Where the spirit meets the bone. (Book 1 of the Illicit Affairs Series)

Chapter X

"Everyone, give it up for Miss Potts and my daughter, the new CEO and COO of Stark Industries!" Tony toasted from his spot on the stage, holding up his champagne glass with a dazzling smile, making the people in the crowd clap and raise their glasses, too. Pepper took your father's arm and led him off the stage, shooting you a wink over her shoulder. You chuckled and followed them.

"Great job, honey." you heard Andrew say before you could even see him at your side. His hand rested on your arm while he pressed his lips on your cheek. Your brows furrowed in confusion at his newfound affection, but he didn't notice, since his gaze was trained somewhere behind you. When you turned around to see what he was glaring at, you found James standing a few feet behind you, looking like he was caught off mid-step. You guessed he was walking over to congratulate you. He was mirroring Andrew's glare, too.

"Thank you, Andrew. Would you mind if we took a walk? I need some fresh air." you said, hoping to diffuse the tension. Andrew stared at Bucky for a moment longer, then turned his face to you with a satisfied smirk. "Of course." he responded, offering you an arm to lead you outside, where you and Bucky had been not more than half an hour before. He took you farther, though, in the gazebo, where no one could see the two of you unless they were went looking.

"So that's your friend, uh?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest, to which you nodded. He looked thoughtful for a few seconds. "What is it?" you questioned, stepping a bit closer to him while hugging yourself to warm up. "I saw you two before." he admitted, his tone colder than the late November's air. "It's not-" you started, reaching one of your hands towards his forearm. "It'd be a real downgrade, you know?" he shrugged your hand off of him, "He's not worth it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" you asked, probably way too pointedly. He raised an eyebrow. "You shouldn't even be friends with people like him." he scoffed, an outraged expression on his face. You were feeling outraged, too. "People like him?" you raised your voice, "What people, Andrew?".

"You know exactly what people I mean. He's a mechanic, for God's sake!" he exclaimed, stepping closer to you.

"Most of the people who work for both my dad and yours are, too!" you countered, taking a step back.

"You don't see me mixing up with them!". A step forward.

"You seem to forget my mother was one of 'them'. I'm one of them too!" A step back.

"Oh, please," he scoffed, "Just because your mom was poor doesn't mean you are, too. You have been leeching off your dad for a decade!". Two steps forward, his hands grabbing your arms.

"I've busted my ass to earn my place in the company! I've sacrificed my life for it! I wouldn't even be marrying you if it wasn't for my dad!" you yelled, pushing him off of you. And the truth was, you meant it. You weren't sure if you hadn't realised that until now, or if you had just been in denial. You wanted to please your father. You wanted to earn your place in this world, a world which had seemed so distant growing up, at least until you had moved in with your dad and the two of you got close.

The attic in Manhattan, the mansion on the outskirts of the city. The galas, the glass walled offices with a view, the expensive presents on every occasion, from your birthdays to the days your report cards came in. All of that was nice, comforting. It may have even felt normal, once upon a time, but it had never felt right. You had never felt deserving, being handed everything after years of watching your mom work two jobs at a time to be the best parent she could be, never relying on your father for anything that wasn't necessary for you.

The realisation suddenly felt suffocating, forcing you to take deep breaths and shake your head. You felt like you were about to die, and everything would collapse with you. Your eyes burned, tears already filling them until the spilled on your cheeks, and your heart was pounding in your chest like it had never done before.