seven; together

The next morning Natalie was waiting for the bus heading to the city. She was out to go to the grocery and she was already waiting for the freaking bus for almost thirty minutes already. She checked her watch. It was already nine twenty in the morning. She left Jessica alone since her sister was still sleeping. She left a note though saying that she'll be off to the grocery.

 

She sighed then bit her inner cheek in boredom. "Where's that freaking bus?" She mumbled to herself. She was about to take a cab when a black porsche stopped in front of her. It was Chad's car, she didn't need to guess who's the owner. The heavily tinted window of the car opened, revealing Chad's smiling face to her.

 

"Ch-Chad.." She muttered softly.

 

"Hey, where you going?" He asked.

 

"To the grocery." She simply answered.

 

"C'mon, hop in."

 

"Uh, no." She shook her head. "I can take the bus, actually. And besides, maybe you're heading somewhere else today."

 

"C'mon, please?" He begged. She wanted to castigate herself as she noticed her body moved to open the car door. Why can't she just refuse him all the way?

 

"Don't blame me if you're late to where you're heading." She found herself mumbling instead. She heard him laugh. It was nice to hear him laughed like that. It was like she had never heard his laugh in ages. She stopped short. It was only that night since she didn't heard his sweet-sounding laugh.

 

"Hey." He snapped a finger in front of her.

 

"Hmm?" She turned her gaze to him.

 

"Ah, nothing." He smiled sheepishly as he skidded the car off. Even though they're back talking with each other again, there was still that excruciating awkwardness between them.

 

"So—" They both said in unison. "Uh, you first." She said shyly.

 

"Ladies first." Chad said.

 

"Mm..." She bit her lower lip. "How's the date?" Damn! I shouldn't ask about that!, she thought as she looked at him. "Sorry. You don't have to answer that."

 

"Hmm, it turned out nice." He said instead. "It was a miracle, your sister didn't walk away for some personal reason, you know, something like job meeting or something."

 

She chuckled at his remark."You're saying it like it's my sister's hobby everytime you go on a date together."

 

"Ha-ha. I didn't mean it that way." Awkward pause engulfed them again.

 

"Hmm, so what do you want to tell me?" She asked.

 

"I, uh.. it's just nothing. Forget it, Nat." He said and she didn't asked him further. She turned her eyes to the window instead, hoping that they'll arrive at the grocery now. She wanted to avoid this awkward moment with him. Five minutes later, Chad parked the car. She get off the car the same moment Chad went out.

 

"Thanks, Chad." She said, hoping he'll get back to his car and disappear but instead, he moved towards her.

 

"Let's go."

 

"Wh..what?" She asked, dumbfounded.

 

"I'll go with you."

 

"Ch-Chad, you don't have to do that. I can—"

 

"Please, let me help you, Nat." He pleaded. For the second time around, she wanted to spank herself for giving in. It was so clear, as clear as pristine waters, that her weakness was Chad's 'please'. She took a deep breath harshly, as if breathing was so difficult to do.

 

"A..are you sure? Maybe you have some appointment or something."

 

Chad smiled widely. "No, I don't have. So, c'mon?"

 

She bit the corner of her lips as she started walking with Chad following her behind. She grabbed one basket near the door entrance without bothering to look if Chad was still following her. I had to finish this faster, she thought. Since that night, she doesn't want to be alone with him. Not because, she doesn't trust Chad, but because she doesn't trust herself anymore. She hate to admit, but she still has this desire for him which was so embarrassing. Not to mention, she had dreamt of it last night.

 

"Moan my name, Nat! Moan for me!"

 

"Ohh, Chad! F..Faster and harder!!! I want it rough and hard!"

 

Damn! She closed her eyes and shook the thoughts off her head. She immediately went to the vegetable corner, and picked some vegetables she doesn't know the name, which was all foreign to her sight. All she wanted now was to go home immediately.

 

"Hey!" Chad's voice behind her. She whirled in time to see him helping up a little boy. "Be careful, little boy. Don't rush in this crowded place, 'kay? You might hurt yourself."

 

"Thanks, sir." The little boy said with his cute voice. She found herself smiling as she stared at them. It was then Chad looked up and saw her as she stared at them. The air she breathe snagged in her throat. She whipped her head away and proceeded to her own doings. From the corner of her eyes, she saw him following her while the little boy walked with him too.

 

"Give me that basket, Nat." Chad said.

 

"Is she your girlfriend?" The little boy asked innocently. "She's so pretty, you both look good together!" The boy exclaimed.

 

"N-No, I- I'm not his—"

 

"Haha. What do you know about that thing, huh?" He asked the boy, totally amused.

 

"Jester, you kid! You got lost again." Came rushing an older woman. She smiled at Chad. "I'm sorry, I hope this kid didn't annoy you.."

 

"Ah, no worries. He's not a bother." Chad said.

 

"Goodbye." The kid waved at both of them before he was dragged out by the woman.

 

When Chad turned to her, there was a cute smile from the corner of his lips. He was totally amused by that boy. "Well, is that all you wanna buy?"

 

She blinked. He was looking at her in the eye. "Uh, yeah.."

 

"C'mon, let me help you." Even before she could protest, Chad took the basket which was full of foreign vegetables from her arm. She admit the basket was heavy and she needed a man's help. Chad immediately went to the cashier with her following him. She lined up while the basket was still in his hands. She doens't know why but she was giving him a fleeting glance that he surely doesn't know at all. He was standing beside her as they both waited for her turn.

 

"Chad..."

 

"Hmm?" He looked at her.

 

"Let me have the basket."

 

"No, it's heavy."

 

She was about to insist when she heard soft giggles behind her. "He's such a gentleman." "The girl is so lucky, she got a boyfriend that's sooo hawt!" Chad was sure unaware of the whispers about him. She wanted to turn her head and fire the girls a glaring look but stopped herself. She sighed and decided not to give a hoot at the girls behind. She looked at Chad beside him just as when his hands went up and touched something that was hanging in front of him.

 

She gulped. He was touching packs of condoms.

 

"Oh my!" The girls went again. "Is he picking up condoms? He's totally hot!"

 

"Aww, they had sex already. Sure, he's hoping for another sizzling moment!" The girl's remarks had her face flushed in embarrassment. This isn't good! I shouldn't have come with him in the first place!

 

"Hey.." It was Chad. "Are you okay? Your face is so red."

 

She forgot to breathe for a moment. At last, it was her turn. "Chad, basket." She said without looking at him. As she waited for the cashier to finish, she was tapping her fingers impatiently. When finally it was done, she took the plastic bag and headed out.

 

"Hey, what's the rush?" Chad moved with speed beside her and took the bag from her hand. She didn't answered him, she kept her mouth shut. "Hey, are you embarrass back there?" He continued asking. When they arrived at his car, she sighed heavily. "I was just looking at the condoms, I didn't buy one." There was a hidden grin from the corner of his lips that he tried not to show.

 

"Chad!" She yelled, totally embarrased. Not to mention, her face went red again.

 

"I knew it!" He exclaimed with a wide, amusing smile.

 

"Put that bag inside the car!" She demanded angrily.

 

"Yes, ma'am." He mocked with that sexy grin smeared on his lips.She slid inside the car first as he put the bag inside the compartment.

 

"I wanna go home." She mumbled just as when Chad slid inside the driver's seat.

 

"Not yet."

 

"Wh..what?" Her head turned to him abruptly.

 

He started the engine as he looked at her. "Come with me first, 'kay?"