faded echoes ¦ sk x ks

CHAPTER 12

Ling's Point of View

"Goodnight, Doc!" Nene yelled out as she waved a hand my way.

I softly smiled and returned the gesture of waving back; I felt heavy with weariness. When I began to unbutton my overcoat, tension filled my days, which were strewn as far as one could see in front of me. Already past eleven that night, I now stood out in the doorway from the hospital after a long, long day. I had planned to be home by eight, but the ER had kept me longer than expected, my instincts pushing me to help wherever I could.

Collecting my belongings, I felt deep fatigue clawing at me; the voice insisted on and again to reach something that felt simple, something normal. I'd only be just across the street to reach my penthouse; however, the notion to cook dinner tonight was beyond my scope. The only seeming remedy was a stop at my favorite restaurant.

I slid into my car, the soft hum of the engine barely cutting through the haze of my exhaustion. The destination was set to a quiet Chinese restaurant near my penthouse, a place that had seen many of my weary nights.

The moment I entered the restaurant, a woman greeted me with a warm smile. "Good evening, Ma'am."

"Good evening," I said, surveying the restaurant. There was an empty table in the corner, which would be my haven for at least a minute. I made my way to it and settled into the chair, finally feeling my shoulders unknot for the first time today. The smell of the restaurant's specialties wafted through the air, and I let myself relax.

A waitress came by my side, armed with a diminutive notebook in her hand. "Hi, Ma'am. What can I get you to order?"

I grasped the menu in my hands and began to scan the contents with my tired eyes. "I'd like the egg white fried rice topped with crispy scallops, the dim sum platter, and… a cold water." I set the menu back down and looked at her, focusing as much as I could.

"One dim sum platter, one egg white fried rice with crispy scallops, and a cold water. Got it."

I nodded, watching her leave with a small sigh. The food here always hit the spot, a simple pleasure that felt like a lifeline after a long, grueling day. I'd been coming here for years, the comforting familiarity of the place soothing my nerves. The restaurant, which had deep red walls and accents of polished wood, was like a sanctuary to me, in which I hid in plain view. It's just a few meters from my penthouse, but that was enough luck to ease my routine most mornings. In fact, many times, it was here when I was between a workout, sipping my tea, savoring some quiet mealtime, and keeping away from the hustle of the world outside.

Ten minutes passed, and my order arrived. The dim sum platter was delicate with the glistening crispy scallops against the egg white fried rice. I tucked into my meal. My eyes occasionally flicked up to see a few patrons glancing at my table. I looked away; it wasn't new to me. Ever since this news had hit a few weeks ago, I'd become used to the stares. That unwanted and invasive attention was only part of the price I had to pay for a career in the public eye. Luckily, though, the buzz seemed to have died down. The headlines must have been taken down, and the noise, at least for now, had quieted. I felt my shoulders relax a little as I ate. But then, my mind wandered to the day that had set everything in motion. That day—what had I been thinking? Why had I gone there to fetch her? I could still hear the ringing of her name on my phone.

Lingling Kwong, you're such an idiot.

I finished my meal, lost in thought. The restaurant was quiet now; the staff were preparing for closing time. I glanced at my watch—plenty of time to get home and enjoy my weekend off. The thought of morning jogs and stretching exercises helped settle my nerves. I needed the release, needed to sweat out the tension.

I stood up, pushing my chair back. The cool air hit me as I stepped outside, immediately sending a chill across my exposed skin.

"Damn, it’s cold," I muttered, adjusting the collar of my coat.

My fingers dug into my bag, searching for my car keys. I was completely focused on the task at hand, my thoughts elsewhere—until I felt the soft pressure of someone else in my space.

Before I could react, I bumped into them, and my car key slipped from my hand, landing with a soft clink against the pavement.

I cursed under my breath.

Fed up, I fell on my knees to grab it. And then something crossed my mind, that eerie silence from the one I bumped against. No word of apology or acknowledgment. Frowning, annoyed, I looked up to see who invaded my space, but the words on my tongue stopped.

I froze.

I couldn't speak. My breath caught, and my heart thudded harder against my chest. Something had flooded my system with shock, disbelief, and something far too complicated to define. My hands were trembling, a coldness spreading through me.

There she was.

"Ling…," she whispered.

It had been five years. Five years since I had heard that name on her lips. Now, she was saying it again, like time had actually stood still.

We stood there, frozen. Staring at one another with neither of us saying a word, just the unspoken tension thick between us. The racing of my mind was derailed as my heart was drenched in the intensity of the moment.