"And the heart speaks in whispers
And so it's all over
So they've already run
And we all fall down
And the clouds, they blot out the sun
Very soon your world could be different
But you've got your mind set on silence, silence, silence…"
Corinne Bailey Rae—"The Skies Will Break"
Aunt Serah hooked him up once again.
The moment they touched down in Monaco, Erik had Tony's driver take him to a small men's boutique called Riani Noire.
"28 Boulevard des Moulins," Erik said in his best French.
"How do you know about this place?" Tony asked.
"My Aunt knows some people and sent them my measurements. I didn't have time to get anything made, so she had her friend of a friend make alterations on a suit she picked out."
"Wait, you haven't seen the suit yet?"
"Nope. Trying it on when I get there. I told y'all to go on to the hotel without me. I can make it around on my own. I know enough French to get by."
The Stark Industries security head sat in the front seat next to the driver as Erik and Tony rode in the back. Happy turned his head to look at Erik.
"You are under the protection of Mr. Stark. We can't have you running around alone."
"You got enemies out here? With all this money?" Erik asked.
"Frenemies…forget about that, you trust that this suit is going to—"
"My Aunt knows clothes."
The dark Mercedes whipped them in front of the men's boutique.
"Don't know how long this will take," Erik said.
"I'm coming in. Happy, ride around until I call for you," Tony said stepping out of the car before the driver helped him with the door.
Erik pressed the button on the boutique door and texted the owner inside just to be safe. He knew that the staff inside were staring at the two of them from a security camera. Both were dressed to impress with suits and ties. A buzzer popped open the glass door.
A lanky salt and pepper haired white man with icy green eyes and a full silver beard greeted them at the second entrance door.
"Mr. Stevens?"
"Yeah."
"I'm Jules Menton."
"This is Tony Stark," Erik said.
"Mr. Stark, so pleased you could take time to visit with us. This way gentlemen."
They followed Jules through a deceptively small display room and into a private dressing room in the back.
"Champagne?" Jules asked pointing to a tall table that held several glasses.
Tony took one and Erik passed on it.
"Have a seat and I will bring out your suit, Mr. Stevens."
Getting comfortable on a plush orange settee, Erik looked around. Tasteful accessories for men were displayed in blinding white casings. Tony leaned back and took it in.
"How much is this going to set you back?"
"My Aunt took care of it. Called in some favors."
Jules walked back in with a young man who rolled the covered suit on a gold rack with a shelf under it. The shelf held several different black shoes.
Jules opened the protective covering and both Erik and Tony gave impressed nods. Erik stood up and touched the material.
"Damn, Auntie, holding it down as usual," Erik muttered.
"What exactly does your Aunt do, Stevens?"
"She works in the London Museum. She's an expert on ancient African and Asian art."
"She may have a second calling. That suit is exceptional," Tony said admiring the craftsmanship in the detailing.
The suit was everything Erik expected his Aunt to procure.
The outer jacket was long, reaching down past his knees with three different shades of black mixed with dark gray-black lapels and collar. Shiny black 3D embroidery was sewn up and down the entire suit jacket.
"We took the liberty of matching up several dress shoes that would go with this for you in case you were interested," Jules said. The man admired his handiwork.
"This way Mr. Stevens," the young man who brought the suit said.
Erik followed him to a wide dressing room and was left alone with the entire ensemble complete with socks, cufflinks, and watches. He took his time dressing and was pleasantly surprised when the suit fit him to a T. He chose a pair of dress shoes that matched his tastes.
When he stepped out to show Tony, the man whistled. Jules had a look of extreme pleasure on his face.
"How does it feel? Do I need to fix anything?" Jules asked.
Erik turned around and held out his arms.
"You on point, Jules."
Tony put his right hand on his face.
"I may have to reconsider what I was going to wear," Tony said.
Erik snapped a picture for his Aunt and returned to the dressing room to change back into his other clothes.
Jules had the suit, shoes, and the few extra items Erik picked out wrapped up. The suit was covered by his Aunt, but he had to pay for the shoes and extras himself which did cost a pretty penny.
Jules handed both Tony and Erik his card before they left.
"Give your Aunt my best," Jules said.
Happy stood outside the boutique near the car. He opened the backseat door for Tony. The trunk popped open and Erik placed his items inside.
Whisked over to the Hermitage Hotel where they were staying, Erik grew tired.
"Dinner?" Tony suggested.
"I just want room service and a nap, Boss Man," Erik said.
"Let's meet in my suite for breakfast, go over some intern stuff, and then meet up for an early dinner before the Palace Party tomorrow."
"Sounds good."
"Change your mind about dinner, text me within the hour, or else you will find me downstairs."
"Cool. I doubt if I'll change my mind. Jet lag kicking my butt right now."
Erik's junior suite made him sleepier with the curtains closed and the ambient temperature just right. He hung up his suit and place his extra bags in the closet. Falling on the queen bed, he kicked off his shoes. Checking his cell for online content, he stuck his earbuds in and listened to ButtaFly. He fell asleep before she even finished her intro.
He missed breakfast with Tony the next day, but they met for a light lunch and Erik was able to give Tony his final interview picks. He was asked to forward them to Pepper. Tony's room was being hella extra with all the five-star treatment, and Erik could only imagine how much he was spending per night for both of them and his security.
Tony lounged in mint satin pajamas. His hair was every which way on his head even though he kept running his fingers through his layered cut. He drank coffee and munched on a croissant stuffed with cream cheese and ham while watching Erik upload intern CVs and applications.
"You okay, Boss Man?"
Tony glanced at him as he poured another cup of coffee.
"This place makes me sleepless."
"Want me to leave? We can finish this tomorrow."
"No, let's complete it now," he said.
They sat out on his private balcony and the view was a wide spread of the richest country with the most millionaires on the planet. Monaco was the hub of the super-wealthy. Even the air smelled expensive and decrepit to Erik. Tony's face looked pensive. Something was bothering him.
"Boss Man, is something wrong?"
Tony rested his hands on the balcony railing. He glanced back at Erik, and there was a shine in his eyes that wasn't just from the sunlight.
Erik stood up.
"Mr. Stark?"
Tony waved his hand in a dismissive gesture, but then he turned to stare off into the distance.
"Today is just a rough day for me."
Walking over to the balcony, Erik looked out over the view too.
"Today is the anniversary of my parent's death."
Erik stared at Tony.
"I was here goofing off with Grimaldo as a teenager. I snuck off on one of my father's corporate jets and partied hard. Didn't even speak to my parents while I was here."
"How did they die?"
"Car accident. I'd fought with my father before I left and my mother begged me to make peace with him. I refused. The old man used to ride me hard. All the time. Nothing I did was good enough for him. But I knew I was good enough. Worthy of his respect. He never gave it to me though."
Tony leaned his elbows on the railing.
"I was here, drunk out of my mind with Grimaldo when our family butler called me. Jarvis."
A sad smile crept on Tony's lips.
"Edwin Jarvis. Jesus. Time fucking flies. Jarvis called me and told me my parents were gone, and I asked, 'Gone where? Hawaii? Spain?'. I couldn't fathom for the life of me that my butler was telling me my parents were removed from this planet in a car accident. Howard and Maria Stark. Here no more."
His face hardened.
"Sometimes, when I come here, it's bittersweet. Today is the day that always haunts me. I thought I would get past it, but that cloud comes right on schedule."
Tony closed his eyes then peeped the horizon again.
"I lost my parents too."
Tony glanced over at Erik.
He felt a thickening in his throat and he couldn't stop himself from talking. He didn't want to talk about it, but the look and demeanor of Tony made him want to share his secret pain too.
"My father was murdered in our apartment and my mom died a few months later. Back to back. A one-two punch. I was a little kid when it happened."
Tony nodded his head and stood up from leaning.
"I had no idea we share something like that."
"You know how it is. Keep it close to the vest. Push back on it as much as you can."
"You can never push it away."
"I know."
Erik gripped the railing with his hands.
"Stevens…"
Erik's head fell forward and the tears came from out of nowhere. When he wiped them away and tried to look at his boss with blurry eyes, Tony had leaking eyes too.
"It gets less heavy as you get older. The pain always stays, but you'll live with it. Moments like these just catch up with you."
Erik nodded his head and wiped his eyes.
"Jarvis helped raise me and by then I was university-bound. I threw myself into my studies and eventually took over Stark Industries. I was rough and tumble at times, but I think I came out okay."
"I was raised by my Grandpop and extended family. Had some tumbling myself."
"Rough life?"
"Juvie. Foster Care," Erik said.
"You are exceptional Stevens, despite the circumstances. Your parents would be very proud of you young man."
Tony reached out and patted Erik's shoulder, squeezing it gently when he felt Erik shudder.
"I hope I make them proud. I miss them every day. But I know they loved the hell outta me. We were tight."
"I was close to my mother. My Dad…"
Tony moved his hand from Erik's shoulder.
"Let's finish lunch and rest up for tonight, alright?"
Erik walked back to the balcony chair and finished eating his sandwich and a cobb salad.
"Meet me in the lobby at seven-thirty," Tony said.
Erik walked down the hall to his junior suite and took off his clothes. He slid under the covers on his bed and cried. Curling into a ball his tears swept him into a pitiful sleep.
###
Erik and Tony entered the Prince's Palace of Monaco amidst security and a wave of guests that was a who's who of Western Europe.
Happy followed discreetly behind them and kept in communication with two other Stark security team members brought over to work the palace.
"Look alive Stevens," Tony said.
Erik stood and watched Tony schmooze with royalty and heads of state. Erik received a ton of stares and compliments about his suit. He loosened up a bit when he drank champagne and eventually Tony allowed him to wander around on his own. He nibbled on some pate and finger sandwiches that were passed out with servers. Seven hundred years standing and the palace interior looked so basic to Erik. Gaudy.
"Are you here representing a country?"
The wide brown moon-shaped face watched Erik's face with curiosity. The trimmed gray hair, crisp black tuxedo, and expensive rings on his finger made Erik interested in him.
"No, I'm here with Tony Stark."
"Tony Stark, the industrialist?"
The man stepped closer to Erik. They both stood near an open ballroom.
"I am Sadou Moumie, Ambassador of Cameroon."
Erik shook the man's hand.
"Erik Stevens."
Prince Francesco Grimaldo swept into the ballroom with fanfare and applause. Walking with him was a young twenty-something white woman dressed to the nines followed by a few other richly dressed people.
"The Prince and the royal family," Sadou said.
"Are the King and Queen making an appearance?"
"The King has not been well for a long time. We may be looking at the new head of state."
They watched Grimaldo make the rounds with his family.
"What do you do for Stark?"
The man's eyes were inquisitive, and Erik had a feeling that he was fishing for connections of some kind.
"I'm his assistant."
Erik made it sound unimportant. The man still looked curious about him.
"Excuse me," Erik said when his eye caught sight of a very attractive young Black woman standing alone near a group of older men.
Easing past guests, Erik made his way over to Tony. His boss walked away before Erik could reach him, so Erik was on his own approaching the woman. Her silky black hair was pinned into a French twist, and her golden almond skin color was deepened by an obvious love of sunbathing. She reached for a glass of wine and Erik grabbed one too just to get next to her.
The woman's eyes caught him and he saw the immediate interest as she took in his clothes. She sipped her red wine, then her left index finger went to her lip.
"Nice gathering," Erik said looking around trying to play off his interest.
"The Royals know how to throw a party," she said in a thick French accent.
"You know them?"
"I'm friends with the family. You?"
"I'm here with a co-worker…my boss."
"Enjoying yourself?"
"Now I am," he said throwing her some dimples.
He held out his hand.
"I'm Erik."
She stared at his hand with a smirk on her lips, then she looked back at his face.
"Just Erik?" she said taking his hand with a look of amusement.
Erik noticed some secret security heading his way, but then they went around him abruptly.
"Um…yeah. Just Erik. Erik Stevens."
"Are you royalty?"
"What? Nah, why would you say that?"
"You look and move like royalty. But your English is American."
"I am American. Wait, what's your name?"
"Vivienne."
"Vivienne…so you come to the palace a lot?"
"Yes. The parties are always a treat."
She eyed him and put down her wine glass on a random server's tray.
"Would you like to go for a smoke? I need to have a moment and I know a spot," she said.
"Okay."
He followed her to a different floor and they slipped past security and the mingling groups of guests. She peeked out at a side balcony.
"Come on. It's all clear," she said.
He stepped out with her and was happy that the balcony did give them some privacy.
She pulled two cigarettes from her small emerald encrusted clutch bag. Lighting them with a fancy gold lighter, she handed him the clove flavored cigarette. He preferred weed, but he could smoke what she gave him to be polite.
It tasted good. A little sweet.
"It's my own personal blend," she said watching him savor the flavor.
Her dark eyes looked him over again.
"What?"
"That ensemble is spectacular. You look gorgeous in it. Please tell me about your tailor."
"I got the suit here. Jules Menton."
"Interesting," she said blowing a stream of smoke from her lips.
"I like your dress, very unique color," he said.
She touched the top of her strapless long dress.
"This color was made for me. It is called Vivienne Orange. You won't find it anywhere else."
"I'm glad I have the privilege of seeing it."
"I'll donate it after tonight."
She came from big money. Connections to the royal family. Mixed. Her skin and thick wavy hair reflected the gifting of melanin and curls from a parent of African descent. Her English was heavy with an accent. French citizen. Born and raised. Educated at an elite boarding school. Probably did university in London. Oxford perhaps.
"You are studying me, oui?"
Her lips were pouty like he offended her for staring so hard. That dress was doing a number on him. It was long and he tried to imagine what her legs looked like.
"How long are you here for?" she asked.
"A few days. My boss and I will be meeting with Prince Francesco."
Now her eyes were busy studying him.
"Not too many Black Americans come here. To the palace."
"Do a lot of Black people come here period? Besides you?"
"Not many."
"My boss knows the Prince well."
"Who is your boss?"
"He runs Stark Industries."
"Tony? He's here?"
Her eyes looked bright with overexcitement.
"Oh, so you know about him."
"I could tell you stories."
"I bet."
"You should know already."
"Trust me, I do."
She cracked up then and touched her chest with her left hand.
"We need to sit and trade tales then."
She stubbed out her cigarette and tossed it over the balcony. He did the same.
"Let's go find Tony," she said.
"Why? I like talking to you by myself."
"We'll talk more later. Come."
She walked back into the side room and he followed close to her heels. Gliding back to the ballroom, they both found Tony talking with Grimaldo. When Tony saw him, his eyes glanced at Vivienne then back at him quickly with surprise.
"Mr. Erik Stevens," Grimaldo said.
The Prince gave Erik the smile that reminded him of the Cheshire cat. A trickster's smile. He followed royal protocols and stayed a good two feet away from the Prince and the two women next to him.
"Erik, this is my wife Princess Charlotte, and my eldest daughter, Princess Clara…"
Erik gave a slight head nod to them in a formal greeting. Both women held out their hands first for Erik to shake. Princess Charlotte had a full head of dark brown spiral curls. Their college-aged daughter Clara had short blonde hair swept to the side with a silk green ribbon.
"Ah, I see you have already met my niece, Princess Vivienne."
Erik's eyes darted to Vivienne's.
"You're a Princess?"
"I told you I was friends with the royals."
"You are a royal."
"I'm still friends with them," she teased.
She moved past Erik and held her hand out for Boss Man.
"Tony, it is so good to see you again," Vivienne said.
Erik stared at her.
A Black Princess of Monaco.
"I am going to steal your assistant from you, Tony," Vivienne said grabbing Erik's hand.
"Don't go far," Grimaldo called after them.
The night got a whole lot better in Erik's mind.