His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

As I left the garden, my thoughts turned to Carlos. I had caused him so many problems lately, and now it was my turn to treat him. I decided I would take him out for a nice meal and surprise him with gifts to show my appreciation for his support.

I hurried to the medical organization where Carlos worked, my excitement bubbling over. Just as I arrived, I spotted him coming out of a meeting with the researchers. "Hey, Carlos!" I called out, waving enthusiastically.[]

He looked up, his expression shifting from professional to warm as he approached. "Hey, Doris! What's going on?"]

"I just signed a big contract with one of the companies from Sunshine PACK!" I announced, my voice filled with excitement.

Carlos raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Really? That's great news! Congratulations!" "Thank you! I want to celebrate. How about dinner?" I asked, hopeful. He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'd love to, but I can't go out right now. I just have too much on my plate." My heart sank a little, but then he added, "But how about a light lunch instead? I can't resist a good sandwich." "Okay, I can work with that," I said, trying to hide my disappointment. "Let me make something for you."

I quickly headed to the kindergarten kitchen and started preparing a salad and sandwiches. As I chopped the vegetables, my mind raced with thoughts about the contract and Carlos's support. I wanted him to know how much I appreciated him.[

Once I had everything ready, I made my way back to Carlos's office, carrying the food with a sense of pride. When I walked in, I found Carlos sitting at his desk, looking over some documents. His office was filled with books and research papers, a true reflection of his dedication.]

"Lunch is served!" I declared, placing the food on his desk.

"Wow, this looks amazing!" he said, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the fresh salad and sandwiches.

"I thought we could have a small celebration," I said, my smile widening. "I just signed a contract that could change everything for us."

Carlos raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Really? That's impressive! Tell me more about it."]

I eagerly shared the details of the contract and how it would help our project. "It's a huge order, and the funding will really boost our efforts," I explained, feeling the excitement building in my chest. Carlos looked puzzled for a moment. "Wait, you signed it just now?"]

"Yeah! The older woman signed it on the spot," I said, a grin spreading across my face. "What's wrong? You seem surprised."

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms thoughtfully. "I just want to make sure everything is alright with the company. You know they have a reputation for being difficult."

I felt a twinge of concern. "Are you saying there's a problem?"I[]

"No, no, not at all," he reassured me quickly. "I just want you to be aware of everything. If anything comes up, you can count on me."

ne."]

"Thanks, Carlos," I said, feeling relieved. His support meant everything to me. "I appreciate that."

As we enjoyed the light lunch together, I noticed the coffee machine in the corner of his office. "This coffee tastes different from what I usually buy from the supermarket," I remarked, taking a sip.

As I took another sip of coffee, enjoying its rich taste, I noticed Carlos watching me with a playful smile while I shuffled through a stack of paperwork. "You know," he said, tapping his fingers on his desk, "I could take care of the coffee at your company if you'd like.' I glanced up, raising an eyebrow. "You? In charge of coffee? Right." I chuckled, convinced he had to be joking. Carlos shrugged, his grin only widening. "Hey, I'm serious! Someone's got to handle the important stuff, right?"

**D

Third POV

Two large wolves prowled around the edge of Doris's yard. Their eyes were sharp and alert. They moved quietly, circling the house as if hunting. Their dark fur blended well with the shadows. The scent of lavender from Doris's garden filled the air, but the wolves were focused on something else, something familiar. They exchanged quick looks, knowing this was the place they had been searching for.

One of the wolves stopped near the front gate, sniffing the air again to be sure. A slow nod confirmed it-they had found Doris's home. Slowly, they stepped back into the shadows, their bodies starting to change. Fur gave way to skin, and in just a few moments, where the wolves once stood, there were now two tall, strong men, their skin dark and their expressions cold.]

The taller one smiled wickedly, glancing at the house. "This is it. We've found the place of our target," he said, his voice rough and low.

The other man chuckled softly, his smile just as cruel. "Took long enough," he muttered, his eyes fixed on the house. "Let's see if she's ready for us."]

Without another word, they moved quietly toward the house, their steps careful but full of purpose. They had a plan about their target.

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I laughed, shaking my head. "Please, you'd last a whole fi