Alpha Culinary Love

Jiyeon's blissful nap lasted all of fifteen minutes before the peace of the morning shattered with the shrill ring of her phone. Groaning, she squinted at the screen, half-expecting a catastrophic text from Kang. Instead, she saw an unknown number flashing across the display.

"Don't answer it," Yura mumbled, eyes still closed but her voice clear. "Whatever it is, it's not worth ruining your morning."

Jiyeon huffed, tossing the phone aside. "For once, you're right. Whoever this is can wait." She pulled the blanket tighter around her, burying herself in the warmth. "Let's pretend the world doesn't exist for another hour."

"Make it two," Yura muttered, snuggling further into the covers.

They had barely managed to enjoy five more minutes of tranquility when the door to their bedroom swung open with a loud creak. Kang strolled in, his hands in his pockets, looking far too pleased with himself.

"Rise and shine, lovebirds," he announced, not bothering to lower his voice.

Jiyeon's head shot up, glaring daggers at him. "Are you

insane

? It's not even noon! Get out!"

Kang looked unfazed by her murderous expression. "No can do, Chef. I let you off the hook last night, but there's no escaping today. You promised we'd go over the new menu this morning."

"I also promised myself I'd get some damn sleep," Jiyeon grumbled, pulling the blanket over her head as if it would make Kang disappear.

Yura chuckled softly beside her. "I'd say 'good luck with that,' but you know Kang. He's like a cockroach. Impossible to get rid of."

Kang crossed his arms, pretending to look offended. "Wow, is that what I am to you two? A cockroach?"

Jiyeon's muffled voice came from under the blanket. "More like a stubborn rash that keeps coming back no matter how many creams you use."

"Rude," Kang said, taking a seat at the foot of the bed. "But I'm too charming to be offended."

Jiyeon pulled the blanket down just enough to reveal her face, glaring at him. "Charming, my ass. You're a nuisance."

"Maybe," Kang conceded, grinning, "but a necessary one. Someone's gotta keep you from becoming a complete recluse. Now, come on. Up and at 'em!"

Jiyeon groaned loudly, but Yura's amused expression didn't help her case. "Don't look at me," Yura said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "You're the one who hired him."

"Don't remind me," Jiyeon muttered, finally sitting up and rubbing her eyes. She glared at Kang. "You owe me coffee for this, you know."

"Already got it covered," Kang said, holding up a large cup from Jiyeon's favorite café as if he'd anticipated her every move. "You're welcome."

Jiyeon narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "What do you want? You never do anything nice unless there's something in it for you."

Kang gasped dramatically. "Wow, Chef, that's harsh! Can't a guy just bring his boss some coffee out of the goodness of his heart?"

Yura snorted. "Not you, Kang. What's the catch?"

Kang sighed, handing the coffee over to Jiyeon. "Fine, fine. I need you to come down to the restaurant today. We're running low on ingredients, and I have no idea how to negotiate with that butcher you always go to. The guy hates me."

"Probably because you tried to haggle him down to half price last time," Jiyeon muttered, taking a grateful sip of the coffee. "You're lucky he didn't toss you out."

"Hey, I was just trying to save us some money," Kang defended. "Not my fault the guy's a cheapskate with no sense of humor."

Jiyeon rolled her eyes. "No, Kang.

You

have no sense of humor when it comes to money."

"That's because I'm the one balancing the books!" Kang shot back, crossing his arms. "Look, Chef, I get it. You're tired, you wanna chill. But the restaurant needs you. Just for a little while. Then you can come back here and nap to your heart's content."

Yura chuckled, leaning closer to Jiyeon. "He's practically begging now."

Jiyeon sighed dramatically, but there was no real fight left in her. She turned to Yura. "Should I feel bad for him?"

Yura pretended to think about it for a moment. "Nah. Let him sweat a little longer."

Kang groaned, collapsing onto the bed with a loud

thud.

"Come on, don't do me like this! I'll be buried alive under orders and ingredient shortages by noon if you don't help me out."

"Good," Jiyeon muttered, though her expression softened as she glanced at Yura.

Yura smirked, nudging her lightly. "You know you're going to give in. You can't leave him alone with your kitchen for too long."

"Unfortunately," Jiyeon muttered, standing up and stretching. "Alright, fine. I'll go. But if I find out you've messed anything up while I'm gone, Kang, you're the one scrubbing the kitchen floors."

Kang immediately perked up, springing to his feet. "Deal! You won't regret it, Chef."

Jiyeon shot him a warning look. "I already do."

By the time Jiyeon and Yura arrived at the restaurant, Kang had already rounded up the staff, all of them looking far more energetic than they had any right to be so early in the day. Jiyeon surveyed the scene with narrowed eyes, sipping the last of her coffee.

"I swear, it's like these people have never heard of a thing called 'rest,'" Jiyeon muttered to Yura as they approached the kitchen.

"They probably learned it from you," Yura pointed out, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "You're not exactly known for taking it easy."

"Don't remind me," Jiyeon grumbled, pushing open the door to the kitchen. As soon as she entered, her staff snapped to attention, and Jiyeon gave them a once-over. "Alright, what disaster awaits me?"

"Everything's fine, Chef," one of the sous chefs piped up. "Kang's just being dramatic."

Kang, who had followed them into the kitchen, shot the sous chef a glare. "Hey! I'm not being dramatic. There are actual problems."

Jiyeon arched an eyebrow. "Like what?"
Experience tales at empire

"Like we're down to our last box of truffles, and the lobster delivery is late," Kang said, counting off the issues on his fingers. "And I think the wine guy hates me."

"The wine guy hates

everyone,

" Jiyeon deadpanned. "He's French. It's in his DNA."

Kang smirked. "You say that like it's an excuse."

"It is," Jiyeon muttered, already moving toward the ingredient storage area. She rifled through the shelves, assessing their stock, then glanced over at Kang. "You were right about the truffles. We'll need to order more, and I'll handle the butcher. But if I hear one more complaint about the wine guy, I'm going to make you do all the future tastings."

Kang's eyes widened in horror. "You wouldn't."

"Oh, I absolutely would," Jiyeon shot back, giving him a dangerous smile.

"Fine, fine. I'll stop complaining. For now."

Yura chuckled from the doorway, watching the exchange unfold with amusement. "You two really need a sitcom. The tension is perfect."

Jiyeon shot her a look. "I already live in a sitcom. I don't need a TV show to remind me."

"Fair enough," Yura said, smiling as she leaned against the doorframe, clearly enjoying the chaos.

"Alright," Jiyeon said, clapping her hands together. "Let's get through this quick. Kang, make sure the staff is prepped for lunch service. And no more haggling with the suppliers unless you want to face the wrath of the butcher again."

Kang gave her a mock salute. "Understood, Chef. I'll be on my best behavior."

Jiyeon snorted. "Yeah, we'll see how long that lasts."

Jiyeon watched as Kang scampered off, barking orders at the staff in his usual chaotic yet strangely effective manner. She couldn't help but shake her head, turning to Yura, who was still lounging at the doorway like she had all the time in the world.

"I swear, he's like an overgrown toddler with a caffeine addiction," Jiyeon muttered, running a hand through her hair.

"Maybe that's why you keep him around," Yura teased, pushing off the doorframe and walking over to her. "He keeps things interesting."

Jiyeon rolled her eyes but didn't disagree. "Interesting is one way to put it. Another would be 'constantly testing my patience.'"

Yura smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Speaking of testing patience, when do I get to see what chaos you've concocted for this week's specials? Or are you keeping your genius locked away for now?"

Jiyeon snorted, leaning against the counter. "You call it genius. Kang calls it 'borderline insanity.'"

"Same thing, isn't it?" Yura's grin widened. "So, what are we working with this time? Something that'll send Kang into a nervous breakdown?"

"Probably." Jiyeon's eyes sparkled as she listed off the dishes she'd been toying with in her head. "I'm thinking of doing a twist on tteokbokki, but with lobster and a creamy garlic gochujang sauce. And maybe a spin on French onion soup, but with kimchi and pork belly. Comfort food with an edge."

Yura's brows shot up, clearly impressed. "You just said the magic words. Lobster. Kimchi. Pork belly. I think I'm in love all over again."

Jiyeon smirked, nudging her playfully. "I knew that'd get your attention. But don't get too excited yet—Kang might actually have that nervous breakdown this time if I don't tone it down."

"Kang can handle it," Yura said with a lazy shrug. "He's resilient… for a cockroach."

Jiyeon laughed, her mood lightening. "You really love calling him that, huh?"

"Well, he did barge into our bedroom like he owns the place," Yura pointed out, a mock pout forming on her lips. "Cockroach behavior."

Jiyeon let out a dramatic sigh, shaking her head. "I've created a monster."

"Two monsters, actually," Yura corrected, giving her a wink. "And they both live in this kitchen."

"God help me," Jiyeon muttered, though a smile tugged at her lips.

As if summoned by the banter, Kang reappeared, a smug look on his face as he waved a clipboard in the air. "Alright, ladies, everything is under control. The deliveries are sorted, the prep is on schedule, and I managed to get us an extra discount from the fish guy."

Jiyeon raised an eyebrow. "How?"

Kang grinned, leaning in conspiratorially. "Let's just say I may have flirted with his assistant."

Yura burst out laughing, while Jiyeon shook her head in disbelief. "I don't even want to know."

Kang shrugged, clearly proud of himself. "Hey, whatever works. Now, how about we finalize that menu before the lunch rush hits?"

Jiyeon sighed, giving in. "Fine. But if you start haggling with the wine guy again, I'm sending you straight into the line of fire."

"Deal," Kang chirped, already flipping through his clipboard as they got down to business.

4o