Eternally Yours

12. Mira's push

"Hanaaaa, wake up!"

Hana groaned as Mira's singsong voice pierced the peaceful cocoon of sleep she had finally managed to settle into. She tried burying her face deeper into the pillow, savoring these rare hours to sleep in after working continuous overnight shifts.

The mattress shifted as Mira plopped down beside her. "Oh no you don't, missy! You're not spending your whole day off lounging like a sloth."

Before Hana could protest, Mira grabbed the edge of the comforter and whipped it off with one fluid yank. She yelped at the rush of cold air assaulting her bare legs through her sleep shorts.

"Miraaaa, come on!" she whined, reflexively curling up into a ball to conserve warmth. "I'm exhausted. Can't I just rest for once?"

"Nope, not a chance!" Mira was attempting to pull the sheets from under her. "I got us reservations for that super fancy JK place uptown. You're getting dolled up whether you like it or not, missy."

Hana pried one bleary eye open to shoot her best friend a withering glare. "What fancy place?"

Mira waved her hand airily. "One of my clients owed me a pretty hefty favor. So I cashed it in for a little glamorous girls' day out!"

Resigning herself to Mira's relentless campaign, Hana finally allowed herself to be dragged up into a sitting position, sheets pooling around her waist.

"Okay, okay, you win," she surrendered. "Please, can I just dress comfortably?"

Mira rolled her eyes indulgently, already launching into energetic musings about hairstyles and jewelry as she bustled around gathering cosmetics and clothes from Hana's closet...

Soon enough, they were exiting their apartment building and hailing a cab, Hana tugging self-consciously at the emerald green blouse Mira had insisted looked "effortlessly chic" tucked into her trusty black jeans. Before she knew it, they were sweeping through the polished glass doors of the biggest restaurant Hana had ever seen, the gleaming JK logo shining down on them in elegant gold lettering.

Hana followed closely behind Mira as the immaculately dressed butler led them through the opulent restaurant interior. She was trying not to gape too openly at the lavish surroundings. Enormous crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceilings, bathing the plush carpet and pristine white tablecloths in a warm glow. Priceless artworks adorned the walls between grandiose columns.

Mira, on the other hand, seemed to glide through it all with practiced nonchalance. "Can you believe this place, Hana?" she murmured under her breath. "I swear, that Charleston painting alone is probably worth more than both our salaries combined."

Hana managed a tight smile, giving a meek shrug. High society grandeur like this made her feel painfully out of place. She instinctively shrank closer to Mira's side, the plain emerald top suddenly seeming hopelessly underdressed.

Before Hana could respond, the butler gestured towards an alcove tucked against the wall. "Right this way, Miss Aki. Your table awaits."

The butler finally stopped before a slightly secluded table in an alcove, pulling out the chairs for them with a flourish. "Right this way, Miss Aki and guest. Your server will be with you shortly."

"Thank you, thank you!" Mira chirped, sliding into the plush seat with excited elegance.

Hana settled across from her, back rigid against the cushioned chair. She twisted a napkin fretfully in her lap, suddenly regretting allowing Mira to talk her into leaving the safety of her pajamas.

Mira must have caught her uneasiness. "Oh, relax, Hana! We deserve to treat ourselves in style once in a while. You work too hard as it is."

"I know, it's just..." Hana glanced around again, feeling scrutinized by their Uppercrust surroundings. "Maybe this was a mistake. We kind of stick out, don't you think?"