Chapter 4 Tony vs Dinner

"Seriously?" Natalie spoke to Tony who was sitting in front of her kitchen "Who does he think he is? I mean, He is definitely a big flirt. Probably a player and a cheater too." She stirred the pot of vegetable broth "Like-" Her eyes shifted to Tony who watched her with his big brown eyes "Wait, you don't think I'm crazy, do you?" The dog cocked his head "That's what I thought. You're not allowed to think that even if I am crazy.

I feed you and it's your duty to listen to my rantings in return." She said, opening the oven and pulling out the tray of vegetable and meat strips "Now, you sit." She drizzled a mixture of pepper and salt over the heated items. The sound of her phone ringing caught her attention. She turned to Tony "Stay." she sauntered into the bedroom.

She picked up the phone that was on her bed "Where the heck are you?" She asked, sitting down on the bed.

"I'm on the way home. You know how traffic gets."

"Right. Blame it on the traffic when you should be blaming Hugh." She bit her lip chuckling "I'm making dinner by the way. Your favorite."

"It's not Hugh's fault he's so charming and irresistible." She heard a sigh "I'm starving, seriously. Hugh may be good looking but he cannot cook even if his life depended on it."

"Hmmmmm Told ya." She teased "Anyway, come on home okay? I'll be waiting. Tony is too."

"Yeah. Just an hour's travel. I'll be home soon babe. See ya."

Natalie smiled "See ya, Harry." She pocketed the phone and closed her burning eyes. She was tired and she needed sleep. A tired groan escaped her lips and then it hit her. Snapping open, her eyes went wide at the realization " Fuck fuck fuck fuck.." She got up from the bed and raced to the kitchen "AHA!"

There was Tony, standing on the footstool with his front legs resting on the counter. Between his paw was the plate and in it was nothing. A single strip of meat hung from his mouth, hanging just above the plate "Tony...Drop it." Natalie crossed her arms after turning the stove off "No." The dog who was clearly caught in the act of stealing food didn't seem to care as he jumped to the floor, the piece of meat hanging from his mouth "Tony, I swear to god. If you don't put it down.."

The dog assumed a defensive stance as if daring her to stop him from eating the piece of meat.

"Don't. You. Dare." Natalie growled ready to leap and grab it from his mouth.

Tony refused to break eye contact as he slurped the meat and Natalie could swear she saw him smirk. Natalie stepped forward "Ugh! Come here you, that's time out for behaving like an arse." Tony was able to register the two words - Timeout - and dashed into the living room causing Natalie to run behind him "Oh No you don't. Tony. You stop running this moment."

Natalie stopped still when she reached the living room, her four-legged friend was nowhere to be found. Her eyes scanned the area. Natalie was panting by the time she finished searching the living area for Tony "God damn it. Where the fuck are you?" She stomped into the bedroom and saw a bundle under the sheets, Tony's fluffy tail peeking from the end "Oh god, he's so good at this." she feigned "Guess I have to give up searching." she walked to the door "And eat all leftovers by myself" She stepped outside and pressed herself against the wall near the door.

Slowly but surely, Tony stepped out of the room. The minute he did, Natalie leaped and caught hold of his collar "Gotcha. You are having time out buddy." She tugged him to the 'corner' and attached the chain to his collar. Tony whined and pulled on his puppy face, looking into the depths of Natalie's soul "Should have thought twice before stealing that." She pulled back at him "Stop looking at me like that Anthony." But somewhere, her heart melted "Tony...God.." She unhooked the chain and hugged her furry friend's neck "You're a jerk." She mumbled, "A cute innocent jerk who I absolutely adore and love." Natalie kissed his head. Just don't fucking steal again, all right?"

Tony whined and then lapped her face, putting all his weight on her. Natalie fell to the floor, the dog still lapping her face as she squeaked and squealed. This was happiness according to Natalie. Tony was her happiness. She didn't trust humans aside from Harrison because she had come to believe that all humans were capable of was wrecking things. Tony was the first to gain her trust after it had been shattered. Tony was the one she'd trust to put her pieces back. She was so sure that he had her back that Natalie didn't really need anyone else. She needed only Tony and she had him there, trapped in eternal bliss. She looked at her companion "Harrison is coming back tonight. What are we supposed to serve him?" Tony slumped on her, gazing at her with nothing but love "I've got a busy day tomorrow, and look at me, I'm a zombie."

The phone that was in the pocket of her pajama pants vibrated. Natalie fished the phone out and looked at it. It was a message from a number she hadn't saved before.

Diamond cloud,41 Westbrook park. I'll be expecting you.

She smiled. It wasn't hard figuring out who the sender of the message was.

Won't disappoint you this time, Matt.

I know, Nat. Good night.

She rose from the floor and looked at Tony "He might be a player but he was cute. I mean if a girl wasn't as smart as me she'd be unable to escape from his irresistible charm. I mean-"

Tony howled as he followed her into the bedroom.

Natalie stopped walking and looked at him "I am smart Tony, ergo I'm behaving really professionally with him. Like, The most he could do to me and get away with is a kiss on the cheek. Today." She sat on the bed and touched her cheek, a slight tint of pink dusting her cheek "But I am smart. So, even that doesn't work. I'm not even going to respond to his text right now actually." She spoke as the dog walked out of the room. Natalie lay on her bed again, her body aching. She looked at the phone and then at the floor. A single text won't hurt, I think. Oh well, Mum always told me to be polite and it would be impolite if I don't respond to his text. Plus, he's my client, right? Texting clients are totally okay.

Good night Matt.