"Why are you selling dreams of who you wish you could be
A prince in all of the magazines
They'd have no words for the man I've seen
Talk real fast 'fore they see your face
And would they love you if they knew all the things we know
We've got these images
We need them to be true
Not ready to believe we're no more insecure than you…"
Res – "Golden Boys"
Erik wore his expensive suit again when he sat in the foyer of Stark's office. Tony's secretary Devika eyed him from time to time. She offered him water and juice to drink but he sat on the foyer couch rigid, muscles ready to spring and take him far away from Stark Industries and Los Angeles. His suitcase and duffle bag sat right next to his left leg.
"The restroom is over there if you need to use it," Devika said. She let her chin rest on her hand, her dark dewy skin looked radiant. Working for Tony must've been great for her.
"I'm good."
His voice came out gruff. Devika's eyes went back to her computer.
"I'm cool, just chillin," he said in a softer tone.
Devika's dark brown eyes watched him. She glanced down at his bags.
The door of Tony's office swung open and four of the intern project managers walked out. Erik's project manager, Yuri Deetz, stepped out last. When he caught Erik's eye, he gave a weak smile to him as Tony swept into the foyer.
"Erik Stevens is here," Devika said.
Tony glanced at his watch and then his eyes planted themselves on Erik's face. He walked over to Erik and stood in front of him, folding his arms across his chest. Erik kept his own stare steady. Face hard. He wasn't backing down over no bullshit white boy.
Tony looked as if he was going to spill a lecture, but then he glanced at his watch again.
"Come with me," he said.
Erik stood and followed Tony to a private elevator. On the ride down, Tony stayed quiet and Erik just stood in silence too. The ride down to a mid-level floor had Erik keeping a swift pace with Tony's stride. Passing through several security checkpoints, they arrived inside a cutting-edge computer lab. Erik's eyes marveled at the hardware and Stark employees programming with software that was never going to fall into the hands of the general public. Not even the military.
"Hi, Janine, this is Erik Stevens, one of the new interns…"
Tony stood next to a red-faced programmer with piercing gray eyes who leaned against a specialized programmer's desk and stared at Erik.
"Stevens…you programmed some Sandex code to be a placeholder for Yang's new software," she said.
"Yeah," Erik said. Janine's eyes stared him down and their intensity made him nervous. He glanced at her expansive four-dimensional screen.
"How's that working out for you?" he asked, recognizing the AmDX7 computer language that was all the rage in certain programming circles.
Janine glanced over at her screen. A simulated biometric passport glowed before them and she enlarged it.
"Trying to figure out a way to keep data secure from RFID tech is proving to be quite a task. We want to be the first on the market with full-proof E-Passports, but the problem is—"
"Many national identity cards aren't ICAO9358 compliant, and a lot of countries don't want a universal chip," Erik said.
Janine smiled. She looked over at Tony.
"Can I keep him?" she asked.
"I'll pick him up at dinner time," Tony said.
"Pull up a seat," Janine said.
She didn't have to tell Erik twice.
###
Rubbing his eyes, Erik leaned back in the computer chair and took a moment to rest his brain. Ten hours straight he had been at Janine's desk coding for her, skipping lunch and dinner in the cafeteria. The regular staff was already gone for the dinner break, and Erik was left to be supervised by Janine's assistant Manuj and four other programmers. Janine's crew oversaw all of Stark Industries' facial, fingerprint, and iris recognition technology.
This is where Erik wanted to be. Stark was so far ahead in the future with biometrics that Erik felt confident that everything he learned in this department would secure his future. Technology changed at an extreme pace, but to be with a company that shaped future tech would bode well for him at this time. Learning the pitfalls of cybersecurity would help him devise ways to hack it when he needed to. A day would come when he would have to go into Africa…East Africa in particular…Wakanda to be exact. He needed to find ways to circumvent some of the tech that his father showed him before he was murdered. And if Wakanda really was that far ahead of the world, the lab he sat in at that moment was the start of his preparation to defeat it.
"Janine said for you to go home and be back here tomorrow at seven. We've sent you some time-sensitive cheat codes to help get you to speed. Read them over tonight and be ready to rock and roll again in the morning. Good work, Stevens," Manuj said heading back to his desk on the other side of the room.
Erik stood up and put on his suit jacket. Ten hours and not one word from Tony—
"There he is."
Tony walked in wearing a totally different suit from the one he had on that morning. Formal. Black. With a bow tie.
"I was told to come back here in the morning," Erik said.
"Well, Janine must really like you. She doesn't like very many people. Good on you."
Erik just stared at Tony.
"I thought we were going to talk this morning—"
"You sat in that chair for over ten hours, without a break I was told and did what you love to do. You want to be here—"
"What about Wesley?"
"What about him? His dad is just a Congressman. Who fucking feels threatened by a Congressman? A Senator…maybe a little concern. Let's go. There's a party at my house tonight and we are going to be late if we don't get you dressed to impress."
"My stuff is still—"
"Your bags are back in your apartment. Maria made sure it went in your room. We have about thirty minutes to get you some new threads before we go to mi casa su casa."
Erik grinned.
"You really think I would cut you loose just because you punched a drunk asshole? You know how many times I have punched people…or been the asshole? I brought you to Janine so you would know what you are here for. She's your new project manager. And she wants to know who else on your old team you want to bring over with you. So, if you could pick only two people to ride with you—"
"Valentina and Maria."
"Nice. Let's go."
Tony's Lagonda Vision was waiting for him in the parking garage with his personal valet standing watch over the car. Tony opened up the moon roof and the Cali air blew in.
"Tonight, I think we'll put you in Hugo Boss," Tony said glancing at Erik.
They drove into Beverly Hills and Tony ushered Erik into a Boss shop where Tony paid for a brand new tuxedo, shirt and bow tie for him. The shop owner threw in some free boxer briefs and dress socks to be nice. The tuxedo didn't even have a price tag on it. None of the suits did.
"I've been in an office all day. I need to clean up," Erik said.
"I already have toiletries at the house. Never opened. I've got you covered. And if we hurry, you will have time to shower and shave."
The PCH was packed and by the time they reached Tony's Malibu "house", hired valets and caterers were already looking after people in the ultra-luxury mansion overlooking a high sea bluff. They slipped into the mansion through a back entrance and Tony took Erik up to a private guest suite where he could shower and change.
Pepper was already hounding Tony when he arrived complaining that she had to entertain too many people without him being there as the real host.
Tony had everything he needed for Erik to get ready, and within twenty minutes, Erik was showered, suited and booted. He had trouble with the bowtie. He stuffed it in his pocket and made his way down several stairs looking for the party spot. Over one hundred people were already in the home and Erik found Tony standing next to a group of attractive white women who hung onto his every word.
"Kid, ya gotta wear the tie to complete the look, excuse me, ladies…"
Tony ushered Erik to the side and helped him tie the bow correctly.
"I thought I looked suave without the tie," Erik said.
"No…no you didn't."
Tony stood back and admired his handiwork.
"You look good, kiddo."
Erik nodded.
"Stick next to me a learn something," Tony said moving back into the crowd.
The man was smooth. Memory impeccable. He knew names and nicknames and greeted each person with enthusiasm. When there was a break in the mingling and Tony sipped a bit of white wine, Erik could finally talk to him.
"What is this party for?"
"Some investors in the lower-tiered companies I own. I throw them a shindig every now and then to make them feel special. Let them know that no matter how global I am, I always remember the little guy. It's once a year and it makes me look peachy."
"Gotcha."
"I will allow you a glass of wine here…hey…one glass of wine," Tony said as Erik put one of the wine glasses back on a server's tray as they swept past him.
Two chic blondes walked over to Tony, red wine in their hands as they fawned over him.
"My, my, my," Tony whispered as his eyes took in the décolletage on their dresses that highlighted their fake breasts. The only things that weren't plastic on them were the leather heels on their feet.
"This is my assistant, Erik Stevens," Tony said. Erik went along with the ruse and watched Tony maneuver his way to the other side of the room without the women realizing he was dumping them.
"Does this ever get old?" Erik asked.
"Here in Malibu, yes. I'll take you to my European digs and you can see how the Euro Trash party crowd changes everything," Tony said winking.
"I'll hold you to that," Erik said.
Later in the evening, Tony gave a speech to the crowd touting the growth of the companies he owned and highlighted the party-goers fatter bank statements due to Tony's leadership and smart business acumen. Two hours in, Erik became bored. And tired.
Tony worked the room and his rock star status among his guests was apparent. He was truly the King of razzle-dazzle and Erik watched Pepper keep him in check as she also worked the room, helping to move Tony when he was tired of talking to certain people. Pepper must've been working for Tony for a while because on instinct almost, she knew when to interrupt and pull Tony away with her to meet other guests. As much as Pepper came off as nit-picky with Tony, Erik got the sense that she loved her job with him. Tony allowed her a lot of leeway to butt in when she felt the conversations were veering into territory that Tony didn't need to speak on. She was also good at cockblocking certain women who didn't seem to fit Tony's type.
That's where it got interesting.
Tony's only type was beautiful and female. He was a breast man and a leg man from what Erik could see from the women he took an interest in. One tall sleek white brunette eased into his orbit, and within an hour, Tony was walking around with an arm around her waist. She was now the chosen one.
At one point, Erik had walked around a staircase where Tony was speaking to the head of a law firm, and Tony had his hand up the back of the brunette's dress digging all in her ass. The woman was standing there as if nothing was happening while Tony fingered her. When the lawyer walked away and they thought they were well hidden from view, Tony lifted the back of her dress higher and openly fingered her shaved pussy. She had no panties on at all.
Tony whispered in her ear and the woman's eyes shut tight. Her moan was loud.
"Talk that talk, T," Erik said under his breath as he sipped on a glass of Chablis. Tony's fingers were glossy and he must've been digging deep in the right spot because the brunette whimpered and held onto his left arm that cradled her waist while his right hand went to work. After a few minutes, Tony positioned himself behind the woman, unzipped his pants, rooted inside the fly of his underwear, and inserted his lengthy erection between her folds.
"Damn, no condom…bruh," Erik thought to himself watching the action.
Tony's strokes were hard as he palmed the woman's pale breasts that spilled out of her dress. Slamming into her, he kept talking, his voice urgent.
"Take it…take it…like a good little slut," Tony grunted, his eyes pressed shut and his face tight with lust. He was getting close. Looked like it was going to be a fat nut too. He pulled out abruptly and the brunette fell to her knees facing him, her hungry mouth wide open.
Time to go.
Erik turned and walked in the opposite direction feeling himself wanting to find a babe to finger fuck and clap cheeks. But there was no one there worth his time or energy and he had no condoms. The reality was, the women who were young enough for him to step to had their eyes on Tony. A billionaire genius was better than a broke genius.
He pulled out his cell and contemplated calling Giselle. The memory of her hand on his dick had him wanting a part two encounter. Tony was out here getting his rocks off. Erik wanted to do the same.
"Erik."
Tony's secretary Devika walked over to him. She wore a copper-colored body con dress and her thick black wavy hair was tucked in a chignon.
"Having fun?" she asked.
"It's interesting," Erik said.
"Very diplomatic answer," she said, giggling.
"How often does he party at his house like this?"
"Four or five times a year. I think you might be the first intern to ever come here."
Erik's eyes swept over the entire first floor.
"He lives in this big ass mansion by himself?"
"Yes."
"Rich people."
"This could be you one day."
"My spot will be bigger than this. A palatial estate."
"Listen to you," she said slapping his arm.
She dug into her small purse and pulled out a cell.
"You'll be back tomorrow, hopefully?" she said.
"I'll be there."
"Good. I heard nothing but good things about you."
"From who?"
"Mr. Stark."
Pepper walked over to them, her eyes looking around the room as she approached.
"Have you two seen Tony?" Pepper asked.
Erik's eyes swept over to the last place he saw him and there was no sign of Tony or his dime piece.
"He was talking to that lawyer from Fielding and Houstons," Erik said.
"If you see him, tell him that Mona Richards wants to speak to him and it is very important," Pepper said.
She walked away from them on the hunt for Tony.
Devika's eyes scanned the room.
"He was with a brunette," Erik said, making sure Pepper was far away.
"Ah, let me guess, the one with the…"
Devika held her hands out in front of her chest.
"You be knowing," Erik said.
"I'm going to call it a night. If Pepper is hunting him down, it can't be a good sign."
"Where do you live?"
"North Hollywood."
"Can I get a ride with you to the Oakwood?"
"Party over for you so soon?"
"I'm beat. Gotta get up early."
"Was Mr. Stark your ride?"
"Yeah."
"I'll give you a ride."
"Cool, let me get my stuff," Erik said.
He stood for a moment trying to remember which direction he came down to the first floor.
"Come on, I'll show you where your stuff is. You were in the guest room on the third floor."
"Thanks."
Erik followed Devika to the East side of the mansion and they walked up some stairs.
"There it is," Erik said walking into the room and grabbing his original suit that he placed inside the Hugo Boss bag he kept.
"You know where I can get my hair lined up?" he asked her.
"I look Black so you assume I know where to get hair done?" she said.
Erik stared at her face.
"My bad. I thought…the name Devika…it sounded…"
"It's Sanskrit and means 'little Goddess'. My parents are Indian—"
"I didn't—"
"—and Black. My brother gets his hair cut on Crenshaw, right across from the mall."
Erik smiled.
"Los Angeles is a melting pot," she said.
"A segregated one."
"I hear you."
"I'm ready. Let's dip."
"I just texted Mr. Stark to let him know you are leaving. Just in case he wants to keep you longer," she said.
When they made it back down the stairs, Tony was waiting for them. Erik noticed his tie was fixed back up in haste. His hair was not as perfect either.
"Pepper said there's a Mona looking for you," Erik said.
"Here? Now?" Tony said looking around like a sniper was gunning for him.
"Yeah."
"Shit. Follow me," Tony said.
Erik and Devika followed him out onto his ocean view balcony that circled the entire mansion. Tony's eyes darted around as he slipped past guests out on the balcony and entered his private den.
"You owe her some money or something?" Erik asked, intrigued by how secretive Tony was acting like they were in a spy movie.
"No, she's just a friend with benefits whose benefits I no longer want."
Devika rolled her eyes at Erik.
"Hopefully she didn't see you with that brunette," Erik teased.
Tony's eyes narrowed. Erik threw up his hands.
"Hey, you were getting it in. I just happened to be there when it went down."
"Really? In front of Devika?" Tony said.
"I'll just be leaving Mr. Stark. Erik asked for a ride—"
"Yeah, I saw your text. Thanks for taking him. Put it on your T & E report for mileage. I'm going to hang out here," he said. He swiped his hand over his desk and security cams popped up on a floating screen.
"There she is. Damn it. I thought I had her taken off the invite list," Tony huffed, his hands on his hips looking distraught, "…oh shit."
"What is it, Mr. Stark?" Devika said.
"Pepper found her…and…oh no…"
Erik and Devika stepped around Tony's desk to look closer at his security feed.
"Let's go, let's go!" Tony said shoving Erik and Devika toward the door.
They exited the den and headed toward Tony's private exit where he and Erik had first entered the mansion. They were practically running down a hall and jumping into an elevator.
"Why are we running?" Erik asked.
"Pepper is bringing Mona to me," he said. Tony glanced at his watch and the security feed popped up there.
They scurried into an underground garage. Tony made them jump into a silver Lamborghini.
"Where are you parked Devika?" Tony asked.
"Second level."
Tony sped them over to a little red BMW.
"See you in the morning," Tony said.
"Where are you going?" Erik asked.
"I have a penthouse downtown. I'm staying there tonight."
"You're leaving your own party?" Erik asked.
"Pepper will shut it down," Tony said.
"Goodnight Mr. Stark," Devika said.
"Night Devika. Good job today, Stevens."
Tony took off like the wind.
"Get in," Devika said.