The Heart System

Chapter 800: Chapter 800

It was nine-fifty when I arrived at the sex shop. The sun was long gone and a light snow was coming down. Damn, it was cold. I kept saying it, one day this city would be sunny enough for people to hit the beaches, and the next it would freeze the crap out of everyone.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside, the warm air of the shop washing over me.

Near the back wall, two women were browsing the strap-on section. Both looked to be in their late twenties. One had short dark hair and a tight black crop top that showed off a flat stomach and the underside of her full breasts. The other was taller, with long wavy hair and a form-fitting turtleneck that clung to her curves. They were examining a few different harnesses and dildos, occasionally leaning in to whisper and laugh quietly.

Layla was with them, answering their questions in her usual calm, professional tone. The moment she noticed me she gave a small, knowing smile. I nodded back and leaned against the wall near the entrance, crossing my arms as I waited.

”...and do you have a double-sided version?” one of the women asked. ”Like, one that can go in both holes at the same time?”

”We do,” Layla replied smoothly. ”This one here has a shorter, curved end designed for anal and a thicker front for vaginal. It’s pretty popular with couples who want simultaneous penetration.”

The dark-haired woman picked it up and turned it over in her hands. ”And it’s firm enough?”

”Very. The dual-density silicone gives it a realistic feel while still being rigid enough for proper thrusting.”

I watched the exchange with mild amusement as the two women eventually settled on a realistic dildo and the double-sided strap-on Layla had recommended. They paid at the counter, thanked her, and left the shop together, the little bell above the door jingling as they stepped out into the cold.

Layla exhaled once the door closed, then walked over to me.

”Late customers,” she muttered. ”I hate them.”

”Yeah, I know the type.” I glanced around the empty shop. ”Shall we go?”

”Yep. Let me close up real quick. Be right back. You’re here with your car?”

”Yep.”

”Okay. I’ll find you outside.”

”You know which one it is?”

A small smirk touched her lips. ”It’s... kind of hard to forget when... I saw you in it with... ya know.”

”Oh. Right.”

I stepped back out into the cold and walked to the car, sliding into the driver’s seat. A few minutes later Layla came out, locked the shop door, and hurried over. She pulled open the passenger door and hopped in, brushing a few snowflakes from her hair.

”So,” I began. ”Where’s this club?”

”Literally two blocks away. We probably shouldn’t even be using the car.”

”You’re not going to drink alcohol, right? Because... well, pregnancy and stuff.”

”No, no. No alcohol for me. I just like the vibe of the club.”

”Vibe. Right.”

I turned the key, and the car rumbled to life. We pulled away from the curb and started down the quiet, snowy street.

Layla pointed down the street and gestured for me to follow her. ”Turn here, then keep going straight. We’ll see the club after that.”

I turned in the direction she indicated and continued along the sidewalk. The street was fairly quiet, with a few cars parked along the curb and the occasional group of people walking past us. The buildings were mostly small businesses, apartments, and restaurants, with the glow from their signs reflecting against the slightly damp pavement.

After about twenty seconds, Layla pointed ahead.

”There it is.”

I looked toward the building and raised my eyebrows. ”Huh. You really weren’t lying. It was that close.”

”Told you.” She smiled. ”Come on, let’s go.”

We got out and walked toward the entrance, and I adjusted my jacket before following her. A small line had formed outside the club, but it was moving quickly. The building itself looked fairly modest from the outside, with dark windows, a glowing sign above the entrance, and a narrow awning protecting people from the light drizzle. Music was faintly audible through the walls whenever the entrance opened.

The line moved forward, and a few seconds later, we reached the door. After getting inside, we followed a short corridor that opened into the club’s main room.

The place was larger than it looked from outside. A long counter occupied one side of the room, with shelves of bottles and glasses illuminated behind it. Several small tables were scattered around the seating area, while a larger open section toward the back had a small dance floor. Colored lights moved slowly across the walls, and music played loudly enough to fill the room without making conversation impossible.

Layla looked around before pointing toward an empty table.

”Over there.”

We walked over and sat down.

”Nice place,” I said, looking around.

”Yeah, it is.”

A waiter approached us with a small notepad.

”What can I get you two?”

”I’ll take a lemonade soda,” I said.

Layla thought for a moment. ”I’ll have a virgin strawberry mojito.”

The waiter nodded and walked away.

”So,” I said, leaning back in my chair. ”You come here often?”

”Eh, sometimes when I’m in the mood.” She shrugged. ”You don’t look like the club type.”

”Yeah, I’m more of a grab-a-coffee-and-relax kind of guy,” I replied. ”Although, I used to drink like a pig.”

”An alcoholic man in America. How different,” she joked.

”Ex-alcoholic,” I corrected with a smile. ”But yeah. You drank before the pregnancy?”

”Sometimes.”

”Let me guess, when you were in the mood?”

”Yep.”

”Figures.” I smiled.

While Layla looked around the club, I opened my system interface and checked my abilities. Since I had accumulated enough points, I had decided to reset my Charm skill and spend some of the points from the Shop. The system had taken its cut for the reset, though, which left me with fewer Ability Points than I had expected.

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CURRENT STATS

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◆ Strength: 30

⤷ Crushing Presence (▩▩▩▩▩)

◆ Charm: 20

- Manipulative Charm

⤷ Honeyed Words (▩▩▩▩▩)

⤷ Gaslight (⏹☐☐☐☐)

⤷ Emotional Charisma (☐☐☐☐☐)

⤷ Seductive Allure (☐)

◆ Libido: 20

⤷ Endless Vigor (⏹⏹⏹⏹⏹)

◆ Pleasure: 40

⤷ Sensory Overload (☐☐☐☐☐)

⤷ Erogenous Insight (⏹)

⤷ Bliss Multiplier (▣▣▣▣▣)

◆ Luck: 10

──────────────────

◆ Passive Skill: On a Roll

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5 Unused Ability Points

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I stared at the number for a moment.

Only five points left. Great. The system certainly knew how to make me feel like I had money before taking half of it away.