The Devil's Sweetheart

The organizer took the participant's attendance, and the show began. As an introductory event, the contestants did a ramp walk with their owners. Most of the participants just did a routine walk on the stage with their pups and dogs. Carrot was counting time, as in thinking when the organizer would call her name. ''Don't panic. Give your best,'' Leena said, and in time, the organizer announced Carrot's name.

''A Golden retriever...Hailing from nowhere...rescued from a street when she was a month old. Her name is Carrot!'' The organizer's voice reverberated to every corner of the audience. ''Guess the owner of the little one?'' He right away glanced at the group, who were ready to scream the name. ''Carrot supporters, you are restrained from answering.''

Nick and the group sighed in defeat.

''Anybody knows_''

''It's Leena!'' Someone out there in the crowd screamed. 

''Leena Hayes.'' Another one screamed. 

''Well..well..our audience are quite fast.'' The organizer whooped in delight. ''Let's join our hands and welcome Carrot and Leena onto the stage.''

In contrast to the normal walk that others did, strutting on her heels, Leena entered the stage like a predator down the runway with an attitude. Decked in a crop top and jeans, she was slaying the hearts. The olive-colored jacket she earlier wore was loosely shrobed over her shoulders, revealing a part of her thin waist. Her hips and arms were swinging in dance to the rythm of the music. Meanwhile, Carrot walked on her knees, arching her paws like how Leena taught her at home. The duo stole the hearts of the audience.

''They look so cute together!'' Kyle threw a flying kiss to Leena and Carrot.

''Look at her showing off.'' Reese stared at Leena with envy-filled eyes. ''Is this the reason she didnot allow Devin to be part of the show?''

''Why don't you tell that you are jealous of the dress Leena is wearing?'' Jane giggled, placing an arm around her friend's neck. ''I know you have been eyeing on that jacket ever since Leena brought it.''

Reese nicked off Jane's hand in anger. She fell in love with the jacket the moment her eyes laid on it. The first thing that entered Reese's mind was to go on a date with Andrew wearing that outfit. It was a limited one-piece edition, and the shopaholic had grabbed it already. Reese literally begged Leena to lend the dress, and she was also ready to pay the original price, but that shopaholic had turned her back, and in turn, set a triple price. ''I will pass this video to Devin.'' Reese video-shooted Leena in case she needed to blackmail her in the future.

''Careful with her, Reese,'' Nick replied before turning back his attention to the stage.

''A big round of applause to Carrot and Leena for this stunning entry.'' The organizer cheered and then turned to Leena. ''Thanks for accepting the invitation without a second thought. We are overwhelmed to see you here, Leena.''

''Pleasure is mine.'' Leena was in all smiles as she spoke. With immense support from the audience, Carrot gained her confidence. 

The show began. In the first round, Carrot secured second place. Shih Tzu dog they encountered at the counter secured the first position. The second round was more challenging than the first. It was agility training. Leena had double work as Carrot jumped over the barriers, weaved cones, and limped the hula hoop leaping. Keep her pace with Carrot, and guide her to finish the task. By the time the third round ended, Shih Tzu dog and Carrot completed the task within the same duration.

''Damn it!'' Aggravatedly, Nick slapped his thigh as he took a look over the winner board.

''Nick, bro! You slapped my thigh.'' Nick cried as he rubbed his stinging thigh.

''Not a big deal.'' Nick glued his eyes at the winner board, anticipating a miracle to happen, not once fretting over Adney's cries.

''Come on, Taddot.'' Cutie pouted. ''You are superman.''

''On the winner board, Zoe stands first, followed by Carrot securing the second position.'' Upon hearing the announcement, Carrot and Leena desolately glanced at each other. The woman holding the Shih Tzu grinned widely.

''But..but...we have another announcement'' With all the attention focused on him, the judge said. ''This is the result of only two rounds. We haven't yet clubbed the third-round scores.''

''There is a third-round?''

''Yes. The ramp walk.''

Leena's hopes raised again.

''With that being said, let's look at the winner board again.'' The judge said over the mike. In the nick of time, the winner board transformed. Carrot's name stood at the top.

''Yes!'' Nick slapped Adney's thigh.

''You Donkey.'' Adney got up and shifted his position.

''Carrot, you won.'' Leena hollered in elation. Carrot jumped onto Leena feeling exhilaration. Cheers erupted in the crowd.

Meanwhile, a man fixed his eyes at Leena without taking his eyes off her. A couple of minutes later, he snapped when he heard his friend addressing him from behind. 

''She is beautiful, isn't it, Noel?''

''No. I mean yes...''

''She is married, man. Her husband will come for your throat.''

''No..no..That's not the reason I am looking at her.'' Noel addressed his friend. 

''Then?''

''I find her familiar....''

''Of course, she is. She is a celebrity, after all. Let's go already. Our boss is not happy that Zoe lost the game.'' 

Noel nodded. He looked at Leena's face for one last time, and turned to leave. Hundreds of questions swirled his mind. If she is the same girl, how did she survive the injuries? Blood was oozing from her flesh wounds. There were parts in her body where her flesh was brutally torn to the point that the outer part of the bones was exposed. Her body would be a feast to the vultures if it was a forest. With just one look at her, he knew her body was injured to the point of no repair. 

Although they reached the hospital in time, he suspected she would not live longer. But he didnot voice his inner thoughts to his boss. His head would hang on top of the hospital tower.

If she is the same girl, is she married to my ex-boss or some other? Noel wondered.