Cat snuggled deeper into his cardboard box. It was rare that the Dupain-Cheng kitchen was empty, but it was the perfect time for a snooze. Cat opened one green to look at the clock. Mama Cheng would be up in about a hour to make dinner, and by then Marinette should also be home from sewing class. Ah, a long snooze today. Wrapping his blue blanket around him, Cat fell asleep.
Almost an hour later, Mama Cheng unlocked the door and sighed with relief as she entered the apartment. She loved their guests but today they had been flooded with customers and was glad to have a breather.
She deiced to vacuum before starting dinner, unaware of Cat sleeping his box. Mama hummed to herself as she plugged in the machine, and it starts with a roar.
Cat woke with a start from a nightmare of something chasing him. Then he saw it. The vacuum cleaner, his sworn nemesis. It was coming closer and closer and Cat was afraid to it would sallow him whole.
"Cataclysm!" He stuck his paw out from his box and the machine fell silent as it crumbled to dust. Mama Cheng leaped in fright as she saw Cat's paw then the vacuum crumbling to dust before her very eyes. "Cat! How long have you been there? I didn't even see you!" "Just since after school. I was having a lovely snooze until the vacuum interrupted my nap."
Just then, Marinette walked in from sewing class. "Hey, Mama. Hey, Kitty….." her voice trailed off as she saw the debris pile on the floor. "Cat, what have I said about destroying the vacuum?!" Cat stood up, playing nervously with his black tail. "I know, Princess. But…." he lowered his voice. "The vacuum is scary." "That doesn't give you permission to destroy it!"
"Now, hold on, sweetie. I think I know a way to make Cat happy and get the chores done around here!"
She went upstairs to grab her purse, and had instructions for Cat and Marinette when she came back down. "Cat, could start the tea and coffee, please?" "And Marinette, could you get the oven preheating? I have a short errand to run."
Cat and Marinette nodded, and after Mama left, scurried to do her bidding. "I wonder what she could be getting," Marinette mused, clicking on the oven and sat down at the table, digging in her school bag.
"How'd class go today?" Cat asked, when the coffee was ready. "You look kinda tired." "Ever since I made that portable sewing kit, I've been flooded with orders. At least I'm making good money." Marinette smiled, despite her tiredness. She wanted to make something nice for Cat and Adrien with some of extra money. But for now, homework came first.
Mama came back all smiles, but her hands were empty. "I thought you had a surprise?" Cat asked. "Tomorrow, after school." Was Mama's response.
Next day, Cat came home to a new object sitting on the floor. It was white and circular, and he batted it curiously as he read the label. Rumba was scrawled across the top of the disc. Oh, this was one of those floor vacuums that Alix had been talking about! At lunch, she had shown them videos of cats riding them and he thought it was hilarious.
Hmm. Could he ride on it? Well, only one way to find out. Cat hit the button and then the thing unlocked and begin to spin.
Cat carefully climbed aboard. Ha, ha! This was fun, and not one bit scary! A large grin spread across his features.
Then Cat heard footsteps, and looked up to see Marinette watching him from the stairs. "Cat, what are you doing?" she groaned. "Riding the Rumba!"
Marinette shook her head. Cat would be Cat, but at least they wouldn't have to worry about the vacuum anymore!