Chapter 4: Having fun in LA

At the beaches of Santa Monica, many people were enjoying themselves at the best beach of Los Angeles. Young adults and families alike.

While Murray was playing with a beachball in the water, Carmelita, wearing a blue bikini and sunglasses, was laying with her belly on a big towel in the sand, sunbathing. Bentley on the other hands was sitting on a chair with a big parasol on top over his head while just relaxing, preferring not to get burned in the sun.

As Carmelita turned herself and sat straight, she asked Bentley "Hey, Bent, why aren't you gonna sunbathe?"

Bentley stated "Well, you know that I always easily burn in the sun, big sis," he then took a bottle of sun cream which was a factor 50+ "I'm not taking any risks." And puts some more cream on his arms and neck.

Carmelita gave a shrug "Okay, if you say so." She then lay back on her back, giving a small sigh, relaxing in the sun.

But just then, her sunlight was blocked by somebody standing over her. Carmelita puts her sunglasses up and saw it was a 21-year old muscled-looking male puma with some tattoos on his arms and accompanied by his two cayote friends.

With a flirty grin on his face, the puma guy said "Hey there, baby. Is it just me, or do angels fall out of the sky? Cause by the looks of it, you really want to enjoy more than just sunbathing."

Carmelita raised an eyebrow at him, but played along and said with a little smile on her face while sitting straight "And what makes you say that I want to do more than just sunbathing?"

The puma guy chuckled before giving a shrug "I don't know, but me and the guys saw you and we thought, 'hey why don't we invite her over?'," he turned to his friends "Right guys?"

His two cayote friends nodded, with one saying "Yeah, we're actually looking for an extra player for a little beach volleyball match."

The other cayote friend then added "And since there's only three of us we need a fourth player."

The puma guy nodded and told Carmelita as he sat on one knee "So? What do you say?"

Carmelita thought for a moment "Hmmmm. I don't know."

"C'mon," the puma guy insisted "It's just for one little game." He formed a charming grin on his face.

Carmelita gave a small chuckle, liking his flirting on her a bit

Bentley however, could see that the puma and two cayotes were only interested in his foster sister's body and began to frown, but being not so much of a tough guy, he kinda politely asked "Uhm… excuse me?"

The puma guy and the two coyote guys glanced at the turtle, beginning to frown at him for interrupting their moment to flirt with the vixen.

Bentley became very nervous and asked "Would you… just leave her be? If she's not interested to go, then just let her, okay?"

The puma guy asked Carmelita while pointing his thump to Bentley "Is he your boyfriend or something?"

That made Carmelita laugh "Hahahaha! No. He's not. He's my foster brother,"

The two cayotes were not amused by the nerd-turtle's attempt to challenge them and one of them cracked his knuckles, which made Bentley very nervous.

Carmelita didn't liked the way they were looking at him like they want to teach them a lesson and would normally tell them to go away and leave them be. But thinking she could still have some fun on her own, she stood up and said "Just leave my turtle friend be," she then formed a sweet smile and gave a shrug "Sure. I'll join you guys for a game of beach volleyball."

Both the puma guy and his cayote friends smiled "Alright. Right this way," the puma guy guided Carmelita to where a volleyball net was placed, with the two cayote guys following "By the way, my name's Henry." He friendly introduced himself to her.

Carmelita and him shook hands "Carmelita."

Though Bentley was relieved that those guys wouldn't go pick on him, he was a bit worried for Carmelita.

That was when Murray came back with his beachball and asked Bentley while drying himself "Where did Carmelita go?"

Bentley sighed "She's gone with those guys," he pointed to the beach volleyball field, where Carmelita and the three guys were ready to play, with Henry being on her side of the field "Agreeing to play some beach volleyball."

Murray raised an eyebrow "Really? Then… is there something wrong about that?" he wandered.

Bentley shook his head "No, there's nothing wrong about that. it's just… I have a bad feeling those guys are interested in more than just 'getting to know her better'."

Though Murray was angry at hearing that, ready to teach those guys a lesson if they would ever try on 'having fun' with their big sister-figure, the hippo sighed with a bit of sadness and sat down on his beach towel.

"What's wrong, big guy?" Bentley wandered.

Murray shook his head "No, no, there's nothing…"

"You sure?"

"Yeah, yeah… I'm okay."

Bentley was confused to why Murray was acting like this, but then gave a shrug and took out a book to read. While the turtle was reading his book about computer software, he was sometimes peeking from his book to watch if Carmelita was okay, only to see she was just having fun to play beach volleyball with those muscled-looking guys.

Carmelita was playing very well, despite not having played it, but knew how the game would go as she'd seen people playing it before.

When the ball went high, one of the cayote guys jumped and hit the ball hard, but before hitting the ground, Henry barely hit it by sliding over to the ball, hitting it far into the air. Carmelita smirked and jumped high, making a few somersaults and hit the ball hard, sending it fast over to the other side of the field, scoring a point!

Carmelita landed flawlessly back on the sands while giving a fist bump "Yes!"

Henry was impressed by that and asked while walking over to her "Wow, you're actually really good at this, baby."

Carmelita moved a bit of hair behind her ear, giving a small shrug while giving a sweet smile "Thanks."

"And where did you even learned those moves, Carmelita?" Henry wandered, but guessed while flirty smirked at her "No, let me guess; you were a cheerleader in high school, right?"

Though Carmelita had never been a cheerleader at all, but got her skills because of taking gymnastic classes when she was still living in the orphanage, she answered with a little lie "Yeah, that's right. In fact, I was cheerleader captain." She said while placing her hands on her hips.

Henry nodded "That's cool. I was in the football team back at high school and college."

Carmelita nodded "Ah yes, that explains your fast sliding response to get the ball, Henry." She gave a small sense of impression "Not bad,"

Henry smirked again "Then what do you say? Want to go for another play?" he asked while his cayote friend tossed the ball over to him and he caught it.

Carmelita formed a grin "Sure."

"Alright!" the puma guy said enthusiastic.

As Carmelita played a few more beach volleyball matches with the guys, she showed more to what she was capable of; using her acrobatic and fast skills to score most of the points. Some of the people at the beach even started to watch the game as they saw how talented the fox woman was playing.

When Carmelita scored another winning point after jumping high and landed on the sand, the few dozens of people in the crowd cheered and clapped.

The two cayote guys walked over to Carmelita and Henry, with one saying while wiping away the sweat from his forehead "Whoa! I haven't had such a great game in long time. You're natural."

"Thanks," Carmelita said, before she glanced over to Bentley and Murray "But I gotta go now. It's been fun, boys."

Henry however suggested while putting an arm around her shoulder "Ah, do you have to leave now? Why don't you stick around with us a bit longer? I could treat you for some ice cream?"

Carmelita too his arm and removed it from her shoulder before giving a shrug "Maybe another time."

Henry, not wanting to let go of such a hot girl walk away from him that easily, had something else in mind and ran before stopping her in her tracks "Wait a moment. I know then something else we could do for tonight," he took a card out of his pocket "My uncle owns a great nightclub in town. With this you can get in free,"

When Henry offered her the card, Carmelita took it and thought while looking at it "Hmmmm…" she then formed a little smile at him and said "Okay, I'll go. On one condition,"

Henry looked with some surprise and interest "Which is?"

"If I'm allowed to go in for free at this nightclub of your uncle's, then my two foster brothers can go in too."

Henry looked to where the turtle was sitting, with Murray looking down a bit depressed. Henry wasn't so sure if Carmelita's foster brothers were cool enough for the club. But seeing that this was his only chance to spend some more time with this very sexy looking fox girl, the puma guy agreed and took out two more free cards "Alright, deal. Your brothers can come too."

Carmelita smiled as she took the cards "Thanks."

With a grin on his face, he leaned a bit closer to her "I'll see you tonight, beautiful…"

Though Carmelita thought he was standing a bit too close, she took a step back before going back to Bentley and Murray "Uhm… yeah. See you tonight, Henry."

The puma watched Carmelita going, with his eyes more focused on her nice looking ass. He smirked while he joined his two cayote friends 'Oh, I'm gonna make sure that she's going have a sweet time with me she'll never forget.'

Joined back with Murray and Bentley, Carmelita said with a smile while sitting back at her beach towel and placed the free cards to the club next to her "Guess what, guys? We're going out to a fancy nightclub, tonight," she then took a different bottle to put some new sun cream on her body.

Bentley looked a bit surprised "A nightclub?"

Carmelita nodded while showing the tickets "Yeah. The guy offered these three free tickets for all of us to go in for free," she gave a shrug "He first wanted to invite me only, but I figured that you two might wanted to have some fun too, so I convinced Henry the puma to give me two more tickets."

Bentley wasn't so sure, but feeling intrigued to experience a real nightclub the turtle said with a smile "Well, if the entrance is for free, I'm in!" Bentley then turned to Murray "What about you, big guy?"

Murray gave a short glance before he gave a simple nod "Yeah… sounds fun." He then looked down, depressed again.

Carmelita looked a bit worried at her hippo friend and asked as she stood before him "Hey, what's wrong, Murray?"

Murray sighed "It's just… after seeing you with those guys… and how they were so confident with talking to you… I…. I never had that courage," Murray stated, telling he never had that confidence when talking to woman.

Carmelita understood Murray's problem and rubbed his arm "Aaah, Murray. There is nothing to be a shamed of that you're too shy around girls," she then asked with a grin "Then why aren't you so shy around me?"

Murray shook his head as he stated "It's because you've always been a big sister-figure for me every since we became friends back at the orphanage. And… you always will be my big sister no matter what."

Carmelita smiled, thinking it was sweet of Murray to say that "Thanks, Murray." She then told him as the big sister she is for him "Listen, Murray. Despite those guys maybe have the looks and charms and all, you have something that girls love the most in any man."

Murray raised an eyebrow at Carmelita "Then… what is that?"

"Character, Murray. You're humble, kind, protective and always cares more for the sake of others than yourself. Those are one of the best qualities that a woman can wish for. And I'm 100% sure that if you ever meet this girl, she's damn lucky to have you."

Murray began to smile while some tears formed in his eyes "You… you mean it?"

"Of course I do, big guy. You're a heck of a guy." Carmelita said as she patted his shoulder.

Murray nearly got teary and hugged his big sister "Thank you, Carmelita."

"You're… welcome, Murray," clearly Murray was hugging Carmelita a bit too tightly and asked while patting his arm "Uhm, Murray? I can't… breath."

Murray immediately released her, apologizing "Oh, sorry."

Carmelita shook her head, to let him known it was okay as she's used to it now. She then stood up and suggested "Anyone want some ice cream?"

Bentley and Murray raised their hands "I do!"

Carmelita giggled before she went to buy some for herself and her friends "Okay, I'll be right back."

That same evening. 7PM

Inside Murray and Bentley's room, while the turtle was putting on a red bowtie as he watched himself in the mirror while Murray was putting on a blue pants, a white shirt and a jeans jacket.

Bentley gave him a thumps up "Looking good, Murray."

"Thanks, Bent," but then asked "Why are you wearing a bow tie?"

Bentley gave a shrug "And why not? I just want to wear at my best."

Murray gave an equal smirk, not minding if this is how Bentley wanted to go out.

Seeing both were finished, they exited their hotel room and went over to Carmelita's room, which was at the end of the corridor, close to the elevator.

Murray knocked on the door a bit too hard "Carmelita. Are you ready to go?"

"I'm almost ready, Murray. Give me a few minutes." Carmelita answered, as Murray stopped knocking hard on the door.

After waiting for 10 minutes, Carmelita walked out of her room.

Both Murray and Bentley's mouth went wide open when they saw how stunning their big sister-figure looked.

Carmelita was wearing a yellow mini dress which showed a bit cleavage, wearing white/yellow high heels, yellow and white eyeshadow, wearing red lipstick and had her long curly hair in a ponytail. She was also holding a matching white/yellow handbag over her shoulder.

Seeing her foster brother's facial expression, she asked them "A bit too much?"

Murray and Bentley shook their heads "Oh, no no no, it looks… fascinating!" Bentley quickly said.

"Yeah, Carmelita. You look… amazing!" Murray added.

Carmelita felt glad that Bentley and Murray liked her outfit and was looking good on her "Thanks, guys," she then walked to the elevator and pressed the button "Now, let's go and have some fun."

"Yes!" Bentley and Murray said with a big smile.

10 minutes later

Carmelita, Murray and Bentley, having taken a taxi to get to the nightclub, the trio arrived at a big fancy building with big neon lights showing the name of the nightclub: The Place.

There were one short line and one big line in front of the entrance, with a few security guards were keeping watch for any unwanted guests.

The short line were possibly for the VIP's as how more fancy and rich these people looked, while in the big line were mostly common folk that had to pay a big fee in order to get in and had to show their ID's.

With the three free entry cards, which Carmelita kept in her handbag, she was sure that she and her friends were allowed to enter through the VIP line. Both she and her foster brothers stood in line.

It wasn't long before it was their turn. The guard looked serious at the turtle and the hippo, who both gave a nervous smile. But when the guard glanced at the beautiful and sexy looking vixen, he began to form a grin. Carmelita showed the guard the 3 cards, which he looked at for a few seconds before he nodded and allowed them in.

Inside, it was crowded with people who were either talking, flirting, dancing and drinking. Carmelita seemed to like this place, same for Murray and Bentley.

That was when the puma guy, Henry, walked up to Carmelita. He was wearing a white suit with a red shirt under it, a black tie, and black shoes.

Henry smiled as he stood close to Carmelita "Hey, baby. Glad you could make it," he then formed a grin as he looked how sexy Carmelita looked "I gotta say, beautiful, you look gorgeous in that outfit."

Carmelita gave a shrug while forming a small smile "Thanks,"

But by the way he was dressed, like he was dressed as that character that the actor from the movie Scarface portrayed, Carmelita could sense that Henry was more than just an ordinary partygoer. Carmelita could feel somehow that he had the look of a gangster. A gangster who had more up his sleeves. And as an upcoming master thief who only steals from other thieves, Carmelita could definitely smell a rat.

'Hmmm. Perhaps if I get closer to him, perhaps I could find some dirty on him?' Carmelita mentality wandered herself, which made her form a grin.

So, taking his arm, Henry the Puma escorted her to the bar "What you wanna drink, sweetheart? It's on me." Henry offered as they sat at the bar.

Carmelita didn't thought of what she wanted for long, and said with a sweet smile "Give me a Tequila Sunrise,"

Knowing what she wanted, Henry told the bartender "A Tequila Sunrise for the lady, and a Vodka Martini for myself."

The bartender nodded and prepared their cocktails.

Bentley and Murray exchanged a glance, seeing that their big sister-figure was clearly enjoying herself "Well, I guess we should look for something to around here, Murray," Bentley suggested.

Murray nodded and both took a seat somewhere.

Back at the bar, as the bartender served Carmelita and Henry's cocktails, both took a sip as the puma guy asked "So, Carmelita? It's a pretty name for such a pretty lady,"

"Thanks. That's… sweet." Carmelita said, feeling a bit flattered but felt that this guy wasn't really her type.

Henry then asked "Your name sounds… very Latino, if I might say. You're from Mexico, or something?"

Carmelita took a small sip from her tequila before she answered "Well, my mother was from Mexico. But I was born and raised here. What about you, Henry?" she asked back.

The puma guy gave a small chuckle as he stated "Born and raised the American way. Well… also a bit of Cuban, as my father and uncle immigrated from Cuba."

"Really?" Carmelita asked with a raised eyebrow, but pretended to be interested as she admired the place "I say your uncle "must be very loaded to own a nightclub such as this."

Henry chuckled while he shoved closer at Carmelita "Yep. My uncle made his fortune thanks to his special business, which I'm glad to be part of,"

Intrigued, Carmelita used her flirting skills to get closer "And…" she formed a seductive smile at him "Mind telling me what kind of special business your uncle is running?"

Henry was a bit suspicious that Carmelita asked him, but forming a grin as he glanced down for a second at her cleavage, then her face, he answered "It's business where my uncle offers to… help people, whenever they can," he gave a shrug "When they're short on cash, know what I'm saying? People come to see him and my uncle loans them some money and they pay it back with some interest."

Seeing the smirk on his face, showing the face of a heartless gangster, Carmelita mentally knew what this sort of business meant 'Loansharking…' the vixen was disgusted by the idea of giving people money and have to pay huge interest back 'Those are the worst kind of gangsters around! It makes me sick.' Carmelita angrily said in her mind.

But playing along, she pretend to be a less intelligent hot girl, and said with a smile "Oh! Like… a bank, right?"

Henry gave a small chuckle before placing his arm around her waist "Yes. Like a bank," he then took a sip from his martini and glanced at Carmelita with a charming smirk.

Meanwhile, with Murray and Bentley. Both the turtle and the hippo were just taking a drink while glancing around the nightclub.

Murray saw a group of beautiful bunny ladies, wearing long sexy dresses, giggling among each other. Murray thought they looked gorgeous. One of them, being a brown haired bunny wearing a black dress, noticed Murray was looking at them, making him quickly look the other way cause of his shyness.

Bentley noticed where Murray was glancing at, and asked him, trying to give him some encouragement "Why don't you go and talk to them?"

Murray sighed "I don't know, Bentley. What if they will laugh at me?"

"Don't say that. I'm sure that if you-"

But Murray shook his head "No. I… I don't think I can." He then asked "Why don't you try?"

That made Bentley a bit nervous "Uhh… uh-uh-uh, me?! But… I don't… I don't know what…!"

Seeing that even Bentley isn't as courageous as he is, made Murray smile a bit, but then looked depressed again.

"Hey there," a lovely voice said behind Murray.

Murray looked and saw the same brown haired bunny lady he was looking at. Murray began to sweat, thinking she would tell him that it was inappropriate to stare at her and her friends. But surprisingly, she formed a little smile.

"Are you here all alone?" the bunny lady asked.

Murray scratched his head, feeling some sweat coming from his forehead "Uhhh… no, I… I'm here with Bentley and-"

"Would you like to dance with me?" she asked him with a little smile.

Murray was even more surprised "Uhm…" he glanced at Bentley for a moment, who gave him an encouraging thumps up. Murray glanced back at the bunny lady and nodded "Sure!"

"Come on, then," she took his arm and took him over to the dance floor.

As the DJ started to play a great pop song, the bunny lady began to dance. Though Murray was very nervous, he barely danced, knowing he'd never danced before.

Murray glanced to another guy who did some great dance moves. The hippo thought he could mimic them and tried them himself, which he did very well. The bunny lady looked impressed.

Feeling more loose, Murray began to dance a bit more confident, trying out some different moves, making the bunny lady giggle "This song is so great,"

Murray nodded "Oh yeah, indeed!" he to move some more.

"Wow, you can really move,"

Trying to show off some more, Murray said "You like that, huh? Check this out!" he then tried to do some street dance moves and began to spin around, but began to lose balance and… accidentally hit his fist at the back of another lady, who fell face down on the floor!

Murray gasped in shock of what he'd done and ran over to the lady "Oh my God! I'm so sorry! I didn't looked where I was going! Are you alright?"

The lady, being a hippo herself and was a bit more smooth, with half-long brown hair and was wearing a long purple dress, rubbed the back of her head and groaned some in pain "I'm fine… I'm fine…"

"I swear, I didn't see!" Murray nearly panicked "Are you hurt? Does your head hurt?"

The hippo girl gave a nod while rubbing the back of her head "Yeah, my head hurts a lot."

Murray helped her up and took her over somewhere "Let me get you some ice."

The bunny lady just stared at how Murray ignored her. Groaning in annoyance, she turned her back and walked away, trying to seduce a different guy.

At the table where Murray carefully puts the hippo lady on a chair, he grabbed some ice in a small wet towel and carefully placed it on her head. She grunted in pain "Ow! Ow."

"Sorry! I'm sorry!" Murray apologized "Are you hurt?"

Both of them glanced into each other's eyes. Murray gave a soft gasp as he looked into her beautiful brown eyes. It was as if his world stood still. The hippo lady too was astounded by his eyes. Both of them felt they had some sort of a… connection.

The hippo girl formed a small smile, ensuring him "No… It's… it's fine…" she then took the towel he'd placed on her head and held it at where Murray had accidentally hit her.

Murray didn't know why, but he offered her his hand and introduced himself "I… I'm Murray…"

The hippo girl formed a sweet smile and took his hand, shaking it and told her name "I'm… Harriet…. It's… a pleasure to meet you… Murray…"

"Yeah… you too…"

Back on the dance floor, Carmelita was dancing with Henry, which she figured was a loanshark gangster.

Holding her close to him, which she allowed, though it disgusted her, Henry told her "I love the way you move, baby. You're making it all… hot under the collar. Hahahaha."

Getting an idea to steal what he might have stolen, she suggested while forming a fake seductive smile "Then maybe… we could continue our little moment a bit more… private?"

Thinking what she had in mind, Henry smirked "Oh… sure, baby. Come with me," he placed his arm around her and escorted her from the dance floor.

Both went up a stairs, where at the top, 2 bear guards were standing. Seeing Henry approaching with a fox woman, both gave a simple nod and moved out of the way, allowing Henry and Carmelita to go through the door behind them, which lead to a long hallway with lots of artwork.

Taking interest in these kind of arts, Carmelita said "Lots of expensive paintings you got here,"

Henry chuckled "Yeah, my uncle is a real fan of… expensive painting. But not me."

"Then what?" Carmelita wandered.

Henry gave her a smirk before taking out a card, which he used to open a secured door "I'm more into collecting far more… valuable things," after entering the code, which was 9-9-0-2, a green light showed and the door opened.

As Henry allowed Carmelita to go in first, like a gentleman, he said "So… welcome to my little kingdom,"

Carmelita saw that the room she entered was a big office, which was decorated with red/black/orange walls, Greek statues, and behind a glass dome in the corner, held a rare small statue made of gold and jade.

Carmelita took a look at it, sensing this piece of jade was very expensive, and asked "What's this?"

Henry went over to her and explained "Ah. Now this is my crown possession. Imported all the way from the far east. Said it belonged to the last emperor of Korea before the Japs took over their country. I got this sweet little piece of jade from an Asian costumer who was… kind enough to… donate it to me," Carmelita glanced at him in confusion, which made him chuckle as he fakely ensured her "Not to worry, baby. Like I said, he willingly donated it to me out of kindness," but clearly he was lying and said under his breath while he evilly smirked and went over to his private bar "Right after I put a bullet into that old man's head,"

Sensing that Henry the Puma had actually stolen this jade/golden statue after killing someone, made Carmelita disgusted how coldblooded he is 'Why you… unbelievable…!' but then, while pretending to look at the statue again, she noticed that Henry was preparing a few new cocktails for himself and for her. But then saw that he was quickly putting some kind of small powder in one of the drinks.

Figuring what he was planning, Carmelita glanced down at the statue behind the dome, then at platinum baseball bat on top of a coffee table. She formed a mischievous smirk as she figured a little plan of her own 'Sorry, Henry. But I think this little piece of Korean history is better of in the hands of a… true master thief. And I think you deserve a little lesson.'

Henry walked over to her, holding two glasses of cocktails in each hand. He offered one to Carmelita (clearly the one he'd put powder in it).

"Thank you," Carmelita said.

Henry toasted, clearly waiting for her to take the first sip.

But figuring how to distract him a bit, she formed a little smile and said "But… I don't need another drink to… break the ice, hotshot." She puts the glass at a table.

Henry however insisted and held "Now, c'mon. Just one little sip, baby."

Carmelita took the glass again, and said while gently pushing him back "Alright then… but first," she gave him a little push, making him sit at a big chair and very quickly swooped the two glasses of cocktails without him even noticing, as he only had lustful things in mind "Why don't you enjoy yourself a bit more of… the view?"

Henry blinked his eyes as Carmelita began to dance a bit sexy for him, moving her hips and drank her switched drink in a few sips. She glanced at him while still moving her hips, moving her tongue over her mouth.

Henry began to smirk, thinking his plan had worked and took a few sips from his drink.

'Sucker.' Carmelita mentally said, knowing her little distraction had worked.

In his mind, Henry the Puma thought he had this vixen right where he wanted 'Hahahahaha. Enjoy yourself while you can, baby. Cause in a couple of seconds, you'll be all mine. And there is nothing that you… you…' he mentally thought, but then felt a bit blurry and dizzy "Whoa… what the… fu…" he then fell unconscious face down on the floor.

Carmelita giggled to see him like this. She rolled her eyes as she took his wallet with the security card and the key to open the glass dome "Sorry, Henry. You're not my type," she opened the glass dome and took the small statue from its place "And I take this little statue," after she'd placed the small statue in her purse, she took a Fox Gang calling card and placed it in the dome.

She then glanced down at the unconscious puma guy. Carmelita mischievously smirked at him.

After having taking his clothes off, being now only in his underwear, Carmelita tied him up to the floor and wrote with some black marker on his chest; This guy got fooled by Carmelita Fox.

When she walked to the door, using the security card she'd borrowed from the puma guy and typed in the code, Carmelita walked out of the room, leaving the unconscious and humiliated puma in his uncle's office.

When Carmelita walked down the stairs, coming back to the party, she saw Murray slowly romantically dancing on the dance floor with a pretty hippo girl around his age in his arms.

Carmelita was surprised to see Murray finally with a girl, but then felt proud at him. Then, she looked very surprised that Murray and the hippo girl shared a kiss, which made Carmelita so proud at him, that she nearly squealed of being happy for him.

Murray and Harriet both romantically kissed each other for a half minute till they both broke the kiss.

Murray felt like he was in heaven, same for Harriet.

Murray then saw Carmelita and Bentley, with his turtle friend waving at him that they needed to go.

Disappointed, Murray gave them a nod and told Harriet sadly "I… I'm sorry, Harriet… I… I need to go."

Harriet was a bit sad to hear that "Oh… must you?"

Murray gave a shrug "Yeah, it's a… very important. I'm sorry," but feeling he doesn't want to end it with her right here, feeling that he and Harriet have a connection, asked her while softly holding her hands "Can I… can I see you again?"

Harriet smiled brightly and nodded "Yes! Can we meet at the Chinese Theatre, tomorrow at 12pm?"

Murray nodded "I will be there," and gave her one last kiss before he went away with Carmelita and Bentley, but not before waving goodbye to her, which she waved back.

Inside the taxi, bringing them back to the hotel, Bentley asked Carmelita quietly, so that the taxi driver wouldn't hear them "What the heck did you just took from that puma guy, Carmelita?"

Carmelita smirked mischievous and whispered back "I'll show you when we get back to the hotel,"

Bentley nodded in understanding. When he glanced at Murray, who looked dreamily through the window, he asked his hippo friend "How are you doing, big guy?"

Murray sighed dreamily "I'm in love…"

Bentley and Carmelita shared a smile, feeling proud at Murray for finally having the courage to talk to a girl, and liked Murray too.

Meanwhile… somewhere in the jungles of Haiti…

The female crocodile voodoo priestess Mz. Ruby was looking at her crystal ball, seeing glimpses of the future, seeing a vixen, a hippo and a turtle.

Mz. Ruby began to smirk as she recognized that vixen "Well, well… looks like I'm gonna have a few guests in a little while. Oh don't worry, Carmelita Fox, I have a special surprise waiting for you and your friends. Hahahahahaha… Bwahahahahahaha!"

A/N: I hope you all loved this over-bridged chapter I've thought of. I know you expected that I would do the part with Mz. Ruby in the next chapter, but I kinda felt that I wanted to add something extra to show what Carmelita and her friends would come across during their time of rest after a heist.

As for this hippo girl that Murray has fallen in love for, I have some ideas for her as well. But I'm not going to spoil anything ;)

So, I'm going to write a few chapters of my other stories for now. But don't worry, I'm not going to keep long to make new chapters for this story. That's a promise to you all.

Like and review, and I'll be seeing you all next time.