Kate had dragged Kaku all the way to Dock 3, which was the storage area for all the metal supplies used. Despite her wearing heels, Kaku was surprised by how fast she had walked.
"Kate! Are you going to tell me what in the world is going on?!"
She looked around frantically before leading Kaku into one of the sheds, closing the door behind them. The shed was small and Kate and Kaku only had 3 feet between them.
Kate leaned down as she caught her breath.
"I'm so sorry, Kaku. I just had to get out of there as soon as possible..."
He looked at her, unable to hide his worry.
Kate laughed as she stood up and took another deep breath. "Sorry, Kaku. I know you barely know me but you're really my only friend here at the moment...I needed to get out of there."
The carpentry foreman looked around the shed. "And is there a reason why you needed to come...in here?"
She sighed. "Because there's no reason for Nash to come to Dock 3."
Kaku's body immediately tensed. He examined Kate's arms for any marks.
"Did he do anything to you?" His voice was stern, and unlike the one Kate was used to.
"No, he didn't do anything...but I just have a bad feeling about him. He's going to be staying in Water 7 till the end of the quarter and he asked Iceburg if I could help him out." She shuddered as she thought back to how he just stared at her the whole meeting. "I really don't want to."
Kaku took off his hat and rubbed his hair. The situation was not ideal at all. Nash was a bad character, and since he had insisted on Kate helping him- it was obvious he had other intentions.
That bastard...I swear.
"Kate-I suggest you stay away from Nash if at all possible." He didn't want to mention what he had tried to do to Kalifa as he didn't want to instill fear into Kate...especially since she was so new.
"Trust me, I know. I bet he even tried something with Kalifa based off of how she reacted to him." There was no denying in Kate's mind that he was a creep.
Kaku raised an eyebrow at Kate's observation. Either Kalifa was being blatantly obvious, or Kate's observation skills were very refined.
"I'll talk to Iceburg for you if you'd like." He noticed how uncomfortable Kate seemed, and wanted to somehow help ease the tension. "As your official guide, it is my responsibility to keep you safe and satisfied during your time here, miss!" he placed a fist on his heart.
Kate couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks, Kaku. I'll talk to Iceburg, and if he needs further convincing, I'll call for your reinforcements!" She gave him a wink.
They laughed until it turned into an awkward silence. Kaku looked around for a clock, but there was nothing in the shed.
Kate looked at her watch. "The meeting went a lot longer than planned...do we have time to go through any items on the list?"
Kaku shook his head. "I'm afraid not, but I noticed there were some touch ups your current home needs, and brought some tools to fix 'em." He blushed, hoping she didn't think he had any other intentions.
Kate's face burned. She knew the place was a bit run down, but hopefully Kaku didn't think she was a slob?!
So embarrassing!
"Kaku! You already do so much for me. Don't worry about it, I'll only be here for a few months anyways. I only sleep there, really." She waved her hands nervously.
She couldn't help but feel excited at the thought of getting to spend time with Kaku today.
He shook his head. "It's not a problem. That's what friends are for, right?" He laughed as he opened the door. "After you."
Kate adjusted her dress as she stepped out and was met by two large eyes.
Tilestone dropped the load of metal he was carrying as soon as he saw Kaku follow behind Kate, a large smile on his face.
"Ka...Kak-"
Kaku waved his hands frantically as soon as he saw Tilestone, knowing how the whole scene may have looked to any outsiders.
"Tilestone! It's not what it looks like!"
Before he could explain further, Tilestone ran as fast as he could towards Dock 1.
Kaku turned to Kate in a panic, getting ready to run after Tilestone.
Kate laughed as she gently placed a hand on Kaku's arm. "Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine."
She knew why Kaku was panicked, but based on how others had already interpreted their relationship- it was no different.
The long nosed shipwright's panic remained. "Kate, you don't understand, the fellas-"
She shook her head in reassurance, her hand still on his arm.
"We should really get going, anyways. You wouldn't want Nash to see us and find out where I live, would you?" She gave him a playful pout.
He seemed to finally calm down as he laughed. "Now that ain't fair! You know I can't say no if you look at me like that."
Golly. she's the cutest thing I ever did lay my eyes on...
Kaku could hear voices in the distance coming from the head office.
That could be Nash...
He hurriedly grabbed Kate's hand. "Let's go!"
As they ran past Dock 1, Kaku turned and saw the other shipwrights along with Tilestone watching as they saw Kate and Kaku hand in hand.
Before Paulie could speak, Kaku pulled Kate as they ran even faster.
Paulie hooted as he watched them run off.
"About damn time, kid!"
Nash finished his cup of coffee as the waitress at the cafe brought his bill.
It was the same waitress who had served Kaku and Kate during Kate's first day.
"Can I get you anything else, sir?"
Nash checked her out and smirked, flashing the contents of his wallet.
-
They eventually ended up in his hotel room. He lit a cigarette as the girl sat up naked in bed beside him.
"So, what do you do for work, Mister?"
He handed her a few bills and walked towards the window.
"Get out."
The waitress huffed as she grabbed the money and left the room after changing.
"You're an asshole!"
He blew her a kiss. "I'll see you again soon."
Nash was used to always getting what he wanted. However, if she was anything like Kalifa- he knew Kate would be a struggle.
"If she's okay being seen with that long nosed freak, of course she'd like me." He looked in the mirror. "How could she not?"
Nash looked at the calendar. He had 4 months to try and get Kate to sleep with him.
-
Kate and Kaku stayed in an awkward silence as they entered the house.
*CREAKKKKK*
Kaku immediately closed the door and opened his bag, pulling out a screwdriver and a can of oil.
"You go do whatever you need to do, I'm going to get started on this guy here!" He went to work, unscrewing and spraying as he went.
Kate went into her room and began to change out of her clothes. The neighborhood she lived in was quiet, and she could hear Kaku's every movement as she removed her clothing.
Ah this is so awkward...
She changed into a pair of jean shorts and a white tank top. If she were home alone, she would've stepped into an old t-shirt but she didn't want to look like a slob in front of Kaku.
As Kate came out of her room, Kaku proceeded to opening and closing the door several times.
"No creaks! It's brand spankin' new!" He placed his screw driver and oil into his bag, and took out a piece of paper. He began to cross something off of the paper.
Kate peered over Kaku's shoulder.
"What's this?" She read the items carefully. After a few seconds, she realized it was a list of things that needed to be fixed around the house. "Kaku! You do way too much for me already! You didn't even step into my house until today, and you already have a whole list..." she blushed.
So embarrassing...
He laughed as he added a few more items to the list. "It's nothing. Don't worry, I'll only work on things here and there so you don't have to put up with me too much." He smiled, putting the list back into his bag.
"I need to pay you back somehow..." She looked at the ground nervously. She knew he wasn't 'that type' of guy, but she couldn't help but fear for the worse.
Please don't be a creep, please don't be a creep.
Kaku observed her outfit discretely. Her outfits were always sexy somehow.
Well there are a few things I could think of...
He shook his head. "No payment needed, miss. I wouldn't have offered if I was expecting anything in return. Just some good old fashioned neighborly help!"
Kate looked at her watch. It was nearing dinner time.
"Kaku, would you like to stay for dinner? I don't know if you have any allergies but-" She thought about what she had in her pantry.
The shipwright picked up his bag from off the ground. "That sounds lovely, Kate. Unfortunately I have some plans tonight. I'm running a bit late, so I'd better skidaddle." He proceeded to walk out the door. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
Kate leaned against the door frame. "Yes! Thank you again, Kaku. I'll see you tomorrow!"
She couldn't help but smile as she closed the door. No creaks.