Ruined By My Rival

A win is a win.

4

A new day.

Same routine.

Except today, I and Cole are going to do some charity work by helping out the animal shelter not so far from the hotel.

SAFE HAVEN ANIMAL SHELTER.

I checked it out and made enquires to see if they are willing to accept a donation and if we could help with a few things.

I also let them know paparazzi would be there and if they want the publicity.

They very much wanted it as it would be of much help to the animals.

Now, to set the plan in motion.

I skip going down to the gym today and head into the shower. After that, I’m dressed in something very casual. I don’t know how much manual work we’ll be doing today.

I text Cole to ask if he’s good to go.

CHRISTIAN COLE: I’ll meet you downstairs.

He’s dressed casually also, gray slacks and hoodie. Very casual.

“Good morning.” He grunts out. “something wrong with my clothes?” he raises a brow when he notices me staring.

I clear my throat, “No, let’s go.”

We get into my car and head to the shelter.

As expected, paparazzi and photographers are already there, waiting.

Max announced on my IG page yesterday that we will be visiting this particular shelter today and the vultures did not waste any time getting here.

We step out of my car just as flashlights and cameras begin to go off in our faces.

“Mr Larson what do you have to say about your failing career? Is that why you have been in hiding?” the question makes me tense but I don’t stop moving towards the shelter.

It was a woman that asked, if it were to be a man? I would have knocked the f**k out of him.

Luckily, we get into the shelter unscathed. Figuratively speaking.

“Good morning Mr. Larson.” She turns to Cole, “Good morning Mr. Christian. Welcome to safe haven animal shelter, I’m Linda, your partner for today.” The middle-aged woman smiles at us.

“Good morning Mrs. Linda.” I smile back.

“Good morning Mrs. Linda.” Cole responds.

I look around, “So what are we getting done for today?”

“Not much work, we wouldn’t want to get two pretty idols dirty.”

If only she knew.

“Today, the dogs are going to receive vaccinations,” She says, “So we’re going to help make sure they feel safe and okay during the process.” She turns to face me, “Is that okay Mr. Larson? Mr. Christian?”

“Yes, it is. So when do we start?” I answer her.

Her smile seems to widen, like she’s thrilled at my question. “Now.”

Annnd that’s why.

We immediately start working. Getting the dogs to feel comfortable before taking their shots, placing them in their dog houses and feeding them.

Few of the paps are inside, again, as expected, to take pictures of us together, helping.

The last dog, a female dachshund, seems to have trouble getting comfortable.

“Hey girl,” I bend and give her a scratch behind her ears, “what’s going on?”

“She has been having problems relating with other dogs since she came in. that’s because she was abandoned by her owners and when we found her, she had injuries all over her like she fought or had been preyed on but this little girl fought for her life.” Mrs. Linda says.

“The first few weeks she spent here, she didn’t come out or respond to anyone. And it has been like that no matter how hard we try.”

“How old is she?” I ask.

“She’s two.” She replies.

“Does she have a name?” Cole asks.

“Yes, we found a name tag on her, Belle.”

I get on my knees and stretch my hands with a treat in it carefully towards her, “Hey belle.” She eyes my hand warily like she’s skeptical about what’s going to happen next.

I keep my hands stretched. Minutes pass and she finally lowers her head to eat the treat.

“That’s a good girl.” I pat her head and pick her up.

I turn to Cole and he’s a bit flushed. I wonder why.

She remains silent, just staring at me, watching me.

“Wow,” Mrs. Linda breathes out, “she has never eaten from anyone’s hands before. I mean we’ve tried but she never even acknowledged it.”

I grin at her, “The pro’s of being an attractive male.”

“Oh please” Cole snorts and walks over to take her from me.

“Is she up for adoption?” I ask her.

“Yes, she is. Do you want her Mr. Larson?” she asks me.

I nod and smile at her, “Yes, me and my partner would very much love that. Right baby?” I move closer to him and lean in, his breaths get heavier and his eyelids droop lower. I place a kiss on his right cheek and chuckle.

Cole looks at everything but me.

Mrs. Linda clears her throat, “Let’s get the paper work done then.”

I sign the paperwork, write them a check of $100k, thank them and me and Cole head back to the hotel.

“So who’s gonna be looking after her.” He asks?

“We could shuffle.” I shrug.

Thank God they don’t have a ‘No pets allowed’ policy.

I take Belle and head to my room and Cole does the same. The plan was to be spotted outside together not inside.

My phone rings.

“Hey Max.” I greet.

“Hey. The media is totally eating it up and you’ve gained a whole lot of followers and the bored is very well satisfied.”

“Thank fuck.”

“Yes, I know. Good job. I also saw you’re a father now,” he chuckles, “quite the impression Jeff, check your socials.”

I hang up and open my insta.

The headline is: IDOLS SPOTTED AT AN ANIMAL SHELTER.

Sure enough, there are photos of us heading into the shelter, us holding the dogs, feeding them and me with Belle.

I feel bad for using the shelter as bait for the paps but something good came out of it.

There’s also a photo of me and Cole. Looking like we kissed. It was probably the angle at which they took it but I know that was when I leaned him to give him a kiss on the cheek.

I check the comments.

“Oh they’re such gentlemen.”

“Look at how calmly they’re handling those dogs!”

“Omg! So cute!”

“I can feel the tension between those two from my screen!”

“He’s so thoughtful!”

“They look great together!”

“The look on Cole’s face!”

“Belle is such a lucky dog, I wish it was me.”

“He’s giving huge DILF vibes now he has a dog daughter!”

I grimace at the last two comments. Yep. People think like that.

Fans are wild. At least I don’t have any crazy stalker.

The good side is, the media and fans are eating this up and I hope this satisfied the board.

I head over to where belle is, “Hey princess.”

My phone pings with an incoming message. It’s from Cole.

CHRISTIAN COLE: quite the impression, babe.

I catch myself smiling.

Someone knocks at the door and I know that’s my delivery. I answer it, sign and thank the delivery man.

I ordered treats for her, food, toys, her dog bowls, one for water and one for food, and a collar.

She eyes me but doesn’t make a move towards me. I fill her bowl with food and place it beside her. Since she took a treat from me at the shelter, she should feel comfortable around me.

Minutes pass, just like the shelter, before she lowers her head and eats from the bowl.

A triumphant grin splits my face.

A win is a win. No matter how little.