Chapter 9:
Pepper was living the PR nightmare. There were so many calls, so many emails that she actually had to turn off her cellphone for at least half an hour to get some peace and think of how to justify Tony's behavior.
It all started two weeks ago: they were at a business event in Dubai. Pepper always loved that city, ever since Tony took her there to his house in her first year of working for him. Everything in that city was beautiful and the architecture was fantastic! One of the advantages of working for Tony Stark was being able to visit places like this, places that she never thought she would see.
The press was covering every minute of the event, so there were reporters and photographers everywhere! Tony, as always, was being a charmer. He focused his attention today on a powerful business woman, co-CEO of one the Companies that were invited to his event. Everything was going great until Mr. Dimon, CEO of the Dimon's Enterprise approached her and started to flirt with her. He was old enough to be her father. Every time she saw him, he was being rude and making slightly misogynist comments.
Being polite as she always was, Pepper kindly rejected him and excused herself. The red hair went to the rooftop. She was alone there, the environment was quiet different from the confusion that was inside the Hall with all those people and reporters. Enjoying her peace, Pepper decided to send a message to Mark.
They had been dating for more than a year now. He had been very disappointed that she had to travel. Her birthday was coming up and he had planned a huge celebration for her. Just the two of them. He had been talking about it for weeks!
"It would be a night to remember," he had said.
But then, the invitation for Dubai arrived and she had to cancel everything they planned.
Pepper took her cellphone and started typing.
"Hey! I miss you. I'm sorry I had to cancel our plans.
I promise I will try to make it up to you ;)
I'll see you soon.
I love you!"
She had just pressed "send" when a voice behind her spoke: "I thought I would find you here."
Pepper looked around to meet with Mr. Dimon. She forced herself to smile.
"I came here to get some air. It's a beautiful night."
"Indeed. I know exactly why you came up here," he said as he approached her.
Feeling uncomfortable around him, Pepper decided to get back inside.
"I need to get back to see if Mr. Stark needs anything. Excuse me."
But he stopped her by grabbing and then holding her arm.
"He is fine. Why don't you give me that kind of attention too," he suggested, flirtingly.
"I'm sorry?"
"Honey, Stark has never been around a girl so much like he has with you. Whatever you do with him must be magical. I want a taste too."
"Don't call me that. Can you please let go of my arm?" She tried to let go, but he held her tighter.
"That's what you do, isn't it? Spread your legs for powerful men to keep your status. I'm sure Stark wouldn't mind, he's already got a girl for himself tonight." He tried to pull her and she resisted.
"Let me go!"
Out of nowhere, someone hit Mr. Dimon's arm and pushed him away with so much force that he fell to the ground and hurt the left side of his face.
Pepper looked to see Tony beside her, seeing him more angry than she had ever seen in all the time she had worked with him.
"Touch her again and I will drag your face through this floor!" he threatened.
"Come on Stark. She can't be so good that you want to keep her all to yourself. And with your reputation… you really can't expect me to take her serious, can you?"
"She is not like that. A prick like you wouldn't understand!" Tony said, turning to see how she was, but Mr. Dimon continued, further antagonising the situation.
"Sweetheart, whatever he is paying you, I will pay in double."
And that was when Tony moved to hit him again but Pepper managed to hold him. She put a hand on his chest and held his arm.
"Don't. He's not worth the effort!"
"He can't speak about you like that!" defended Tony.
"I think he already learnt that. Let's go. Please?" she asked him.
They left Mr. Dimon with his face bleeding on the floor.
After that, they left the party and went back to Tony's house in Dubai.
"Tony, you didn't have to hit him," she said, once they arrived there.
"He has no right to speak about you like that!" he yelled.
She had never seen him so angry! He couldn't calm himself and started to walk around, breathing heavily. Pepper didn't know what to do. So she approached him and touched his arm. He was looking at the ground, trying to control his breathing.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Are you?" he asked back, looking at her.
"Yeah... yes I am," she assured him.
"Did he hurt you when he held your arm?"
"No." There was a moment of silence between them before Pepper spoke again. "I know you were there to protect me, but you didn't have to act like that."
"I saw you trying to get rid of him but he didn't let you go... I just saw red," he said softly.
She couldn't really be mad at him for helping her. If he didn't show up, Mr. Dimon could have hurt her. She realized that she was still holding his arm and suddenly she was very aware of everything about him: the smell of his cologne, the heat of his body, how strong his arms felt under her fingers… It lasted just a couple of seconds and she let him go, taking a step back.
"You know, he is probably is going to sue you," she explained.
"Let him. We will sue him back," he replied simply.
-o-
Next day she saw a picture of that tragic event all over the internet. The photographer managed to get them just when she was holding Tony, to prevent him from hitting the other CEO again, and of course, the man bleeding on the floor.
In an interview, Mr. Dimon made up a story that made Tony looked like he was jealous of him, for simply speaking with Stark's precious assistant.
Asshole! Pepper thought.
Once again, the tabloids started to make assumptions about her relationship with Tony.
The next week they went to England for a Charity Event. Tony was walking the red carpet whilst Pepper walked right behind him, informing him of the names of people that he should know, the reporters that he should talk and greet to, when a reporter called for Tony. She heard him say:
"Come again?" And he approached the reporter.
Next thing Pepper knew was Tony and the reporter had started to argue. When she got closer, she heard him say:
"Apologize to her. Apologize to her now or I will personally guarantee that you will be unemployed for the rest of your life!"
She came close to him and whispered in his ear. "Don't do this. Lets get out."
"No!" refused Tony, then he looked at the man again and gave him a look that could intimidate every man on the surface of the Earth. "Now!"
"I'm sorry, Miss Potts," said the man.
She nodded, not really understanding what had happened as she had missed the comments the reporter had made about her, however Tony seemed satisfied with that. The other reporters were observing them even more, since all the cameras were pointed at them.
It didn't take long until they left the event. Once they were in the car, Pepper was able to ask:
"What the hell was that?"
"He said horrible things about you…" he murmured.
"Tony…"
"He was making accusations and insinuations because of what happened last week." His voice was higher now, and she could tell he was annoyed. Therefore, she calmed herself down to speak with him again.
"You can't be like this. You can't act like this either. People will make insinuations and you are giving them a reason to talk."
He looked at her before replying: "I won't let my reputation ruin you, Pep. They can say whatever they want about me... But not you."
In some way, she felt happy that he was trying to protect her, but his attitude was wrong, and it would end up giving them even more headaches.
"Tony, I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to work for you. This is not the first time they have said things like this."
"But I'm sick of this, Potts! They need to learn!" he insisted.
"I know that, and I thank you for trying to protect me but I can't try to prove them wrong if you keep acting like that. It gives them a reason to talk about us."
He looked down. "Aham," he murmured.
And now here she was, living the PR nightmare. She shut down her cellphone and computer to have a moment of peace.
"What a great way to spend my birthday," she murmured.
"What?" Tony asked behind her.
She had completely forgot that he was there. "Nothing."
"No, you said something. It's your birthday? Today?" he asked curiously.
"Yes," she affirmed.
"How come I didn't not know that?"
"I have been telling you this all week. Weren't you listening?"
Tony was taken aback at her response. "I... can get distracted… sometimes."
She look at him, raising an eyebrow.
And he approached her smiling. "Tell you what, to compensate for this birthday and this nightmare, I'm gonna do something for you."
But he realized that she wasn't giving him the attention he wanted so he snapped his fingers to get her attention while he conversed with her: "Potts, pay attention this is a onetime thing, and I wont repeat myself."
She finally looked at him again, her expression slightly annoyed but Tony kept talking.
"Next year… you can have the day off… make your own plans, and even get rid of me. I won't bother you… Anything you want. What you think? You know that I hate when you have plans. It's a huge offer, right?" he asked, smiling and looking proud of himself.
But she narrowed her eyes and suggested: "Next year, and all the ones that follow, for as long as I work with you."
Tony looked at her surprised and scared. "What? No!" he rapidly replied. "That's not in the package. Next year only!" he said in a voice that he normally used to intimidate people. But, much to his surprise it didn't work with her and the red hair stared at him with confidence.
"Look at the headache that you caused me today, and lets face it, on a regular basis…" She crossed her arms over her chest. "I have the day of my birthday free from now on…"
"No!… that's… that's... That's…" He glanced at her and sighed in defeat. "Fair enough," he murmured. "You play hard, Pepy," he continued as he opened his wallet. "Here."
"What is this?"
"My credit card." He put the card in front of her on the desk.
"I can see that. Why are you giving it to me?"
"Get yourself something nice… It would be weird, after what happened yesterday if the two of us were seen shopping together, so…" He pointed to the card. "Get whatever you want, from highly expensive shoes to even a house if you like. You know my password right?"
Pepper didn't know what to do. He was giving her his credit card. His unlimited credit card. For her.
"Mr. Stark, that's not necessary." She tried to get back to a professional side but he didn't let her.
"Please Pep… it's your birthday… Let me give you at least this little pleasure today."
By the tone of his voice she knew he was being honest. She smiled at his trust in her.
"Thank you, Mr. Stark."
"You're welcome, Miss Potts," he smiled. "Have fun!"
And she had! Pepper went out shopping and bought what she loved the most. Shoes! One Louboutin and one Manolo Blahnik. Very expensive ones.
She went back, left her bags on the chair next to her and put Tony's card back in his wallet again. Just then, she turned her computer and cellphone on again. She was hoping to see a missed call or a message from Mark, but there was nothing. She sent him another message before starting to opening her emails.
Right, Pepper. Time to control this mess.
She started to work with renewed energy. At some point Tony showed up and smiled at her view.
"You already came back uhn? What did you buy it? A car? A yacht?" Then he laid his eyes on the bags next to her. "Wait, don't tell me… let me see it."
Before she could avoid it, he ran for her bags and opened them.
"Oh my god!" he said surprised. "I thought I had already apologized and you had accepted it… but you are planning to torture me?"
"Torture you..? How? What-"
What is he talking about? she innocently thought.
"Pep look at this." He had the Louboutin in his hands. "Do you have any idea how good these babies here will look on your legs? It's a torture for any man, especially me since you don't let me get close to them." He pointed to her legs. "Your plan is to make me suffer, right? Make me miserable?"
"Really Mr. Stark?" she responded, trying to sound professional.
"I'm having a hard time here. Not like that… actually, almost like that."
"Tony!" he smiled at her reaction.
God! He could be so inappropriate sometimes.
"I can't decide if I should let you buy these things every month just so I can see these perfections on your perfect legs… Or if I totally forbid it… I think I'm gonna let you buy it all… It will be worth the torture." He said that with such a serious face that it was almost impossible for her not let a little smile show up.
"That will not be necessary. But I'm glad that you enjoy the present that you gave me."
"I have good taste for those things."
"That you do… Thank you, Mr. Stark".
"Anything you need, Miss Potts." He put the shoe back in the bag and they went back to work. As the day went by, Pepper couldn't help but notice that Mark hadn't called her or even respond to her message.
-o-
After all that mess, Tony decided to go back to Los Angeles. Therefore, next evening they were already on his jet flying back home. Pepper was exhausted, the last two days were trying to clean up the mess that the trip to Dubai and England had caused. She couldn't wait to get home and finally celebrate her birthday with Mark.
Who still hasn't called you… Maybe something happened …
Due to the time zone it was still afternoon when they arrived in LA. Pepper decided to go straight to Mark's house and wait for him to get home.
He leaves the office in less than two hours… it won't take long.
She arrived at his house, put her bags in his living room and decided to relax while she waited for him. She was so tired that she ended up sleeping on his couch.
By the time Pepper woke it was already dark. She looked at the clock. It had been five hours and Mark hadn't returned from work yet.
Maybe I should call him?
She grabbed her phone to dial his number when she heard voices and the sound of keys at the door. When the door opened, she heard his voice.
"…you will enjoy it. Promise. Just let me grab something and we'll be right out. You can wait in the living room."
It was followed by a female voice.
"Okay."
Seconds later a woman entered the living room that Pepper was in.
"Hi," she greeted Pepper.
"Hi." This was surreal, but Pepper didn't want to jump into any conclusion.
"Mark didn't tell me he had a sister. How are you?" the brunette asked.
"I'm not his sister. I'm his girlfriend."
Now the girl looked lost. She gave Pepper an uneasy smile. "What? I'm on a date with him," she said, as if she was trying to understand the situation.
Suddenly Mark appeared in the living room.
"Found it. We can go- Pepper? What are you doing here?" he sounded surprised.
"Apparently, discovering a betrayal," stated Pepper.
Before he could answer, the brunette spoke: "What the hell? You have a girlfriend?"
"Wait. It's not like that!" He told her then turned to Pepper. "What? Oh come on! I saw you with Stark, that picture, the way you were holding him!"
Pepper was out of words and fighting not to cry in front of him. "That was a misunderstanding! The media picture got it all wrong! I was the victim and was trying to stop a fight!" she said, unconsciously raising her voice.
"You always choose him… Stark is always a priority for you. Even after the plans we made for your birthday, you decided to spend it with him!" accused Mark.
"It's my job! You already knew that when you met me! And I cancelled due to work, not to spend my birthday with him. It was a business trip!" She realized that she was yelling and stopped for a second to breathe.
"… you know what?" Pepper turned to the brunette. "You can have him!" She grabbed her bags and left his house, ignoring whatever it was that Mark was saying.
Pepper was in tears. She didn't even know how she was driving, nor to where she was driving. She just wanted to get as far away as she could from Mark. She only realized that she had driven to Tony's mansion when she got to the main gate and JARVIS opened it for her. Pepper was so used to driving this route that she came here automatically. However, she didn't go in. No! She didn't want Tony to see her. Actually, she didn't want anyone to see her like that.
So Pepper decided to stay in the car and calmed herself down so she could get home. She couldn't stop crying. She was hurt, angry and felt betrayed. He hadn't even waited for her to come back so she could explain the situation… no! He just moved to the next woman he found without breaking up with her first.
How could he do this to me?!
She let out a loud cry, her body was shaking, and tears flowed down her cheeks.
A knock on her car window made her look at her left side. Tony was there, looking at her with worry. He opened the door of her car. At that moment, Pepper just wanted to feel a human touch and she hugged him, crying even harder. It took a second for Tony to respond to her. He didn't say anything while he hugged her back.
Pepper didn't know for how long they stayed like that. Her throat was hurting with her cries, but slowly she managed to calm herself.
"Come on, lets get you inside," suggested Tony.
She didn't reply as Tony drove the car to the entrance of his house and helped her get out. When they got inside Pepper spoke with a husky voice.
"I didn't want to disturb you. I don't even know how I came here. How did you know I was outside?"
"JARVIS told me. He said that you were in distress, so I went to check."
Moments later DUM-E arrived holding a glass of water for Pepper. "Thank you," she thanked the bot who moved his little hand from side to side.
She turned to sit down on Tony's couch and caught a glimpse of her reflection in his window. Her eyes were puffy red, her hair was a mess, her body was trembling.
"Oh God!" she murmured.
"What happened?" asked Tony, worried. "Did anyone hurt you?"
She dried her tears before replying: "Mark… I caught him cheating on me." She decided to omit the part where her former boyfriend had accused her of having an affair with the man in front of her. Tony did not need to know that, especially after he confessed to her that he didn't want his reputation to ruin her life.
"Asshole…" he murmured. "Don't cry for him, Pep."
"I should have known…" she said with a broken voice. "Ever since we were in Dubai, he didn't respond to any of my messages. Not even on my birthday, he didn't send me a message or even call me… I should have known…"
"You couldn't know Pep." He was kneeling by her side, holding her hand, trying to comfort her. "It's the coiffed hair…" he said quietly but seriously. "That many products on his head must have affected his brain somehow… That's the only explanation for him do something like this to a woman like you."
She let out a small laugh at his attempts to make her feel better.
He smiled at her reaction. "Sleep here tonight," he suggested. "We will order pizza – I'll let you choose the flavor – watch the movie that you want… what do you say?"
"I shouldn't…"
"You shouldn't be alone Potts." His voice was sincere and she couldn't help but agree with him.
Truth was that she didn't want to be alone, and Tony's presence was always a reassurance for her.
"You will find a man that deserves you."
"Thank you, Tony."
He smiled at her; the only smile that he seemed to reserve for her.
"Now, go get yourself comfortable, and after that we will order food and see what ever movie that you want to see. I can only hope that it won't be too girly…" he said worriedly.
Tony was surprised that Pepper enjoyed action movies.
As promised they spent the night in front of the TV, eating pizza and chit-chatting. She went to sleep in the guest room that Tony started to call as "Her room". Before she went to sleep she saw on her phone a missed call from Mark, but decided not to call him back. Nothing justified what he had done to her, and after spending that time with Tony she was feeling a little better.
-o-
Months after that, for whatever crazy reason, Tony became very, very protective of her.
Every man that talked to her at whatever event that they were at, Tony evaluated them with fierce eyes... and normally intimidated them.
Today they were in Switzerland. Tony, Pepper and Happy were there on business, whilst Rodney and Martha went for the trip and free accommodation.
By the end of the night Tony, Pepper and Happy left the building where the business negotiations were taking place and went to meet Rodney and Martha at a pub near by.
Tony met a woman there and much to Pepper's surprise she was actually a scientist and worked at CERN. She and Tony began to talk science nonstop. Pepper was so used to seeing bimbos and supermodels falling for Tony's charm that it was kind of weird for her to see an actual scientist going on the same road of those women with Tony.
Those women just sleep with him because he is THE Tony Stark. They know nothing about him,other than his public persona. That wealthy arrogant playboy scientist that he loves to play, she thought.
Over the years, she had come to see that Tony was so much more than what he let people see. He was kind, caring, charming, funny and he would do anything in his power to help a friend of his. A man, that despite all his money, preferred to be wearing jeans and a band t-shirt and was usually covered in grease.
Why is this annoying me so much? It's nothing new! she questioned herself, looking at them flirting and still talking about things that Pepper could barely understand.
I thought a scientist would give herself a little more credit, she considered, still looking at the couple. That's it, that's way it's bothering me.
She pushed those thoughts for the back of her head and started to talk with Martha.
After they left the bar they decided to go back to the Hotel. Tony and the woman went straight to his room while the rest of them decided to stay at the lobby arguing about what they would have for dinner.
Suddenly Pepper remembered of an Art Gallery across the street that she was dying to visit. She looked at the clock. She still had about one hour.
I can manage to see some pieces before they close.
"Are you guys going to stay here?" she asked Rodney, Martha and Happy.
"Yeah," said Rhodes.
"Why?" asked Happy.
"There's an Art Gallery across the street that I've been dying to see-"
"Ohh you have to see that!" Martha interrupted her. "It's beautiful, just the place itself is worthy."
"Do you guys mind if I go there? It's about to close and I would like to see just a little bit of it before we leave."
"Not at all Pep." replied Rhodey. "Enjoy!"
"Yeah, we will order some drinks while we wait for you at dinner," said Martha and Pepper smiled at her, thanking her.
"Do you need me to escort you?" asked Happy.
"Don't be silly Happy, it's across the street, but thank you for the offer."
She left her friends and went for the Gallery. Pepper always loved Art, and now working for Tony Stark, she was able to see those original pieces of art with her own eyes. She felt really privileged for it. Even more when Tony asked her opinion about an Art that he was about to buy.
She stayed at the Art Gallery as much as she could until the security man came to inform her that they were about to close. She thanked the man and was distracted, walking her way back to the hotel when a motorbike drove towards her. She never saw the guy, but luckily he saw her in time! He tried to divert around her and successfully managed it. However, she ended up falling with the shock and twisted her ankle. The people that saw it happen were afraid that she had serious injuries and called an ambulance, even though Pepper tried to warn them that she was all right.
The ambulance came and took her to the nearest hospital. She filled the forms in while waiting for the test results. Finally the doctor consulted her about her exams.
As she suspected she had only twisted her ankle. The most tragic news about this was that, for a week, she would have to use flats and leave her heels aside. She was about to thank the doctor when a very worried and eager Tony Stark entered the room.
"Are you okay? What happened? Why did Happy leave you alone?" He didn't let her answer and turned to the doctor. "Have you examined her yet? Why is she still here in the emergency room and not in her own room? Do you even know who she is? Do you know who I am?"
Pepper felt the need to interfere before Tony got more nervous with the doctor. "Tony! I'm fine."
He looked at her confused. "What?"
"I'm fine. I just twisted my ankle."
"Twisted ankle …" he said, trying to calm himself. "That's it? Are you sure? Have you done other exams?"
"I just came here to release her," said the doctor in a calm voice, despite the fact that Tony had just intimidated him. "She will need to take some pain killers and leave the heels aside for a couple days. Apart from that she is perfectly fine and can go home."
Tony sighed, relived.
"I will leave you two alone."
The doctor left, leaving Tony to help Pepper out of the bed.
"Don't do this. Don't do out without Happy," said Tony, while helping her walk.
"Tony, it was an accident. I was across the street. It could have happened to anyone."
"You are not anyone, Pep. And this was serious!" he replied with a serious face. "You will be without your heels. That should be an international crime."
He is already making jokes… so he is fine, she thought, glad that he had calmed down.
"Did you came here alone?" she asked, finding it weird Tony was without Happy. "Where are the guys?"
"I thought they were right behind me."
They were at the door to the Hospital when Rhodes, Martha and Happy came in to view.
"Great. Now you guys arrive?!" said Tony, annoyed.
"Are you okay, Miss Potts?" asked Happy, sounding concerned.
"I'm fine. It was nothing." She explained to them what had happened and they helped her inside the car. Once inside Tony turned to Happy.
"Never, ever again leave her alone."
"Sorry boss," apologized Happy, already feeling guilty.
"Tony it was an accident!" insisted Pepper. But he ignored her. "You have nothing to be sorry about Happy."
The bodyguard smiled at her a little before driving them back to the hotel.
Once there, Martha and Rhodes helped Pepper walk to the room she was sharing with Martha.
"I will leave you two girls alone," said James. "I'll be in my room if you need me."
The girls ordered their dinner and started to talk while eating.
"You are okay, right?" asked Martha
"Yeah... the pain is fading."
"Girl you worried him!" Martha didn't need to name the person she was talking about.
Pepper knew very well who she meant. "Tony was overreacting," she said, annoyed.
"No. You really worried him," said Martha seriously as she sat next to Pepper. "You need to see the way he left here. Like the building was on fire, screaming that we left you alone and now you were at the Hospital… He didn't even wait for us to explain the situation. He just stormed out."
Pepper took a deep breath and shook her head, imaging the scene.
"What about the girl that he was with?"
"He just left her there. That's why it took some time for us to get there. He left the woman alone in his room and we went there to make sure she had a way to get home. She said that Tony received the call and left in a hurry and didn't even talk to her. He just left. We gave her some money so she could get a cab and go home."
Pepper rolled her eyes imagining the whole situation.
"Like I said, crazy overprotective. I have to talk to him about this," She said annoyed.
"Don't be mean to him. He was just worried."
"But he can't be like this! He is my boss and-"
"Pepper, anyone that received a call from an hospital would be worried. And you are not just an employee to him, you are his best friend and you know that, don't you?"
"Well I guess… Over the years he has become a really good friend," said Pepper honestly but Martha just rolled her eyes at the red head.
"He is your best friend too and you know it. I know it's hard for you but at least around us you can be more relaxed. I swear, you two are so stubborn…"
There was knock at the door that interrupted the girls conversation. Martha opened to see Tony Stark carrying a lot of bags. He entered the room and saw Pepper laying in bed.
"What is this?" Martha asked as Tony dropped the bags next to Pepper's bed.
"Flat shoes," he replied simply, like it was the most obvious thing.
"What?" questioned Pepper, not believing the situation in front of her and the playboy started to talk again.
"The doctor said that you can't use heels, and let's face it, those are the only kind of shoes you've got. So I bought you some flat shoes."
Pepper put a hand to her temple and took a deep breath. "How did you even know what size I wear?"
Tony stayed in silence for a while. "…That's… not important... minor detail," he murmured.
"Well I'm going to search for my brother," said Martha, grabbing her cardkey and leaving. Before she closed the door, she spoke silently with Pepper. "Be nice with him."
There was an uncomfortable silence at first. Tony started to look around and play with his hands…
"So… I'm gonna leave those here." He pointed to the bags and was about to turn away.
"Mr. Stark."
He turned to face Pepper with a warning look and she sighed.
"Tony. Thank you I really appreciate but you need to stop."
"What did I do?" he asked with an innocent face.
"Tony, you are beeing over protective." It was like she was explainng to a five year old how to behave properly. "Poor Happy… look at the way you treated him!"
"He is the bodyguard. He should be guarding you!" he explained.
"I was the one that told him to stay. And he is your body guard. His job is to protect you, not me!"
"His job is to protect anything that I say to!" he insisted.
"Tony, can't you see? You threatened the doctor, yelled at Happy, and to everyone that come close to me and you scare them away!"
"You are still talking about that guy with the chin curtain beard? Come on Pep, that guy clearly just wanted to bed you."
She finally lost her patience. "And who are you to judge that?"
"That's exactly why I'm saying it… I know the type."
"Tony, I'm just going to say this once: you are my boss! What I do and who I go out with is none of your business. I appreciate your concern and the way you are trying to take care of me but you are stepping out of the line. It's inappropriate and it makes me feel uncomfortable!" She finished, almost yelling at him. He was silent for a while.
"Nkay. Got it." He avoided her gaze and her heart broke a little. He was clearly upset. She knew that it wasn't his intention and he probably didn't notice or know he was being psycho. She saw how protective he was with his friends but she was afraid that if he didn't control his act now, he would do something in the public eye again that will lead people to misinterpret his actions, and once more, the speculations about their relationship will begin. "Gonna let you rest."
Before she could say anything, he was out of her room and Pepper started to feel guilty. Minutes later Martha arrived and Pepper told her everything that had happened.
"You know, you two are like an old married couple," said Martha.
"Be serious." Pepper rolled her eyes.
"I am being serious." But the red-hair didn't believe her. "…so oblivious" she murmured.
"What?"
"Nothing… so what are you going to do?"
What was she going to do? The next day Pepper was still unsure of how she should act around Tony. She never had spoken to him like she had done yesterday and she wasn't sure how he was going to react.
Part of her wanted to apologize but also didn't want to reinforce that behavior. She took the bags that he had left yesterday and chose a pair of shoe. Pepper couldn't deny that he did have good taste for it. The shoes were beautiful and comfortable.
When she met him, Pepper saw his eyes looking at her feet and he smiled, pleased when he recognized the shoe.
She was happy to see that he was acting normal around her. After those incidents, Tony did try to do what she requested and be less protective. But Pepper came to the conclusion that Tony will always be Tony. He was still guarding her from his distance when he felt like she need to be protected and pestered her about the men that came to talk to her.
The press learned not to mess with Pepper Potts due to Tony's promise of revenge. She was out of limits and they were learning that. Tony still intimidated every man that tried to talk to her. But Pepper learned to be one step ahead of him and learned how to neutralize his attempts. Of course that didn't mean that men didn't felt less intimidated by Tony Stark, but from time to time she was able to find a guy that, despite his fears for Tony, she could have a decent conversation with.