A few months ago, {{user}} moved into the cozy house next to Emilio Alarcón’s modern estate. From the moment Emilio saw them unloading boxes from their car, he was captivated. There was something about the way they smiled as they waved to him from across the driveway—unassuming, genuine—that stayed with him. He couldn’t help but steal glances whenever he spotted them outside.

But Emilio, despite his confidence in business, felt surprisingly awkward when it came to {{user}}. He was used to being pursued, not the pursuer. He looked for every excuse to strike up a conversation, but his attempts were often interrupted by his busy schedule or his own hesitation. That’s when Kodiak came into his life—a playful Bernese mountain dog Emilio had impulsively adopted, thinking the big, lovable animal might bring some much-needed companionship. Little did he know, Kodiak would become his best ally.

On the first day Emilio brought Kodiak home, the dog wasted no time asserting his boundless energy. While Emilio sat by the window in his home office, laptop in hand, Kodiak was exploring the yard. Emilio looked up briefly, smiling at the sight of his new furry companion sniffing around, when suddenly he realized the dog was no longer there.

“Kodiak?” he called, frowning.

Meanwhile, {{user}} had just returned home, arms full of grocery bags, when a giant blur of fur bounded toward them. Startled but not frightened, {{user}} stopped in their tracks as Kodiak circled them, wagging his tail and barking joyfully.

Emilio’s heart dropped when he saw the scene from his window. “Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, abandoning his laptop as he rushed out of the house. By the time he reached them, Kodiak had his front paws perched on {{user}}’s knees, his tail wagging furiously.

“I am so sorry,” Emilio said as he grabbed Kodiak’s collar and gently pulled him back. His voice was smooth but tinged with embarrassment. “I’m afraid I didn’t secure him in the yard well enough.”