I woke up to the wind howling against the windows.

For a second, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to it scream through the gaps like it was trying to get inside. The storm hadn't calmed down at all. If anything, it sounded worse. I reached over and checked the clock on the nightstand. Eight.

The sun was long gone, swallowed by thick clouds and snow. Great.

"Ah…" I muttered, turning onto my side and rubbing my face. "Fuck this weather."

╭────────────────────╮

SHOP [Page 2]

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

• Hypnotic Perfume (40c)

• Time Stop (90c)

• 500 Dollars (50c)

• 1 Ability Point (150c)

• 1 Mastery Point (160c)

• Desire Aura (100c)

• Reputation Point +30 (200c)

• Mastery Evolve (1500c)

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

Credits: 1637c

╰────────────────────╯

Oh right. 180 credits I had gotten from that threesome. I forgot about that.

After the cake—one of the best damn cakes I'd had in years—I'd crashed hard around four. I'd meant to take a short nap. Two hours, tops. Instead, I'd been out cold like someone unplugged me.

I pushed myself up and sat at the edge of the bed, elbows resting on my thighs, head tilted down. My brain felt foggy, like it hadn't fully caught up yet. I stayed like that for a few seconds, breathing slowly, letting myself wake up properly.

When I glanced toward the window again, the storm was still raging. Snow streaked sideways, the wind rattling the glass like it was angry at us for staying warm inside.

I sighed, stood up, and walked out of the bedroom.

The lights in the living room were on, warm and yellow, and the sound of voices immediately told me I wasn't alone. When I rounded the corner, I saw the dining table occupied by the girls, a game board spread across it.

Risk.

Of course it was Risk.

Mendy was there too, sitting a little straighter than everyone else, watching the board with focus like she was afraid of messing up. She looked more relaxed than earlier, though. Less like a guest, more like… part of the group.

"The bear has awakened from his hibernation," Tessa announced dramatically when she saw me. She leaned back in her chair and pointed at me. "Now we wait to see what he does."

"He'll eat your face off," I said with a chuckle as I walked over and dropped onto the couch. "God, I'm exhausted."

"You can't send soldiers there, Kayla," Jasmine said, exhaling sharply. "You still don't understand the rules."

"I hate this game," Kayla groaned, running both hands through her hair and leaning back. "Why does everything have fifty rules? Why can't we just play Monopoly or something normal?"

"Because Monopoly destroys friendships," Kim said calmly, not looking up from the board.

"That's the fun part," Tessa replied.

I reached for the remote and turned the TV on, flipping to a news channel. The weather forecast filled the screen immediately.

"Any updates?" I asked. "What are they saying now?"

"Tomorrow morning," Kim said. "Early. Around six or seven, they think. That's when the weather'll clear."

"So we're trapped," I muttered.

"Oh, by the way, we already ate dinner," Nala added from her spot on the couch. "You were completely out. Didn't want to wake you."

"Want me to heat it up?" Delilah asked, glancing at me.

"I'm cool," I said. "I'll handle it."

"So is your dinner," Tessa said without missing a beat.

I snorted and stood up, heading to the kitchen. My plate was waiting on the counter, covered in plastic wrap. I peeled it off and tossed it in the trash.

Dinner was roasted chicken with herbs, mashed potatoes, and some fancy-looking vegetables I couldn't pronounce but still ate anyway. Minne had really gone all out earlier. I slid the plate into the microwave, set the time, and leaned back against the counter while it hummed to life.

Behind me, the Risk game continued with groans, arguments, and dramatic sighs. Since it only allowed six players, a few of the girls were just watching now. I smiled faintly, listening to them bicker like it was the most important thing in the world.

The microwave beeped. I grabbed my plate, careful not to burn myself, and carried it to the table. I sat down next to Delilah and started eating.

"Hey, you," she said softly.

"Hey," I replied.

"You had a chance to look up that Chase guy?"

"Yeah," I said between bites. "Three of his patients committed suicide. He did an interview about it. Looked… worn down. Depressed."

"Interview?"

"Some professional site," I said. "Mental health awareness or something."

Delilah grimaced. "Fantastic. A sad little psychologist."

"But," I added, "he doesn't fuck his cousin or do cocaine."

She blinked. Then sighed. "Thank God."

"Fuck his cousin?" Kim asked, looking over. "Cocaine too? What are you two talking about?"

"My daughter's ex-boyfriends," Delilah said flatly. "And trust me, you don't want details."

"The cake's gone, by the way," Tessa announced. "Kim ate most of it. And Mendy."

"I only took one extra slice," Mendy said quickly, cheeks coloring. "Please don't exaggerate."

"I am exaggeration," Tessa replied.

"This game sucks," Kayla muttered. "I'm serious. Whoever made this game, I wanna kick 'em in the head."

Before anyone could respond, Minne's phone lit up on the table.

She froze when she saw the name on the screen.

MOM.

She stood so fast her chair scraped loudly against the floor, grabbed the phone, and hurried toward the hallway. She probably thought she was far enough away, but the penthouse carried sound too easily.

"Mother?" she said, voice tight. "Are you okay?"

We all went quiet without even meaning to.

There was a pause. Then Minne let out a shaky breath.

"Oh, thank goodness… the storm was so bad and I couldn't reach you and I—"

Another pause. Her mother was talking, but we couldn't hear the words.

"Yes, I know you texted, but—"

She stopped again, listening.

"I know the nurses are there, but still…"

"Don't listen," Delilah said quietly, nudging me with her elbow. "It's rude."

"A daughter worrying about her mother," I said softly. "Sounds familiar."

"Daughters," Delilah smiled faintly. "They're a pain in the ass sometimes. Only sometimes."

A few moments later, Minne came back. Her eyes were still wet, but she was smiling now, relief written all over her face.

"She's okay," she said, mostly to herself. "I was so scared."

"That's good," Nala said gently.

Jasmine clapped her hands once. "All right. New plan. I'm done watching this war crime of a board game. Kayla's right."

"Yes," Kayla said immediately. "Please."

"I'll get something better," Jasmine continued, already walking toward one of the rooms. "Something that doesn't require a manual."

"Monopoly?" Tessa called after her.

"Obviously."

Groans echoed through the room.

I leaned back in my chair, eating slowly, watching them all. The storm outside, the warmth inside, the noise, the laughter, the small worries easing just a little.

Yeah.

Being stuck like this?

I could live with it.

My phone buzzed on the table while I was halfway through another bite of dinner. I glanced down at the screen.

Eleanor.

I chewed, swallowed, then picked the phone up and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Evan." Eleanor's voice came through a little hesitant. "Uh… hey."

"Hey," I said. "What's up?"

"You… mind coming with me?" she asked. "To the bar."

"No, not at all," I replied immediately. "I'll meet you at your door?"

"I'm… actually already in the bar," she said. "You can come whenever you want. No rush, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," I said. "I'll let you know when I'm there."

"Great. Thank you, Evan."

"Mm."

I ended the call and set the phone down just as Delilah looked over at me.

"Who was that?" she asked.

"Eleanor," I said. "The woman downstairs I told you about. I think she needs some company. I'm going to check on her."

"Is she okay?" Kim asked, concern flickering across her face. "She had a panic attack not long ago, right?"

"Yeah," I said as I stood up. "Better go see how she's doing."

I headed to the master bedroom and opened the closet. I didn't need anything fancy, just something clean and decent. I pulled on a dark shirt, shrugged into a jacket, and adjusted the collar in the mirror. I took a breath and exhaled slowly, checking that I at least looked awake.

Then I left the room.

The girls were still gathered around the table, Monopoly spread out now, money scattered everywhere. There was arguing, laughing, and Tessa accusing Kayla of cheating.

"I'm heading out for a bit," I said.

"Be safe," Nala said, glancing up.

Minne stood up and walked me to the door.

"Bye, Master," she said softly.

"Bye, Minne," I replied, leaning in and kissing her on the lips.

I stepped out, the door closing behind me, and walked to the elevator. I pressed the button and waited. A few seconds later, the doors opened and I stepped inside.

The penthouse elevator took me down to the lobby level, but the bar was on a different floor. I crossed the marble lobby and headed toward the common elevators. That area was crowded, people talking, laughing, some holding drinks, others checking their phones.

The doors opened. A few people stepped out. I stepped in with the rest.

The elevator started moving. A couple of women inside glanced at me, recognition flickering across their faces. They'd probably seen me coming and going from the penthouse floor before. I met their gaze and gave them a small smile.

Charm did the rest.

The doors dinged open and I stepped out onto the bar level.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.