Settling Down

Wanda and Pietro climbed out of the extended Cadillac sedan with some discomfort, their feet still feeling unsteady as they landed on the New York pavement.

The imposing gate, the solemn and dignified aura—the brownish-red mansion stood within a circle of white wooden fencing, with two flights of stairs leading up to the entrance.

Elizabeth instructed the driver to kill the engine and wait in the driver's seat, then stepped out of the passenger side herself. When she told the twins that from today onward, this steep-roofed brownish-red building belonged to them, both children couldn't hide their surprise and delight.

Elizabeth led the way up the steps, pulled out a key to unlock the door, and then handed the key to Pietro (though he barely had time to warm it in his hand before his sister pocketed it). Elizabeth pushed open the heavy door, revealing a long, spacious hallway.

A tall foyer, rounded arch windows, the porch and entryway stretching north and south, sunlight casting the deep black shadows of the high walls onto the velvet carpet.

Pietro stepped into the sunlit living room and let out a loud whistle. He moved like the wind, darting through the porch like an impatient flash of lightning. A white blur swept through all the rooms along the north-south corridor before screeching to a halt back in the living room.

"Ha! You should see how many rooms there are!" he exclaimed excitedly, pointing behind him. "The bathroom's bigger than our old living room!"

But then, as if suddenly realizing he might be coming off as immature, he quickly wiped the grin off his face and folded his arms in a forced show of composure. "Uh, I mean, the house is big, and we're grateful, but it's not like we've never seen anything like this."

Wanda smoothed her hair, which had been tousled by the whirlwind her brother had kicked up, and sighed helplessly. "Pietro."

"Alright, I know, I get it, I'll drop it." Pietro raised an eyebrow and shot an awkward glance at Elizabeth. The pale-blonde secretary simply stood by with a faint smile, showing no reaction to his antics.

"This way, please." Elizabeth smiled and gestured with her hand. "Let me show you the rooms."

Despite having braced herself, Wanda had to admit she was a little taken aback. The house had an absurdly large living room, two kitchens, and a bright balcony with a swimming pool. The white rectangular dining table in the dining room was so long that you'd have to shout to be heard by someone at the other end. The study was lined with bookshelves packed with content covering nearly every subject, as if a small library had been moved in.

On top of that, there was a gym, a karaoke room, a private cinema, and a game room—the latter even thoughtfully equipped with the latest models of every gaming console on the market. It looked like you could stay indoors for a month without getting bored.

"Well, you've really thought of everything," Wanda said, carefully choosing her words as she addressed Elizabeth. "Honestly, maybe a little too much. We're not sure this is a good idea."

"I think it's great," Pietro cut in, already sprawled out on a bed warmed by the sun. "I've decided—this is my bedroom."

Wanda frowned. "Pietro—"

"Please rest assured, Miss Maximoff. These are all complimentary, part of the work agreement. A contract will be delivered here soon, and you can look it over carefully yourself."

Pietro sat up cross-legged on the bed. "We have a contract?"

"Of course." Elizabeth explained. "On the surface, you're both special consultants for 'New Energy Development Creative Co., Ltd.,' a subsidiary under the Passo Group."

"On the surface," Wanda latched onto the phrase. "So in reality, we're agents of the new Hydra?"

"Actually, it's closer to S.H.I.E.L.D. than Hydra in nature. Also, your identities aren't exactly agents—similar, but more unique. You'll understand once you see the contract." Elizabeth didn't seem inclined to dwell on the topic and shifted gears. "Alright. Mr. Passo instructed me to take you shopping for some clothes after the house tour. Shall we head out now?"

The twins simultaneously glanced down at their own wrinkled outfits—the only set they had—and exchanged a look.

"The car's waiting outside," Elizabeth said. "Let's go."

A few hours later, the twins, who had looked like they'd just come from the countryside, were transformed from head to toe. Pietro had a clean, sharp haircut, wore a black leather jacket, and sported a pair of black shades, giving him a noticeably sharper, more handsome look. Wanda's reddish-brown hair had been dyed a dark crimson, falling softly over her shoulders. She wore a black coat over a light inner layer, paired with slim-fit jeans, exuding an urban, youthful vibe.

Each of the twins had bought several outfits, along with some basic necessities. Elizabeth swiped her card to settle the bills, and they all returned to the waiting Cadillac.

Those few hours together had made the siblings feel a bit more at ease with the secretary. On the way back, Wanda hesitated for a long while before finally blurting out, "Um, Miss Betty?"

"Yes, is there something else you need?"

"No." Wanda waved a hand. "I'm just curious—arranging all this for us here, is that part of your job too?"

Elizabeth nodded. "My job is to do whatever Mr. Passo asks of me."

"So you know him?"

"Only as much as he allows me to know," Elizabeth said flatly.

"But you know about his other identity, right? You know what he's busy with in his spare time, besides being a multinational CEO," Wanda said. "Have you never thought he was a dangerous man?"

Elizabeth's smile faded slightly. She turned her head, and for a moment, Wanda thought she saw a seriousness in the secretary's eyes that she'd never seen before.

"If you think that, it might just be because you don't know him yet," Elizabeth said. "Mr. Passo is the best person I've ever met, and the kindest. He's not good at—maybe even resists—showing it, but I know very well what he's like deep down. It's an honor to work for him."

Wanda stared at her, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.

The car came to a stop. Elizabeth stood up and opened the door. "Alright, you've arrived. Go home and rest. Don't leave anything behind. If anything comes up, I'll contact you later."