Chapter 11: Devious Intentions
Charlotte’s radiant joy clung to the air as she and Mika walked along the sidewalk, the city’s hum a backdrop to her contented chatter. The paper bag with the knife and rings swung lightly in her hand, but her other arm was firmly looped through Mika’s, her shoulder brushing his with every step.
As they walked, Charlotte slowed down a bit, her free hand unwrapping the foil bundle he’d given her, revealing the sandwich, simple, almost comically plain.
A couple of slices of bread, some ham, a smear of mustard, thrown together in a rush that morning. But she stared at it with her eyes twinkling like it was a priceless artifact, her lips parting as if to say something profound about the sandwich.
But before she could, Mika stopped dead in his tracks, as he knew it was time to deal with ’pests’ that he just managed to locate using his feathered friend. But he also knew that he couldn’t bring Charlotte along so he decided to show a little performance.
"Oh my god." He suddenly groaned, slapping his hand on his forehead. "I can’t believe I actually forgot that."
Charlotte’s head snapped up, her sandwich forgotten as confusion creased her brow. "What? What did you forget?" She asked, her voice tinged with urgency, stepping closer to him. Her grip on his arm tightened, like she was afraid he’d bolt.
Mika sighed, his shoulders slumping as he met her gaze. "I had an errand to run today, something important. I was gonna do it earlier, but then the accident happened, and all this..." He gestured vaguely at the city, the park, her. "I totally spaced on it and the thing is it’s gotta get done today, no question." He glanced at a nearby bench, its paint chipped but sturdy, and nodded toward it. "So, can you wait there for me? Just sit, eat your sandwich, and I’ll be back quick after finishing my errand."
Charlotte’s eyes narrowed, her lips pursing into a pout. "Wait there?" She echoed, her tone skeptical. "Why can’t I come with you? We can do your errand together!" She tugged at his arm, her voice brightening with insistence. "I don’t wanna be apart from you, Mika. Whatever it is, I can help!"
He shook his head, firm but gentle, his eyes steady. "No, Charlotte, this is something I need to do alone. It’s not a big deal and I don’t wanna drag you into it." He gestured at the bench again, his voice softening. "Just sit and eat, okay? I’ll be back before you’re done with that sandwich."
She hesitated, her face shifting from confusion and then suddenly agitation, like she thought of something infuriating. Her eyes narrowed further, glinting with suspicion as she leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sharp whisper.
"Mika...are you ditching me because of another girl?" Her words were laced with accusation, her grip on his arm tightening like a vice. "Is that what this is? Some secret affair you don’t want me to see? Because if you’re sneaking off to meet someone else—"
Mika let out an exasperated sigh, cutting her off.