Ryujin: Eh? What exactly are you doing here, eonnie?
**Ryujin couldn’t believe she’s seeing her sister in the kitchen wearing a crimson above the knee dress with her hair pulled up into a bun. Shouldn’t she be in her office keeping her face fresh before her dinner with the author? Or she’s not listening and still cooking for dinner, so she could fulfill what she had promised earlier? That she’ll cook something for her?**
**Ryujin paced towards Mina and pulled the serving spoon in her hand.**
Mina: Sorry.
**She whispered. She didn’t intend to be so stubborn. But she’s just nervous about tonight. She couldn’t explain it, but she’s having cold feet. And that’s the reason she’s in the kitchen, trying to clear whatever emotion’s eating her.**
**Ryujin stared at her with her poker face and waved for her to leave. So even though she still wants to finish the plate she has in mind for them tonight, she obeyed her sister without saying another word.**
Ryujin: By the way, she’s already outside. Maybe waiting for you, too. So better go check her out.
**Ryujin shouted when she finally got her space in front of the table, and Mina was already at the door.**
**Mina turned her head to her sister, who’s now hunching down to continue doing her dish, and then took a deep breath. Indeed, she’s nervous about this. But there’s no turning back anymore, so maybe it’s better to meet her outside. She thought.**
*****
**Chaeng was having trouble calming herself, and she couldn’t even command her right foot to stop thumping the ground. She took a deep breath and whispered, “all is well!”. ‘Cause it’s true, all is well, it’s just a simple dinner why make it a big deal. She convinced herself.**
**Then she saw Mina, walking elegantly in her crimson dress that flaunts her shoulders, which reveals how clear her skin is even under the yellow lights. “Shit!” Where the only word that came out from her mouth while staring at Mina walking towards her.**
Mina: Sorry! I just checked something in the kitchen.
**Chaeng didn’t realize that she’s already standing even before Mina reached her table.**
Chaeng: It’s okay. I wasn’t waiting that long. So, let’s take a seat?
**Mina smiled and took her seat, kind of mesmerize with how Chaeng looks tonight. She’s just wearing an army green shirt under her denim jacket and paired it with her tight black jeans, but she still looks gorgeous with it.**
Mina: Sorry. I guess I’m a little overdressed tonight.
**She chuckled, just to brush off the nervousness crawling upon her. She knows she’s trembling and she wonders if Chaeng notices it. And she’s hoping she’s not.**
Chaeng: No. I’m just undressed. Well, I didn’t expect I’ll be having dinner with someone, so I didn’t bring many clothes with me when I drove here. And I’m sorry if I’m too casual tonight. I know, it’s kind of inappropriate for this place, too.
**Mina smiled and stared at her for a while. She didn’t even count how long she’s been staring at her before she answered. But Chaeng doesn’t mind because just like Mina, she’s also staring straight into her eyes, smiling.**
Mina: Naaah! That style kind of suits you, so I don’t think this place would mind. 'Cause I honestly don't mind, too.
**Mina broke off with the staring game ‘cause she’s afraid she’ll say something other than “it suits you”. Chaeng’s stare is kind of hypnotizing for her, so better save herself this early than getting herself trapped with those sweet smiles.**
Mina: Anyway, let’s order now?
Chaeng: Sure!
**Then to their surprise, Ryujin just appeared in front of them even without them calling anyone yet. She’s already holding a tray carrying two plates of steak with mashed potato on the side.**
Ryujin: Here’s your dinner.
**Mina stared at her as she lay the first plate in front of her. Ryujin stared back, grinning. But since Mina couldn’t say anything to her sister at that very moment, she kept her silence and saved whatever things she wants to say to her for later.**
Ryujin: If you have other concerns, just call me. I’ll be happy you serve you two.
**Then she walked away, still wearing the smile she gave to her sister while laying the plates on their table.**
Chaeng: Honestly, I still couldn’t believe she’s your sister. I mean, you guys seem to be different from so many angles. Well, don’t get me wrong. It’s just…
Mina: Don’t worry. We get that a lot.
**Mina cut her off before she sliced the steak on her plate.**
Mina: She’s perky, and I’m not. She’s friendly and talks a lot, while I’m not. I’m better on my own than being with everyone.
**Chaeng was still busy staring at her and still didn’t dare to pick up her knife to cut the steak that Ryujin served to her.**
Mina: Hmm… you don’t like the food? We can pull something in the menu then.
Chaeng: Oh… sorry.
**Shit! Don’t make it too obvious, Son Chaeyoung! Stop staring at her for Pete’s Sake!**
Chaeng: No. I was kind of thinking about steak before I came down. Anyway, you two seemed to work well together.
Mina: Hmm… yeah!
**Mina turned her head towards her sister, who’s now taking orders from one of the customers inside the café. No doubt that she could trust her with everything in her hotel.**
Mina: We do. Well, she’s actually better than me in the kitchen. I guess she learned it from my fiancé.
**Fiancé? Why on earth did she say yes to my invitation if she already has a fiancé? Okay, Chaeng, come on, calm down. It’s not her fault, remember this is just a friendly dinner? Why would she bother telling you she has a fiancé when you asked her for a dinner?**
Chaeng: Oh… you have a fiancé. So… he’s also working here?
**Chaeng never noticed anyone getting close to her. But if she said Ryujin learned from her fiancé, it only means one thing, he’s either a Chef or someone who knows how to manage a business. But no matter how much she recollects her memory, she couldn’t remember someone walking around here with authority. Or maybe he’s working in the kitchen? She thought.**
Mina: She…
**Mina corrected before she answered Chaeng’s question. She felt like there’s nothing wrong if she’ll tell her about what kind of person Jeong is.**
Mina: She used to. We have run this place together for several years. But… Uhm… she’s no longer around. I mean… she died a year ago… in an accident.
**Mina didn’t intend to mention Jeong or their relationship to this stranger in front of her. But then, the situation is making her say things that she shouldn’t.**
**Chaeng could feel the sadness in her voice. It’s trailing off. And she regrets asking something about it.**
Chaeng: Hmm… sorry. If only I knew, I wouldn’t ask further.
Mina: Hey! It’s fine. Well, they said it’s better to talk about it rather than, you know, avoid mentioning her.
**But I never meant to mention her this sooner. It’s our first dinner, and yet this is happening. Mina thought.**
Chaeng: Well, I guess we all have our own story to tell. I don't mind if you want to… talk about it.
**Do I mind talking about her? Mina asked herself. What if she breaks down? What if she ends up crying because she misses her so much? What if she chooses to walk away without even finishing her meal? She has lots of what-ifs’ in her head. But if she keeps on running away from all of the things she and Jeong used to have, what will happen to her? She’ll just continue to get stuck on something that already ended.**
Mina: Hmm… I guess that story is just part of what I am right now. We both used to manage this place from the day my parents gave this to me.
Chaeng: You mean, this isn’t a family business?
Mina: No. My parents have their own business to worry about. The hotel wasn’t part of my dream. But the café is. I only dreamed of having my café and restaurant since I was in middle school, but my parents gave me more than I need after I finished university.
Chaeng: Wow!
**This girl is better than those princesses she read in fairytales. She’s beyond being rich. She thought.**
Chaeng: So, does that mean, you two were already together even before you finished your university?
Mina: Indeed! We were already together since I was in sophomore, and she’s in her junior in Culinary at that time.
**Mina picked up her wine to clear the meat in her mouth before she spoke again.**
Mina: It was kind of a... long story, you know.
Chaeng: Well, I don't mind listening to it the whole night, if you don't mind.
**Then the left side of Mina's lips twitched for a short smile. Is it really okay to talk about your previous relationship when you’re on a date? Wait, Mina, remember, this isn’t a date? How many times do I need to remind you of that?**
Mina: Hmm… I never thought I’d end up falling for her. I mean, you might be thinking I’m a bit odd for ending up with a girl rather than with some quarterback or basketball player in school, you know.
Chaeng: I never thought about it. I mean, who am I to judge? I don’t think love has the eyes to see someone's preference. Not because you choose something peculiar doesn’t mean you’re odd in general. It’s just you have your own way of seeing things. A different perspective, maybe.
**Mina couldn’t stop staring at her. Like no matter how much she convinces herself to keep it lowkey, she still ends up being drawn to her and getting lost for words. And the way she talks, just makes it worst.**
Mina: So, this is how you talk to a writer. They’re full of amazing things to say.
Chaeng: Sorry, sometimes I just couldn’t separate the real world from my made-up worlds. But don’t get me wrong, I know I’m in our real world right now.
**Am I? Or I’m just convincing myself that I’m in the real world? If I’m just in front of my computer and this is just my pure imagination, please someone wake me up. Please someone tap me on my shoulder and bring me back to my room.**
Chaeng: Anyway, what’s the story then?
Mina: Hmm… kind of a rollercoaster, I guess. My parents disapproved of it, and I totally understand. Who would want to see their kids ending up in a… you know, not so normal relationship? But Jeong knows what she wants, and she did everything to prove to my parents that not because she’s a girl doesn’t mean she couldn’t be man enough to make me happy.
**She paused. Shit! It’s happening now. She could feel a lump in her throat blocking her airway. Is she going to cry? Will her tears betray her? Shit! Not at this very moment, Mina. She scolded herself. Not at this moment. Save it for later, if you may.**
Mina: The thing is, my parents are just so soft. They’re not as stubborn as you may think about it. It only took Jeong a couple of months to convince them about her intention. Besides, they just couldn’t resist the way she cooks. She’s the best in town, I might say. Not an ordinary Chef. A little bit fancy as I always tell her.
**There’s a glow in her eyes, and Chaeng noticed it the moment she recalls the memory of her former fiancé. She couldn’t help but get jealous about it. Well, not in a way that this conversation is upsetting her. She just hopes that one day, when she’s already gone, someone would also talk about her like that. As if proud that she became their lover.**
Mina: I guess, her fancy dishes were the reason this place became the talk of the town, and not the place itself.
Chaeng: Well, it’s sad that I couldn’t affirm that. I haven’t tasted one of her dishes, but…
**Chaeng looked around. Appreciating every single thing she sees outside and inside the café. Well, if she’s going to compare it to a book that she’d already read, it’s just one of her favorites. A pure beauty, indeed.**
Chaeng: I don’t think people visit this place because of her dishes. The place itself is… breathtaking. A great place to escape from someone’s messed up reality. You know, not all of us have a good story to tell, and coming here kind of helps to reset whatever life they have.
**Mina stared at her again. Finally wondering why this writer is sitting in front of her. Why are you here, Ms. Son? She thought. Are you also here to reset your life? Maybe want to forget something? She wants to ask. But how will she ask those questions?**
Mina: Hmm… what’s your story, Ms. Son?
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