My Precious Kitten
Chapter 1 – Furry Affection
"Mia, for goodness sake, stay away from the papers!"
A twitch of her ears as she turned her furry face to him, she cocked one of them to the side.
"Mew?"
"How many times do I need to tell you? I don't want paw marks on those documents!" Armando reached forward to grab her out of harm's way, only to miss completely as she leapt lightly unto the carpeted floor.
"Mew."
"Oh for crying out loud; you're just as stubborn as she was." The words lodged in his throat quite unexpectedly and he fell silent.
How stubborn she was. Who was this she again?
Great. Just great.
The last thing the prosecutor needed was some major flashback to another memory about his beloved…
…
He couldn't even think the word.
"Bah. I'm pathetic, aren't I?" He scoffed and looked down at his new pet.
"Why did I adopt you in the first place again…?"
"Mew." The kitten blinked.
Because it reminded me so much of…her.
The way her sad eyes stared out from behind the animal rescue centre glass.
It rendered me speechless, and tugged at my heart.
The last kitten remaining in that basket.
"Yeah, that's right. Just keep smirking at me like I'm some idiot."
"Miaow!" The cat swatted its paw suddenly at his arm, leaving light marks on his tanned skin.
"Ouch! What was that for?" He growled and went back to his desk and paperwork.
"I don't want another word out of you, you hear?"
"Mew."
"Oh shut up."
She purred.
He was pissed.
Very pissed.
"Look. I'm trying to get ready for the trial tomorrow. Could you PLEASE give me some space so that I can work?"
"Miaaaooowww…" She gave a huge yawn and walked out the room with her ears and tail down, clearly disappointed and hurt.
Diego Armando sighed.
He hadn't meant to make her upset.
…
But which one was this 'her'?
The kitten he had found left alone in the centre?
Or someone else much more close to his heart?
At once, he felt regretful for chasing the small thing out the room and went after her.
"Look, I'm sorry about that…You okay?"
She had run back to him in an instant and was going in between his legs, purring softly.
Diego managed a soft smile, a genuine smile.
It was the first time he had actually managed to smile since he woke up.
Mostly, he just smirked coldly whenever he needed to.
He glanced at the wall clock in his office and noticed that it was already five.
"I guess we should take a break." He recalled the fact that they had been working for several hours straight now.
Wait…'they'?
He sighed, running a hand through his white hair.
"How does a dish of cream sound, Mia?"
"Mew!" She jumped up at him happily and miraculously leapt onto his chest, causing him to fall back several steps in shock at the kitten's agility.
He regained his composure as she nuzzled his chin with her furry head, her purrs vibrating through her small body.
Diego reached up to stroke her gently. Her fur was almost the same texture as his pupil's hair, only shorter. But still so soft and silky.
And if he closed his eyes and opened his mind, he could almost pretend that it was actually her.
Holding his face with her arms around him tightly.
Her lips gently pressed to his face.
But when he looked down at the soft bundle on his chest, it was only a kitten that was licking his cheek endearingly.
Just…an ordinary kitten.
"Mew…" she yowled softly to him.
"Alright, alright…" He chuckled and carried her tiny figure towards the cafeteria.
"Let's go get that cream."
"Mew!" she nuzzled him once more and closed her eyes.
And then Diego felt warmth in his heart for the first time in many years.