"Come on! Stop the extreme formality. I'm still the Rain, you know, and your friend from college," he humbly answered as he was gently shaking his head and smiling a little. I smiled at his being down to earth. He had Tony checked and was able to rule out the problem. He prescribed medications and vitamins to help my dear cat recover. After we spoke about Tony's condition, it was time that we talked about casual things, like he mentioned to me that he is now the one who manages and runs this vet clinic since his father, Dr. Henley Gregori, died two years ago. I was sad knowing about that. I knew Dr. Henley, and we had spoken in the past, too, with regard to the follow-up check-ups I did for Tony during the first months after I had my cat rescued. "I'm sorry, Rain. I didn't know he had already left two years ago. Things must be hard for you." I glanced at him. We were walking outside the vet clinic while I was still carrying Tony with me. He smiled sadly. "Yeah. It was hard to adj
"You're interested in adopting, Maam?" The guard asked me in a friendly way."Maam, if you want, you can tour around to see the other pups. There are so many of them here, and they are well taken care. You're going to love them for sure," one of the two drivers spoke to me."But you have to go through our desk first to follow the process before you will be allowed to see around the shelter. Anyway, you will be guided by one of the people here for your safety, as well. For now, it's best to go to our boss's office so you can also speak to him and he can tell you everything you want to know about this rescue center."I nodded. Following."Where's the boss's office?" I asked.I was really looking forward to seeing every rescued babies in this place."Were you sure that no one was left for Euthanasia, Benjamin?"I was waiting for them to point to me the direction of the office of the boss and the driver was about to do it, but we were interrupted with our talk when an imperious voice spok
"In fact, Trey, I know someone who I think will surely like to see you again after a long time," I said to him smilingly. He frowned in curiosity. "Who?" "Tony." He was taken aback and suddenly remembered our cat that had been away from him for years… As far as I could remember, he was no longer able to see Tony when I broke up with him years back, and the two of us separated, and eventually, I went abroad. "Tony…" he repeated, mentioning the cat's name. I know that deep inside his heart, he misses Tony and longs to see him again. Tony isn't just my cat alone, but also his. It was him that aided Tony and gave immediate medical care the first time that we first rescued the latter from the danger of the street. "Where is he? Can I see him? Will you allow me to see Tony again?" "Of course! The moment that we got him saved, he wasn't only mine but yours too. And yes, you can see him. I allow you. Actually, I brought him with me today." I saw from his eyes that he was somehow touch
(Trey's POV)"No! Don't take her away from me! Camila, don’t go with him!"I was mad and crying and almost begging just for the man not to take the love of my life away from me!Camila was crying while looking at me and her face was so sad, eagerly wanting me to not give up on her and save her.But no matter how I was trying to save her, to get her away from the strong man who was stealing her, I couldn't move my feet. I couldn't run. It felt like there were waves of invisible walls preventing me from going any closer to where they were!"Trey, help me!""Camila! Camila, don't go with him!""Trey, I don't want to go with him but what can I do? He is pulling my hand! Trey!"I begged on the man who was so determined to take her away. He looked exactly like me. It was like I was looking at the mirror while looking at this man! "Noah, please! If you really love her, you're going to let her go and be happy with the man she truly loves now! And we both know it's no longer you but me! Camila
"No!!!" She screamed and covered herself when I was about to grab her to throw her again like a paper in the floor to make her see her doom.But I suddenly reverted to my sanity, and my full rage didn't win when I realized I couldn't really kill somebody who once was close to me.Lorelei was not only my friend, but also a close friend to my cousins. And I couldn't kill her. Somehow, even though she did me wrong, I still pitied her when I heard her screaming and crying storms for her life.I already said it. I wasn't as bad as others were seeing me. I still had conscience, heart, and pity. And I pitied Lorelei. I couldn't totally kill her though I wanted to because of what she did.When she heard the silence and I was calming myself kneeling in front of her, sighing deeply and heavily, she raised her head to look at me and she was shaking her head, still pleading with me to have her spared."I'm sorry, Trey. I only did it because I hoped and wished that we could still be back together
"How are you, Trey?"Unbelievable! I hadn't seen her in such a long time. And, as far as I could recall, that was the instant I warned her never to show me her face again. After that night, she decided not to run into me anymore, and she vanished like a bubble in the air."I'm fine. How are you, Lori? It's been so long," I said.I was no longer angry or anything. Besides, I wanted to free myself from any hatred because I wanted to do what I needed to do and to focus on my goal, to achieve my dreams and aspirations.She smiled in a friendly, peaceful way. "Yeah. I'm all fine, too."Looking at her after years of not seeing her, I could say that she changed a lot. Not only did she mature—her face, aura, expressions, eyes, and body. A baby bump was even visible in her floral maxi dress."Can we talk, Trey? I mean, if only it's okay with you…"I glanced at my wristwatch. I still had an hour left before the lecture in the review center where I enrolled myself would resume.I nodded. "Alrigh
"Are you okay? You seem not feeling well, Doc."I shook my head, gathering myself together. "I'm okay.""Are you sure?"I nodded."We can reschedule this community service on the other day, if you want—""No. People are expecting to see us today. Let's not postpone and ruin our schedule."Ben, one of my members in this team of community service, hesitated."I'm alright, Doc Ben, if that's what you're minding. Now, we can't just stay here and wait for the dawn. The people in the neighborhood are waiting for us."He nodded, finally convinced and agreeing. "Alright then. Let's go, Doc."Our men power and vet-health assistants followed us.We were directed to their small plaza. There were guidelines and announcements first that had been held between us, the community service providers, and the people in this place.There had been attendance checking for their proof of presence of coming to the plaza and then eventually, later on, those who had their names listed on the form started to get
(Camila's POV)I personally brought the donation of goods to the rescue center.The company's delivery truck where I purchased the sacks of cat and dog food delivered them to the rescue facility. They followed the car I was driving in order to find the location where they would drop them off.The sanctuary's men and helpers assisted in receiving the goods.I also monitored and double-checked the items if they were complete and of in good and high quality condition. And as of the moment, I didn't encounter any issue with my purchases."Camila…"I looked at the man and owner of the rescue center who just came to check in here, too.I smiled. "Trey, hi!""This is a big help and a very kind action of your compassionate heart. The angels will surely love them and they will be forever grateful," he sincerely thanked.I nodded. "Welcome. For the rescued ones here, as much as I can and I have the blessings to give, I'm very happy to share.""You're very kind and generous, Maam! Surely, your h
SIX MONTHS LATER... "Long live the newlyweds!" "Best wishes!" Everyone cheered and applauded after Trey and I were declared husband and wife. He lifted my veil to kiss me and I responded eagerly as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Everybody was happy for the both of us and they wished us a healthier and abundant marriage, most especially the Gregoris—Trey's parents, cousins, and even his brother, Noah. "Congratulations, lovebirds! Remember our deal? You're going to spend the rest of your lives making each other happy every single day, okay?" He reminded us. Both Trey and I nodded sincerely. Above everyone in the celebration hall, the two of us were the happiest ones. Genuinely happy that finally we were able to turn our dreams into reality. He tapped Trey's shoulder and they gave each other a warm brotherly hug. "Thank you so much, Noah. Thank you for understanding and thanks for giving way for our true happiness," I said from the bottom of my heart. And for the last time,
Noah brought a chair, placed it beside me, and sat on it. He was also looking after his brother."There wasn't any single time that I could remember I had been a good brother or at least treated him in a kind way…" he spoke, breaking the silence between us.I looked at him, and then he continued, "But you know what's ironic? That was despite me obviously despising my own brother, he has always been there for me. He was saving me, protecting me. Even before, since we were young and I wasn't yet aware of his existence, of my real identity, he was already helping me in silence. He always got my back, and though he wasn't getting anything in return, he was always willing to do something for me because he always wanted to see his brother being so well.”I knew it. I have really fallen crazy in love with an absolutely selfless man!"You know what, since then, he's really been there and always ready to save my life from harm or any danger. He never leaves me... Even if his own life would be
(Camila's POV)Walking back and forth to the wide ground of the residences of the Gregoris, my heart seemed to uncalm from its fast and hard pounding because I'd been waiting for Trey's troops to come back from the battlefield, where they had to fight to get Barbara after she was abducted.I couldn't take it easy. I could not even calm down. I felt bothered and scared that something might happen, especially to Trey and to Noah. Yes, both of them went there. As the ruler, Trey led the troops, while Noah insisted on coming with them because he also felt responsible for saving his family member.Seconds later, a siren on the whole building created a loud noise, indicating that the troops had already returned, and they were successful in getting Barbara back!The main gate opened and the first voice I heard, aside from the noises of the feet of the troop members running and hurrying, was Abigail's screaming and crying, "Trey is badly wounded! Trey is badly wounded, everybody!"My world sa
(Camila's POV)Noah and I went home after that long and draining double engagement night."Good night, Noah," I told him and was about to go to my room when he called me in a low, deep voice."Camila…""Hmmn—" I turned around to look at him, but I was surprised when he pulled my hand and brought me very close to his body.He held my waist tightly, and his eyes screamed desperation, hunger, longing, and sadness…"Noah, what are you doing—" I was cut to my words when he claimed my lips."Noah!" I tried pushing him gently on his chest, but when I felt like it was to no avail because he wouldn't let me go, I stopped, and instead, I just responded to his kisses.It was a responsibility of mine, wasn't it? He's my boyfriend, and he's kissing me, therefore, it's my responsibility to return his kisses. I responded to it as I should, as I obliged.He only freed my lips when he stopped, but his face remained very close to mine. He brought our foreheads touched.His breathing was deep, and the l
(Trey's POV)I could just watch her from afar… She was walking out of the hall and walking away from everybody, from where I stood…"Congratulations on your engagement," one of the seniors in the pack went to the table where my fiancée—Beth—and I were standing.We smiled at him and nodded and thanked him, then we granted his invitation for a toast.He proceeded to talk and have fun with other guests and invitees, and the cycle just went on and on every time anybody would approach to congratulate us and have a toast. We would smile at them, thank them, and toast our drinks."Trey, Beth, you really look great together. We wish nothing but abundance in your upcoming wedding," dad said happily when he went to us.Beside him and clinging to his arm was mom, who was also smiling happily upon nearing to us."Thanks, mom and dad."They both gave me a hug.And that's what Beth did, too. She greeted them, giving respect to elders, as well as her being their future daughter-in-law."I'm really g
I saw Trey from the glass door stopping and taking a look at me for the last time. He saw me and Noah hugging. I could see the hurt in his eyes, and yet he chose to shrug it off and totally went away.I knew that starting with this, I had lost him forever. He walked out of my life…After our hug, Noah cupped my face and almost endlessly thanked me for not leaving him, and for choosing him instead of Trey."I'm sorry, my love. I couldn't help it. I'm so happy and delighted that it's really still me that's in your heart even after all these years!"I simply forced a smile though it was hard to do so because my heart just honestly felt so heavy at the moment.To be frank, I chose him for a reason even though I knew within me who really my heart wanted. But I disregarded the thought. I'm happy that Noah is back and he's alive, and now we'll be able to continue what we thought we had lost several years back. I should just focus on that and give Noah my full attention and love because I alr
(Camila's POV)"How have you been, Camila?" Trey asked with a low broken voice when we agreed to meet one day to finally talk about us."I'm doing fine. How have you been, too?" I asked back while not looking at him.It's been a week since the big revelation came, and yet I'm still, even up to this day, affected by what I just have discovered. I guessed everybody still is.He smiled a little and nodded. "I'm alright. I'm glad you asked."I finally looked at him. "What are you going to tell me, Trey? I need all the truth, please."He sighed a bit heavily and nodded his head. "Okay. I'm telling the whole story to you…"He started from the first time he knew he actually had a brother and Noah was sent away from home to grow up and be trained to be independent and strong in all challenges of life, how Trey played being the shadow and guide and protector of the crown son and the supposed Alpha of their clan."During that afternoon when the tragedy happened, I was also there, Camila. I saw
After that reckless move I made, I never dared to do it again anymore or do something like that. I backed myself off, especially from their relationship. I could not possibly do anything to ruin them and mess up the plan.I just continued to watch over my brother as per my seemed-to-be lifelong task and assignment to my family. I didn't dare anymore to get close or approach Camila again just like I did that day. And I learned to move on my own. I should respect their relationship given the fact that Noah is my brother and he is about to become the Alpha and ruler of the pack while Camila is to become his Luna and wife.I tried forgetting my feelings for my brother's girlfriend and though it was hard because my own heart seemed to betray me at all time, I still fought it and instilled in my mind that I should really leave them alone because it's obvious that the two of them are the ones meant for each other. I am just a guardian and witness of their love.I also taught myself that I sh
One time, it was so reckless of me to have found my feet directing to where exactly Camila was sitting.She was at one of the tables inside a restaurant in a mall, and she was waiting for Noah because, basically, they agreed to have a date that day.I also wanted to feel and experience what it would be like if I stood next to her if I ever talked to her, and she would speak to me. I just really wanted to be in my brother's shoes, even for a little while, especially regarding his relationship with his girlfriend.Soon as she saw me at the restaurant door, she called my name… Noah's name, to be exact, because she was waiting for him and she or they—both her and my brother—didn't even know my existence…"Noah!" She waved at me happily and excitedly.My heart jumped. It felt like my world had suddenly stopped, and I could only see the two of us. I wasn't even able to move my feet!She stood up, waved at me, and ran to me. I was taken aback, and my feet turned to jelly as she hugged me.D*