Chapter 10: CHAPTER 14
Two days had already passed since Adrianna visited Garret in his office. It is not because she is avoiding him or his supposed-to-be bride. There is nothing about that woman to be afraid of. The reason why Adrianna is not visiting Garret is because of her cat.
She sends her three-year-old ragdoll cat, Captain Pluff, to the nearest animal clinic. Right now, her cat is undergoing an operation. Two minutes had already passed but Adrianna feels like she's been waiting for hours now. She keeps on standing and walking in front of the operating room with anxiousness.
She is regularly bringing her cat to its veterinarian to check its health condition. On their last checkup, Captain Pluff's doctor said he was obese and needs to lose a few weights. Adrianna felt guilty for her cat because it was her fault that it gained a few pounds. It was because she was trying to teach Captain Pluff a few tricks and used a box of treats as a reward.
Adrianna saw a video on her social media that humans can teach their cats a few tricks. In exchange, they will give them a treat as a reward. Excited, Adrianna bought a box of treats for her cat and start training him how to do at least a handshake or play like a dead animal. But after a few hours, Adrianna gave up when Captain Pluff did not even offer its front leg to give her a handshake.
The box of treats she bought was already near empty too. She tried giving her cat a treat first to lure him with her cat lessons but it was not effective at all. She also tried to be strict with it but all Adrianna received was a blank stare. In the end, Adrianna gave up on her mission to teach Captain Pluff and just simply fed him the treats she bought.
Captain Pluff gained a few weights and becomes a lazy cat after that. Their veterinarian gave her cat a good diet plan as a solution. She also gave Adrianna a list of what to prepare for her cat's meal. She thought that will be the last time they are going to visit the animal clinic this month.
But...
Adrianna's thoughts were disturbed when her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket. Checking who is the caller, she sees Garret's name on her screen. After hesitating for a moment, Adrianna clicks the green button to answer his call. She haven't said a word yet Garret asked her several questions in an instant.
(Adrianna, you finally answered my call! Where are you? I am here in front of your place. Can we talk? I just really need to explain everything to you. I swear that I have no deep relationship with Shayne Cruz. You are the only—)
"Garret..."
Garret quickly stops from talking when he heard Adrianna's voice. Her voice sounds so low. In an instant, he feels worried about her. He rarely hears her sound so down just like today and it is bothering him a lot.
(What's wrong, Adrianna? Did something happen?)
"Garret, my cat... Captain Pluff is getting an operation today..."
Garret's heart drops when he hears that. That fluffy cat is very important to Adrianna. Captain Pluff is a gift she received from her grandmother who passed away two years ago. Adrianna really loves her grandmother so much and promised that she will take good care of her last gift.
But that ragdoll cat doesn't like Garret at all. Captain Pluff always hisses at him whenever they see each other. Every time he visits Adrianna in her place, her cat will not waste any minute scratching or biting him on his arm or legs. Even if Garret will stay still in one place, that cat surely knows how to bully him since Adrianna's always biased towards it.
But although Garret's relationship with that cat is not pleasant at all, he knows Adrianna really loves it. So when he heard that Captain Pluff is getting an operation, Garret already knows why Adrianna is feeling so down today. This is enough to bring Adrianna to tears and it is something Garret doesn't want to happen.
(Where are you? I will go there as fast as I can.)
After Adrianna gives the animal clinic's location, she ended the call and let out a sigh. There is still no news about her cat. After less than five minutes, Garret finally arrives and sees Adrianna sitting near the operation room. He quickly sits next to her and holds her hands.
"Are you okay?" Garret carefully asked.
"Garret, my cat is inside the operation room with his vet and—"
"Sshh... Calm down. I'm already here. And nothing bad is going to happen with your cat."
"Hmm."
Garret gently massages Adrianna's hands to make her feel relaxed. He doesn't really want to see her acting like this. He would rather see Adrianna with her crazy antics instead of her depressing side. Garret shakes his head before he looks at Adrianna who is now pressing her lips.
"What happened to your cat anyway? Is he hurt?" Garret asked.
"Captain Pluff is—"
"Ms. Lavine."
Adrianna quickly stands up when the vet who performed surgery on her cat calls her name. The doctor is removing her gloves and has a gentle smile on her face. She takes a glance at Garret first before delivering the news about the cat's operation.
"Your cat is now in a good condition, Ms. Lavine. We successfully neutered your cat and it only needs to take a rest after its operation."
Neutered? Garret looks at Adrianna to ask for an explanation. But her focus is now on the veterinarian in front of them.
"There are cases when your cat might lick their surgery site so I will suggest making it wear an E-collar in the meantime. I will also make a list later on what it can eat while recovering."
"Thank you very much, doctor!"
After exchanging a few words, the doctor leaves them since she still has to see another pet patient. Adrianna let out a relieved sigh. She is finally free from worrying about Captain Pluff. When she turns her head around, Adrianna sees Garret looking at her with a questioning look on his face.
"Is there something wrong?" Adrianna asked.
"Your cat was neutered today?" Garret asked her back.
"Huh? Oh. I scheduled a neuter operation for Captain Fluff because I discovered yesterday that he made my neighbor's cat pregnant!"
"..."
"Can you imagine my surprise when my neighbor asked me to stop making our cats meet? And it turns out this is not the first time it happened. The first time Captain Pluff made my neighbor's cat pregnant, they did not make a fuss about it and just gave the kittens to their relatives. But my little naughty cat was continuously visiting our neighbor's cat in secret! No wonder there were times I cannot see him in my living room."
"...So your cat is not sick or did not have any accidents?"
"Hey! Stop cursing my cat!"
Garret really wants to collapse on the chair right now. The way Adrianna acted earlier made him think her cat is in grave danger. No wonder the veterinary nurse who came out of the operation room earlier has a weird look on her face. She must be thinking both of them are exaggerating when the cat is only being neutered inside.
"Garret, you should help me buy all the supplies my cat will need for his recovery. Okay?"
"Adrianna, you are really..."
"Huh?"
Garret let out a sigh and shakes his head.
"...Nothing. I just want to say that I really like you."
"Aww. Thank you! I also like your handsome face and body."
Garret stares at Adrianna who is giving him an innocent look before letting out another deep sigh. Nevermind. He still loves this girl so much.
-- Gift
received