16 Chapter 16
In the end, she chooses a red dress that contrasts nicely with her hair. It's a bit tight, especially near the hips and legs, but maybe that's because the skirt is mermaid style. Though near the feet, the dress flows outwards until it reaches the ground, which is good, as she's wearing small boots instead of heels. It's sleeveless, but it doesn't show that much cleavage.
There are no accessories in sight, so she goes without. It goes well because of the gold design that it has in the chest.
Surprisingly, there is makeup. She never liked to use much, so she simply makes two lines that follow the form of her eye with the eyeliner and gives it a wing as a finisher. Add some gloss on the lips and that's it.
(picture)
"Woah."
She looks up. Tony is there, standing under the door of the bathroom.
"Is it late?" she says, putting the makeup inside the drawers she found them.
"Nope. I just finished. Wanted to see how much it will take."
"I'm done, too."
He blinks at her before giving a glance over and nodding. "Yeah, you look good. I thought it was gonna take longer, to be honest."
"Because I'm a woman?"
He looks aside and coughs. "Uh. Hey, look at the time. It's time to go."
"Sure it is," she murmurs with a snort as she sees him walk away. "Coward."
Still. She follows him.
.
.
She's nervous as Tony stops the car. "Just remember to wait until I open your door."
"Beware that I may grab your arm with a little too much strength."
Tony huffs as she opens the door. "I'll be sure to flex, then."
It takes him just a couple of seconds to reach her door and she uses to take a deep breath. Then, she tries to use the move Amnesia.
It works somewhat.
She's then exiting the car and walking down the red carpet with Tony's arm between her hands. The camera's flash lights their way as they walk. She smiles while reporters take pictures and ask questions.
They soon hear Obadiah's voice and Tony walks slightly faster. "... Weapons manufacturing is only one small part of what Stark Industries is all about, and our partnership with the fire and rescue community..."
A random woman blocks their way. She glances first at Eva, then at Tony. "Hey, Tony, remember me?"
Tony Stark ignores her and goes to Obadiah, who is still still talking, "We're going to have a great quarter."
"What's the world coming to when a guy's got to crash his own party?" Tony says as soon as they notice Obadiah's gaze on them.
"Look at you. Hey, what a surprise." There's a smile on his lips, but she can still feel something sour coming from him. It's not as clear as when she was a Mew, but... it's still not pleasant. "And who's this pretty lady?"
He extends his hand to take hers and she tries to not hesitate too much as she reaches for him. "Hello, I'm Lilith."
"Miss Lilith, a pleasure." He kisses the back of her hand, and she has to restrain herself from recoiling. Luckily, she used Amnesia before. Tony seems to feel her discomfort though, because he pulls her back.
"I'll see you inside."
Obadiah follows behind them until he's next to Tony. "Hey. Listen, take it slow, all right? I think I got the board right where we want them."
"You got it." He nods as they go to the bar. "Just cabin fever. I'll just be a minute."
Those seem to be the magic words, as Obadiah soon leaves them.
"Smooth," she murmurs at him.
"I know." He calls for the barman. "Give me a Scotch. And for the lady, err..."
She rolls her eyes. "For me a Hugo, thank you."
"Hoh? I thought you didn't like sweet things?"
"I like my drinks sweet, only."
He snort. "Complicated tongue you've got there. Talking about tongues, I'm starving."
She's about to retort, confused, when someone calls Tony from next to them. They both turn and she sees Coulson in his balding glory.
"Yeah...?" Tony says, trailing off at the end.
"I'm Agent Coulson."
"Oh, yeah! Yeah, yeah." She gives him a funny look at his trying-to-remember face. "The guy from the.."
"Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."
"God, you need a new name for that."
She snorts, bringing the attention towards her. She blushes but still smiles. "I think SHIELD would suit it better, in my opinion. After all, it seems someone already made great pains in making it spell like that."
"Yeah, I hear that a lot," he says dryly, before turning towards Tony, serious. "Listen, I know this must be a trying time for you, but we need to debrief you. There's still a lot of unanswered questions, and time can be a factor with these things."
"Let's just put something on the books."
Tony shrugs, but Agent Coulson is insistent. "How about the 24th at 7:00 p.m. at Stark Industries?"
"Tell you what," he starts, with that distracted smile as the bartender gives them their drinks. Though before he receives, he sees something that takes his attention. She turns around and is not surprised to see Pepper there, approaching them in a beautiful dress. "You got it. You're absolutely right. Well, I'm going to go to my assistant, and we'll make a date."
Tony gives gives him one nod and then they're off to Pepper, who gives her a glance, especially at her hair, and then dismisses her, probably thinking she's Tony's new conquest.
"You look fantastic!" Tony says, the hold on her waist tightening in what she's beginning to associate with nervousness when Pepper. "I didn't recognize you."
Pepper raises an eyebrow at them. When Tony doesn't lose her hold on her, she sighs and whispers, "What are you doing here?"
Tony shrugs. "Just avoiding government agents."
"I saw."
"Yes, yes." He then gives her a once over. "Where'd you get that dress?"
That does distract her enough to smile. "Oh, it was a birthday present."
"That's great."
Pepper glances away for one second before looking back at him. "From you, actually."
Oh shit. They're getting into mushy and awkward territory. She's feeling like a third wheel now.
"Well, I got great taste."
Uh - oh. The roguish smile is here. Shit.
She coughs, interrupting their awkward flirting. They both look at her. Pepper with a raised eyebrow and Tony with a guilty expression. She doesn't know why, and she really doesn't care. So, rolling her eyes, she says. "Well, I feel like a third wheel now. Why don't you go dance with the lady, Tony? I've got a Hugo waiting for me over there."
Tony sharpens his gaze. "Who?"
She raises both eyebrows, wishing her eyebrow game was as strong as Pepper's. "Hugo. The drink."
"Oh. Yeah." He clears his throat and slowly releases his hold on her. He gives her one last searching look before glancing back at Pepper. "You want to dance?"
Pepper seems surprised, at her or him, she doesn't know. "Oh, no."
"All right, come on." Tony extends his hand at her and Eva uses that time to turn around and leave. When she reaches the bar, the bartender is already waiting for her with the Hugo. He's looking at her pityingly.
She frowns at him and takes her drink. Then she stops.
Oh.
.
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