Superhero

Chapter 119

To Felicia's surprise, all of her tenants woke up early and were downstairs way before she had finished preparing grand breakfast that she had planned.
"You guys are way early," Jake remarked as he helped his mother with some pancakes. "We just got started."
"That's alright, we can help," Jordan said as he practically bumped Jake off to take over.
The blond just stared at him, his arms folded, and shook his head. In the end, he gave up and went to his mother. "What else were you doing, you said?"
"Well, there's the scrambled egg and bacon..." Felicia said. "And coffee."
"I'll cover coffee," Giuseppe offered. "You got a moka pot?"
Felicia nodded. "Sure, it's in the cabinet."
"Has it been used recently?" Giuseppe asked, prompting the younger ones to exchanged glances.
Felicia shrugged. "I used it just yesterday."
"What about a deep clean?"
"Uh... I thought we can't wash it with soap and water?"
Giuseppe examined the pot and frowned. "I need some lemon, vinegar, and baking soda."
Jake turned to Jordan. "Yeah, I forget he's Italian sometimes."
"He never makes us forget it," Jordan couldn't help but say.
So Giuseppe started working on that while Addison and Jordan started on the eggs and bacon. Jake and Felicia worked on the pancakes. Soon, Giuseppe was done cleaning the pot, which was surprisingly quicker than they thought, and had started with the coffee.
The table was fully set, all dishes covered with metal cloches to maintain freshness, and Fiolina soon arrived, holding a bouquet of roses and a box of assorted chocolates. Of course, the flowers went to Jordan, everyone couldn't help but wonder if he had ever gotten her flowers, and the chocolates went to Felicia. She even brought Addison something, which turned out to be a bag of snacks.
"Thank you so much for having me here, Mrs Kennedy," Fiolina smiled as she gave the older woman a hug. "It is very kind of you."
Felicia smiled and glanced at Jordan before hugging her back. Jordan wasn't sure what it was that he saw in her eyes then.
"Come, we had just finished breakfast," Felicia smiled as she led her to the dining hall.
"When's the new tenant coming in?" Jake asked.
"Around now, actually," Felicia said. "You guys wanna wait for her?"
Fiolina smirked. "Oh, so it's a girl."
Felicia nodded. "Yes."
Giuseppe pulled Jordan aside. "Capelli Rossi, did you get her any Fiori Rossi?"
Jordan gulped. "No?"
"Very bad," Giuseppe scowled and shook his head at him as he followed the rest to the dining room.
Jordan looked down at the bouquet that he was holding and felt a pang of guilt. He never really got Fiolina any flowers, just one during their first date and that was all. Fiolina got him flowers every chance she got and now she had walked in with this bouquet too. He made it a point to surprise her with a date and flowers. It also hurt his pride that Galante was looking down on him.
Indeed. It was very bad, indeed.
So he followed the rest to the dining hall and sat themselves at the table. Everyone helped themselves to the food and the new tenant arrived just before they started eating.
"Ooh! That must be her!" Felicia exclaimed excitedly as she excused herself and left the room.
Everyone leaned forward to look at what the new tenant looked like. They heard Felicia speaking amiably, then exchanged glances.
"You know, it feels nice to hang out with you guys," Fiolina took the time to say. "And I already feel at home."
"Maybe it's because you always see us at your workplace all time," Giuseppe said. "Only thing that's missing now is that other guy."
Addison started laughing. "Oh, yeah! Jeff! Oh, darn... I should've invited him over as well, I don't think he's at work yet, his shift starts at nine."
"You can still call him over," Jordan said. "Given that Felicia actually allows..."
"She would allow for me since Jeff is also my friend," Jake piped up. "Also, he's Addie's friend so..."
Jordan shrugged and turned to Addison. "Give it a shot, dude."
Addison shrugged and wanted to take her phone out, but Felicia entered the room again.
"She's gone upstairs to put her things away," Felicia smiled as she sat down again. "Everyone, give her a good impression of yourselves. No one mentions dancing on tables," she gave Giuseppe a meaningful look, "and no one mentions personal conflicts affecting the whole space," she gave another meaningful glance at Jordan.
Giuseppe leaned towards the redhead. "I feel attacked."
Jordan nodded slowly. "Same."
Addison watched the little exchange and burst into laughter, but quickly collected herself when a rather tall woman dressed in all black walked in. She was pretty built too, with long dark hair and piercing blue eyes, but she had a pretty sweet face.
"Good morning," the lady said with a smile as her gaze scanned each face seated at the table. "I'm Fleurette Greyson."
"Welcome to our home," Felicia smiled as she said. "Join us, Ms Greyson."
Fleurette flashed them a bright smile. "Please, Fleurette is fine."
Addison smiled. "I'm Addie. It's nice to know that I wouldn't be the only female tenant here."
"Oh, so it's all men besides us?" Fleurette looked around at the other faces.
"Technically, only two men are renting here," Giuseppe said. "Just me and Jordan. Jake lives here, this is literally his mother's house."
Jake smiled awkwardly. "Yes, that's the case."
"And I don't even live here, I'm just here for my boyfriend," Fiolina chuckled. "But hey, Addie lives here. You two ladies can get along good."
Fleurette turned her smile to Addison. "What you doing later?"
Addison smiled slightly. "I'll be at school."
"Oh, then what about after?" Fleurette helped herself to some pancakes as she asked.
"I'll be at work...?" Addison said.
"Addie works at the TwentyFourSeven in Spine Street," Jordan explained. "We like hanging out there sometimes."
"I work there too," Fiolina added with a smile. "But at night."
"We can give you a staff discount," Addison added. "If you come to our branch, that is."
Fleurette nodded. "Well, maybe I might."
"Why don't you tell us about yourself, Fleurette?" Felicia piped up. "What do you do?"
"Oh, in simple words, I'm a scientist," Fleurette proudly said. "Research scientist, in particular."
The rest exchanged surprised glances. "Oh, does that mean you're actually a Doctor?"
Fleurette smiled again. "That's it. Doctor Greyson." She chuckled. "But that's only at work, I prefer going by Fleurette."
"That's really nice," Addison smiled. "Anything that you're working on now?,
"It's a secret," Fleurette said mysteriously. "Top-secret."
"Are you working for the government?" Giuseppe asked, almost in a whisper.
Fleurette burst into laughter once again. "Gosh, no. I mean, yeah, I guess I'm working for a government university, but I'm not exactly under the government. I work for the people, mostly." She gasped as if she just remembered something. "Oh, have you guys seen the Superhero? I used to live in a neighbourhood near the west end and saw him a few times. Have you guys seen him?"
'Every time,' Addison wanted to say, but refrained.
"A few times, yes," Fiolina said instead.
The two younger women exchanged glances. For some reason, both of them kept their connection from the Superhero a secret in front of Fleurette.