Stone Heart

The Tour

Pepper smiled and released her hand moving to open the door holding it open for her. "Now the pay will be thirty dollars an hour." She told Evangeline as they stepped into the elevator pausing for a moment to hit the button too the sixtieth floor.

"You'll be working four days a week; Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday." She said turning to give Evangeline her full attention. "But if that doesn't work with your schedule we can make some changes." She shook her head at Pepper waving her hand in dismissal. "No that would be perfect my brother works those days as well." "Great." Pepper breathed out looking relieved at the development. "What will the hours be?" Evangeline asked as the Elevator came to a stop the doors sliding open to reveal the huge mess she had been hired to clean. "Eight hours." Pepper informed wincing at the giant mess that covered every inch of the apartment in front of them.

"As you know most of the members live in the tower." Pepper spoke as they picked their way out of the elevator and into the main living area Evangeline eyes widening at every new mountain of blood covered clothing and garbage. "This is the main commons area also the most trafficked." Pepper spoke coming to a stop behind a heavily soiled couch her lip curling up in disgust at the sight of mold covered plates sitting on the dust-covered coffee table. Evangeline nodded her eyes scanning the room already coming up with a game plan that would make tackling this mess so much easier.

"Each member has their own floor." Pepper explained breaking the girl from her thoughts. "They have all been made aware of the situation and have come up with a system," Pepper told her as she started moving to the kitchen stopping to point at a large screen that hung on the wall next to the entrance of the messy kitchen.

"When a member needs their spaces cleaned they will simply send it to the board and it will be made into a reminder along with any other areas that need your extra attention." Pepper said moving into the kitchen glaring at the counters that seemed to be made out of dirty dishes. 'Wow.' Evangeline thought to herself taking a long moment to take it all in.

"Is there anything else that I will be doing?" Evangeline asked finally taking her eyes off of the mess that covered every inch of the probably once gorgeous space. "I'm glad you asked." Pepper exclaimed smiling at the girl. "You will be in charge of laundry and making dinner on the days you are working." She nodded turning to face the strawberry blonde fully, linking her arms together behind her back.

"Will I also be doing the shopping?" She asked praying silently to herself that the answer would be no, she hated going shopping alone. "No there is already a member of staff in charge of the shopping." Pepper said shaking her head. "However if you ever need anything for dinner or any cleaning supplies type them into the board he will be informed immediately." She explained. "Sounds great." Evangeline breathed with a small smile gracing her lips. "Perfect no.." "Who is she?" A voiced asked suddenly from the doorway of the kitchen causing both women to jump in surprise.

Evangeline sighed placing her hand over her racing heart. "Tony." Pepper hissed as she glared at the intruder. "Sorry." He said all the while chuckling at the reactions he had gotten from the two. "This is Evangeline Harris, she is the lovely young women who be cleaning up after you guys." She introduced crossing her arms over her chest sending a glare in her boyfriend's direction. Tony turned to the small girl with a huge smile gracing his face. "Tony Stark." He spoke holding his hand out to her. Evangeline hesitated for a moment before reaching out to shake his hand. "Harris, that sounds familiar." He mused as he released her hand.

"My father used to own the Harris Marsh apartment complex in Queens." She said trying to hide the sadness in her voice with a cheery tone and a little smile. "That's right." Tony exclaimed snapping his fingers. "Those apartments were the best in Queens back in the day." He said all the while watching her carefully. "Yes, they were." She said quietly the smile falling from her face missing the look that Tony and Pepper shared before Pepper broke the uncomfortable silence. "So Evangeline, how do you feel about starting tomorrow?" Pepper asked offering the woman a warm smile.