Chapter 51: Coffee at the Beach! Natasha's Investigation!

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Lorien smiled at Wanda and asked, "It's raining now, so what do you say we do?" His eyes took in her appearance, noting the changes since their last meeting. She had swapped her usual windbreaker for a thicker, brown-red coat suitable for the rainy weather. Below, she wore tight blue jeans and black boots, which accentuated the curves of her legs, giving her a mature and charming look.

He couldn't help but admire her delicate face, which looked as captivating as ever. Despite the dreary weather, Wanda's presence brought a spark of warmth to the moment.

Wanda pondered his question. On a rainy day like this, there weren't many options for places to visit. But turning back wasn't an option she wanted to consider either. After a brief moment of indecision, she looked a bit troubled, clearly unfamiliar with New York's spots for rainy days.

Sensing her unease, Lorien gently rubbed his head and suggested, "How about this? I'll take you to a nice little café. Their coffee might be average, but the environment and atmosphere are fantastic."

Wanda's face lit up with a smile, and she nodded eagerly. Seeing her reaction, Natasha, standing nearby, could only shrug and nod in agreement.

Lorien and Wanda climbed into the back seat of the Audi, leaving Natasha to take the wheel. As she glanced at them through the rearview mirror, Natasha couldn't help but sigh. On the battlefield, Wanda's chaos magic had made her one of the most feared and respected members of the Avengers. Even Captain America spoke to her with a careful, measured tone.

But here, with Lorien, she was different—gentler, almost vulnerable. This wasn't the Wanda Natasha and the rest of the Avengers knew. The Wanda they saw was a fortress of strength and self-protection, an icy exterior guarding a warm, peaceful heart.

Lorien caught Natasha's gaze in the rearview mirror and met her eyes with a steady look, bringing her back to the present. She refocused on driving, her curiosity about Lorien deepening with each passing moment. There was an air of mystery around him that Natasha, with her sharp instincts, found increasingly complex and intriguing.

As if reading her mind, Lorien thought, "Let her wonder." From the moment he had begun demonstrating his abilities to Doctor Strange, he had known that his secrets would eventually come to light.

Following Lorien's directions, Natasha navigated through the rainy streets. "Turn left, now right, and then another right up ahead," he guided her until they arrived at a quaint seaside park.

They got out of the car, huddling under two umbrellas. Lorien led them to a cozy café by the beach. With its large floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides, the café offered a perfect view of the stormy sea. The place was empty, save for the staff, likely because most people avoided the beach in such weather.

But for Lorien, the rain only enhanced the café's charm. They settled at a table and ordered coffee. Wanda gazed out the window, admiring the misty horizon where the land was barely visible through the rain.

"Why doesn't anyone come here when it rains? It's beautiful," she mused aloud.

Natasha, with her vast experience as an agent, answered knowingly, "Because it's a challenge to make it here through the rain. But it's precisely the heavy rain that makes it the best time to visit."

A waiter brought their coffees along with some complimentary desserts and cookies. They began to chat, their conversation flowing easily over the sound of the rain.

"So, how was the mission abroad?" Lorien asked Wanda. "Was it smooth? Did you see any interesting places?"

Wanda shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "It was mostly dirt and dust. But the mission went well. I crushed them to pieces, just like you taught me to handle the mutant rats."

Lorien's eyes widened slightly, while Natasha let out a small, amused sigh. Lorien looked to Natasha for confirmation, and she nodded, indicating that Wanda had indeed used her newfound strength effectively.

"Well," Lorien thought, "her inner strength has definitely grown, though it might be a bit skewed. But it's still progress."

As they continued their conversation, Lorien turned to Natasha with a curious look. "You guys are sending out missions frequently now to regain support, and it's working. But if things go south, what do you expect Wanda to do?"

At first, Wanda thought Lorien was asking about the Avengers' strategy, but as she listened, she realized he was concerned about her future. She gazed at him tenderly, touched by his care.

Natasha paused, then replied calmly, "Every superhero has the right and responsibility to make their own choices. Even if things get bad, Wanda can choose her own path."

Lorien nodded, relieved. "That's good."

Wanda felt a surge of warmth. This moment of being cared for made her feel even more connected to Lorien. Natasha observed their interaction and decided it was time to address her growing suspicions.

She took a sip of her coffee and looked at Lorien with a determined expression. "I mean no harm, but I have to ask," she began, her tone serious. "That red Transformer we saw, is it your Ferrari?"

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Some power stones