THE FADING FALLEN ● Bucky Barnes X OC ● 18+ ● ENGLISH [COMPLETE]

Chapter 31

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2023

'What the hell...'

The annoying ringing jolted her out of her light sleep.

Emilia had just managed to peel herself out of her skimpy clothes three hours ago and to wash the mask of makeup off her face. She no longer recognized the stale smell of alcohol, cigarettes and the cheap after-shave of one or the other guest.

In her yellow satin pajamas, consisting of shorts and a strapless blouse top, she rolled over to the other side of the queen-sized bed and reached for the troublemaker on the nightstand.

"If this isn't important." Grumbling, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and sat up.

The digits on the wall clock above the dresser to her left indicated early morning. Her eyes darted to the display.

For a moment, she froze.

It had been quite a long time since either of them had contacted her.

Steve's name seemed like a bucket of cold water and Emilia was wide awake.

Since that day in the hospital almost five years ago, she hadn't spoken to him. She had avoided him.

The sight of him pained her too much. He reminded her every day of Bucky - and of what else she had lost.

It wasn't his fault. It was no one's fault. Still, she couldn't bear to be confronted with it again and again.

Steve had respected it since then, too, and hadn't forced himself on her.

That he was calling now seemed to have a reason. But it didn't really bother her.

Putting the cell phone back on the small table, Emilia stood up and walked toward the door next to the dresser.

It rang again.

Ignoring it, she reached into the shower lined with clear glass and turned on the water.

She was about to peel herself out of her pajamas when the phone rang again.

For a moment, she paused. The uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach aroused curiosity.

It had to be something important, otherwise Steve wouldn't be so insistent.

She turned the water off and hurried back to the bedroom to answer the call.

"Emilia?"

Only a quiet, nervous "Yes" passed her lips as she heard his voice for the first time in years.

"We have some news."

Steve sounded excited, almost euphoric, as he spoke the next words.

"We can bring them back! There's a way we can undo all this."

For a moment he hesitated while Emilia just listened. Steve wasn't sure if it was still her turn.

"Emilia? Bucky could come back..."

Everything froze inside her at the sound of his name. She just stood there, staring through the window across the river at the tall buildings of the city opposite.

A few seconds later, without warning, she hung up, ran out and down the old iron stairs to the first floor.

The large living area was bathed in soft light from the morning twilight. She headed for the wall next to the kitchen, which was directly across from the stairs.