The Heart System Chapter 888

"My apartment has a bug problem."

I frowned. "A bug problem?"

"Yeah. Apparently, the building needs pest control, and they found way more bugs than they expected. They’re treating the whole apartment, and I can’t stay there for a while."

"Jesus."

"I know." She sighed. "I thought it would be something simple, but apparently they need to spray everything and keep the place empty until it’s safe again."

"That sucks."

"It really does." She sounded exhausted just talking about it. "I tried thinking of somewhere I could stay, but I couldn’t really come up with anyone."

"Wow," I muttered. "And I’m the last person who came to mind?"

"I just didn’t want to bother you," she said with a small exhale. "I mean, you already have a lot going on, and I didn’t want to just show up and make things more complicated."

"You could’ve asked earlier."

"I know."

I could already picture her standing there with that slightly embarrassed look on her face.

"So..." she continued. "Would it be okay if I crashed at your place for a while?"

"Sure, sure. You want me to come and pick you... oh, right. You have your car back."

"Good as new."

"Right. Then just bring whatever you need and come over."

"Okay. See you, then. And thank you."

"No problem. Bye."

"Bye."

I ended the call and shook my head.

Sheesh. Even my old apartment never had problems like that. Whatever had happened at Kayla’s place had to be pretty serious if they were bringing in pest control and making her leave for a while.

Still, I couldn’t lie. I was actually kind of happy Kayla would be staying with us for a bit.

I liked her. She was sweet, easy to get along with, and generally pretty solid. Sure, she had a major kinky side to her, but that was hardly the worst thing about the people in my life.

Then again, that reminded me of something else.

Would I have accepted the same deal if Cora had asked me?

No.

Definitely not.

⟁ ⟁ ⟁

As soon as I opened the door, Tessa greeted me with a condom held up at shoulder level. She pointed at it with a small smirk. I recognized it immediately, it was the same one I’d bought ages ago back in my old apartment and kept in my wallet "just in case."

"Your fuckass condom’s expiration date is tomorrow. Wanna fuck?"

"W-we... don’t usually use condoms," I said, a little unsure. "So... why this one?"

"I don’t know. Feels like it’d be a waste. I hate wasting stuff."

"Let’s just waste this one then, yeah?"

She shrugged and pocketed the condom. I was actually surprised Tessa was already home. The place felt quiet, just her and Minne in the living room, wiping down the coffee table. Why was she early? Or more importantly, where had Jasmine and the others gone?

"Where are the others?"

"Oh, I was on my toilet break when I found out the reporters were coming," Tessa explained as I stepped inside. "So I just booked it."

"Smart woman."

"Fuck yeah. Hope the CEO doesn’t get mad at me."

"Hey," I closed the door behind me. "Your shift was over, right?"

"Yup."

"We only have two cars. Which one did you use?"

"This new chick dropped me off," she said. "You sure about wasting that condom? Not only we would be wasting the condom, we’d also be wasting the money that was spent to buy this."

"Yes, Tessa. I am sure." I walked into the living room. "Hey, Minne."

"Oh, hey, Master." She smiled. "Welcome back."

"I’m feeling burgers today," I said, rubbing my stomach. "What do you two think? Lots and lots of burgers."

"Wouldn’t say no," Tessa replied. "It’s our cheat day anyway. I’ll eat the fucking sun if I could reach it."

"Wow."

I walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, grabbed the orange juice, and poured myself a glass. After putting the carton back, I pulled my cigarette pack from my pocket. Tessa immediately swooped in, snatched the pack, and checked how many were left.

"Three, huh?" She nodded. "We’re taming you good, you beta man."

"Beta man?" I scoffed with a half-smile and took the pack back. "I hate this new rule, though. Only three a day is criminal."

"You’re a fucking chimney when it comes to smoking, that’s why, you moron."

"Hey, I was too poor to have an actual hobby in high school and college," I said. "So I HAD to make something a hobby. And this became it."

"You should’ve fingered your asshole. That could’ve been a hobby too."

"Such a foul mouthed woman. Not very ladylike."

"Oh, that reminded me," she said. "Penelope. My guy, Evan, she is... wow."

"You already said that."

"She’s Mendy’s friend, right?" Tessa asked. "Did she ever tell you why she..."

Tessa cupped her own chest and pushed her tits together for emphasis.

"...made them that big?"

"It’s her body. I don’t know." I shrugged and walked past her. "Now I’m going to smoke my first cigarette of the day."

"If you don’t smoke today, I’ll do anything you want."

"Hmm..."

I’d been scrolling through the quest log out of boredom earlier and one had caught my eye, but I’d swiped it away because it felt a bit aggressive. Hearing Tessa say she’d do anything I wanted, though... maybe I could actually complete it. The reward wasn’t bad either, a solid 1250 EXP. Guess I wouldn’t be smoking today.

"Deal."

"That was fast." Tessa took a dramatic step back and hugged herself. "What do you have in mind, you weirdo?"

"Eh, you’ll see."

"Alright." She chuckled. "Not backing out now."

"Honey," I turned toward Minne. "Have you changed the sheets in the master bedroom?"

"Yes, Master."

"What about Tessa’s?"

She shook her head. "No, Master. I can do that if you—"

"No, no," I smiled. "It’s fine... guess we’re going to use her room."

"Oh." Tessa’s shoulders slumped. "Something messy is about to happen. I get it."