Chapter 18

An idea popped into my head when I noticed King laying down in his bed. The park. I loved the fresh air that parks offer and I know King wouldn't mind going either. He didn't get to go very often because Valdo works from 8 to 5, which meant he was used to spending most of the day by himself but not today. I slowly stood from the couch. "King. We're going to the park." At the sound of his name, he jumped from his bed and came towards me. He stood in front me looking up with his tongue out. I laughed, "You love the park don't do?" I pat his head, then lifted my head to the door. Valdo didn't leave me a key beside the door on the key ring hook rack; there were a few keys. With King threading at my feet, I walked over to the door. I took the single key off the shelf and looked at it then at the door. I looked like it could work, so I push it in the door and turn. When I hear the click, I smiled. I pull the door towards me, and it opened. I pull the keys out with a smile on my face. "C' mon boy, you're going to the park." I gesture my hands for King to come with me, but he stopped at the door looking at the closet to the side. "Come on," I repeated, but he didn't move. I looked where his eyes were and smile. "You're a brilliant dog, smarter than me." I reached over I took the blue leash off the hook. I slowly bent down to his level and placed the leash around his neck. When I was finished, I patted his back and slowly stood using the wall as support. "Now you're ready to go." I walked through the door with the keys and the leash in my hands. I close the door behind us, then locked it with the key, not leaving without making sure it was closed. I used my previous memory to guide me to the two elevators. I pressed the down button then stood to wait for the elevator to come up. When the right elevator opened, it revealed an older man in his late fifties, early sixties. He had salt and pepper hair, bushy eyebrows and dark brown eyes. He looked at me from my eyes down. It stopped at my tummy for a few seconds then continued down, but when he noticed King at my feet, he rolled his eyes and mumbled something to himself before walking pass me in the direction I came from. What a creep! He has a thing for pregnant girls, yet he hates dogs. Creep! I shook my head and entered the elevator with King by my side. I look down at the King, who was watching the elevator door close. "You don't like him either, don't you?" I brushed my hands through his hair. It's creepy when a man his age looks at a girl my age that way, especially since I'm seven months pregnant. I sighed and shook my head. I don't need to be thinking about the creep who lives on the same floor as I do. The door of the elevator opened, so I tighten the leash around my waist, "Let's go have some fun, King." On the way out of the apartment building, my eyes made four with the day security/receptionist. He had olive coloured skin and dark hair. He was definitely a Latino. He flashed me a smile and looked down at King, "I didn't know Mr. Dakoda got a new dog walker." He said in a thick Spanish accent. I smiled at myself for guessing right, "I'm not the dog walker. I'm Mr Dakoda's guest. I'll be staying here for a few months." He nodded his head and then stretched his hands out for me to shake, "My name is Gane Lovato and yours?" I took his hand and shook it, "Tiffany Jakoby. Nice to meet you, Mr Lovato." I smiled at him. He is way nicer than the one that works in the night; maybe it was his Latin roots. He smiled in return, "Nice to meet you too. Enjoy your stroll in the park." "Thanks," I said before continuing my journey to the door. I exit the apartment with a smile on my face. Not once did Mr Lovato made me feel unwanted or bad that I'm young and pregnant; in fact, he didn't even acknowledge my pregnancy. I looked left then right, not quite sure which direction I turn since I've never really been around these sides before. I look down at King for some help, and his eyes were looking left, so I followed it. A dog was giving me directions. What can go wrong? Uvaldo's POV Harlyn Hope, the CEO of HH hotels and spas, looked down at the contract in front of him then pushed it towards me, "You made the right choice, it's a good deal." I nodded my head and smile at my best friend. "So you think it's going to be successful?" Who better to ask about business success? Harlyn had started his business on his own, without the help of his family's money, and now he owned over fifteen hotels and around twenty spas all over the world. He nodded with a smile, "Of course. Dura Investments deserve an owner like you," I smiled, "Thanks, man. I really appreciate it." "That's what friends are for." Harlyn and I met at a party around four years, and we hit it off almost immediately. He was funny. He even taught me a few things about women, how to differentiate between the gold-diggers, virgins and the gays. He also showed me some practical ways of picking up women, but I barely used them. Growing up with my mother taught to me better. Women weren't just objects; they are to be loved and respected. But don't get me wrong, I still have a few one night stands now and again. A man has to enjoy himself, and I'm single, why not enjoy the single while it last? I didn't have anyone waiting for me at home.