She placed it on the sink and looked at herself in the mirror, wondering if doing this was the right thing.
Taking off her clothes without the slightest allure, she regarded her naked and breathtaking self.
A chest that hung proudly, a butt that would drive men crazy, hips that would serve as perfect support, a face worthy of painting and preserving for future generations to delight in.
She had it all.
Yet he won't look at me that way... she thought with resignation.
Cassandra didn't know what to do. It had been days... Days were enough for her to realize that she didn't know what she truly felt. But she knew she wanted to stay—forever—with this person.
What began as slight clumsiness had turned into something more: full-blown seduction. She feared that the desire she felt for Tony's body wasn't being reciprocated.
His gaze showed appreciation, not lust.
She wanted to take her time, to keep experiencing this... but there was a threat nearby that constricted her chest.
Pepper Potts.
And there was also Natalie Rushman—or rather, Natasha Romanoff. She had already told Tony about her being a spy, and ever since that day, there had been no communication. But this Monaco was bound to turn into a battleground, one in which she hoped to hold the advantage.
"If I don't do it today, I may lose..."
But when she thought about it in hindsight, they were already going quite fast. She wasn't experienced in the matters of romance. Whatever little memory she held contained nothing but pain—not womanly experience with love and men.
Even then, a mere week later, they were already sleeping together beneath the thick bedsheets.
She didn't know if it was too fast or not. She didn't feel it was, but by observing Tony's reactions and behavior, she noticed—it was quite fast.
All the reassurance she could cling to was that Tony seemed attracted to her body... but he wouldn't admit it.
Why? There was only someone she could ask.
"Jarvis..."
[Mrs. White...] Jarvis never slept.
"I need advice."
[What can I help you with?]
"How can I make Tony... look at me?"
[...Right now you only have to leave the room and yell at him, Mrs. White.]
"..."
She felt a fierce urge to deadpan and surrender. This was a trustworthy AI, efficient at every turn. She knew what to expect, but it was her only hope—her only assistance.
"Jarvis, what I mean is... how can I make him... love me?"
[That's a difficult question, Mrs. White.]
"Why?"
[I'm afraid I'm not programmed to answer those kinds of questions.]
"..."
She looked down, dejected. Was it hopeless after all?
[But I could answer other questions, depending on how they're asked...]
"What kind of question?"
[Since it won't break my security or privacy protocols, I can tell you whether Mr. Stark has shown signs of expressing feelings similar to 'love' towards you.]
!!!
"He has?!" That was a magnificent way to start!
[Judging by Mr. Stark's recent attitude, change of behavior, cardiac ratio, and other factors in your presence, I can safely say that he has feelings for you, Mrs. White.]
A smile broke across her face.
"Then... do you think I can defeat Pepper?"
[I can't answer that question...]
"What can I do for us to be together?"
[Come out of the bathroom, Mrs. White.]
"You know what I mean, Jarvis!"
She thought the AI was mocking her. It was certainly more intelligent than it showed.
[...]
Silence ensued.
[Mrs. White must make the first move for there to be progress.] The AI judged accurately.
"D-Do I have to? A-Aren't men supposed to do it?"
[Depending on the geographical location, culture, or ethnicity—indeed. However, Mr. Stark has your past in mind, and it is a huge mental barrier for him to make a move on you, Mrs. White.]
!!!
"Am I disgusting to him?"
She felt like crying. So it was that after all...
[Incorrect. What I mean is... he believes you're the one who should decide when you're ready to make the next step, Mrs. White. If he were to do it, he might breach your feelings and insecurities. Hence... I believe Mr. Stark will never make the first move.]
"...So you mean... he thinks I'm still traumatized, and he doesn't want to make me feel bad. That's why he's oblivious to my approaches?"
[Correct.]
Then that means what I'm doing is correct... but then, why are my hands shaking...
She just couldn't do it—wear that lingerie, come out of the bathroom, and then mount him. It just didn't feel natural. In fact, it was terrifying.
"If I wanted to take the next step... a-and engage in a sexual relationship... w-would that help?"
She asked tentatively, as if expecting a negative answer that would stop this idiotic idea born from her insecurities.
[I believe you should make that step when you're ready, Mrs. White.]
But Jarvis was too honest for his own good.
"I am ready..."
[Your current cardiac ratio, stuttering voice, chaotic self, together with your apparent insecurity, make me believe you're not yet ready, Mrs. White.]
Blunt as always...
The lady remained silent. What else could she do? Jarvis was right, as always.
[If you allow me to be honest, Mrs. White.]
"...?"
[I believe you're underestimating Mr. Stark's opinion of you—or at least, what I perceive to be his opinion of you.]
"What do you mean?"
[There are many things I have in data regarding Mr. Stark, and many more I do not. But what I can tell you is this: the time he spends in his workshop is the most important to him—aside from the time he spent with his parents.]
"Hmm."
She nodded, urging him to continue.
[And so far, Mr. Stark hasn't spent more time with anyone in his workshop than he has with you. Whenever Mr. Stark is with you, he's in the zone that spiritualists might call 'flow'—perfect harmony. Or at least, that's what the metrics indicate. Mr. Stark is happy when he's with you, Mrs. White.]
She gasped. Those were such flattering words. They made her happier than she could believe.
[Mr. Stark has regained his enthusiasm and is actively seeking a solution. Mrs. White, you are Mr. Stark's hope. Whether you can 'defeat' Miss Potts or not is not something I can determine, but I can tell you this: she is not Mr. Stark's hope. You are.]
Tears poured down her face.
I'm so stupid...
The answer had always been in front of her, and she couldn't see it. Tony was never the problem—it was me. My ridiculous insecurities... He will never leave me. He's working hard to survive... just so he can be with me.
"Thank you, Jarvis. Thank you very much."
She wiped her tears. She knew what she had to do.