Annahlea once again pulled the plunging "V-neck" of her all lace, black cocktail dress, together to hide her bulging, chest that dared to slip out at the wrong movement. The lace, cap sleeves tugging at her skin as she tugged at the hem of the dress as she crossed her legs, her blood-red stilettos catching the fading light as the room darkened and the video began to play.
"Tony Stark. Visionary. Genius. American patriot," Annahlea fought the urge to roll her eyes at the dramatics. Knowing that good olé "Obby" had been the one to fill the mouth of the announcer.
"Even from an early age, the child of legendary weapons developer Howard Stark stole the spotlight with his brilliant mind. At age four, Tony built his first circuit board. At age six, his first engine," Annahlea had to grin at the pictures of Tony before she was around, her blood-red stained lips curling and that special sparkle in her eye reserved for Tony, glowing, "When each was 17, he graduated summa cum laude from MIT. Then, the passing of a Titan," Annahlea didn't get to know Howard Stark that well, but honestly not many people did and while she did call him Dad, it was just an accompaniment to the woman she thought of, and called mother, even before the passing of her own, "Howard Stark's lifelong friend and ally, Obadiah Stane, steps in to fill the gap left by the legendary founder, until, at age 21, the prodigal son returns and takes the reins of Stark Industries," The last picture, a Time magazine cover featuring Tony standing looking dramatically off above the camera while Obadiah looked on, floated across the screen. "With the keys to the kingdom, Tony ushers in a new era for his father's legacy, creating smarter weapons, advanced robotics, satellite targeting. Today, Tony Stark has changed the face of the weapons industry by ensuring freedom and protecting America and her interests around the globe."
The lights came up and the crowd applauded. Annahlea joined them as her and Tony's long time friend, Rhodey came on stage holding a small trophy. He stood behind a podium in the center of the stage.
"As liaison to Stark Industries, I've head the unique privilege of serving with a real patriot and a great humanitarian. He is my friend and mentor. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present the Apogee Award to Mr. Tony Stark. Tony?" A spotlight landed on their table. Annahlea rolled her eyes, making notes in her mind as of how to kill her best friend as she rose from the table and made her way to the stage for him, once again.
"Thank you, Rhodey," she said as she climbed the three stairs and joined Rhodey at the podium, raising her eyebrows in a defeated expression. He handed her the award, with a sympathetic smile and left the stage. She smiled out at the crowd, giving her best fake laugh as some men let out low wolf-whistle's. Everyone knew who she was, being the best friend of Tony Stark did that to you, it got you in the papers quite a bit. And when the people first saw the beautiful Annahlea DeMarco, they were in love, it led to Annahlea being interviewed, then photo'd when she was away from Tony, then being voted number one on "Most Desired" in Men's magazine three years in a row and staring on the cover of Vogue, Seventeen and even Playboy.
"Hello everyone. Obviously I'm not Tony," Annahlea once again gave her best fake smile as someone called out to her, all though it was nice to be recognized for her beauty Annahlea would rather be recognized for her brain. No one really knew that Annahlea was a driving force behind Stark Industries, that she was project manager on more than half of the products. No, they knew her for two things, how well she managed Tony's everyday life and her body. Which in the end was okay. Because if people did know of her brains, it would just lead to even more face time on camera and she had already had enough, "First off, thank you. I know this really means a lot to Tony, and he would be saying so if were able to make it tonight. Unfortunately, a pressing matter came up within the company and Tony stayed behind to take care of said matter. But, on behalf of Tony, I once again thank you for honoring him with this award." She bowed her head slightly as the crowd applauded.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Annahlea growled slightly to herself as she made her way through the casino, scanning the tables and machines for her supposed best friend. Rhodey, walking next to her, touched her arm and pointed to a gambling table where Tony was rolling a pair of dice. Annahlea breathed heavily, a slight attempt to release her anger before stalking over to him.
"Can you show up to a press event for once, please?"
"Hey! How goes it, beautiful?"
"Anthony, I have been your best friend for god knows how long now and I have covered your ass plenty. But your all grown up now, sweetheart and it's time for you to man up, grow a pair and take some responsibility for your company. I can't keep telling people company issues, eventually they'll stop believing it," Tony waved a hand at her dismissively.
"Yeah, they will. They'll believe what you say, you're the humanitarian in our little billion-dollar duo and the public loves you," Tony wasn't wrong- while being known for her two specialties, she was also wildly known for being a kind and loving person. Being photographed many times in the kid hospital where she volunteered some weekends and with some of the animals of the shelter Tony had built for her for her birthday a few years back. Tony reached for his pile of won chips and held up a fist with dice in it to the attractive woman on his right, "Give me a hand, will you? Give me a little something-something," The woman blew gently on his fist, and Tony moved it over in front of Annahlea's face. "Okay, you too," he taunted.
Annahlea pursed her stained lips and scrunched her eyes trying to restrain herself from knocking the stupid out of him. When Tony gave her his devilish smirk, Annahlea snapped and bit his hand in front of her face, making Tony yelp and his and open, sending the dice flying and bouncing across the table.
"There it is!" Tony called, "Thanks for the aid Nahlee, and … two craps. Line away." The pile of chips taken away from him as he just shrugged.
"Tony, I am going home and taking a nice long, hot bath. You will be lucky if Jarvis hasn't been programmed to call the police upon your arrival when you return," said Annahlea turning on her heel and putting on her camera face, not caring if Tony followed.
As she made her way towards the exit, she heard Rhodey approach her from behind, noticing the large amount of paparazzi outside, Annahlea opened her hand bag and pulled out a pair of sunglasses.
"I'll make sure he's there, tomorrow. I just can't promise it will be on time or if he will be in one piece," She said to Rhodey, sliding the glasses on, earning a quiet laugh. Giving Rhodey a quick hug, she started her wade through the hungry "reporters". A pair of body guards cleared a path to the curbside where a patient Happy waited by the back car door to the Rolls Royce.
"Miss Annah, wasn't expecting you tonight," Happy said opening the door to the car.
"Yes, well I've decided that since I am the one doing the majority of our dear Tony's job, I get to enjoy the benefits that come with having the title of his job, including, but not limited to, your excellent driving skills and a nice overly luxurious ride. Tony can find his own ride home tonight, Happy, he deserves it," knowing better than to argue or protest with the beautiful woman, Happy nodded with a smile, actually enjoying skipping out on Tony and having the permission of the only person ever allowed to do so to the Tony Stark.
Closing the door behind her and getting into the driver's seat, Happy smiled to himself at the image of a confused Tony Stark in the rearview mirror as he drove away.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~
The next morning, Annahlea woke at her usual time and started her daily routine. Heading to her personal gym room across the hall from her own bedroom she began her two-hour work out. After finishing she ate a light breakfast before going for run along the Malibu beach in front of her and Tony's Cliffside mansion. Annahlea had lived with Tony since her parents died and when his died, the two had no one else and didn't want to separate. Annahlea had designed their home and decorated the inside, making it the perfect place for the two genius best friends to work and live. When Annahlea returned home from her hour-long run she made her way to the kitchen, only to stop at the sound of JARVIS's voice.
"You are not authorized to access this area," the British A.I. voice spoke. Scarring the curious and hardly clothed Christine Everhart.
"That's JARVIS he runs the house," Annahlea spoke up, placing her mileage counter down on the table beside the couch. The reporter quickly turned to face her.
"The famous Annahlea DeMarco," Everhart stated. Jealously taking in the woman before her clad in yoga pants, sneakers a sports bra and track jacket, a thin layer of sweat covering her naked, glowing, tan skin, not an ounce of make up on her, and yet the woman was still gorgeous.
"That's me Miss Everhart," replied Annahlea as she pulled out her phone from her pocket, and messaged JARVIS via her phone to call for a car.
"After all these years, You're still here, huh? Mooching off of the Stark family," Everhart bit.
"Well, rather a mooch than a slut, Right Ms. Everhart? Or do you sleep with all the people you report on?" Annahlea replied, smirking as Everhart was speechless, "Now, your clothes with be dry cleaned and pressed and dropped off at your home later today, or would you rather I have them brought to your office?" at her widened eyes, Annahlea knew she had the bitch, "No? Well, I guess your boss wouldn't approve of your behavior. I'll be sure to forget about it when I have lunch with her later this week to talk about my cover shoot. Although, now I'm not so sure I want to do it since I've met you… Hmmm I guess I'll just have to tell her I can't when we meet. Oh but I'm sure she'll ask for a reason? What should I tell her Ms. Everhart?"
Christine Everhart was frozen with fear, knowing that if she lost Vanity Fair a story and spread of the Annahlea DeMarco, she would surely be fired, "No answer, Ms. Everhart? Well, I'm sure I'll think of something. Now, there's a car waiting for you outside to take you to wherever you wish, if you're not out of my home in let's say thirty seconds, my suggestion for where you should go is home and possibly update your résumé, you might be needing it," Annahlea looked on with glaring eyes as the woman hesitated before Annahlea gave her a questioning look with a raised eyebrow and the woman jetted.
Annahlea rolled her eyes before glancing at the clock on her phone, reading eight am, she sighed and muttered to herself in Spanish, heading down to the lab.
Putting in her code for the lab she entered the spacious room, appreciating the music playing and spotting her best friend working on his latest hot rod.
"Tony we are not going to make Rhodey wait for us, get your ass upstairs grab your things and get your ass in the car, I'm driving no arguing let's go, you have one hour," Annahlea commanded, not in the mood to deal with him.
"But, Mom… I don't wanna," Tony whined, not taking his eyes away from the engine.
"I am not in the mood Anthony, I just had a pleasant encounter with your lovely one night stand and honestly I'm still peaked at you from last night. I don't want to bitch at you but I swear to god if you're not in the car, seatbelt strapped and ready to go by the time I'm out of the shower I will inject you with every STD known to man and I will tell the world about it so you never get laid again," Annahlea threatened.
Tony dropped the part he was working on and faced his best friend, seeing the dead serious look in her eye he got up and raced out the glass door, Annahlea smiling to herself as she followed.