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Angela blinked her eyes open at the sound of her alarm clock screeching. Giving it an annoyed slap, she sank back into her bed and scrunched her body into her comforter. [Why do I always have to get out of bed when it's just the right temperature?] she wondered. Sighing, she reluctantly pulled the sheets away from her and drowsily walked to her bathroom. Turning on the faucet, she rinsed her face in the cold water, hoping it would help her wake up.
"Mrowr?"
She smiled as the owner of the voice jumped onto the ledge of the sink and began rubbing her head under her chin. "Why, hello, Yin," she cooed as her kitten happily purred. As if sensing that she was getting attention, her two siblings wandered into the bathroom. It always made her so happy to see them, considering the state that she had found them in. While walking home from her office she found them in a box, huddled together trying to keep warm. Unable to resist Yin's bright blue eyes and white mittens, she had simply scooped up the box and carried them home and it was the best thing she had ever done. Within a few weeks, the kittens were thriving and their personalities were all extremely loving. Yin seemed to be the alpha of the group and she was also the most affectionate. Her sister, Yang, was a medium hair silver tabby and Snotty, the only boy, named so because she had found him sneezing blood, was pure gray. Three bright pairs of differently colored eyes looked expectantly at her and she grinned. "Oh, are we hungry?" Padding off to the kitchen, the furry trio followed her, their tails happily held high. As she pulled out the bag of cat food, they all began meowing and chirping. "Yes, yes, yes," she laughed as she poured a bowl full and set it down in front of them.
Taking advantage of their being occupied, she walked to her closet and pulled out a button down shirt and pencil skirt. Setting them on the bed, she walked back into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Looking out the window, she saw a dark mass of clouds gathering above the Chicago skyline. Hoping she would remember to bring an umbrella, she rinsed out her mouth and hastily applied a little bit of makeup before getting dressed. After grabbing her keys and purse, she tried to slide on a pair of heels while the kittens used the straps for a chew toy. "No, babies! Mommy has to go to work." As if understanding her, they stopped and sat back on their haunches to look innocently at her. She sighed with frustration – they always made it so hard for her to leave, they were so cute. Forcing herself out the door, she was halfway to work before she realized [shit I forgot the umbrella!] At the same time she hoped it wouldn't start raining until she got to her office, the first drops began to dot the pavement. Sprinting as quickly as her skirt would allow, she made it into the lobby of her building and shook the rain off her shoulders.
"Morning, Dr. Baek. Forget your umbrella?" The security guard smiled sympathetically.
"Oh, don't start with me, James," she shot back with mock annoyance. "See you later."
"Have a good day, Doc."
"You too, James." Checking her watch, she saw that she had about a half hour before her first patient would arrive, giving her enough time to get a little organized before her day started.
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"So I'll see you same time next week then."
"Thanks, Dr. Baek."
As her patient left the room, Angela realized that she was extremely hungry but the thunderstorm outside showed no signs of letting up. Typically she ate at a small bakery that she really liked on Wabash but seeing the weather, she figured she would have to make do with the restaurant in the lower level of her building.
When she'd entered the restaurant, she was surprised to find that it was mostly empty considering it was lunchtime. There was only one other patron in the entire place and it was a large space. Having never eaten here before, she assumed that the food was Asian of some sort, judging by the décor. After waiting for about ten minutes, a girl who looked to be Chinese walked towards her with a menu. "How many?" she asked pleasantly.
"Oh, just me," Angela answered, feeling a bit silly at eating alone in such a huge place.
"Follow me." The hostess sat her down in front of a magnificent saltwater aquarium. "Let me know when you're ready to order. Some tea before you start?"
"Sure." Angela scanned the menu and regretted that she was so ravenous. She always ate too much when she got this hungry and the last thing she wanted to do was feel uncomfortably stuffed while she was supposed to be listening to what her patients told her. It seemed to be pan Asian cuisine as she had guessed and the sweet and sour chicken looked particularly good, if the picture was any indication. Waiting for the hostess to return, she looked over at the man two tables away from her. Also, Asian, he was bent studiously over a pile of papers. Dressed in an impeccable black suit, she was struck by how long his hair was, reaching halfway down his back, tied back in a loose ponytail. He sported a short beard as well, which was also unusual for Asians. She must have been studying him for a while because he suddenly turned to look at her and she was startled to look into a pair of blue eyes. What caught her by surprise even more was that there was a look of recognition in his face.
"Do you know what you'd like?"
"Huh?" She'd been so busy staring at the blue-eyed man that she didn't even notice her waitress. "Oh, uh, sweet and sour chicken please."
"Sure thing." Taking her menu, she again disappeared into the kitchen.
Angela looked to the other table and saw the papers still there, but the man was gone. "What the-"
"May I join you?"
She squealed louder than she had wanted to when she saw that he had materialized on the other side of her table.
"I apologize, I did not mean to frighten you."
If those were color contacts then she needed to get the number of his optometrist, they looked so real, without a ring of brown to be seen. They were even flecked with grey. They were such a pale shade of blue. The only other time she had seen eyes so pale were on Yin and certain breeds of dogs.
"Are you alright?" The eyes she was distracted by looked at her quizzically.
Blinking a few times, she realized that she had been staring. "Oh god, I'm sorry! Uh, I'm fine." Realizing that he was still waiting for her answer, she gestured to the seat opposite her. "Please." She watched as he slid smoothly into the chair. Not knowing what to say she attempted small talk. "Such a big place, I wonder why it's so empty. Is the food here good?"
"It is alright," he said. Japanese, she thought. His English was flawless but accented. His voice was gorgeous though, if a sound could be gorgeous. It was deep, silky, yet gravelly at the same time, every bit as distracting as his eyes. "It is empty because it is currently closed for business."
Her eyes darted over to where he was looking and she saw a sign that read "closed". "Why did that girl seat me then? Or you, for that matter?"
