Ace sat at a table in the cozy Café Pole Pole, his eyes intently fixed on the stock market app on his phone. A small smile played on his lips as he watched the numbers on the screen continue to climb.
Just a few weeks ago, he had taken a sizable chunk of his meager paychecks from working at the café and invested it all in Stark International stocks. It had been a bold move, one that many of his peers had questioned, but Ace had a good feeling about it.
And now, his gamble had paid off in spades. After Tony Stark's bombshell announcement that he was the superhero Iron Man, the company's stock had skyrocketed. Each share was now worth a staggering $10,000 – a far cry from the measly price he had paid earlier.
Ace quickly did the math in his head. With the 30 shares he had purchased, he was now sitting on a veritable fortune of $300,000. It was an unbelievable sum, far beyond anything he had ever imagined possessing.
He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. The café owner, Pops, approached with a steaming mug of coffee, which Ace accepted gratefully.
"Looks like you're doing well for yourself, huh, kid?" Pops chuckled, nodding towards Ace's phone.
Ace grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, you could say that. I just got really lucky with my Stark International investment."
Pops let out a low whistle. "Three hundred grand, huh? That's some serious cash." He paused, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "So, what are you planning to do with all that money?"
Ace took a sip of his coffee, savoring the rich, bold flavor. "Honestly, I'm not sure yet," he admitted. "I don't have any immediate needs or expenses, so I think I'll just hold onto it for now, use it as an emergency fund or something."
The older man nodded in approval. "That's a smart move. No need to go blowing it all at once, right?" He gave Ace's shoulder a gentle pat. "Just be sure to keep that head of yours screwed on straight, kid. Don't let all that money go to your head."
Ace chuckled. "Don't worry, Pops. I'm not planning on going on any wild spending sprees." He glanced back down at his phone, watching as the stock price continued its steady climb. "I figure the more Stark International grows, the more I'll be able to earn from this investment. Might as well let it ride for now."
Pops let out a hearty laugh. "That's the spirit, Ace. Just remember to enjoy the ride, too, alright?" With a wink, he turned and headed back towards the counter, leaving Ace to his thoughts and his newfound financial windfall.
Ace's phone chimed, indicating a new email. He tapped the notification and his eyes widened as he read the message from Stark Industries.
[Attention valued investor,
We would like to extend a personal invitation to you to attend an exclusive Stark Industries investor appreciation party. As one of our early supporters during a challenging time, we would be honored to have you join us in celebrating the company's bright future.
The event will be held this Saturday at the Stark Mansion in Malibu, California. Transportation and accommodations will be provided for all guests.
We look forward to welcoming you and offering our sincere gratitude.
Regards,
Pepper Potts
CEO, Stark Industries]
Ace read the email again, hardly believing his luck. He had never imagined that his spur-of-the-moment investment would lead to such an incredible opportunity. Grinning, he quickly replied to accept the invitation, his mind already racing with the possibilities.
"Pops, you're not going to believe this," Ace said, waving the phone in the air excitedly. "Stark Industries is inviting me to a party at their mansion in Malibu!"
Pops looked up from wiping down the counter, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "Well, I'll be. Looks like that investment of yours is really paying off, huh?"
Ace nodded enthusiastically. "I can't wait to go! This is going to be amazing."
"Just don't forget to have some fun, alright?" Pops chuckled, giving Ace a knowing look. "You deserve it, kid."
Ace couldn't help but wish he could share this with Nico and Berto, but their relationship is a bit rocky at this point. He sighed, pocketing his phone and thinking about how he could make amends with his friends. They had been there for him through so much, and he hated that he had to keep them in the dark about his double life as Kamen Rider. Maybe this trip to Malibu would be a chance to clear his head and figure out a way to reconnect with them.
Here is a 199-word continuation of the story from Nico Minoru's perspective:
Nico watches as the numbers on her phone screen climb higher and higher. She can hardly believe her eyes - her $50 investment has grown to over $5,000. Beside her, Berto lets out a low whistle.
"Dude, I got like a hundred grand from this. Ace really knew what he was talking about, huh?" Berto says, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Nico's mood sours at the mention of Ace's name. She should have known better than to trust his advice, even if it did pay off. Ace has been acting strange lately, disappearing without explanation and avoiding them. And now, he's made a killing on the stock market while she and Berto have been left in the dark.
"Yeah, I guess so," Nico mutters, trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice. She can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, even if the money is technically hers.
Berto seems to sense her change in mood and quickly changes the subject, rattling on about all the things he wants to buy. But Nico can't focus. All she can think about is Ace and the growing distance between them.
Nico Minoru's brow furrows as Berto speaks up, breaking the tense silence. "When are you gonna forgive Ace, Nico? He's our friend, you know?"
Nico's grip tightens on her phone, the stock numbers blurring before her eyes. "Not until he tells us what he's been doing. All these secrets, Berto - I don't like it."
Berto lets out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair. "Come on, everyone's got stuff they wanna keep private. You can't hold that against him."
Nico levels a pointed stare at her friend. "I can when it's affecting our friendship. Ace has been distant, and I'm tired of the excuses." She shakes her head, a strand of dark hair falling across her face. "I just want him to be honest with us for once."
Nico's frown deepens as she turns to Berto. "It's not that I don't care about Ace. He's our friend, and that's why I'm so frustrated." She sighs, running a hand through her dark hair. "We used to be able to tell each other anything, you know? But lately, it feels like there's this wall between us, and I hate it."
Berto nods slowly, understanding dawning on his face. "You just want him to trust us more, don't you? To let us in instead of keeping everything bottled up."
Nico's shoulders slump. "Exactly. I know Ace has his reasons, but we're supposed to have each other's backs. How can we do that if he won't even be honest with us?"
Nico Minoru watches as Berto speaks up, his voice gentle. "Give Ace some time, Nico. Pushing him away is only going to make things worse."
Nico sighs, her fingers tightening around her phone. "I know, I know. I just..." She shakes her head, frustration evident in her expression. "I couldn't help it, Berto. I'm just so frustrated with all these secrets."
Berto reaches out, giving Nico's shoulder a reassuring pat. "I get it, believe me. But Ace is our friend. Maybe if we give him a chance, he'll open up to us."
"I sure hope so…"
Nico sits with Berto, a wistful expression on her face as she thinks about Ace. She wishes she could find a way to mend their strained relationship and recapture the closeness they once shared. Beside her, Berto nods in silent agreement, both of them hoping to reconnect with their friend.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz