Page 14 of The CEO

“Hello?” she answered breathlessly. “No, stay on the sidewalk.”

“Pria, is everything okay? I got your message.”

“Kingston… I mean Mr. Avery, um… yes, I believe everything is okay. I waited to hear from you, but the dogs really seemed to need to go outside. I know you’re busy…” There was a muffled noise and then a loud squeak. “I was hoping for some direction on how to walk two… large dogs and one little one.”

I had a feeling she was calling Sarah and Orvy something else in her head and it was most likely rightfully so. They could be a handful. I couldn’t imagine someone as small as her trying to take them out. I really was an asshole for asking her to do this for me.

“You’ve got to show them who’s boss. Say it like you mean it and they’ll listen. They’ve all been to obedience school.” I didn’tmention how Sarah had flunked twice. She understood what you said, the problem was she didn’t care. Orvy hated getting in trouble so he always did what he was told, and Jimmy went with the flow. He was pretty chill unless he was humping something.

“Okay.” She didn’t sound too convinced. “Maybe I’ll watch some videos on YouTube tonight or something. Do you think it would be okay if I walked them one at a time until I get the hang of it? Me and poor Jimmy can barely keep up.”

“That should be fine as long as you take them all out.”

“I wouldn’t leave one out.” Her voice rang with offense down the line.

“No, of course, not.” If I had an evil smile one would be plastered across my face in that moment.

Maybe I should’ve told her I usually held Jimmy after he’d done his business to make the process easier. I would give anything to see her right now. I’d bet anything it was comical as fuck seeing them pull her down the sidewalk like a rag doll.

“How many dog walkers do you usually have? I can’t imagine only one person doing this every time. Now I know why you’re in such great shape. It’s from chasing after your dogs all the time.”

So, she’d noticed I was in shape. Interesting. Things had been so hot and cold with Ms. Wang; I wasn’t sure if she was attracted to me or not. Maybe she was just observant, but I preferred it if this wasn’t a one-way street and she wanted me as much as I wanted her. Even if nothing could happen.

“As of right now, I only have you. Up until recently, I had a girl who did most of the dog walking.”

“Are you sure it was only her. Maybe her boyfriend came with her to help out because unless she was a… some sort of mutant or superhero or something, I don’t know how she did this. It’s impossible.” Pria sounded as if she was about ready to cry.

“Well, if you don’t think you can handle it, I can find someone else.” Somehow, I knew she’d take the bait andwouldn’t give up, and for some unexplainable reason, I didn’t want her to. I wanted her to still be in my apartment when I got home from my trip.

“I can handle it,” she hissed.

“Are you sure? You were just?—”

“No, Sarah. No,” Pria yelled out in terror.

Goose bumps prickled up my arms and the hair on the back of my neck stood. “Pria, what’s happening?” I asked as calmly as I could as I stood in the middle of the sidewalk. I didn’t care about all the people who tried to pass by.

“Leave the squirrel alone, Sarah Jessica Barker.”

I chuckled at hearing her call Sarah by her full name as if Sarah would listen better now. She would have gotten along with Murphy so well.

“Pria, tell me right now what’s going on!”

“She… Sarah’s trying to chase a squirrel. I don’t know, but she’s about to drag us all down with her.”

“Listen to me, Pria. Do not let go of the leash no matter what she does. You can’t let go.”

“I’m trying, but…” Pria screamed. It sounded as if her phone was dragged across the ground and then dropped.

“Pria. Pria, what happened? Answer me. Hello? Hello?” I drew out my hello in the hopes she would hear how worried I was but heard nothing. I looked down at my phone and the call had been dropped.

CHAPTER NINE

pria

Gritting my teeth,I kept my hold on the leashes as I got to my knees and stood up as Sarah tried to pull my arm out of its socket. I was doubtful she and Orvy were brother and sister. She had to have been switched at birth. She was still trying to get that damn squirrel she saw earlier. Was this the way she always reacted when she saw a squirrel because if that was the case, she was never leaving the apartment with me. Maybe I’d hire a dog walker just for her. It would be worth the money. I was lucky Orvy and Jimmy were sitting by my side rather than joining her; I’d be halfway across the state by now.

I could hear my phone’s ringtone going off in the distance. I had no idea where I dropped it when I fell and was dragged a few feet down the sidewalk. I was sure to have a huge bruise on my hip. I tried to stop the tears that had started to trail down my cheeks and tamp down my fears of being in charge of these dogs for the next week before taking them back to Kingston’s apartment. Swiping my face with the sleeve of my hoodie, I took a deep breath and prepared for battle.

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