Alpha Culinary Love

I started making some tea, the familiar routine bringing me a sense of peace. As I waited for the water to boil, my mind wandered to the restaurant and the upcoming opening of the new branch. There was so much to do, but I felt ready to tackle it all.

Then, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.

[Well, well, look who\'s finally back to her senses!] The system\'s voice chimed in, its tone dripping with amusement.

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Good morning to you too," I muttered, pouring the hot water into a teapot.

[You know, I was starting to think you\'d spend the rest of your life clinging to Yura like a lost puppy,] the system teased, a playful lilt in its voice.

I couldn\'t help but smile, despite the sarcasm. "It was a rough few days, okay? You try going through an estrus and see how well you handle it."

[Oh, I\'d probably be just as clingy and desperate,] the system quipped. [But let\'s be real, you were a total handful. Poor Yura had to practically pry you off of her.]

"Not my finest moment," I admitted, shaking my head with a small laugh. "But I\'m back now, and we\'ve got work to do."

[Indeed,] the system replied, its tone shifting to something more serious. [You\'ve got exactly 24 days left to get that new branch of *Flavors of Seoul* up and running. No pressure, of course.]

"Of course," I echoed, the weight of the countdown settling on my shoulders. I took a deep breath, centering myself. "But we\'ve got a solid plan, and I\'m confident we can do this."

[That\'s the spirit! Just don\'t forget to breathe every once in a while. Stress wrinkles aren\'t a good look on anyone,] the system added with a hint of humor.

I rolled my eyes again, but I appreciated the system\'s attempts to keep things light. It was strange, having this entity in my head that only I could interact with, but it had been a part of my life for so long that it felt almost natural. Besides, the system had been instrumental in helping me achieve my goals, even if it did have a tendency to be snarky.

As I sipped my tea, I mentally ran through the list of tasks for the day. I needed to check in at the restaurant, make sure everything was running smoothly, and begin the preparations for the new branch. There was so much to coordinate—staffing, supplies, marketing—but I was ready for it.

Once I finished my tea, I washed up and got dressed, opting for something comfortable yet professional. I didn\'t want to look too casual, but I also needed to be able to move around easily since I\'d be on my feet all day.

Before leaving, I quietly slipped back into the bedroom to check on Yura. She was still asleep, her face peaceful and relaxed. I smiled, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I\'ll see you later," I whispered, not wanting to wake her.

As I headed out to my car, the system spoke up again.

[You know, you\'re going to miss her the second you walk out that door.]

"I\'m aware," I said with a small sigh. "But we both have things to do today. I can\'t let my business slide just because I\'m feeling clingy."

[True, true,] the system agreed. [But maybe send her a sweet text or something. A little reminder that you\'re thinking of her.]

"That\'s not a bad idea," I said, pulling out my phone as I got into the car. I quickly typed out a message, keeping it simple but heartfelt. *Thinking of you. Let\'s have dinner together tonight. I miss you already.*

Satisfied, I started the car and made my way to the restaurant. The drive was smooth, and I found myself humming along to the radio, feeling more at ease than I had in days.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I was greeted by the familiar sight of my staff bustling around, getting everything ready for the day. Chef Kang was already in the kitchen, overseeing the morning prep.

"Good morning, everyone!" I called out as I walked in, my voice filled with energy.

"Morning, boss!" they chorused back, their smiles contagious.

I made my rounds, checking in with everyone and making sure things were running smoothly. It felt good to be back, to immerse myself in the rhythm of the restaurant. By the time the first customers started trickling in, everything was in full swing.

Throughout the day, I kept busy with various tasks—managing orders, greeting customers, and coordinating with the staff. It was a busy but satisfying day, and by the time we were ready to close, I was exhausted in the best way possible.

As we wrapped up the evening, I took a moment to check the day\'s earnings. We\'d pulled in around 400,000 won—a decent amount, considering it was a weekday. I felt a surge of pride for my team and how well we\'d done.

"Great work today, everyone," I said as we finished cleaning up. "You all did an amazing job, as always."

"Thanks, boss," Chef Kang replied, giving me a thumbs-up. "We couldn\'t have done it without your leadership."

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I smiled at that, feeling a warm sense of camaraderie. "Well, I couldn\'t do it without you guys. We make a great team."

As I locked up the restaurant and headed out to my car, I felt a sense of accomplishment. The day had gone well, and I was one step closer to getting the new branch up and running. But I knew there was still a lot of work to be done, and the countdown was ticking.

The drive back to the manor was peaceful, the streets quiet as night began to settle in. When I arrived, the house was dark, a sign that Yura hadn\'t come home yet. I felt a pang of disappointment, but I knew she had her own work to do.

After parking the car, I headed inside, the silence of the house almost eerie after the bustle of the restaurant. I went upstairs, changing into something more comfortable before settling in the living room with a book. But as I sat there, I found it hard to concentrate. My mind kept drifting back to Yura, wondering when she\'d be home.

[Missing her already, huh?] the system teased, its voice echoing in my mind.

"I can\'t help it," I admitted, setting the book aside. "It feels strange not having her here."

[You\'re so used to being around her all the time, especially after the past few days,] the system pointed out. [It\'s natural to feel a little lonely.]

"Yeah, I suppose," I said with a sigh. "But I need to get used to it. We both have our own responsibilities, and we can\'t be together all the time."

[True, but that doesn\'t mean you can\'t enjoy the time you do have together,] the system said, its tone surprisingly gentle. [And hey, at least you\'re not clinging to her like a lost puppy anymore.]

I chuckled at that. "Yeah, I guess I\'ve come a long way since then."

[Exactly,] the system replied. [You\'re strong and capable, Jiyeon. You\'ve got this.]

"Thanks," I said, feeling a little more at ease. "I appreciate the vote of confidence."

[Always here to help,] the system said with a hint of humor. [Now, how about we go over some plans for the new branch? You\'ve got a lot to get done, and it\'s not going to happen on its own.]

"Good idea," I agreed, feeling my focus return. I grabbed a notebook and started jotting down ideas, my mind buzzing with possibilities.

As the hours passed, I found myself getting more and more absorbed in the planning process. I sketched out layouts, made lists of potential suppliers, and brainstormed marketing strategies. The excitement of creating something new began to build, and by the time I looked at the clock, it was well past midnight.

Just as I was about to call it a night, I heard the sound of the front door opening. My heart leaped, and I quickly got up, heading to the foyer to greet Yura.

She looked tired but happy, a soft smile playing on her lips as she saw me. "Hey," she said, her voice warm. "Still up?"

"Yeah, I was just working on some plans for the new branch," I replied, pulling her into a hug. "How was your day?"

"Busy, but productive," she said, leaning into me. "I missed you."