Inside a cave in the desert:
"Ugh, this is disgusting. I swear it's the worst thing I've ever eaten in my life."
Tony Stark grimaced as he scooped up a slimy lump of potato from his bowl with a small metal ladle.
He complained, but he didn't stop eating.
He knew that in his current situation, staying alive was the priority—only then would there be a chance of rescue.
"Supplies here are poor and scarce. It's a miracle we have anything to eat at all."
Ethan watched him, relieved to see the electromagnet generator beside Tony still humming, keeping the shrapnel from reaching his heart.
After all, the militants who'd kidnapped them believed Tony was dead.
If they found out he was alive, neither of them would last long.
At Ethan's words, Tony fell silent for a moment, then chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Actually, I'm not that picky."
"You probably won't believe it, but what I want most right now is a cheeseburger."
He set down his bowl and looked at Ethan.
"Hey, Ethan… Why are you here? My instincts are usually right, you know."
"I don't think you're really one of them."
He studied Ethan, trying to mask his desperation with a relaxed tone.
Whether he could escape or when help would come didn't matter right now.
In this hellhole, having someone he could talk to—someone not aligned with his captors—was a small comfort.
Ethan adjusted his glasses and continued eating his unseasoned mashed potatoes without responding.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Does it make a difference?"
"Of course it does. A huge difference."
Tony laughed bitterly.
"It's like my first love—Cassie Della Gillespie, from that weapons family."
"When my father was still alive, he told me she wasn't right for me. But I never listened."
"The more he disliked something, the more I wanted to do it."
"Turns out he was right. She was only after me for a purpose."
"I found out later she was a spy—codenamed 'Honey Badger.'"
He met Ethan's eyes.
"This situation now… It's kind of like that. Back then I was trapped mentally. Now I'm trapped physically."
"But at least back then I had family and friends I could trust."
Ethan remained silent.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally said, "Get some rest. You're not fully recovered yet."
Without another word, he turned and went to his own cot.
He hadn't directly answered Tony's question—maybe he'd disappointed him.
But in a place where trust could get you killed, Ethan wasn't willing to risk it.
Not yet. Especially not with a known arrogant playboy.
Seeing that Ethan wouldn't engage, Tony lay back on his cot, staring at the cave ceiling, his thoughts drifting.
It had been over a week since his kidnapping.
These days, he found himself thinking less about Rhodey and the others who were surely searching for him—
and more about Pepper.
With her around, he never had to worry about life's details. She handled everything.
She was probably worried sick about him right now.
"Still no news."
Over a week had passed.
Though still anxious, Pepper had grown somewhat calmer.
At least here in the café, she could still joke with Su Che.
"A $10 million reward is enough to drive any private investigator crazy—not to mention it's for Tony Stark, a man constantly in the spotlight."
"But so far, no useful leads."
"Then take it as a vacation," Su Che said lightly.
"As long as the worst hasn't happened, there's still hope."
"I hope so. You know who's probably the most relaxed? Happy."
"While Tony's missing, all he has to do is clock in—or not even that."
"As Tony's bodyguard and driver, without Tony around, he's practically on paid leave."
Pepper checked her watch and stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Thanks for the coffee. I still have some things to take care of."
"If Tony does come back one day, I'll pay you back double for all the coffee I've had."
Su Che smiled. "Then I'll pray for Mr. Stark's swift return."
"I hope so too."
With a nod, Pepper turned and walked out of the café.
Outside the café:
"Wanda, I don't get why we had to come here for coffee. What's so great about this place?"
"Even though that eyepatch guy gave us allowance money, I still hate it here."
"Especially since this café is right across from that damn Tony Stark's company!"
"Shut up, Pietro!" Wanda cut him off sharply.
She took a deep breath, looking up at the sign that read "Peach Blossom Grove."
Then she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
She was going to see for herself what this "future husband" from the diary looked like.