Future Me and My Love

Gen had always felt like an outsider, even in her own life. An orphan from a young age, she never knew where she truly belonged. She was taken in by a loving couple in South Korea, Nam's parents, who treated her like their own daughter. Their kindness and warmth made her feel at home in a world that was always changing.

She threw herself into her studies—culinary school, specializing in pastry and Asian cuisine—determined to carve out a future for herself. Gen wasn't just a chef; she was an artist with food. Korean, Thai, Asian-style cooking were her specialties, and she dreamed of opening her own restaurant one day. So, after completing her studies, she took the leap and moved to the U.S. to pursue her dream.

In New York City, The Skill was born. The restaurant wasn't just about serving great food—it was also about giving back. Gen offered free culinary training to students who couldn't afford expensive schools, providing them an opportunity to work in her restaurant. She had helped many students achieve their dreams, and in just a short amount of time, she became a well-known name in the culinary world. Now, at 28, Gen had achieved what most chefs could only dream of. Yet, her heart still longed for South Korea. It was where her friends, her family, and her roots were. Nam's parents, in particular, had always been there for her, and she considered them her true family.

Lee Yan, on the other hand, had a very different background. Coming from a wealthy and prestigious family in Seoul, Lee was the only daughter of Wang Yan, a sharp and ambitious businesswoman who had single-handedly raised her after her husband abandoned them. Despite the hardships her mother faced, she worked tirelessly to build their business empire, which included a chain of luxury hotels and a furniture business, among other ventures. Lee's mother, Wang Yan, was a tough woman who didn't trust easily and was fiercely protective of her daughter.

Lee, 27, had always been different from her mother. Although she respected her mother's accomplishments, she didn't want to follow the same path. Her dream was to become a doctor, not a businesswoman. After completing her graduation in emergency medicine, Lee moved to New York, accepting a job at The Corporation of USA Hospitals, where she worked in the ER. It had been three months since she left Korea, and she hadn't spoken to her mother since, due to their ongoing disagreements about Lee's career and her desire for independence.

Today, however, Lee wasn't thinking about family drama. Her stomach growled in anticipation as she walked into The Skill, a restaurant her friends had highly recommended. Lee loved Korean food and was always on the lookout for something special, so when she saw the restaurant's name, she couldn't resist.

As she took her seat with her friends—Kim, Muk, and Adhi—Gen was the one who approached their table to take the order. She didn't need to come out, but she had noticed Lee's group and felt an odd pull to see her again.

"Anything special you recommend?" Lee asked, glancing at Gen with a cool expression.

Gen, grinning playfully, suggested their signature Korean dishes along with a popular Korean dessert. "You should try Bibimbap—it's our most popular dish, and it comes with a mix of rice, vegetables, and gochujang (Korean chili paste), topped with a fried egg. It's delicious and balanced. Also, our Bulgogi—marinated grilled beef, tender and savory, served with rice—definitely something worth tasting. For dessert, our Patbingsu is a must-try. It's a shaved ice dessert topped with sweet red beans, fruit, and condensed milk. Perfect for a sweet ending."

Lee raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Okay, I'll try it. Let's see how skilled you really are."

"I'll need about 30-40 minutes," Gen said. "But I'll get you something to drink in the meantime."

Lee and her friends nodded, settling in for their meal. Gen disappeared into the kitchen, where she worked with a passion. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous, her eyes occasionally flickering toward the dining area, hoping Lee would like the food she had prepared.

When the time was up, the food arrived. The aroma of freshly prepared Korean dishes filled the room. Bibimbap, with its vibrant colors of vegetables, egg, and the rich red gochujang sauce, was set before Lee. The Bulgogi arrived sizzling, with the savory scent of grilled beef making her mouth water. And finally, the Patbingsu was served with snow-white ice, sweet red beans, and fresh fruit on top. It looked perfect, like a small mountain of ice cream.

Lee's group eagerly dug in, but Gen, watching from a distance, noticed that Lee hadn't said a word.

Gen couldn't help herself. She walked over to Lee's table and leaned in, her voice light but full of curiosity. "How is it?"

Lee, caught off guard, coughed slightly as a piece of food got stuck in her throat. Gen quickly grabbed a glass of water and offered it to her. "You alright?"

Lee nodded, taking a sip of water. She then gave a small, almost indifferent shrug. "It's okay."

Gen's eyes narrowed. She didn't buy it. That was hardly the response she was looking for. "Okay? Just okay? Come on, I've seen you eat. You're not impressed?"

Lee's friends exchanged amused glances, sensing the playful banter between the two. But Lee, still composed, didn't respond immediately. Gen wasn't one to back down easily.

"You know, I'm not satisfied with 'okay.' You have to tell me more than that," Gen said, her arms crossed, waiting for a real answer.

"Gen, it's fine," Lee said, not hiding the irritation in her voice.

One of Lee's friends, noticing the tension between the two, finally broke the silence with a laugh. "Alright, alright! It's delicious. Best Korean food we've had in a long time. Happy now?"

Gen grinned, pleased with the response. "See? That's better."

With a final chuckle, she waved and went back to the kitchen, leaving Lee's group to finish their meal. But Lee's mind lingered on the encounter. Her friends, always quick to tease, couldn't resist.

"You sure you're not in love with her?" Kim joked, winking at Lee.

Lee's face flushed with irritation. "Stop it. She's just a chef. Nothing more."

Her friends laughed, but Lee couldn't shake the feeling that maybe there was more to her interactions with Gen than she was willing to admit. For now, she pushed the thought aside. She had work to do.