REBEL OF THE BALL
CHAPTER FOUR
Tony pursed his lips and ran a hand through his hair, in deep thought.
He was pacing the same area for almost thirty minutes from now, constantly thinking, constantly looking like he was in the state of shock.
Maybe he really is breaking down, bit by bit. Everything that's happening right now is getting out of hand. Firstly, some random kid showed up at his door, disturbing his sleep. Second, she says he was her dad. Third, Tony actually needed his lawyer. Fourth, now both Robert and Pepper seemed to believe the kid. And fourth, he was starting to believe them a little too.
Just a little.
"Damn it." He cussed under his breath, and ran a hand on his already disheveled hair some more. "I've screwed-up a lot of times but this is probably the worst. I can't believe this. Oh man, I really can't believe this. Did that woman seduced me when we first met or something?"
"I don't think so." A young voice came from behind him.
Tony sighed exasperatedly and turned around just in time to see Urania standing right behind the glass doors that separated the garage from any other modern areas of his mansion. She was crossing her arms, looking much like a brat.
"My mother isn't some whore Mr. Stark." Urania said, her eyes flashing in irritation. "You fell for her. And she fell for you too. And although it's embarrassing to admit — I'm the love child."
Hearing that made Tony's insides churn. Love child? This kid's gotta be sick. Tony doesn't do 'love'. Not at all. He never knew the word of all his years,
He managed to ignore the kid, instead, he walked towards his monitors with a serious look in his face.
"Jarvis, get ready for the DNA and blood testing." He ordered.
"Preparing."
"Wait blood testing? I'm gonna get shot?" Urania asked, looking horrified.
"With a gun? Maybe."
She scowled. "Ha-ha. Funny. I consider that thought as child abuse. But hey, I don't like needles."
Tony turned to face her, jaw tight. "You wanna get this over or what?"
Urania pressed her palms on the glass that barricades her from him. "Won't you let me in? 'cause I won't answer your questions if I'm staying here." She stuck out her tongue in a childish manner.
"Fine. Then stay there. I don't have time to deal with your antics."
Tony instantly found out it wasn't the answer Urania was expecting him to say. Because her face immediately twisted into a scowl — a deep, angry and overheated glare. He stared back at her with a raise of an eyebrow. What does she want him to do? Play along with her? She's still a stranger — that is, if the DNA results says so. As far as he's concerned, Urania shouldn't feel too close to him if she doesn't want to get all teary-eyed once the testing is over. There's a certain possibility she'll leave the mansion disappointed — maybe a little suicidal in Tony's opinion.
"What's going on here?" Pepper's voice echoed as she descended from the stairs above. "Is something wrong Urania?"
Urania glanced at Pepper then settled her eyes back at Tony. "He wouldn't let me in."
His secretary placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and pressed in a few buttons on the door.
"Aw, come on Peps." Tony groaned when the glass doors slid apart for the two to come in. "Don't be such a poor sport."
"I'm sorry for ruining the moment Mr. Stark." Pepper explained. "But first things first. We all are in a hurry. You have a business meeting to attend to later on, not to mention the Apogee Awards tonight. Robert has to meet with another client and I have to go home and fix myself." She gestured to her outfit which consisted of plain jeans and a lavender button-down.
Robert, who appeared instantly beside Pepper, nodded. Tony braced himself for the worst. Although his face appeared to be calm, his heart was pounding and he could feel himself shaking. He couldn't believe this. After all those years of carefree living, he never expected he would get stuck in this kind of situation. In this seriously messed-up situation. He had received fake notes of past girlfriends, faced scripted issues of so-called 'ex-wives', and fought cases concerning illegitimate children — his illegitimate children — for so many times. Of course, him being a celebrity and all. But after a few phone calls made by Pepper, paper works by Robert and Jarvis' very helpful information (from stolen sources of different private sectors) Tony managed to break free from any scandal.
But this is the only time he couldn't find a way to escape.
He took a deep breath. "Jarvis? Are you ready? We're gonna start now."
"I was programmed to be always ready Mr. Stark."
Pepper turned to Urania with a small smile on her face. "Are you ready?"
Urania exhaled loudly and tried to look confident. "As ready as I'll ever be."
The tests didn't take long.
After a session of having a tool swab the inside of her cheeks and a syringe plunged into a vein, all Urania could do now is wait.
She sat down on an empty stool, hands twisted into a nervous knot. She didn't get why her hands were getting clammy and sweaty, that she felt cold and her heart was running like an athlete after four Red Bulls. She is Tony Stark's daughter. Real. Definitely not fake. His own flesh and blood. Her mom even told her so.
So why is she nervous?
Urania raised a trembling hand and pinched herself, trying to lift her own spirits.
For goodness' sake Urania, she scolded herself mentally, stop being so paranoid!
This is the effect of watching too much soap operas. The protagonist always fails at DNA testing even though she's the real kid.
It might happen to her.
Urania cringed, wanting to slap herself. She was being her pessimistic self again. But whatever, she was Tony's daughter. Deep inside, she is. And she knows it. And she knows that Tony believes in her too.
But maybe that's just about 1-2%. He's totally not that convinced. This man wanted living proof — and she's sure he's gonna get it later.
How'd she knew? Daughter instincts of course. No matter how much the great Tony Stark would insist she was never his, he couldn't control the connection she feels every time she's with him. It's that belief older people used to believe in. What was the term they always use again? Urania forgot.
She scanned the area and spotted the three adults huddling over the testing machine. She was actually surprised that Tony has that stuff. Is he actually expecting that something like this would happen? Urania didn't know. What she does know is that her dumbfounded 'father' looks beyond tired for today.
Secretly, she craned her neck just to catch another glimpse of him. Yes, that same black hair – already tousled and messy after several times of anxious hand-running on the strands, that long nose, the aura of confidence — Urania knew she inherited those. It was from him, no question about it.
Except for his brown eyes.
Urania used to wish she had Tony's eyes — they were a deep chocolate brown, pretty and adorable in some way. And maybe, just maybe, if she had those eyes, Tony wouldn't ask questions if she was his daughter or not. She would be his exact replica. Tony Stark's female version. It would definitely make the confession thing easier.
But no, she has this gray eyes — which was somewhat, the only thing she has of her Mom. Although it was too bad she didn't have those chocolate-colored irises, Urania wasn't really pissed that she has these scary eyes. At least, she would remember her Mom when she's looking at a mirror.
She sighed. Amanda's death was already like nine to ten years ago. But her grief and loss still haven't left her.
Just then Robert — Tony's official lawyer, suddenly clapped his hands. Urania took it as a sign that the waiting session was done.
Oh my God. Oh my God. It's finally coming true, Urania thought, panicked and excited at the same time as she hopped off the stool.
She tried to swallow — her throat felt rough and papery. Her stomach was churning — in either anxiety or hunger. She hadn't eaten for the last 24 hours.
"Is it done?" Urania asked, peering at them.
Robert gave her a broad grin. "Yeah, kid. Whatever Jarvis say — since he's going to announce the results — would decide if you're either in or out."
Urania clenched her numb fists. Either in or out. Whatever. They make it sound like she's in an elimination round of a reality TV show. The adults may think it's not a big deal — but it was. And not to mention that this moment is really valuable for her. She waited for this for almost nine years.
Pepper took a deep breath. "So," She looked at both Urania and Tony. "This is it. All we have to do is ask Jarvis if the paternity test and the blood work was a match. If not then…"
Then I'll get my pathetic butt kicked out, Urania finished mentally, crossing her arms to hide her racing heart.
"So…Mr. Stark, are you ready?" Pepper asked her boss, who was standing there, face gaunt and white.
He nodded. But when he was about to order his computer to talk, Tony looked at Nia and said "Whatever happens kid, just remember — you're the first ever fan to be here."
Hearing that, Robert tried to hide his smile but failed — even Pepper was on the verge of laughing. It was good sign — it seemed Tony's soul was still somewhat with him, since he can still crack-up jokes.
Urania bit down a haughty comeback. Her nerves got the better of her.
"Jarvis, please announce the results. Blood work first. No need for the details — just tell me already." Tony began to say, leaning back on a metal worktable. For someone who's facing this unwanted situation, he was awfully calm.
"Yes Sir. I scanned and checked both of your Rh and blood types. I have also included Ms. Amanda Wainwright's — thoroughly conceived from her previous medical files. Ms. Wainwright's blood type is O and her Rh is Rh+. Meanwhile, yours is type A and an Rh+ as well. Urania Stark's blood type is O and has an Rh- — which means you two are a match in terms of the blood work."
Urania inhaled sharply. That's a first.
"And…the DNA test?"
"Out of six DNA markers, you and the girl's Combined Paternity Index is quite high. After calculating, I now have the exact value of the paternity probability."
There was dead air all around as everyone waited patiently. It seemed Jarvis was waiting for a drumroll to happen. Man, even the computer knows how cliff hangers actually happen.
"96.9% match Sir. Ms. Urania Stark has indeed your genes. You are the biological father."
As if on cue, Robert and Pepper couldn't help but cheer. Urania began to wonder why. Are they beginning to like her? Then that's a good sign.
She couldn't help but give them a grin too — especially Tony, who was smiling as if he had knew this all along. Wait - why was he smiling? Urania didn't know what plans her supposed father has up in his sleeves. Thinking of that idea made her a little uncomfortable, since Tony was very, very - emphasis on the very - unpredictable. But whatever, she could look at it further soon. When everything's settled.
But what does that mean?
Little did Urania knew that Tony is actually worried — as deep as hell. His lips were tugged at the corners, but his facial muscles felt all too forced. Without warning, he was suddenly thinking of the news - the TV headlines, the web links all over the Internet with his and his so-called daughter's name. And to top it all, can he actually handle the responsibility of being a parent to a supremely clever, obviously moody, and somewhat stubborn teenager?