The Owner

Benjamin gently poked her forehead. "What are you thinking about? Of course, I'll get sick of them if I eat too many."

Her smile faded upon receiving Benjamin's touch, and instead, Jacqueline felt her cheeks warm up. "Oh... oh," Jacqueline mumbled. "So, what will you do with the rest of them?"

Benjamin held her hand tighter, and they continued walking forward. Benjamin said, "They'll become nourishment for the garden, part of nurturing the next apples."

"I see," Jacqueline replied, then fell silent.

Benjamin understood that there was still a considerable distance between them, and he knew the reason for it, so he didn't rush. His career as a mafia don had taught him patience. Just when he was about to start a new story, he heard Jacqueline's voice, "I also love apples because my mom used to make the most delicious apple pies."

Benjamin looked at her, recognizing some deep sadness in Jacqueline's turquoise eyes, but then she smiled, and a few rays of happiness shone in her eyes. "She used to make those pies with all the love for us she had."

It was hard for Jacqueline to find joy in remembering her mother, her once happy family. But at least back then, she had been truly happy with her family of four, and when they parted ways, she still had the unconditional love from Mr. Kelly, so she thought there was no reason to be sad.

"My father would try to make apple pies if he had time, but they never tasted quite the same," Jacqueline wrinkled her nose but still smiled. "At least we laughed when we attempted to eat them."

Seeing Jacqueline's sweet and gentle smile, something changed in Benjamin's gaze. He raised his other hand and touched her blushing cheek, feeling its warmth.

He chuckled, "Look at you; you make me want to taste it. It doesn't seem as bad as you say."

Jacqueline immediately waved her hand in embarrassment. "It really isn't good; you won't like it."

Benjamin squinted his eyes as if evaluating the honesty in her words.

Jacqueline blushed and felt even more flustered when Benjamin expressed interest in trying her father's apple pie. It was crazy, she thought. He really wanted to meet her father to try them; everything could be exposed.

She realized that she needed to do something to change the situation. "If you want to try it so badly, I'll make it for you," she compromised to avoid going any further.

In a place Jacqueline couldn't see, Benjamin gave a satisfied smile. "My pleasure."

As they continued to stroll through Benjamin's apple orchard, Jacqueline was startled by a distant noise. The sound repeated, and as she focused, she was surprised to hear a dog barking.

Not long after, a dog with black and white fur came running toward them.

Recognizing an unexpected variable disrupting their conversation, Benjamin frowned. He wondered who had brought the dog here.

"Is that a Husky?" Jacqueline exclaimed as the dog approached her.

The dog initially circled her and barked playfully. Jacqueline, a girl who always longed for a pet of her own, snatched her hand up from Benjamin's and sat down to pet the dog.

Animals with soft, furry coats always melted her heart. In the face of the puppy's enthusiasm, Jacqueline quickly relaxed her tense mind. At least she wouldn't have to think about how to engage in friendly conversation with a mafia don while playing with this little dog.

Benjamin's frown deepened as he noticed that this furry creature had taken Jacqueline's attention away. He wanted to grab it and throw it out immediately, but that action could make him appear uncouth in Jacqueline's eyes.

"Which damn person brought it here?" Benjamin grumbled while Jacqueline was engrossed in playing with the puppy.

The Husky was a mischievous and unpredictable breed. When it felt comfortable enough with Jacqueline, it began wanting her to solve its problem.

Benjamin, who was contemplating how to reprimand the person who had brought this dog along to ruin their walk, immediately turned to Jacqueline upon hearing her scream.

The mischievous puppy was climbing on her legs, using its mouth to grasp Jacqueline's dress. It seemed as if it wanted to pull her somewhere, but its pull was too strong, threatening to strip her flimsy dress from her body.

Jacqueline was flustered and embarrassed, tightly holding onto her dress to prevent it from slipping off.

"Hey," Benjamin yelled at the puppy from a distance before approaching. "Get away from her."

The little dog recognized its owner's anger and halted its actions, wearing a guilty expression.

"Get out of here," Benjamin scolded.

Jacqueline hurriedly restrained him, saying, "Don't be angry with it."

Benjamin clenched his fists, only God knew how much he wanted to kick it out of here, but he had to restrain himself for Jacqueline.

"It's too mischievous; let Samuel take it. He knows what to do with it," Benjamin said.

"Don't do that. It's its natural instinct," Jacqueline explained. "It seems like - it seems like it wants to lead me somewhere, maybe it needs help."

"No, it just wants to eat," Benjamin asserted.

"You know?" Jacqueline was surprised, then seemed to realize something. "Oh, we are in your mansion."

"Not exactly. I don't have the time to manage what goes on in this estate. But it's the most annoying one, so I have left quite an impression somehow," Benjamin said, looking down at the little dog, which was now sitting on the ground with a remorseful expression.

Jacqueline wondered what it would be like if Benjamin were bothered by this dog. It would be intriguing to see his icy demeanor cracked, she thought.

In a place where she couldn't see, Benjamin was still observing her. He furrowed his brow when he saw Jacqueline giggling over some thought in her mind. He wanted to take the opportunity to throw the dog out, but Jacqueline showed no anger, even though the goofy furry creature had put her in a difficult situation.

Jacqueline knelt, petting the puppy, which had now assumed a more cheerful demeanor. But as soon as she saw the anger in Benjamin's eyes, it again returned to a remorseful state.

The poor animal gave her more courage than Jacqueline had thought. She looked up at Benjamin, gently saying, "Don't... don't be angry with it."

Benjamin had no choice but to compromise. He concealed his anger, knelt beside her, and petted the little dog alongside her.

With a stronger force than usual, Benjamin stroked the dog's head. When it lifted its head, his hand retreated, but he continued when it lowered its head again. It seemed to think it was a game and kept raising its head to catch his hand.

Finally, it stood up, circled Benjamin, and barked. Jacqueline also thought they were in a playful interaction, so she laughed.

Perhaps Benjamin wasn't as intimidating as she had thought, she reasoned, as she saw him play with her dog.

As the cheerful atmosphere returned, the puppy resumed its purpose. It knew Benjamin would never pamper it, so it approached Jacqueline again, but this time, more carefully.

It nudged her hand with its soft nose and barked a few times.

"What do you want?" she asked, tilting her head and looking at it with a smiling gaze.

The dog tossed its head forward as if wanting Jacqueline to follow it. She stood up, "Do you want to take me somewhere?"

The dog headed in the direction it wanted, then turned around after a few steps to check if Jacqueline was following.

Jacqueline smiled, sure that she would follow it. But first, she couldn't just wander around the mansion without its owner's permission.

"Are you coming with us?" Jacqueline hesitated.

Under Jacqueline's expectant gaze, Benjamin couldn't refuse, "Of course."