The Deadly Nightshade | { BOOK 1 of The Flower series }

[27] Party

In three hours, the party would begin, and Jade had been anxious all day due to the five hundred guests Tony had invited, and the majority were high-class people that just wanted to party or came for the catering. Also, the party wasn't at the compound. Tony had moved it to Stark Towers since all of the guests knew of the location. They had to keep the location of the compound private.

When Happy Hogan drove Tony and Jade to the tower, she was shocked to see how tall it was. It was one of the highest buildings in all of New York. Tony hoped that the building would spark any memory to her since she lived for two years, but Jade didn't say anything regarding the place she had lived in. She didn't even recognise it as the place she got kidnapped from. It was just another building to her.

Tony made sure Wanda didn't ride with them because she wanted the Sokovian girl to be surprised by Jade's appearance when she entered the party. He smirked at her, wriggling his eyebrows as he said something that her jaw will be dropped and would want to spice it up in the bedroom after the party. Of course, Jade didn't understand the sexual reference, but Wanda did, and she had become a blushing mess.

Natasha was in the same quarters with Jade as they both waited for Jade's dress. Jade was curious, looking out the window in the old quarters. She knew it was Natasha's old bedroom when they had lived in Stark Towers. The view was the best part. You could see everything, and it towered over everything.

The city of Manhattan was buzzing, even at the late hours of the evening. Buildings lit up to show off their company, and huge advertisement signs hung everywhere to make sure that you didn't miss a glimpse of anything. On the black granite roads with yellow and white painted lines, rows and rows of cars honking and people yelling colorful profanities because the traffic was slow as molasses.

People rushing in and out of tall, dazzling skyscrapers and buildings, trying to get home for dinner and spending the rest of the night with their families.

The pink and orange sunset had shone amongst the buildings making the view look like a watercolour painting. It was a view Jade hadn't seen in a long time when she was fourteen. Now, being in the compound and outside of the city, not being able to leave because of the public, right now at this moment was perfect for Jade. It definitely took her mind off what the night was going to offer.

She cracked a smile when her eyes wandered off to a family sitting at a cafe across the street. Two kids, a boy, and a girl, probably around fifteen and nine years old, laughed together. Their dad was reading a book, but he glanced at his children now and then with a grin on his face. The mom was enjoying her bagel, staring at her children with adoration. The boy helped his younger sister with her muffin, and the little girl looked up at her brother as if he was her hero.

She couldn't help but wonder if it was like that with Tony and her mother, Victoria. If they spent quality time together, that made the best memories.

There was a knock on the door, and Natasha opened it, seeing it was Happy with Jade's dress in a protective cover. Natasha smiled, moving to the side as he walked in. His brown eyes landed on Jade, sitting on the ledge bench, gazing out the window. Her knees were bent, having her arms hugging her knees to her chest as her chin rested against her arms. Her hair was pulled in a high ponytail, and she was only in leggings and Wanda's sweatshirt that she was "borrowing".

"Ms. Stark," he greeted, meaning to get her attention.

It took Jade a few seconds to realise he was talking to her. She blinked away from the view, turning her head to Happy and Natasha. They both smiled at her as Happy held up the dress. "Ms. Potts had picked this dress out just for you." He looked back and forth between Natasha and Jade. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"