Chapter 1

After finishing High school, Virginia Potts moved from New York to California. She was accepted to Stanford Business School, which was one of the best in the country. Pepper, as her friends called her, was excited. She was going to live alone for the first time and in a school where she always wanted to go.

In her second year, she met Richard. He was her senior and soon they became friends. Richard realized how smart she was, even for being at the beginning of the school. She had a strong and sharp mind.

During the break time, both used to meet at the school cafeteria and have their time together and then go back to class… Today, however Pepper was stuck in the library during the break, so when her classes were over and she was leaving the building she was very surprised to find Richard waiting for her…

"You know Pepper," he said while they were walking on campus after a long day of classes. "AGM Technology is recruiting".

There was a moment of silence.

"You're joking right?" She knew what he meant.

"Why not?"

"Richard, I'm still in second year".

"So what? You are smarter than most of my colleagues… and it's a science and research company; you are interested in that too aren't you?"

"Yes, but-"

"What's the harm in trying? You make the test, go for interviews… if they don't work out at least you've got experience in a trial like it."

"Well… I suppose I have nothing to lose…"

"Besides…" he continued, "my work is close… We can have lunch together," he said looking at the ground, afraid to meet her eyes.

Pepper smiled a little. "I would love that."

-o-

Richard was right: AGM hired her. Pepper was more than thrilled; she always saw herself as a business woman, and now she could feel she was getting there… putting the things that she was learning in to practice!

It didn't take long for her and Richard to start to date after that. As promised, they always met at lunch in a restaurant nearby.

The work environment was great! However there was one co-worker that kind of bored her. His name was Aldrich Killian. He was one of the new scientists; they often met in the halls. As always, she was polite to him when she met him.

"I guess, Killian misinterpreted my actions," said Pepper to Richard during their lunch break.

"Is he bothering you?" he asked feeling a little jealous.

"No! It's nothing I can't handle… I just have a long morning and I saw him when I was coming here… I don't know I guess I just needed to let it off my chest… You don't need to worry about…" He was more relaxed and she continued: "I guess because of his conditions, girls do not usually speak to him".

"What do you mean?"

"Well… he is handicapped… some kind of muscular paralysis, I heard…"

"Seriously Ginny, if he-"

"Don't worry… he's harmless".

"Well… maybe you should tell him you have a boyfriend now…" he said, holding her hand and giving it a little kiss.

Just like she said, Pepper handled Killian fine, but from time to time he would meet her and try to ask her out, and as always, she rejected him politely. Pepper was very happy with Richard. And as the years went by their relationship were just getting stronger. It was her last year of school and soon she was going to graduate… Pepper and Richard now lived together. He graduated first and now, held a strong position in his company as a Local Manager.

After a long night of boring classes, Pepper came home to find Richard in front of the computer.

"I'm exhausted!" she complained and he laughed a little.

"Long day?" he asked without taking his eyes from the computer.

"You have no idea. I'm going to make some dinner… do you want some?"

"Yeah." He was still not looking at her: that fact bothered her a little.

"What are you looking at that it's so interesting?" she asked while approaching the computer desk and didn't miss his smile.

"Well… I'm searching for houses to rent in L.A."

"What? Why?"

"Well guess who is going to be a Local Manager there?"

"...You? How? When did this happen?"

"They offered me the position. Said my work could improve one of our affiliates there… is it great? I'm also going to have a raise!" he said with a big smile on his face.

Pepper was having mixed feelings. At the same time she was happy for him… but also afraid of what that meant for their relationship…

"Yeah that's great… but… what will happen? When were you going to tell me this?" she asked trying to keep herself calm.

"Well…" He got up and held her hand. "Today, actually… I was hoping that you would decide to come with me." He put something on her hand.

A little confused, Pepper opened her hand and saw a beautiful gold ring! It was slim, with little green rocks on it. The colors of the ring contrasted well and it looked beautiful and delicate.

After a few seconds, she was able to speak again.

"Is this..?"

"Will you marry me Ginny?"

"..."

When she didn't answer he kept talking…

"You can find a job there easily. And while you don't, my salary will be enough for us for a while. It's going to be tough but we will make some saving for the wedding and-"

"Yes!" she cut him off.

"What?"

"Yes I will marry you!" she answered smiling.

As the days went by Pepper announced her engagement to her family. They were more than happy and her father insisted on helping them with money. But Pepper and Richard insisted they wanted to pay for themselves: the wedding, the honeymoon and a new house. Because Pepper had an older sister, she insisted to her father to leave this money for her eventual marriage.

Soon after her graduation, Pepper and Richard moved to L.A. During the first weeks, Richard went to his new job and Pepper stayed at home organizing their things. The house was relatively big, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, but the living room was great and they also had a little yard. The rent was okay… Richard was able to pay it although they had to cut some expenses until Pepper found a new job.

After a month, they decided to go to the beach for the weekend. They spent the morning there looking at the people, chatting and having a good time. Now Richard was speaking about something from his job, but Pepper wasn't paying much attention as she was reading some papers that she had printed earlier that day.

"… and you have no idea of what I'm talking to. Right" he said looking at her. He had been speaking for at least 8 minutes and all her responses were "Hum... Really?... Hum"

Been caught, she smiled a little.

"Sorry honey. You were saying...?"

"What are you reading that is so interesting?" He said putting his chair next to hers and looking at her papers. "Why are you reading about Stark Industries?"

"They're recruiting…So I thought about giving it a try… I'm just researching it."

"Why would you want to go to Stark Industries? It is a weapon industry! I thought you wanted something about science, research and development?"

"It's not only about weapons. I was reading here and they have great advances in technology".

"What guarantees that you will work in those departments?"

"Richard, think about how much I could grow there! How many opportunities!"

Seeing that he didn't answer, she tried to ease his fears. "It's just a job interview…I'll do others in other places… Besides, we could use a little more money…"

-o-

It wasn't easy! She saw at least a hundred candidates there. The interview was divided in to three phases: an admission test, analysis of their curriculum, and then just the interview itself.

Pepper went through all the phases and they hadn't called her yet. She was getting tired looking at the newspaper searching for jobs to apply for, getting interviews and not getting a response. And that was exactly what she was doing now. Looking at the newspaper, Richard was trying to comfort her.

"Honey, don't worry about it…. You will find something. If nobody called then it was because the job wasn't right for you… Something better will come".

"Yeah… well… but that doesn't pay the bills," she said impatiently.

He didn't know what to say. "Why don't you go take a bath? Try to relax a little, hun?"

"Nah… you go… I will finish looking at this page first."

He gave up and left the room thinking what else he could do to cheer her up. Pepper released a sigh before looking back at the paper when the phone began to ring.

"Good evening!" She heard the woman on the other side say. "I would like to talk to Virginia Potts?"

"That would be me." Her hopes went a little high.

"Hello! My Name is Patricia White. I am speaking from the Human Resources of Stark Industries. You applied for a job here and we were very interested in hiring you. Are you still interested in the job"

"Yes!" she almost yelled. "Yes I am!"

"We are very happy to hear that. Can you come over tomorrow at the main building at 9 am?"

"Of course."

"Please take notes of the documents that we'll need for tomorrow."

Pepper took a pen and wrote everything that she said.

"Well. I hope to see you tomorrow. Have a good night!"

"Thank you and good night!"

After hanging up the phone, Pepper stood quietly thanking every god that she knew. Richard came out of the shower.

"I heard the phone ring. Who was it?"

"I got a job," she said quietly.

"What?!"

"I will start tomorrow at Stark Industries!" She sounded more exited now. "I cannot believe it! I got a job!"

"Ginny that's great!" He went to hug her.

"I know you don't agree with it-" But he didn't let her finish.

"I was worried because of you. But if you are fine and happy than so am I!" he said, looking at her eyes and smiling at her.

"Thank you." She kissed him. "Thank you for understanding".

"Let's go out and celebrate!"

-o-

They went to a nice restaurant and had a romantic dinner. Pepper was feeling more relaxed now. Finally, she could start helping him with the expenses and saving money for their wedding. She also started to think how she wanted to do it. She let herself dream about her wedding and honeymoon with Richard.

The next day Pepper arrived early at Stark Industries and went straight to the main building.

"Hello! I'm searching for Patricia White. My name is Virginia Potts, I'm starting here today".

The secretary gave her a warm smile at her.

"Congratulations! Just a minute, I will tell her that you're here."

As she waited Pepper took a look at the main area. It was huge! In a wall next to the secretaries, there was a picture in black and white of Howard Stark, the founder of the Company. There was something written as well but all she get to read was a quote "Better living through technology" before she was interrupted by an older woman.

"Miss Potts?"

Pepper turned.

"I'm Patricia White. Happy to meet you".

"You too. Thank you for the opportunity."

"Thank you for applying! I loved your resume. Let me take you to the department you will be working for."

"Thank you," said Pepper.

Pepper followed the woman. She was starting today at the Accounting Department. She was excited to work at a multinational company as big as Stark Industries. Right now, she was focused on doing a good job, so she and Richard could finally move on in their plans!

Never in her life did she imagine that in a few short months she would be working directly for the famous CEO of the company as his Assistant… Much less later that in 12 years she would be its CEO.