The Heart System

Chapter 325: Chapter 325

For a few minutes, the only sounds were chewing, the faint hum of the oven cooling down, and the distant wind rattling against the windows. Outside, snow drifted past in lazy sheets, thick and quiet, like the city had been muted.

Mendy broke the silence first. ”It’s supposed to get worse tonight.”

I looked up. ”Yeah?”

She nodded, wiping her fingers on a napkin. ”Storm alert after eleven. Heavy snow, strong winds. They’re saying people should stay indoors if they can.”

Kayla snorted. ”Great. Just when I was planning to turn my life around and go jogging at midnight.”

”Very inspiring,” I said dryly.

She smirked. ”I know.”

I glanced toward the window again. The sky was already that dull gray-white, like it couldn’t decide whether it was still day or already night. ”This weather’s been weird,” I said. ”One minute it’s calm, next minute it feels like the world’s about to collapse.”

”Winter does that,” Mendy said. ”Everything looks peaceful until it isn’t.”

There was something about the way she said it that made me pause for half a second. Not dramatic. Just... factual.

Kayla leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. ”I kinda like storms,” she said. ”Not being in them. Just... knowing you don’t have to go anywhere. Like the world gives you permission to stop.”

I glanced at her. ”You? Stop?”

She rolled her eyes. ”Temporarily.”

Mendy noticed. ”You’re quiet.”

”Just... enjoying this,” I said honestly. ”Feels rare.”

Kayla raised an eyebrow. ”Bread does that to you?”

”Don’t underestimate bread,” I replied. ”Bread has seen things.”

That got a laugh out of both of them, light and easy, and something in my chest loosened a bit. No tension. No awkwardness. Just... people eating breakfast while the world froze outside.

Mendy poured herself some water and took a sip. ”Power might flicker tonight,” she said. ”It happens sometimes when the wind picks up.”

”If it does, I’m blaming the universe personally,” Kayla said. ”I already survived one blackout this week.”

I leaned back in my chair, stretching my shoulders. ”If it gets bad, at least you’re stocked,” I said, nodding at the bread, the cookies. ”Could be worse.”

”Could be,” Mendy agreed. ”At least it’s warm.”

That word lingered. Warm. Not just the room—the moment.

Outside, a gust of wind howled faintly, like it was testing the walls. Inside, the table was solid, the food was good, and for once, nobody was yelling, crying, or throwing up on anyone else’s legs.

Silence settled again, but this time it was comfortable. The kind that didn’t demand filling. Snow kept falling. The storm loomed. And for now, none of it mattered.

I tore off one last piece of bread, savoring it slowly.

I leaned back in my chair and let out a long breath, rubbing my stomach. ”Okay. Wow. That breakfast was perfect, Mendy. Like... seriously.”

Her shoulders relaxed immediately, like she’d been waiting for that. ”I’m glad you liked it.”

”I liked it,” I repeated, nodding. ”I’m full as hell.”

”Same,” Kayla chimed in, planting one elbow on the table and letting her chin rest in her palm. ”I regret nothing.”

I glanced at the clock on the wall and felt that familiar little jolt of reality snap back into place. ”Shit. I should probably go,” I said, pushing my chair back slightly. ”If I’m any later, my boss is gonna get mad at me.”

Kayla squinted at me. ”Your boss... is Nala, isn’t it?”

”Yep.”

”Yeah,” Mendy murmured, eyes dropping to the table. ”Nala. Your boss.”

Something shifted there. Subtle, but I caught it. Her fingers traced the edge of her plate absentmindedly, then her gaze flicked, quick, almost unintentional, toward the open bedroom door. Toward the bed. Then back to me.

I cleared my throat, the sound a little louder than necessary, and stood up. ”Uh—come on, Kayla. I’ll drop you off on the way.”

She pushed her chair back with a groan. ”God, thank you. I don’t think I could survive public transport today.”

Mendy hesitated, standing as well. ”Are you two sure? You can stay a bit longer if you want.”

I shook my head, reaching for my jacket. ”Nah. I really should go.”

Well, that was a lie. Nala had told me beforehand that I didn’t need to work at the company to receive money—it was thanks to me that she’d thrown Guy out of the CEO position. But I told her no. I liked working.

After all, I’d spent most of my life doing it. And... it felt good to be in the same company as Jasmine and the other girls. It felt like home. Safe.

Kayla grabbed my coat off the hanger before I could, shoving it into my hands. ”Don’t forget this, hero.”

We moved toward the door, and Mendy stepped in front of Kayla first. Kayla didn’t hesitate—she leaned in and wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug.

”Thank you,” Kayla said, voice muffled against her shoulder.

Mendy let out a small laugh, hugging her back. ”Thank you... for not throwing up on my face.”

Kayla recoiled dramatically, making a gagging noise. ”Oh my god, why would you say it like that?”

I snorted despite myself.

Kayla leaned in again, hugged her once more—gentler this time—then stepped back. ”Seriously. Thank you.”

I fished my keys out of my pocket, the familiar jingle grounding me. Mendy and I met eyes for a second. Just a second.

Then I closed the distance and hugged her too.

Nothing dramatic. One arm around her shoulders, a light squeeze, a small pat on her back. But I felt her tense in surprise—and then relax.

”See you, Mendy,” I said quietly.

She pulled back just enough to look at me, a faint smile on her lips. ”S-see you, Evan.”

❤︎❤︎❤︎

I stopped the car in front of Kayla’s building, the engine rumbling to a halt as I pulled up the handbrake. The street was quiet, just the faint hum of the city in the distance.

Kayla leaned back in her seat, exhaling long and slow, like she’d been holding her breath for hours. Her shoulders relaxed, tension melting away.

She turned to me, eyes soft in the dim light. Then, without a word, she leaned over and hugged me tight, arms wrapping around my neck.

I froze for half a second, surprised, then hugged her back, hand on her back, feeling her warmth.

”Thank you, Evan,” she whispered against my shoulder. ”Wow... it feels like... like my chest is lighter now.”

”No problem,” I said, voice low. ”I’ll be there anytime you need me, Kayla.”

Nice, that got me five points of interest from her.

╭───────────╮

WOMEN - INTERACTIONS

===============

Jasmine: Interest: 40 / 60★★

Kayla: Interest: 30 / 40★

Tessa: Interest: 27 / 40★

Kim: Interest: 100 / 100★★★★★

Delilah: Interest: 75 / 80★★★

Cora: Interest: 100 / 100★★★★★

Mendy: Interest: 21 /40★

Nala: Interest: 100 /100★★★★★

Penelope: Interest: 5 /20

Minne: Interest: 38 /40★

Ivy: Interest: 12/20

Eleanor: Interest: 15/20

Amelia: Interest: 5/20

Esme: Interest: 10/20

===============

Progress:

★☆☆☆☆ - 20 Interest: Milestone reward

★★☆☆☆ - 40 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★☆☆ - 60 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★★☆ - 80 Interest: Milestone reward

★★★★★ -100 Interest: Milestone reward

===============

Select a woman to track progress.

╰───────────╯

She hugged tighter, body pressing closer, then pulled back just enough to look at me. Her eyes searched mine, something unspoken flickering there—hesitation, want, maybe both. She opened her mouth, closed it, then tried again.

”You... and Mendy,” she said finally. ”Aren’t a thing, right?”

”Nah.” I smiled small. ”We’re not.”

”Oh.” She cleared her throat, cheeks pink. ”Um, then... would you like to come upstairs? Have some hot coffee?”

That caught me off guard. My pulse kicked up. ”S-sure. Yeah, sure.”

We got out of the car, the cool night air hitting us. She led the way to the building entrance, punching in the code. The door buzzed open.

We climbed the stairs, Kayla in front. I couldn’t help it—my eyes dropped to her ass, the tight pants hugging every curve, panty line visible, faint but clear, swaying with each step.

We reached her door. She unlocked it, pushed it open.

We stepped inside—and froze.

The apartment was dim, just a lamp on in the living room, the curtains were shutting off all the light coming from the street below. For a few seconds, neither of us moved. Kayla’s back was to me, her breathing a little faster.

Then I couldn’t hold back.

I grabbed her by the neck—gentle but firm—spun her around, and kissed her hard. She gasped into my mouth, then kissed back just as fierce, moaning low, hands fisting my jacket.

We stumbled deeper inside, kicking the door shut. Clothes came off fast—my jacket hitting the floor, her pulling my shirt over my head, my hands yanking her top up and off. Her bra was black lace, tits spilling over the cups.

”Hot coffee, huh?” I growled against her lips, hands sliding down to squeeze her ass hard. ”That was a fucking lie, wasn’t it?”

She moaned, grinding against me. ”Yes—fuck—wanted you inside me the second you said yes—”

I shoved her pants down her hips, panties with them, exposing her completely. She kicked them off, naked now except the bra. I unhooked it, let it fall, tits bouncing free.

”God, Kayla,” I rasped, pinching one nipple hard. ”You’ve been teasing me the whole drive. That ass in those pants... knew what you were doing.”

She gasped, arching into my hand. ”Wanted you to notice... wanted you to fuck me—”

I kissed her again, rough, backing her against the wall. My cock strained against my pants; she reached down, unzipped me, pulled it out, stroking hard.

”Fuck—yes—” I groaned, thrusting into her hand. ”Knew the coffee was bullshit. You just wanted this cock.”

She moaned, stroking faster. ”Yes—wanted it so bad—fuck me, Evan—now—”

I lifted her, legs wrapping around my waist, and carried her toward the couch, kissing her the whole way.

The hot coffee was definitely a lie.

And I wasn’t complaining.