"You sure? It's not even 11 PM."
"I'm sure." She walked toward the door.
Paused and looked back. "Thank you, Alex. Really. You gave me something to think about."
Then she was gone. Walking back into the main room. Her voice carried clearly.
"Everyone out. Party's over. Thanks for coming but I need you all to leave now."
There were protests. Confusion. But Felicia was firm. Within fifteen minutes, the apartment was empty except for Alex and Felicia.
He stood in the main room, preparing to leave. Felicia walked over with something in her hand.
Before Alex could react, she kissed him. Quick. On the cheek. Not romantic. More like sealing a promise.
"Best friends," she said again. "I'll call you tomorrow."
"Okay."
Alex walked to the door. As he reached for the handle, Felicia called out.
"Oh. Check your jacket pocket."
Alex reached into his pocket. His fingers touched paper. He pulled out an envelope.
Inside was a check. Made out to him. For one hundred thousand dollars.
"Felicia, what the hell?"
She smiled from across the room. "Consider it an investment. You're going to do something amazing. I can tell. I want to be part of it."
"I can't accept this."
"Too late. Already written. You'll insult me if you tear it up."
Alex stared at the check. One hundred thousand dollars. More money than he had ever seen in his life.
He should return it. Should refuse. Taking this much money from Felicia meant owing her. Meant complications.
But he also really needed the money. And Felicia clearly wasn't going to take it back.
"I'll pay you back," Alex said firmly. "With interest. This isn't a gift. It's a loan."
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Felicia's smile was knowing. "Now go. I have thinking to do."
Alex left the penthouse. Rode the elevator down in silence. Walked out into the Manhattan night holding a check for one hundred thousand dollars.
He shook his head and laughed quietly.
"Best friends," he muttered. "Whether I like it or not."
The check was going straight to the bank Monday morning. Then into investments. Diversified. Safe. Money that would grow and provide security.
And he would pay Felicia back. Somehow.
Eventually.
But right now, he had just solved his financial problems for the foreseeable future.
---
Monday morning arrived. Alex's first day at Oscorp and also the day he needed to start preparing for Peter's transformation.
The field trip was scheduled for three weeks from now. Alex had confirmed the date through the school bulletin. October 15th. Midtown High's annual science program visit to Oscorp Industries.
Which meant Alex had three weeks to figure out how to collect Peter's DNA samples before, during, and after the spider bite.
The "before" sample was easy. Alex and Peter were friends. Study partners. He could collect DNA without Peter knowing. A hair from his jacket. Saliva from a shared drink. Simple.
The "during" sample was trickier. Alex needed to be present when the spider bit Peter. Needed to collect samples immediately as the transformation began.
And the "after" sample required ongoing access. Watching how Peter's DNA changed over days and weeks as the spider venom integrated with his system.
'I need to be invisible,' Alex thought. 'Peter can't know I'm studying him. Nobody can know.'
He also needed to acquire the actual spider. The one that would bite Peter. If Alex could study that spider's venom, understand the genetic modifications, he could potentially replicate the enhancement process safely.
But stealing from Oscorp was dangerous. Security was tight. Getting caught would mean immediate termination and possibly criminal charges
'One problem at a time,' Alex decided. 'First, establish myself at Oscorp. Build trust. Gain access. Then figure out the spider situation.'
He arrived at Oscorp Tower at 8 AM.
Security processed him through with his new employee badge. Junior analyst. R&D Strategy Division. Level 2 clearance.
Nora met him in the lobby and escorted him to his new workspace. It was a small office on the thirtieth floor. Desk. Computer. Windows overlooking the city. Nothing fancy but significantly better than he had expected.
"Dr. Kumar will meet with you in an hour to discuss your initial assignments," Nora explained. "In the meantime, familiarize yourself with the database access protocols. Your login credentials are on the desk."
Read more on Patreon marvelstark