Twisted Love's

Episode 4

At the Kaleido National Animal Institute where I work this has a zoo facility that is open to the public.

This is the beginning of a new beginning! I hope to adapt quickly and start my work with passion!

I entered the main building with great ambition.

"My name is Julia Darwin. I'll be working here from now on. It's good to see you all.

A round of applause accompanied my brief introduction to my new partner.

"Welcome to the Institute. We're glad you joined here."

"So, you're Julia? Your father and I used to work together."

The others greeted me warmly as I walked while shaking their hands.

I'm glad they're all so friendly! This will ease me during work.

I reached out to shake the last person left.

"I'm Julia Darwin. It's nice to meet you."

"Don't you say it before." He grumbled as if distracted and shook my hand briefly. He was still sitting in his chair.

"Um, may I know your name?"

"See." He pointed at his ID badge.

"Pulse... Pardon?"

"Read this."

"Timo Salminen."

"Frightly so."

"Pulse.. Alright."

He seems like a difficult person. I better be careful from now on.

I left, but the man called me back.

"By, the way. You were placed in the leopard section of Kaleido with me."

"Really?!"

"I'll show you the facilities around. So try to follow me quickly."

"B-good..."

Everyone was very nice .. except this guy like him.

I felt overwhelmed by my bad luck. I followed Timo out of the lab.

As Timo took me around, I realized how vast and sophisticated this facility was.

This place is amazing...

"And this is the breeding area of the Kaleido leopard assigned to us.

"Wow!"

Seeing all the leopards while they were casually wandering around amazes me.

"As you know, the Kaleido leopard is a subspecies of the leopard that only exists in Kaleido."

"We have ten here. And it seems that this is the only remaining population. That's why this species is endangered."

I only half heard the explanation Timo gave me. My attention was stolen by the blinding fur of the leopard.

These beautiful creatures are on the verge of extinction, and our job is to help them find the future...

I can only hope that one day they will return to the wild, and no longer need our helping hand...

Filled with new inspiration, I followed Timo as we left the breeding area.

* * *

It was late afternoon when I returned to the apartment.

"I'm home."

"Your woof!"

"Lucas! Are you happy to see me?"

I kneeled down and wrapped my hands around the extremely excited golden soft ball.

Ruffling his thick, soft plume of fur, I played with him a bit before heading to my room.

"God.."

Since I went to bed last night, my room is still full of boxes of my stuff.

I started working on it, unpacking and storing all my stuff.

Now it looks more like a room .. But what am I supposed to do with all these boxes?

I walked into the lounge to ask someone for help, and found Miguel sitting on the sofa watching TV.

All righty! I talked to him this morning, so it's not strange to ask him.

"Miguel's? I'm sorry to bother you, but do you have time?"

"Julia? What's up?"

"I've unpacked all my stuff, but I don't know where to throw away all these empty boxes."

"Oh. Josh can tell you ... Oh no, wait, I think he's gone today."

"If you put it near the yard, Josh will take care of it tomorrow."

"really? Alright. Thanks."

"Do you do it now? I can help you." Said Miguel as I was about to return to my room.

"really? But aren't you watching TV?

“I just watched because I was bored. Lifting a box is better than sitting here. That'll help my practice."

"Alright, if you force."

"Let's go. And please - if you need help, just ask."

* * *

"Thank you! I really appreciate it, Miguel!"

"I don't even sweat a bit. I got more practice than that." Miguel said with a friendly smile.

What a nice guy. He is very wise and reliable...

As we walked side by side back to the lounge, his phone rang.

"Hello? The nolan? You called because I wasn't in the lounge?"

They live in the same place but still call each other? ... Did everyone here do that?

"Yes. Understood. I'll ask Julia for you."

"What's? Me?"

"Nolan wanted to play poker in his room. He really wants you to come."

Since my room is almost clean now, I don't have much to do right now...

"Are you going too?"

"Just if you want, Julia."

"But I don't know anything about poker.."

"Don't worry. If you don't know, you can always learn."

"alright... I'm coming with."

"alright. We'll see if you have his sense in you." Miguel smiled kindly at me while putting the phone back into his ear.

"Nolan? Julia also came. We'll be there soon, so get everything ready." Miguel switched off his phone without waiting for a reply.

"And again ... Are you ready if we go to her room now?"

"Yes, let's go!"

If I wanted to make friends here, I couldn't lose an opportunity like this!