A muffled response came from somewhere deep in the house, and Jiyeon could hear the sound of Yura's footsteps getting closer. A moment later, her wife appeared at the door of the dining room, barefoot and in more casual clothes, clearly having shed her business attire in favor of comfort.
Yura's eyes immediately fell on the spread in front of her. "Wow, Jiyeon, you really went all out, didn't you?"
Jiyeon crossed her arms, leaning against the table with a sly grin. "You doubted me? I told you this would be unforgettable."
Yura circled the table like a lioness stalking her prey, examining the dishes with exaggerated care. "Seared scallops with miso glaze, fennel and citrus salad, and—" she paused dramatically, inhaling the scent—"truffle risotto? You weren't kidding. You really want to make me fat, don't you?"
Jiyeon rolled her eyes. "Please, like that's even possible with your metabolism. You could eat a whole cow and not gain an ounce."
Yura grinned, pulling out a chair and sitting down with the casual elegance that came naturally to her. "Well, if you keep feeding me like this, we might test that theory. What's the occasion?"
Jiyeon shrugged, sitting across from her. "No occasion. Just felt like it."
Yura arched an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Uh-huh. So, this has nothing to do with the fact that you're feeling guilty for keeping secrets from me, like opening a whole new restaurant branch without properly telling me?"
Jiyeon's smirk widened. "Oh, so that's what this is about? You're still mad about that?"
"Mad? No," Yura said, picking up her fork and taking a bite of the risotto, her eyes closing briefly as she savored the rich flavors. "Annoyed? Maybe a little."
Jiyeon shrugged, feigning innocence. "I could've sworn I mentioned it. Maybe you were too busy plotting your hostile takeovers or whatever it is you do."
Yura snorted, shaking her head. "You make it sound like I run an evil corporation. I don't
plot
takeovers, Jiyeon. It's all perfectly legal."
"Legal, sure. Ethical? Questionable."
"Oh please, you're one to talk," Yura countered, pointing her fork at Jiyeon. "You rule your kitchens with an iron fist. Your staff is terrified of you."
"They're not terrified," Jiyeon said, feigning offense. "They respect me. There's a difference."
"Uh-huh," Yura muttered, taking another bite. "Sure, they respect you—by trembling every time you walk into the room."
Jiyeon grinned. "That's how it should be. Standards, Yura. If I don't maintain them, the whole operation falls apart."
Yura shook her head, clearly amused. "I have to say, though, this is damn good. Even if you are a dictator in the kitchen."
"Dictator?" Jiyeon leaned back in her chair, arms folded. "You're really pushing it tonight."
Yura leaned forward, her eyes glinting mischievously. "What are you going to do, make it spicier next time to shut me up?"
Jiyeon's grin turned devious. "You know me too well."
"Good thing I like things spicy," Yura quipped, winking as Jiyeon disappeared into the kitchen to prepare the final course of the evening.
Yura wandered into the dining room, her steps light but her expression expectant. She spotted the table, already set with the dishes Jiyeon had prepared, and her eyes widened. "Scallops and truffle risotto?" Yura's lips curled into a grin. "Are we celebrating something, or are you just trying to outdo yourself?"
Jiyeon smirked from where she stood by the counter, wiping her hands on a towel. "Maybe both. I figured you deserved something special after all your 'helpful' advice in the kitchen earlier."
Yura snorted, taking her seat. "If this is what I get for being annoying, maybe I should keep it up."
"Trust me," Jiyeon said, walking over and placing the plates in front of Yura, "there's only so much 'help' I can tolerate before I resort to poisoning."
Yura laughed, picking up her fork. "Ah, threats of death over dinner. It's just like the early days of our relationship."
Jiyeon raised an eyebrow, sitting down across from her. "Please, the early days were nothing compared to now. Back then, you were still pretending to be polite."
Yura chewed thoughtfully on a bite of scallop, savoring the rich, buttery flavor before responding. "True. Now, I can tell you when something's actually burnt without fear of bodily harm."
Jiyeon narrowed her eyes playfully. "Keep it up and I'll serve you nothing but instant ramen for a week."
"Noted," Yura said, holding her hands up in mock surrender. "But for the record, this is amazing. The scallops are perfectly seared, and the miso glaze? Genius."
Jiyeon's smirk softened into a genuine smile. Compliments from Yura always meant something, even when delivered with her trademark sarcasm. "I'm glad you like it. Though, knowing you, you'll find something to complain about before dessert."
Yura's eyes sparkled mischievously. "Oh, absolutely. It's practically my job now."
The two of them ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the only sounds the gentle clink of silverware and the soft hum of the house settling around them. Despite Yura's constant teasing, Jiyeon could see the way her wife's shoulders had relaxed, how she took her time with each bite. It wasn't just about the food—it was the ritual of it, the intimacy of sharing a meal together after a long day.
"Are you planning on heading to the new restaurant tomorrow?" Yura asked after a while, her tone casual but her gaze sharp.
Jiyeon shrugged. "Probably. I want to check in with the staff, see how they're handling the opening week without me hovering over them."
"You should take the day off," Yura suggested, though her voice was more a command than a request. "You've been running yourself ragged with all this."
Jiyeon gave her a sideways glance. "Since when do you care about me taking time off?"
Yura tilted her head, her expression softening in a way that Jiyeon knew all too well. "I care because I know you won't. And because I don't want to see you burn out before we even get to the real fun part of building this empire together."
Jiyeon let out a small sigh, her fork resting on the edge of her plate. She knew Yura was right, but the idea of taking time off when there was so much to do felt impossible. "You make it sound like I'm on the verge of collapse."
"You might not feel it yet, but I've seen that look on your face before." Yura leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Take a break, even if it's just for a day. The restaurant will survive, and so will the staff. They might even appreciate the chance to impress you without you watching their every move."
Jiyeon stared at her for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Alright. One day. But if I come back and find out they've messed up even one dish—"
"They won't," Yura interrupted, her tone firm. "Trust them. And trust me. You've earned a little downtime, Jiyeon."
Jiyeon smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Fine. Tomorrow, I'll take the day off."
"Good," Yura said with a satisfied grin. "Now, let's talk about dessert."