Alpha Culinary Love

Chapter 18: Let's exchange numbers

We ate in companionable silence, enjoying each other's company and the delicious meal. As we finished, Yura leaned back in her chair, a contented smile on her face.

"Thank you for bringing me lunch, Jiyeon. It was wonderful," she said, her voice warm.

Her gratitude made me smile, and I glanced at my phone, realizing it was almost time for me to return to the restaurant. Yura noticed my glance and redirected my attention to her.

"I noticed you checking your phone. It reminded me that I still don't have your number," she said, pulling out her phone. "Let's exchange numbers."

I nodded, grateful for the opportunity to keep in touch outside of work. As Yura handed me her phone, I quickly added my contact information, adding a cute nickname next to my name. For Yura, I chose "Ice Queen". As for me, she chose "My cutie pie" which made me chuckle.

Once we had exchanged numbers, Yura flashed me a smile. "There, now we can keep in touch more easily," she said, her eyes sparkling.

I returned her smile, feeling a sense of warmth spread through me. "Thanks, Yura. I'll see you later," I replied, gathering my things.

"Take care, my cutie pie," she said, giving me a playful wink.

Yura's words made me blush, and with a smile on my face, I made my way back to the restaurant. As I arrived, the staff greeted me warmly, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the positive atmosphere in the kitchen. When Chef Kang greeted me with a smile and a friendly remark, it only added to my good mood.

"You seem to have had a good time, Madam Jiyeon," Chef Kang said, his smile infectious.

I chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yes, I did. My wife and I had a nice lunch together," I replied, feeling a sense of gratitude for the brief respite from the hectic pace of restaurant life.

Chef Kang's smile widened. "That's good to hear. It's important to take some time for yourself, especially in this line of work," he said, his tone sincere. "But I must say, I'm surprised that you're married at your age. Congratulations," he added with a smile.

I nodded, appreciating his words of wisdom. "Thank you. You're right. It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget to take a moment to enjoy life," I admitted.

Chef Kang nodded in understanding. "Exactly. Sometimes, we need to step back and appreciate the little things," he said, his tone thoughtful.

With Chef Kang's words echoing in my mind, I set to work, feeling rejuvenated and ready to tackle whatever challenges the rest of the day might bring. The kitchen was a flurry of activity as we prepared for the lunch rush, but I found solace in the familiar rhythm of chopping, sautéing, and plating.

As the lunch hour approached, the restaurant began to fill with hungry patrons eager for a taste of our culinary creations. The air was filled with the tantalizing aroma of food cooking, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride knowing that I played a part in bringing joy to so many people through my cooking.

Despite the hustle and bustle of the lunch rush, I found myself in a state of flow, moving effortlessly from one task to the next. With each dish that left the kitchen, I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that I was able to share my passion for food with others.

As the lunch service came to a close, I took a moment to catch my breath and survey the bustling dining room. The sound of satisfied diners filled the air, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that I had played a part in creating such a memorable dining experience.

It was almost time for dinner service and for the restaurant to close when my phone vibrated. I picked it up and stepped away from the others to see that I had a message from Yura. It immediately brought a smile to my face.

"My cutie pie, I'm outside your restaurant, so hurry up and join me. You're dropping me home tonight."

Seeing her message surprised me, and I quickly told Chef Kang to close the restaurant as I gathered my things and hurried outside.

As I stepped out of the restaurant, I saw Yura waiting for me, leaning against my car with a playful smile on her lips. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, and I couldn't help but return her smile as I made my way over to her.

"Hey there, cutie pie," she said, her voice warm.

"Hey," I replied, smiling back at her.

Yura gestured towards the car. "Shall we?" she asked.

I nodded, feeling a sense of happiness. "Yeah, let's go," I said, walking over to the driver's side of the car.

Once we were both seated in the car, I started the engine, and we began the drive home. The journey was filled with easy conversation and laughter, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment settle over me as I drove.

As we approached the manor, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the sight of the grand building. It was a beautiful place, and I felt lucky to call it home.

As I parked the car in the driveway, Yura turned to me with a smile. "Thanks for the ride, Jiyeon," she said, her voice soft.

I smiled back at her, feeling a rush of warmth at her words. "Anytime," I replied, my voice just as soft.

Together, we made our way into the manor, the warm glow of the lights welcoming us home. As we stepped inside, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settle over me.

As we made our way to the living room, I couldn't help but admire the elegant decor. The room was tastefully furnished, with plush sofas and intricately carved furniture. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, and I felt a sense of calm wash over me.

Yura led me over to the sofa, where we both sat down, sinking into the soft cushions. For a moment, we sat in comfortable silence, enjoying each other's company and the peaceful atmosphere of the manor.

Then, Yura turned to me, her expression serious.

"Can you make dinner? I'm starting to get hungry," she said, and at that moment, her stomach grumbled loudly, making me burst into laughter.

I nodded, still chuckling. "Of course, I'll make dinner. What would you like?" I asked, already heading towards the kitchen.

Yura thought for a moment, her eyes scanning the room. "How about something hearty? Maybe a creamy chicken and mushroom risotto?" she suggested, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

I smiled, loving the challenge. "Sounds perfect," I replied, already envisioning the dish in my mind.

I quickly gathered the ingredients I needed: Arborio rice, chicken broth, white wine, onions, garlic, mushrooms, and of course, chicken. As I worked, the kitchen filled with the warm aroma of cooking, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me.

I started by finely chopping the onions and garlic, then sautéed them in olive oil until they were soft and translucent. Next, I added the sliced mushrooms, letting them cook until they were golden brown and fragrant.

While the mushrooms cooked, I diced the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then added them to the pan, letting them cook until they were golden brown on all sides. Once the chicken was cooked through, I added a splash of white wine to the pan, letting it simmer until it had reduced slightly.

Next, I added the Arborio rice to the pan, stirring to coat it in the flavorful mixture. Then, I began adding the chicken broth, one ladleful at a time, stirring constantly and allowing the rice to absorb the liquid before adding more.

As I stirred, the rice released its starch, creating a creamy, velvety sauce that coated each grain. The aroma of the risotto filled the kitchen, making my mouth water in anticipation.

Once the rice was tender and creamy, I added a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it was melted and incorporated into the dish. Then, I added a handful of chopped fresh parsley for freshness and color.

With a satisfied smile, I plated the risotto, garnishing it with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. The dish looked delicious, and I couldn't wait to share it with Yura.

Carrying the plates back to the living room, I set them down on the coffee table before taking a seat next to Yura on the sofa.

"Voilà, dinner is served," I said, gesturing to the plates with a smile.

Yura's eyes lit up as she picked up her fork. "It looks amazing, Jiyeon. Thank you," she said, before taking a bite.

As she tasted the risotto, her face broke into a wide smile, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. There was something incredibly satisfying about cooking a meal for someone you cared about, and I was grateful for the opportunity to share this moment with Yura.