Equivalents
The ticking of polished shoes echoed in the stairs and then the beeping came to interrupt said echoes, while the too was lifted by slim fingers and then vanished under the hood of the car. The music halted, making the one listening cry out in annoyance and then slid out from under the old car's hood.
"Please don't turn off my music."
"Good morning, Miss Potts." Said the man, hair well combed, clothes in perfect array, and hands full with cell phone, papers, and a coffee mug that was quickly delivered to the woman's nearby table. Pepper just watched him move, annoyed
"Good morning Mr. Stark; don't turn off my music."
"I have several things to discuss with you before sending you off to some distant God forsaken country; don't play smart with me." She just snickered, standing as her assistant just started to talk as Pepper just tried to ignore him. "The seller of the Jackson Pollock called, he wants an answer today."
"I haven't seen the thing, how can I buy?"
"Actually you went there last week; you might not remember the painting but the ass of the bouncer outside." He commented, finally lifting his brown eyes to look at her, Pepper smiled. Anthony Edward Stark sure was hot; even when serious… scratch that even more so when serious. Maybe she should just ruffle his feather a little.
"That was at the gallery? My God their taste has improved." To that the PA rolled his eyes and turned away. "What do you think?" His opinion was usually of great value, given that he was very good at detecting priceless pieces of art (and considering Jackson Pollock was his favorite).
"It's a good example of the painter's detailed style, however is extremely overpriced." Money wasn't a problem, hadn't he understood that yet?
"I need it, buy it, stored it." Finally Pepper got up and walked to the small counter where soap and water waited for her dirty hands. The assistant followed, scanning his notes as he went. "I have the request of the MIT graduations speech."
"Please, it's in May we are barely out of August..."
"I'm going to say yes."
"I hate speeches, such a pain in the ass. You are haranguing me with this…"
"The wind farm called, they are amiss as to when to actually start…"
"Why are you trying to get me out of here?"
"You should have been out of here two hours ago. The plane's been delayed so far…"
"Isn't that the point of owning a plane? It takes off whenever I want it to…"
"The Fireman Gala planners are requesting the guest list so I already emailed the five hundred allowed names in your list…" He checked out another part of his list as Pepper just narrowed her eyes, hands now clean and dripping.
"Why are you in a hurry?" She asked suspicious, while Stark found a towel and handed it to her.
"I have plans." He said with a small smile.
"I don't like it when you have plans." She smirked as he just lifted his pad and offered a couple of papers, already to sign.
"I'm allowed to have plans. I need a signature."
"Hot date?" She asked, signing the damn papers so he wouldn't bother her any more.
"Maybe, I am celebrating my birthday after all." He said softly, smiling while they stood very close to each other, simply enjoying their company. He moved slightly to the left, her right, and picked up the small cup of coffee, handing it over to her.
"It's your birthday? Again?" And she drank the cup, surprised.
"Yes, the same day as last year, what a surprise."
"Buy something nice from me."
"I already did."
"Really? And?"
"Oh, I love it, really classy. Thank you Miss Potts."
"You're welcome Mr. Stark."