Chapter 32: ADDICTED

"Urgh, how can we be out of coffee. Just two days ago we had enough coffee bags so what happened!"

Natasha's complaint could be heard in the living room.

"Oh no," I muttered under my breath. Quickly, I grabbed a magazine from the couch and pretended to be engrossed in its content.

"Jeremy, did you drink up all the coffee again" She tossed a dishtowel at me, crossing her arms. Oh no, not that narrowing gaze. Her facial expressions are good enough for her to pass for a bad cop in a detective movie.

"Yes, Ash what did you say?"Plastering on the most innocent look ever, I feigned ignorance. Well, this should be somewhat interesting.

"Ash? Who is Ash?"

Yes, my distraction was working. I always wanted to see her reaction anyways.

"You are. There isn't any other person in this room now is there? Except a ghost now resides with us and is visible only to you." I furrowed my brows, stroking my chin deep in thoughts.

"My name is Natasha" Shooting a knowing look at me, she puckered her lips. Whenever she pouts my dear housemate is deep in thoughts.

"I know that"

"If you did, then why did you just call me Ash? Most people call me Natasha or Nattie. It would be great if you stuck with any of those."

"But I am not most people. I am different and unique if I say so myself. I shouldn't do what other people are doing. Plus, Ash sounds better anyways." I returned her pout, batting my eyelashes.

"Unique? If that's what you believe then it's fine. You aren't even under the list of family and friends. You should still be calling me Natasha and nothing else." She pointed out effortlessly. It seemed she has forgotten what she wanted to say in the first place entirely. Not like I had any problems with that. I didn't wake up this morning, ready to lose my head for coffee.

" I am not under the list? If someone asked you who I was, then you would say?..."

Trailing off, she continued

"I would say, Jeremy Heath, is an acquaintance"

"Acquaintance aye? Do your acquaintances live with you?"

"Yes, if a certain agency insists then yes they can."

"You see, if we're acquaintances living in the same house then we are housemates. Why would you bother to call me an acquaintance when you can just say, I am your housemate. Isn't it much more descriptive and saves everybody the stress?"

Scrunching my nose, I watched her fiddle with her thumbs. In times like this, I wonder why I didn't take on arguing as a professional career. I might just have become successful just by throwing people off their trail of thoughts. It didn't matter much because I was successful as it stood. But damn, I would have made a good debate.

"That's far from the point. After all, you don't see me calling your Jer"

"Says the one who insisted on frustrating the hell out of me by calling me, Jerry. Forgotten that so quickly?" I raised an eyebrow at her, feeling ever so smug. Lucy teased me for months, soaking up every bit of discomfort I showed.

" That's different!" She argued, stomping her feet. Like mother like child. They behaved almost the same way, extremely alike. Lucy was just more annoying.

"How?"

"I don't know, but it's different"

"Yes, when it's your turn."

"Ash is a rather weird nickname" The best nickname to be gotten from my name is either Jer or Jerry. I don't like being called Jerry, it's kinda disturbing

"People are named Ashley you know," I said, tilting my head sideways. My pretend magazine was long forgotten by now.

"Yes, Ashley not Natasha. Nattie appears to be much more befitting."

"Befitting? Ash, Nattie, Natasha. Aren't we all talking about the same person here?" Chuckling, I threw the dishtowel back at her.

"You know what, this isn't the reason why I came here. "

"Oh, then what is?"

"You drank all the coffee. What's your addiction to coffee? Now I have to get more at the grocery store, geez. "

"Who says I drank up all the coffee?" My motto ought to be: Feign ignorance until you get caught

"Lucy doesn't take coffee and I wasn't the one. Except for the sorta visible ghost you spoke about earlier almost takes my coffee then I don't see who else it might be."

"We can't rule that out completely. It's likely. Once I read about a couple whose grocery items were always running out quickly even without them using any. They didn't have any kids so there were only 2 suspects. Later, it was revealed that their house was hunted. Ghosts consume food too. I was beyond shocked."

"Does their grocery just disappear or something?"

"Who knows, maybe some crumbs would be left behind." Ghosts do not have a digestive system, do they? I'm starting to think maybe I am overthinking this.

"Hmmm, who knew even ghosts had a high standard of living ."

"Not me."

"Quit, feigning ignorance."

"Fine, it was me. But it isn't an addiction though. I just really love coffee, it keeps me up."

When I got over my nightmares, insomnia decided to attack me next. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to do to keep me busy. So I stay up all night and end up regretting it after all. We all know Sam wouldn't appreciate me dozing off in the middle of meetings.

Moreover, it is not like our groceries are stored separately. With Hannah, there wasn't any problem because we were a couple. But with Natasha, it is completely different, no relationship and she has a child. Much to my disadvantage, I almost have no idea how things should workaround now. It's not like we've ever met eye to eye to discuss anything. That might kinda be my fault though, I would not be admitting that anytime soon. I haven't been much of a good housemate or even a good person. I even told her she was a terrible mother, what was I thinking!

" Jeremy! This is the third time this would be happening. We need rules."