Damned If I Do *Matt Murdock* (book one of Damned)

14) (Disappearing) In a plain sight

When Vera heard the song 'Holding Out For a Hero' from the speakers, she didn't realize it. Not at the time. The next song was Foo Fighter's 'My Hero'. Then Nickleback's 'Hero' started playing and her suspicion slowly rose. Mariah Carey's 'Hero' and Enrique Iglesias's followed and it was impossible to ignore it at that point.

She turned to Terri with an incredulous look. "Seriously?"

Her friend wore an innocent expression. "What?"

"This!" Vera exclaimed and pointed up in the general direction of the speakers. "How did you even managed that? Since when are you in charge of the music?"

Terri's eyes popped and she looked around, giving the impression of searching for clues. "What's wrong with the music? I have no idea what you're talking about."

And that was the end of their conversation, because Terri served another customer. Vera just gritted her teeth when she recognized the first tones of The Chainsmokers's and Coldplay's 'Superhero'.

It was around ten songs later (all with mentions of heroes) when Caroline used her break, because there was almost no one in the café, and Terri spun to her. "So, are we gonna talk about it?" she asked Vera impatiently. Her eyes were shining from too much coffee and the lack of sleep.

Vera sighed. She so should have seen this coming. "About what?"

Terri threw her hands in the air, spreading them widely. "Everything! The fact you literally ran to save his ass. Or that you donated more than a fair share of your blood with the knowledge of passing out or about the fact that he's totally into you!" She sounded excited. And offended, obviously thinking there is something important Vera forgot to share. (For example the fact that the guy she had been on a date with was the local vigilante and she knew about it for a while now.)

Vera rubbed her eyes, trying not to wipe away the residues of mascara she had there from the other day. "What do you want me to say, Terri? He saved my life. Three times as you happened to highlight just few days ago. Of course I helped him. You can't say you wouldn't do the same in my place, because I have no doubt you would."

"Vera, he had your number in his phone," she pointed out, not buying it.

Vera snapped her head up. "He did?"

"Yeah." Terri made a confused face. "Why else you think we would- wait, you didn't know? You didn't give it to him?" she demanded, suddenly horrified.

Sakra, sakra, sakra. What now?! "Uhm... I mean... he asked for it, but I never expected him to actually save it." There.

"And why else would he ask it, you brilliant mind? Why did you give it to him?" She paused, examining Vera thoughtfully and her mouth hung open in disbelief. "You- you have feelings for him! Are you crazy?! Vera! You-" she grabbed her arm and dragged her away from the counter – there were no customers waiting anyway. "He's dangerous. Being around him is dangerous. Also, do I need to remind you, that you were on a date with Matthew super-hot-and-badass-lawyer Murdock? I can't believe you!"

Abort! Talking about Matt and vigilante in too short notice! Terri would make the connection sooner or later. Vera had to be very convincing now.

"Terri. Calm down. There's nothing between us. It's true that I- look, I can see him a as a human being - he's just a guy, okay? He's a good person, he saved me, but has his own friends, family, loves, life and as far as I know, he probably sacrifices a lot of it because of helping other people. So yes, I care about him. But you don't need to remind me Matt, I love him. I am not gonna fall for some vigilante," she spouted sentences as they were popping in her head, hoping they made sense.