A Locked Box

Chapter 20

   It had been several weeks since Kat had ripped up her 'assignment'. She was starting to think it had been an empty threat but deep down she knew it wasn't true. They always followed through with any promise or threat that they make. They were a powerful force not to be messed with. But here Kat was, messing with them like a child poking a sleeping bear. At some point, she was going to lose her head, physically or mentally.

   "Kat! What are you looking at?" Devin asked from across the table. The two had gotten rather close throughout the weeks. So close that Kat had even agreed to be his partner in their mid-year project. A thing that even surprised Kat. They were sitting in Mr. Nuzum's noodle shop, armed with laptops and infinite bowls of mind motivating soup.

   "Oh, nothing," Kat said, returning to her work. She hadn't realized that she had stopped mid-sentence and started to stare out the shop's large front window.

   "Are you sure?"

   Kat chuckled. "Yes." She finished her phrase on her writing platform and sipped her creamy rice soup. Nuzum sent her a wide smile. She blinked in surprise as something black flitted past her view. It disappeared between the crowds outside before she could see what it was. A nervous feeling settled into her stomach, making her choke on her mouthful of soup. Covering her mouth, she coughed and struggled to down her soup.

   Devin watched her as he handed her a napkin. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem--" Kat jumped at the sound of the door shutting loudly. Her knee banged the table and she yelled in pain. "I was going to say odd but jumpy works too," Devin said, reaching over the two laptops to see if she was alright.

   Kat weakly chuckled as she shooed his hands away. "I'm fine. I guess I'm just antsy after being in one place for so long."

   "We can leave if you want. I'm sure we have more than enough work done for today." Devin said after finishing his own soup.

   Kat shook her head. "I canceled yesterday and we need to make up for that."

   Devin rolled his eyes. "Then suggest another place for us to work at without being gawked at." He crossed his arms in an adorable but demanding way.

   Kat chuckled. He had a fair point. They had tried to find good places to work in peace but people, mostly men, often stared at Kat. For a reason that she didn't prefer. "Well, as much as I hate my apartment, we can work there if you want."

   Devin seemed taken aback by this. The tips of his ears were pink as he sat up straight in his chair. "Why your place?"

   Kat shrugged. "I don't know. It's really quiet there and there is no chance in the world that people would be there to stare unless I have a stalker." She chuckled at the end of the sentence, Devin joining in slightly afterward. Devin's 'stalking problem' had become an inside joke between them.

   "I mean I don't see the problem." His ears were still pink.

   "Besides, I've already seen your house and you've been in mine for like thirty seconds." She smirked. "And it's Friday." Both Devin and Kat recalled his words the first time she had been over his house.

   Devin hid his rosy cheeks behind his mug of coffee. "Okay, let's go."

   Kat nodded, piling up the used dishes. She closed her laptop after checking that everything was saved and stood. Stretching some of her stiff muscles, Kat took the dishes in her hands and headed for the kitchen. "Hi, Mr. Nuzum." She said smiling as she dumped the dirty dishes inside the sink.

   "Hello Kat. Do you want anything else?" He was busy stirring a large pot of a salty soup.

   "We were actually leaving," Kat said politely. "We thank you for the food and help." She grinned widely at the older man.