Chapter 41
PIP
"Pip, you're home," says Keesha, jumping off the couch to greet me.
She takes Piglet from my arms, holding him up in front of her. "Well, aren't you just the most adorable thing? I bet you'd love some fresh, cool water, wouldn't you?"
Piglet yips.
I watch Keesha carry him to our small, open kitchen and smile. "You're spoiling him."
"This little prince deserves to be spoiled. He's a cutie." Keesha reaches into a cupboard for a small silver mixing bowl, then turns on the faucet.
"We received more responses, by the way," she says, putting the water bowl on the floor and stroking Piglet's fur as he eagerly laps it up.
"Responses for what?"
"Responses from the advertisement for his adoption. I printed them out and put them in a folder on the coffee table if you want to take a look."
Keesha glances over her shoulder. "Pip?"
She walks over and envelops me in a warm, reassuring hug. "It will work out," she murmurs softly, her voice a soothing balm.
She guides me toward the plush sofa, where we sit side by side. Piglet trots over, leaping onto the sofa to join us.
"Take a look at the folder I prepared," she suggests, her tone filled with quiet encouragement.
As we look through the folder together, she points out various details with excited gestures.
"Some of the applicants even sent family pictures," she notes, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
"Look at these adorable kids! Look at these giant yards.
One couple has an older Frenchie," she adds with a smile, her voice tinged with hope and excitement.
"Just imagine—a big brother for our little Pigster here," she says, gently scratching the velvet-soft inside of Piglet's ear as he snuggles beside us.
I pick up the folder and thumb through it.
"Since we have so much interest, we can make it a condition that the family allows us to visit every week," Keesha says. "How does that sound?"
I choke back something thick in my throat. Then I slam the folder shut and force a smile.
"It’s a good idea, Keesha. But it would be hard for me. Hard for the family. But most of all, hard for Piglet. He's just a puppy. If he starts bonding with his new family and we suddenly visit, it could confuse him."
Keesha nods. "Understood. So, tell me about your day," Keesha says, changing the subject.
I hesitate before answering. "I didn’t want to tell you this," I say slowly. "But she struck again. That crazed letter writer."
Keesha freezes. "What?"
"She destroyed my aunt’s tree," I say numbly. "Their initials, the dove logo, everything. Slashed at it, then burned it."
Keesha’s lips part, horrified. "Pip."
"We stood there and just… stared at it." My voice falters. "Seeing my aunt touch the scars—" I shake my head. "I felt responsible."
Keesha shakes her head. "Don’t be ridiculous. Did that Clare woman finally agree to call the police?"
"No. Even Snickers mentioned that the police won't be of any help. But Kit's hiring a detective to look into it. At least we'll find out if that Snickerdoodle girl is the one stalking us. And if she is, we'll figure out how to stop her."
Keesha exhales sharply—a long, frustrated sigh—before sinking into the plush cushions of the sofa. Her brows crease with worry as she glances around the room.
"This is escalating, Pip. First, it was the letters, and now the damn tree? What's next?"
I force a laugh, but it sounds hollow and unconvincing, echoing in the tense silence between us. "Hopefully nothing. Tomorrow, this will all be over."
Keesha fixes me with a penetrating stare, her eyes searching for answers. "How? What magically changes tomorrow?"
I wave a hand. “The engagement PR stunt. The wedding rehearsal. Everything.”
She lets out a dry laugh. “Yeah, because deranged stalkers totally care about press schedules.”
I shoot her a look, but she’s not wrong. A flicker of unease crawls up my spine. I shake it off.
Keesha watches me carefully. Then, softer: “Are you really okay?”
“Yep. But I have to start moving. Vanessa Sinclair arranged for her assistant to interview me at the Plaza before the rehearsal dinner.”
“But she just interviewed you to kick off the campaign. What’s this about? An exit interview?”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
“Tell Clare you don’t want to do it. You’re mentally drained from this afternoon’s psychodrama."
“I already said yes. I can’t back out now.
I’ll be fine. I’ll meet her assistant, answer some questions, and then see you and Zaza at the fun part of the night after the photographers have their photos of Snickers and me.
Kit tells me there will be a real party.
Fancy. And I bet that Piglet will like to experience Plaza life just like Eloise in her book," I say, holding him in front of me. "Won’t you, Pal?"
Piglet yips.
"You sure you don’t want me to come with you?"
I wave her off. "No, that's okay. I'll see you at the party."
Keesha frowns. "Pip?—"
I stand before she can argue. "I’m going to take a shower."
She sighs in frustration, but she lets it go as she picks up Piglet. "Fine. Would you like me to groom His Highness while you’re getting ready?"
I glance down at the ball of glossy fur in her arms and laugh. "Sure. I’m sure he’d like that."
She cuddles Piglet against her chest. "See that, buddy? We're gonna get you looking even more irresistible."
I smile softly and make my way to the bathroom, gently closing the door behind me.
The moment the warm water cascades over my skin, I release a slow, calming breath, feeling the tension of the day begin to dissolve.
For the first time today, I allow myself to truly reflect on everything that has happened.
The afternoon spent with Snickers.
Beyond the undeniable physical attraction, my mind keeps circling back to something deeper—the way he looked out for my aunt with such genuine concern, the way he ensured we reached home safely, guiding us with quiet care.
He certainly has his moments.
And yes, he’s undeniably arrogant, sometimes even infuriating. Yet, I can’t shake the delicious way he made me feel today.
I close my eyes, tilting my face into the comforting warmth of the water.
I don’t want to think about the inevitable goodbye that awaits tonight.
The temp agency called earlier, asking when I’d be ready to take new assignments again. I told them tomorrow.
So tonight is the end of my Cinderella life.
Come tomorrow, I will be in a new job with a new boss.
And all of this will be a dream.