She gazed into nothing as her left hand wiped the stray tears that fell from her eyes. Sighing, she turned back around and squealed in surprise as soon as she saw me. I laughed nervously, and waved in an awkward manner. She took a deep breath, and opened her eyes, smiling.

"Sorry, I scared you, my Queen," I bow my head lightly in embarrassment. She chuckled, lightly shaking her head. "Call me Sage, please."

"Okay..." I nodded. "Sage," I finished, testing it out. She grinned, and motioned for me to come and sit on the chair set up that overlooked the beauty of Galaxia Adena.

"Would you like anything?" She asked as I sat down. "No thank you," I answer politely. She nodded, and clasped her hands on her lap.

An awkward silence fell upon us, as she shifted in her seat. Unstrapping my backpack, I reach in and fumble around for my camera. Touching a round edge, I pulled it out, thinking it was what I was looking for.

As I pulled it out, it turned out to be a circular silver frame with a picture of me and dad inside the lab back in Malibu, back when I was 10. Our faces were covered in grease. It was a selfie, actually, with dad holding the camera while I was in the background mid-laughter while dad was grinning wide. I forgot what we were doing back then, but a smile captured my lips as I thought of dad.

"What's that?" Sage asked. My head snapped back up to her direction, and lightly shook my head. "It's nothing." She seemed to look disappointed for a bit, but regained her composure with a smile.

"I'm sorry for laying this all out on you so suddenly," she looked down and  sighed. "I just... Before everything and going into the important details as to why you are here, I just wat to explain what happened. Between me, you, and your father."

Nodding, I didn't say anything and just let her speak.

"Believe it or not, I loved your father. I still do," she started. My fists clenched.

"I remember the first time I saw him. That was winter, I was relieved off of my duties here in Galaxia Adena and I decided to take a time off. I went to Malibu. I had an apartment there, and a bakery. Do you know Suzzette Sweets? That blue and white bakery just a few blocks from Randy's Donuts?" I nod. "That bakery was mine. When I wasn't in here arranging royal meetings and whatnot, I was back on Midgard and living a simple life. Although I never went down to the shop and actually stayed in the counter, I was always upstairs or out back, baking. The day I met your father, Carla, the one who usually manages the shop when I'm either in or not on Earth, decided to take a leave for the day. I let her, she deserved it after all. So, I was sat on the counter watching the people pass by. And then your father came in. He was wearing a thick hoodie and black jogging pants, with a matching black beanie. His hair was ruffled and he was just... Tony."

I stared at her as she described that day as if it was just yesterday. Her eyes wasn't focused on me, instead, she watched as the sun was slowly setting. She looked so beautiful in that light. Her eyes were filled with wonder and reminiscing as she told me the story of how she and Dad met with every detail possible. I also saw love. And something in me faltered.

"And he said 'Do you have donuts? You know? The glazed kind?' And then, when he saw me, guess what, he said, 'Uhm, I'd rather have you instead.'" She started to laugh at the memory and I chuckled. Typical of dad. And then she stared at me.

"But I just laughed. And he laughed, too."

*****************
{flashback to the time they met}

"Uhm, I'd rather have you instead," Tony said, mesmerized at the woman in front of her. Her platinum blonde hair contrasted perfectly with her bright blue eyes. Although she was pale, her lips and cheeks still had its healthy pink glow. The woman laughed. And seemingly impossible, Tony felt as if his heart was clenching onto itself, completely smitten for the woman.

"Hello to you, too, sir," the woman smiled. Tony smiled, a little shy. "Hi, I was kidding earlier, don't mind me," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. The woman once again laughed. He felt something in his stomach, the butterflies that fluttered about. He loved the feeling, and listened to the vibration and beautiful pitch of the woman's laughter. He walked up to the counter and sat down on a bar stool.

"What would you like Mr. Stark?" She asked him. Tony all but smiled, liking the way the word 'Stark' came out of her lips. "Please call me Tony," he said.

"What'd you like Tony?" She asked, laughing slightly. There goes the butterflies again.

"I'd like some glazed donuts with some hot cocoa please!" Tony exclaimed giddily, while looking at the donuts in the glass container on the counter. Like a kid, he pointed at the banana and chocolate donut at the far end. She stared at his expression, dreamy eyes and all, as she held back a laugh. "I want that, too, please... So yummy," he said slowly.

"Coming right up," Sage exclaimed while taking out a plate. She started to place two glazed donuts and two chocolate and banana donuts on it, all the while flitting behind the counter smiling to herself. Tony watched in pure amazement. He watched her pick up the donuts and just walk as if she was just floating and gliding across the air, the smile never leaving her face, not  even once.

"What's your name?"

Sage placed the plate in front of him. "I'm Sage, Sage Corona, nice to meet you Tony."

Tony smiled. "Nice to meet you too."

Sage started to pour him his hot cocoa on a white mug. She sat down in front of him, as she took her own mug of hot cocoa from before. Tony ate the glazed donut, leaning onto the counter with his elbow propped up. "This is great," he complimented, eating slowly. Sage took a sip, and hummed.

"Don't you usually eat at Randy's?" She asked, curious. For the past years, Sage has observed almost all of the people's usual routine, including his. She observed, that Tony usually went out of his mansion every other day except Friday to Sunday. And during those days he was out, she usually saw him going an out of Randy's Donuts or at the local pub just a few blocks down.

"Well, they're closed today, and I wanted to eat donuts, and there's no other shop other than yours," he trailed off, dunking  the glazed donut in the cocoa. "But now... I think I ought to eat here everyday, you make super good donuts!" He exclaimed happily.

Tony had never felt this in his entire life. The urge to just let go of his cold facade and sarcastic attitude. For once, he was being the kid he really was, and in front of a woman he barely knew. But, he somehow felt... At home. Sage's presence, he thought, was comforting. The ambiance of the bakery with the sweet and toasty smell of everything made Tony somehow feel... Contented.

"Why thank you kind sir," Sage chuckled. "So, who owns this quaint little shop?" Tony asked, halfway through his donuts. Indulging in every bite, Tony thought of ways to get the recipe to try and bake it himself.

"Hmm, I do."

"Really? I usually see the Asian girl manning the counter," he asked, curious.

"Oh, that's Carla. She's my only worker."

"Only worker?" Tony questioned, having finished all the donuts served. "Uhm, can I get a strawberry and another of that chocolate I just ate? I haven't eaten lunch, I'm quite famished." Tony asked sheepishly. Sage laughed and took his plate, filling it up with one strawberry donut and another of the chocolate and bananas. Handing it to him, she took his mug and refilled it. Muttering a small thanks, Sage smiled and sat again.

"Yeah," Sage said going back to his question. "I usually do all the baking and the shop isn't that famous. But the number of customers on a daily basis sustains the needs of the shop."

"Don't you guys have rush hours?" Tony asked.

"Yeah we do, but rarely. Well, ever since the shop started I provided a delivery service so that we can still deliver the products to those customers."

"Where's the delivery service?" Tony asked, interested in her way in running the business.

"Delivery  is usually every 8:00 in the morning until 3:00 o'clock noon. And the customers usually just call the shop landline and order their usual. And then, having been familiar with all the orders on a daily basis, Clara and I didn't see the need for more workers. So it's like we gain more on the delivery rather than on the actual shop. Although there are those kids with their mums and dads that still visit my shop. They're lovely."

Sage sighed in pure bliss, loving how her life on Earth was so simple and not hectic. Tony took in her warm blue eyes and smile, loving the way it looked on her.

Tony suddenly had this pull. He felt like he needed to see her again, to become her friend and to know her more. He felt so comfortable and normal around her, like he didn't need the money or fame around that certain woman. He felt accepted, for who he truly is.

"Well," Tony said, glancing down at his plate that was empty. He thought back to the work he had back in his house, and sighed inwardly, disappointed that her time with Sage may come to an end. "How much would it be?" Tony asked.

"That'd be... $12.25 cents please," Sage acknowledged. Reaching for his wallet in his pocket, he asked Sage, "What's the number to your shop? I might ask for deliveries, since I really like your donuts and all."

Sage pointed to a poster at her back, smiling wide. Tony memorizes the numbers and place the money on the counter. "Keep the change."

"Thank you, Tony."

"Thank you for the food," Tony grinned, holding out his hand for her to shake. Sage took it, and shook firmly. "You're welcome, Tony."

"Will I see you again?" Tony asked, hopeful, as a flush of crimson rose on Sage's cheeks. Sage, admittedly, liked Tony's attitude and personality. With the press and all, Sage was amazed at how wrong they were about the billionaire. He was sweet, flattering, kind, and funny too. She noticed, that he just needed people that knows him for his personality and not his fame and money.

She hummed. "It depends, if you're going to ask for delivery tomorrow." Sage grinned, as did Tony, as he finally let go of her hands, missing the way her unusually cold hands wrapped around his, and the certain feeling of sparks dissipate.

"Awesome, well, I'm gonna have to head back," he said rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I'll see you. Right?"

"Right," Sage nodded, as he watched his walk away, out the door, and into the snow covered pathways of California.

Sage smiled to herself, as she picked up his plate and mug, placing it into the sink in the back. Walking back to the counter, Sage saw the beanie that Tony wore. With it was the 20 he placed on the counter. Taking the 20, she cashed it into the register and took the beanie.

"I guess I will see you tomorrow, Tony."

She smiled.

*************
To be continued