire some performers, since it has worked so well for us, but he isn't in the state to afford professionals. Which is why, I told him about you. He was very excited, but since I hadn't asked you first, I couldn't confirm anything for him. He did tell me that if you did agree to work in his cafe, he would look after the expenses for the journey there."

"Manhattan, as in New York? USA?" Was the only thing I could ask when she finished explaining.

She hid a smile at my surprise. "Yes, if you decide to go, that is."

"But won't you need me here?" I frowned, feeling as if she was kicking me out even though that wasn't the case.

She shook her head. "Believe me I didn't want to give you up, you're one of the best we have. But my business is prospering, and I figured he would need you more than I do."

I shuffled awkwardly at the compliment, looking down at my shoes as I thought.
"Um...when do I have to leave if I agree?"

"Today."

I snapped my head up. "Sorry? What? Today?"

She nodded again. "We have to get you there as soon as possible. Initially, I wanted to speak to you about it before, but you seemed to disappear without a trace."