Look who's back with an update ! Thank you all for reviewing, it's been a huge help to get me writing! Don't forget to tell me what you think of this chapter in the comments !
Love, Callie xx
Chapter Seven :
Pepper arrives an hour early at the Wannamaker's Mansion, just outside of Malibu. She drove there in her own car, the latest Audi convertible that she gifted to herself for her 30th birthday. All in all, it seems that buying the car is the ony thing she really enjoyed about her birthday. Last week, David asked her to move in him with him just before Tony showed up unexpectedly – in the ladies bathroom of all places – and asked her to join him at SI. He also apologized for his past behaviour but Pepper cannot handle her conflicted feelings for Stark at the moment. She swore to David she would give him an answer tonight and she's decided to make good on her promise. But not before she talks to Aurelia. Over the past week, Pepper had scolded herself for needing another woman's opinion on a matter that should only concern her and David alone, but truth be told, she is scared and not used to commited relationships. Yes, on paper, she wanted them. In real life, they terrified her. Like all logical women who like to compartimentalize their lives and put order in things where some probably wouldn't, Pepper made a pro and con list of why she should or shouldn't move in with David. She stumbled on the same problem. On paper, the pros win. In real life, Pepper is still not convinced. Of course, her rational mind tells her to do it, live the life she's always dreamed for herself. Her non-rational mind is less than encouraging. You shouldn't hesitate so much on something that should be a natural step forward. Ergo : Pepper needs a second opinion, and Aurelia is the only person she can think of.
Hence her arriving an hour early so that she can ask Aurelia to give her her honest opinion of David after dinner. Pepper feels like a teenager about to ask her mom dating advices. Hardly the behaviour of a 30 year-old woman.
She parks outside the mansion, buzzes the interphone and walks up the path leading to the Wannamaker's property. She checks her phone one last time for messages (her inbox is full, as always, but she knows which messages are urgent and which can wait until tomorrow). The only e-mail of interest is David's confirming that he'll be arriving on time for dinner. Pepper unvolontarily bits her lower lip at that. She should have had the courage to call David or at least send him a message to tell him that everything was fine. But she didn't want to lie to him and in the end, she had her assistant Clara send him an email with the time and address for the dinner. Also, there's an email from Clara telling her that Mr. Stark had called again. About, and she quoted : 'she knew what.' Pepper sighs. Another conversation she'll have to have with David.
The dinner is to take place on the large terrasse, at the back of the house. Aurelia told her that Annalise wanted a dinner that reminded people of the wedding, which had taken place in the gardens because, and she quoted : "It was such a beautiful day, and people should have at least the opportunity to relive that moment with us as we announce the arrival of John Jr." Pepper had stiffled a laugh and had enquired whether or not they already knew the gender, since Annalise wasn't showing yet.
"I think it's just wishful thinking, dear. They certainly haven't told me anything about it yet." Aurelia had replied.
Once in the lobby, Pepper asks a member of the house staff if she'd seen Aurelia. The woman was about to answer when the clear voice of Annalise rings at the other end of the lobby.
'Pepper, darling! It's so good to see you! Where have you been these past months, I have so much to tell you! We must have lunch together next week!'
Pepper almost has to physically restrain herself to explain to Annalise the difference between a CEO of a fortune 500 company and a jobless socialite.
'I'm sure we can arrange that, call my assistant and she'll book you in.' She said diplomatically.
Annalise has a small laugh. 'Are you teasing me? You sound just like my husband. Anyway, I'm so glad you came early. Aurelia is not here yet, something about a Foundation meeting running late. I swear the woman is busier than you. But she promised she'll be here soon. But I need to talk to you. Or rather, John needs to talk to you. He would have called, of course, but since he knew you were coming to our little dinner, he prefered to wait until we were all gathered, as a family you know.'
As she talks, Annalise has linked Pepper's arm through hers and is leading her to the second floor, where Andrew's office used to be. Pepper, who's not someone people can easily lie to, braces herself for something unpleasant. Had John told Annalise about him kissing her just a few minutes before the wedding ceremony? No, that doesn't make sense. Annalise doesn't seem the type of woman to ask for an apology. Even if Pepper hasn't done anything wrong.
Annalise opens the door to Andrew's office and John is waiting there, but he's not alone. Casey, his younger brother is also in the room. Annalise smiles to Pepper. 'Well, I have a few things that need taken care of downstairs, so I'll leave you to it. Don't talk too long!' She closes door behind her and Pepper is left alone with the Wannamaker sons. She has the odd feeling she's just walked into a trap.
John extends a hand that she shakes. 'Pepper, it's so good to see you. Please, take a seat.' Casey doesn't say anything and remains seated on the couch near the door. She remembers the last time they were in this office. The family lawyer had read Andrew's will and had sealed Pepper's fate as he made her CEO of VAST. Somehow, Pepper feels that this 'meeting' has something to do with it.
She prefers to stand but she accepts the glass of scotch he offers. She glances at Casey. He must have finished his bachelor's degree in Business at Yale, she thinks. She nurses her drink while John seems to gather the courage to talk. He sits at the desk where Andrew used to sit and the sight of John there sends a pinch to her heart. He looks small, sitting there. Like a little boy trying on his father's shoes. She wants to yank him off that chair. Deep breath, Pepper.
'Well, first, I want ot congratulate you on your work at VAST. You've done an amazing job. Father would have certainly appreciated that.'
Appreciated that? What does he think I do up there? Walk Andrew's dog? She keeps her cool, waiting for John to get to the point.
'And Casey and I, we can certainly see that Father trained you extremely well, the company has never been better since he passed.' Pepper has to mentally fight herself not to make another dog reference, out loud this time.
'And of course, Casey and I wanted to tell you that-'
'Oh, for heaven's sake John, cut through the chase, will you? We want to buy you out of VAST.' Pepper can hear John make a choking noise behind her, but she is focused on Casey, who is finally standing up.
Pepper does soemething she's never done before. She asks him to repeat himself.
'We want to make VAST a family company again. Look, we're glad that you've handled the company while I was at school and John was… getting married. But we think that Father was too rash and shouldn't have given the company to an outsider.'
Pepper can barely contain her rage. 'An outsider ? I had been working at VAST for years when I was made CEO. Andrew didn't give his company, as you so delicately put it. He groomed me for the role, and thus even before I was even aware of what he was doing. I was as surprised as you when the will was read, but now, I am perfectly concious that Andrew always meant me to have it. Hell, he was like a father to me! And Aurelia supports his choice. Didn't you read his letter ?'
'Screw the letters, he was dying and didn't have all his head. You're not his daughter. And my mother shouldn't have intervened. VAST belongs to the Wannamakers. And we want you to hand it back.'
Pepper drinks her scotch. She needs to calm down. Arguing with Casey is not how she'll get out of this mess. She turns to John, who has considerably paled in the last two minutes. 'And you, John? Do you agree with what Casey just said?'
'Of course, he d-' Pepper cuts him and her tone leaves no room for comment.
'Shut up, Casey, you've said your piece. Let him speak.'
John is still seated and he looks even smaller than before. 'I think that VAST should be a Wannamaker company.' He doesn't sound so sure of himself. 'But no the way Casey said.' She hears his younger brother groan behind her.
'When Father died and the will was read, I didn't react the way a son ought to. I was scared and I gave in too easily. You see, I think that Father meant that I find my way back to VAST, like I should have when his cancer was first discovered. But I didn't and well, Casey was not in college yet and you were the next best choice. He just didn't want to force me into the company.'
Although Pepper wanted to groan at his choice of words (I am no one's next best choice), she acknowledged that there was some truth in what he was saying. Andrew had known that John would have been a reluctant heir, albeit a dutiful one. And Casey had been too young at the time for succeeding to him. But wouldn't have Andrew or Aurelia have mentionned that her position as CEO would be temporary? No, she refused to believe that. However, that didn't meant that VAST was always going to be hers…
John goes on 'And, Annalise and I, we think that with the baby coming, we have now an heir to the company for when Casey and I want to retire.'
Pepper wants to laugh. Of course Annalise would encourage her husband to take her place at VAST. The woman may seem harmless but Pepper knew that the Harvard admission committee didn't suffer any fool. And Annalise had finished Suma Cum Laude at Harvard Law.
Pepper plays it safe: 'Look, even though I don't appreciate the way you've presented this idea to me, I can understand that you have shortcomings with Andrew's decision. However, you'll understand that I cannot make a decision on the spur of the moment. I have to think about it. So can we agree to meet later, say in two weeks ?'
She can see John and Casey relax instantly. John opens a file on his desk and slides towards her a piece of paper.
'This is an Non-Disclosure Agreement. It stipulates that what has been discussed in this office cannot be spoken about but between those alrealdy in the know. It's a standard procedure. Annalise drafted it herself, so this is just between us four."
Pepper smirks. She knows this NDA wouldn't stand in any court, even signed. But she plays by their rules, even though their game is flawed. If anything, this will get them off her back for the time being. Pepper reads the document, makes sure that everyhting is in order and signs at the bottom of the page.
'Well, in that case, I'll see you in two weeks. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to powder my nose.'
She has her hand on the button of the door when she hears Casey say: 'Of course, Mother has not yet been informed. So you won't talk to her about it.'
Pepper smiles: 'I wouldn't dream of it.'
She exits the room before her urge to slap him across the face wins her over. The next thing she knows, she is barricaded in the fourth floor bathroom, as far away as she can from them. She puts some water on her face. Shit, shit, shit. What is she going to do? She knows that if she refuses their offer, they'll have the will dismissed by a judge and they'll sue her for everything she's got, with or without Aurelia's support. She should have known. Casey was so angry that day. She should have known he wouldn't let this go without a fight. And John. Spineless, stupid John. Who cannot say no to his wife or his brother. And who is probably still a bit bitter that she turned him away. Twice.
She looks at her watch. 30 minutes before the dinner is set to start. The guests are probably arriving. And David! Is he already here? She checks her phone. No new messages. He's probably still on the way over. She's completely forgotten about him with what just happened. And she still hasn't talked to Aurelia. She wonders if she will, after what just transpired in her huband's former office. She takes a look at herself in the looking glass. Maybe Tony will still want her to work for him, even after she's slapped him. She has a mirthless chuckle… then she has an epiphany. That fucking bastard!
She finds his name in her contacts and calls his number. He answers almost immediately.
'Well, that's a sur-'
'You knew! You fucking knew!'
'Hmm.. Did I know what? Because, if you hadn't noticed yet, I'm a certified genius. I know a lot of things.'
'Don't play coy with me, Stark! Why didn't you tell me before they ambushed me?!'
'Ah. I didn't think they'd do it so fast.'
Pepper wants to scream. 'Oh my god. You really did know! Why didn't you tell me ?!'
Tony's voice wavers a bit: 'I tried! I swear I tried to tell you last week but I thought, why not offer her a job first and see if she takes it. At least she'll leave VAST with her head high. And then you turned me down. Ouch, by the way. You have a mean swing, Potts. And then, you were gone. You even left your boyfriend in the parking. It's not like I had a standing chance.'
Pepper pinches her nose. 'That was a week ago, Tony. You had the time to tell me between then and now.'
She hears him chuckles. 'Yeah, right, tell that to that secretary of yours. I called. Lots of time. I even called today.'
She scoffs. He has a point there. She's had Clara screening his calls for years now. But then, she recalled what he said in the bathroom a week ago. 'I thought you could bypass my blacklist? You certainly boasted about your so-called gentlemanly behaviour when you said you didn't use your technological skills to have me on the phone, no? Or, I don't know, you could have just showed up at my office?'
She hears him sigh. 'Look, I know I should have told you that day. I screwed up. But we hadn't seen each other in years, let alone talked or acknowledged the other. I just… I just couldn't see myself telling you that the sons of your mentor where going to do you one over. I mean, would you have believed me? Would you have even listended?'
It's her turn to sigh and she slides down the wall. She wants to scream. She wants to cry. She wants to leave this house and never return. She doesn't know what to do so she does something she's never thought she'd do. She asks Tony Stark for advice.
'What do I do, Tony? I don't have the strenght to fight them over what they consider their birth right. God knows I hate this entitlement shit but in the end, they're not completely wrong. And VAST would suffer if its CEO was thrown in a legal battle. And I don't want that. Andrew wouldn't want that. And Aurelia, it would tear her apart.'
'Well, you know me. I make weapons for a living. So I'd probably hire an army of lawyers and hand their asses to them in court. But that's not your style, Peps. You're far too classy for that, even if you're one scary lady when someone pisses you off. Which, oddly enough, is usually me.'
She has a small, watery laugh. 'Yeah, you're good at pissing me off.'
'What can I say, I'm a man of many talents. But seriously, Potts. Don't let them dictate your choices for you. Go or don't go. But if you go, show them that you go on your terms, not theirs. Hell, you know what, if I were you, I'd probably buy a whole lot of actions through an off-shore account. And I'd make it impossible for them to change the members of the Board of Directors for the next ten to twenty years. You hired good people, Potts. CEO or not, they're going to follow through with that twenty years plan of yours. After that, Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee are going to eat their hats while you enjoy a nice vacation far away from those idiots.'
Pepper dries her tears. 'You really are a genius, Mr. Stark. I couldn't have thought of a better exit strategy myself.'
She hears him whistle. 'A compliment from Pepper Potts? Are you ill? Am I ill? Is the world ending?'
'Shut up. I need to plan. I'll talk to you later. And you're still not off the hook.'
'I know. Until next time, Miss Potts.'
'Until next, Mr. Stark.'
She hangs up.
XXXXX
The dinner begins a few minutes later, when Aurelia finally arrives at the Mansion. 'My apologies, I couldn't get away sooner. Someone made a mistake at the bank and I had to deal with them all afternoon.' Pepper sits next to David, after kissing him hello and softly apologizes to him about not calling him.
'Don't worry, I understand perfectly. We'll talk about it later. Shall we go to mine or yours after dinner?'
'Mine. I think it's best.'
She squeezes his hand under the table.
XXXX
The dinner goes on without a hitch. As planned, Annalise and John made their announcement and as planned, everyone applauded and asked question after question about the new baby. Of course, Annalise being a little less than three month pregnant, couldn't tell much, just that she hoped it was a boy, but a girl would be just as fine, that she wished for the baby's good health and that the baby was due for November. Pepper smiled at the right time and congratulated them several times with the rest of the guests and even laughed at the right time when Annalise made a quip about 'non-alcoholic champagne'. And during the whole time, she avoided looking at John and Casey.
By the end of the evening, she is exhausted by all those pleasantries. When it's finally time to leave, she asks David to wait for her in front of the house, while she fetches her purse in the other room. Aurelia catches her before she gets there.
'Oh darling, I'm so pleased to see you. I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner. Linette told me you arrived early and wished to see me.'
That must be the house staff member she was talking to before Annalise arrived, Pepper thinks.
'Yes, I just wanted to ask you something about the Foundation, but that can wait until later. I can see your plate is full at the moment.' Pepper lied easily.
Aurelia laughs. 'Yes, they are keeping me rather occupied these days. And Annalise absolutely wants to refurbish the nursery in the Mansion. This is going to be a few interesting months, let me tell you. Oh, before I forget, your David is absolutely gorgeous! And such an intelligent young man!'
Pepper smiles fondly. 'Yes, he is. He just asked me to move in with him actually.' Pepper immediately regrets saying anything. Aurelia raises an eyebrow. 'But you haven't said yes, yet. Am I wrong?'.
Pepper shakes her head. 'You're not wrong.' Damn that woman and her insight.
Aurelia takes her hands. 'My sweet Virginia, in matters of the heart, you've always been very blind. But I have absolute faith in you. You'll make the right choice. And now, you must leave before your young man thinks you've left without him.'
Once again, Pepper is left alone with her questions. She grabs her purse and heads out to join David. They take their cars and he follows her home. Once inside, she pours them two glasses of red wine and sits them on the couch in the living room.
'Oh, I think I know where this is going. A simple yes wouldn't take so long to say. Or a glass of red before saying it.'
Pepper strokes his cheek. 'It's not a no.'
'But it's not a yes."
'It's a not yet.'
David looks down at his glass. 'May I ask why? Do you feel like I've asked you too soon? Or is it your feelings for me? Would you prefer a ring?'
Pepper hates herself for what she is doing to him. She has the sweetest man on her couch, asking her to move in with him, and he's second-guessing himself because of her inability to commit.
'No, it's not that. I… God, this is hard. You see, that's what I mean. It's hard for me to just let go. I love you, David. You're everything I've ever wished for. But right now isn't the right time for me to commit to a decision like that. And also, if I'm being honest, I'm afraid. I'm terrified of getting hurt. Because I know how it feels to love someone and to hurt them and I never want to do that again. To anyone. Especially not to you.'
David frowns. 'That man, on the parking lot. You know him, don't you? Who is he?'
'Someone from my past, who caught up with me after three years without speaking to him. Which made me realize I cannot take this decision lightly. We've been seeing each other for almost a year but most of the time, we weren't even in the same country. But now that you're here, I want us to try and see more of each other, in our homes, to see where it leads. And also, I'm having some new difficulties at work, and it might take some time before I can focus on my personal life. Do you think you can wait for me a little longer?'
David chuckles and shakes his head. 'Pepper, I'll wait as long as it takes for you to say yes. It's not like I ever had a choice in the matter.'
Relief washes over Pepper and she kisses him full on the mouth. 'What did I ever do to deserve you?'
He takes her glass from her hand and puts it on the coffee table, near to his. He reaches for her hand. 'I don't know. Maybe you could show me?' He leads her to the bedroom.
They don't come out until late the morning after.
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