Chapter 20: What has sunk shall rise again (part 3)

And speaking of outsiders, I immediately noticed a foreigner–definitely sure the lady's Asian, maybe Chinese or Japanese? –sitting by herself on a lone corner of the restaurant. Even when she's seated, I can still tell she's taller than any women I've ever seen.

Tall and porcelain-pale skin that looked very out of place here with narrowed, dark eyes gazing over at her lethal-looking fingernails with mild interest, like she was bored way out of her mind or had other better things to do than being here. I would have considered her pretty but (Pearl would kill me so please don't tell her) she was also kind of scary looking... her date must have stood her up or something.

I must have been staring for far too long that it became obvious because the woman suddenly looked up and met my gaze. I tried to look away as naturally as I can but she just smiled a thin, tight-lipped smile so I inclined my head in slight greeting, just to be polite.

"Val!"

Luckily, my girl saves the day.