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

Chapter 68

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New York

After Bucky texted her to be back during the next morning, she wanted to surprise him and already bought everything for breakfast together the night before.

She still had a date for a drink with one of her new neighbors.

Lucy Wade had moved into the apartment across the hall only a month ago and introduced herself directly to the two of them in a polite good English manner. She was a successful designer and at the same time the CEO of her own lingerie brand, which had been launched only six months ago.

In the brief conversation over an impromptu coffee, they got to talking about the many hurdles of bureaucracy and she offered Emilia her help with that.

"At the moment, I'm still trying to finish a... let's say... other project."

She didn't want to reveal too much about her past to Lucy, not to scare her off right away. After all, the sympathetic and helpful young businesswoman was someone Emilia would like to see as a friend.

"But if you have time and feel like it, I'd be happy to take you to Brooklyn next week to Arbor Elementary School. The kids can't wait to go on our first field trip or visit the zoo. So far, the plan is to have some kind of project day one day a month."

"Sure, I'd love to! I think it's amazing how committed you are to the little ones and giving them the opportunity to see something other than the dreary gray city. I really would have enjoyed that, too, but in England, despite green spaces far and wide, the clocks tick a little differently."

Lucy stepped out of the elevator at the top floor with a puckered expression, followed by Emilia.

"Let's have my accountant check the situation tomorrow morning. I'm sure we can work something out there, though."

With a smile in Emilia's direction, she stopped in front of her apartment door and, with an audible clinking sound, retrieved the small bunch of keys from her petrol-colored Hilfiger clutch.As she glanced back over her shoulder to say goodbye, something caught her eye.

"Oh... look. Someone must have left you a note."

Emilia followed her new friend's indicative nod to her feet. Unlike Lucy, she hadn't really dressed up, but stood in front of the doormat in her comfortable chelsea boots. On it lay a white envelope.

"Huh... strange. No sender's address. And nothing else on it either."

Twisting and turning the paper in her hands, she looked at it several times until Lucy's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Perhaps a secret admirer. But don't let your grim friend know about it. He looks like having something taken away from him all the time."

The conspicuous wink didn't escape Emilia as she said goodbye and also disappeared behind one of the frost-colored doors.

Absentmindedly, she placed her keys on the narrow dresser next to it, brushed her lined duvet jacket off her shoulders, and then tossed it over the back of the cream-colored armchair.

Wondering who the letter could be from, she stopped in the middle of the spacious living room and opened it. She pulled out the folded sheet of paper, whereupon black ash trickled from it to the floor.

Emilia held her breath for a second, startled at the unusual extra contents, and then looked at the carpet, where a dark stain had now settled into the fabric.