iii.

I yawn, pressing the button on the coffee machine and stretching before gathering my hair and pulling it into a messy bun.

"You seem rather settled."

I jump, flipping around and trying to stop blinking like an idiot. "Miss Potts," I manage, taking a couple of deep breaths. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in."

She smirks. "That's a little unprofessional if you plan to be a personal assistant."

"Tony told me that I would be warned when people are coming by either him or JARVIS."

She scowls. "You also shouldn't call your boss by his first name."

"I have permission."

"He's only doing it to feel better about himself."

"I know."

She pauses, slightly off guard, but then she presses on. "I'm going to get him back, Alice-"

"Alisa."

"- and no matter what charity case he's pulling, I won't let you waltz in like you can have him because he's upset about me."

I keep my temper in check and force my voice to remain calm and even. "I'm only working here so that I can pay my mother's medical bills before she dies. He pays me enough to keep me set for
a long time, and I intend to leave as soon as possible. I do not want him like that, and I don't appreciate you treating me like a child when I already know my place."

She purses her lips. "As long as we understand each other."

I nod once, and the coffee pot beeps. "Please excuse me, I need to bring Tony his coffee."

"Already here."

We both jump, and I turn my head to see him leaning against the doorway with his signature smirk, all other emotions absent.

I quickly turn back to the coffee pot. "Would you like some coffee, Miss Potts?"

I turn with the full mug as she forces a smile. "No, thank you. I really need to go run the company." Her eyes flick to me, as if I should care, and she lifts her purse on her shoulder. "I just wanted to see how things were going."

Tony takes the mug from me and slings an arm over my shoulder. "Just great."

I scowl and knock his arm off, stepping away. "Buzz off."

"Good morning to you too, sunshine." He nods at Pepper. "Goodbye, Miss Potts."

"Goodbye, Mr. Stark," She says quietly, and with one last glare in my direction she turns and stalks away.

"So when did she show up?" Tony asks casually, leaning against the counter and taking a drink.

I shrug nonchalantly, turning to fix myself a cup. "Not too long before you came up."

"Good," He says, and I hear the quiet sound of a mug being set on the island. "Did she say anything?"

Oh, she said lots of things you'd love to hear. "Nothing much. Just checking in."

"Really? Nothing else?"

"What is this, an interrogation?"

"Did she say anything else?"

"Oh my- If you want to ask her out, then do it. I'm not talking about this crap."

"You're lying."

I go still. "What?" How did I lie about not messing with this relationship?

"You're lying about Pepper." He steps closer, and I stare at him with wide eyes. "Why are you lying to me?"

I force my lips to move. "I'm not. Nothing happened."

"She threatened you," He says quietly, and then I realize just how close we are.

"It was damage control. All girls do it."

He shakes his head. "I know a threat when I hear it." He pauses. "You're not really planning on leaving after your Mom, are you?"

I turn around without answering, pulling the sugar jar closer and working on my cup.

"Alisa…" He says, whining.

I keep ignoring him. "Is there anything you need me to do today?"

"Yeah, talking to me."

I huff out an annoyed breath and turn back around, crossing my arms. "What do you want to talk about?"

"The fact that you keep lying to me."

I throw my arms out in exasperation. "What do you expect? I'm not going to stand in the middle of this and just wait for you two to get back together."

He frowns, his eyebrows furrowing. "Get back together?"

"Yep," I say, scooting to the side to make my way around him. "What do you want to eat?"

"Eggs and bacon. Why would we get back together?" He asks, crossing his arms and watching me move to the fridge.

"Why wouldn't you? Do you mind if I have some? I overslept and didn't have time to-"

"Of course. You can always eat here. And what do you mean, why wouldn't I?"

I roll my eyes and continue to cook. "I thought you liked tall successful beautiful women?"

"You do realize that was a run-on sentence?" I send him a brief glare before going back to my task. "Yes, she is tall, and successful, and beautiful, but we broke up for a reason."

"And I care…?" I trail off, leaning back as his bacon pops. "Ow!"

He grabs my hand and drags me over to the sink, sticking my hand under the faucet. "Be careful."

Annoyed, I yank my hand out and dab it with a towel. "Thanks," I mutter reluctantly. "It's none of my business, Tony."

He purses his lips, but he turns back to his coffee. "You need to come with me to a press conference."

I groan.

"I know, but it's about our latest breakthrough at Stark Industries, and since I design everything I need to be there to explain."

I sigh in defeat. "Ok. Do I need to dress up or something?"

He nods, and send him a death glare, making him grin. "Don't worry, Happy picked up a suit. You can even keep it."

"You don't have to spend money on me," I protest.

"Get over it." He takes his plate from my hand and sits at the island. "It's in an hour. I also had someone bring over makeup and stuff, so all you need to do is eat and get ready."

Do all rich people throw away their money for their employees? Is this a thing? "Ok," I say slowly, dropping down with my food.

He smirks. "What, ran out of things to say?"

I pop a piece of bacon in my mouth. "Shut up, Stark."