Code of Hearts

"Urh!"

"So fluffy! hmmm!"

"So soft!"

Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across living room. The spacious yet cozy area was tastefully decorated with minimalist furniture—a plush gray couch adorned with a colorful throw, a sleek glass coffee table scattered with gaming magazines, and a few empty coffee mugs.

A large window dominated one wall, offering a view of the bustling street below. The morning sun painted dancing patterns on the hardwood floor, highlighting the occasional speck of dust floating lazily in the air. A small, potted plant sat on the windowsill, its leaves reaching towards the light.

Across from the couch, a flat-screen TV hung on the wall, currently displaying a screensaver of scenic landscapes. Bookshelves flanked on either side, filled with a mix of gaming trophies, sci-fi novels, and a few framed photographs of happy people—a reminder of happier times and cherished memories.

The room exuded a comfortable charm, a blend of Niana "Nia" Emily Mirren's love for technology and her appreciation for simplicity. It was a sanctuary where she found solace after long hours of tedious coding and business meetings, where creativity thrived amidst the gentle hum of the city outside.

"Urgh!" A tired groan echoed in the room and the figure sleeping on the couch moved excluding lack of any grace ever known to mankind.

Nia's first conscious thought on New Year's Day was that she was floating in the clouds.

Soft!

fluffy! 

beautiful clouds!

The second was that the clouds smelled suspiciously heaven like a mix of hot chocolate and peppermint—odd, considering she lived in a sixth-floor penthouse.

As her eyes fluttered open with a lot of effort, she groaned, "What in the god's name!"

The reality of her surroundings slowly seeps in. She wasn't floating serenely through the heavens with a hallow on her head, dressed in a white dress and big white wings on her back fighting the demon at the giant golden gates of heaven; she was sprawled ungracefully on her lumpy grey couch, tangled in a blanket that seemed determined to swallow her whole.

The unmistakable scent of her Christmas-themed air freshener assaulted her senses—overpowering hints of cinnamon and fir trees that seemed to mock her morning disarray.

With a dramatic sigh, she attempted to extricate herself from the blanket's clutches, only to find her feet tangled in its folds. "Seriously, blanket? You had one job," she muttered, half-amused and half-exasperated.

Pixel, her oversized Maine Coon cat, stirred lazily from his perch on the backrest, his wide green eyes regarding her with a mix of amusement and disdain. His fur, a blend of silver and charcoal, shimmered in the morning light that filtered through the window blinds. Each whisker on his expressive face twitched as if sizing up Nia's groggy state.

Pixel stretched leisurely, claws sinking into the fabric, a silent reproach for disturbing his morning nap. Pixel's fluffy tail flicked back and forth, brushing against the armrest with a gentle swish. His large paws, adorned with tufts of fur between each toe, flexed in a display of feline grace.

"Well, Good morning to you too," Nia grumbled playfully, untangling herself from the blanket and sending a mock scowl his way "Lazy cat!".

Pixel responded with a dignified yawn, revealing a row of pristine white teeth before grooming his whiskers with meticulous care.

Despite his aloof demeanour, Pixel was Nia's steadfast companion in this bustling city life. His presence brought a sense of calm to her hectic days, whether he was perched on her shoulder as she worked late into the night or chasing imaginary foes in fits of nighttime playfulness.

With a final tug, she managed to free herself and sat up, running a hand through her tousled mass of waist-long curly brown hair, which stuck out in every direction like a rebellious halo.

She glanced blearily at the clock—it read 11:07 a.m. "Well, that's a new record," she muttered to herself, momentarily amused by her own ability to sleep through half the morning.

But well who can blame her!

It's New Year's Morning!

With a big loud yawn, as she attempted to stand fixing her clothes, Pixel took the opportunity to assert his dominance, sprawling himself across her lap with an indignant meow. "Oh, come on, Pixel," Nia protested, trying to shift his considerable weight. "I have things to do today. Important CEO things. Holidays are over, hon!" Pixel's response was a languid purr that vibrated through her thighs, his subtle way of reminding her who was really in charge.

Resigned to her fate as a cat bed, Nia leaned back against the couch, surveying her post-New Year's Eve battlefield. Empty wine glasses littered the coffee table, surrounded by crumpled napkins and stray confetti—a testament to her solo celebration the night before. "Well, at least someone had a good time," she muttered, shooting Pixel a mock glare. He responded with a blink that clearly said, "And whose fault is that?"

With a deep sigh, Nia gave in to the inevitability of the morning. "Alright, Pixel, you win this round," she conceded, reaching over to scratch him behind the ears. He rewarded her with a pleased rumble and stretched his front legs, kneading her lap with surprising gentleness.

"Alright, enough lounging around," Nia declared but did not manage to extricate herself from Pixel's furry weight as she loved morning hugs and cuddles. "Time to start the day, even if it's already halfway gone."

She made a mental note to invest in an alarm clock that didn't let her sleep through half the morning, but for now, she needed caffeine—a lot of it.

As she paused to survey the aftermath of her festive night. "Well, New Year's Eve, you were a blast," she murmured, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Now, let's see what New Year's Day has in store."

At the same time Pixel meowed!

"Of course you are hungry!"

With Pixel's meowing protests for breakfast echoing in the background, Nia's mind wonder off to distant places and she rested her head back on the couch. Her mind already buzzing with plans and resolutions for the year ahead. It might have started with a tangled blanket and a late wake-up call, but Nia was determined to make this year her best one yet—messy couch and all. 

"Pixel, come on. It's a new year, and we need to start it off right. Remember, One purr at a time!" Nia mumbled, trying to gently move the cat off her chest.