Sinful Mates 1-3 novel Chapter 19

　　“Look I’m sorry, I know what I said was wrong. I was just angry.” My voice sounded drained and tired.

　　“Where are you?” Theo’s voice came through the phone. He didn’t sound angry, just concerned.

　　“I’m…ahh I’m in the park.”

　　“You can come back if you want, he has calmed down.”

　　“No, I think I will stay here for a bit longer. I’m looking for something.”

　　“Looking for what? Did you lose something?”

　　I laughed nervously, knowing I was about to admit my only friend is a stray dog. “I’m looking for a dog, actually.”

　　“Why?” asked Theo. I could hear the smile in voice.

　　“Because he used to sometimes stay with me when I lived in my car and the storage locker. I just miss him.”

　　“Really? I will keep a look out for your furry friend. If I see him, you can bring him back to the apartment. By the way turn around.” I turned around to see Theo walking across the grass towards me. I smiled when seeing him. No hint of any anger at my outburst earlier. He walked over and handed me the keys to the BMW. I looked at them before looking at him.

　　“Drive home. Tobias has calmed down but probably best you go home. After you left, I realised you came with us.”

　　“How will you get home though?”

　　“It’s called a taxi. Oh, and please don’t destroy my car. If I get back and it looks like your train wreck of a car, I will be pissed,” he said, nudging my arm playfully. I followed him back to work, parting ways at the elevator. I went down while he took the other elevator up. Getting to the car, I carefully drove back to the apartment and gave the keys to the valet. I have never been so scared driving before, petrified of scratching or denting the car. Even I will admit, I am not the best driver. I’m actually shocked I even passed my driver test. I managed to reverse park once for the test, and since then don’t even attempt it now. Hence the dents. I am one of the worst parkers and have hit many stationary objects mainly trying to reverse.

　　Getting back to my apartment, I sit down, suddenly having time on my hands I didn’t know what to do with. After half an hour of being bored, I decided to clean and finish unpacking. I scrubbed the apartment for about two hours. Deciding to grab a drink, I poured myself a large glass of vodka and added raspberry syrup to it that I found in the pantry.

　　Grabbing my phone, I scrolled through one of my many reading apps before deciding on Wattpad. I dived right into another world full secrets. I was completely enthralled in the book that I couldn’t put it down, needing to know how it ends. The author who wrote the book had me on edge the entire time.

　　When I heard a loud knock on the door, I glanced at the time. It was 8:30pm. I was so into the storyline, I hadn’t realised six hours had passed.

　　“The door is open.” I called out. I didn’t want to lose my spot on the book. Theo walked in and took a seat across from me. I glanced at him before my eyes went back to the story. I was on the last chapter, I just needed to find out how it ends.

　　“What are you reading?” I ignored him, motioning with my finger to hold on a minute. Finishing the book, I answered.

　　“A book on Wattpad called The Secrets We Keep, by a lady called Nikkileetaylor1,” I told him.

　　“What’s it about?”

　　“About two woman whose lives cross, both have secrets of their past that haunt them. Eventually their lives collide into each other, and when it all comes full circle, they eventually save each other. It’s full of suspense, and I haven’t been able to put it down since I started reading it. I just needed to know how it ended. I really hope she writes a second book; it was beautifully written.”

　　“Hmm interesting. I will have to check it out. What did you say the author’s name was again?” Theo asked pulling his phone out of his pocket.

　　“Nikkileetaylor1. Her book is brilliant, should be in bookstores.”

　　Theo nodded and typed it into his account. “You use Wattpad?”

　　“Yep, this her?” he asks, pointing to her profile. I nod my head and watch as he adds her story to his reading list.

　　“So, what has brought you here?” I asked.

　　“I needed to grab my keys and I got you a present.”

　　“Present? After the way I yelled at you both?”

　　“Go open the door to the courtyard.”

　　Getting up, I make my way the small courtyard. When I pull the curtain back, I see the stray waiting patiently by the door. I squealed in excitement at seeing my furry friend. Opening the door, I throw my arms around his big neck. Theo’s amused expression watched me from the door. “Where did you find him?”

　　“At the storage locker. He was sulking and lonely. Bit of a big sook if ya ask me. But man, he is huge barely fit in the taxi.” I ruffled his fur, resting my head on his furry one. He licked my face and I stood up. “So, what you gonna name him?”

　　“I don’t know, are dogs allowed here?”

　　“Yes, but there is strict policy on cats. No cats.”

　　“Well in that case, I have no idea. Come on, boy.” I tapped my leg trying to get the dog to follow. He did, walking through the apartment. He hopped up on the lounge, making himself comfortable.

　　Theo went and sat beside him patting his head. Remembering I brought dog food earlier, I went and got the can opener and pulled the can from the pantry. “So where is Tobias?”

　　“He is around probably still sulking about your argument earlier.”

　　I nodded trying to get the can opener to grip the can so I can open it. “What are you doing? What’s that smell?” Theo called from his position on the lounge.

　　“I got him some dog food,” I managed to get the can completely open and poured it into a bowl. Theo was chuckling to himself on the lounge. “What?” I asked wondering what was so funny. He just shook his head and walked over. “Come on, boy,” I said placing the bowl on the ground. The stray walked over and spotted the bowl. He suddenly stopped in his tracks and started backing up growling. “It says it’s beef. Dogs like beef, don’t they?”

　　Theo got up and tried to drag him closer to the bowl by his shoulders. “Come on big boy, eat your slop. Doesn’t it look wonderful?” he said. The dog snapped and snarled baring his teeth and growling, while Theo, chuckling to himself, tried to get him closer to the bowl of food. The dog suddenly sat, digging his claws into the floor, trying to escape Theo.

　　“I don’t think he wants it. I will see if I can make him something.” The dog snapped at Theo’s hand. Walking over, I smack him softly on the nose. “Bad dog, don’t bite,” I tell him. The dog looked shocked and put his head down and whined.

　　“Aww come here, big fella,” Theo tells him and rubs his face, pulling on his cheeks. The stray growls, annoyed with Theo tugging on his face.

　　“Maybe you should leave him alone. He looks like he is getting cranky,” I tell Theo. This is the most laid back and the most I have ever seen Theo laugh around me.

　　“You know who he reminds me of? Tobias, you should name him Tobias,” he states, I laugh. Their temperament is similar.

　　“Somehow I don’t think boss man will like it if I call a dog after him.”

　　“Well, I will leave you to it but will see you in the morning,” Theo said walking to the door, leaving me with the stray.

　　After Theo left, I went and found a steak hidden in the freezer. Chucking it on defrost in the microwave, I stood next to the counter. The stray laid at my feet when the microwave finished. I pulled it out and found a frypan. Turning on the gas stove, I placed the fry pan on it and started cooking the steak, after a few minutes it was done. I then cut it in half and placed it on two plates.

　　Grabbing both plates, I walked back to loungeroom placing one on the ground beside me. The stray dug in, eating the steak. I watched while I ate mine and flicked through channels until I found something that looked interesting. Not that I would be watching it, I just the liked the noise. The silence in the apartment was deafening. When I was finished, I took both plates to the kitchen and washed them. Leaving the dog in the in the loungeroom, I jumped in the shower.