Expect The Unexpected

Chapter 4 4/5

Chapter 4 4/5

Rosie(Mwahaha!! I'm so mean! *insert grinning devil emoji here* And I do realize that you guys are gonna hate me for the rest of this section and possibly the story as well but deal with it! Mwahahaha!! *Insert ROW of grinning devil emojis* In all seriousness though, pls don't hurt me. I'd prefer to stay alive until my fanfic is done, so until then, pls hold your complaints until the end; thank you. 😉😁).

Rosie's heart thumped nervously as she anxiously waited for Adrien and Mari to come back. Everyone else had finished with the living room and the bathroom, now working on the kitchen but Rosie stayed behind, wanting to wait for Mari and Adrien. 

Alya had asked Rosie where Mari was and her vague answer, "Crying in a spare room", sent Alya on a worried searching spree that only got resolved when Rosie reassured her that she had sent Adrien after her, so there wasn't anything to worry about. Nino was finally successful at calming her down with soothing and kind words, gently hugging and stroking her back. Rosie was happy that she had someone like Nino who knew what to do in situations and was always there for her.

They really are perfect for each other, just like Mari and Adrien. 

Rosie let out a small "aww" that had some heads turning in her direction, including Nate's, causing her cheeks to flame. 

Oops. I didn't mean to make it heard by so many of them.

Instead of judging her though, everyone had simply laughed, smiled with her, most likely knowing what she had said "aww" at.

While everyone was painting the kitchen light blue, Rosie was sitting in the large, green armchair, waiting for Mari and Adrien, watching the paint slowly drip and dry. The lilac color softly complimented the light blue and sea green furniture, allowing for the shades to bounce off each other, creating a softly lit underwater scene with cool but vibrant colors.

Maybe I could ask Maman if I can paint a coral reef on the walls once the paint is dry. Rosie thought, pondering what colors would go well against the base color.

A soft shuffle caught her attention and she turned to see Nate standing in the doorway, a hand resting on the wall and eyebrows lowered in concern but confusion. 

"Hey, Rosie. We're almost done with the kitchen so your mère said we could stay for dinner; she also needs your help."

"Yeah, I'll be there in a minute. Does she need me to get anything from the storage room or does she already have everything she needs?"

"I think she has everything but she's making spaghetti, garlic bread, ravioli, and cheese manicotti so I don't know since I've never made any of them. Do you need me to help you get anything or...?" 

He trailed off, waiting for her response.

"I think I'll need help, especially since there are a lot more people here than the regular 3." 

She giggled but it was forced and her mind wandered as her laugh soon dispersed, not fully in the conversation, even though her heart was thumping widely and her pulse was racing as Rosie stared at Nate, waiting for him to answer. Instead of replying to her, however, he pulled his hand off the wall, strode toward the chair, and plopped down beside her, wrapping his strong arms around her, pulling Rosie into his warm, comforting embrace. 

She wrapped her own arms around him, trying to breathe slowly as she felt tears swell in her eyes, blurring her vision and her throat tightened, feeling her heart swell a little as she struggled to calm down and focus on the fact that Nate was hugging her and stroking her hair.

"I'm sorry for putting you in this situation, Nate. I know you have better things to do and so do I. I-"

"Rosie, stop. You're doing it again. Stop beating yourself up. You promised me you wouldn't. Stop doubting yourself. Please, see yourself the way I see you. Please... keep your promise."

He trailed off, his voice trembling at the last word.

"Nate..." 

Rosie squeezed his hand, using her free one to put a hand on his cheek, urging him to look at her and waiting until he raised his eyes to meet hers.

"Hey. I have been keeping my promise to you. I'm just worried that I'm making you do unnecessary work. I don't...I don't want to do that to you."

It was her turn to lower her hand, dropping her hand that had been resting on his cheek, tears forming in her eyes and blurring her vision. Nate softly grabbed her free hand, squeezing it gently.

"Hey. Look at me, Rosie." 

She timidly raised her head, looking into his warm, teal eyes. "It's not unnecessary work. I want to help you, in any way I can. Please believe me on that."

She slowly nodded her head, moving it quicker when he raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "I do believe you. I do but.." She struggled to find the right words to express her feelings.

"But?"? Nate looked at her expectantly, patiently waiting for her response. "But I don't...I don't want you to... think I'm... using you." 

She whispered the last few words and lowered her head in shame, afraid to see his reaction.

"Rosie..." He gently released her left hand and used his own to lift her chin so she was looking at him once again. "I would never think that. Ever. I want to help you and I know that you would never do that. You're kind and sweet and considerate, always putting others before yourself. So you would never do that. That's one of the reasons why I... why I..." 

He trailed off, gazing deep into her green eyes, his own softening as he leaned closer.

"Why you... What?" Rosie's voice was soft, quiet, and kind, cheeks red and heart thumping wildly.

"Why I would do this." 

He leaned closer, closer... 

Her face flamed as he got closer, his face only an inch away when...

Someone cleared their throat. Loudly.