Ultimate Iron Man

[3 months ago]

Natasha Romanoff sat straight in a hard metal chair, her face calm and hard to read. Around her, a team of Red Room operatives worked quietly.

General Dreykov stood at the head of the table. The holographic display of Tony Stark's face reflected on his big glasses. Stark's smirk was filled with arrogance and his dark eyes were gleaming with the kind of intelligence that both fascinated and unnerved her. The dossier in Natasha's hands detailed everything they knew about the heir to Stark Industries: genius-level intellect, MIT prodigy, robotics innovator, and son of the legendary Howard Stark.

"He's disappeared," Dreykov said, his voice sharp and clipped. "No public appearances for over a year. No interviews. No social connections. No involvement in Stark Industries since graduating. A recluse in Malibu, of all places."

Natasha's gaze didn't waver as she responded. "And yet you think he's a threat?"

"Not a threat," Dreykov corrected. "A loose end. Stark Industries is one of the most powerful weapons manufacturers in the world. Howard Stark was a problem for us for years, always slipping out of reach. His son... might be worse. Stark Junior is unpredictable, brilliant, and, for some reason, working in isolation. We don't know what he's building. All our efforts to sneak in and hack into the facility have failed. The technology at that place is beyond anything we have ever encountered. If the security is that tight, it can only mean one thing: Stark is building something big. Something new. Something that will destabilize the entire balance of power in the world if left unchecked and that makes him dangerous."

The room was silent for a moment, tension thick in the air. Natasha's mind raced as she pieced together the information. Stark's seclusion wasn't just a personal choice. It was calculated. A man like Tony Stark didn't fade into obscurity without a reason.

"What's the objective?" she asked, breaking the silence.

Dreykov's lips curled into a thin smile. "Get close to him. Gain his trust. Find out what he's working on. If it's something we can use, acquire it. If it's something we can't... neutralize the threat."

The word hung in the air, heavy with implication. Neutralize. Natasha nodded, her face betraying nothing. This was just another mission. Another role to play. Another target to manipulate and probably kill in the end.

[Arrival in Malibu]

The sunny California weather was very different from the cold, lifeless feel of the Red Room. Natasha put on her sunglasses as she got out of the black SUV, looking around the beautiful beach town. It was nothing like the busy cities she usually worked in. The air had a salty, sunscreen smell, and the sound of waves hitting the shore made everything feel calm—maybe too calm for the job she had to do.

Her cover identity was a new residence trying to make a break. A young woman with a degree in business management and marketing, looking for opportunities in Malibu's small but affluent business scene. It was simple, unassuming, and believable. Since she doesn't have a record outside it made the job easier. Red Room created a new identity for this mission.

Her first task had been setting up the restaurant where Tony goes most of the time. The Red Room had purchased the property under a shell company weeks before her arrival, equipping it with hidden cameras, microphones, and a state-of-the-art surveillance system. Every inch of the building had been swept and prepped for its dual purpose: a functioning eatery and a covert operations hub. No one, including the workers, knew what was going on in there. Well, they were professional after all.

For the first three months, Natasha had observed from a distance. Stark's routines were irregular at best. He rarely left his facility, a sprawling, high-tech building perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. When he did go out, it was usually for groceries or the occasional walk along the beach or to grab lunch. He spoke to no one, his interactions were limited to cashiers and delivery drivers. There were no parties, no visitors, and no signs of reckless behavior.

"He's disciplined," Natasha reported during a secure call to the Red Room. "Focused. He's not wasting time. Whatever he's working on, it's consuming him."

"Then it's time to make contact," Dreykov instructed. "Push him. See how he reacts."

Natasha's mind raced as she planned her approach. Stark was brilliant, and brilliant people were often predictable in their arrogance. He wouldn't be swayed by simple flattery or charm. No, she would need to play this carefully and show just enough vulnerability to disarm him, enough wit to keep his interest, and enough mystery to make him want more.

The restaurant was the perfect trap. Its location was strategic, positioned near one of Stark's usual walking routes and it was his usual lunch spot. Natasha had ensured the staff were all in place, unwitting pawns who believed they were simply running a business. The surveillance system was active, every angle covered, every microphone tuned to pick up the faintest whispers.

The final piece of the puzzle was making sure Stark ended up at her table. This required a bit of subtle manipulation: the seating arrangements were adjusted, a few tables were conveniently marked as "reserved," and Natasha positioned herself in the most accessible spot. She chose her outfit carefully. Casual but flattering, approachable but not overbearing. The key was to look unassuming, someone he wouldn't immediately suspect.

When Tony entered the restaurant that day, she felt a spark of satisfaction. He looked exactly as she had anticipated: dressed down in jeans and a T-shirt, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, scanning the room with an awareness that hinted at his underlying paranoia.

Natasha didn't approach him directly. She waited, letting the carefully orchestrated scenario play out. The "coincidental" open seat at her table. The casual banter that followed. The way she eased into the role of someone slightly out of place, someone who needed a friend.

Her every word, every gesture, was calculated. The way she smiled, the way she leaned in a little when she talked, the way she laughed at his jokes... it was all part of the act. But as she sat across from him, listening to his confident charm and clever words, she was surprised by how... real he seemed. Underneath his sarcastic tone, there was a sincerity she hadn't expected. And there was something else, something she couldn't quite figure out, that made her think this mission might be harder than she'd thought.

Well, it just went from harder to hell mode when Tony suddenly bought that restaurant the same day he promised her that he'd find a job for her. In a hurry, the spies cleared the place and made sure nothing was out of the ordinary. Natasha had a suspicion that something was wrong. She wondered if her mission was compromised.

'Did he know about us? Is that why he bought it? Or could it be something else...' The questions lingered in her mind but she pushed them aside, focusing on the task at hand. She couldn't afford to lose Tony's trust now, not after working so hard to gain it. Failure wasn't an option.

"What's your plan?" Dreykov demanded. "We can't afford to lose this opportunity."

Natasha remained calm. "I'll handle it, sir. There is no indication that Tony Stark discovered our presence. His actions were merely opportunistic, nothing more."

"We can't risk it," Dreykov insisted. "If you see even a hint that your cover is compromised, I want you to terminate the target and infiltrate his facility."

Natasha nodded, keeping her face impassive. "Understood."

With that, the call ended. Natasha was left alone with her thoughts. She had to admit, she was impressed by Tony's ability to surprise her. He was more clever and resourceful than she'd anticipated. It made him dangerous. But it also made him interesting. It's been a while since she felt the thrill of a challenge.

[Noon]

As planned, Natasha went to the restaurant and saw it was open as usual, but the workers were all new. Tony was sitting in the same spot the day they first met. He waved at her with his usual grin. She walked towards him, feeling a mix of emotions she couldn't quite understand.

"So, do you like chicken shawarma?" Tony asked as Natasha took a seat across from him.

"It's one of my favorite foods, actually," She replied.

Tony chuckled. "I guess we have something in common then."

He called the waiter and ordered. She studied his face as he did. He seemed relaxed as usual. There was no trace of suspicion or anger in his expression. Just the same friendly smile he always wore. It was almost unnerving how easily he could hide his emotions. Was he faking it? Or was he really as unbothered as he seemed?

"So as promised, I got a job for you," He took out a piece of paper from his pocket and placed it before her.

Natasha took the paper and read it. It was a contract for her to be the official manager of this restaurant. The salary was very generous.

"Wait! You bought this place?" She asked while trying to be surprised.

Tony grinned. "Yes, and as you said, I didn't pull my rich daddy card. It's all my money. So...?"

"I don't know what to say..." Natasha said in disbelief.

"Then say yes! I know it's not much, but as a fresh graduate, you need to earn some experience, right? And besides, if you work hard, then in a couple of years we'll be able to open a couple of more restaurants around this place. Together, we'll slowly devour the Malibu restaurant business." Tony said excitedly.

Natasha was stunned. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was expecting him to give her a job in one of the Stark facilities, but this... It was completely unexpected.

"Hey? You alright? If you don't like it then there's nothing more I can do. Besides I doubt in your situation you have any better option, right? Better sign the paper or go to bed hungry tonight," Tony joked.

She chuckled shaking her head. It wasn't a fake laugh. She felt genuinely amused. This guy, he never failed to surprise her.

"Are you always that direct?" She asked.

"Oh, you mean the last part about your situation? Yeah, it's always better to be direct rather than dance around the subject. You were looking for a job. I have a job for you. So, how about it? Wanna devour Malibu restaurant business with me?" Tony asked as he extended his hand to her.

"That's very tempting. But before I agree, I need to know one thing. Why are you doing this for me? I know you said we are friends, but still..." Natasha asked with a serious face.

Tony's expression changed. He looked at her with a gentle smile. It was the same smile that she'd seen on his face the day they'd first met. There was something warm and caring in his eyes that made her feel a little off balance.

"Would you believe me if I said, I fell for you the first moment I saw you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Did you?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"No." His answer was simple and straightforward. "I don't believe in love at first sight. Love is something that grows over time. It's something you build with another person, not something you fall into. But I enjoy your company. You got that aura around you... Like an invisible wall between you and the world. Makes me curious. So, I'd like to spend more time with you and get to know you better."

Natasha was speechless. She had never expected him to be so blunt and honest. She was used to lies, deceit, and manipulation. She was used to dealing with people who had ulterior motives. But this... 'Get a grip. You are here to gain his trust and infiltrate his facility. That's all.' She reminded herself.

She extended her hand and took his hand. "Okay, then. I'll accept your offer. And I also enjoy your company. So, let's devour the Malibu restaurant business together." She said with a smile.

Tony grinned. "That's the spirit."

They shook hands and then went on to discuss business plans. Natasha asked him questions about how he planned to run the place while Tony explained everything in detail. He was clearly passionate about it, and it made Natasha feel a little guilty for what she was about to do. The waiter brought them their food. It was chicken shawarma as ordered by Tony.

"Let's eat. You must be starving. I know I am," Tony said as he took a bite of his food.

Natasha followed suit, taking a bite of her own food. It was delicious. Tony watched her intently. She could feel his eyes on her. It made her feel self-conscious, but she tried to ignore it.

"I like your red hair. Is it dye or are you perhaps a natural?" He suddenly asked.

"Excuse me?" Natasha was taken aback by the sudden question.

"Your hair. It looks really nice. The color suits you well," Tony said, pointing at her red curls with his fork.

Natasha blushed a little. It's been a while since anyone complimented her on her appearance. "Thank you. It's natural. I got it from my mother."

'Tsk. What the hell is this feeling?' She wondered.

"I see. Well, you look great," Tony said as he continued to eat.

'Wait! I was expecting him to ask about my parents, but... What the hell is wrong with this guy?' She wondered.

---

[Leave some reviews & Power stones as usual]

If you like my work, you can support me on>: www.patr eon.com/XcaliburXc

[Read over 15 advance chapters] [No double billing]

-----