Chapter 1

Amelia’s POV

Sauntering down the suburb street, I talk to my phone, holding the leash with the other hand. I’m walking Bucks, a beautiful and purebred Alaskan Malamute. The dress I wear is the latest release from the runway. To anyone who passes by, I must look like that type of rich and carefree girl who spends all her day splurging on frivolous things. But they will think otherwise if they hear what I am talking about.

“Please, I’m penniless. I don’t even have money for lunch. Just give me ten more days. I’ll pay the rental as soon as I get paid…Thank you so much! Love you! Bye!”

I hang up my phone in satisfaction. I know, a pleading tone and a sweet voice with a hint of flattery always help me get my way. That’s how I manage to grow up without parents. 

The fact is, the dog, the dress, and the striking high-heels, none of them belong to me.

Bucks is actually the pet of a rich couple. Its white and brown fur is soft and fluffy, obviously well-groomed. This couple is out for a vacation and they pay me a handsome sum of money for taking care of Buck.

Bucks has just finished a hearty meal. He has a huge appetite and everything he eats is the top quality. Bucks lives the life of a prince, and I’m his servant. Can’t say I’m not envious.

The dazzling dress and high-heels come from my first part-time model job. The brand gives them to me and I don’t have time to change clothes. So here I am, walking the dog in high heels.

Yes, I’m a nineteen-year-old pathetic girl who has to juggle several part-time jobs to earn a living. Life has been hard ever since I was born. For most time of my life, I’m drowned in debt. So I work like hell to survive. And life is getting better. Being a part-time model has a higher hourly wage than any of my previous jobs. Finally, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Suddenly, Bucks stops and pricks up his ears. I also stop and look at him in curiosity.

I squat down and reach out a hand to pat him. All of a sudden, he bolts forward. The sudden movement startles me, and I fall backward, my grip slipping off the leash. My heart leaps into my throat as Bucks begins to sprint away.

Is he suddenly going wild? I remember his parents describe him as a “tame and smart boy”.

In the blink of an eye, Bucks is already far away from me. Without much hesitation, I run after him.

“Bucks! Stop!” I run and scream, trying my best to get close to him. 

The goddamn high heels! I almost sprain my ankle. I take them off and run, clutching a high heel in each hand.

I’m running my gut out and I’m soon exhausted. I stop to pant. Seeing Bucks disappear into the bush plunges me into desperation.

“Bucks!” I reach out my hand toward the direction of the bush in vain.

I’ll be damned if Bucks gets lost.

I take a deep breath, pull myself together, and keep going. I grit my teeth and run on the grassland barefoot. The grass blades prickle!

When I stop for the second time to take a break, I don’t know where I am. I look around. It’s a completely strange place. Bucks is nowhere to be seen.

It sucks!

Suddenly, a bark breaks the air. When I hear more, I know it’s not a hallucination.

I walk in the direction of the sound. As I walk near, I can hear the rowdy music and people chatting, mingled with the intermittent barks. My eyes light up. Bucks, is that you?

I only hesitate for seconds before I get into the bushes. I would rather get lost than get back without the dog and get drowned by debts again.

Pushing through the bushes, I’m completely surprised by what’s in front of me.

There is a large clearing with a bunch of young men and women having fun. A young and beautiful man with blonde hair is feeding a dog, and that’s Bucks! 

I run over with excitement, not realizing that everyone present has changed their face and the music has also stopped.

I squat down and finally, I get hold of the leash.

“Bucks! How can you run away?” I ask with a reproaching tone. I stand up, wear my high heels, and look at the young man with embarrassment. 

“Thank you so much!” I reveal my brightest smile to him, only to find him staring at me with an unfathomable expression. It seems he doesn’t welcome me at all.

Fine, having a party in the middle of nowhere, I guess they don’t want to get bothered, though they still get bothered by a dog, and then by me.

Anyway, it’s time to leave. And if I could foretell what would happen later, I would definitely run away as fast as I could. Sadly, the smell of food overwhelms me. I’m hungry from running for such a long time. The desire for good food gets control.

“Bucks, it’s time to go back home!” I pull the leash slightly, pretending I’m trying hard to urge Bucks to leave. Bucks squats down and doesn’t move the slightest.

Smart boy!

I cover my head with my hand and take a deep breath, pretending that I don’t know what to do.

After seconds of hesitation, I talk to the young man reluctantly.

“Excuse me, can I join you guys?”

He frowns. A striking girl stands in front of him and asks to join his party, and he frowns. He’s really weird. What’s the party exactly about?

“I’m really sorry for imposing, but my dog won’t leave. I’m just a college student. And you can just totally ignore me.” I use that tone again.

It works as expected. The young man looks at me up and down with scrutinization. After a second, he finally nods.

“You can stay here for a while, but I suggest you forget everything about it after the party.” I nod wildly and thank him. He leaves.

Good! It is weird, but so far so good!