Chapter Text
Steve Rogers was one of the most powerful CEO’s that walked the face of the earth. At only 31 years old he had it all. The money, the looks, and of course, the charm. Anything he wanted he’d get it with a snap of his fingers. Being one of the most powerful men on Earth also gave him titles such as New York Times “Hottest Playboy” Or “World’s Most Eligible Bachelor”. He guessed in a way, all the acknowledgement and praise can go to his head most times, like when he’s at a high event and wants to hookup with a woman all he has to do is send a smile her way and she’s jumping on him before the night is done.
He took the parking spot that someone else was going for, drifting into the area.
There are times when he can egotistical, selfish and arrogant but hey he’s only human. Nobody’s perfect...but if there was someone to be described as perfect, it would be him..according to himself and several other famous publishers. He had a net worth of 78.9 billion dollars, give him a break.
Steve stepped out of his car and rolled his eyes at the man who placed a mug near him ringing a bell, ultimately walking straight past him.
“I thought you just renovated your office? Mean to tell me you don’t like the view?” His mother said to him.
“The views was amazing..during all other times except for this. It’s only September, there should be no reason why these people are filled with cheer already.”
“You can’t be serious honey. The whole city of New York is amazing,especially around the holidays-“
“Ma, it isn’t the holiday season yet, it’s only September,” Steve said boredly, brushing his shoulders past another person who was also on the phone, disrupting their conversation.
Watching as people went into different shops for holidays,the stores and streets lit up with beautiful lights, even he would admit that, and he hated this time of year. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, he honestly couldn’t care less about any of it.
It was literally September but people were so happy that Christmas was near, despite it being a few months away and also being the worst holiday of the entire year.
“Aw sweetheart, you used to love Christmas.”
“Yeah when I was 5, I’m 31 now, I don’t have time for Christmas, presents, reminiscing on the past, or dating.”
His mother let out a very tuneful laugh, “Whatever you say dear, and remember to be nice to people, get in the spirit already, would you. Love you.”
Steve scoffed, get in the spirit his ass. “Love you too.”
“A little help here?” A worker asked carrying a heavy box, Steve hung up, opening the door for himself, the boxes in the workers hands tumbling over as he entered the coffee shop, thankfully it was fairly empty.
Something about people so happy and jolly really made him sick to his stomach. What was it about this time of year that made people act that way?
However, it didn’t matter, he’d close a deal of $550 million dollars later this afternoon and be deemed the 3rd spot of “World’s Most Successful Men”. Absolutely nothing can ruin his mood-
“What the hell!” Steve backed away as a nearby employee spilled coffee on his WHITE button up shirt.
The black haired waitress scrambled to get up, picking up the fallen cups of now spilled coffee, “Oh my god sir, I’m so sor-“
“Are you fucking blind?” Steve gritted out.
The woman fearfully shook her head, “I-I pay for dry clean-“
“You think I need you to pay for my dry cleaning?” He asked arrogantly, “I make more in a minute than you earn in an entire year.” He was practically fuming, the coffee was hot as hell. “Just get the hell out of my face,” he shooed the woman off, the lady quickly going into the back of the kitchen.
“Come on man, lighten up, she said sorry,” a man that looked a little bit older than Steve said. “Hey aren’t you Steve Rogers? Owner of that big corporate building in Manhattan?”
Steve took an annoyed breath, “Yeah, I am. Want a picture or you plan on ordering?”
The man held his hands up in defense, turning back around on the line and beginning his order.
Steve’s jaw clenched, while he waited impatiently, looking at his watch. He was gonna be late. Not only was he going to be late, but he was going to be late and show up to work looking a hot ass mess.
Talk about nothing can ruin his mood. He forgot how many idiots lived in this place. Now he’s the one that looked like an idiot with coffee all over himself.
It was as if a phone was constantly to his ear, whenever he walked into his company building from when he walked out, a phone would always be attached as he went into his office. His team of PR agents at his side and quickly dissipating as he took care of their questions in the elevator.
The man huffed out a breath as he took a seat in his office chair, trying his hardest to relax just a bit. He had an insane headache that’s been present for about an entire week now.
“Rogers!”His best friend Bucky burst through the door with an iPad in his hands,his shirt was untucked and hair was messed up.
There goes another migraine added onto the list. “What is it, Buck? I’m doing something.”
“Have you seen the news?!”
Steve opened his eyes, finally taking sight of his best friend’s hurried expression. In return, he looked at Bucky confusedly “No why?”
“What happened to your shirt?”
Steve rolled his eyes, “Some idiot at the coffee shop spilled someone else’s order on me.”
“Damn.. A-anyways! You need to see this.” His friend breathed in deeply and handed Steve an iPad. He read the headline and clenched his jaw. So much for nothing else can ruin his mood.
It was an article about Natasha. The Natasha Romanov, probably Steve’s least favorite person in the both the business world and in reality. She challenges herself, takes risks on questionable companies and turns them into pure gold with great profits, reduces fear whilst enhancing it, she had smart business partners and whatever the fuck else he read about her.
Typically at some gala or a charity event, it didn’t help that they had a few mutual friends in the corporate world so he’s spotted her more times than he’d actually preferred.
What bothered him the most was that she was almost like the female version of him when it came to social statuses. The press loved her, as did many of his employees which bothered him even more. But even he had to admit she was everything people described her as. Undeniably beautiful , high in rep , intelligent and extremely charmful.
Or at least that’s what she was to other people. When around Steve she’s always so annoyed or cold with him before he even got a word out.
“As Romanov Interprises take over the world by storm and release record breaking numbers,exceeding previous spot holder Rogers Inc, the countries leading lady Natasha Romanov plans to expand her company across the western region of the U.S. expanding to California, Nevada, Arizona and Oregon.”
“I know I hate her and everything, but how does this affect me?” Steve asked tossing a football in the air, half listening to the every thing the news reporter just said.
“Because our major shareholder is in California! Alexander Pierce? If he agrees to sign along with Romanov’s company, he’ll dump us and you’ll lose half of your total stocks, half of your total accumulative money. Your profits will be slashed in half and company buildings will shut down left and right and at that rate, you’ll sit at the 79th spot of successful men and your net worth would plummet greatly standing around only $30 million in only 5 years.”
Steve sighed for the like the 80th time, this time it was out of pure frustration. He ran a hand through his hair, snapping his fingers thinking of a quick plan “What’s the name of that brunette woman you went out with recently?”
“Who? Darcy?”
“Yes her, whatever the hell her name is, call her,” he ordered, closing his eyes trying to revise the plan he had in his head.
“Her? Why would I call her at a time like this?” His business was about to get shit faced by a woman and he was worried about Darcy?
“Didn’t you mention to me a couple days ago that she was friends with Natasha? And then I got mad at you for seeing someone in her circle?”
“Yeah and?”
“Call her, make small talk, casually bring Natasha’s name in the conversation to get her whereabouts and offer to take her to that art show that Tony’s hosting.” It was simple, couldn’t he see where he was going with this entire thing? Or did he have to spell it out for him.
“You know I really like this girl right? I don’t think your and Natasha’s rivalry is good for our relationship.”
“What relationship?” Steve said under his breath, last he checked this man was single and had a premium porn account. “You’re just doing me one little favor,besides you’ll be taking her on a date later on anyways.”
“Whatever you say boss,” he said dramatically, leaving the man’s office.
Now he had to stay in his office more than he liked. He missed lunches and meetings. He even had to reschedule that record breaking meeting to a later date, all because this Romanov chick decided she wanted to play with the big boys and mess with his money, and he did not like for people to play around with his money.
Both Steve and his team were working hard to make sure any talks about him potentially going bankrupt were under the wraps. He also needed to have a little chat with Alexander Pierce, his biggest shareholder that he so stupidly allowed to buy 45% worth of shares for him that could blossom into more than half of his stocks.
“We had a deal Pierce,” Steve said bitterly. This was insane. He’s been in business with this man for 7 years and never had any problems with him. Now that some deal with Romanov floating around is ruining his whole life, Steve has to go through a whole bunch of 7 years worth of paperwork just to find and see if he can get back his shares without having to lose any money.
“Steve listen, you’re a good guy..kinda. But I’m going with my gut on this one. Natasha has that assertiveness with other businesses that I’m looking for. Not to mention she’s a woman, a very beautiful woman,that all of my associates take a liking into you. Understand?” His tone innocent, talking to him as if he was some child.
“Go to hell,” Steve harshly hung up the phone, rubbing his temples..he needed a fucking drink.
__________________________________
“Hey Darce.”
“James? And what do I owe thy pleasure to?”
Bucky chuckled and stuffed a hand in his pocket “I didn’t realize I was given the wrong number,” he joked. “What happened to the foul mouthed Darcy that was able to out drink me?”
“You’re right,my bad,the fuck do you want Barnes?”
That was much better, Bucky loved women who were ok in their own skin around him. “Just checking on you, how was work today?”
“It was good, not much work to do when your best friend is a negotiating genius.”
“Trust me, I know the feeling. So what’s the deal, you busy later?”
“Kinda, Nat told me how she wants me to go to that art show to keep an eye out for any press that’s there so she can purposely ignore them.”
“Natasha’s going to be there?”
“Yeah,she doesn’t particularly crave large gatherings, but Tony’s her friend, plus she’s been meaning to congratulate Pepper on their engagement, and it’s good publicity.”
Now that his official task was complete, he can finally ask what he really wanted to ask “Since Natasha’s going to be busy socializing and what not, I wondering if you can be my date to the art gathering?”
“What makes you think I won’t be busy socializing either?” He could hear the playfulness in her tone.
“Because you hate large gatherings just as much Romanov does, and I’ve received a message from Steve saying that he’s going to be there as well, so maybe we can ward off insider paparazzi together.”
Darcy went quiet on the other end for a second, Bucky had thought the silence was her way of declining his offer until she said “Alright..it’s a date.”
“I take it you’ll be riding with Natasha so I’ll see you there.”
“Yes you will.”
She hung up and Bucky smirked at his phone. At least one good thing came out of this situation.”