Alpha Culinary Love

Jiyeon was up before the sun the next morning, her mind racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. She wasn't usually the type to get flustered, but today felt different. She had something to prove—not just to herself, but to Yura too. Their marriage was still fresh, a few months in, and despite the deep love between them, there was a part of Jiyeon that wanted to keep impressing Yura.

In the quiet of the kitchen, Jiyeon stood with her hands on her hips, surveying the ingredients laid out in front of her. She was ready. Today was going to be a masterpiece. She was going to blow Yura's mind with a feast fit for a queen. Or at least, that was the plan.

As she began prepping the first dish—a delicate crab salad with citrus dressing—her thoughts drifted to Yura.

Yura, with her sharp suits and even sharper tongue, was a force to be reckoned with. She ran her company like a well-oiled machine, and even at home, she carried that same energy. Jiyeon couldn't count how many times Yura had barged into the kitchen, trying to take control of whatever Jiyeon was doing, acting like she knew better about cooking. Jiyeon would have to remind her that just because Yura could run an empire didn't mean she knew a damn thing about running a kitchen.

She chuckled to herself, chopping the crab meat a little too aggressively.

"She's lucky I love her," Jiyeon muttered under her breath. "Because if anyone else tried to tell me how to cook in my own kitchen, I'd throw this knife right at their head."

As if on cue, one of the housemaids, Mina, poked her head into the kitchen. "Madam Jiyeon, do you need help with anything?"

Jiyeon, still muttering to herself, waved Mina off. "No, I've got it. This is personal now. I have to outdo myself."

Mina raised an eyebrow but nodded, disappearing as quickly as she came. The staff had learned not to get in Jiyeon's way when she was in the kitchen. It was like trying to stop a hurricane.

By the time Yura sauntered downstairs a few hours later, the entire house smelled like a five-star restaurant. She strolled into the kitchen with the casual arrogance that always made Jiyeon roll her eyes.

"What's burning?" Yura asked, smirking.

Jiyeon glared at her from over the stove. "Nothing's burning. I'm a professional, unlike some people who think boiling water is a culinary achievement."

Yura laughed, leaning against the counter. "Hey, boiling water takes skill. You've got to wait for the right moment. Precision."

Jiyeon gave her a look. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that."

Yura moved closer, wrapping her arms around Jiyeon's waist from behind. "You know I'm just messing with you, right? You're the best chef I've ever known. I mean, that's why I married you."

Jiyeon raised an eyebrow, turning her head slightly to give Yura a skeptical look. "Oh, so you married me for my cooking? Good to know."

"Obviously," Yura said, completely unbothered. "That, and you're pretty cute when you're chopping things."

Jiyeon tried to suppress a smile but failed. "Well, you're lucky I didn't marry you for your cooking skills, or we'd both starve."

Yura leaned in closer, her lips brushing Jiyeon's ear. "Lucky for you, I've got other skills."

Jiyeon felt a shiver run down her spine but quickly shook it off. "Uh-huh, sure. Now, if you don't mind, I'm in the middle of creating a culinary masterpiece here. Go be useful somewhere else."

Yura pulled away, laughing. "Fine, fine. I'll get out of your way. But I expect to be impressed later."

"You will be," Jiyeon muttered, returning her attention to the simmering pot in front of her. "Trust me."

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of activity. Jiyeon worked meticulously on every dish, ensuring that each one was perfect. She could already picture Yura's face when she tasted the spread Jiyeon had planned. There'd be the crab salad to start, followed by a creamy lobster bisque, and then, the pièce de résistance—slow-cooked beef bourguignon with roasted vegetables and truffle mashed potatoes.

By the time everything was ready, Jiyeon felt a strange mix of exhaustion and pride. She wiped her brow, stepping back to admire the table she'd set up in the garden. The weather was perfect for an outdoor lunch—warm but with a gentle breeze that rustled the leaves of the towering oaks surrounding the estate.

"Yura!" Jiyeon called from the back door, wiping her hands on her apron. "It's ready!"

Yura appeared a moment later, looking as polished as ever, despite having spent most of the morning lounging around the house. Jiyeon shook her head. It wasn't fair how effortlessly gorgeous Yura always looked.

"Wow," Yura said as she stepped out into the garden, her eyes widening at the sight of the table. "You weren't kidding about pulling out all the stops."

Jiyeon grinned, feeling a surge of pride. "Told you. Now sit down and get ready to have your mind blown."

Yura did as she was told, taking a seat and eyeing the spread before her. Jiyeon served the first course—crab salad with a citrus vinaigrette. Yura took a bite, her face instantly lighting up.

"Oh my God," Yura groaned, closing her eyes. "This is amazing."

Jiyeon smirked, sitting down across from her. "I know."

"You should cook like this every day," Yura said, taking another bite. "I mean, not that your regular cooking isn't great, but this? This is next level."

Jiyeon snorted. "Yeah, right. Like I have time to make five-star meals every day. You're lucky I don't just throw ramen at you most nights."

Yura raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I wouldn't mind that, as long as you're the one making it. Everything you touch turns to magic."

Jiyeon rolled her eyes. "You're such a suck-up."

"Only when it comes to you, babe," Yura replied, winking.

They moved through the courses, Yura continuing to shower Jiyeon with praise and Jiyeon pretending to be annoyed, though secretly, she was loving every second of it. By the time they reached the main course, Yura was practically swooning.

"If I wasn't already married to you, I'd propose all over again," Yura said, her mouth full of beef bourguignon.

Jiyeon laughed. "Good to know I can win your heart with a pot of stew."

"It's not just the stew," Yura said, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "It's everything. You're... perfect."

Jiyeon felt a warm flush spread across her chest at Yura's words, but she quickly masked it with a sarcastic grin. "Damn right I am."

They finished the meal in comfortable silence, the sounds of the garden surrounding them. Birds chirped, the breeze rustled the leaves, and for a moment, everything felt peaceful. Jiyeon glanced at Yura, who was leaning back in her chair, looking completely content.

"This was nice," Yura said after a long pause. "I know you're always busy with the restaurant and everything, but it's good to take a break. Spend time together."

Jiyeon nodded, feeling a soft smile tug at her lips. "Yeah, it was."

Yura reached across the table, taking Jiyeon's hand in hers. "We should do this more often. You know, when you're not too busy being a culinary genius."

Jiyeon rolled her eyes but squeezed Yura's hand back. "I'll try to pencil you in between saving the restaurant and running the world."

Yura laughed, standing up and pulling Jiyeon into her arms. "You're ridiculous. But I love you."

Jiyeon smirked, wrapping her arms around Yura's waist. "You better."

As they stood there in the garden, holding each other, Jiyeon couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, life was pretty damn good.

Yura tightened her arms around Jiyeon, resting her chin on her wife's shoulder. "So, what's next for the restaurant genius? Now that your new branch is open, what's the big plan?"

Jiyeon chuckled softly, enjoying the warmth of Yura's embrace. "Oh, you mean the new branch that

you

helped make possible? Yeah, I was thinking of dropping by today to check on it. You know, see how it's running without me there to terrify the staff."

Yura smirked, pulling back just enough to look Jiyeon in the eyes. "That place wouldn't even exist without me. You should be thanking me for dealing with all those endless contractors, suppliers, and permits. I swear, you owe me a vacation."

Jiyeon grinned, placing a hand on Yura's cheek. "True. You handled all the boring stuff so I could do what I do best—create magic in the kitchen."

Yura rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. The

real

magic was me not strangling the guy who tried to install the wrong stove."

Jiyeon laughed, pressing a quick kiss to Yura's lips. "You're my hero. Really. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Damn right," Yura said with a smug grin. "Now, I demand compensation. And by that, I mean you're making me dinner tonight."

"Oh, is that so?" Jiyeon teased. "I open a new restaurant, and you want

me

to cook for you? Shouldn't it be the other way around?"

"Not a chance," Yura said, crossing her arms. "My cooking skills are legendary, but tonight, I want to be spoiled. Besides, you've got to check on your precious restaurant, right? Might as well pick up a few things for dinner while you're at it."

Jiyeon tilted her head thoughtfully. "Hmm, I guess I could whip up something special. But only because you've been such a patient business partner."

Yura's eyes sparkled with amusement. "You make it sound like I didn't threaten to fire half the construction crew."

"Well, you didn't fire them," Jiyeon pointed out, "which was probably for the best, considering we actually needed them to finish the building."

"Details, details," Yura waved her hand dismissively. "Now, what's the plan for today? Checking the new branch first?"

Jiyeon nodded, wiping her hands on a dish towel as she turned back to Yura. "Yeah, I want to make sure everything's running smoothly. After that, I'll head to the original restaurant to make sure the chefs haven't completely lost their touch while I've been focused on the new place."

Yura smirked. "Right. I'm sure they've been having a lovely time without you breathing down their necks."

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