Interviews were always Mira's strong suit. She knew how to answer questions to the fullest, but to also avoid questions she felt uncomfortable answering. She always tried to keep the interviewer on topic, but had no problem diverting to something else every once in awhile. She tried to both personal and professional to the best of her ability, but would rather it be more professional. Her life wasn't something she wanted broadcasted all over the world, but she knew that as a public figure she would have to be in the news sometimes.
A tall blonde woman sat in the chair across from Mira. She wore a hot red dress that fit her curves a little too tightly. She struggled to get to her seat when she first walked in, but that could have been from her six inch matching stilettos. She introduced herself as Marlene Fisher. Mira took a second to look up who she was before arriving, Marlene was one of the highest paid writers at the magazine and the most relentless. There were several stores of celebrities walking out because she tried to get too personal, asking questions no one would want to answer. However, she always managed to get her answers and no one could figure out how.
"Do you mind if I record this?" Marlene asked setting down a small recording device between them.
"What happens if I say no?" Mira joked, trying to hide how intimidated she was by Ms. Fisher.
"Well, I'll just do it anyway," she laughed.
Mira shown her white teeth in a fake grin. "I guess I don't mind then."
"Great. Let's get started. So, Ms. Stark-"
Mira cut her off. "Mira is fine."
"Okay, Mira. How are you today?" Interviewers always started off with basic questions like this to try and make celebrities they just met more comfortable with them. This was a routine Mira had seen a million times before and will see a million times after.
"I'm doing great. Thank you for asking." This was always Mira's answer to that question. No matter how bad she was feeling that day, this was her answer. She refused to say she was okay or alright because that would spark up an entirely new conversation.
"That's wonderful." Marlene crossed her legs, signaling she was about to actually start the interview. "What can you tell me about the Stark Rain Forest Foundation you yourself founded a few years back?"
"When I was younger, I had always been fond of the rain forest habitat. The animals were so different than the ones you would see everyday. I took a trip there for my 20th birthday and it was just breath taking. Everywhere you looked, something beautiful and new would pop up. When I had returned from my trip, I looked into the rain forest and found some awful things. The ecosystem was being destroyed to make room for luxury hotels and endangered animals were being killed for their fur and feathers. I was repulsed by this. I decided to sit down with my uncle and see what we can do to change it. Together, we came up with the Stark Rain Forest Foundation. The money we would raise would go towards preserving these lands."
"So, Tony Stark was involved?"
"Yes, in the beginning he was. I was still young then and had no idea how to run, well, anything. He taught me what it takes to run a foundation. About two years after we had the foundation up and running, he officially gave me the foundation to run for myself. It has been under my care ever since."
"And what does the money you raise specifically do to help the rain forests?"
"First of all, the foundation as a whole just raises awareness to the problems associated with the rain forest. That right there is a big step. Once people know what is really going on, then real change can happen. We host many fundraisers throughout the year. The money we raise go towards saving the land that humanity is so hell bent on destroying. Since the start of the foundation nearly four years ago, we have managed to restore acres of land and saved about ten species from extinction, but there still is a lot left to do."
"You mentioned you host a few fundraisers every year. What kind of fundraisers?"
"It depends. We've had countless auctions, dinners, and even movie nights. We try to think of new ways to bring people in all the time. We are actually having a dinner tonight to try and raise some money for a piece of land that had been destroyed by a wildfire last year."
"Wasn't that supposed to be last night?"
"Yes, but plans changed due to a personal matter."
"You mean the award ceremony for your uncle, Tony Stark."
Mira gulped. "That's correct."
"I heard he didn't even show up. Did you cancel for nothing?"
"I'm sorry, but I would rather continue talking about the foundation if you don't mind."
"Of course. I'm sorry, Ms. Stark."
"Mira," she corrected again.
"Right. So this dinner tonight, who can we expect to see?"
"The types of people range from famous scientists like Bill Nye to movie stars like Tom Cruise. The possibilities of people who might show up is endless."
"And you will be attending."
"Yes."
"What about Mr. Stark?"
Mira took a deep breath. Most of her interviews ended up steering toward whatever he uncle was up to that week. "He will not be there tonight."
Marlene's face stretched in surprise. "Mr. Stark will not be attending an event for a foundation that he helped establish?"
"Not tonight. He usually does attend, but he is away on business for the next few days."
"What is he doing?"
"I'm sorry, Ms. Fisher, but I'm not obligated to say what my uncle is doing."
"Why not?"
"It's not my place." Mira crossed her legs in frustration. This woman was not focused on the foundation at all. She just wanted more juice on Tony.
"But aren't you the successor to the company since there are no other surviving Stark members? Shouldn't you be aware of what he's doing?"
Mira just looked at Marlene and did not answer. Her left eyebrow lifted as high as it could go on her face.
"Right, the foundation. Um, do you make any money from this venture."
"Not a cent. All the profits go toward the rain forest. I do not keep any for myself."
"Then how do you make money?"
"Excuse me?"
"What do you do for a living?"
This was a new kind of question to Mira. No one ever had the guts to ask her about her financial situation before. They all know she had more money then they will ever see in their life. "I, um, write in my spare time, but I don't make any money from it."
"So what you're saying is you don't do anything for money?"
"I didn't say that-"
"Then what did you say, Mira? Because according to sources, we understand that you are jobless and live off of your grandfather's money just like your uncle and your mother."
"You have no right to talk about my mother."
"Why? She was a public figure just like you. Do you ever wonder what happened to her? Like, really happened? You can't believe that it was a suicide. You must have heard of the many theories surrounding your mother's case."
Mira grabbed the recorder and stopped it from recording anything further. "This interview is over. If I find anything about my mother, my grandfather, my uncle, or it defames me in anyway, I will sue your ass. This was supposed to be about the good that I'm trying to do, not my family. You should be ashamed of yourself." She slammed it back onto the table and stormed out. Mira had never been so offended in her life.
While in the car, she dialed her uncle. She knew he would still be on the plane, but she didn't care. She was about to tell him how he was still in the doghouse for last night and he dug himself a deeper hole with scheduling this interview with the rudest reporter she had ever met.
The phone rang three times before the voicemail picked up. "This is Tony Stark. I'm probably out having a good time. If you're calling, that means you're not cool enough to be with me now. Leave a message, but I probably won't get back to you."
All Mira could see was red. She didn't care if it wasn't Tony's fault. She needed someone to blame and he was the first one to pop into her head. "Damn it, Tony. Do you do any research into these people. No, you don't because that would require you to work a little. Do you have any idea what this woman said? She brought up mom, Tony, and not in a good way. I can't believe that bitch. I hope you get this because this is ridiculous. You know what? Don't even call me back. I won't answer. I don't care what you'll have to say. You just wanted to find the easiest way to make me happy. Well, good job. You failed." She knew that it was a long message and it probably all didn't record, but she didn't care. She chucked the phone at the other seat in a rage. She hated when people said terrible things about her mother. They didn't really know her. Who are they to say what she did? Nobody that's who.
After taking a few seconds to control her breathing, she reached to the seat and grabbed her phone. No cracks or anything so she was thankful. Getting a new phone was too much of a hassle. She flipped through her contacts and found Mark her assistant. She only employed him for the past few months, but he was amazing at his job. He wasn't just her assistant. He was her emotional support sometimes. "Mark? I need you to cancel that photoshoot."
His deep southern accent spoke into the phone. "Mira? Is everything okay? What happened?"
"I just need you to cancel that photoshoot. I can't do it."
"Mira, I know when something's wrong. You don't just cancel something that could bring publicity to the foundation without a good reason. Now, tell me."
She inhaled deeply. "She brought up my mother, Mark."
He was silent, not sure what to say. Mark had read about the Stark family prior to getting the job. He knew that her mother died about twenty years ago from an apparent suicide. Mira was about five and she went to live with her uncle, Tony Stark. It was about four years after Tony lost his parents. He just stepped in to head the company. Ever since, he has had to juggle a multibillion dollar company and a kid.
"I don't want to do the photoshoot."
"Mira, you're going to do the photoshoot and you're going to have the best time. I'm going to meet you there and I'll personally make sure this gets taken care of. I'll complain to her boss, make them send the article over before it gets published for your approval, and make sure she doesn't show up. If she does decide to make an appearance, I'll have her removed, I will not have her ruin this for you. I know you love this foundation more than anything. Now, get your rich butt over there and make your mother proud because I know she would be."
Mira wiped a stray tear from her eye. "Okay. I'll do it."
"That's my girl. I'll meet you over there in twenty. Be strong, girl."
"I'll try. Thanks Mark."
"Anytime."