Chapter 53: Mockery
A week had passed by the time Aiden and Nicole returned to New York. Wade had parted ways with them in Mexico. On the day of Nicole's graduation, Wade took off without a word, even making off with Aiden's car from Monterrey. It was less of a theft and more of a brazen act, as Wade sped away under Aiden's watchful eye, likely eager to reunite with Vanessa.
The door to the abandoned building creaked open, revealing a slightly surprised but diligent night watchman, Mike.
"Boss, Ms. Norton, you're back," Mike greeted them with an unexpected enthusiasm that Aiden found slightly disconcerting. He was unaware of Mike's inner turmoil; the isolated building, far from town and surrounded by wilderness, could unsettle any soul, let alone a middle-aged man alone at night with only eerie bird calls for company.
Now, with two people returning, the place felt more like home.
"I never thought coming back to this dump would feel like coming home," Nicole sighed softly, her voice resonating through the old walls. She was clad in a black woolen coat, carrying a large black bundle, looking travel-weary. The dizzying graffiti on the walls and the surroundings, though improved by Mike's efforts, couldn't mask the inherent decay.
As Nicole stepped inside, Mike hastily moved aside, his mind buzzing: It's not as bad as you make it out to be; I clean up every day.
Of course, Mike kept these thoughts to himself, not daring to voice them out loud. Nicole's mutant identity cloaked her in a dangerous aura that Mike had no intention of provoking.
Hearing the crisp sound of Nicole's boots on the metal floor, Aiden contemplated finding a better place to stay. With their improved financial situation, perhaps it was time to upgrade—especially if he planned to make this world his backyard.
"You've done well in our absence," Aiden complimented Mike with a nod.
Mike beamed at the praise, knowing too well the secrets that bound him to this factory for life. To be recognized by his boss was no small feat. Aiden was a far more benevolent figure than the previous boss, Ajax, and despite Mike's initial fear, he had come to appreciate the relative peace and stability Aiden brought.
The following morning brought Aiden sipping coffee and eating a sandwich prepared by Mike, who had turned one of the rooms into a makeshift dining area.
A sudden noise caught Mike off guard, the blanket in his hands dropping as he caught a glimpse of a mysterious figure at the door. "Boss, boss, was that—"
Nicole, behind her mask, stepped back in surprise, peering into the room.
Mike was sure he hadn't imagined it; a masked figure had indeed passed by. Could it be a robber?
"You scared him," Aiden said to Nicole, a faint smile playing on his lips. Both had a habit of appearing and disappearing without notice, something Mike would need time to get used to.
Nicole kicked the door open and entered, removing her "Deadpool" mask, revealing a flushed face with beads of sweat—clear signs of an intense workout. Her fully geared appearance indicated a regimen far more rigorous than a simple jog.
The red and black uniform clung to her curves, identical to Deadpool's save for the gender-specific design and an opening at the back for her golden ponytail.
As she took a deep breath, she removed the hood and shook out her long, golden hair. The sunlight caught the strands, casting a mesmerizing glow. She glanced at Mike with impatience. "Recognize me now?"
"Uh, yeah, yeah," Mike stammered, his mind racing with thoughts of why Nicole would dress so mysteriously for a morning workout. Or had she returned from something more sinister? The thought sent a chill down his spine; neither of the two people in the room were ones he wished to cross.
Nicole's display wasn't mere showmanship. At Aiden's behest, she treated every training session as a battle, always fully armed and fiercely committed.
"You've been diligent," Aiden remarked, genuinely impressed by the warrior before him. Nicole had exceeded all his expectations. "Go and unload your gear."
Nicole nodded and left the room. Mike's gaze discreetly followed her, longing to fixate on her figure but not daring to stare. Even with her back turned, he couldn't be sure whether the mutant had some sort of panoramic vision.
Back in her room, Nicole tossed her mask onto a table and began to disarm: the utility belt with several pouches, the pistol in a holster on her left thigh, the submachine gun on her right, the twin katanas sheathed on her back, and the short blade on the outside of her left boot.
No matter how many weapons Nicole carried, she was the deadliest of them all, much like Aiden, who never embarked on a mission without an arsenal but remained the ultimate weapon himself.
After a quick wash, Nicole returned to the makeshift dining room.
"Let's eat," Aiden gestured for Nicole to sit. "We have a heavy task ahead of us today."
"You know I won't starve," Nicole replied quietly, her gaze fixed on Aiden. Over the months, she had gradually adapted her eating habits; the once necessary three meals a day now seemed almost superfluous. Yet she had grown to appreciate the edge that hunger gave her fighting spirit. Aiden, however, insisted on her eating, which she did with a resigned sigh, taking a small bite of the sandwich. Her eyes briefly lingered on the faded star on Aiden's left arm, a symbol that sparked her curiosity.
Nicole had never probed too deeply into Aiden's past, but she was always intrigued about his origins and affiliations.
The sleek metal arm, usually well-concealed by Aiden, was unforgettable to Nicole. It seemed almost laughable—humans were flesh and bone, yet she found that metal arm perfectly suited Aiden, especially when he wore simple clothes like a sleeveless white shirt, revealing his toned physique and captivating her with his dark, intense eyes.
Aiden grunted and looked up at Nicole, choosing not to speak. Unless one truly understood Nicole, it was easy to mistake her gaze for mockery.
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