Part 19

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***

When I got home, I found no one there and wandered off to the shower, throwing all my clothes in the wash on the way. As I pondered under the hot water that New York was really turning into Gotham, I hummed. Who would have thought that after all these years I'd find myself in a place so similar and so 'different,' as if from an old film. Well, I guess it happens. However, I'm a spider, so this kind of thing doesn't surprise me in the least, it just slightly fuels my curiosity, but nothing more than that.

If you think about it, I'm too attached to the 'suit', and sometimes it needs to be changed, otherwise it will eventually become a part of you, and I'm not ready for such an outcome, because I'm me. And I need to think about how to strengthen my main body. Being a parasite is great, but it has its disadvantages, and it's not clear what's wrong with my lifespan. Now my gut is silent, but I should not delay it, and with the pills of the lizard I should not forget to conduct all the necessary research and subsequent synthesis, and I should not forget about the other projects.

And I need to do something about security, because the prank with Creed showed that I'm not ready for all this. And if I get caught, who will I leave May to? I mean, I can't forget about my family now. Maybe we should go back to the compact mask idea. Take the same technology of nanites and their self-reproduction and create a mask, preferably with good protection and tactical interface, because as today showed, the mask alone is not enough to preserve life and anonymity.

However, it will not be easy to get more or less modern nanites. Or go to the extremely 'nice' Communist Party of China and become their debtor, which is highly undesirable. China, of course, sometimes invests in promising projects, scientists and people in general, but they have a whole department, if not more, so it won't be easy. And who says I'll get anything at all? That's another question, and even if they do give me anything, the party will get all the patents, or I can only use them in China and in Chinese factories. It's a little embarrassing for me, so I need to think about it again, and preferably without Chinese Kabbalah and other contractual slavery.

Abandoning my pointless musings, I left the shower, wrapping myself in a towel. I still had to buy some goodies and choose films for the marathon. Maybe I should download the tried-and-true classics. Or some of those light-hearted comedies? And then you can move on to your favourite shows. The main thing there is to choose the best seasons and buy ice cream, and the rest is not so important.

- Looks like someone's really pumped up. - May said sarcastically, appearing out of nowhere with a glass of wine in her hand. - And no bruises this time, so it looks like progress. - May,' she said, followed by a sneer.

- May,' I was righteously indignant. - Stop staring at my abs.

- Whatever you say, handsome. - After a moment, she winked drunkenly at me. - By the way, I bought your favourite goodies and ice cream. I also downloaded us some French comedies, so now we have something to do, my boy. - May smiled slyly. - And anyway, come to think of it, what haven't I seen there? Even the pictures are saved in your childhood album, and I can use this dirt when you bring a girl to visit. - She smiled again.

- May. - I said in shock with a hint of judgement.

- May what? Or do you think I can't use this compromise? - Her smile faltered. - Peter, my boy, what a child you are. - she continued with the warmth of her words. - You must learn one lesson. If you've left something behind that can be used against you, Murphy's law says someone will stab you in the back at a moment's notice. - May suddenly spoke soberly. - And believe me, in my experience, harmless photos from the family album are just the tip of the iceberg I'm telling you about. And don't forget the dirt I've got on you. - her lips curved into a predatory smile. - You promised to buy your share of the goodies before our marathon, by the way. - May continued with a hint.

- Okay, I'm done. I'll dry off a bit and then I'll go.

- Good. - With a smirk, she headed towards the kitchen again.

With an expressive hum, I went into the hall, wanting to dry off a bit and watch the news. On second thought, there was something in what she said. So, I should really think over everything with anonymity and other issues of my safety. Switching on the TV and browsing through the channels, I stopped at the now almost native 'JJJ' with its permanent presenter and founder Jonah Jameson.

- A bloody maniac, who plagues nightclubs, has made another 'raid' on the 'V' chain of clubs. The police are still searching and ask everyone to refrain from going to nightclubs. - the announcer said with a serious face. - The riots on the streets of the city have stopped, now the streets of their districts are patrolled by armed squads consisting of local residents, whose conscientiousness and helped us to clear the streets of various scum and marginalised people. - Jonah grinned wickedly. - And now for some other news. After the failed attack on Adrian Tooms's bar, PIK, its popularity had skyrocketed. The seemingly unprofitable establishment is experiencing a veritable peak of new guests. - The announcer smiled mockingly.

Finished drying off, I switched off the TV and, quickly throwing on a shirt and jeans, headed out on a shopping run. There was a familiar car waiting for me on the street and the same curly-haired brunette who wanted something, but not this time.

- You're just what I need...' I smiled predatorily at the surprised Nicole and continued my aggressive offensive. - A matter of life and death. Give me a lift to a bakery. - grunting with laughter, the girl kindly opened the door.

- I have to admit, I didn't expect to meet you so soon. - Nicole smiled. - Let's go, shall we?

As I buckled in and said the address, I didn't expect that this sports car would speed up so quickly over a hundred, but the most surprising thing was not that, but the way the girl deftly manoeuvred in the flow of traffic and slipped at traffic lights. Even old Harry wasn't such a daredevil, and that's saying a lot. I hope I make it home in one piece. Catching Nicole's snide glance, I realised it was a trivial revenge for the morning, and she was smiling almost without hiding it. She's a hellcat, but my revenge will be worse. I laughed like a villain, and a moment later I was thinking about what I should buy for myself and May. As an option, it is worth to take a little of everything and not to worry, and everyone will find what he likes.

After a quick glance around the pastry shop, I made mental notes of what was available and what was worth getting. After ten minutes of waiting and queuing, I was already picking up my order and heading to the shop next door. After all, there were always fresh and damn tasty eclairs there, hopefully they hadn't been snapped up yet. As I continued my shopping spree I didn't forget about Nicole. After another half hour, I returned to the car noticing the brunette enjoying some instrumental music.

- This is for waiting and thanks for your help. - I handed the surprised girl a small box of brownies and winked at her.

- You certainly know how to bribe a girl. - Nicole said sarcastically.

- Who, if not me, would pamper such beautiful girls... - I smiled innocently in response and settled down in the interior of the sports car. - Still, I wonder who you work for, Nicole. I even brought some goodies to bribe you. - pulling out one packet of the tastiest oatmeal biscuits in town, I changed my smile to a more playful one.

- Sorry Peter, that's private information I can't divulge to people who don't work for us. - The brunette flapped her eyelashes innocently and immediately changed the subject. - I'll take the biscuits too. - A seductively sly smile appeared a moment later.

Handing Nicole a biscuit, our conversation faded out on its own. When I got home again, I ran into May, who was pensively finishing the coffee she'd just brewed, judging by the invigorating aroma. A couple of minutes later I was also offered hot coffee. The whole process was already so familiar that it didn't even require words.

- I bought those eclairs you like. Some with pistachio cream and some classic ones.

- You went all the way to the city centre to get them? - May was surprised. - Peter, why go to all that trouble? - The smile was back on her face, and her pensive expression was gone.

- I promised, didn't I? - I left the bags in the kitchen and drank my coffee leisurely. - Promises have to be kept, or they're worth a few cents. What should we watch first? - I asked the question that had been bugging me, because I'm not a fan of watching the same thing. However, there are nuances, so you can always find a compromise.

- Since we have a marathon of French comedies today, I suggest we start with Pierre Richard's films. - After a bit of thought, May started listing films. - First Runaways, then Tall Blond Man in a Black Shoe, well, for a change you can watch Bluff with that wild Italian. - A wry smile played on her lips again.

Nodding laconically, I put all the goodies in the fridge and took out the ice cream May had bought.

Settling down on the comfy couch and running films on the big screen, we started the marathon, destroying all the goodies we had prepared.

Leaving the ice cream to melt a bit, I finished my coffee with a bite of oatmeal biscuit.

Surprisingly, the first film was too boring for me and I fell asleep, skipping the second one for the same reason. Waking up on the Bluff, wrapped in a plaid, I noticed that May was also sweetly snoozing. After tucking her in, I finally got to the ice cream, which had already melted quite nicely.

Bluff turned out to be a very good film about fraudsters, albeit a little naive and not without bloopers. Or I just didn't like these films with Richard. And it's not clear where they got such high marks. But the film with Celentano was surprisingly cheerful. Having had a good time and finished the marathon, albeit so early, I smiled and took May in my arms. Carrying her like a piece of fluff to her bedroom, I covered her again with the same plaid and left her bedroom.

After making myself a fresh cup of coffee, I switched on Taxi and decided to watch all four parts, and what better way to continue the marathon of French comedies? While the films were downloading, I grabbed a couple of biscuits and an eclair from the kitchen so I wouldn't have to drink naked coffee. That's how my Friday night ended, and in the morning I'll have to take one Valkyrie out on a date. I wonder what this weekend will bring me? Well, we'll see, because whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

Or did it say something else? Anyway, it doesn't matter, the main thing is that I've recovered mentally and gained strength, and I've talked to May, so there's one less stone on my soul.

And now to sleep, and it doesn't matter that it's only a couple of hours before dawn, I'm going to take a nap anyway, because otherwise the days are merged into something single and incomprehensible. And sleep starts another cycle, so I shouldn't forget about it, even if I don't need it. With a mental hum, I headed for the bedroom.