My Girlfriend, My Pet.

Chapter 5

Mike and Raiden were in the office, discussing plans for the fundraiser when his receptionist buzzed in to announce that a certain Elizabeth Stark was here to see him. "God...now? I thought I told her to come-nevermind, just send her in.", Raiden said as he hung up the phone. 

"You know, she'll probably wanna' sit next to you. Again.". Mike rolled his eyes and from what he was trying to insinuate, she'd probably tried to do so multiple times in the past. Raiden confirmed it, reluctantly. 

The knock on his door signalled her arrival as the receptionist ushered her in. Elizabeth Stark, first and only daughter of William Stark and poised to take over from her father when he retires in a few years' time. Stark Pharmaceuticals was one of the largest drug companies in the nation - and the co-host for the fundraiser. Raiden never bothered much with the company or William himself, it was Elizabeth who posed an issue for him. 

Elizabeth Stark was notorious for using her looks to gain any possible advantage when it comes to strengthening her connections - especially if it provided her with an extra layer of financial security. She played the same game with Raiden many years ago but when he announced his engagement, she knew all hope was lost with him. Not anymore, though. Ever since she heard he was back on the market, Elizabeth had been a constant niggle in his otherwise decent - if not lonely, life. 

"Good morning, boys.", she said as she sauntered into the room and sat almost too close to Mike. Raiden had the benefit of an oak table to separate him from her. The two of them mumbled their greetings in response, Mike scooting his seat to open a gap between them in the process. 

"I know you told me to drop by a little after twelve today but I figured we could quickly get this out of the way and we can perhaps have lunch.". She made sure she looked Raiden in the eyes as she suggested lunch. 

"We're not exactly ready for you right now, Elizabeth. We're only discussing entertainment for the guests and-"

She cut Mike off as she straightened in her seat, eyes still locked onto Raiden. 

"I understand. I'll let you get back to it once I sort a couple of important issues with Raiden. Personally.". 

Mike gave her a look and shook his head as if to say 'Can you believe this woman?'. 

"Mike, if you could excuse us for just...ten minutes. We should be done by then. Right?". Raiden made sure he was clear to her. No more, no less. 

Mike got up and left, mouthing 'Bitch', right before he closed the door behind him. 

Mike was right. Elizabeth had wanted to discuss the seating plans with him, suggesting they be seated together while Mike was planted with the people from the shelter. The shelter. Maggie had informed Raiden and Mike that her friend might not be interested in turning up, instead sending some of the volunteers along. If she did, she would only stay for maybe an hour or two before leaving. Why did that bother him so much? She probably isn't even interested in the whole thing - and him. 

"You good with that?". Elizabeth's voice jolted him back into focus.

"Uhm...yeah. Sure. Just make sure that Mike is seated with the team leader from the shelter. Uhm...the one who-"

"Maggie, yes?", Elizabeth clarified as she scribbled something on her notepad. 

"Yes. Put Mike next to Maggie.". At least Mike would be happy that night. 

~~~

Raiden couldn't explain it himself. A man of logic and reason, he knew that whatever course of action he undertook, it had to be practical. Head on, heart off. His heart must have been on because the minute he was done with work, he asked Mike for the shelter details and address. 

Standing outside the shelter at half past five in the evening, a rather self-righteous volunteer attended to him. "Excuse me, sir. The shelter is closed for today. As you can see...", he pointed to the sign, "...no visitors after five. Plus, sir...you're not exactly dressed for the occasion. If you wanted to volunteer, we recommend you come in something you wouldn't mind getting dirty.". 

No wonder people hated tree huggers - and goody-two-shoes here was no different. Just because you're doing something charitable, it doesn't give you the right to be a prick about it.

Raiden was about to put him in his place when Maggie greeted him, noticed the 'saint' and told him what Raiden was actually doing for the shelter. He apologized and left but Raiden knew it wasn't sincere. 

"Sorry. We can't exactly say no to anyone who wants to help here, if you catch my drift.", Maggie said as she gave him the tour. The shelter was unlike any of the shelters he had been to. SPCA shelters were palaces compared to this. It wasn't exactly deplorable but one could tell that it received only what was the bare minimum to keep the place running. Raiden felt a sudden pang of guilt. The fundraiser had become a lot more important to him. 

"You must be bored by now. I'm sure you had a reason to drop by.", Maggie said as they approached an open space where some of the resident dogs ran free. 

Raiden told her otherwise but he wasn't being polite for the sake of it. He genuinely liked the atmosphere here. It felt warm and homely. Before he got carried away, he asked if Iona was around as he needed to talk to her regarding the fundraiser. Maggie must've felt something was off about him as her tone changed, nothing serious but she seemed unsure all of a sudden. Wait, she doesn't know if she was around? It's not a big shelter. 

Just as Raiden was about to excuse himself, probably to save Maggie the trouble of having to cover up for her friend who by now, was obviously not around - either that, or she was already avoiding him, when a brown-white border collie strolled up to them and immediately started sniffing Raiden. 

"Hey there...boy? Girl?", Raiden said as he sat down and started stroking the collie's body. 

Maggie swallowed a lump. "Girl. That one's definitely a girl.". She didn't know how to react. There were only four resident dogs who were allowed to run free around the compound, and a border collie was definitely not one of them. 

"Aww, she's absolutely beautiful. Her coat is so soft.". Knowing that Iona was capable of taking care of the situation, Maggie relaxed. "Yeah, she's so...beautiful.". When the border collie tilted its head towards Maggie, she could've sworn she saw it grinning. 

"Is she up for adoption?". Both Maggie and the dog froze for a moment.

"Uhm, no. Sorry, Raiden. This one is already adopted.". Think Maggie, think. "She's actually sponsored. The owner pays for its upkeep but it stays here.". 

Raiden nodded as he got to his feet, the border collie suddenly coming alive again. "I guess I should make a move now. I'm probably keeping you here and I doubt your friend is around-"

"Her name is Iona.", Maggie smiled as the border collie was busy licking her hands. 

"Iona...nice name. Well, tell her that it would be great if she could show up. Bring the volunteers as well, we have more than enough seats for everyone but we just need to get the final number in ASAP. Here's my card. Feel free to call, the both of you, if you guys have any questions.". 

With that said, Maggie had insisted she and the border collie walk Raiden out to his car where he gave the dog one last firm stroke of its body before driving away. 

~~~

"I am beautifooooool...", Iona sang as she crashed next to Maggie on the couch, who was halfway through her cheeseburger. "I am beautifooool...". 

"Yargh...yargh...", she said through mouthfuls. "You really owe me big time! I pretty much did the introductions, got his number and everything while you decided 'Hey! Imma' morph into a border collie and get him to stroke me all over'. You owe me, Iona!". 

"Fine! Fine! I owe you.", she said as she started on her potato salad. "...but really, thank you. The whole thing with the sponsor was pure genius.". 

"Say it. Say it!". 

"Okay! Okay! You're a genius!", Iona cried as Maggie attempted to force-feed her half a cheeseburger.