Chapter 2
While the party was still going, Steve was left alone at their table drinking and pondering things. Looking at his friends, he could see how everybody was having a good time especially Tony who has found his happily ever after with Pepper. He was happy for them truly, but he couldn’t help but feel a little jealous for he could’ve had that if he didn’t screw up. Regret started to eat him up again which led to more drinking.
He was in his little world again, everything became a blur until his thought started focusing on a certain redhead.
(Flashback)
It was Tony’s idea, as it always is. The gang found themselves entering a hall where speed dating is held. Tony got them all registered and that’s where he saw Pepper for the first time. Pepper was the head director of the Hammer corp. that organized the event for a new product launch and she was there to oversee the event.
They watched Tony as he made his way through Pepper’s location. “Looks like we’re on our own guys,” Steve said to the rest of the gang. “I think our friend Stark will get his heartbroken.” Said Thor while laughing. “This doesn’t look good guys, she looks pissed now,” Barnes added with a smirk. “Knowing Tony, he won’t give up easily,” Sam said smiling. “Come on guys, let’s leave him be. I heard food and drinks are free here.” Bruce interrupted. They all laughed at that and started heading for the tables lined up for the event, which was about to start.
Steve was getting bored, none of the girls caught his attention and he just can’t see himself dating them. He was talking to this blonde girl whose name he can’t recall when something caught his attention. It was a beautiful red fiery hair that made him want to just immediately grab a brush and paint. He hasn’t seen her face yet, but he knew that he had found his muse. Steve was having an artist block for months now and he finally found his cure. He immediately searched for Bucky and signaled him to take his place on the table.
When Bucky came, he just told him “I found my muse, Buck.” And ran off and followed the redhead who was going around the tables. As he was following her, he saw her with a camera. “So that’s why she was going around all over the place she’s a photographer.” Steve thought to himself.
The event was still going and Steve has only eyes for her so he kept following her discretely of course.
Just when he thought he was good at being discrete he saw a brunette woman giving a piece of paper to the redhead. She took it and peeled it off she faced Steve and that caught his breath away. She was gorgeous, breathtakingly beautiful and all he wanted was to just draw her right that moment. They were looking at each other eye to eye then his attention was grabbed by the piece of paper she stuck to her chest, it says event organizer in bold letters. She tapped it a couple of times to make sure it stuck properly and as if letting him know that she wasn’t like those people looking for a date. She’s looking at him giving him a silent statement that says “I’m working, so stop following me,” kind of look and just turned around leaving him to do her work.
Steve was so mesmerized by what just happened, instead of being discouraged, he went to the bar area where he could see the whole thing and still followed her around with his eyes. A few moments later everybody took a break and spotted her in the corner of the bar drinking water. Steve saw this as an opportunity to finally get to talk to her. As he was approaching her Steve felt a bit intimidated and a bit shy even. He was never the confident one when it comes to talking to girls he like, but this is the only chance he saw so he grabbed it and went for it.
“Hi, I’m Steve,” he said while extending his hand as if expecting a handshake. The redhead turned and just looked at him like he was a weirdo or something.
“I’m not a part of the event as you see.” She said while pointing at the paper with bold letters. Steve was once again hit by something, just when he thought she was done taking his breath away, here she goes again with that beautiful voice of hers. Steve feels like he was never gonna come up from the depths she put him in and he still doesn’t even know her name.
Still, with an extended hand, he said “It's fine, I just wanted to ask you if you believe in love at first sight?” Steve had never wanted to punch himself more than ever. ”What the hell was that?!” he scolded himself.
The redhead looked so amused by what she heard and just shook her head and said “No.” while still looking at him amused and the side of her mouth started to curl up a bit.
“That’s fine.” Said Steve while turning away with his head down and started walking. He wanted the ground to swallow him up and bury him “you’re such an idiot.” He scolds himself. While walking away he didn’t know that the redhead took a glance at him with a smile on her face and just turned back to her drink. Steve was still cursing himself and thought “she already thinks I’m an idiot, so why not take another shot right?!” so he turned around and walked back to where she is.
“What about at second sight?” he blurted out and the redhead turned and laughed at him. “Wow, you're terrible at this.” She said with a beautiful smile on her face. Steve blushed and just laughed with her while nodding his head agreeing to her. “I’m Natasha.” She said and Steve never felt so happy for being an idiot. He extended his arm and introduced himself again.
They talked and had a good laugh for a while until it was time for her to get back to work. Their conversation might have ended but that also ended Steve with her number. The event was almost over and Steve stayed at the bar the whole time just watching her work, the gang started showing up and it was time for them to go. Steve took a last glance at Nat and they gave each other a big smile and then they left.
Bucky noticed his big smile and just patted him on the shoulder and smiled at him.