Chapter 5
The afternoon was long and consisted of running around to different stores and venues to prepare for your mother’s election party. Almost everything was checked off your list except outfits for the big day. You and Steve sat in the car in silence, except for the radio playing quietly. You let out a sigh as you looked out the window, still a bit irritated with Steve after the events that occurred in your class earlier. “Can you stop by Nelson and 3rd? I have some things to do.” You said shortly.
“Yes, ma’am. But I still have to come with, yanno?” Steve seemed to be treading lightly ever since his intrusion into the debate. Every sentence was calculated, and every word slowed down unnecessarily as he put it through a filter. He pulled up into a parking spot and shot you a sweet smile, “Chanel? Hey, I’ll carry all your bags to make up for what happened.” Steve offered, with an apologetic smile playing at his lips.
You rolled your eyes and stepped out of the car, trying your best to suppress a smile from spreading across your face. With the election coming up you required a new wardrobe for all the events that are coming up. Steve placed a hand on the small of your back and escorted you inside the store, he’s making it really hard to be mad, you thought to yourself and chewed the inside of your cheek.
Steve stood behind you like a shadow as you looked around at the dresses and outfits. He looked around every few seconds to make sure no threats were in the vicinity. You picked out a large amount of outfits and made your way to the changing rooms, “Steve, I don’t need to be protected from a blue sequin dress…” You huffed.
“Hey, I’m just gonna have a seat. We’ve been running around all day.” He said, laughing lightly as he plopped down on the couch in front of your changing room.
You smiled and shook your head, beginning to slip into the first dress. It’s a deep blue with sequence. A perfect fit for when your mother wins the election. You walked out and looked in the mirror on the wall, running your hands down your waist and hips to feel the dress.
Steve’s breath hitched in his throat as he watched you, his eyes blinked rapidly for a moment before he cleared his throat. You could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he searched for words-any words at all.
“Thoughts?” You asked and turned to look at him, immediately catching him releasing his lip from his teeth.
Steve snapped out of his trance and cleared his throat, “No-I-uh- perfect, you look perfect.” He stammered with a smile.
His nervousness brought a grin to your lips, you nodded and headed back into the changing room, you may have swung your hips a little extra as you walked.
You tried on a couple more dresses and formal outfits, but your (and Steve’s) favourite was the deep blue dress.
“I remember my mom's first election as senator.” You said and smoothed your hands over the sequins on your bodice. “I was so terrified of her not being able to be with me at dance class because everyone needed her attention. I bawled my eyes out for hours, which looking back is so silly. It was a good thing.”
A breath entered your chest, but refused to leave. “Some days I feel like that again except it won't be a ballet performance she'll miss...Maybe an engagement celebration or a graduation, and not because of her duties, but because of-”
“Alexander Pierce.” Steve said.
“Yeah…” You shook your head and sighed. “Enough of that, this is supposed to be a happy event.” You reminded yourself, and went back in the change room before Steve could respond. You never opened up to people like this, you don’t know what drew you to confide in Steve like that. However, you just shook off all those feelings and focused on the event.
When you finally completed your shopping trip, Steve carried all of your bags, putting them in the car and opening the door for you. “Such a gentleman, thank you.” You said and climbed into the car. Across the street, you noticed a man just standing and watching you, but Steve climbing in the car with a grin took your attention.
The two of you made light conversation on your way home, and you had forgiven and forgotten all about the incident in class. Once you arrived, you stepped out of the car and made your way up the steps of your townhouse with Steve by your side. Although, someone caught your eye, the mysterious man was standing next to a newspaper stand down the street. “Steve, that guy…” You narrowed your eyes and gripped Steve’s arm, you remembered seeing him earlier across the street from Chanel. This time we was wearing a hat with the symbol ‘⍱’, this realization made you gasp.
“Go inside and lock the door.” Steve ordered, and he didn’t hesitate to bolt down the street towards the man. You refused his order and raced down after him, furious that someone may be stalking you.
Steve caught up to the man fairly easily and tackled him to the ground, “Who the hell are you?!” he shouted in the man's face. You didn’t even realize that Steve had gripped the gun from his holster, he had it pointing at the man’s face. Your heart began racing even more than it already was.
You braced your hands on your knees as you tried to catch your breath. “Wait wait, this guy was the guy outside my mother's campaign event last week. Don't you remember? Jack Rollins!” You asked and glared at the man Steve was holding back.
Steve yanked him around to look at him and snarled, “What are you doing following her? Huh! Who do you work for? Is it Peirce?”
“We gave you a warning, bitch.” The man said, grinning, looking right at you.
All of a sudden, a car rolled up beside the sidewalk, hitting a couple trash cans as they did. In a moment of weakness, Steve’s grip on the man loosened, resulting in the man shoving him and escaping into the car.
Steve groaned and dragged a hand over his face, he pulled you in a tight hug and asked, “Are you okay? I told you to go inside!” He said, his voice cracking with worry.
You nodded and hugged back, “I know, I know, I’m sorry. I’m fine.” You felt Steve tense up before he pulled you away, leading you up the steps of the townhouse. You just ignored the weirdness, but couldn’t deny you really liked hugging him. Steve made a phone call to his team to let them know what happened, and to see if they could locate the car.
A few hours had passed since the incident, and in those hours Steve was laser focused on tracking down the car. In all honesty, you were a little shaken at the fact this person knew where you lived now. “Steve, it was him-Jack, Pierce’s henchman. It isn’t some loose threat now, they’re following me.” You said, as you curled up on the couch with Bentley, you were seeking comfort.
Steve was kneeling on the floor beside you, placing a blanket on you, “We’ll find them, and we’ll figure this out, they won’t hurt you or your family. I promise.” He said quietly.
You felt a bit better with Steve’s presence by your side, he was being incredibly sweet and comforting now. You felt safe. Steve's hand rests to the side of your thigh, his thumb just pressing into your soft skin, but just as quickly he pulls his hand away and runs his hand through his hair.
“I’m going to take a look around the place, make sure there are no threats.” Steve mumbled and made his way down the hall.
The absence of his hand on you and his sudden exit made your heart drop, you were as confused as ever…