Part 32

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- I stopped by our pizzeria on the way back and picked up a couple of boxes, because I like to spoil you. - I smiled sweetly in response, and immediately noticed the interested look on the towel that was kindly covering me below my waist.

- And I bought some fresh meat from Jerry's, so I'll spoil you tonight too. - May gave me a sly wink. - And yes, Peter, you should go and get dressed. - I nodded laconically and headed for my room, but I was really tired from my shower, and the coffee didn't give me much energy.

I put on a warm shirt and shorts, which always gave me a first-class sense of comfort, and went down to the ground floor. Taking one slice of pepperoni, May was already working on a couple of kilos of first-class meat. For years we'd been buying from a particular butcher that had become practically part of the family; Jerry always left the best 'trimmings' for May, as he liked to say. As I understood it, May's father was also friends with the butcher, so Jerry's shop had always had a monopoly on meat for our family. But the main thing was that it really wasn't bad, so why not? Having a good relationship with this extremely elderly gentleman, you could always order some first class meat straight home, but we rarely did, and why bother the old man when we could go in ourselves?

Using various spices, May always achieved the perfect aroma and flavour, for as long as I can remember, her meat always melts in the mouth, no matter what quality it is, is it not the level of her skill? Pouring myself another cup of coffee and taking a slice of pizza that hadn't cooled down yet, I continued to watch the cooking, because there's something hypnotic about it. Or do I just like to watch someone cook? After all, as you know, you can only watch a fire burning, water flowing, and someone else work forever. Every time I see Mei cooking, I get something for myself, even though I don't cook that often, but there is no such thing as too much knowledge, and even more so when you cook something for yourself or your loved ones. Delicious food is the key to cheap happiness, because the ingredients don't cost that much and, in fact, you're only wasting your time and improving your cooking skills, which can also be useful. There is also sleep, which is extremely difficult to adjust, but it's worth it, good thing I can control my body from here on out, otherwise I'd be chronically sleep deprived. Of course, I can also think about sex, but it is good and stimulating only with the right and moderately constant partner, and uncontrolled sexual relations can lead to extravagant consequences.

Reflecting on how much 'accidental' children are loved I finally waited for the enchanting aroma of cooked meat, finishing the pizza box and drinking another cup of coffee, I finally got a hearty dinner in May's pleasant company. A little time behind the cooker with a seasoning of love and spices makes an ordinary piece of meat something divine and fantastically delicious. Isn't that magic? Wishing a pleasant appetite, I immediately got down to eating. Enjoying the fabulous taste and not forgetting to praise Mei's cooking and answering incoming messages, I was happy as hell and that's not a figure of speech, because happiness lies in the details and little things that make you smile, appreciate the little things, because it's very simple and pleasant.

- Peter, stop embarrassing me...' May, who was beaming with contentment, kept blushing at the sincere compliments on her beauty, her cooking skills and the talk about how much I loved her. - It's just food. It's not worth the big words. I cook like this all the time, and you know it. - she smiled warmly again, literally making my heart sink.

- That's why I love you even more, because you're the best thing in my life. - I winked at her and continued to savour my food with undisguised appetite.

- You know how to suck up. - May grinned. - You always act like a charming scoundrel and flatterer. How do girls put up with you? - she smiled again. - By the way, what's that bike outside? I don't see any guests. And the neighbours never had a biker thing going on. I don't know something about you Peter? - May stretched out thoughtfully, looking me in the eye with obvious suspicion.

- Umm. Well, it's my bike now. That's the way it is. Bought it with the money I earned. - May's look of suspicion only grew more suspicious. - I sold a couple of hot photos from the scene and managed to make a nice profit on an infomercial. There's no crime,' I hastened to reassure her. - It's May's honest money. One news channel even showed what I'd filmed. - Seeing the doubt in her eyes, I just sighed tiredly and stopped trying to convince her of anything.

- Let's say. - May said calmly. - Don't get hurt. You've grown up so fast, Peter. Just yesterday you were such a baby, and today you're all grown up. And try not to keep any more secrets. We're a family, and who else can we trust but our own? - she smiled warmly again. - You can always rely on me, and I will try to help you, because you are all I have... - sadly quoting my own words, she smiled and winked at me again.

- Got it. Give me a hug. - Taking May into my arms, I savoured the warmth for a few seconds.

- As gentle as a March cat. - she mumbled pretentiously.

- That's just the way it is. - I grinned and reluctantly let her go, then the phone rang, winking at Mei I went into the hall so as not to disturb her with my conversations.

- Hey, bro. I have a world-renowned scientist who knows a little bit about robotics and various systems, so we decided to dig into the armour, do you want to join us? We're about to have a launch, and I can't go anywhere without my brother. - Harry's mischievous laugh came through the phone. - So I'm waiting for you as soon as possible, I think you'll like my new acquaintance, because he's a science fan like you. Come on, Pete, I'm waiting. - before I could get a word in edgewise, Osborne was off.

After hugging May again and thanking her for the divine dinner, I told her I'd be gone for a while because Harry needed help, and promising I wouldn't be long, I quickly changed into comfortable clothes and put on my favourite headphones and headed for the Ozborn estate. Enjoying the upbeat music, I soon found myself at Norman Osborn's residence. After greeting the old butler and politely declining tea and dinner, I quickly made my way down to Harry's 'garage'.

- Dr Octavius? - A flicker of sudden recognition immediately bestows me with a smile.

- Peter. It's been a long time. The last time was when you were very young. Ah, how quickly the years fly by. - Otto shook my hand happily.

- So you two know each other? - Harry didn't even hide his surprise.

- Peter was one of my best students at science camp. You didn't tell me you had such interesting friends Herr Osborn. - Octavius smiled. - With such an assistant we will quickly set up the entire power system of your protective suit. Peter you remember my project on the self-healing power source? - With a laconic nod and a new smile from the doctor, I began to listen further. - The essence remained the same, but I managed to achieve a reduction in size without losing much power. It may not compare to my magnum opus, but it's enough power for your needs. It is a pity that the Hardy Foundation does not want to increase funding for my projects, but only cuts the already tiny resources of our laboratory. - Octavius smiled sadly. - But that doesn't stop me from creating. And if your project succeeds, Herr Osborn, I will finally be able to get stable funding, albeit from the sale of 'batteries'.

- That's all very interesting, Doctor, but how did you manage to offset the tremendous overheating from your power source? As far as I can remember, when it reached full power, there was a risk of a colossal explosion that would have been as destructive as Hiroshima, Nagasaki or Chernobyl. There might not have been any radiation, but the city would have been wiped off the face of the earth. So would it make sense to use something so destructive and unstable? - Harry whistled in surprise at the new information, and Otto winked at me patronisingly.

- Which is to be expected from my best student. - The doctor smiled smugly. - You're right Peter and all these problems have a destructive effect on my project, but I was able to overcome the overheating by trivial power limitation. As you can see, simple is genius and simple is genius. We may have lost a percentage of power, but what's left is enough, and it's practically safe. I've calculated everything, so there's no need to worry, even though I taught you to double-check everything, but would I jeopardise the lives of innocents? - Octavius immediately took off his glasses and looked at me with the honest eyes of a humanitarian, as if that should tip the balance in his favour.

- You are right doctor and I have no reason to doubt your genius. Still, let's go ahead and double-check the systems one more time, for the welfare of my friend's company depends on it, and I can't let him down. - Osborne immediately gave me a thumbs-up in approval, and Otto thought about something.

- A commendable zeal for friendship. - The doctor smiled understandingly. - If I don't even have the trust of my student, then I should definitely double-check everything. - Octavius gave me a friendly wink and pulled out his miniature reactor again and we started to re-diagnose, quickly running the new energy source and checking it for overheating and energy losses I had to admit that it was much better than the arc reactor.

- My sincere apologies, maestro. Your reactor is really good, it has enough power to cover all our suit's needs and still have some left over. - I could see vanity in his eyes as he complimented the master's work, even though his glasses hid his eyes, but something still slipped through, which means that scientists are not strangers to humanity, and I thought.

- I told you, Peter. - Otto said, beaming with satisfaction.

But he was prevented from continuing by the sudden appearance of a hologram of Osborne senior, projected majestically and stately through Harry's watch.

- Son. Stark's lawyers have literally gone rogue and are accusing us of copyright infringement. - Norman said coldly. - Am I missing something, son? - Osborn's predatory grin froze eloquently in the extinguished hologram.

- I think we're screwed. - Harry said quietly, cutting off the conversation with his father in a very ungentlemanly manner.