Alpha Culinary Love

As the night wore on, I found myself feeling truly at peace for the first time in a long while. With Yura by my side, I knew I could face anything. And for now, that was more than enough.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of birds chirping outside our window. I stretched, feeling the lingering warmth of Yura's embrace. She was already up, her side of the bed empty but still warm. I could hear her humming softly from the bathroom.

I got up and padded over to the bathroom door, peeking in. "Good morning," I said, smiling at the sight of her brushing her hair.

"Morning, sleepyhead," she replied, turning to give me a quick kiss. "Ready for breakfast?"

"Always," I said, my stomach rumbling in agreement.

We headed downstairs to the dining room, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked bread filled the air. Our head maid, Mrs. Kim, had outdone herself again. A spread of pastries, fruits, and eggs awaited us on the table.

Yura poured herself a cup of coffee and took a seat. "What's on your agenda today?" she asked, taking a sip.

"I need to check on the restaurant and make sure everything's running smoothly. And you?" I asked, grabbing a croissant and slathering it with butter.

"I have a meeting with some investors," Yura said, rolling her eyes. "Nothing exciting."

I laughed. "Well, try not to scare them off with your icy demeanor."

She shot me a playful glare. "I'll have you know my icy demeanor is what keeps the business running."

"Of course, dear," I said, patting her hand. "You're terrifyingly efficient."

We finished our breakfast, and I got ready to head to the restaurant. Yura had already left for her meeting, leaving me to my own devices. As I was about to walk out the door, I felt a familiar tingling in the back of my mind. The system was activating.

[New Mission: Ensure a five-star review from a food critic visiting the restaurant today. Reward: Enhanced culinary skills. Failure: Reputation damage and loss of loyal customers.]

"Great," I muttered to myself. "No pressure."

I made my way to the restaurant, trying not to think too much about the mission. The last thing I needed was to be distracted by the system's demands. The restaurant was already bustling with activity when I arrived. My staff greeted me warmly, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at how smoothly everything was running.

"Good morning, everyone," I said, making my way to the kitchen. "Let's make today a great day."

Chef Kang, our head chef and my long-time friend, was already hard at work. He looked up and gave me a warm smile. "Morning, Jiyeon. Ready to conquer the world today?"

"Always," I replied, feeling a little more confident with him around. Chef Kang had visited me often when I was injured, and his presence always reminded me of the restaurant waiting for me.

"What's on the menu today, Chef?" I asked, peering over his shoulder.

"Today's specials are a seared duck breast with blackberry reduction and a roasted beet salad," he said, pointing to the beautifully prepped ingredients. "And for dessert, your favorite—strawberry shortcake."

I couldn't help but blush at the mention of strawberries, knowing they reminded me of Yura's pheromones. Chef Kang noticed and chuckled. "Strawberries still your favorite, huh?"
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I laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, something like that."

We got to work, making sure everything was prepped and ready for the lunch service. As the morning progressed, the kitchen buzzed with activity. The waitstaff set the tables, polished the glasses, and made sure every detail was perfect.

"Jiyeon, do we have any VIPs today?" Chef Kang asked as he chopped vegetables with practiced ease.

"Just the usual," I said, trying to sound nonchalant. "But let's make sure everything is perfect. You never know who might show up."

Chef Kang nodded, his focus unwavering. "Don't worry. We've got this."

As the lunch service began, I moved around the dining room, greeting guests and checking in with the staff. Every so often, I'd catch myself scanning the room, wondering if the critic was already here. But it was impossible to tell. All I could do was trust my team and hope for the best.

"Jiyeon, table four needs more water," one of the waitresses, Mina, called out.

"On it," I said, grabbing a pitcher and making my way over. As I poured water for the guests, I noticed one of them watching me intently. Could this be the critic? I smiled politely and moved on, trying not to let my nerves show.

In the kitchen, Chef Kang was in his element, barking orders and ensuring every dish was perfect. "Jiyeon, taste this," he said, handing me a spoonful of the blackberry reduction.

I tasted it, letting the flavors dance on my tongue. "Perfect as always, Chef."

He grinned. "Good. Let's keep it that way."

As the lunch rush continued, I made sure to keep an eye on every table. I wanted to ensure that every guest left with a smile on their face, especially if one of them was the elusive critic.

During a brief lull, Chef Kang pulled me aside. "How are you holding up, Jiyeon? You seem a bit tense today."

I sighed, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "There's a food critic here today."

Chef Kang raised an eyebrow. "A food critic, huh? Do you know who it is?"

I shook my head. "No idea. That's what's making me so nervous."

He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We'll get through this, Jiyeon. Just do what you do best."

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks, Chef. I needed that."

The rest of the lunch service went by in a blur. Each dish was carefully prepared and presented, and the guests seemed to be enjoying their meals. But I couldn't shake the feeling that the critic was watching, silently judging every bite.

By the time the lunch rush ended, I was exhausted but relieved. "We did it," I said to Chef Kang, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"Of course we did," he replied, clapping me on the back. "This is the best restaurant in town, after all."

I laughed, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Let's keep it that way."