Red

Chapter 3

Eldy wondered if he was seeing things or if the Lady he once chased and lost with his car some minutes ago was the very lady standing in front of him.

"Um. I uh.. I think I've seen you somewhere, but never mind, its just a silly coincidence." He quickly covered up and straightened his muddy suit. An action he was used to.

"Your dogs." The lady's eyes widened again. She immediately hung her bag on her shoulder and ran after the two muddy dogs that were running back into the park.

He stood there watching her as she caught the first leash. Maybe she truly was the girl he was looking for. She took the dog and tied it to the gate. She looked up at him.

"Are you not going to help me catch your dogs?" She asked him, looking him in the eye.

"Oh sure. Yeah. Sorry about that." He adjusted his suit again and ran after the three dogs that he could see running towards the junction.

Who knew tiny dogs ran fast? He managed to get one dog. When he tried to get the second dog, the first one he caught ran off again.

"Oh come on!" He lifted his hands in frustration and his face showed disappointment. No wonder the girl tied the first dog before rushing to get the next one.

He tried again and this time, he caught the first dog he saw. "Yes!" He fist pumped the air. For some reason, he was excited about his accomplishment.

When he returned to the gate to tie up the dog, he saw five dogs waiting there already tied up and the Lady was sweating profusely.

"You really need to exercise." She smiled at him again. That award winning smile. This woman was beautiful.

"Tell me about it." He rolled his eyes and smiled.

"I'm Eldy. What's your name?" He stretched out his right hand for a formal handshake. She shook his hand.

"I'm Rebecca."

"Thank you very much Rebecca." Eldy gave her a curt nod.

"You're welcome. We have a new washroom in the restaurant. I could help you find your way there. We have few t-shirts and khaki shorts in the staff closet, I could get you a pair. Don't worry about the dogs. There's a self serve dog wash building down the road. I'll take the dogs there after showing you your way to the washroom." Rebecca offered.

"Okay. I have some clothes in the car. I'll go pick them up. I'll be right back." Eldy started his journey to the end of the car park where the sedan was parked.

Rebecca alerted the car park security and asked for their assistance.

"Miss Rebecca how may we help you." The guard beamed. Every staff always wanted to be around Rebecca. Her joy seemed to rub off on people.

"I don't mean to bother you Bret, but please could you help me watch over these dogs. I have to attend to a client. I'll be right back." She smiled softly.

"Of course. No trouble at all. Glad to help." Bret heartily agreed. He stood by the gate with her till Eldy returned.

"Let's go then." Rebecca smiled at Eldy and mouthed 'thank you' to Bret. He replied with a mock salute, making her smile.

They silently walked side by side till they got to the restaurant's back door. Rebecca took the lead and ushered him through the tiny passage, store and finally washroom.

Eldy didn't fail to notice how everywhere was spotless. Even though this part of the restaurant was rarely visited, but then again, today was the reopening.
'Lets wait a few months and see what happens' He thought to himself.