~Taste~ (Vincentã—Rody) Mrs. Vacher

{Rody}

   The bistro was quiet again today, which I was extremely thankful for. I knew if anything big happened the days I’d been filling in for Vincent, I’d screw everything up. I made sure to pick up some cat food for Oreo. She was pretty paranoid about it at first, but warmed up to it after a bit. I smiled a little, and then went back over to the table. I’d sorted out all the letters I’d found, having the most important ones in certain places, so I’d remember where they were. Why’d he have to be so secretive with me? I literally hid a body for him, and he still can’t be open.. I heard the front door open and shut, and the familiar sound of his shoes against the hardwood floor. “Lamoree.” I heard his voice behind me. I sighed quietly, and turned around to face him. And Manon’s mother? Oh shit. I quickly started hiding the paper behind my back, as I forced a smile. “Mrs. Vacher-!” I laughed, hoping it didn’t sound too nervous. “I wasn’t expecting to see you today, how did the funeral go?” I kept the fake smile up, and glanced over towards Vincent a couple times. 

   This is just great. Mrs. Vacher looked me up and down, and I paused my efforts to hide the papers only momentarily. She then looked back at my face, and smiled. “It seems like someone’s skipped a few days at the gym.” She laughs a bit. I hated every moment I had spent with her when I dated Manon, to every second right now. “Well, been busy, y’know- Manon’s death announcement really set my schedule off its rockers.” I noticed Vincent side eye Mrs. Vacher for a moment as he hung both his and her jacket up by the door. His eyes then went to the official new roommate. “Is that a cat?” He asked, looking straight at me. Mrs. Vacher’s gaze was finally off me, and onto the cat. She cooed, and picked it up, giving it all her attention. Thanks for taking one for the team, Oreo. You’ll be remembered. 

   Vincent studied Mrs. Vacher’s interaction with the cat for a moment, before heading towards me. “Have you eaten properly the past two days? I made sure to leave you some food in the fridge,” Vincent said quietly, his hand gently on my waist, as he gently pushed me against the table in a way Mrs. Vacher couldn’t see it. “Could we get off the topic of my weight?” I looked Vincent in the eye. He looked at me, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. He then glanced behind me, looking down, or at least trying to see, the papers I had hidden behind my back. I pushed him back a bit, blocking his view. He narrowed his eyes a bit, his suspicion obvious in them, but there was something else. Something almost comforting to see. “What’d you name this little sweetheart?” Mrs. Vacher asked, her gaze returning to us. Vincent automatically stepped back, away from me a little, and looked at her, plastering a smile on his face. I looked towards her, giving her a small smile. “Oreo.” She raised a brow. “Oreo?” “Yeah, y’know, because she’s black and white? I was thinking about possibly Cookie, or Waffle, bu-” 

   She suddenly scoffed, setting the kitty down, and letting her run off. “Of course you’re always thinking about food. And yet, you couldn’t ever cook for yourself or Mannon. Such a shame.” I stared at her. In the corner of my eye, I could tell Vincent’s body became tense. He cleared his throat, then suddenly stepped in front of me, blocking her view of me. “Mrs. Vacher, why don’t you accompany me into the kitchen so I can prepare you something you want? I’ll only be a moment, I just need a word with Rody for a moment.” Compliant, She went into the kitchen. The moment she was out of sight, Vincent turned around, lifted my chin, pushed me back a bit, and basically pinned me to the table. “You’re not to take a word she said to you seriously, do you hear me? Not a single word of it,” He muttered, his voice low, and filled with firmness and concern. His face was so close to mine, distracting me from what she’d just said. I simply nodded, entranced by him. Why was I upset with him again? Vincent noticed the stupid smile on my face. He glances down at my lips for a moment, before gently giving me a quick kiss, and then pulling away. He headed into the kitchen, and towards Mrs. Vacher, while I stood there, like a kid who just talked to their first crush. 

30 minutes later…

   I sat across the table from Mrs. Vacher, and beside Vincent, who I subtly had my hand intertwined with his. I was still processing what he did earlier, that the food I had gotten was almost cold as I played with it. Vincent noticed, and gave my hand a little squeeze, while he talked with Mrs. Vacher. I wasn’t really paying attention, but the conversation went along the lines of the dates of Manon’s funeral, and if Vincent would be able to make it. What snapped me out of my day dreaming was when she started talking about Vincent and Manon’s relationship. “Oh, she loved to talk about you, Vincent. She wouldn’t stop talking about how understanding and supporting you were.” In what kind of way.. “Manon always said that you were the greatest. And that she was so happy she found you.” In what way… “She always knew she could talk to you about relationship problems, and that you’d be there for her.” In what way.?!?! Mrs. Vacher suddenly stopped talking. I felt Vincent’s hand tighten around mine. I looked up from my plate, and at both of them, who were already looking at me. Vincent glanced down at my plate, and when I looked back down at it, I noticed my fork was pushed down into the plate. I stared for a moment, before clearing my throat, and smiling nervously.

   “Sorry, just not a fan of pasta-” I explained, trying to excuse why my fork was through my plate. It was a lousy excuse. She rolled her eyes, then went back to talking. Vincent continued to look at me for a moment, before going back to talking with Mrs. Vacher. His hand never left mine the entire night.