Chapter 61 (The Mortal Multiverse : Liam Raven Harper)

Chapter 61 - Deborah & Black Widow

Liam Pov

It was just before midnight when I pulled my bike into the curb outside the Moonlight Diner.

I changed my office wear to a black leather jacket, dark jeans, and a fitted black shirt — the kind of look that didn’t demand attention but drew it anyway.

The neon sign above flickered lazily, humming in the night breeze. I killed the engine, leaned the bike on its stand, and glanced through the diner’s window. 

The place looked quiet — almost too quiet.

When I stepped inside, the familiar bell over the door chimed, but no one came to greet me.

The diner was completely empty, save for the faint hum of a jukebox in the corner.

Behind the counter stood Deborah from Baby Driver Movie — the same waitress from my last visit here was present. 

Only now, she had earphones in and her eyes closed, completely lost in the rhythm of a song she was listening to. 

Her voice floated through the air — soft, sweet, completely unguarded. I stopped on my tracks and just listened. 

She wasn’t just singing; she was feeling it — every note, every word. The kind of singing that wasn’t for anyone else but herself.

I walked closer and took a seat at the counter, right across from her. She still hadn’t noticed me, so I leaned an elbow on the counter, closed my eyes, and just listened to her voice.

Eve’s voice slipped into my thoughts in a calm tone

[She’s got a beautiful voice. I didn’t expect that.]

“Neither did I,” I murmured quietly. 

“Guess some people shine when no one’s watching.”

A few seconds later, the song seemed to have ended as Deborah let out a small sigh of satisfaction, pulled her earphones out—then froze the moment she saw me sitting opposit to her with a smile on my face.

Her eyes widened. A deep blush colored her cheeks. “Oh my god—how long have you been there?”

I smiled easily. “Not long.”

She hid her face with her hand. “I must look ridiculous.”

“Not even close,” I said, resting my chin lightly on my hand. “Your voice sounded like a little angel. You shouldn’t be embarrassed.”

Her blush deepened. “Stop teasing me.”

“I’m serious,” I said with that same calm tone that always seemed to disarm people. “You’ve got real talent. You should think about doing something with it.”

Eve’s voice came again, warm and encouraging [He’s right, you know. She was born for it.]

I smiled faintly at Eve’s comment. “You see? Even she agrees.”

Deborah frowned slightly, confused. “She?”

“Just a friend,” I said casually. “Bad habit of talking to myself sometimes.”

She gave a small laugh. “If your imaginary friend has good taste, I’m fine with that.”

“Trust me, she does.”

Deborah rolled her eyes and changed the subject with a grin. “So what’ll it be tonight, mystery man?”

“Coffee’s fine,” I said.

“Coffee it is,” she said, turning to pour a steaming mug. She set it in front of me, her usual spark returning. “So… looks like you weren’t lying.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Lying about what?”

“You said you’d be a regular last time,” she said, leaning against the counter. “Didn’t think I’d actually see you again.”

I lifted the mug, the faint steam brushing past my face. “And yet, here I am.”

She smiled softly. “Guess you are.”

We talked for a while — small things, nothing serious. She had that easy kind of warmth that even made silence feel comfortable.

Time slipped by until I noticed the clock on the wall edging close to midnight.

I set my mug down and looked at her. “I’m actually here to meet someone tonight. Should be arriving any minute.”

Deborah nodded, giving me that knowing look she always seemed to have. “Got it. I’ll give you some space.”

I picked up the mug again and walked to the corner booth — the same one where I’d once met John Wick. 

The neon light outside painted the tabletop in soft blue and red.

I sat facing the door, calm, quiet, ready.

Eve’s voice drifted through, playful now. 

[You seem relaxed for someone about to meet an acquaintance of John.]

“Relaxed is good,” I said under my breath, smiling slightly. “You think she’ll be late?”

[Acquaintance of The Boogie Man don't come late]

“Wouldn’t surprise me,” I said, taking another slow sip of coffee.

The clock struck midnight.

The diner door creaked open.

I didn’t move. Just waited — calm, confident — as Natasha stepped into the light.

I turned towards the entrance — and froze for a split second.

There she stood.

Natasha Romanoff.

I didn’t expect that it would be Natasha Romanoff. 

When John mentioned “Natasha,” I didn’t think it would be the Black Widow herself.

She spotted me immediately — not hard, since the diner was empty except for Deborah, who was behind the counter pretending not to stare. 

Natasha started walking toward me with that confident, purposeful stride that said she was used to owning every room she entered.

Her outfit matched her reputation — a fitted black leather jacket over a dark red tank top, black pants, and ankle boots that clicked quietly against the tiled floor. 

Her hair was loose, flowing in soft waves that caught the diner’s dim light.

Eve’s voice broke through softly, amusement in her tone. 

[Not bad. First you’ve got John Wick, and now you’ve got the Black Widow on your side. You really know how to attract them.]

I just smirked slightly. 

“Indeed.”

I sat there in my usual calm and my expression remained composed, though a flicker of excitement stirred beneath my mask.

Even Deborah couldn’t hide her curiosity, glancing from Natasha to me like she’d just stumbled into some kind of a movie.

Natasha reached my booth and gave a small, knowing smile before sliding into the seat opposite to me.

“Nice to meet you, Prosecutor Harper,” she said, voice smooth and confident.

I returned the smile. “Natasha, right?”

She nodded, leaning back. “Natasha Romanoff. John told me you were looking for an investigator.”

“How do you know John?” I asked, curious.

“I could ask you the same thing,” she replied, her tone teasing but sharp. “I asked him about you, actually. John doesn’t usually talk about people with that kind of… tone.”

I raised an eyebrow and asked. “Tone?”

“He’s usually cold and all business,” she said. “But when he mentioned you, there was something different. A little… respect among other things, maybe.”

My lips curled into a smirk. “You got all that from John’s serious face?”

“I’ve known him a long time,” she said with an amused glint in her eye. “You start to notice the small things.”

“So,” she continued, crossing one leg over the other. “How do you know him?”

I held her gaze for a moment, then shrugged. “Old friend. We’ve worked together before. But enough about John—let’s talk about why you’re here.”

I leaned forward slightly, voice calm, deliberate. “I’ve been looking for someone sharp. Someone who can read a person, move quietly, and doesn’t need their hand held to get a job done. So, let’s see how you think.”

I gave her a few hypothetical cases — situations that required strategy, intuition, and moral flexibility and her answers were quick, measured, and intelligent. 

She didn’t just solve the problems; she dissected them.

I listened quietly to how she would handle the problems and I was impressed.

Eve’s voice came again, soft but bright with excitement.

[She’s good. Really good.]

‘Yeah’ Liam thought back. ‘I can tell’

By the time we wrapped up, I’d already made up my mind. 

Natasha Romanoff wasn’t just capable — she was exactly the kind of person I needed.

We discussed payment among other things but kept it brief, both professional and precise. 

Natasha finished her coffee, slid out of the booth, and gave me a parting smile.

“Looks like we’ve got a deal,” she said.

“Looks like it,” I said with a smile.

She gave a short nod. “Then I’ll see you soon, Mr. Harper.”

“Call me Liam.”

“Alright… Liam.”

She turned and walked toward the exit, her boots echoing softly until the door closed behind her.

The diner fell quiet again.

Deborah walked over with a playful smirk and placed the check on the table. “Girlfriend?”

I reached for my wallet and slid a twenty onto the check. “Curious?” I asked with a faint smile.

Her blush betrayed her tone. “Just asking.”

Eve’s laugh echoed gently in my mind [Ah, always the big tipper. Your make this girl fall for you Liam]

I shook my head in an amused breath. “No, not my girlfriend,” I said aloud, standing up. “I’m single right now.”

Deborah tilted her head, pretending to be shocked. “Can’t believe that.”

“Truth’s stranger than fiction.” I replied grinning

I gave her a small nod and said “Until next time.” and left the diner

The cool midnight air greeted me as I put on my helmet, started his bike, and rode off — the engine’s low growl fading into the quiet city streets.

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