Alpha Culinary Love

Jiyeon stood at the entrance of the small garden by the river, the soft glow of string lights hanging from the trees casting a romantic warmth across the space. Her eyes widened as she took it all in this wasn't just any garden date. No, this was a

Yura-level

surprise, which meant it was borderline excessive.

The entire place was decked out like something from a high-end wedding magazine: crystal lanterns hanging from the trees, a path of rose petals leading to a beautifully set table with fine china, and an actual string quartet in the corner playing soft music. Jiyeon couldn't help but let out a low whistle.

"Of course," she muttered to herself. "Leave it to Yura to make

dinner

look like a corporate gala."

Just as she was about to take a step forward, a familiar voice rang out behind her.

"I see you found your way here."

Jiyeon turned around to see Yura, as poised and elegant as ever, walking towards her in a sleek, tailored black suit. The sight of her nearly took Jiyeon's breath away not that she'd ever admit it aloud.

"Wow," Jiyeon managed, her voice dripping with sarcasm to cover up her genuine awe. "Did you

buy

the moon, too, or is that part of the next phase of the surprise?"

Yura gave her a cool, unreadable smile. "Not tonight. Maybe next time."

Jiyeon smirked. "I can't tell if you're joking or not."

"I never joke," Yura said, her tone completely serious, though her lips twitched as if she was fighting off a smirk of her own.

Jiyeon rolled her eyes, walking over to the table as Yura followed. "I mean, this is... a lot, even for you. Is this how you celebrate six months together? What are you planning for our first anniversary, a trip to the moon?"

Yura arched an eyebrow. "Would you prefer something smaller? A fast-food joint, perhaps?"

"Don't tempt me," Jiyeon teased, taking a seat at the table. "I wouldn't mind a burger and fries right now."

Yura took her seat opposite Jiyeon, her ice-cold CEO demeanor relaxing just a bit as she leaned back. "Well, I thought you deserved something... grander. After all, you're the one who went through the trouble of making me that extravagant breakfast this morning."

Jiyeon chuckled, a fond smile creeping onto her face. "Ah, so you're trying to one-up me, huh? I should've known. Well, congratulations, you succeeded. This is insane."

Yura's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. "I don't need to try to one-up you. I simply do."

Jiyeon couldn't help but laugh. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Yura shrugged as if to say

I know

, and with a snap of her fingers, a waiter appeared out of nowhere, carrying a tray with the first course.

"You really went all out, huh?" Jiyeon said, eyeing the waiter with suspicion. "Is this guy from one of your companies too? He looks like he just stepped out of a high-stakes boardroom meeting."

Yura leaned forward slightly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "I have high standards. Even for surprise dinners."

As the waiter set down the plates, Jiyeon's eyes widened. The dish was an intricate combination of foie gras, truffle-infused quail eggs, and edible gold flakes, arranged with surgical precision.

Jiyeon blinked, trying to wrap her head around it. "Yura, this looks like something that should be served at a royal banquet. Are we dining with the Queen of England after this or something?"

Yura smirked. "Just you and me tonight. But I figured you'd appreciate a meal that challenges your culinary expertise."

"Challenges my culinary expertise?" Jiyeon scoffed. "You've got foie gras and

gold

on a plate. Who's supposed to eat this? I feel like I'm going to owe you a loan just for trying it."

Yura laughed, a rare sound that made Jiyeon's heart skip a beat. "You can afford me," she teased.

Jiyeon smirked, picking up her fork and delicately taking a bite. The flavors exploded in her mouth—rich, decadent, and almost overwhelming. She chewed thoughtfully, then pointed her fork at Yura. "Okay, I'll admit it. This is... incredible. Ridiculously fancy, but incredible."

"I'm glad you approve," Yura said, her voice softening slightly, a hint of warmth peeking through her usual icy facade.

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the soft sound of the string quartet playing in the background. Jiyeon looked up at the twinkling lights above them, feeling an odd sense of peace. It was rare for them to have moments like this just the two of them, no work, no restaurant, no system nagging in her ear.

"So," Jiyeon began, glancing at Yura. "What's the real reason for all this? You're not exactly the type to pull out all the stops just because of some anniversary."

Yura tilted her head, her gaze locking onto Jiyeon's. "Does there need to be another reason?"

Jiyeon narrowed her eyes. "You're not fooling me, CEO. You always have a reason for everything. Spill."

Yura exhaled softly, her expression shifting just a bit. "I suppose... I wanted to show you that I'm grateful."

Jiyeon blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in Yura's voice. "Grateful? For what?"

"For you," Yura said simply, her gaze steady. "For everything you've done. The restaurant, putting up with me... and being by my side, even when I can be difficult."

Jiyeon stared at her for a moment, speechless. It wasn't often Yura showed her vulnerable side, and hearing those words from her felt like a rare gift.

"Yura..." Jiyeon started, but Yura held up a hand.

"Don't make this sentimental," Yura warned, though there was a soft glint in her eyes. "I'll deny it later if you try to bring it up again."

Jiyeon laughed, feeling her heart swell with affection. "Okay, okay, no sentimentality. But for the record, I'm grateful for you too. Even if you're an insufferable perfectionist."

Yura's lips curved into a small smile. "I'll take that as a compliment."

The waiter returned with the second course this time, it was a delicate lobster bisque, served with a side of freshly baked bread and a drizzle of saffron-infused oil.

Jiyeon took a sip, savoring the richness of the soup. "You really didn't hold back, did you? This is basically a Michelin-starred meal."

"I didn't want to disappoint," Yura said, watching Jiyeon with an intense, almost curious gaze.

"You couldn't disappoint me if you tried," Jiyeon replied, her voice softer now.

Yura didn't respond immediately, her eyes lingering on Jiyeon's face for a moment longer. Then, she cleared her throat and looked away, as if embarrassed by the sudden intimacy of the moment.

They finished the meal slowly, savoring each dish and enjoying the rare peace that came with the night. As the final course a luxurious dessert of dark chocolate mousse and gold-dusted macarons was set before them, Yura leaned back in her chair and studied Jiyeon.

"Thank you," Yura said quietly.

Jiyeon raised an eyebrow, swallowing a bite of the macaron. "For what?"

"For not making me feel... alone," Yura said, her voice so soft it was almost a whisper.

Jiyeon stared at her, the weight of those words hitting her hard. She leaned forward, resting her hand on the table. "You're never alone, Yura. You have me, remember? Always."

Yura's gaze softened, and for a moment, she looked vulnerable in a way that Jiyeon had never seen before. Then, with a small, almost imperceptible nod, she reached across the table and took Jiyeon's hand in hers.

They stayed like that for a while, just holding hands and sitting in the glow of the lights, the soft music from the string quartet wrapping around them like a warm blanket.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Yura didn't feel like the cold CEO everyone knew her as. She felt like

herself

with Jiyeon, in this moment, and nothing else mattered.

iyeon gazed across the table at Yura, who sat silently, her cold CEO mask slipping just enough to reveal a hint of vulnerability beneath. The moment was heavy, their hands still intertwined, and Jiyeon felt the pull an unspoken connection between them, undeniable and magnetic.

Without a word, Jiyeon stood, walking slowly around the table to where Yura sat. She felt her heart thudding in her chest, the tension between them thick in the air. Yura looked up, her cool, calculating eyes following Jiyeon's movements, but there was something else there a softness, a quiet yearning.

Jiyeon knelt down beside Yura's chair, her fingers gently brushing along Yura's jawline. Yura closed her eyes at the touch, her breath hitching slightly as Jiyeon's thumb traced the curve of her lips.

"Yura," Jiyeon whispered, her voice low and filled with emotion, "thank you… for tonight. For everything."

Yura opened her eyes slowly, meeting Jiyeon's gaze. There was something raw and open in Yura's expression, something Jiyeon rarely got to see. "I… don't deserve you," Yura murmured, her voice barely audible, as if admitting the words was a struggle.

Jiyeon smiled softly, leaning in until their faces were inches apart. "You don't get to decide that."

And then, before Yura could respond, Jiyeon closed the distance between them, her lips pressing against Yura's in a slow, deliberate kiss. It was gentle at first, testing, as if Jiyeon was savoring every second. But as soon as Yura kissed her back, it deepened.

Yura's hands slid up to Jiyeon's shoulders, pulling her closer as their lips moved together in a heated, tender dance. Jiyeon's hand found its way to Yura's neck, her thumb stroking the delicate skin just below her ear, sending shivers through Yura's body.

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