章 13: 13.Chill
New-York
The evening in New York City was settling into its usual rhythm. The sky transitioned from a dusky orange to a deep indigo, stars beginning to punctuate the fading light. The city's iconic skyline glowed with a myriad of lights, casting a brilliant reflection on the Hudson River. Streetlights flickered on, illuminating the bustling sidewalks where people hurried to their destinations. The distant hum of traffic melded with the occasional blare of a taxi horn and the soft murmur of countless conversations.
In the heart of Manhattan, towering
skyscrapers loomed over the streets, their windows like glittering mosaics in the night. Neon signs flashed vibrant colors, advertising Broadway shows, upscale restaurants, and trendy boutiques. The air was thick with the scent of street food from vendors selling hot dogs and pretzels, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting from corner cafes.
Somewhere amidst this urban tapestry stood Goliath's grand mansion. The stately three-story townhouse commands attention with its grand, neoclassical architecture. Towering columns flank the ornate double doors that serve as the main entrance, giving the building an air of sophistication and power.
Intricate stone carvings and decorative moldings adorn the facade, hinting at the mansion's prestigious history. Rows of arched windows stretch across the upper floors, allowing natural light to flood the interior. The roofline is punctuated by a series of dormers, adding visual interest and depth to the structure.
The mansion sits on a sizeable plot of land, with a wrought-iron fence enclosing a well-manicured front lawn. Neatly trimmed hedges and flowerbeds line the walkway leading up to the main entrance, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Off to the side, a discreet driveway provides access to the underground garage and hangar facilities.
And on its porch that Thomas landed.
This mansion was a birthday present from Tony. It was an unexpected and extravagant gift, and Thomas had initially been puzzled by it. The mansion's true essence lay in its expansive basement and lower floors. When Thomas had asked why, Tony had simply shrugged and said, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," refusing to answer any further questions. So, Thomas had accepted the gift, even though his previous home was nothing to scoff at. But this mansion, with its grandeur and scale, was incomparable.
The size and comfort of the house were ideal for someone of Goliath's height. Being a large man, he needed everything scaled up—dishes, furniture, clothes, food. Everything necessary for an ordinary man, but increased several times over to accommodate his size.
Standing in front of his massive double doors, Thomas felt a sense of satisfaction, finally home. The doors, made of expensive dark brown wood with golden handles, were nearly five meters tall—unbelievably high for standard humans but perfectly proportioned for Goliath. They were thick and heavy, designed to withstand almost anything. For anyone else, they were nearly impossible to open manually, which is why they were equipped with an automatic sensor that opened them when someone approached. A hidden camera above the door would scan the visitor and unlock the doors.
But Thomas preferred the tactile experience of opening them himself. He reached out, pushing the heavy door open with ease. His glasses, now perched on his forehead, were slightly askew after his recent battle. His shirt was damp with sweat, and his long, lush hair was matted with dust and grime from the confrontation with the Destroyer. The battle had left a massive crater, but fortunately, he'd managed to hurl the Destroyer back to where it came from.
Thomas knew that it wouldn't be long before fans and curious onlookers would flock to New Mexico to capture photos and videos of the aftermath, and even now, he's sure someone has already posted a video of him when he first landed in that town and instantly engaged in battle. Because Thomas could clearly hear the sound of the camera on phone. There was a picture, which meant there was a video. Well, he would check his social media a little later, but first, he needed to clean up.
He stepped inside the mansion. The lights flicked on instantly, illuminating the grand hall. "I'm back!" he called out, his voice echoing through the vast space. As usual, there was no response. "Home sweet home... And yet again, no one answering the call," he muttered to himself. "It's about time you got yourself a girlfriend and got married."
The doors behind Thomas closed after walked further inside. Inhaling moderately. And meeting a distinctive blend of scents-a mix of polished wood, leather, and the smell of metal.а
The space is expansive, with high ceilings adorned with intricate moldings and a grand chandelier casting a warm glow over the room. The walls are lined with rich, dark wood paneling, giving the hall a sense of timeless elegance.
Directly ahead, a sweeping staircase leads to the upper floors, its polished banister gleaming in the light and the floor is covered in luxurious marble tiles.
To one side, there's a comfortable seating area with plush leather armchairs and a coffee table, perfect for receiving guests or for important meetings. The other side features display cases housing various Goliath's memorabilia and artifacts from past adventures.
At the far end of the hall, sleek elevator doors hint at the high-tech facilities that lie beyond, while discreet security cameras and sensors ensure the safety.
As Tony had mentioned, a few of the mansion's improvements were his doing, primarily technological upgrades, while Pepper had taken care of the interior design.
But what exactly did "technological improvements" entail? Well, the house was equipped with robot helpers for cleaning, lawn care, home protection, and more, effectively replacing the need for human housekeepers. It wasn't that Thomas was against having people work in his home; rather, it was a matter of safety. As a very famous individual, it was dangerous for ordinary civilians to be around him. There was always some villain aiming to kidnap a civilian to extract information and "try" to get to Andre. There had already been an incident with Nana when some underground group discovered her connection to Goliath. The villains had been punished, sustaining injuries that would last a lifetime.
To prevent such incidents from happening again, robots were the answer. Tony had also given Thomas one of his early artificial intelligences to serve as a voice assistant, staying in touch and maintaining security.
"It's good to have you back, Boss," a calm female voice echoed throughout the house. The sound quality was excellent, thanks to the well-placed speakers.
Goliath relaxed, unbuttoning the top buttons of his shirt as he made his way toward the stairs. "Quite mutual, Jocasta," he replied, taking his glasses from his forehead and placing them on a nearby table as he passed.
He climbed the stairs slowly, savoring the tranquility of his home. Each step was deliberate, his hand trailing along the polished wooden railing. The mansion was quiet, and it can be incredibly quiet if you want it to be, thanks to the advanced soundproofing. Thomas often cherished the silence, the tranquility, and the time alone with his thoughts that it brought. It was just him, his reflections, and perhaps a milkshake. It gave him the opportunity to reflect and recover—a moral rest, so to speak.
That's exactly what he intended to do now. It had been an extraordinarily busy week, and he felt he deserved some time for himself. A warm bath and the comforting embrace of hot water would be his sanctuary.
"Jocasta, do not disturb. Only when emergency. "
" Understand, Boss. "
***
1.5 hour later.
Thomas sat on his couch, sipping a milkshake. He was wearing one of his favorite Hawaiian shirts, unbuttoned, paired with simple shorts and bare feet. At home, he allowed himself the freedom to dress comfortably. In public or at work, Thomas would never be seen in shorts or with his torso exposed; to him, it wasn't masculine. But at home, he could relax and be himself.
Except for the presence of his artificial intelligence, Jocasta.
"Jocasta, did someone call while I was resting?" Thomas asked, taking a satisfying sip of his drink. The banana flavor was cold and refreshing, just the way he liked it. He enjoyed pineapple milkshakes too, but tonight, he had opted for banana. All the ingredients were in the fridge, and he prided himself on his culinary skills, a remnant from his previous life. Cooking, cleaning, and other domestic tasks came naturally to him. However, in this world, things were a bit more challenging. Cooking with tools that were too small for his large hands required some adaptation. Fortunately, there were specialized tools for that, making it a manageable task.
His enormous size brought with it more than just daily inconveniences—it also brought fame. A twelve-year-old standing two meters tall was unheard of, and the internet had exploded with news about him. His abilities and mature demeanor only added to the attention he received, drawing the interest of both the government and various corporations. Companies like Oscorp and Synergy Bio had shown a particularly unpleasant interest in him, their intentions often shrouded in secrecy.
"Yes, there was a call, boss," Jocasta's calm voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hm? A call?" Thomas blinked, refocusing his mind. "Ah, got it. Who was it?"
"That was your lawyer. Do you want me to recap or should I put it on voicemail?"
"Just narrate."
"For reasons she cannot reveal, Jeanne is leaving the country. She can't specify when she'll return. She wanted to offer her place to the colleague you discussed with her."
"Why can't she give a reason? What's that supposed to mean? What's the rush, is she being tailed?" Thomas frowned, twirling the mug in his hand. Jeanne was his personal lawyer, and she had mentioned her new colleague a few times, speaking highly of her. But this sudden departure was suspicious.
"Hmm, though..." he remembered something, "She was talking about leaving. But... but still, the reason intrigues me." She didn't mention her family, just brushed it off by saying she had things to do. Who in their right mind would leave the position of Goliath's personal lawyer, where you are protected by him personally and have a very high salary? " Okay, I'll contact her a little later. Let me remember... Her name was definitely Jennifer-"
"You mean Jennifer Walters? She was in the news recently."
"Yes, her!" Thomas snapped his fingers, finally recalling. Jeanne had only briefly mentioned Jennifer's name, so it hadn't stuck. Besides, he hadn't thought about finding a new lawyer, hoping Jeanne's trip wouldn't take too long. "Wait a second. What made her newsworthy?"
"She was shot, most likely by some underground agents, Boss."
"What?!" Thomas jumped up a little. "Those bastards! Do we know who sent these men after Jennifer Walters?"
"I'm afraid not, Boss. I guess you'll have to find out for yourself."
"I think we will. Shot and already back on the job—clearly a professional, this Jennifer. Set up a meeting with her in an open slot." Thomas rose from his seat, his feet pounding on the warm floor as he headed to the kitchen to make another milkshake. Jocasta, however, added:
"I'm only saying this because you asked me to, Boss. Why don't you also offer Jennifer Walters the secretarial job? Maybe you can get a girlfriend too?"
Thomas froze in place, raising his gaze to the ceiling. The AI's voice came from everywhere at once, but there was no specific place to address, so he just looked up, ostensibly looking at Jocasta herself. "I just thought about that, can you believe it? "
"I hope so. Just a reminder, Boss, you are so busy patrolling that you leave no time for yourself. A female presence in your life is essential."
"Didn't you see me? Don't think gonna happen soon... And, you think I can rest?"
"At least a day or two a week, that's for sure."
"Can the newbies handle all this?"
"I think the young superheroes in the country can handle it for a while. A lot of them are fans of yours." Despite her technical voice, there was a note of confidence in Jocasta. She gave a command, and a hologram displaying something moving turned on not far from Thomas. He turned to look at it.
"Is that...?"
"The ones you inspired."
The hologram displayed articles and snippets of news showcasing various heroes in action, each defending the city and performing noble deeds. One image featured a girl in a full white suit with yellow eyes, sharp claws, and a ponytail. Another showed a guy with a yellow bandana, a green suit, and a yellow aura around his fists. There was also a young man in a red and blue leotard with gold accents, web-like lines crisscrossing his body, and shooting webs from his hands. Every slide seemed to feature "JJJ" prominently—what had Spider Boy done to incur J. Jonah Jameson's wrath?
Thomas watched, genuinely impressed.
"Okay, I think you're right." he said, deciding to take her up on her offer. Thanks, Tony, for making Jocasta more emotional and nuanced. Initially, she hadn't been this way, but now she exhibited a sense of emotion, which was remarkable for an artificial intelligence. By scientific standards, that was impressive. That's why Thomas definitely found it cool. Tony was unbelievable. "Thank you, Jocasta."
"You're welcome, Boss," Jocasta replied.
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