Toxic Relationship With Tony Stark

Part 23 - Another Day

Before you left for work this morning you found a package outside of your door. It was a simple one and it was clear who it was from. A beautiful bouquet of flowers and a bunch of your favourite candy bars and chocolates next to it. A simple card was attached to the bouquet, a simple I love you.

You brought everything inside your house and took some time to calm down your feelings. Trying to deal with everything is getting extremely stressful. Especially with the mood around the company the last couple of days.

"How is that happening? Another one?" Ethan yells from his office.

You know that he'll be storming in your office any second now. That's what he's been doing ever since that meeting with Pepper, where he learned that the first investor left the company to fund and stand by Stark Industries instead. Ever since that day you've been hearing of more and more investors doing the same.

"Alice, did you know about this?" he really storms into your office and asks.

"No, I had no idea" you shrug.

"How is he doing that? Someone needs to explain to me how all our investors are leaving us one by one" he walks around in circles angrily.

"Maybe they're offering them a better deal or maybe they stepped up their game" you try to sound reasonable.

"You need to talk with Stark. You're the only one that can get information about what's going on" he says seriously.

"That's not going to happen" you shake your head.

"He'll tell you everything" Ethan insists.

"You know I'm not with Tony anymore, don't tell me to go talk with him" you exhale deeply.

"Alright, I'm sorry" he sighs.

"It's okay, I understand how stressful it is" you stand by him.

"If you hear something about this, please let me know immediately" he says desperately.

"Of course. We can still do it without the investors, don't worry. Our project is good and we have the money" you try to reassure him.

"Of course we have the money, that's not the point. We need the investors for the votes they carry and we're losing more and more everyday" he's right.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what else to say. Let's be optimistic and sure about our work" you sigh.

"Yes, you're right" he nods and stands up.

"Wait, I have these ready for you. Take a look at them and sign what needs to be signed please" you stop him before he leaves.

"I'll send someone to pick everything up, I can't deal with this right now" he shakes his head.

"As you wish, just remember they need to be reviewed by the end of the week" you say.

"Yes, thank you" he waves his head and walks out of your office.

After some intense work you decide to take your phone in your hands for relaxation. But the regret quickly follows when you stable across an article about Tony.

Where is Tony Stark?

Even though you know it won't make anything better, you open it and start reading.

The billionaire hasn't made a public appearance in weeks, thing that is very out of character. He was last seen on a business trip with a couple of partners and hasn't been seen since. Friends and colleagues have expressed their worries and concerns when asked about the matter. Could something have happened to the business man?

Some say that it has something to do with his personal life, since his girlfriend hasn't made a comment yet on the situation. The couple has been together for over a year now, surpassing everyone's expectations considering Stark's dating habits. Maybe trouble has started in paradise, our sources are being as discreet as they can for the time being.

Apparently everything will be cleared next week, when the biggest and most anticipating conference is taking place. Both Stark and Lewis Industries are fighting for the first place according to predictions. Will this be the first time in years that the first place will go somewhere other than Stark Industries? We'll have to wait a few more days to find out.

Tony Stark will have to make his appearance if he wants to win. Hopefully then all our suspicions and questions will be answered.

You leave your phone aside and think about the situation. Surely Tony will be there. He can't miss the conference, right? He can't possibly be in such a bad condition that he'll miss something as important as this. Now Pepper's words are really starting to worry you.

Should you call him? You are almost sweating with the thought just by holding your phone again. He's reached out so many times with texts, calls and gifts and you haven't given him anything in return. Not a single answer to tell him that you're fine.

"I shouldn't" you whisper to yourself and put your phone down and away from you.

What if he's only waiting for a sign from you and then he can recover? The guilt is killing you even though you know you shouldn't be the one feeling that way.

Your hand mechanically reaches for your phone and before you know it you've opened your text conversation with Tony. It's basically only Tony texting the last couple of weeks but as you scroll higher you find your old messages. And, d*mn, it makes you feel nostalgic as hell.

All your happy texts, the communication about how your day is going, when you'll meet, dinner reservations, talking about events. Everything just makes you miss him even more. Especially the photos of the two of you that you find every now and then. You were so happy with him, even if he cheated on you behind your back.

But then all the nostalgia turns into disgust because those lips that are kissing you on the pictures were also kissing other women. Those arms that hug you also hugged and touched his mistresses. Was anything ever real at all for him? You can't look at him no more so you take the final decision and don't reach out to him.

Another day of staying strong. Another day of not giving in. Another day of making yourself proud.