I still had a quest to complete: have anal sex in a public space. Nala's office would work perfectly—if Nala agreed. I'd thought about asking her yesterday, but she was already asleep when I got back, and I didn't want to wake her just for that. Not fair.

I groaned as the first weak rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains—muted, gray light filtering through the dark clouds. At least the storm had calmed. No rain, just a lazy, drifting snow outside.

"Morning," Nala muttered, rolling toward me, voice thick with sleep. Her hair was a mess, eyes half-open, one arm flopping across my chest. "You came in late last night."

"Hmm," I grunted, rubbing my face. "Sorry."

"I tried staying awake but couldn't." She yawned, stretching slowly. "So… what did Carrie want?"

"She was a dog in heat," I said flatly. "I think I unlocked something inside her. She… literally begged me to fuck her."

"Did you?"

"Yep."

"God, she's such a strange one." Nala exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Fucking whore."

Hearing that kind of language from Nala caught me off guard. I turned my head toward her. "Huh. Didn't know you hated her that much."

"Even though Kim and I haven't been friends that long, I still hold a grudge against Carrie for kidnapping her like that," she said, voice low and firm. She sat up a little, sheets pooling around her waist. "That kind of thing sticks with me."

"Hmm."

Jasmine stirred on my right, groaning softly. I glanced over—saw her rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand, burying herself deeper into the blanket for a second before she opened her eyes fully. She looked at me, smiled sleepily, and wrapped her arms around me from behind, pressing her cheek against the back of my shoulder, still half-asleep.

"Hey, handsome," she mumbled, voice muffled against my skin.

"Hey," I smiled, reaching back to squeeze her arm. "Do you girls really call me Evy?"

"How did you know that?" Jasmine chuckled, nuzzling closer. "Do we have a spy amongst us?"

"I read minds."

"What am I thinking right now?" she asked, yawning.

"Sleep."

"Wow. You're right."

"But we can't," Nala said, yawning too, stretching her arms above her head. "Got lots of work today. Project Phoenix can't wait."

"Yeah…" Jasmine stretched her arms out, kissed my shoulder softly, and dragged herself upright, sheets falling away. "What's the time?"

"Seven forty," I said, glancing at the clock on the nightstand.

She nodded, slid off the bed, walked to the window, and gestured outside with her head. "Looks good. No storm, no wind."

"Yep," Nala agreed, rubbing her eyes.

"At least we have that." Jasmine yawned again, then turned to me. "I'm gonna take a shower. Coming, Evan?"

"Nah, I took one yesterday," I said. "You go ahead."

"Alrighty."

Jasmine padded toward the bathroom and closed the door behind her. I cleared my throat, sat up straighter in bed, and looked at Nala. She caught the shift in my expression immediately—knew I had something on my mind. She propped her pillow behind her back, sat up fully, and met my eyes.

"So… I got something to ask," I started, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Ah," Nala said, nodding slowly. "That look Tessa always talks about. You're about to ask something unhinged. Okay, shoot away."

"I… want to…" I hesitated, then just said it. "Uuh… how about we have sex in your office?"

She blinked. "We can have sex right now?" she asked, tilting her head. "You're in the mood?"

"No, no. It has to be in your office," I clarified. "Would be better that way."

"Evan…" she muttered, eyebrows lifting. "Why in my office?"

"I just want that," I shrugged, trying to play it casual. "If you say it's not something we can do, I get it. I won't force you."

She stared at me for a long moment, then yawned again, rubbing her temple. "Sure, yeah. Fine."

"Anal sex."

"Oh, come on," she groaned, dropping her head back against the headboard with a soft thud. "Not anal sex."

"Please?"

She looked at me again, gaze lingering, weighing it. Then she let out a long sigh, put a hand over her forehead, and shook her head slowly. I could tell she was going to say yes—after all this time living together, I'd learned to read her little tells: the way her lips pursed slightly, the tiny tilt of her head, the way her fingers flexed against the sheet.

"Fine," she said finally. "Let me get ready for it then. I'll use the common bathroom—I'll be in there for a while."

"Thank you."

"But…" she added, pointing a finger at me. "I will ask you a favor in return."

"Yeah?"

"We'll get a cat. For Tessa." Her voice softened. "What do you say?"

"I thought the hotel didn't let any animals."

"That rule doesn't apply to us."

"If that's the case, sure," I said. "She'd probably prefer a stray cat."

"I was thinking getting Minne's cat here," she said.

"Oh… yeah. I'll ask her. If she says yes, we can do that."

"Great." Nala slid off the bed, turned her back to me, and slapped her own ass lightly—playful, teasing. "Guess I'll get ready for today then."

"I love you."

"I love you too, pervert."

"Ouch."

Nala walked off, leaving the room with a small wave over her shoulder. Just then, Minne peeked through the open door and stepped inside. She was wearing normal clothes today—a soft pink t-shirt and black pants. It was strange seeing her without the maid outfit, but she looked cute either way—small, shy, hair tied back in a loose ponytail.

"Master…" she said quietly, fidgeting with her hands. "I poured tea on my maid outfit. May I wear these today?"

"Better idea," I said, sitting up straighter. "Let's visit your mother today, shall we?"

"Oh… okay. Why?"

"Come closer."

As she walked toward me, I got up, glanced outside the door to make sure Tessa wasn't around, then shut it quietly.

"How about we get your cat here?" I asked.

"Really?" Her face lit up, eyes sparkling. "YES!"

"Ssh," I said, pressing a finger to my lips. "It's a secret, okay? Don't tell Tessa about it."

"I won't, Master. Promise."

"Good girl." I ruffled her short red hair gently. "Breakfast ready?"

"Yes, Master."

"Hmm." I stretched my arms. "I'll go wash my face. Let's go to your mother after we eat something, okay?"

"Alright, Master. I'll let my mom know that we're coming."

"Okay."

She nodded, her face brighter now, and left the room with a little bounce in her step. I stood there a few moments longer, looking out the window at the lazy snow drifting down. Then I stretched my arms overhead and left the room with slow steps.

Tessa came out of the hallway at the same time I did. She slowed as she reached the dining table and noticed me standing there. She didn't say anything, just looked at me for a second and gave a small nod. I returned it and let out a quiet breath. Things were definitely going to be awkward with her for a while. I'd messed up, and the system making it official with minus points didn't help either.

"Hey, morning," I said as I stepped closer. "You… sleep okay?"

"I did," she replied. "No thanks to you, Mr. Marlowe."

"Yeah," I said, rubbing the back of my neck. "Sorry."

Before either of us could say anything else, Kim came out of the same hallway, her face still damp from washing it. She yawned and glanced between us.

"What happened?" she asked. "Something wrong?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. "I was just asking if she slept well."

"Mm." Kim dropped into one of the chairs and leaned back, stretching. "So. How did things with Carrie go?"

"Good," I said. "I'll explain later. I need to wash my face first. Minne and I have something to do, so I won't be coming to work today."

"Again?" Kim smirked. "You're really slacking off, Mr. Secretary."

"And you love me for it," I replied with a grin. "Your bathroom free?"

"Yep," she said, nodding toward her room. "Go ahead."

"Thanks."

As I turned away, Tessa spoke again. "What are you doing today?"

"Just… stuff," I said, offering a small smile.

"Right," she replied. "Stuff."

The silence that followed was uncomfortable enough that I didn't try to fill it. I walked down the hallway and slipped into Kim's room, closing the door behind me. The bathroom light flicked on, bright and clean. I leaned over the sink, splashed cold water on my face, and rubbed my eyes before straightening up.

I looked at myself in the mirror for a moment longer than necessary, then turned the light off and left the room.

When I stepped back into the living area, Minne was setting a glass pitcher of lemonade on the table. She looked up when she noticed me. Our eyes met, and I gave her a quick wink.

She froze for half a second, then smiled shyly and looked back down at the glasses she was arranging.

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