𝒀𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒏 | 𝙏𝙤𝙣𝙮 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙠

Chapter 6

Tony and Iliana had fallen into an easy, almost domestic routine, one that felt comfortable, natural, as if they had been doing this for years. Each morning, Iliana would wake up first, head into the kitchen, and make breakfast for the two of them. The smell of coffee and freshly cooked eggs would lure Tony out of his bedroom—or more likely, his workshop—his hair a mess, and his face softened by sleep. They would sit together at the dining table, share a meal, talk about nothing in particular, and then go their separate ways to work.

Around midday, Iliana would make her way to Tony's workshop, where he was always buried in some project—stabilizers, designs, blueprints—his mind buzzing with ideas. She would drag him out, sometimes playfully, sometimes more forcefully, to have lunch. Today, it was steak with mashed potatoes, a meal they both enjoyed. They'd sit, eat, talk about whatever popped into their heads, Tony often teasing her or throwing in a snarky comment, and then he'd disappear back into his cave of invention until dinner.

Iliana would insist Tony eat something for dinner, knowing he'd otherwise forget. After dinner, they'd talk some more, often sitting by the fireplace or in the living room, their banter light, teasing, but with an undercurrent of something deeper. When it was time for bed, Iliana would guide Tony upstairs, ensuring he went to sleep, even if he protested. She would sit beside him until he drifted off, his face soft in sleep, and then quietly slip out to her own room.

If anyone had seen them like this—except for Happy or Pepper, of course—they would have easily mistaken Tony and Iliana for a married couple. Their dynamic was effortless, filled with teasing and light bickering. It was playful, never serious, but always underscored by the kind of familiarity that spoke of deep care. Like today, Tony had thrown a minor tantrum when she served him a healthy soup that he claimed looked too bland, protesting like a child forced to eat his vegetables. Iliana had simply rolled her eyes and ignored him, earning a dramatic sigh from Tony.

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Later that afternoon, Tony had been hunched over his designs, tweaking the stabilizers, when Iliana walked into his workshop, as usual, and dragged him out for lunch. She had set the table with two plates of perfectly cooked steak and creamy mashed potatoes, the smell filling the kitchen. Just as they were about to eat, Iliana's phone buzzed with a call.

The screen displayed an unknown number, and she stared at it for a few seconds before picking it up.

"Hello, Iliana Song speaking," she answered in her calm, professional voice.

"Ms. Song, this is Cha Joo-ik speaking."

At the sound of his name, Iliana's face lit up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Tony, already halfway into his steak, glanced up at her, intrigued by her reaction.

"Hello, Mr. Cha," Iliana replied, her tone noticeably warmer now. "Have you called to reject the proposal, or to accept it?"

"To accept it," came Cha's smooth reply, his voice rich and confident. "I'll be flying to New York in a few hours to meet with you in person."

Iliana beamed, her excitement barely contained. "We can talk comfortably at my apartment," she suggested, only for Tony to interject loudly before Cha could respond.

"You can talk here," Tony said, making sure his voice was loud enough for the man on the other end to hear.

Iliana shot him a look, but there was a faint smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"I'll send a car to pick you up. Just let me know when you arrive," she continued, a professional tone still in place.

"Of course. Good day, Ms. Song," Cha replied.