The Heart System Chapter 560

I hauled myself up from the couch, making my way to the kitchen. The apartment was remarkably silent, a stark contrast to the previous night. Searching through the lower cabinets near the refrigerator, where Minne usually stored Mik's provisions, I found it – a large, sealed bag of dry cat food. A small plastic scoop lay within a container, just as expected.

Taking the scoop, I carefully measured a half-filled portion from the bag, mindful of not overfeeding and risking a scolding. Then, I crouched down, tipping the food into Mik's awaiting bowl. The dry pellets clattered against the metal, an immediate signal that got her attention.

Mik didn't hesitate. The moment the food landed, she pounced, devouring it as if she hadn't eaten for days.

"Yeah, yeah... you're welcome," I muttered, standing back up.

I returned the bag and scoop to their original spot, closed the cabinet, and headed back to the living room. Just as I sank back onto the couch, the master bedroom door creaked open.

Tessa emerged, her hair in disarray and her eyes barely open. Her phone alarm blared from her hand, an irritatingly cheerful tune that seemed entirely inappropriate for the early hour.

"Fuck..." she groaned, squinting at the screen as she silenced it. "Why is that so loud..."

"Morning," I said, settling back into the couch.

"Yo," she yawned, stretching her arms overhead. "Need to feed the little fucker... oh."

Her gaze flickered towards the kitchen, then back to me.

"You already did?"

I nodded. "She woke me up and bullied me into it."

Tessa snorted. "Devious little shit."

She ambled over and collapsed onto the couch beside me, her posture immediately slumping as if her bones had lost their structure.

I glanced at the clock on the wall.

Three.

"We really woke up at three in the afternoon," I stated, my eyes blinking slowly. "No work today?"

"Fuuuuck nooo..." Tessa stretched out the words, rubbing her face. "We are not going to work today. Not happening."

"Yeah, I figured," I mumbled, running a hand through my hair. "Guess I'll make some breakfast or something."

Tessa immediately turned her head towards me, raising a hand as if to halt traffic.

"Oh, no, no, no," she declared. "Absolutely not. We're waiting for Minne."

I raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with me making breakfast?"

She gave me a look, then let out a brief laugh. "Kim told me some wild stuff about you, Mr. Marlowe."

"What kind of stuff?"

"You remember when she got kicked out and stayed with you?" she inquired.

"Yeah?"

"She said your fridge had three things in it," Tessa continued, holding up fingers as she enumerated. "Beer. More beer. And even more beer. Maybe a leftover pizza if you were feeling fancy."

I leaned back slightly, contemplating her words.

"That might be accurate."

"Exactly," she confirmed, pointing at me as if she'd just validated a hypothesis. "So yeah, no offense, but I'm trusting Minne with our lives here."

I released a quiet chuckle, massaging the back of my neck.

"Yeah... now that you put it like that," I conceded, "waiting for Minne sounds like the smartest move we can make."

A few moments later, the master bedroom door creaked open once more, and Eleanor emerged, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. Her hair retained a slight dampness from her shower, with strands clinging languidly to her neck. Since she had no spare clothes, she was wearing one of Jasmine's outfits – a form-fitting tank top that barely grazed her midriff and a pair of hotpants that accentuated her figure perhaps a bit too well. It was likely unintentional, but the overall effect possessed an alluring, just-woken-up charm.

She paused by the doorway for a moment, pressing her palms to her face as if trying to fully awaken. Then she stretched, her arms reaching towards the ceiling, and finally noticed Tessa and me in the living room.

A small, sleepy smile graced her lips as she began to walk over.

"Morning," she greeted, her voice still heavy with sleep.

"Morning," Tessa and I responded in unison.

Tessa tilted her head, observing Eleanor with a smirk. "Slept good? I saw you wrestling the blanket like your life depended on it. Was it that cold or what?"

Eleanor let out a soft laugh as she settled onto the couch beside me. "Oh... I move a lot when I sleep. Didn't mean to steal it."

"I'm just messing with you," Tessa dismissed with a wave of her hand. "You hungry, by the way?"

Eleanor hesitated, her gaze shifting between us. "I can just go back to my place and eat there. I don't want to overstay or be a bother."

I chuckled and leaned back. "Actually, we were about to ask if you could make us something. We're starving, and neither of us can be trusted in a kitchen."

Tessa nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, we'd probably burn water somehow."

"Oh," Eleanor responded, her eyes widening slightly before a smile bloomed on her face. "If that's the case... certainly. Though I typically just prepare simple sandwiches."

"I implore you," Tessa pleaded, leaning forward with theatrical flair. She reached across me, placing a comforting hand on Eleanor’s shoulder. "Mrs. Eleanor. Please. Offer us sustenance."

A soft chuckle escaped Eleanor as she rose and moved towards the kitchen. Tessa followed close behind, already in mid-conversation.

"Alright, so the bread is over there, the fridge is here, don't mind the clutter, Minne usually keeps things tidy, but we might have made a bit of a mess last night..."

Their voices merged into a comfortable, easy flow of chatter while I remained on the couch, my head resting against the backrest. Mik continued to munch from her bowl, seemingly oblivious to everything else.

From my vantage point, the kitchen was clearly visible. Eleanor moved with an unhurried grace, opening cupboards, peering into the fridge, and gathering ingredients. Tessa lingered nearby, occasionally pointing something out or simply leaning against the counter, chatting away.

Eleanor took out slices of bread, arranging them precisely on the counter. She then opened the fridge, retrieving some cheese, sliced meats, and a selection of vegetables – tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers. These were common items, yet her efficient handling made the process seem... orderly. Streamlined.

She worked with swift precision, assembling the sandwiches layer by layer. Bread, cheese, meat, vegetables, topped with another slice of bread. At one point, Tessa swiped a cucumber slice and received a gentle tap on the hand for her trouble, which only elicited another laugh from her.

"Hey, quality control," Tessa quipped in her defense.

"Indeed," Eleanor replied, a smile playing on her lips as she shook her head.

In just a few moments, the sandwiches were completed, arranged neatly on a plate. Eleanor surveyed the scene, opening one cabinet, then another.

"Do we have more bread?" she inquired.

Tessa glanced over. "Um... I think there should be—" She checked another shelf, then paused. "...Okay, perhaps not."

A slight frown creased Eleanor's brow. "I believe that was the last of it."

A moment of quiet hung in the air.

Then, without hesitation, Tessa reached out and took one of the sandwiches from the plate.

"Alright," she announced. "We'll settle this like adults. Rock, paper, scissors. The winner claims the prize."

I let out a snort from the couch. "You are absolutely unbelievable."

Just then, the door to the master bedroom creaked open once more.

Minne emerged, still visibly drowsy, rubbing one eye as she entered the living room. She had hardly begun to take in her surroundings when Tessa's head whipped towards her.

"Oh... there you are."

Tessa instantly returned the sandwiches to the counter and sprinted towards Minne.

"I ABSOLUTELY ADORE YOU, MINNE!"

"E-Eek!"

Minne squeaked as Tessa swept her into a hug, lifting her effortlessly off the floor as if she weighed nothing. Minne's arms winced slightly in surprise as Tessa spun around once before carrying her directly into the kitchen.

Tessa placed her down with care but kept both hands on her shoulders, leaning in with an exaggerated show of desperation.

"Feed us, Minne. We are famished. Truly... on the brink of death here. Evan worked us ruthlessy yesterday..."

Minne blinked a few times, clearly still shaking off sleep, then nodded promptly. "I-I can do that, naturally."

Tessa released a long, heartfelt sigh of relief and stepped back. "Yes... suddenly, that sandwich holds no appeal for me."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow at this, then casually picked up a sandwich and took a bite.

"How terribly rude," she mumbled around her mouthful, a definite note of amusement in her voice.

Tessa stared at her for a moment, then let out a sound of disbelief.

There was a brief lull. Then, almost in unison, everyone erupted into laughter. Even Minne, still somewhat bewildered, couldn't help but smile as the room filled with their joyful sounds.

Well... at least the day could begin now.

Even if it was already a bit tardy for that.

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