Chapter 42: DRAMA KING

"I was right. I can feel a stomachache coming up." Clutching onto my stomach I whined, feeling my insides churning. Not the good kind of churns this time but the one that reminded me that I might have experimented with the terrible combination of toppings.

Curving her lips into an upwards grin, the person who caused my uneasiness teased humorously. "You are getting old."

"Tsk Tsk Natasha, you hurt my feelings." Wiping away imaginary tears, I feigned hurt.

"Drama king."

Despite myself, I wiggled my eyebrows happily. It wasn't as bad as I had expected. First, it started off as an excuse but now it's something I'll willingly do any day. I don't know if it's Natasha's good company or my amazing tour guiding skills.

"That was fun wasn't it?"

"I have to admit, yes it was. Especially when your fan walked up to you."

"I still can't believe there is really a book about me. Is it a biography or something? I should really look into it when we get back home."

What Kassidy said about the published book popped into my head. I was a tidbit interested in the picture she used as the book cover. Ordering a copy shouldn't be a problem, especially since I'm the one on the front page.

"What's there not to believe? Didn't you know you are kind of a big deal around here? After all, you're the one always bragging about how much New York loves and adores you." Titling to the side, she playfully nudged my elbow.

"Yes, I always do that but I didn't know it was up to this extent."

"Your face is on billboards, magazines, books, television ads, newspapers, the Internet! Why wouldn't they adore you?" Her voice was laced with admiration which I found rather surprising. Although, she forgot to include benches. My face is on benches too.

"I hadn't thought of that." Shrugging, I started the ignition to pull out of the mart's driveway. We've been sitting in the car parked there for so long they might think we've thought to start camping.

"The only reason you don't have paparazzi following you around is that you chose a low profile. You aren't building on your already existing fame but letting things be. Like living in the agency's provided building rather renting an apartment in a penthouse."

"You had this all analyzed didn't you?" The way she spoke without any ease showed just how much it had been thought of. I chose a low profile because I wasn't so keen on the fame aspect that came with the job. It's not so much of a big deal to pose for cameras but having them following around? Heck no. That's not my style even though I am far from being humble.

"Yup, I needed to know a little bit about Jeremy Heath."

"Curious much."

"Nah, I just wanted to know the kind of person I'll be leaving with. Although, my research failed to mention that he can be a douchebag sometimes."

"I think I'm sorry?"

"Make up your mind if you're going to apologize rather than thinking."

"Okay, I am certain I am sorry." Although Natasha spoke humorously, I couldn't help but take her seriously. I think it's time to quit being such a man-child.

"Sorry about what exactly?" Raising her brows, she pretended to be confused. How much fun this must be for her right now.

"For all the -"

"Geez," Natasha shrieked, throwing her arms in the air. I almost drove past a red light. Almost immediately, my feet rested on the brake bringing the car to an abrupt halt. How disastrous that would have been.

"I almost forgot we were still on the road."

"Then it's a good thing I'm here to remind you to focus on the road."

"What would I have done without your constant nagging and cautions."

"I can't even imagine. So where next? An all-you-can-eat buffet? As fun as that sounds I don't think my stomach can take more of anything."

"Mine neither, all thanks to you."

"How is it my fault?"

"Your choice of toppings. Now my stomach is paying for it."

"That's not on me so don't pass the blame around. Weren't you the one who told me to go wild? That was exactly what I did. We needed to mix your plainness with something fun."

"It was an entire bucket."

"Best ice cream I've had in a very long time."

"Me too."

"You didn't answer my previous question."

"I don't know yet. Spending all this time stuck in traffic is making me long for serenity. The honking and buzzing are starting to get annoying." I now yearned to turn off the sound but I couldn't. There should be an option to wear earplugs while driving. How handy that must be.

"Didn't you call it music?"

"Well, the music is dead."

"How much Lucy would love to hear that."

"I just want peace and quiet."

"And you're hoping to get that where?"

"Our next stop?"

"A library!" She was perplexed indeed when I parked in front of a library. There wasn't a huge parking lot this time but I managed to stay off the road. Once again, she bolted out the door before I could hold it open.

"Yup, follow me."

I walked in, leading her to a spot at the end of the building. It's the least visited section here. Enough space and chairs, some bean bags too.

"You weren't kidding when you asked for peace and quiet."

"Nope. It's also useful in our tour. You see, this library was commissioned the day my dad was laid to rest."

"Oh"

"During the summer, I took a job here as the librarian for the kids' section. If you stood back and watched them closely, some children would troop in to find answers to their questions. Most of the time it was annoying because I wasn't so much of a fan but their inquisition was remarkable. Wanting to know random details like What to do if a jellyfish stung you." Staring down at the floorboard, the memories flashed through my head.

"Children have a mind of their own. Kinda like Lucy when she bothers everyone with questions she needs answers to."

"You can't help but wonder what great minds they will grow up to become."

"Calm enough now?" She voiced out, reminding me that I wanted peace.

"Yeah."

"Great, I'm starting to feel trapped in here."

"Trapped? Yes like if I breathe too loudly the librarian would throw me out."

"You're kidding right?"

"No, she has been giving me the glare since we walked in here."

"You're starting to see things."

"No, I'm not. Look closely, her eyes are twitching."

"Sure, I can see it. Out of the entire population in the library at this time, she is attacking only you with the stink eye."

"Yes!"

"Sssshhhh" The librarian shushed us both, punctuating Natasha's remarks. It was even followed by the dirty glare she spoke about.

"Told ya"

"You know, it wasn't so bad after all. Most of the time you aren't as grumpy as I made myself believe. Indeed I was the douchebag. I never got a chance to apologize properly earlier so here goes nothing. Natasha, I am extremely sorry for not being nicer before. I am sorry for the mean things I must have said to you, for being an arrogant jerk. I ruled you out because you weren't the typical person I expected to live with me. You know, single mother and all. I am also sorry if at any time I have been rude to Lucy. Maybe I am a man-child after all." Averting my eyes from her gaze, I filldled with my fingers on her laps wanting to facepalm.

"It's okay Jeremy. We've moved past the hard stuff. Plus, you totally gave off the self-obsessed rich guy vibe really well."

"So we're good?"

"We are. Want a truce? No more bickering except if necessary. So basically, no more unnecessary and unimportant squabbles."

"Truce?"

"Truce."