Chapter 22: A Friend Who Understands

"You keep rejecting my calls. What am I supposed to do?"

Tony Stark said this with a hint of defensiveness, though he knew he was partly at fault.

"Alright, what exactly do you want?" Harvey asked, not wanting to dwell on Tony's excuses.

"Since I've finally managed to get through to you, how about coming over to my place to chat?"

Tony was eager to show Harvey Amberlock his technological advancements.

Tony was currently using Mark V armor, having improved from the Mark II in just a month. Only he knew about these upgrades.

Tony's face lit up with a smile at the thought of showing Harvey his latest suits.

"Is there food?"

Harvey, noticing Tony's invitation, asked in return.

"Food?"

Tony was momentarily taken aback and somewhat annoyed by the question. He had been lost in thoughts of impressing Harvey with his tech.

Then, he recalled a rumor circulating in New York high society that Harvey's appetite was insatiable. Tony had noticed this firsthand at his charity gala a month ago, where Harvey had eaten with great gusto.

"Hold on… I can arrange for some to be made."

Tony quickly recovered and said, "Prepare a dinner for a hundred people. I'll be there soon."

Harvey agreed and hung up. He changed clothes and drove out.

"JARVIS, what did he just say?" Tony asked, thinking he might have heard wrong.

"Sir, you heard correctly. Mr. Harvey Amberlock requested a dinner for a hundred people."

JARVIS confirmed.

"JARVIS, contact a five-star hotel chef and have them prepare the meal as quickly as possible. I'll pay them five thousand dollars each for the expedited service."

Tony instructed, not wanting Harvey to arrive and find fault with his hospitality.

"Understood, sir."

JARVIS promptly made the arrangements.

Tony wasn't only keen to show off his technological achievements. He also wanted to discuss the Avengers and possibly extraterrestrial matters with Harvey.

Tony wondered if Harvey was already aware of aliens in the universe, but he couldn't be sure. He left the lab and went to the first floor.

"What's going on?"

Pepper asked, looking concerned as she found Tony sitting on the couch after he had just been in the lab.

"Nothing, just taking a break here," Tony replied after a pause.

"JARVIS?"

Pepper turned to JARVIS for answers.

"Mr. Stark is preparing to entertain a guest."

JARVIS responded.

"A guest? Who?" Pepper asked, puzzled.

"It's Harvey Amberlock. He's on his way here now."

JARVIS clarified.

"Since when did they become friends?"

Pepper was surprised to hear Harvey's name and looked at Tony, who had no visible connection to Harvey before.

"Since this month," JARVIS answered.

"Huh?" Pepper was confused by the vague response.

"Don't worry about it. Harvey Amberlock is coming over to visit. There will be a lot of food arriving soon; please help with the reception."

Tony cut off further questions and instructed Pepper.

This only made Pepper more confused, as they had just had dinner not long ago.

"The food is for Mr. Harvey Amberlock. His appetite seems quite large, so we need to prepare extra."

JARVIS explained, seeing Pepper's bewilderment.

"Is the rumor true?"

Pepper asked, astonished.

"While I can't understand how a human can eat so much, the rumor appears to be accurate."

"Even the biggest eaters can't match him?"

"Indeed, none of the world's big eaters match Mr. Harvey Amberlock's capacity."

Pepper and JARVIS discussed this, intrigued by the revelation.

Twenty minutes later,

"Sir, Mr. Harvey Amberlock has arrived at the mansion and the gate has been opened."

JARVIS reported.

The villa's front door opened automatically.

Harvey, dressed impeccably in a white suit, was strikingly handsome. Pepper, used to seeing handsome white men, was momentarily mesmerized by Harvey's appearance, though she wasn't unfamiliar with him.

She had seen him before but didn't pay much attention due to their lack of interaction.

Now, seeing him in person, Pepper was captivated by his youth and charm.

"Ahem."

A cough from nearby brought Pepper back to reality.

"Hello, Mr. Harvey Amberlock."

Pepper greeted, bowing her head before raising it with a polite smile.

"Hello, Miss Pepper Potts," Harvey responded courteously.

"Come, let's talk downstairs."

Tony, seeing Harvey, got up and gestured with his thumb toward the direction of the stairs.

Harvey glanced at Pepper thoughtfully before nodding.

"Pepper, don't bother with coffee for us unless I instruct you. We'll come up when we're done."

Tony reminded Pepper as he led Harvey downstairs.

Pepper, although curious, could only agree.

"So, it seems you're not just discussing your latest tech with me," Harvey said as they descended the stairs.

"You've seen through me. Since you guessed what we're talking about, you know it's something she wouldn't understand."

Tony admitted with a hint of resignation.

"It's not that she wouldn't understand, but that she couldn't relate to you."

Harvey noted, glancing at Pepper, who was watching them curiously, and then at Tony, who seemed contemplative.

"It's not just her. Many people probably wouldn't understand, which is why I brought you here."

Tony sighed and said meaningfully.

"Then I'll listen attentively."

Harvey smiled and responded.

"JARVIS, they really do seem like friends."

Pepper, though unable to follow them, noticed that Tony and Harvey started talking as they descended the stairs.

"Mr. Stark isn't good at expressing his emotions, but my judgment is usually accurate."

JARVIS replied with some pride, sensing that Harvey and Tony had a common ground.