Rebirth: Love me Again

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"Thank you for coming with me, Daniel. Though you really don’t need to come, I don’t want to bother you," I said, trying to sound a bit more casual than I felt.

Daniel kept his poker face, raising an eyebrow as if he were judging my words. "You’re not a bother. And if I didn’t come, do you really know what to get for your old dog, Sebastian?"

I bit my lip and glanced out to the side, trying to hide my embarrassment for the lack of knowledge for this kinds of things. "Ah, well . . . that’s why I’m thanking you now."

He shrugged with a hint of a smile. "I sometimes volunteer here, so I know all the products in this place. Let’s go and get Sebastian his essentials first."

With that, Daniel led the way to the bedding and grooming section while I followed closely behind, trying to keep up with his long strides.

As I walked behind him, I couldn’t help but admire the way he carried himself. He was tall, though not overly so like Cole and Victor, and his lean physique was complemented by broad shoulders.

His sleek, black hair was cut neatly, and it framed his face nicely, which seemed to catch the attention of the girls passing by.

I noticed a few heads turn in Daniel’s direction, and for a fleeting moment, I realized that there were some genuinely handsome men around me.

I had never truly seen it before; my entire world had revolved around Cole. I was so enraptured by him that I had failed to notice the potential of other men.

Experience tales at empire

But now, as I embarked on this new path, it felt as though countless doors were swinging open, revealing possibilities I had never considered.

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I shook my head, trying to dismiss the notion of romance. The scars of my past lingered like shadows, haunting me.

I knew what it meant to be in love, and be consumed by it. The mere thought of it sent a shiver down my spine.

The memories of my past life clung to me, and I promised myself I would never fall in love like that again.

The very word "love" felt like a bitter pill lodged in my throat, a word I had grown allergic to.

Each time it danced on the tip of my tongue, it left a lingering taste of fear and regret, a reminder of the vulnerability and craziness that love demanded.

I couldn’t afford to be vulnerable again. Not after everything I had endured.

I was resolved that my heart would remain locked away, shielded from the potential pain that love could bring.

Right now, Daniel’s appearance wasn’t what made me appreciate him right now; it was his character.

Despite his serious demeanor, Daniel had this surprisingly warm aura. He could explain anything about dogs with a passion that was infectious.

It was refreshing to be in the presence of someone who wasn’t cold, indifferent, but lacked personality.

"Did you get that?" Daniel asked, turning back to me, his brow slightly furrowed.

I blinked, momentarily lost in my thoughts. "Huh? What?"

Daniel repeated without batting an eyelid. "I said that these beds have memory foam. This is good for old dogs. Do you know how big Sebastian is?"

I couldn’t help but chuckle at my own distraction. "Oh! Right! I guess I need to pay more attention. He’s getting a bit round, so I should probably go for something spacious."

"I see," he said with a nod, moving to inspect one of the beds. "We wouldn’t want him feeling cramped, would we?"

I watched as he ran his fingers over the fabric, showing genuine interest in what would make Sebastian comfortable.

It was moments like this that made me realize how thoughtful he truly was. I felt a warmth in my chest, appreciating the little things he did, even if they seemed insignificant.

Come to think of it, this was the first time I was out with another man other than Cole, just the two of us. It felt nice to have someone to talk to, like a friend.

"So, what do you think?" Daniel asked, glancing over at me with his serious face.

I nodded and beamed at him. "It’s perfect!"

Suddenly, Daniel turned around like he had been electrified, leaving me a bit confused.

As I glanced over at him, I noticed his ears were slightly flushed.

What’s up with him?

I thought. The store wasn’t even that hot.

"Then let’s check out the other section; we should also get him some vitamins," Daniel suggested, his voice a touch rougher than his usual smooth tone.

My mind drifted back to Sebastian. Poor old guy probably needed some extra care, and I knew vitamins would help him feel a bit sprier. He’d been slowing down lately, and I felt it was my responsibility to keep him comfortable.

I’d also need to swing by Michael’s later to pick up his necessary medications. Going back to the mansion to take his medicines felt like too much of a trek from my condo, so stopping by the lab was the better option.

"Are you coming?"

Startled, I looked over at Daniel, who was already a good five meters ahead of me. His expression seemed serious, but the way he looked at me made my heart flutter in a way I couldn’t quite place.

"Ah, wait! I’m coming!" I called out, rushing to catch up with him.

We made our way to the pet supply section, filled with colorful bags of dog food and shelves stocked with shiny vitamins.

"I think we should get him these multivitamins," Daniel suggested, pointing to a bright blue bottle that promised to support senior dog health. "They’re packed with nutrients."

I smiled at his thoughtfulness. "Great choice! And maybe some treats? I’m sure he’d love those."

As we browsed, I picked up a bag of soft, chewy treats, imagining how Sebastian’s tail would wag at the sight. "He loves these peanut butter ones!" I said, holding up the bag.

Daniel chuckled, a warm sound that made me smile. "Looks like you know him well. We should definitely grab some of those."

After collecting everything we needed, we headed toward the checkout.

As I placed the items on the counter, I glanced at Daniel, who was now holding out his card to pay for everything.

I gasped and immediately pulled out my own card, ready to settle the bill.

"Allow me," Daniel insisted.

"You don’t have to. I can pay for it," I replied, determined to take care of my own expenses.

"I know you can, but please let me have this chance to make up for saving my life years ago." His sincerity caught me off guard.

I paused, studying his face for a moment, and then tucked my card back into my bag with a smile. "Well, if you insist," I chuckled. "Thank you very much."

Daniel suddenly glanced to the side, covering his mouth with his hand as if he was trying to hide a smile. His ears were flushed, a charming shade of pink, but I shrugged it off, attributing it to the warmth of the store.

They probably had turned the heaters here too much. It was rather hot.