"Face to Face with Deception"

Face to Face with Deception I stepped into the elevator of Stark Tower, my heart racing with anticipation. I was about to see my father, Tony Stark, and I had no idea how he would react to my late arrival. As the doors slid open on his floor, I took a deep breath and stepped out into the opulent lobby. The receptionist, Pepper, looked up from her desk and smiled. "Ah, Celine! I'm so glad you're here. Mr. Stark has been...impatiently waiting for you." I smiled wryly, feeling a pang of guilt. I knew my father could be a bit...possessive when it came to those he cared about. I made my way to his office, the doors sliding open as I approached. My father, Tony Stark, stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the city below. He turned as I entered, his expression unreadable. "Celine," he said, his voice neutral. I felt a surge of relief that he wasn't yelling or lecturing me...yet. "Dad," I replied, trying to sound casual. He walked over to me, his eyes scanning my face. "James called, said you were running a bit behind. Everything okay?" I felt a flush rise to my cheeks. James Barnes, my boyfriend, was a close friend of my father's, and I knew they had a good relationship. But I also knew my father could be a bit... protective of those close to him. "Yeah, everything's fine," I said, trying to downplay the situation. "I just lost track of time." My father raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Lost track of time, huh? With Matt Murdock?" I felt my heart sink. How did he know? I knew I had to tread carefully here. "We were just...talking," I said, trying to keep my tone light. My father's expression turned serious. "Celine, I think we need to talk about your relationships. Specifically, the one with James Barnes." I felt a pang of surprise. How did he know about James and me? And what did he want to talk about? I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. "Okay, Dad. Let's talk."