The Unseen Apprentice of Afton

𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑚𝑦(2)

Camila’s POV

The bright sun streamed through the windows of Happy Paws, the veterinary clinic I shared with Devoria. The cheerful atmosphere was filled with the sounds of barking dogs and the soft hum of equipment in the back room. I usually loved coming here; the scent of disinfectant mixed with the unmistakable warmth of animal companionship always made me feel at home. Today, however, a cloud of unease hung over me like a shadow.

Devoria was already behind the reception desk when I arrived, her long hair tied back in a practical bun. She was busy organizing the day’s appointments, her brow furrowed in concentration. I could see she was still processing the unexpected revelation about her cousin Sara and her engagement to William Afton.

"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual as I set my bag down. "How’s it going?"

Devoria looked up, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Just another busy day at Happy Paws," she replied, though her voice was tight. "I’ve got a full schedule today."

I leaned against the desk, feeling a mix of sympathy and concern. "You okay? About Sara…"

Devoria sighed, rubbing her temples. "Honestly? I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I mean, she’s engaged to him. It feels surreal."

"I get it." I glanced around the clinic, avoiding her gaze for a moment. "What do you think? Is she really happy with Afton?"

"I hope so," Devoria replied, her voice softening. "But it worries me. He’s not someone you just get involved with lightly. I wish she could see that." She paused, taking a deep breath. "But she’s an adult. I can’t protect her from her choices."

The bell above the door chimed, interrupting our conversation. A couple walked in, their golden retriever wagging its tail enthusiastically. The distraction was welcome, but the knot in my stomach remained. I forced a smile and greeted them, guiding them through the check-in process while Devoria took the lead with the dog.

As I filled out the paperwork, my mind drifted back to Sara. How could she be so oblivious to the risks? Afton wasn’t just a man with a complicated past; he was a walking storm. I wished I could shake her and make her see the potential danger lurking beneath the surface of her new life.

After the couple left, I sat down in the break room, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. I glanced out the window, watching the clouds shift in the sky. Everything seemed so normal, so calm, yet I felt as if I was standing on a precipice, waiting for something to go wrong.

Devoria joined me a few minutes later, her expression still serious. "I spoke to the vet about our schedule for today," she said. "We’ve got a few routine check-ups and some vaccinations. Nothing too crazy."

"Good," I replied, forcing my focus back to the work at hand. "That should keep us busy."

As the hours passed, we moved from one task to another, checking in animals and assisting the vet. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. I noticed the way Devoria would sometimes pause, her gaze lost in thought, as if the weight of her cousin’s choices was pulling her down.

Finally, during a lull in the afternoon, I decided to broach the subject again. "Dev, do you think we should talk to Sara? I mean, maybe we could try to make her see what’s really going on with Afton."

Devoria leaned back in her chair, her eyes thoughtful. "I don’t know, Camila. What if she doesn’t want to hear it? She might see us as trying to meddle in her life."

"But isn’t it better to try? What if she’s in over her head?" I pressed, leaning forward. "I just can’t shake the feeling that she doesn’t really know him, that he’s hiding something."

Devoria’s expression hardened slightly. "You don’t know Sara like I do. She’s always been headstrong. If she thinks she knows what she’s doing, it’s hard to convince her otherwise. And the more we push, the more she might pull away from us."

"Then what do we do?" I asked, frustration creeping into my voice. "Just sit back and watch her walk into a disaster?"

Devoria bit her lip, clearly torn. "I don’t know. Maybe we should just keep an eye on her, make sure she’s okay. If she really is happy with Afton, then what can we do? It’s her life."

I nodded, though the pit in my stomach remained. I didn’t like the idea of just waiting. I wanted to protect Sara, even if she didn’t realize she needed it. I glanced at the clock, grateful for the distraction when our next appointment walked through the door—a fluffy black cat with bright green eyes.

As I took the cat from its owner, I felt the familiar warmth of the animals surrounding me, a comfort in the chaos of my thoughts. But even with the distraction, I could feel the weight of what was happening outside the clinic, the shadows lurking at the edges of my mind.

Later that evening, as we were finishing up the day, Devoria and I were cleaning the reception area when the door swung open again. My heart raced as Sara walked in, her face alight with a mix of excitement and determination.

"Hey, you two!" she greeted, her voice bright. "I just wanted to drop by and say hi."

"Hey, Sara," I replied cautiously, exchanging a glance with Devoria. "How’s everything going?"

"Busy! William’s been swamped with meetings, but we’re planning a small get-together for friends this weekend. You both should come!" she said, her enthusiasm palpable.

A small get-together? The last thing I wanted was to be in the same room as Afton, but I knew it wouldn’t be polite to decline. Devoria’s eyes widened slightly, and I could tell she was just as wary as I was.

"Sounds… nice," Devoria said, her voice carefully measured. "What kind of gathering?"

"Just a casual thing, nothing too formal," Sara replied, brushing off Devoria’s concern. "We’ll just hang out, have some drinks. It’ll be fun!"

"Fun," I echoed, my mind racing. I couldn’t help but feel this was a trap—a chance for Afton to showcase his world and draw us into it. "What about Afton? Is he going to be there?"

Sara’s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. "Yeah, he’ll be there. But don’t worry! He’s really excited to meet you both. He wants to get to know my family."

Family. The word felt loaded, and I wasn’t sure how to respond. My heart raced at the thought of being in Afton’s presence, the uncertainty mixing with the unease in my gut.

"Well, we’ll see," Devoria said, a hint of hesitation in her voice. "I’m sure we can find time."

Sara beamed, clearly oblivious to the tension. "Great! I can’t wait to see you both there."

As she left the clinic, I felt the walls closing in around me. I looked at Devoria, who was shaking her head in disbelief.

"What do we do?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Devoria sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. "I don’t know, Camila. I just don’t know."

The evening wore on, and as we locked up the clinic, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were about to be pulled into a web of danger—one that we might not be able to escape. The shadows of Sara’s choices loomed larger than ever, and I feared the light we had built in our lives at Happy Paws was about to be overshadowed by the darkness surrounding William Afton.

Friend or enemy?

I could only hope we’d figure it out before it was too late.