Iris felt more exhausted than she ever had before. Every muscle in her body protested, and each breath seemed to carry a crushing weight. A comfortable sofa stood in one corner of Jonas's office, and she slowly walked toward it, as though gentle arms were beckoning her over.
She sat down softly, her body seeming to sink into clouds. The sofa's softness embraced every inch of her weary muscles. She tried to ease her fatigue by reading the book in her hands, but her eyes resisted, constantly pleading for rest. The room's lighting felt especially warm, flickering gently like candlelight beside a cradle at night.
Without realizing it, she surrendered to gravity and let her head settle against the sofa's armrest. Her breathing gradually grew even and deep. As her fingers relaxed, the book slipped gently from her hands and came to rest beside her. The faint rustle of its pages did nothing to keep her from drifting off to sleep.
The office doors slid apart, and Jonas walked in, still holding two cups of Coconut Milk Pudding.
"Asleep already? I only stepped out to get some pudding..."
Jonas picked up a small blanket and draped it over Iris, then put the pudding in the little refrigerator beneath his desk. Looking at her sleeping face, he fell into thought.
Although taking turns allowed for repeated breaks, the physical fatigue still remained. Perhaps Iris had even less stamina than Celine? Was switching between two people the only reason she could last a little longer?
Before Jonas could finish thinking it over, another call came in.
It was Celine.
"Mr. Jonas, Mr. Jonas, you shouldn't have anything going on right now, right? Can I come over to your office?"
Celine's voice came through, sounding more excited than usual.
Good, now's the time!