Chapter 3
Tony woke up the next day to find all his friends passed out in the living room. Steve had an arm around him, and Tony gently removed it without waking him up and went outside. It was only 7:30, and the road was clear. Tony stayed there, breathing in the fresh, cool air. But he heard voices from the neighborhood. Who wakes up this early? Tony thought.
He saw Stephen and a girl playing ball, while a middle-aged man was watering plants.
"Stephen, this is not fair. You're throwing the ball too high. I can't catch it," the girl whined.
"It's not my fault that you're short," Stephen said, chuckling.
"Daddy, he is not playing nice," the girl said.
"Stephen, play nice with your sister," the dad warned.
"Donna, stop being a baby when you lose," Stephen said.
"Have you started fighting early?" a woman asked, coming out with a toddler on her arm.
"I also want to play, Mama," the kid said cheerfully.
"Come here, Vic. I will play with you," Stephen said, taking the little boy on his shoulder.
Tony watched the warm family moment. He had always wanted siblings, but his parents were always busy and didn't even have time to take care of him.
"Hey, champ. Good morning. Do you live here?" Stephen's dad asked, spotting Tony.
"Hi, morning! No, this is my friend's house," Tony said.
"Oh! Is that so? Nice to meet you. I'm Doctor Eugene Strange."
"You too. I'm Tony Stark," Tony replied.
"You're Howard Stark's son? That's great. My wife and I are working with your dad on a project. We’ll be planning a party for everyone. You should come," Eugene said.
"Sure, Mr. Strange. See you later," Tony said and walked inside. His friends were still sleeping. He sat on the floor waiting for them to wake up.
"Stephen's family is nice and normal. Not like mine," Tony thought.
"Dad, why would you invite him to the party?" Stephen asked.
"Why not? I'm inviting everyone in the neighborhood. Stephen, you were complaining about not having friends. This is the best way to make friends," Eugene said.
"I don't want to be friends with him," Stephen said.
"Why?"
"He is just rich and arrogant about being one," Stephen said.
"I don't think so. He is a sweet boy," Beverly said.
"Everyone is sweet to you, Mom," Stephen said, rolling his eyes.
"I don't know about sweet, but he is really cute," Donna whispered in Stephen's ear.
"Oh! Shut up," Stephen said.
"Okay, kids. Be good. Your mom and I need to go to the Stark Tower for further discussions on our project. Also, we have to invite everyone to the party," Eugene said.
"Okay, we will be good," Stephen said.
"Also, Stephen, try to befriend the kids in your neighborhood. We're going to live here forever," Eugene said.
"I'm not that desperate to get friends, Dad," Stephen said, rolling his eyes.
"I know. But life will be easier with friends, girlfriends, and boyfriends," Eugene said, smirking.
"Okay, noted," Stephen said.
"Also, Steph, when is Christine coming over?" Beverly asked.
"Tomorrow. She will be here for a week. Is that okay?" Stephen said.
"Of course. She can stay as long as she wants. And Stephen, make a move on her. She is such a lovely girl. There will be others who will get her," Beverly said.
"Mom, please," Stephen said, groaning.
"Alright, alright. Let's go and get ready," Eugene said and left with his wife.
"So, you and Christine are going to date?" Donna asked.
"I don't know. We might give it a try," Stephen said.
"Okay, all the best with that," Donna said, patting her brother's back and taking Victor with her.
Stephen just laughed at his sister's shenanigans.
Tony walked into his tower, and Jarvis was standing outside all dressed up.
"Hey J, why are you standing outside?" Tony asked.
"Boss and Madam are going for a business trip, but guests came over, so they are talking to them," Jarvis said.
"Guests?" Tony wondered and went into the hall.
Tony's parents were talking to two people sitting on the couch. Tony's father spotted him and said, "Here comes my son. Tony, come over and say hello to Doctor Strange."
Tony walked near the couch and saw who they were. It was Stephen's parents.
"We have already met this morning, Mr. Stark," Eugene said.
"Oh, is it? Where?" Howard asked.
"I was at Thor's house. They are Thor's neighbors," Tony said.
"Great. Doctor Strange is here to invite us to the house party this weekend," Maria said.
"Yes, and Tony, you should come. Also, invite all your friends," Beverly said.
"You don’t have to mention that. Tony and his friends are inseparable. They will follow wherever he goes," Maria said, chuckling.
"You’re really lucky, Tony, to have such wonderful friends. My kids are always blaming us for moving here. They miss their friends," Beverly said.
"That won't be a problem. Your kids can be friends with Tony and his friends," Maria said.
Tony looked at his mom with a betrayed look.
"Sure. Okay, Mr. Stark, Mrs. Stark, we’re leaving. Tony, you should be at the party," Eugene said, winking at Tony.
They went outside.
"Tony, dear. Mom and Dad are going for a meeting and will only be returning after tomorrow. Jarvis will be coming back, so take care of yourself," Maria said.
"He is not a kid, Maria. He can take care of himself," Howard said.
Tony didn't say anything back. He might be a big boy, but Tony liked to be taken care of by others. His mom and dad had never had time for that, but Jarvis was there for him.
"Okay, bye," Tony said in a small voice.
His mother kissed his cheek and went outside. His dad didn’t even say goodbye to him. Tony went to his lab to work on something.
Tony had been working in the lab for a long time. He lost track of time when Jarvis knocked on the door.
"Yes, J. Come in," Tony said.
"Tony, aren’t you hungry? Come, let’s have dinner," Jarvis said.
"I’m not feeling up to dinner," Tony said.
"What happened? Are you unwell?" Jarvis asked, touching his forehead.
"No, I’m okay."
"Do you want to talk to me?" Jarvis asked, sitting near him.
"Do you think Mom and Dad love me?" Tony asked.
"Of course, they do. They are just busy with their work. Why do you ask that now?"
"Other parents are not like them. They play, talk, and spend time with their kids. Me, I barely even see them," Tony said, remembering the cute family moment of Stephen’s.
"Tony, your parents are not ordinary. They are the most powerful and richest people in the world. So their responsibilities are higher. That doesn’t mean they don’t love you," Jarvis said.
"But I'm grateful to them for one thing," Tony said.
"What would that be?"
"They assigned you to take care of me," Tony said, smiling.
"Of course, I will take care of my young boss until my last breath," Jarvis said, chuckling.
"Now, come and have dinner. I’ve made your favorites," Jarvis said.
"Okay," Tony said, following Jarvis.
Tony is an arrogant, spoiled kid in front of others, but only Jarvis knows how soft-hearted and confused he is. Tony never wears his mask in front of him. The two of them were having dinner.
"J, can I ask you something?" Tony asked.
"Yes."
"Do you think people like me just because I’m a rich kid?"
"I don’t think so. You’re a very likable person. But on first glance, people might think you’re very cocky. But those who know you closely know how much of a good person you are," Jarvis said.
"Mmh... Steve also said this," Tony said.
"So, I don’t have to care about what others think about me, right?" Tony asked.
"Of course, you don’t have to. But why did you ask that?" Jarvis said.
"I met a boy. He is different. Most of the kids want to be my friend, but he said he is not 'entertained' by my presence," Tony said, finger-quoting what Stephen said.
"That made you upset?" Jarvis asked, smirking.
"Yes, because it was like a reality check for me. People are trying to be my friends just because I have money, not for my character," Tony said, pouting.
"That’s not true. Your friends are not with you because of your money," Jarvis said.
"Yeah, you’re right. He is a jerk. I should not be worried about what he said," Tony said, scoffing.
Jarvis agreed.