I woke up the next morning feeling unusually warm, despite the room's temperature being extremely low.
I winced, as I tried to sit up, feeling the full ache in the lower part of my body, and between my legs as I moved.
Frowning in confusion for a moment before the memories of the night before came rushing back into my mind.
I gasped, grabbing.my head with one of my hands as a wave of vertigo hit me, causing me to fall back, with a groan.
"What's wrong?" I heard him whisper.
"Did we use any—?" I asked, confused.
"Yes, I put a condom on before we started…" he groaned, moving onto his back.
"Why do I feel sticky down there?" I asked, frowning.
"Could be because you came like three, no, four times last night?" He asked, lifting his head to look at me.
"I don't remember doing the first three, only that last one… that one made me see stars and black spots in my vision…" I murmured, groaning.
"Oh, I know. I felt it…" He replied, amused.
I scoffed, smacking his chest before laying back again. Frowning. "It felt different towards the end… something felt off." I whispered.
He sat up, quickly looking worried as he turned towards me. "What do you mean? Did I hurt you?" He asked, concerned.
"What? No! Of course not! It's just…where's the condom?" I asked, looking at him.
"I didn't… hang on…" He murmured, before he leaned over the side of the bed to check the trash bin, before sitting up again and lifting the sheets. "Umm… how did you—?" He asked, shocked.
"I felt it when it broke." I replied, as I leaned over and noticed he still had the bottom part of the condom on, while the other half hung off of him precariously.
"Don't worry about it, my period was like last week or so ago, so I should be alright until my appointment next Friday." I replied as I grabbed the first thing I saw and slipped it over my head before I moved off the bed and headed into the bathroom slowly.
"Ok…" He replied before laying back down.
Three weeks later:
Bucky and I hadn't had a chance to talk after the night we spent together.
He seemed to be spending more time at his office than at the apartment.
Steve and Sam were suspiciously gone as well.
It made me feel worse about staying there.
Tony and Pepper had informed me that I would need to accompany them to Monaco for a business meeting, and we would be there for about a week.
We will be leaving the morning after tomorrow.
"What's wrong, Ar?" Pepper asked as we sat in the restaurant, after a short business meeting.
"I think Bucky is avoiding me…" I whispered, biting my lip as I twisted the platinum moon ring I always wore on the middle finger of my right hand.
She frowned tilting her head to the side. "Why do you think that? Aren't you two usually attached at the hip?" She asked as she sipped more of her wine.
"We sort of got really drunk on the night I came back…" I replied, wincing under her surprised gaze.
"What?Why?!" She squawked, choking on her drink.
I nodded, taking a large gulp of wine as I looked away. "I walked in on Spencer plowing Lacy on our couch…" I explained taking another gulp.
"Oh no…! God, see I told you that guy is an asshole!" She said, chastily, shaking her head angrily.
"Yeah, yeah… tell me something I don't know." I mumbled, with an eye roll. "He tried to keep all of my things too. I only left the couch, the bed, and his clothes, the rest of my things are in a storage unit not far from here." I replied.
She nodded, giving me a soft smile before her eyes flickered in a different direction in the room. "Oh no…" She whispered, causing me to turn as she gasped.
I let a gasp of my own, as my wine glass slipped from my hands to the ground as my eyes fell on who she was staring at.
I couldn't believe my eyes. So, this is why he had been avoiding me.So, this was his office, huh?
I let out a shaky laugh in disbelief as I turned to look at Pepper. "I just can't catch a break…" I said, shakingly.
"Miss. Are you alright?" The waiter asked after he picked up the broken glass.
I nodded numbly before looking up at Pepper, wiping the few tears that fell from my eyes. "Can — can I please stay at your place?" I asked, shakingly.
She nodded, signing the bill before handing the waiter the small black leather ledger.
"I'll see you at your place. I have to go before he notices me." I whispered, getting up, and grabbing my things before slowly moving through the room.
I held my head up high, as I walked, never making eye contact with anyone.
When I finally walked through the door, I let out a pained gasp before walking towards the SUV and getting in.
I peeled out of there faster than I needed to and made it to the penthouse faster than I thought possible.
Parking in front of the building rather than in the underground garage, to make a speedy getaway if need be.
I made my way in to find it completely empty again.
Perfect. Then nobody would notice my absence.
I rushed towards my room and packed the clothes I would need for my trip to Monaco into my large suitcase before grabbing the smaller one and packing it with things I would need for the next two days.
After double checking that I had everything I needed. Slipping my passport into my purse, along with my charger.
I quickly scribbled a note and left it on the kitchen counter before making my way out again.
For once opting to take the stairwell instead of the elevator.
Then I walked out of the lobby, placed my bags into the SUV, before slowly walking around and getting into the driver's seat.
Just as I was about to drive away a familiar car pulled in.
I didn't bother to check if he noticed or if he was alone. I drove off before I could give it a second thought, wiping the tears as I did.
Pressing the button on the steering wheel, as I got onto the highway, causing the SUV to fill with music as I made my way towards Pepper's house.
The music soothed away the hurt I felt. Causing me to forget even for a moment.
By the time I arrived, my tears were dry, and the hurt I had felt earlier was pushed to the back of my mind.
Pepper and Tony were waiting for me when I arrived.
"Ariana, your brother called me. You need to call him back." Tony said as he took my things and placed them in the guest room down the hall.
I sighed, before slipping out my phone, only to realize that everyone had been calling me.
I shook my head as I made my way towards the back porch and sat down, before pressing my brother's name.
It rang for a few seconds before my brother answered.
"Aria— Give me the phone, Nat!" I heard someone shout before another voice answered.
"No! I need to talk to her first! Go check on Nate and Aubrey!" She called as she shut the door.
"Oh god, what in the hell was that about?" I asked, swinging myself lightly.
"Nuh uh, Missy. What is this I hear about you and Bucky sleeping together? And where the hell are you? He called us panicking saying you had left?!" She asked me.
"I'm staying at Pepper and Tony's tonight and tomorrow. Then, I am off to Monaco for a week or so on business." I replied.
"Oh no. Another one? Will you be back In time for Thanksgiving or Christmas?" She asked.
"Natty, I'll be gone for a week, two at the most." I said, with an eye roll.
"Yes, and there is a week and a half left in October, Arianna. That is why I am asking." She replied in the same tone.
Wait… the month is almost over already? Damn, time truly does fly by.
"I'll be back in time for both. Don't worry. Now, why is everyone panicking?" I asked.
"From what I heard Buck sort of freaked out about what you two said before doing the deed… so, now he thinks he lost his chance with you…" She replied.
"I don't think he fully understands what he did. He ignored me. Practically phased me out. Went out on dates with other girls… I was living with him, Nat. And he and his friends went a long way to make sure I felt how uncomfortable they were." I said, sighing.
"Oh, babe, I'm so sorry. Do you have feelings for him?" She asked, concerned.
I let out a strangled laugh before it turned into a sob. "I think I do…. But it doesn't matter… because he doesn't feel the same way…" I whispered, wiping away my tears.
She groaned. "Look, why don't you come stay with us, for the holidays? We have the space here. I mean, my sister and parents will be here for like two days but they're staying at a hotel." She promised.
I bit my lip, thinking about it for a moment before sighing, what did I have to lose?
"If I say yes, will you keep it to yourself?" I asked.
"I will." She promised.
"Great. Look, I have to go. I have to wake up earlier to attend a meeting with Tony. I'll call you tomorrow alright?" I said.
"Yes, go get some rest. I'll call you tomorrow, okay? Get some rest, babe, and don't worry I won't tell anyone anything about what we discussed." She promised.
"Thanks, Natty, send my love to the kiddos, and my brother. Tell him not to worry, I will be back." I promised.
"You better come back or I will fly over there and bring you home myself." She threatened.
"I will. One, maybe two weeks and I will be back." I promised.
"Good. Now goodnight, babe." She said, amused.
I laughed, "Goodnight, babe." I said before hanging up.
I sat there watching the trees for a moment before getting up and heading inside.