Changes

Chapter 3

Well you couldn't say Tony Stark wasn't persistent. The man continued to show up every morning to the cafe; sometimes he would try to start up a conversation, and sometimes he would try to buy me a drink or scone, and sometimes he even just came in and sat alone-not bothering me, just looking as though he was waiting. Sometimes he would bring Pepper, his assistant-CEO-person. Every day he bought at least one cup of coffee, and would tell me this was the best drink he has ever had. I refused to believe him-one: he was trying to get me to forgive him, and two: he was a billionaire with unlimited funds to buy any drink from any part of the world (sure, I was rich, but I didn't use my money in that way).

If I occasionally smiled at some of his antics (like the one time he had this quartet come in and sing that he was sorry, all the while he stood beside them nodding to the song and pouting); or if I blushed (whenever he smirked, looked my way, smiled,etc...), well I guess you could say I was smitten, but I wasn't! It was just, if I didn't detest the man, he would totally be my type, and that was unfair! We had this routine; Stark would flirt shamelessly with me, and I would ignore him (but there were those stupid involuntarily bodily reactions, ie: smiling and blushing). One day I even tried to mess with him, without trying to reveal that I was mess with him, it didn't turn out well...

-Flashback alert starts here-

Today, Tony was sitting at his usual table, by the window, with his coffee. This was one of his quiet days, where he would sit with some fancy gadget or other and take it apart and put it back together again. In fact, I was most curious, but held myself back, not taking the bait. A man walked in; dropped dead gorgeous, 6'3", broad shoulders, and looked like he was suppose to be on the cover of a magazine. I slyly peaked at Tony from the corner of my eye to see if he was paying attention-he was- and turned to this sexy customer that stood in front of me.

"How may I help you." I asked, in my best customer service voice, while my eyes wracked down his frame obviously.

He did his own once over at myself and smiled back, more charming than before. He ordered his coffee, leaning in somewhat, making the conversation just about the two of us, even though my coworker was listening in and starting his order. He said something that was suppose to be funny, but ended up sounding kind of stupid, but I laughed anyway, I laughed hard, I had even lightly went and put my hand on his arm, as I if I needed the support. He was seemed really positive by my response, and was grinning like a puppy to me. I glanced at my stalker, who was not even bothering to keep a pretense that he was ignoring what was happening right now, and he was full on starring; actually it more like glaring. I gulped, thinking how hot he looked just like that, but I shook those thoughts away and went back to my new boy toy, who could be fun and interesting, but obviously not a keeper. It turned out; that guy was a real creep. I had to use my Auror training to stop him from attacking me, when he couldn't understand the word "no". I heard he has trouble peeing and possibly can't have children anymore...huh.

-End of Flashback-

Well all that trouble made me stop trying to flirt with the customers just to get a reaction from Tony. I kept on ignoring him, and he kept pestering me, as per usual.

"I am unsure if you are aware or not, Mr. Black, but my boss doesn't live in New York." Mrs. Potts said out of the blue one day when ordering her coffee, Tony was at his table-sunglasses on, looking terrible. Possibly a hangover.

"Well then, Mrs. Potts, where does Mr. Stark live?"

"Malibu, California"

I looked confused. "Is he visiting?" No, I wasn't upset.

"No, he goes home after he comes every morning to be with you."

I wasn't afraid to admit, that that stunned me. I mean, who wouldn't be stunned; no matter how rich the guy was; it was ridiculous that someone would fly out every morning just to go to this 'no name' cafe to see a guy, who ignores you constantly, just to try and apologize. The worst part was- I wasn't even angry at him anymore, and had forgiven him a while ago, just never said anything because it was routine to 'ignore' him, and also because I didn't want to be the reason he wore that stupid cocky smirk on his face.

"Is your boss on drugs?" I asked incredulously.

Pepper laughed softly, "No, he is not on drugs, just an eccentric billionaire, who seems to not be able to leave you alone."

"Don't I know it. Seriously, tell Mr. Stark I forgive him, and he can end this ridiculous charade. Let's move on with our lives."

"It's not going to be that simple. Tony is stubborn, and when he wants something, he doesn't stop till he gets it."

"But I am forgiving him. That's what he wanted, right? So he can finally leave."

"I don't think that's all he wants." She said, leaving off ominously before Tony called her to come back to the table. I was left confused.

What could Pepper mean? That's not all he wanted...? What else could he want? He was in the wrong, he shouldn't want anything! Gah! This was blood frustrating. Why did I always get stuck with the crazies? It seriously wasn't fair. I was frustrated and confused, running in my head back and forth on what Pepper meant, and still no idea. About a week later, Tony coming in everyday as predicted; one day was particularly slow so I had some school books out, attempting to study in between customers.

"Auto Mechanics Fundamentals? Hmmm interesting reading selection, Mr. Black," The billionaire commented.

"What do you want, Mr. Stark," I asked forcibly, but politely, because he was a paying customer.

"Oh, nothing in particular. I have one question; why are you reading this book?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but I am in school, and need to study for a test."

"What are you going to school for?"

"I am surprised you don't already know. I would have thought curiosity would have had you look me up."

Tony looked to the side (was that a blush on his face?) and looked back at me, "I wanted to find out first hand, from yourself."

I was temporarily stunned, but shook that off quickly. I went back to reading, or attempting to read as Mr. Billionaire stood, not moving away. I finally huffed after I read the same line three times in a row, and looked up at him, annoyance showing through my eyes.

"What?" I asked, eyebrow arched (may have picked up a habit or two from Draco).

"So, what are you going to school for?" Tony asked again, looking at me, completely unfazed by my obvious irritation.

"I am going for auto mechanics. I thought the book would have clued you to that fact." I rolled my eyes before going back to the book.

"Huh, interesting choice. You know, if your interested in mechanics, I could show you my suit."

"Suit? How does mechanics have anything to due to clothes?" I asked incredulously.

"No! Iron Man; I am going to show you Iron Man." He let out.

"What exactly is Iron Man? I heard you mention it before, but honestly never cared to ask about it."

"What is Iron Man? Are you serious, right now? How do you not know? Do you live under a rock?" He asked me, looking at me like I was the crazy one here.

"No, Mr. Stark, I do not live under a rock. Why would I know this Iron Man?"

"Do own a TV? A computer? Do you talk to your customers or coworkers about anything other that coffee?"

"Yes to all," my eyebrows furrowing even more as I grew more and more annoyed by the questioning.

"Then how do you not know who Iron Man is?" He asked me in frustration.

"I don't know, it never came up, I guess. Why does that matter?"

"It matter...it matters because...I guess it doesn't." Stark finished off, looking slightly down. I kind of felt for the guy, so I through him a bone.

"I wouldn't mind seeing it."

He turned his hopeful eyes towards me, a little spark coming back in them that made me mentally smile. He was like a little boy who wanted to impress his parents with the cool new toy he had.

"Your break should be coming up, right? One o'clock as it is everyday?" I shook my head and muttered "Stalker" under my breath before saying a loud, "Yes". He grinned, looking really excited, which made me slightly excited as well. Maybe I could like him. Maybe.

My break was still an hour away, so I went back to working and studying. My regulars would come in, greeting me sweetly asking for daily cup of awake-ness, which I gladly made for them. Small talk made the time flew by and before I knew it, I was on my break, and Tony who had been sitting at his usual spot while I worked, was suddenly in front of me, sunglasses on and holding his hand out. I ignored it, and walked past him and as I opened the door asked if he was coming. His mouth was slightly opened in shock but then he closed it and followed me out. There was a sleek black car in the front and a man, whom I assumed was the driver, holding the back door open for me. I glanced back unsurely at Stark who gave me a nod to get in. I did, thanking the man.

"Evan, this is Happy, my bodyguard and driver. Happy, this is Evan, my barista." Tony introduced us when we were all settled in to the car. Happy turned around in his seat, "Nice to meet, Evan. Mr. Stark talks about you all the time."

"He does, does he? Well it's nice to meet you too, Happy." I smiled at him.

"Hey! You never once smiled at me like that! I demand you start smiling all the time now!" Tony demanded like a spoiled child. God, why am I attracted to this man! I thought I about just got the spoiled child syndrome out of Draco (somewhat) and now I have start over with Tony.

"No. Now where are we going?" I asked.

"Oh, we're going to Stark Tower, my new building. I can show you on the roof." He said.

"Iron Man, right?" I asked to clarify. He nodded at me. I sighed, and leaned back somewhat and just enjoyed the ride.