December kept us busy enough that I stopped counting weekends. Not that it mattered. Same old schedule, same old recipes. I was in flow, plating and sending everything out at the right time. Wednesday is not a stressful day, but we were full tonight. As I was about to place the sauce on the plate, I did a double take looking out the window. Was my mind playing tricks on me? Was it really him? No coffee in his hands, and moreover, today was Wednesday. He comes in on Fridays. It was him tough, the outfit screamed as much and he was the only one with long, straight, black hair that reached his lower back. I finished dish after dish, glancing outside subtly, waiting to confirm if it was really him. What a break in schedule. However, he didn’t step outside the whole night. I felt tense.

By now, it was 11:14. We had closed the kitchen stations and closed the front of the restaurant already. The team started to change clothes and headed to the door.

“Geonsu, are you not going? What’s up?”

“Oh, I need to do inventory. You go, have a great night!”

I didn’t have to do the inventory today, but I felt like if I left now, the day was incomplete. Something was missing, so after I did inventory, I found myself scrubbing my station again. It was spotless. I don’t know why I was lingering around the kitchen. I already stayed 30 minutes longer, for no reason. I grabbed my jacket, put my beanie and scarf on and grabbed the keys. Maybe I didn’t clean properly? I felt unsure of the state of the exhaust hood. Just when I turned off the lights, the back door of the club opened and I saw him. The moment he stepped outside the wind blew his hair to the side. He tried to tuck it behind his ear to free his face. I glanced back at the station and decided enough cleaning had been done. He had only a denim jacket on. He seemed fine at first, but then I saw his hands tremble. He had some type of lace fish nets on again, no wonder he was cold. He didn’t have his coffee either. I grabbed one of the blankets we had back there and put it over my shoulder. I walked out of the kitchen and locked the place. He was looking down at his hands, trying to light his cigarette when I took my first steps towards him. Before my feet moved further, I decided to call out to him.

“Hey, are you not cold out here?” What a stupid question to leave my lips. Of course he is.

“A bit.” He responded, chuckling. Well, this is embarrassing. “I wanted to smoke one quick, but my lighter is being difficult.”

His long, slim fingers were getting a bit red, especially his thumb from multiple attempts at lighting the cigarette. I wanted to get closer. The light from across the alley was hitting from my back but was landing on him fully. I wanted to see his face.

“Oh, you have a metal rotator one? I hate those. May I come closer to you?”

He looked at me and didn’t answer first. I thought I made him uncomfortable, which was understandable. I was about to tell him he didn’t have to agree to it, but then his lips parted, shaking.

“Yes, you may.”

As I stepped closer to him, his face got clearer and my eyes could not part. The metal reflection I saw before was a snake bite. The ring piercing was hugging his lower lip perfectly. His lips were drooping down but the sides were pointing up. As he looked up at me, his gaze shifted, looking rather sideways. Thin, arched, black eyebrows and eyes almost as dark. He was looking through his lashes at me, and I noticed his lash line was smudged with a black line. He raised his right eyebrow lightly at me. His nose was slim and the tip, red from the cold was pointing slightly down. The wind blew lightly this time, so his hair didn’t hide his face. His hair was black and parted in the middle, running down his shoulders. Some strands in the front were framing his face tighter and were fluttering slightly in the cold.

“I’m not going to bother you long, I just saw you while locking up the place out here and I knew you must be cold. Here.”

“Thank you.”

As I stretched my arm out to hand him the blanket, he also reached out for it. The air turned rooty and crisp. I thought it was the December frost, but soon I realized the scent was not coming from the outside when a clean sharp and biting flavor lingered, reminding me of black tea. Then, like a second light wave, a bright, slightly sweet citrus scent. It was a fragrance I could not put my finger on. I looked away first. I don’t remember what I said, but I bid him goodbye and stepped away.

I got home rather late that day. I think my sleep schedule was affected by my late arrival, because I could not sleep as well as I did pervious nights. I woke up rather fatigued in need of a refresh. For a long time in a while I craved a morning drink. I made myself black tea.

“Geonsu! Delivery screwed up. We only have half the order of veal.” Cony approached, looking anxious.

“Can they bring the rest tomorrow, early morning?” I got my hopes up, forgetting that they never delivered on Sundays. I hoped they would own up to the mistake and make an exception.

“No. What should we do? Do we pull the special? It’s your call.”

“Tony might have enough. But we need to go get it now, he closes soon.” I didn’t want to pull the special. My team worked hard on making it and I approved it proudly.

“I’ll go pick it up. Marco, you are in charge!” I exclaimed.

“Here, take the card. Get me the receipt.”

“I’ll also bring the invoice.”

I made it in time and got hold of enough veil to cover the missing amount. I was rushing back, because Saturdays’ rush hours are volatile, so I didn’t want the kitchen to deal with it alone. I got closer to the restaurant and headed towards the alleyway. Someone is walking in front of me and making a turn for the alley as well. It was him. Even though his back was to me, I knew those boots well enough and I recognized his hair. Both of us were entering the alley and I would have saluted him, if he didn’t increase his speed. He might have been running late. But then I saw him move his head slightly to the left, I think he looked back at me and his pace increased so rapidly, he cut the corner before I walked halfway through the alley. I thought he did not recognize me, although we stood face to face, but he glanced back at me. I headed inside the kitchen.

"Everything good?" Cony asked, still in the kitchen. He seemed anxious, I think he waited for me.

"Yeah. Tony had enough."

I dropped the veal onto the prep table and handed Cony the receipt.

"Invoice too?"

I pulled it from my jacket pocket and handed it over. The rush started while I was gone. Tickets were already hanging. Marco looked relieved when he saw me return.

"How bad?" The kitchen was not very chaotic, but a habit they have is they stop communicating when I am not there to manage, so they end up slowing down.

"Not horrible yet." Marco sighed.

I washed my hands and put the jacket back on. The next hour passed quickly. Veal. Pasta. Risotto. More veal. I reached for the salt and dropped the pinch in the risotto. After I plated everything, I put the spoon in my mouth and had a visceral reaction. I must have already seasoned the plate, because it was so salty, I needed water.

"Ah! Shit."

"What?" Marco asked.

"Nothing. Push back on Table 12, I need to refire the risotto.”

My hands always moved on impulse, muscle memory and experience. I was a bit annoyed that I oversalted it, a pinch is all it needs, why did I reach twice? I started fresh, got a new pan, reheated the stock and placed it next to me. I added the stock little by little while stirring. I kept on stirring while spacing out looking at the tickets. There were not even that many and I wasn’t even reading the orders. It felt like I was looking through the paper. I should have finished the risotto with butter and cheese, but when I looked down at the pan, the risotto had tightened. The rice no longer moved when I tilted the pan.

Fuck! What was going on? I didn’t oversalt it, but now it has turned into glue. I frowned and pushed the pan away from the fire. I stared at the ruined risotto. I don't make mistakes like that. Marco heard the pan hit the metal bottom and looked at me for a second before taking the pan away. I told him to take over; I had to clear my head.

“What? Seriously? Now?” He asked, holding the shrimp pan away from the fire while talking to me. At least one of us tries not to overcook the food.

“Yeah, take over for like… 10 minutes.”

“Okay. Guys, hold back the chicken for table 12. I need…”

I stepped away. I went into the restroom to wash my face and cool my arms down. Marco seemed to manage the kitchen well enough for me to go and cool off. I walked out of the restroom and headed towards the door, wanting to get some fresh air as well, when Chris called out to me. Why the hell does he look so giddy?

“Geonsu! Did you take a blanket from the front?”

They were meant for customers who sat outside, so they would not be cold. We had so many I didn’t think it would be noticeable one went missing. And I didn’t think it would be such a big deal.

“Yeah. Why? It’s not missing. I know where it is…” I couldn’t finish talking because Chris pulled a blanket from one of the chairs in the back. “Yeah, I took one of these. What about it?” I asked.

“This is the one you took.” He smiled at me.

“What?” I genuinely didn’t understand what his point was or what he meant.

“I don’t know who you leant it to, but coffee guy brought it back just 2 or 3 minutes ago.”

“He was here?!” I asked. I needed confirmation. I felt like I had no brain to process the words.

“Haha! Yeah, man. He just walked out… hey!”

I pushed the door open and went outside. I saw him standing there, smoking. I only could see him from the side. Should I talk to him?

“Oh, no wonder I didn’t see you back there. How are you doing today?” It was Ray.

“Ray, I cannot talk right…”

“Huh? Marco is in charge back there. Haha! I thought something was not right, so I came searching for you. Huh, I almost thought he was wearing something sensible today.” Ray mumbled.

“What?”

“Look at that... I mean, he is doing that kind of work, so those outfits speak for themselves.”

As I wanted to take a step forward, he stumped his cigarette and went inside. I wasted time.

“What kind? I think he is a server, like you.”

Ray’s face was contorted and now he spoke more clearly.

“Huh? Don’t compare us. I don't have to dress like that to pay my rent. Those clothes leave nothing to the imagination. Anyway, I have new earrings, what do you think of them? Do you like them?”

What a weird thing to say. I don’t know why but Ray irritated me at that moment.

“No, you're just looking at the wrong thing. Besides, have you never flirted with customers for more tips?” I wanted to go back inside immediately, it seemed like the outside air wasn’t doing enough for me to calm down. I wanted to enter when Ray spoke up.

“What? Where are you going? I asked you if you…”

“I think they need me inside. You can stay longer though.” I told him. He should stay outside.

I walked inside and picked up the blanket. What am I supposed to do now? What about this blanket? I headed to the front of the kitchen to put it on top of the other blankets when I sensed something. Sweet. Not the artificial kind. More like fruit bruised at the edges, releasing more fragrance than it should. Citrus maybe? I put the blanket closer to my nose. It was definitely not the fabric softener we used. And I was experienced enough to know it was not perfume. Were these his pheromones? I didn’t know he was an Omega. Maybe he was put off by me because he sensed I was an Alpha. All I could do was speculate.

I tried not to oversalt and overcook the rest of the orders. I could skip the cleaning today because my sister organized a small get together for her birthday. Looking at the clock, it was 10:07 pm. I clocked out, changed my clothes and thanked them for taking care of closing and my station. My sister invited her friend Romina, whom I’ve only spoken to once when I coincidently saw them shopping together and someone Romina was acquainted with. My sister is not shy, but she doesn’t go out of her way to meet new people. If Romina’s friend can enter her friend group, I would be very happy.

I shut the door behind me and headed towards the bar. As I was almost between the two buildings, I saw someone stand in the middle of the way and check their phone. I slowed down on impulse and looked more carefully. It was him again. I didn’t know what to do, the previous interaction was still in my mind, so I tried to buy some time for thinking by walking slowly. Should I stay still? My body was already in the alley, so if I stood still in the middle of the road I would look more like a threat than if I walked past him. I decided to put my hands in my pockets and walk around him. I looked at him as I stepped up. 

The closer I got, the harder it became to act normal. Then, he turned to look at me. I still thought he might recognize me, but he stepped backwards and then ran away. He ran away from me. Now I am even more confused. Okay, yeah, maybe he didn’t like that I didn’t mind my business and approached him that day, but he seemed pleased with the blanket and didn’t seem scared. What changed? It’s not like he owes me more thanks than he already did, but why do I feel so dejected? Hopefully my sister’s friends and a beer could lift my mood up. I was not pleased with today. 

I walked inside the bar and spotted my sister and Romina. As I walked up, I saw who must have been Romina’s friend already sitting. The closer I got, my sister’s smile got brighter. I smiled back at her while still walking when suddenly I thought I was going insane. That hair looked like his. I got so frustrated by the whole thing, at first, I ignored the third person. I felt stupid because my mind was tricking me, but while congratulating my sister and saying hello to Romina, I glanced at the person. I was not insane; it was definitely him. He didn’t have any reaction to seeing me, which made me even more confused. He didn’t react at all. Did he not recognize me? I decided to just introduce myself and not make a big deal out of it. He shook my hand back.

“Hi, I’m Kento. You seem to know Romina already. I’m her best friend. Nice to meet you.”

He smiled lightly and tilted his head. I was dumbfounded. While seating down I decided to bring up the alley incident. I needed to clarify the situation, if there was even the slightest chance, he knew it was me. I didn’t know how to start the conversation though.

“Oh, and I want to apologize.”