𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐔𝐒 !! wlw

01 !! tides of surprise

━━ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 ━━

ೃ⁀➷

Vivienne stared at her phone, rereading the message for the third time. Her brother was getting married? Not once had he mentioned dating anyone, let alone something serious enough to walk down the aisle.She couldn't fathom how this was happening. Out of the entire family, he was the last person anyone would have expected to settle down.

Her finger traced absentmindedly over her phone's keyboard, her mind racing with questions she didn't even know how to ask. She was standing alone in her office, caught somewhere between disbelief and curiosity.Part of her wanted to be there for him, even if she doubted anyone else in their family would bother showing up. Yet something held her back, an unshakable feeling she couldn't quite name.

Letting out a soft sigh, Vivienne tapped a quick "Like" on the message and switched her phone off. She gathered her things, locked her office door, and began the familiar walk down the empty, dimly lit hallway. Midnight had come and gone, and she'd stayed late to keep her mind off... everything. The building was silent, the kind of stillness that let thoughts linger and memories drift back, unbidden and unwanted.

Vivienne's heels clicked softly against the polished floors as she made her way through the deserted building. The silence wrapped around her like a cocoon, amplifying every thought, every old memory she'd tried so hard to bury. She pushed open the glass doors and stepped out into the crisp night air, pausing to take a deep breath. The cold felt grounding, almost like a splash of reality.

Vivienne glanced out over the city, which was still buzzing with life even at midnight. Neon lights reflected off glass windows, laughter echoed from nearby bars, and people wandered the streets without a care. She closed her eyes, letting the noise and glow steady her thoughts—until she felt someone's presence just behind her.

Her instincts kicked in, honed by years of self-defense training. In one swift motion, she gripped her bag tighter, spun around, and grabbed the person's wrist, twisting it as she pressed them against the nearest wall.

"Ow! That hurt!" the person yelped, sounding more surprised than in pain.

She froze, furrowing her brows as the voice registered. Tony.

"Tony, what the hell? You don't creep up on someone, especially not on a woman, especially not past midnight!" she scolded, releasing his wrist and taking a step back.

Tony Stark rubbed his wrist with an exaggerated groan. "Do you do that to everyone you meet, or am I just special?"

Vivienne rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she looked at him. "I wouldn't have to if you announced yourself like a normal person."

Tony grinned, unbothered by her glare. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, I was just coming to see if you'd heard the good news." He winked, but his tone softened, a flicker of sincerity in his otherwise carefree expression.

Vivienne sighed, allowing a smirk to break through her frustration. "Yeah, well, I still can't believe it. Who in their right mind would marry you?"

Tony let out an offended scoff, putting a hand to his chest dramatically. "You take that back right this instant." He pointed a finger directly in her face. "I'll have you know, I am an excellent husband... or, fiancé," he corrected with a huff.