dangerously yours (masquerade)

Chapter four

We walked briskly toward the back of the hotel where there was seen to be a large metal door. I was apprehensive about going there with this man who I had known for such little time but I was very much capable of defending myself. The door was ginormous and heavy which led me to believe that through that door the outside world would be revealed. I thought to myself why on earth he would be taking me through this door. He must be attempting to do something suspicious. I thought it best to keep my guard up.

"Just through here." He said struggling to open the big door.

Just then the door swung open and my nostrils were filled with what appeared to be a damp muddy smell. The room was dark. I couldn't see a single thing. Suddenly a ruckus of dogs barking echoed throughout the room. We both stepped inside. Rudolph picked up a gas lantern at the side of the door and turned it until it was shining bright.  It was very effective at lighting the room. The lamp revealed multiple dogs in crates, all looking with great excitement at us both.

"Dogs?" I questioned.

"Yes!" He said, smiling widely. "Now don't worry folks, there is enough for a little bit for everyone." He continued pulling out the leftover beef from his pocket.

"I... I never knew they kept dogs in here." I said, still trying to comprehend where I was.

"I recently found out." He beamed. "The folks staying in the hotel keep their dogs here. I've come down here each night with leftovers for them, only food that is good for dogs of course."

"How nice." I smiled. I turned to Rudolph who was smiling like a cheshire cat at all these dogs. Something about his excitement in seeing these dogs, subconsciously made my smile widen. "How do you know they won't bite?" I asked, suddenly concerned.

"They are all pets, so they never do. I guess it helps that I bring food for them." He laughed. "I've done it since I was a boy. Always snuck down after dinner with a pocket full of whatever and shared it out to the dogs. They only get fed very little scraps throughout the day. It reassures me to give them some of my food. Here." He handed me some roast beef.

I slowly knelt down to one of the puppies and gave them a healthy amount of roast beef. I laughed at the puppy's excited reaction. I turned to Rudolph who was doing much the same to a dog across the room. He petted it through the cage and it could not control its tail wagging happily. He turned to me, grinning from ear to ear. We finished feeding the dogs and watched them eat their food.

"I assume you like dogs?" I laughed.

"I love animals. I had many pets growing up. My Mother and Father hated them." He replied gazing lovingly at the dogs. "Humans don't deserve such creatures."

"I agree. Growing up we had many pets." I said, suddenly shivering at the cold.

"Oh I'm so sorry! Are you cold? You can have this if you would like." He took off his suits jacket and handed it to me.

I was confused by the gesture. It came apparent to me that this is how actual gentlemen act. Growing up I had never been in the presence of such a man. Flattered yet confused, I accepted his offer. He gently placed it on my shoulders and I smiled. We gazed at each other for much longer than needed and both quickly turned away flushed. Rudolph cleared his throat.

"So what pets do you have now?" He asked.

"None, I am afraid. My last cat recently passed on and well... Well I was too sad to get a new one." I spoke rather sadly. I had a cat when I was growing up. A stray I found one day and took in. I had to keep it hidden from my Father.

"I am very sorry," he said. "It's heartbreaking losing a pet."

"Very much." I said. "What about you? What pets do you have?"