Aya was still tending to the ten animals a police officer had brought earlier. The mother cat and her kittens that had arrived before them were also under her care.
She could only sigh.
One of the officers had mentioned that several rescued animals were still part of an ongoing investigation. Aya had a strong feeling that somehow, her parents might get dragged into it again.
"Miss, good morning."
She immediately looked toward the voice.
"Ah, Sir Malchor." That was all she said in acknowledgment.
"H–How are the mother cat and her kittens?" he asked.
He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, and there was a tattoo near the side of his ear.
He was no longer limping when he walked. Quietly, Aya observed the young man named Malchor and noticed another fresh scratch on his skin.
"Did you get an anti-rabies shot?" she asked.
He simply nodded.
"If you don't mind me asking… why do you always have scratches?" she continued.
He seemed startled by her question and instinctively touched the new scratch.
"Ah… I also take care of cats at home. Sometimes, when they're stray cats, they get scared," he explained.
She only nodded.
"They're fine now. They're still wary of people, but at least they're far from danger."
"That's good to hear." He let out a quiet breath.
"You can take them home today."
He smiled at her. "It's better if they finish their medication here first. I can see you're taking good care of them."
Cloud suddenly made a sound.
Aya noticed the sharp glare her pet cat directed toward Malchor.
"It's okay. Some cats really react that way to me," he said with a light laugh.
"I'm sorry if he's too wary of people he doesn't recognize right away," Aya apologized for her pet.
"It's not a problem. I'll come back in two days to take the mother and her kittens," he told her.
She simply nodded.
"I'll also pay a down payment now and settle the remaining balance once they're discharged."
"I'll just get your records."
Aya immediately went to the records area. Since she was handling everything alone, she had to move quickly.
When she returned, she saw that he was patiently waiting.
"I'm sorry for taking so long, Mr. Malchor Cuizon," she said.
He shook his head.
She explained the billing to him, answered his questions, and even gave him a discount.
"Oh, thank you very much for the discount, Miss Castro," he said.
She smiled faintly. "It's also for the animals—and for the people who care for them."
"I should get going now."
Before leaving, he glanced once more at the mother cat and her kittens. Aya followed his gaze and saw the mother cat grooming one of her babies.
"I guess they're very comfortable here," Malchor commented.
Aya didn't respond.
He eventually left, and she quietly watched him until he disappeared from the clinic.
XXX
"What are you doing in this place, Malchor?"
The voice came the moment he stepped outside the veterinary clinic.
Malchor turned toward the speaker.
"I just visited the animals I rescued from those two scientists," he replied.
Without a word, the man suddenly grabbed the sleeve of Malchor's shirt and pulled it aside, revealing the bite mark on his neck.
"You know where her family came from, don't you?" the man asked.
"Yes. I know," Malchor replied calmly.
He pushed Reymark's hand away, straightened his wrinkled sleeve, and covered the mark again.
"I should be the one asking you that, Reymark. What are you doing here?" he asked, his gaze steady.
"That's none of your business."
"I know what you did," Malchor said.
"Are you threatening me?" Reymark asked.
"I'm not threatening you. You shouldn't be showing yourself right now, Reymark."
Malchor shook his head.
"That's none of your concern, Malchor. Don't interfere with her life."
Malchor exhaled slowly.
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that, Reymark?"
Reymark looked visibly startled.
"Oh—and you should hide that bite mark on your neck. It's deeper than this one."
Malchor lightly touched the mark on his own neck.
Reymark said nothing. He adjusted the hood of his jacket so the mark wouldn't be visible.
Without another word, he walked past Malchor and entered the veterinary clinic.
Malchor watched him go.
He could only shake his head.
Just as he was about to leave, his phone vibrated.
He pulled it from his pocket and checked the caller.
He answered immediately.
"How are the animals at the suspect's daughter's veterinary clinic?" the caller asked.
"She takes good care of animals. She doesn't neglect them," Malchor replied.
"She has a younger sister, doesn't she?"
Malchor paused slightly at the question.
"Yes," he answered briefly.
"Who do you think killed her sister?"
Malchor sighed.
He didn't answer.
He had to be careful with every word he said. One mistake could cost him his life—just like what happened to someone close to him.
"Don't worry," the man continued. "I only want your second opinion. Also, her sister's body wasn't found at the crime scene."
"Perhaps you're asking the wrong person, sir," Malchor replied.
A soft chuckle came from the other end of the line.
"Sorry, Malchor. As I always say—just calm down. You won't get dragged into the Buenaventura mess."
Malchor remained silent.
"I need to hang up."
The call ended.
Malchor let out a long breath.
Eventually, he reached his hideout. He carefully observed his surroundings to make sure no one had followed him.
When he was certain he was alone, he went inside.
Dogs barked loudly as soon as he entered. Other animals stirred within the shelter.
He sighed again.
His companion wasn't there yet.
For now, he was alone in the hideout—watching over the animals.
His hand slowly touched his neck.
Tsk. It's still here.
The thought echoed quietly in his mind.