Chapter Text
This was not how life was supposed to be for me. At 32, I’m divorced, jobless, and pretty soon won’t be able to afford the rent in my Manhattan apartment I live in.
Sitting at the kitchen table eating my ramen noodle dinner for the third time this week…I looked through the bills. Overdue, past due, final notice…the more I looked, the sicker I was becoming.
Stifling a blood-curdling scream, I stood up, splashed water on my face and cleaned up before leaving the house for the park.
It was dusk. My favorite time to be here.
Since becoming an alcoholic was not an option, and drugs were a DEFINITE no-no, walking was my therapy, plus Central Park was my favorite place to be. Pffft, I might end up living here. My eyes caught the ones of the homeless man’s on the park bench. He was wearing ragged clothes, shoes with holes, but it was his eyes that affected me most. They were exactly like mine: hopeless. I gave him a tight smile and lowered my head before walking passed him.
I raised my head slightly and pretending to relieve a cramp, turned it halfway to rub my neck and saw the man out of my peripheral vision…again. This was the third time in the past two weeks he was following me. He’s too tall to be Brian. Did he send someone to hurt me?
I internally rolled my eyes. You watch too many movies Rachel! But he was the same guy, I was positive. And I’m by myself. This IS Central Park after all. Damnit Rachel do something!! I balled my hand into a fist, whipped around and punched him in the face.
Both of us yelled in pain at the same time. I held my hand from the pain while he cupped his bearded jaw. “HOLY SHIT LADY!! WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR?!!”
A couple on their 30s ran up to us…or should I say my “stalker.” I watched them incredulously. “Are you KIDDING me?!”
It was then that I saw who I punched: Sebastian Stan. The three of them were looking at me like I was crazy. I approached him timidly, tilting my head to see his jaw, mouthing “ouch” which he did not find humorous. Looking at the other two, I asked politely if they would leave, to which they looked at Sebastian. He nodded. Did they think I was going to attack him...again? Oh God, what did I just do?
After they left, I noticed the woman occasionally look back. Lord woman, just GO!!
Sebastian looked at me, brows bumped together, eyes narrowed, waiting for an explanation.
I took a deep breath and frowned. Lord he was gorgeous. Those lips were…I groaned and mumbled to myself, “Not now.”
“What do you mean, ‘not now?’ You hit me!” Anger flashed through his blue eyes.
I put my hands up in surrender. “No. I was talking to myself. Listen…I’m REALLY sorry! Unfortunately my thoughts got away from me and I could swear I was being stalked.” A nervous laugh escaped my mouth.
Sebastian wasn’t saying a word. At this point I was on the verge of tears. “Mr Stan, I’m really sorry. Please forgive me.” I couldn’t look at him anymore. The man thinks I’m a freak. I tried walking around him, but he took me by the arm to stop me.
“Hey, did you really think that I was going to hurt you?” Sebastian seemed amused by the situation now. I swallowed hard. Jesus, his smile is beautiful. Luckily there was a bench close by, because my knees were about to give out. I nodded to the bench and he followed.
With a grin he asked, “Since you know I’m not a stalker, may I sit with you?”
Embarrassed, I waved my hand next to me.
“And please call me Sebastian.”
I nodded. “Rachel.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Ra-chel,” he repeated slowly, then looked at me up and down with a smirk. “Well Rachel, you have quite a right hook.” He winced as he gently touched his jaw. I was getting uncomfortable now. Is he going to press charges? It would be just my luck!
I stood up and spat out “Listen Mr. Stan, if you want to call the police, I’ll just…”
“Wait a minute. Rachel.” His voice was soothing as he looked at me with concern. “I’m not pressing charges. I was just…” he chuckled, “complimenting you.” Sebastian’s entire face was like a ray of sunshine with his smile and sparkling eyes. (RACHEL! Snap out of it!!) “Seriously, do you take self-defense classes or are you just badass?”
I bit back a smile. “No on both counts. Probably just four months of stress building up.” I shrugged. “It actually felt pretty good.”
Sebastian belly laughed, his entire face scrunched up, then he stood up and bowed. “Glad to be at your service Miss Rachel.”
Well I couldn’t help but laugh as well. It was the first time I laughed that day. Hell, that month really. I sighed and looked at him again. Those beautiful eyes, his full beard that he occasionally stroked…which honestly was a little unnerving, and his jaw that could probably cut glass.
I stood up and smiled. “I want to apologize again Sebastian. Maybe I should make one hundred percent sure I’m being stalked before I punch someone.” Looking up at the dark sky, I said, “I’ve got to be getting home. Maybe I’ll see you around.” I turned to walk away and silently hoped he’d call me back. Seriously, it’s Sebastian frickin Stan!
“Rachel!” My inner self was jumping in the air, screaming for joy, and doing cartwheels. But instead I turned with a blank expression, not saying a word.
Sebastian stood up and walked towards me. “Let me walk you home. I wouldn’t feel right letting you go alone.”
He put his arm around me and said, “And THAT person might not be as forgiving…or as harmless as me.”
“You know I walk here every night.”
“And *you* know that this isn’t the safest place to be at night. Hell, just earlier, some woman punched me!” He pointed to his jaw.
He’s a charmer all right. I looked around suspiciously. “Maybe I should be walking *you* home.” Realizing what I said, I stopped walking, squeezed my eyes shut and groaned. “OK, that’s *not* what I meant!”
Sebastian laughed so hard that he doubled over and he couldn’t catch his breath.
“Oh my God Sebastian, it wasn’t *that* funny!”
His face was red when he calmed down. After a few breaths, he put a hand on my shoulder and said, “I’m sorry Rachel, but you looked so horrified. I’m sorry but it was hilarious!”
I looked at him like he was insane,and he tried his best not to laugh, but he stumbled forward, unable to control his laughter. This was humiliating. As if the thought of me going home with him is hilarious to him. Well, it is but still, this is a slap in the face!
“That’s enough! Goodnight Mr Stan!” I pushed him and broke out into a run.
“RACHEL!” He caught up to me easily, grabbing my arm. “What did I say? I’m sorry. Please stop running away.”
My nose itched from the threat of tears about to fall. “Let me go. This is turning out to be a lame fanfic. Just…” I yanked hard and broke away from him, covering my mouth and going home.
As soon as I shut the door behind me, I crumbled to the floor, crying. Burying my face in my hands, I cursed my life. But mostly I cursed Brian. Why did I marry that asshole? Putting me down every chance he got, telling me that I was never good enough, and always laughing at me.
I stood up, picking up the nearest breakable thing…a vase…and hurled it against the wall, shattering it in pieces. “I FUCKIN HATE YOU!!”
I decided to go to the park earlier the next day hoping Sebastian wouldn’t be there. Hell, no man…even Sebastian Stan…is going to keep me from coming here.
There were more people here which helped me take my mind off of things. I could imagine being part of their families. A cute elderly couple strolling over the bridge hand in hand. You couldn’t help but smile at them. Walking slow and somewhat steady, the man looked at his wife lovingly. When will this happen for me? Ok, people watching was a bad idea.
What I really need is Nat. My best friend and executive assistant that I used to work with at Stark Industries. She kept her job while I got laid off. If anyone knew how to pull me out of a slump, it was her. But she is still at work. So I decided on getting a latte.
The local coffee shop wasn’t too busy so I got a window seat and immediately took out my phone. No job alerts. Pffft, of course not. I shook my head. It has to get better, right? Right??!! Then the door opened and I facepalmed. Tell me that this isn’t happening.
“Hey there Rachel. Mind if I sit?” But he pulled out the chair and sat before I could say no. “Well that’s not very friendly.” He smirked as he sat back in his chair. “I saw you through the window and wanted to say hi, how ya doin good lookin?”
I rolled my eyes. “Well now that you have, go away,” I said through gritted teeth.
Brian reached for my hand, a patronizing look on his face. I glared at him, not speaking, watching him look at me with cold eyes and a patronizing smile, knowing full well that he was waiting for me to look away, but I held my ground. “Why couldn’t we work things out Rachel? I love you.”
I growled, “Don’t you *dare* say those words to me. You never loved me. You controlled me. You put me down. You…” He sat back with a smug smile on his face.
“Rachel! I panicked when I couldn’t find you in the park and forgot we were supposed to meet here. Am I interrupting?”
I was momentarily stunned when I looked up to see Sebastian glaring at Brian. What a dilemma. Sebastian, of all people, standing here. I didn’t want to see him, still humiliated from the other day, but I definitely didn’t want to sit with Brian.
Brian stood up, cocky and confrontational, and barked, “Beat it pal, I’m talking to my wife.”
“I am NOT your wife anymore Brian! Leave me alone!!” I stormed out of the door, but not before I heard Brian threaten Sebastian again. Damnit, I’m not dealing with them.
“RACHEL WAIT!” Sebastian slid to a stop in front of me. Well, I guess if one of them were to chase after me, I’d rather it be Sebastian than Brian. “Why are you always running away?” He ran his fingers through his hair, looking at me intently, waiting for an answer. Why does he make me so nervous?
“Thanks for getting me out of there Sebastian.” I wanted to cry. “What do you want?”
He said nothing. Just looked at me. After a few seconds, he threw his arms up incredulously and took a step back.
“Nothing?” I raised my eyebrows, impatient. “Ok then, see you around.” I wondered as I walked away if he’d call me back or follow. I rubbed my forehead as I walked, groaning quietly.