The villa was impeccably furnished, ready for Arthur to move in immediately. He'd also made a significant trip to the mall, purchasing a wealth of new furniture and all the daily necessities to make the place feel like home. Surveying his new abode, a deep sense of satisfaction settled over him. He promptly called Jack, instructing him to close the restaurant early today, extending an invitation to everyone for a housewarming celebration.
Arthur, embracing his new coastal lifestyle, had also plunged into the ocean, emerging with a magnificent bounty: two colossal lobsters, several plump crabs, and a gleaming bluefin tuna. The villa's prime beachfront location meant he could literally step from his living room directly into the sea. He'd even specifically requested the renovation company to install a large, reinforced glass door within the floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a seamless transition from his home to the water.
Ding-dong! Ding-dong! The doorbell chimed, pulling Arthur from his thoughts. He rose to answer, anticipating the arrival of his friends. As he opened the door, a wave of lively chatter washed over him—it was indeed the six familiar faces from the restaurant.
"Boss, your new place is absolutely stunning!" one of the women exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration. "You're clearly rolling in money to afford a sea-view villa like this!" another added with a whistle. A third, perhaps less subtly, joked, "Boss, do you need a live-in assistant here? I'm ready to retire from hard work!" The three women's voices overlapped in a joyful symphony as they eagerly began to explore the expansive villa.
Meanwhile, Zhao Long, Jack, and Mike, with a more practical focus, efficiently carried in cases of drinks they'd brought. Given that the restaurant specialized in beverages, Arthur hadn't seen the need to stop at a supermarket himself.
Arthur gestured towards the array of fresh seafood and other ingredients spread across the kitchen counters. "I'll leave all of this to you three," he declared good-naturedly. "After all, you're the culinary experts here."
"Don't you worry, boss, you just sit back and prepare for a true feast!" Jack confidently assured him, patting his chest with a flourish.
"Yeah! A feast! A feast!" Lina, ever the enthusiast, bounced up and down excitedly at the mention of the delicious meal to come. Arthur simply shook his head, a fond, amused smile playing on his lips as he watched the perpetually hungry young woman.
"Zhao Long," Arthur continued, turning to the chef, "could you prepare some of your signature dishes? I've been craving your spicy tripe in chili oil, sweet and sour fish, and especially your pot-wrapped pork for the past two months."
"Consider it done, boss! Your wish is my command!" Zhao Long responded with a respectful bow.
The six friends celebrated at Arthur's new home until well past midnight, the evening culminating in shared laughter and considerable inebriation for all. Arthur himself felt a profound sense of relief and happiness. Seeing everyone again, reunited in his new home, allowed him to finally release the accumulated emotional tension from his recent battles and the solitary month of intense training.
The following day, a Saturday, the restaurant's busiest day of the week, saw all six of them depart early, heading back to work.
Arthur, now alone, settled in front of his computer, taking the opportunity to catch up on the news that had unfolded over the past two months. He read that Tony Stark had been successfully rescued after a kidnapping by terrorists. What truly dominated the headlines, however, was Stark's subsequent press conference, where he had shockingly announced that Stark Industries would immediately cease all production and sales of arms and weapons.
This declaration had erupted like a bombshell, sending shockwaves across the globe. People widely believed Tony Stark had completely lost his mind. An armaments company refusing to sell weapons? The market reacted instantly, and Stark's stock plummeted to an unprecedented low.
Arthur sighed, a faint regret surfacing. It was a pity he didn't have any spare capital. Otherwise, he knew, a significant investment in Stark Company shares now would undoubtedly yield immense profits in the near future. He also reminded himself that continuously selling ancient artifacts from the ocean floor was far too conspicuous; he needed to maintain a low profile.
Just then, his phone vibrated, signaling an incoming call. It was Coulson. "Hey, Arthur," Coulson's voice came through the line, "I have a mission for you, something I'm afraid might be a bit of an inconvenience."
"Is there a payment involved?" Arthur asked, ever practical.
"..." A beat of silence stretched between them. Coulson sounded momentarily flustered. "I've never encountered anyone so upfront about compensation," he finally managed.
"Alright, alright, just kidding," Arthur chuckled. "Why don't you come over to my place, and we can discuss the details. The address is..."
It wasn't long before Coulson arrived at Arthur's brand new residence. "Come on in!" Arthur welcomed him, ushering him through the doorway.
"I can't believe you bought a house just two days after getting back," Coulson remarked, his gaze sweeping over Arthur's impressive villa.
"Living at the restaurant wasn't exactly practical before. I realized I needed a proper place to settle down," Arthur explained casually. "But let's cut to the chase. What do you need me to do?"
"It's about Stark Industries, you're familiar with it, right?" Coulson began, and Arthur nodded in confirmation.
"Howard Stark, the founder of Stark Industries, was also one of the original founders of S.H.I.E.L.D. His son, Tony Stark, was recently kidnapped and successfully rescued," Coulson elaborated.
"I've heard about it; it's been all over the news lately," Arthur confirmed.
"We need you to act as Tony Stark's personal protection for a period of time. Our investigation indicates that his kidnapping was not a simple affair; it appears there's high-level involvement from within Stark Corporation itself."
"We absolutely must ensure Tony Stark's safety," Coulson emphasized, his voice serious. "He's incredibly important to S.H.I.E.L.D."
"You want me to be a bodyguard?" Arthur questioned, a slight incredulity in his tone. "Does Tony Stark even know about this? And how long will I need to protect him?"
"Tony isn't aware," Coulson clarified. "We'll arrange for you to discreetly join the company and provide personal protection. As for the duration, I don't anticipate it will be for very long."
"Infiltrate the company? Me?" Arthur pointed to himself, a bewildered expression on his face.
"Yes. I can arrange for you to work as a security guard at Stark Company," Coulson explained. "While protecting Tony Stark, you can also investigate the individuals pulling the strings behind the scenes within Stark Corporation."
A security guard? Me, a king of the seas, a dignified Neptune, reduced to being a security guard? Arthur stared at Coulson, his mouth agape in disbelief.
"There's genuinely nothing else we can do," Coulson said, a hint of exasperation in his voice. "I have too many other urgent matters to attend to. Our other top agent is currently on an active mission, though she will be able to come over to assist you later."
Is he talking about the Black Widow? The thought that the infamous Widow would actually be his partner suddenly made the idea of working as a security guard seem far less objectionable. (Coulson, mentally: "Where did your dignity go?" Arthur, mentally: "Oh, this sounds so good now!")
"Alright, I'll do it," Arthur agreed. "When do we leave?"
"Now," Coulson replied.
Arthur stood before a full-length mirror, adjusting the fit of his sleek black suit. His impressive height and blond hair gave him a strikingly handsome appearance. Since his Atlantean bloodline had awakened, Arthur's physical development had accelerated dramatically. In just a few months, he had grown significantly taller and considerably more muscular, now appearing to be a young man in his early twenties. No one would guess he was still technically a minor.
He arrived at the imposing Stark Building, observing the constant flow of people—employees, visitors, and deliveries—moving in and out of the corporate giant. With a confident stride, Arthur walked through the main entrance.
"Hi, sir, do you need any assistance?" a poised, attractive woman at the front desk inquired politely.
"Oh, yes. My name is John Arthur, and I have an appointment."
"Certainly, please wait just a moment." The attendant made a quick phone call, and after a brief pause, a somewhat portly figure emerged from one of the elevators.
The man walked directly towards Arthur. "Are you John Arthur?" he asked.
"Yes," Arthur confirmed. He recognized the man standing before him: Happy Hogan, Tony Stark's loyal "confidant" and head of security.
"Follow me!" Happy Hogan commanded, leading Arthur to the sixteenth floor, which housed the Stark security department.
"I heard you were introduced through the Department of Defense?" Happy asked as they walked.
"That's correct," Arthur nodded.
"My name is Happy Hogan, and I'm the head of security here at Stark Corporation. You'll be reporting to me from now on. Please fill out this form first," Happy instructed, handing him a clipboard.
Arthur diligently completed his resume and returned it to Happy, who reviewed it and nodded with a look of satisfaction. It appeared the informal interview had gone well.
Happy then escorted Arthur to the top floor, where they met Stark's executive assistant, Pepper Potts. The woman, known to many simply as Pepper, was the future CEO of Stark Corporation.
Pepper and Arthur briefly introduced themselves. She then informed Happy that Tony wasn't currently at the company; he had been secluded in his home studio for several days and hadn't made an appearance.