Chapter 5 Snake bite

"This is Persephone and the other one over there is Taiki," Flavio stated, pointing at the two snakes. Persephone is in a compromised position by the net on the ceiling, while Taiki was just rolled on the ground. Both snakes looked like they weighed up to a hundred kg and were about 20 feet long.

"Sir, these snakes are banned from captivity in this country. I can lose my license!" Olive said angrily. "Look at their living conditions, they are not healthy and must be returned to the wild," she said.

She is most passionate about reptiles and exotic animals, but due to a lack of money in that department, she decided to go with companion animals during her early years in veterinary medicine.

"That is what the NDA is for. Treat them and you get paid," Flavio calmly said not wanting to lose his cool.

"This is wrong! What type of circus do you think you're running around here! They have lives too!"

"That's what you're here for. To save them. Now, these snakes haven't been fed in 2 months. They won't eat the food we send them, that's why we called you here. But I think they're going to die from you babbling about it," Flavio yelled at her immobilizing her.

Olive wasn't a pushover and stared back at him even though she felt a little scared. "Fine! I'm going to need to do a general check-up on both snakes. Can you set up a table here for me and someone to help me carry them," Flavio then ordered a few men to prepare everything that Olive needs.

Olive changed from her skirt to a scrub suit. "Reptiles need sunlight and shouldn't be enclosed in the dark. They need the energy to hunt," Olive said. "Now, I need two men to hold the body, while I take the head. Let's start with Taiki first. Wash your hands first since they might bite if they find your hands savory" the two men who were wearing a suit looked at each other, white as a sheet. They were about 6 ft. 4 while Olive stand at just 5'8.

They then entered the enclosure, with Olive leading the trio. She took her stick and grabbed the head but Taiki was distressed and was fighting them. The two men were startled but tried to remain calm. Taiki hissed at them, earning a little squirm from the men.

"Hold him gently, you're hurting him!" Olive scolded the two. "The other men who were watching at the three laughed, even Flavio gave a little smirk." After a little struggle, they were able to put Taiki on the table. Olive taped his mouth before starting.

Olive noticed that the snake was dehydrated and had mites all over. She gave him antibiotics and hooked him on an IV. "I'll have to check on him again. Let's grab Persephone now,"

"I'm tired, you guys do it," the man said in Italian. "Yeah, we already did the first one, you go help with that one," added the other.

"Scaredy cats?"

"Why don't you do it then!" They looked like they were in a heated argument and Olive watched from the side.

"That girl is tiny, but she got balls bigger than you," Flavio said and then pointed at the next two men ordered to take Persephone.

Unlike Taiki, Persephone was much of a fighter and the two assistants were more scared than the first ones. "Just hold them still so I can grab the head," but Persophone was big and the commotion was stressing her out.

The other man got scared as Persophone was wrapping her tail around their arms and yanked her a little causing her to bite Olive on the wrist. Persophone had a good striking ability and took a big bite on Olive's small fair wrist. Making the two men even more concerned. But Olive just looked at it and continued to grab the head with the snake hook and hold it with her hand. "Please hold still, you're hurting her,"

They then taped her mouth. Everyone was quiet looking at Olive's bleeding wrists.

"I'll have to clean my wounds first, can you please keep her still," she said. The men were frightened but were in awe of the calmness Olive displayed. She got everyone's respect, especially the man who just entered the house in a shirt and workout clothes.

He too loved animals, particularly snakes, and had ordered the animals to be checked. He was in the middle of working out when he heard the commotion and decided to check it out. Olive had her back facing him this whole time and once she went back with a band-aid on her wrist she started to do the same procedure on Persophone and checked her whole body.

Guissepi was staring at her having this familiar feeling, His dark eyes looking at her lovely ocean ones which were carefully examining the snake. "Can anybody help me, carry her back?" She asked politely, looking up at the group of about ten men watching her, but her eyes quickly caught Guissepi's dark brown ones. Unlike everyone else who was wearing a suit and trousers, he was wearing a grey sweatshirt and shorts.

Guissepi felt like he was hypnotized as he let go of the towel on his neck and walked towards the table where the snake was. "She's very heavy, we might not be able to carry her---"

He then carried the snake alone and into the cage, While Olive held onto the IV that was hooked on the snake, they carefully placed her on the ground a few feet away from Taiki.

"Thank you," she whispered and smiled, before going out of the enclosure followed by him.

"You should get your bite checked," he said seeming to be worried but in a cold distant voice.

"I had it cleaned already. No worries," she then turned towards Flavio.

"Sir, the snakes are very weak and I might have to monitor them for the whole week. This is such an inhumane practice and I wish you refrain from capturing these breed of snakes," Olive scoldingly said. "I won't tell anyone, don't worry," she added, completely ignoring Guissepi.

"Flavio, prepare dinner for Ms. Petsch," Guissepi who was behind her ordered. Flavio bowed down and did as ordered.