Sinners - The Puppet (currently being re-written)

Chapter 3 - of the reason for existing

Nate, once again, walked the streets that afternoon. It was a little past five now, and he and Rosa paced side by side as they made way to some unknown shop downtown. Apparently, this popular café was having a sale of their famous cakes. And finding the chance to finally get a taste of their specialty, Rosa was keen on forcing him to come with her.

Hearing her babble all that nonsense while they left, a chill ran down his spine. Cake. Sale. Rosa. God, if something could be spelled with words then those three together spelled "nightmare". But he couldn't at all deny that he was also curious about this "famous cake" that they were selling and he thought about bringing home a couple of slices for his mother.

Although, the real question in his mind was the reason why he needed to go in the first place. He had just followed her on a whim. He was too used to responding to her every beck and call that following her became a norm to him. But just this once, he was actually curious. So then, without trying to show the annoyance in his voice, he had asked her:

"But why do I need to go with you? Can't you get there by yourself?"

In response to his question, Rosa paused from her ramblings to narrow her eyes at him. It was the "look", used only when he said something stupid or annoyed her in some way. "Don't you know? That shop is filled with lovebirds. Of course I don't want to look lonely so I've never been ther--actually you should be thankful I even invited you!"

That specific pause in that sentence told him the actual truth of the matter. 

And it was that simple.

"I see." He chuckled. "You want me to pretend I'm your boyfriend so you won't look alone. Is that the reason why you're always calling for me? I'm surprisingly a very convenient boyfriend."

Rosa blushed, her cheeks deep red. "Oh shut up!" She paused, then gasped--hand over her mouth as she stared at him in that overly dramatic way. He only frowned in response. "Oh my, I didn't realize. I'm sorry. Were you expecting a date? I never knew you liked me that much."

Nate shuddered. "No. I don't. Stop it."

"Dear Nate, don't be shy. Now I know the reason why you're always staring at me. Ain't I pretty?" She fluttered her eyelashes at him, staring into his eyes with that innocent look on her face that did not at all suit her. "You like me?"

"Ugh, someone help me," he murmured and Rosa laughed.

He knew. Nathaniel de La Cruz had known and learned who Rosa Formella really was over the past three months. He was used to the teasing, really, and he had his own fair share of moments in teasing her. He would have been offended if it was someone else but with Rosa, he was aware that she never really meant any of those jokes she said.

Still, it didn't mean he was fine with the way things were between them. In fact, he probably should have declined after all. That way he could practice saying no to her requests (commands, rather). But he still knew Rosa. She never listened to other people, especially him. She would never take no for an answer.

She was just that annoying at times.

"By the way," Rosa said, changing the subject for once, "is that cat yours?"

He hummed in confusion, following the line to where her finger was pointing at. There was, again, a familiar black cat. What was it doing there?

"No. Was it following us?" he replied.

"Yeah. Since you left the house," Rosa said. "I think it wants you."

Nate paused. "Uh, Mom doesn't really like animals... She's allergic."