We didn't talk much as we made our way toward the nearby restaurahe beach. Once we reached the pce, she pulled me toward a table for two located he gss window overlooking the sea view outside.

  Michelle removed her shoes aed her feet on the empty seat aine before pig up the menu card pced on top of the table.

  "What's up with these prices?" She asked while raising her brows skeptically as she read the items listed on the menu.

  I took a peek at the menu card in her hand, "Well, hope the food tastes as good as its price. Order away anything you want. No holding back or else I might get angry. Yeah?" I joked light-heartedly, making Michelle chuckle amusingly.

  She nodded in agreement, "Okay! Sure!"

  Soon a waitress arrived at our table and took our orders. Michelle ordered a lobster ptter. You know those giant lobster dishes served on TV shows? Yeah, that one! Meanwhile, I ordered a big king crab, the biggest one on the menu to be exact! While waiting for our orders to arrive Michelle and I talked about random stuff.

  "So, what's your future pn? Any specific field you ursue?" I asked curiously. Michelle shrugged nontly, "You wanna tinue college or do something different? Like, start your own business or something?" I pressed further.

  "Well... To be ho, I want to get some certificates a a stable job with a suffit paycheck. Maybe a o-five office desk job," Michelle answered truthfully while fiddling with the napkin oable.

  "o five office desk job? Seriously? Is that what you truly want?" I asked incredulously while raising my brows questioningly.

  Michelle nodded hesitantly, "Hey, as long as the pay is good, anything goes... Not anything like that anything goes kind of anything, but you get what I meant."

  "Yeah... But don't you wanna follow your passion? Or at least try something new for once?" I asked curiously while tilting my head sideways.

  "Yeah, but as you know, beggars 't choose. Right? Money matters dude! Besides, I want to have financial stability before doing something else," She expined early while twirling a strand of hair using her index finger.

  I leaned forward while resting my elbows oable, "What if I offer you a job? o drop out. Just a part-time job after college and the pay is good." I proposed with a hopeful expression.

  Michelle's eyes widened ically as she listeteo my proposition, "Wait! What?" She asked unbelievably.

  I took a deep breath before tinuing, "Well, I need some help with my work. And as things stand right now, I need a couple of hands on the deck. So, what do you say? Ied?"

  "Are you seriht now? Peter Parker, please don't fool me! I swear to god! If this is one of your silly pranks, I won't hesitate to smack you hard across your stupid face!" Michelle threatened me angrily while pointing her index fihreateningly at me.

  "Nope, no prank here whatsoever. I am being hundred pert serious about this. Michelle Jones, I am you a job opportunity. And yes, it es with a good sary. So, what do you think?" I assured her early while leaning backward.

  "Job description and pay," She demanded bluntly while crossing her arms across her chest.

  "Job description, assisting me in running my researd rec things accly. Starting payment, 5k per month. Bonus, depends on performance. Bes, free food, drinks, and transportation fee," I expined seriously with a ral expression on my face.

  Michelle gaped at me unbelievably before stuttering, "Fiv- Five thousand dolrs per month? Free food, drinks, transportation fee? For a part-time job?" She asked incredulously with wide eyes.

  "Yeah, pretty much sums everything up. So, ied?" I firmed fidently.

  Michelle remained silent for a whole minute before speaking up, "Peter Parker, are you perhaps running some illegal experiments or something that line? Because no one offers such high payments for a part-time job."

  I chuckled and shook my head, "No illegal experiments whatsoever. Don't worry! It's legit stuff. You'll see for yourself once you join me. I'm also pnning on roping in Ned, and Gwen too. So, what do you say? Wanna joioo?" I extended my hand across the table and offered her a handshake, "Deal?"

  Michelle stared at my hand for a brief moment before accepting it firmly, "Deal!"

  Our versation paused momentarily when our orders arrived at the table. Lobster and crab dishes were pced oable along with our drinks, obviously non-alcoholic. Michelle wasted no time and immediately started eating her lobster dish eagerly while I focused on dev my crab dish.

  We ate our meal in silence while stealing g each other occasionally.

  "Here," I offered her cw meat from my pte. Michelle accepted it happily and put it inside her mouth, chewing it slowly with a satisfied look on her face.

  "Damn, it's good," She excimed delightfully while lig her lips seductively. Michelle fed me a piece of lobster meat too. It tasted sweet yet tender enough to chew. Overall, delicious! I gotta say!

  Once we finished our meals we decided to take another walk along the shoreline for a bit.

  Michelle held my hand firmly while we strolled zily he shore with waves crashing against our feet. There were fewer people around pared to the m. So, we had the entire beach basically to ourselves.

  "So, how was our sed date, Miss Jones?" I asked curiously while gng sideways at her beautiful face.

  "It's awesome! hought we would have so much fun together," Michelle admitted happily with a bright smile grag her lips.

  I chuckled and nodded in agreement, "Yeah, totally agree! Who would've thought right?" Michelle bumped her shoulder against mine pyfully befiggling cutely.

  "By the arker! Thanks for today! I really e. Holy, I never imagihat I would ever enjoy going on a beach date plus Scuba diving," She fessed gratefully while gazing deeply into my eyes lovingly.

  I squeezed her haly before replying sincerely, "No problem! Gd you loved it." Michelle stopped abruptly and hugged me tightly all of a sudden.

  Her st invaded my nostrils instantly as I ed my arms around her waist protectively. She feels so soft and small against my embrace. Michelle nuzzled her face against my chest and inhaled deeply before exhaling shakily, "Peter, thank you fing me here! Thank you for everything! But, don't let it get to your head. I'm not that easy! Okay? Got it, Parker?" She mumbled softly against my shirt.

  "Of course! Wouldn't dare to imagiherwise," I ughed heartily while tightening my hold on her waist.

  As we made our way to the parking lot, Michelle suddenly halted her steps. Her eyes were on a middle-aged man, who was smoking in his car, looking at us.

  "Someone familiar?" I asked worriedly while following her gaze towards the unknown man ihe car. Michelle shook her head slightly before draggiowards my car.

  .

  .

  After dropping her safely bae, I was about to drive bae, but for some reason, that man's face fshed in my mind. I 't remember it clearly, but I'm certain, I saw that guy twi the beach today. Is he a stalker or a creep? Hmm... Should probably keep a for him just in case something happens.

  I quickly went home and ged into my spidey suit, then did a round around Michelle's house, just to make sure everything was fine. Fortunately, there were no weirdos lurking around the area. Phew! That's a relief! Guess, it's just my imagination pying trie! But that doesn't ge the fact that Michelle's behavior ged as soon as she saw him. She didn't even talk mu the car. Something weird is going on...

  I stayed there for a few more hours before returning home. Maybe I'll ask her over a video call. Yeah! Sounds good! I ged bato normal clothes before heading upstairs. May and MJ went to see a movie today and Gwen was busy with her studies. As for hat guy is a sight for sore eyes! I'll call him tomorrow.

  I took out my phone and dialed Michelle's number as I y on my back. But she didn't answer my call. Instead, I received a text message saying 'Sorry! 't talk right now! Sleeping early tonight! Goodnight Peter!'

  Huh? She's sleeping already? Humm... I don't know why, but I feel kinda uneasy. After today's date, I doubt that she'd just sleep without talking to me for a while first. I put on my shirt and jeans a out. I took the bike and drove straight towards her pce. I parked my bike before her house and saw that car parked there inside her house's gate.

  Let's find out, what's going on...

  I pressed the doorbell. It's only 7 PM, so I doubt she's sleeping. I'm gonna find out what's up with her.

  I waited for a few minutes, but no one opehe door. I rang again. Same result. Then suddenly, the door opened and a middle-aged eeked out. She looked surprised seeianding outside.

  "Uhh... Hi! Michelle's mht?" I asked hesitantly.

  The dy nodded before asking curiously, "Yes! Do you know Michelle? Are you one of her cssmates?"

  "Yeah! I'm Peter. Is Michelle awake? I meet her for a while?" I requested politely while scratg the bay neervously.

  Michelle's mother frowned before shaking her head apologetically, "No! Sh-She's sleeping right now. Sorry! You should go home." She was about to close the door, but I put my foot between the gap.

  "Is everything alright? Please! I o talk with her for a while." I insisted desperately. Her expression... She looks scared... She's hiding something.

  Michelle's mother whispered, "Please. Go. Not now." My eyes went toward her right arm which was visible through the gap. There are bruise marks on it!

  I pushed the door open forcefully aered ihout permission. Michelle's masped loudly before yelling, "No! Please leave! Now!"

  "Who the fuck is screaming again?" An angry voice of a man came from inside.

  I walked in and saw Michelle as she was about to go upstairs.

  Bruses on her arms and face!!!

  Tears!!

  *****

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  , Ch: 100: Mark of Kaine

  Ch: 101: plicated situation

  Ch: 102: An offer you 't refuse

  Ch: 103: Goblin's hideout