Chapter 1
Your father had worked for years on this prototype, yeah sure there were similar things out there but this was the real deal, not some toy, the problem was if you sold it, it would be made into a weapon and you didn’t want that, it was your defence at first but soon you had become obsessive training with it. It was a dangerous weapon really, and you could weld it just like they did in the movies now, the glowing red light creating a warm but pleasant glow on you creamy caramel tanned skin, you packed it away and gathered your long chocolate hair into a tight bun to look as professional as possible. You didn’t really have much choice in clothes, your only good dress not as professional as you would like but it was a miracle you even had that, you slipped on the short pink ruffled dress, squeezed that last bit of lotion you saved out of the tube and took a deep breath before exiting your shack. Keeping to yourself as you walked down the street through the slums to town, a job fair, glasses that you has stolen perched on your nose hopefully you could get a job as an assistant, you desperately needed money. Money not just to eat properly, which was something you hadn’t done in days if not weeks, but money for other living expenses, electricity, maybe water so you didn’t have to bath or wash your clothes in the river, money to pay of debts that would soon kill you.
Honestly if someone offered you money for sex work right now you would consider the job to eat, to pay debts, but you were proud, you had fought it for so long, you would only do it if the man respected you and in Puerto Rico, no man would respect you like that. Not a wife, not a child, no one cared that you could speak three languages, no one cared you were an inventor, women had two uses, as a wife or a whore, that’s how it worked in the slums, but you had hope that maybe this job fair could change that, if you could get in. So many women were wearing high heels, something you couldn’t afford, your whole outfit was gifted by your best friend Michael, pink dress and matching sneakers, he spent what little money he had to get you here, you looked around for him, maybe he hadn’t arrived yet. “You’re dressed a little more practically aren’t you” a voice purrs behind you, “well I am here to find a job sir, they are here to find higher paying clients” you say turning to face the smirking American, he is attractive, wealthy but that comes with being American. His face lights up, “you can speak English” he smiles and you can’t help but feel nervous about the way he looks you up and down, “and French sir”, he nods, “what job do you have now” he asks as you wonder about his distinctive facial hair, he looks so familiar.
You can’t say you are unemployed and starving, “umm metal work” you say softly and his eyes flicker down to your hands, hands you know are to soft and uncallused, “I wear gloves” you explain, its not entirely a lie, you do wear gloves when you make stuff at home. He looks at you for too long, like he is thinking, “what job do you want”, “any really, a maid, assistant, receptionist”, “I mean if you could do anything, not worry about money, just do what you wanted” he corrects himself, you try not to scoff, not worry about money, everyone worries about money. You decide to answer traditionally “a good wife sir, I do not have a husband yet”, you can see the corner of his mouth flicker up as he tries to hide his smirk, does he think you meant a wife to him, Americans are pigs, he would have to be filthy rich for you to even consider him. “Are you looking for any employees here sir” you ask politely, you are here to find a job an this American expects you to throw yourself at him, “no just visiting, I didn’t know this was a job fair it just piqued my interests, like you did” he flirts.
You barely hold back from rolling your eyes, instead offering a sweet smile, “well enjoy your time here in San Juan, I must be off” you say catching his face fall from the corner of your eye, how American, can’t understand someone not being interested, “wait!” he calls out grasping your wrist. Is he going to hit you, you can’t help but flinch away fearfully at the action, his confused expression softens and he releases you immediately, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you, I just wanted to know your name”, after a minute of silence you answer quietly “Maria Conejita Ortiz”. He nods and smiles “I’m Tony” he responds and you nod before walking away, god Americans, so weird, you wondered if they all needed to be the center of attention or it was just the rich ones with huge egos.
Surprisingly it was the shoes he saw first, amongst a crowd of high heels and worn secondhand loafers, light pink sneakers, then long legs, a well worn pink ruffle dress covering a slim body, even though she was skinny there was a nice ass there. Silky, dark, coffee coloured hair pulled into a tight bun with a few wisps springing free, shining like copper in the sunlight that also bathed her mouthwatering golden caramel skin, and she was naturally beautiful to, wearing no makeup at all, just a pair of reading glasses that occasionally slipped down her nose. At first Tony thought this was some kind of fate, markets maybe, his translate had informed him it was in fact a job fair for the poorer districts, he was about to leave and then he saw her, she was beautiful, most of the women here, and even some men made his skin crawl. Crooked teeth, bathed in perfume, caked on makeup, some even had dirty skin, it was a poor area so he shouldn’t judge, people did what they could to get by, everyone seemed to recognise him though, the famous Tony Stark, playboy, millionaire, Ironman. Genius and philanthropist seemed to be missing from that list more often than not, not that he was bragging or anything, although he would admit he loved the way women’s eyes would light up when he talked to them, bit of an ego boost for them both.
“You’re dressed a little more practically aren’t you” he purrs impressed that she doesn’t jump at his sudden approach before realising she might not speak English, “well I am here to find a job sir, they are here to find higher paying clients” she snarks albeit politely. Tony smirks at her sass before realising he is lucky she speaks English, his face lights up as she looks him over, she is trying to play it cool in his presence, he can give her that, “you can speak English” he smiles joyfully, she nods cautiously, “and French sir” she adds. Sir, really, he is not that old, “what job do you have now” Tony ask continuing the conversation, although nervous her voice is so melodic, soft and sweet like the rest of her, her eyes twinkle for a split second before they shift a little and her fingers twist a loose tendril of hair. “Umm metal work” she answers softly and his eyes flicker down to her now intertwined hands, soft hands, its adorable how terrible a liar she is, “I wear gloves” she adds nervously, show does something with her hands, but not hard labour everyday, there are a few old cuts and burns healed up.
Tony’s eyes go up her body, watching her fidget a little under his gaze, she is cute and a little sassy, he is not entirely convinced she knows who he is, looking at her he tries not to frown, she is actually skinnier and smaller than he first thought, how young is she actually. “What job do you want” he asks the words just slipping out, “any really” she answers before spurting out a few menial jobs, that’s not what he meant, “I mean if you could do anything, not worry about money, just do what you wanted” Tony corrects. Her answer is the opposite of what he would have expected, scientist, doctor, nurse, hell even astronaut or movie star wouldn’t have made him blink but wife, maybe it’s cultural but he can help but try not to grin, he is almost tempted to tell he he doesn’t do marriage but will happily take her back to his villa. Her face however doesn’t look as innocent anymore though, in fact she looks a little less than impressed to be honest but remains polite, “Are you looking for any employees here sir”, hmm depends on what type he thinks smugly before answering properly. “no just visiting, I didn’t know this was a job fair it just piqued my interests” he answers before flirtatiously adding on “like you did”, the attractive young woman however is unmoved by his advances, almost like, no, “well enjoy your time here in San Juan, I must be off” she states turning away.
Holy shit, she has no idea who he is, everyone knows who he is, “wait!” Tony calls grabbing her wrist before she can get away from him, he regrets it immediately as her eyes flash with pure terror, of course she is scared, she has no idea who he is and Americans don’t have the best reputation. He lets her wrist go and apologises as she looks at him suspiciously, “I didn’t mean to frighten you, I just want to know your name” he asks, her eyes narrow more curiosity and caution written all over her face before she sighs, she says nothing but her name. Maria. Maria Conejita. It sounds soft like warm sand, flowing like liquid over her tongue, curving beautifully, succulent like roast meats, her name, like her makes him think of a cactus flower, stunning yet almost untouchable if not approached correctly. Tony tells her his name but she only nods before walking away, he can’t help but grin, he wants her, “What’s that stupid look on your face” Rhodey interrupts, “oh I want her” Tony grins, his friend only sighs, “we just got here can we go to the villa first before you bed every woman that will let you”. Tony chuckles and nods, “relax she wasn’t interested, she had no idea who I was anyway, even after I told her my name”, “well that’s a rare occurrence, she’s one of the lucky ones”, Tony gasps in mock hurt at his friends comment before he radio’s Happy to call the car.