6 hours later, Washington D.C
I was wearing a knee length sleeveless grey dress with my hair in a bun. I had a black business jacket over it to keep me warm. My black heels clicked on the ground until I stood in the back with Pepper. The time change got me on the plane and this meeting seemed like it was going to last all day. My dad sat with Rhodey at a table in front of some members of congress who wanted him to turn over the Ironman tech. A man walked through the crowd and I realized it was Phil he smiled at me and started talking to Pepper.
That's when I realized who else was there, trying to steal from my dad, Justin Hammer. He was the founder and CEO of Hammer Industries. He's been our rival for years, he was the most arrogant and narcissistic person I've ever known. When he sat down at his table I focused on the glass jug filled with water. While Phil and Pepper where busy talking I focused on the water and slowly moved my hands. All the cameras where pointed away from me so I took the opportunity. I quickly moved my hand from left to right, the just exploded and all the water got on Justin.
"Clean up on aisle 3" My dad said
Pepper gasped along with some of the reporters, a woman walked to Justin with napkins while I hid my smile. My dad pulled out his phone and got into the TV system, he showed all the countries that tried building tech similar to his suit. All of them failed and one of them had Justin Hammer in the background. My dad pointed it out to the press and the reporters focused on Justin. I smiled at my dad; he put his shades on and held up peace signs while making his way through the crowd.
"And congratulations on the promotion." Phil said
"What promotion?"
"Your father has made me CEO of Stark Industries, his new assistant will come tomorrow before we leave for Monaco." She said
"Ok"
Phil said goodbye left, my dad found us and we walked to the car waiting outside. Since our plane didn't leave for four hours we went out to eat at a fancy restaurant. The four of us where quiet as we looked through our menu. Then I heard something hit my menu, I looked on the outer side to see a piece of chewed paper. I look up to see my dad chewing on a piece of paper that covered his straw. Pepper sat next to him at the booth and gently nudged his shoulder.
"Tony we're in a restaurant" She scolded
"That hasn't stopped me from doing a lot of things."
While he was talking to Pepper Happy gave me the same paper that covered my straw. I pulled my straw out of my water and chewed on a piece. I put the straw in my mouth and blew, the piece of paper flew over the table and landed on his cheek. Happy and I both started laughing hysterically as Tony stopped talking and looked at me.
"Kida" Pepper said ready to scold me
"He started it"
"I'm finishing it," he said grabbing his straw again
"Oh no" Pepper said
We had a little war until we ran out paper, our food arrived and we where quiet again.
"Oh I forgot to ask how is Luke?" Pepper asked and my fork dropped
"Who's Luke?" Happy asked
"Luke?" My dad said, "The British kid from your school, are you two dating."
"No" I said feeling my cheeks get warm
"He called me by accident, he's such a gentleman." Pepper said, "He wanted to ask you if you wanted to go to the movies."
"Movies" I said smiling
"I want to get to know him first," Tony said "invite him for dinner instead it'll be fun."
"Ok I can ask him and we can have dinner before we leave for Monaco."
"Good he seems like a good guy" Pepper said
We finished our food and my dad paid with a big tip for our waiter. We drove to the airport and got on our family jet back to Malibu. When I got to the house I kicked my heels off and walked to my room saying goodnight. I took a shower and changed into black shorts and black shirt, I grabbed my phone and grabbed my phone. I dialed Luke's number and waited anxiously.
"Hey Emma, sorry I accidently called Pepper by mistake." He said "I put a four in instead of an eight."
"It's ok there's actually something I want to ask you."
"Oh what's that?" He asked
"My dad wants you to come to my birthday dinner tomorrow night, I'm turning sixteen tomorrow." I said nervously "I'm sorry it's sudden it's just we're leaving for Monaco the day after tomorrow so."
"It's ok I just need your address" he said "I'll be there at eight is that ok?"
"Eight is perfect, and also wearing something formal." I said "We're going to a really fancy restaurant."
"Ok see you then darling." Butterflies flew in my stomach
"Ok I got to go" I said "I'll see you tomorrow"
"Goodnight love"
"Goodnight"
I hung up and laughed as I fell back onto my bed, I smiled until my cheeks hurt.
"He called me love and darling," I said sounding like a love struck teen
This was the first time I've felt like this, I haven't even had my first kiss yet. I still haven't been on a first date, this is because I had Tony Stark as a dad. When he was being protective he was extremely protective. I felt like I was floating, whenever he called or text me my heart jumped. And when I would see him I felt like I can be myself around him. He was the only one who knew of my powers, he's even helped me with some tricks like freezing the water. I put my phone down and went to sleep with a smile on my face.
Morning,
I woke up and walked downstairs and made myself a bowl of cereal. I looked at the clock, this is usually the time when my dad would get up.
"Hey JARVIS where's my dad?" I asked
"He's in the gym with Happy, Ms. Potts also wanted me to remind you to look decent when the new assistant comes."
"Thanks"
I changed into bright pink and black patterned tights and a tight long sleeved black top with black combat boots. I put my blonde hair in a ponytail and walked to the gym downstairs. I saw my dad and Happy in the boxing ring while Pepper talked to a woman, she must be the new assistant. She had long red curly hair, pale skin, and green eyes. She was wearing a white buttoned up shirt, black pants, and black shoes.
"There's the birthday girl," My dad said
"Hello" I said as I walked to them "is this the new assistant?"
"Yes Natalie this is Kida, Kida this is Natalie Rushman."
"Nice to meet you" Natalie said shaking my hand "Ms. Potts has told me many things about you."
"Oh really?"
"She said you speak ten languages."
"Oh yeah I have a genetic disorder, I can't forget anything really."
"Wow" She said "Parlez-vous français?" (Do you speak French?"
"Oui" I said smiling (Yes)
"Hey Natalie" My dad said as he got out of the ring "how about you and Happy throw a few punches?"
"Tony"
"Oh that's ok" Natalie said stopping Pepper
She took her shoes off and got in the ring, I watched wanting to know what she was going to do. She even turned down the gloves Happy offered her.
"Do you have experience?" Happy asked
"I do" She said smiling
"Like aerobics class or something like that." Her smile fell
"Begin" My dad said before ringing the bell
In less than a minute Happy was on the ground, Natalie wrapped her legs around his neck and used her weight to pull him down. My jaw dropped,
"Happy!" Pepper yelled worried as he tapped out
"That was awesome!" I said "How did you do that?"
"I took a lot of self defense classes"
"TKO" My dad said before ringing the bell again
"Well I'm going to get some reservations for dinner tonight." I said "I'll see you guys later"
"Oh I almost forgot" Pepper said "Natalie would you like to join us."
"Dinner sounds lovely" She said "I can make the reservations if you want"
"Alright, there will be six of us" I said "I'm going to the beach"
I walked to my room and changed into a dark red one piece, I grabbed my board, and walked to the beach. I surfed for a few hours before walking back to the house. I took a shower and changed into a strapless purple dress with black and gold heels. I curled my hair and put on some make up with ruby red lipstick. My phone rang and I saw Luke on the caller ID, it was a text message.
"I'm walking up your driveway right now."
I looked at the clock and realized it was eight, I ran downstairs to see Tony wearing a suit and Pepper wearing a white long sleeved dress.
"How do I look?" I asked
"You look lovely" Pepper said
"Good because" The door bell rang "He's here"
"Right on time" Tony said
I pushed my hair over my shoulder and opened the door, Luke was wearing a black and white suit that fit perfectly on his slim figure. He had a green scarf around the back of his neck and his black hair was neat and cleaned.
"You look beautiful" He said
"Thank you come on in" I stepped aside and closed the door behind him "Pepper, dad, this is Luke. Luke this is my dad and Pepper Potts."
"So nice to meet you" Pepper said with her hand out to shake it
"It's an honor Ms. Potts," He said before kissing her hand
"We've already met, you where at the charity event a couple months ago." My dad said
"Yes we did"
"Oh and we're having two more people tag along" I said "Happy and his new assistant Natalie."
"Alright, when do we leave?"
"Now"
Luke and I turned around to see Happy and Natalie walk inside; Happy was wearing a black suit while Natalie wore a black one-shoulder dress and heels.
"Luke this is Happy and Natalie"
Luke introduced himself and we all got into the car, during the ride Luke held my hand. When we got to the restaurant our waiter led us to the back in front of a fireplace. I sat between Pepper and Luke, my dad sat at the front of the table, and Happy and Natalie sat across from me. We ordered our food and talked.
"When do we give the presents?" Happy asked
"How about now?" My dad said and turned to Luke "Luke you can go first"
"Here"
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small white box with a green bow on it. I opened it to reveal a necklace. It was a gold chain necklace with a large triangle shaped green emerald on it. The triangle pointed down and had gold around it wit a vine pattern on it.
"It's beautiful" I said
"Luke that must have cost you a fortune" Pepper said
"Yeah Luke, how did you afford that?"
"I work at a stable, I train racing horses and I asked my boss for a raise." He said
We continued on with the gifts but I knew my dad was judging him. We finished dinner and Happy drove us to the house. Happy, my dad, and Pepper went to their rooms while Luke and I relaxed on the balcony over looking the ocean.
"Do you need a ride home?" I asked "Happy could give you one"
"No thank you I can drive myself" he said "Are you alright? You seem worried"
"It's just my dad, he's been acting strange lately." I said "And I feel like something bad is about to happen."
"I won't let anything bad happen to you." He reached across the small space between the two chairs and grabbed my hand "What makes your dad seem strange to you?"
"He's not his normal self, the man you see isn't the same as the one who adopted me." I said
"You're adopted?"
"Tony took me in from a foster home, on my eighth birthday."
"What happened to your real parents?" There was a beat "I'm sorry you don't have to answer that"
"It's alright, honestly I don't know what happened to them." I said
"If you had the chance, would you want to meet them?"
"No"
"Why not?"
"Because, why would they want to see me if they gave me away. They didn't want me if they did they would've never sent me to that hell."
"Kida"
We both looked up to see my dad, he was standing in the doorway leading inside to the living room. He was wearing a white shirt with his arc reactor shining through it and blue striped pajama bottoms.
"Come inside it's late and we have a long flight tomorrow." He said
"Goodnight Luke"
"Goodnight"
We both stood up and quickly kissed before I walked inside, I went around a corner and stopped. My dad didn't follow me, he was waiting for Luke to talk to him. Judging from the look on his face when I passed him, it was serious.
"Mr. Stark"
"Cut the bullshit" My dad snapped before Luke could finish
"I'm sorry"
"I've been watching you Luke I've seen the way you look at Kida. It's like a hungry dog looking at a steak and it is disgusting. The only reason why I didn't send Happy to kick your ass is because Kida likes you." He said "So let me make this perfectly clear, if you mention the foster home, her parents, or hurt her I will hunt you down and unleash Armageddon on your pasty ass. And when I'm done you are out of her life forever do you understand?"
"Yes sir"
"Good, now get out of here now"
I watched as Luke walked through the living room and out the door. I walked upstairs and into my room, I changed into my pj's and crawled into bed. I didn't know how to react Luke would never hurt me, right?
