Chapter 15%
The night breeze was cool as Julian and I walked side by side down the street. The alcohol had left me a little tipsy, making my steps feel light and floaty.
“Want to take a walk by the sea?” Julian suggested. The breeze will help clear our heads:”}
I nodded and followed him as he turned onto the seaside promenade.
The distant strumming of a street musician’s guitar mingled with the gentle murmur of the waves, making me feel unconsciously relaxed.
As we turned a comer, a faint meowing suddenly caught my ear
A man with a scruffy beard was squatting by the sidewalk with a few cardboard boxes in front of him. Inside, tiny kittens were curled up together.
“Purebred British Shorthairs, five hundred bucks each, the man said enthusiastically as he noticed us pause.
My feet suddenly froze in place.
Inside one of the boxes was a tiny ginger kitten looking up at me with wide, watery eyes.
At that moment, memories crashed over me like a wave.}
The day of the earthquake. I had dragged my injured leg out of the villa, barely making it out alive
Just when I thought I was going to die in the fire, an orange tabby, heavily pregnant, appeared out of nowhere and started circling me anxiously.
I cried as I picked her up. Her warm body became the only comfort I had left.
“Daphne?” Julian gently touched my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
It was only then that I realized my hands were shaking.
Taking a deep breath, I crouched down and gently touched the little kitten’s head.
It immediately nudged closer and let out a soft, squeaky meow.
“She looks just like… My voice caught in my throat
Julian crouched beside me, quietly waiting for me to compose myself
He knew about the orange tabby
I had cried on the phone late one night, telling him how much I wanted to take the cat that saved me with me, but she was about to give birth and wouldn’t have survived the long flight.
In the end, I could only entrust her to a trusted friend.X
“Do you want it?” Julian suddenly asked,
I shook my head. “Never mind, our apartment doesn’t allow pets …“}
“Who says?” Julian had already taken out his wallet. 1 just talked to the landlord last week and he said it’s okay.”
I looked up in surprise. “When did you __ “%
“I just thought you might want to have one.“8
Julian scratched his head, smiling a little sheepishly. “You always stare at the cats whenever we pass a pet store.
Before I could say no again, the little kitten had already climbed up to the edge of the box, trying desperately to reach me.
Its tiny claws hooked onto my sleeve and it meowed softly as if saying, “Take me home.”
My heart melted instantly
“She likes y you, Julian said softly, handing the cash to the seller. “It looks like fate
The seller quickly pulled out a pet carrier, but the kitten refused. She wriggled and fought her way out, trying to climb back into my arms !!
In the end, I had no choice but to carry her myself. She snuggled into my arms, purring happily.
“Do you want to give her a name?” Julian asked as he walked beside me, holding a bag of cat food and toys.!!
I looked down at the little life in my arms. She rubbed her head against my chin.)
“Pax,” I said. “Let’s call it Pax.“)
Like the blessing that orange tabby once gave me, I hoped this little one would grow up safe and happy, too!!
Julian smiled and nodded, gently stroking the kitten’s head. “Welcome home, Pax.”
The night breeze brushed past, carrying the salty scent of the sea and the fragrance of early spring blossoms,{
With this warm little life in my arms, for the first time in a long while, the pain of the past didn’t feel so unbearable anymore.
