Alpha Culinary Love

Chapter 25: No other plans. Just you.

Leaving Yura's office, I felt a mixture of anticipation and contentment. The almost-kiss lingered in my mind, making my steps feel lighter as I made my way back to the restaurant. The afternoon sun was beginning its descent, casting a warm golden hue over everything. It was a beautiful day, and I was in an unusually good mood.

When I arrived at the restaurant, the familiar scent of food and the sounds of clinking dishes and friendly chatter greeted me. I greeted the staff with a smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie. Everyone seemed to notice my cheerful demeanor, especially Chef Kang, who was bustling around the kitchen as usual.

"Jiyeon, you're looking unusually happy today," Chef Kang remarked with a knowing grin as I tied my apron. "Something good happen?"

I chuckled, feeling a slight blush creep up my cheeks. "Just a good day, Chef. Nothing more."

Chef Kang raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Well, whatever it is, it's nice to see you smiling. Keep it up."

With that, I dove into my work. The hours flew by as I immersed myself in the familiar rhythm of cooking, plating, and serving. The satisfaction of creating delicious dishes for our customers was always rewarding, but today it felt even more fulfilling. I caught myself humming a tune more than once, much to the amusement of my colleagues.

As the evening approached, the restaurant began to quiet down. I took a moment to check the day's earnings, feeling a sense of pride as I tallied the numbers. "Today's revenue: $3,750," I murmured to myself, pleased with the result. It had been a good day, both personally and professionally.

After ensuring everything was in order, I bid farewell to the staff. "Great job today, everyone. See you tomorrow!" I called out, receiving a chorus of goodbyes and well-wishes in return.

Stepping outside, I was greeted by the soft hues of twilight. The sky was a canvas of oranges and purples, signaling the end of the day. As I locked the restaurant door, I turned around and stopped short. Standing right in front of me was Yura, holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She looked radiant, her eyes twinkling with warmth.

"Yura," I breathed, feeling my heart skip a beat.

She smiled, stepping forward to hand me the bouquet. "These are for you," she said softly.

I took the flowers, my fingers brushing against hers. The scent of fresh blooms enveloped me, adding to the magic of the moment. "They're beautiful. Thank you," I said, my voice filled with emotion.

Yura reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. "I wanted to surprise you. I hope you don't have any other plans for tonight."

I shook my head, unable to keep the smile off my face. "No other plans. Just you."

Her smile widened, and she took my hand. "Good. Come with me. I have something special planned."

Curiosity piqued, I allowed Yura to lead me to a sleek black car parked nearby. We drove through the city, the streets gradually becoming less crowded as the night set in. Yura kept the destination a secret, only offering teasing hints and playful smiles.

After a short drive, we arrived at an elegant restaurant, its exterior softly illuminated by twinkling lights. Yura guided me inside, where I was greeted by an unexpected sight: the entire restaurant was empty, save for a beautifully set table in the center of the room.

"Did you... reserve the whole place?" I asked, astonished.

Yura nodded, a hint of shyness in her eyes. "I wanted tonight to be just for us. I hope you like it."

"I love it," I whispered, feeling overwhelmed by her thoughtfulness.

She led me to the table, pulling out a chair for me before sitting down across from me. The atmosphere was intimate and romantic, with soft music playing in the background and candlelight casting a warm glow over everything.

We enjoyed a sumptuous meal, every dish meticulously prepared and exquisitely presented. As we ate, we talked about our hopes, our dreams, and everything in between. The conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and shared glances that spoke volumes.

At one point, Yura reached across the table, taking my hand in hers. "Jiyeon, these past few days have been... eye-opening for me. I've realized how much you mean to me."

I looked into her eyes, feeling a rush of emotions. "Yura, you mean the world to me too. I've never felt like this before."

She smiled, her thumb gently caressing the back of my hand. "I've wanted to do this for a while now."

Slowly, she leaned in, and I mirrored her movement. The world around us seemed to fade away as our faces drew closer. My heart pounded in my chest, anticipation and longing mingling in my veins.

Just as our lips were about to meet, the door to the restaurant burst open. We both pulled back, startled, to see the restaurant's manager standing there, looking flustered.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt, but there's an urgent call for Ms. Yura," he said, clearly uncomfortable with the intrusion.

Yura sighed, her frustration evident. "Of course. I'll be right back," she said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze before standing up and following the manager.

I watched her go, feeling a mixture of disappointment and understanding. Left alone, I took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions inside me. The almost-kiss had left me yearning for more, and I couldn't wait for Yura to return.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably only a few minutes, Yura came back. She looked apologetic, but the warmth in her eyes was still there. "I'm sorry about that," she said, sitting back down. "Where were we?"

I smiled, reaching out to take her hand again. "Right about here," I said, leaning in once more.

This time, there were no interruptions. Our lips met in a gentle, lingering kiss that felt like the culmination of all the emotions we had shared. It was soft and tender, filled with the promise of many more moments like this. When we finally pulled back, we were both smiling, our hearts full.

"I've wanted to do that for so long," Yura confessed, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush.

"Me too," I admitted, feeling a sense of joy and completeness.

We spent the rest of the evening basking in each other's presence. The romantic setting, the beautiful meal, and most importantly, the company made it a night to remember.

As we left the restaurant, hand in hand, the city lights twinkled around us, and the cool night air felt refreshing. Yura pulled me close, wrapping her arm around my waist.

"I'm so glad we have each other," she murmured.

"Me too," I replied, resting my head on her shoulder.

When we arrived back at our home, we lingered outside for a moment, enjoying the peacefulness of the night. Yura looked at me, her eyes filled with love and warmth.

"Let's make every day as special as today," she said softly.

I nodded, feeling a deep sense of happiness. "I'd like that very much."