close to my dialling heart

7🌹innocence and curiosity

🎶depression in her mind, poison in her blood. Anxiety in her heart, and she's screaming to be loved🎶
~Georgiou music~

XAVIER 🥀

After dropping Dove off at her dorm, I decided to take Cloud to my house instead. Yeah, Dove had already given him a name. On the way, I made sure to pick up all the essentials he needed. My only concern was how Karma, my energetic Doberman, would react if she saw him. She's so feisty she might mistake him for a toy and shred him to pieces. I didn't know how Dove would react if that happened, and I wasn't about to find out.

I pulled into my spacious garage, where three other cars were already parked. My collection included a sleek black Mustang, a vintage red Corvette, and a rugged Jeep Wrangler, each one reflecting a different aspect of my personality. I had a passion for cars, and I loved hunting down rare and unique models to add to my fleet. However, I rarely brought them to my current residence, which was only a temporary home for me.

Cloud whimpered softly in my arms as I carried him to the doorstep, juggling the various items I'd picked up for him. I set some of the items down on the ground so I could dig out my key card, which I slipped into my pocket before continuing to unpack the car. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door with a smile spreading across my face. There was no better feeling than walking into a room filled with fresh air and spotless furniture, a sense of calm and serenity washing over me.

As I entered the kitchen, I felt Karma rubbing against my jeans, her tail wagging excitedly. "Hey girl," I said, setting the boxes of dog food on the black marble counter. But suddenly, Karma's demeanor changed. She growled, her eyes fixed on Cloud, who was trying to squirm out of my arms for safety. I should have anticipated this reaction before bringing the puppy home.

"Hey, Karma, stop," I ordered, trying to calm her down. But she continued to glare and growl, her deep bark making Cloud tremble. I raised my voice, "Karma!" My sudden outburst made her take a step back, whimpering. I guess my voice was deeper than her bark, after all.

I spoke calmly, trying to reassure her, "Stop it, Karma." She turned her back on me, walking out of the kitchen with a sassy swish of her tail. If she could have rolled her eyes, she would have. I exhaled, "Crazy bitch." Cloud responded with a low growl, but he seemed to relax in my arms, as if sensing the tension had passed.

After settling Cloud in, I made sure to clean him up, feed him, and set up a cozy bed for him. Karma and I usually shared a bed, as she preferred to snuggle up close to me rather than sleep in her own bed. But when I told her to, she would grudgingly retreat to her own corner of the room. With Cloud all settled, I headed to my bedroom, ready to unwind with some exercises. My gym area was conveniently located in the same space as my bedroom, separated only by a glass wall. I always made time for my workout routine, no matter how exhausted I was. As I began to stretch, Karma sauntered into the room, still giving me the cold shoulder. She headed straight for her corner, clearly still upset with me. I stifled a chuckle, not wanting to provoke her further.

Just as I was about to start my workout, my phone rang. I groaned, knowing that calls always seemed to come at the most inconvenient times. I glanced at the screen and saw that it was my dad calling. I had been ignoring his calls all day, and I knew he wouldn't hesitate to express his displeasure if I didn't answer soon. I wasn't afraid of him, but I did respect him enough to maintain some boundaries. With a sigh, I answered the call, preparing myself for a potentially tense conversation.

"Father," I sighed, sliding open the door to my small gymnasium and heading straight to my treadmill. I had a feeling this call wouldn't be a quick one. "Xavier, didn't see my calls?" His husky voice sounded like he was getting comfortable, probably settling in for a long conversation.