Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
The blaring alarm yanked me from the tendrils of deep sleep. I groaned and glanced at the clock. 5:30 a.m. Another day in the life of a veterinarian. I rolled out of bed, stretching and yawning before heading to the bathroom. After a quick splash of cold water on my face, I felt somewhat human again.
My three dogs—Milo, Luna, and Buster—waited eagerly by the door, tails wagging. They knew what was coming next. “Alright, you guys, let's go,” I said, pulling on my running shoes and grabbing their leashes.
We hit the trail behind my house for a quick run, the cool morning air refreshing against my skin. The dogs bounded ahead, happy. Despite the early hour, this was my favorite way to start the day—a little slice of peace before the chaos.
After our run, I fed my dogs, making sure each of them got their specific meals. Milo, the oldest, needed a special diet for his joints, while Luna and Buster got their usual kibble.
Next, I turned my attention to Mushu, my bearded dragon. I meticulously cleaned his terrarium. Afterward, I placed fresh veggies, a few dubia roaches, and mealworms into his favorite bowl, watching as he lazily made his way over to his breakfast.
By the time I was finished, it was already 7:15 a.m. I whipped up a high-protein shake for myself, blending in some berries and spinach for good measure. As I sipped the shake, I glanced at the clock again. Time to go.
The hospital was already abuzz with activity when I arrived at 8 a.m. Anika greeted me with a grimace. “Morning, Dr. Park. We’ve got a vomiting and diarrhea case for you.”
I groaned, setting down my bag. “Of course, my favorite…not really, but let's get to it.”
The morning flew by in a whirlwind of examinations, treatments, and surgery consults. By lunchtime, I was ready for a break. But just as I was about to sneak into the break room for my third cup of coffee, the doorbell chimed, and I heard raised voices.
From the hallway, I overheard an angry man say, “I demand to speak to the vet!” he yelled, his voice echoing through the hospital.
I'd recognize that voice anywhere. Entitled asshole . I beelined around the corner to defuse the situation. “Mr. Mallory, there's no need to yell at my receptionist. How can I help you?”
Just then, the door swung open, and Rosario walked in, carrying a bag of Chinese takeout. “Hey, Dr. Park, I brought lunch for you and your staff,” he said, his eyes immediately locking onto the scene unfolding before him.
Mr. Mallory turned his bald head toward him. “Who are you?”
Rosario stepped up, his presence commanding the entire lobby. “I'm Rosario, a friend of Dr. Park's. I'm sure whatever issue you have can be resolved calmly.”
His calm demeanor seemed to take the wind out of Mr. Mallory’s sails. He took a deep breath, then explained his concerns in a much more reasonable tone. I assured him that we would get Mr. Meow his meds, but first, he needed to schedule an exam and have his blood work rechecked.
As he left without scheduling once again, Rosario handed me the bag of food. “Thought you could use a break.”
I smiled as the smell of fried rice and chicken lingered in the air. “You have no idea. Thank you.”
He gave me a warm smile in return. “How about we have lunch outside? A change of scenery might do you good after all that nonsense.”
I hesitated for a moment, glancing at my receptionist Claire; who nodded, shooing me out the door. “Sure…that sounds nice.”
We found a quiet spot in the nearby park, settling onto a bench. The fresh air and serene surroundings were a welcome contrast to the hectic morning. As we unpacked the food, Rosario turned to me with a soft smile. “Comet's doing wonderful. He's set to go home tomorrow.”
A surge of relief coursed through me. I desperately needed Rosario and Comet to have a happy ending, especially after he had opened up to me about Shadow. “That's great news. You must be so happy.”
He nodded, his green eyes reflecting the sunlight. “I am. And I was wondering... would you come with me to pick him up tomorrow?”
“I'd love to. Comet holds a special place in my heart, too.”
As we continued our lunch, the conversation flowed easily. And for the first time in a long while, there was a flicker of something more. I just hoped it would last and I wasn't just setting myself up for another heartbreak.