follow her to Perros? Why did you send her a box of perfume?"

   Steele froze, "You…know about the gift?"

   "Maybe you shouldn't leave anything you don't want anyone to see on the dinner table, brother."

   Steele sighed, "What are you getting at, brother? Why do you care that I'm with Jenna? Are you jealous?"

   "No, I'm just…proud." Philippe then stood up from his seat to sit next to the malamute.

   "What?" Steele replied, confused, "What do you mean, proud?"

   "I'm seeing my little brother finally grow up into a real male." He then patted Steele on the shoulder, to which he brushed off.

   "I'm already grown, Philippe." He groaned, "I'm 24."

   "You're still young, brother. Now, I'm at the ripe age of 37, I count as being grown."

   "What's your point? Why the hell do you care?"

   Philippe put a paw on his shoulder again, but Steele didn't flinch, "Because I understand how you feel. Believe me, I've been there, done that."

   "That's what you always say." Steele was about to get up, but Philipe held him down.

   "No, I mean it, now sit down, and let me tell you a story."

   "Is this about that one dog you met? Come on Philippe I'm tired, I want to sleep."

   "No, you're going to sit here next to your big brother and listen to what he has to say." He then put his arm around Steele's, and he immediately moved away from him.

   "Ugh, I'm not a pup, brother!" He recoiled, pushing the older canine away.

   Philippe chuckled, "I was just joking. Now, let me tell you something, Steele. You're not the first one to fall in love. I've been around the block, trust me, I know these things." He then began his story of when he once met his first…and last love…

   When Philippe was Steele's age, he was just as immature as he was. He was what the females called a "play-dog" who could attract any dog that he passed in the streets of Paris. Despite his position, his wealth, and his militant services, he realized that his actions towards the females he dated seemed to make them reject him. He knew it was his fault, and he thought that true love wasn't something that belonged in the real world, it was something that belonged in fairy tales and romance novels.

   Of course, it wasn't until he met her.

   It was on a spring-filled night, and Philippe had been invited to a party with one of the other Counts in Paris. The party was filled with gentle-dogs and their fiancées, and even though the black husky was given a few winks from them and a few other girls, none of them were of interest to him.

   Not except for one. She was sitting by herself in the house's parlor, sipping on some wine. She was a retriever with a beautiful coat of gold, with light blue eyes, and an equally golden necklace around her neck. It was apparent that she did not come with anyone, not a friend or male. Philippe walked up to her, curious as to why she was alone.

   "You know," He began, walking into the parlor, "A female such as you shouldn't be by herself. Why don't you join us?"

   "No, I'm fine here, Monsieur." She replied, with a warm smile that caught Philippe by surprise. She had the kind of smile that gave Philippe goosebumps, and made his heart flutter.

   "Oh, um, OK," Philippe stammered, pulling at his shirt collar, "What is your name?"

   "Emilia Pontmercy," She replied, "I already know who you are, Monsieur Comte de Chagny."

   "Please, call me Philippe," He chuckled, "But still, you shouldn't be sitting by yourself. Nobody brought you?"

   "Well, he was going to, but he stood me up."

   What? Philippe thought, why would anyone do that to someone as beautiful as her?

   "I'm sorry," Philippe responded, "would you like if kept you company?"

   The retriever gasped, slightly blushing, "Oh, Monsieur Comte, you don't have to."

   "I insist, Madame, someone as pretty as you shouldn't be alone on such a fine evening."

   Did I really say that out loud?

   "I would be honored, Philippe." She smiled again, and she scooted over on the couch so Philippe could sit next to her.

   That night, it was an experience unlike anyone could ever imagine. Emilia (or Emily as she was called by everyone) had grown up in Paris all her life, and whilst she received a good amount of money from her family, she too had never been able find true love. Instead, she spent her lonely days writing and publishing stories in the papers. This all changed when Philippe asked her if she would like to come to dinner with him afterwards, to which she gladly accepted.

   For the next few weeks, everything that Philippe had once known about the world seemed to change forever. He soon saw that when he was with Emily, he felt pure and utter bliss and passion in his heart. When she would catch himself in her eyes, he felt joy, and when they kissed, he realized that there would be no way for them to separate.

   Of course, it didn't last, as Emily could not stay in Paris, for her family was moving to Sweden. Philippe begged her to stay, but it was all in vain.

   The world seemed different after that, but not for worse however. Philippe had never been happier, his experience with Emily had forever changed the way he saw the world. She made him see that there was love in the world, and anyone, no matter what that background was, or who they are, can fall in love just the same.

   They kissed one last time at the Paris docks, and she boarded the boat soon after. As Philippe waved to her when it was time for her to leave by boat, he could still feel her gentle kiss on his lips. She had come into his life, her love had changed him, as he gazed at her golden shining fur, and it soon disappeared off into the distance, as the boat rowed off into the fading sun.

   "That was 15 years ago brother, but you know what, I haven't forgotten about those long, spring days. When she came into my life, I was a changed dog, brother."

   "OK, but what does this have to do with me and Jenna? I mean, it sounded kind of…corny."

   "When I saw you gazing at her at the Gala, and when you talked about your days with her in Perros, I saw a 'familiar' look in your eyes, brother. Deep down, you love her, but being the masculine dog, you don't want to admit it, since word could get out of the great Steele de Chagny being in love. But, I think it would make you more of a dog than any other in the entire world. It takes a real dog to fully express his feelings, and come to grips with them. So, I'm going to ask you again, Stephen de Chagny, are you in love with Jennifer Daae?"

   Steele didn't know how to answer; he was practically paralyzed from the words that his brother had said. He knew there was no way he was going to get out of this one.

   "Yeah…" He said finally, shrugging his shoulders, "Yeah, I guess I do."

   "You don't have to be afraid to say it, brother." Philippe placed his paw on his brother's shoulder again, "It's not like I'm going to put it in the papers."

   "OK, yeah, I'll say it again, I'm in love!" He exclaimed, "But, I think you're missing one crucial detail about that."

   "What is that?"

   "She…hates my guts."

   Philippe flexed his ears, "Why is that?"

   "Well…" Steele scratched the back of his head, "Apparently she says I was a jerk to her."

   "And were you a jerk to her?" Philippe cocked his head to one side.

   "Kind of, but it wasn't really my fault. She's been acting strange lately."

   "That doesn't matter, Steele. A male should always respect his female, no matter what."

   "I know that, but she's been so difficult." Steele grunted, folding his arms, "She keeps prattling on about some Angel of Music or something."

   Philippe raised a brow, "Um…ok…" He replied, "Well, that does sound rather odd, but I think you should at least give her some respect, brother. Remember what I said before, if you really love her, and then you should tell her how you feel. But, if it were up to me, I would probably just wait for a while, especially if there's still beef between you two."

   "So, I shouldn't push it?" Steele asked.

   "Right, just take your time, brother. Don't just rush into these things. Love will find a way."

   "God, you sound like a walking, talking romance novel." Steele groaned. Philippe then put his paws together in a prayer position, before sighing deeply.

   "Ah, Monsieur Steele est de tomber amoureux!" He said jokingly, "L'amour est dans