"You're kidding, right?" Anthony Edward Stark. Heir of Stark Industries. Genius. Billionaire. Playboy. Philantropist. Now, the star of whatever prank show this is.

"Oh come on, You've got to be kiddding me. This isnt some medieval time or something. Mother?" Tony asked incredulously. Slightly annoyed at the emotionless face of his father, so as always, he turned to his mother for help. He cant even think of a better term for this shenanigan. Maybe, he's being punked.

"Anthony" Maria calmly adressed his fidgeting son. He will always be his little Anthony, always active, always curious, always in trouble. "Please take this seriously. Your father and I are not kidding you nor pranking you as you eloquently put it" She said in a manner of fact, with hint of annoyance, like the one she used when she was reprimanding him as a little boy.

Tony could only shake his head. Still, rocking back and forth in the reclining chair. Why does everytime he goes in this office, some shocking big news awaits him. "So, you mean I need to marry for convenience. For the benefit of all that is holy." He said in mock excitement.

Howard still holds the same emotionless expression as before they have started the "talk". He summoned his one and only son to New York to personally drop the bomb. To be honest, he's not surprised at all of his reaction. He thought maybe, if he knew who he will marry, he might not react as if this whole marriage thing will be the death of him. "Anthony, this is what we need. Stark Industries' future depends on this. It will cement our business relationship with.." Tony abruptly cut his father's lecture and said, "wait, wait, wait, You mean I have to sacrifice my freedom, and be the doting husband for a business relationship?! Why in the hell do we need to make this kind of arrangement? Are we broke? Wait, are we? " Tony said to his father not wanting him to make another word, so he added, "No, don't answer that, are you just doing this to control me and make me behave in such a way that does not bring humiliation to this family?" He continued rambling. "Cause Im telling you now,this wont work. I am a grown man, capable of..." This time he was the one to be rudely interrupted. His father said two words. Two words that made him stop his excessive babbling.

"I'm sorry, what?" Tony had to be sure that what he heard was right, so he let his father speak, with all ears he listened this time.

"Virginia Potts" Howard tried to control the smirk he wants to give his son. "You are to marry Virginia. You know very well that majority of the controlling stocks of SI is invested from their bank"

Now, Anthony was at a lost for word. I could have started with that, I knew it would silence him, Howard thought. He looked at his wife, and there's a hint of smile on her face. She must be thinking of the same thing.

Still, Tony held his silence, with his mouth slighly open, and his right hand was left raised in the air. Howard thought of taking it back, just to know his reaction. Tony thinks he could always outsmart everyone. He always forgets that his father was a genius too.

"Maybe you're right". Howard said thoughtfully, trying to feign an expression of defeat. "You're a grown man, capable of making your own decisions"

"What?" Now, Tony is confused more than ever. Last minute his father is telling him he needs to agree to this arrangement but now he is giving him an out , he should have started with those two magic words. He would not have put up a fight.

"Tony, I said that you're right. I dont have the right to choose for you" Maria is carefully watching his son. She knows Howard is playing him on. He might have realized that he has the upperhand now. Tony is slowly losing his fight.

"Pepper.. It's Pepper. Uhm, I mean does she know already? Did she agree? Will she do this, I mean." He is stuttering. There are so many things going on in his mind. He can't seem to focus. Arranged marriage. Pepper. Marriage. Pepper. Pepper. Pepper. "Tony, if you dont want to do this, then we will respect your decision." Maria suddenly had the urge to butt in. She very well knew his answer. His expression tells them everything there is.

"I, uhh, agree. " That's all Tony could utter, he cant trust his mind now. Not in front of his parents.

"Very well,then. We must meet with Richard soon. I need to know his answer." Howard said ,back in business mode.

"Yeah, just let me know when" He is still in trance. His mind is wandering off to his ever beloved then girlfriend. His sweet, sweet, gorgeous, smart Pepper. He kissed his mother goodbye and headed off to the door.

"You choose well, Anthony. She is the best for you". Howard said before Tony could close the door behind him.

The old couple exchanged meaningful glances. They both know how hopelessly in love their son is with Pepper. "I do hope Richard already convinced Virginia" Howard could only nod thoughtfully at his wife.
"Well, let's just hope"

Virginia Potts briskly walked towards the men waiting for her. Men in black as they say. Looking every inch the security team a woman like her needs. Back to reality. Virginia thought ruefully.

She was volunteering for UN in Africa when she got the call. Her dad, Richard Potts, was rushed to the hospital after suffering from a heart attack. They cant discuss his health over the phone as he has strict orders on the disclosure of such information. And she cant, for the love of God, comprehend why such orders exist. She cant know if he is fine or not. She was not even allowed to talk to him. "Taylor, what's going on?" As soon as she got in the back seat, she asked his dad's ever faithful bodyguard. She was as always composed and calm. She's surprised she can still get hold of her nerves. This not knowing thing will make her tear something apart. "I was just asked to pick you up, Ms Potts" said Taylor in his usual polite manner.

"What?! You cant even tell me if he is still alive or not?!" She's losing her cool. The implications of her words suddenly strucked her. "I mean he's fine right? Dad's fine?" She mutters mostly to herself and sighed deeply as if she's done figuring out how she's managed to fly off back to New York from Africa in a matter of time. She's lightheaded, jetlag is killing her plus she really is having the urge to hurl something at someone's head. God, my dad can really be annoying. I dont know what I'll do to him if this is just another of his "girl" problems, Pepper thought as they speed down to traffic.

Girl problems. She cant even remember if he is on his 100th girlfriend for the year. She knows she is still hurt by the fact that her parents are divorced, on different continents, and still not talking to each other. She thought she could get past it. That maybe everything that hurts before will eventually be just a memory. But as always, some things remain the same. She's still stuck in the same ground. Hoping. Wishing. That someday her family will be whole again.

"Ms. Potts". She was brought back to her reverie by the sound of the opening door and the gentle call of her name. "Yes, thanks". She politely said after getting out of the car. She's bracing herself for the unthinkable, she wants to expect the worst.

"Wait, what?!" Virginia cannot comprehend a single word her father said for the last half hour. She simply drifted off after hearing that girlfriend number 89 took off with a buttload of his money.

"Virginia, sweetheart, if you could just sit and listen to me, instead of standing there and pretending to listen, this will be much easier" Richard Potts stated in the most adoring tone. The tone he uses to pick up girls, this ,Virginia has regretfully noted.

"Dad" She sighed. "I flew from Africa to New York,I just got off from a plane, Im having a terrible, terrible jetlag, and I just want to collapse and pretend this is all just a dream." She said slowly in the most calm voice her fogged up body can afford.

"Sweetie, I know. And Im sorry. But you got to listen to Paps." His father is still in his usual cool and groovy self.

She sighed. Really really sighed. She flopped down to one of the chairs near the hospital bed. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and realy tried to calm her summersaulting nerves. "Okay Dad,let me clear this first." "Your very young girlfriend" Ginny was cut off by his father.

"Oh come on Ginny, she's 25, she's not that young." He countered casually not really noticing that her only daughter is trying not to burst into flames right there and then.

"Dad" She stared him dead in the eyes. If looks could kill, she really could have murdered a lot of people today, including the source of her agony -that is her Dad.

"Fine, fine. You talk" Gesturing with his hands up. As if he was the child in this conversation.

"She left with your money. How come she could steal that much? It's on safety deposit right? How can she do that?" She is so tired. In reality, she doesnt really care about the money nor the girlfriend who fled off. She just wants some goodnight sleep now that she knows he's fine and very much alive.

"Yes, she left with my money. She knows my combination. And for some reason, they let her take it all." He stated not a bit worried but amusement is etched on his face. Now she really wants to hurl something at him, maybe his father could use some blow in the head.

"I cannot believe this. Dad, I cannot care less about the money nor your gold-digging bitch, Sorry for my language, but please please Dad, can you stop picking up girls from the streets?" She begs. Really really begs him. She cant take another ordeals made by his other women.

"Oh come on,Virginia, I dont pick up girls in the street. You make me sound so desperate.." His dad looks hurt, atleast that's the look he was going for. And she is beyond exasperated, and she knows that's the look she's giving him now,not a bit trying. It comes out naturally.