Page 56 of Influence

A chorus of barking dogs erupted almost immediately—a vibrant announcement of their presence. The door swung open to reveal a petite, redheaded woman with bright blue eyes and a mischievous, crooked grin.

At her feet, three large, fluffy dogs bounced happily, their tails wagging in unison.

“You must be Laya and Cali!” Penelope greeted us, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “I’m Penelope. We spoke on the phone earlier.”

“Hi!” I replied, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. “I’m Laya, and this is my sister, Cali.”

Penelope’s smile widened as she looked at Cali, and soon, a light, infectious laugh filled the air.

“Have you come to any conclusions about what’s going on?” she inquired with a friendly, secretive air.

“No!” Cali admitted matter-of-factly. “My sister’s kept it all a secret, much to my dismay.”

“All right then, come in, and let’s unravel the mystery!” Penelope urged.

As we entered, Cali shot a curious glance at me. The house welcomed us with a sense of hospitality, like a cozy hug. The furniture was adorned with handmade quilts featuring intricate patterns, while antique items throughout whispered tales of the past.

Classic oil paintings decorated the walls, seamlessly complementing the home’s character, while the delightful scent of freshly baked cookies wafted through the air. A crackling fire in the hearth created shadows over a snug couch that beckoned you to sit down. In that moment, it felt like a serene getaway I never wanted to leave.

Penelope guided us to the back door, swinging it open with a flourish. Another dog, full of energy, dashed inside without hesitation and raced straight for Cali like an old friend.

“Oh, my goodness!” Cali exclaimed, joyfully crouching down to greet the furry visitor.

With her silky fur and exuberant energy, the little dog reminded me of a miniature, fluffy version of Niko’s beloved pet. She showered Cali with enthusiastic licks.

Cali’s laughter bubbled up. “She’s just so adorable.”

“Her name is Leo,” I explained, knowing it would resonate with her. “It’s a shortened form of Leontios.”

“That means ‘fearless’ in Greek,” Cali murmured, gazing at me in disbelief. “But how do you know that?”

“Because I named her, sweetheart,” I replied tenderly. “And now, she’s entirely yours.”

“What?” Cali’s expression was worth the entire trip.

Leo pranced around her with even more energy, as if she understood all the excitement. Cali wrapped her arms around the dog’s neck with unreserved affection, hugging her tightly as tears streamed down her cheeks in pure emotion.

“Really? She’s mine?” she gasped, her voice thick with overwhelming joy.

“Absolutely,” I assured her. “She’s all yours.”

“Laya, I can’t believe you did this!” she exclaimed, her gratitude evident.

“Why not?” I replied, remembering how effortlessly Cali had connected with Niko’s dogs. “It seemed only natural for you to have your own companion.”

“Thank you, thank you!” she cried out, as Leo continued to lick the tears from her face.

Before long, joy filled the room, merging with the harmonious dishes clinking and the comforting sounds of home.

“Well, it looks like they’re hitting it off, don’t you think, Laya?” Penelope mused.

“I’d say so,” I responded.

“Seems like a match made in heaven to me,” she declared, her excitement contagious.

Just then, my phone vibrated insistently in my pocket. I took it out and noticed a message from Niko.

Niko: I’m dying to know how it all went.

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