Tony was determined not to forget his friends when he wanted to enjoy himself, especially when it came to Reno and the others, who were familiar with the various experiences Xandar had to offer. He resolved that when he returned to the Void Island, he would have a serious chat with Raynor and Kael about all these adventures.
And so, Tony settled into the Elite Hotel.
A month flew by.
During his time at the Elite Hotel, Tony indulged in sumptuous meals, delightful drinks, and the company of different beautiful women. He explored various activities and immersed himself in exotic experiences, thoroughly enjoying life. This was a refreshing change after a year and a half spent feeling restrained beside Pepper back on Earth.
However, after fully relaxing and releasing the pent-up desires he had, Tony realized it was time to get back to work. If he continued indulging, he would lose himself in the pleasures of the "land of beauties," becoming entirely unproductive.
Even without Sonia mentioning the financial difficulties of the Void Island, he knew he needed to get serious about his work. After all, an unknown formidable enemy was rumored to be coming to Earth in the coming years. Tony had his suspicions about the identity of this threat.
Previously, he had heard that the Chitauri were backed by powerful figures who dared to invade Earth. If they weren't afraid of Odin, then their leader would likely be a force to reckon with, possibly even stronger than Odin himself. Tony had no concrete grasp of Odin's true strength, having never witnessed it firsthand. However, the Destroyer, crafted by Odin, hinted that he was an opponent Tony was not yet ready to face. After all, if the Destroyer was that powerful, Odin himself must be at least twice as strong.
Around noon, Lalatina arrived at the villa.
"Mr. Stark, do you have any plans for today?" she inquired softly, finding him just waking up.
Her job serving Tony had been quite easy since he was mainly here for leisure. Aside from arranging his meals, he mostly spent his time enjoying the company of various beautiful women, allowing Lalatina to keep her distance.
"I'm leaving today, so no need to send any more women over," Tony replied, slipping into a shirt.
"Leaving today?" Lalatina's heart sank at the news. "Is there something wrong?"
"I have no complaints about you; in fact, your service has been excellent. Living here at the Elite Hotel is undeniably enticing," Tony said. "But I can't keep lazing around. It's time for me to get back to work."
"Of course, I might drop by occasionally, but I can't guarantee regular visits. It's hard to say how long my research will take."
"But I assure you, the money I paid is non-refundable, so you can enjoy your time off without worry."
When Lalatina heard this, she felt a mixture of relief and anxiety. "If you're returning to the Void Island, you could easily come by at night," she suggested.
"Am I making you unhappy with my decision to let you take a paid leave?" Tony asked, puzzled at her reaction.
"Mr. Stark, taking a paid leave for ten days or even a month is undoubtedly a joyful opportunity," Lalatina replied. "But if it stretches to nearly a year, even if it's paid, for someone like me who's accustomed to high-intensity work, it could lead to a change in mindset that makes it hard to adjust back to demanding tasks."
"Many villa managers at the Elite Hotel don't take long breaks for this very reason," she explained with a wry smile. There were cases where long vacations led to reduced service quality, and many ended up resigning after becoming accustomed to a more relaxed lifestyle.
"Then what should I do?" Tony mused. "I could come over every night, but that would seriously hinder my research."
"While I understand that your work is essential, if you don't plan on visiting frequently and don't take me with you, I'd like to request a refund," Lalatina suggested.
She was still young and aimed to work at the Elite Hotel for several more years, saving enough money to retire like her predecessors and enjoy a comfortable life.
"Wait, you can leave with me?" Tony asked, surprised.
"Since you've paid enough, under normal circumstances, as long as it's before the time expires, I can accompany you, except I cannot leave Xandar," Lalatina clarified. "Of course, my assistance would only extend to tasks within my work parameters."
"Perfect! Just the secretary I need. You can come with me to the Void Island," Tony decided, pleased with the idea.
His previous secretary had been dismissed when he planned to return to Earth for an extended period, and he hadn't found a new one yet. While Lalatina wouldn't provide intimate services, her dedication and work ethic assured him that having her manage his day-to-day needs would be no problem.
"Alright, give me a moment. I'll go fill out a report," Lalatina replied eagerly.
She was confident there was no need to worry about encountering danger, especially since Sonia was on the Void Island. Plus, the hotel owner would know her whereabouts, and she was expected to report back regularly. If she didn't, the hotel would intervene.
With the strict laws on Xandar, those who could stay long-term at the Elite Hotel were usually prominent individuals, so there was little cause for concern.