By the time Jiyeon finished plating everything, the smell of seared scallops and truffle risotto had filled the entire kitchen, creeping into the hallway and up the stairs. She wiped her hands on a towel, feeling the familiar hum of satisfaction. This was what she loved most — that feeling of crafting something beautiful from raw, ordinary ingredients.
But, of course, no good deed in this house went unpunished.
As if on cue, Yura appeared in the doorway, her eyes immediately drawn to the plates on the kitchen island. She sniffed the air dramatically, one eyebrow raised. "Is that what I think it is?"
"If you think it's seared scallops with a miso glaze, then yes," Jiyeon replied, not looking up as she adjusted the placement of the fennel salad on one plate. "If you thought it was a gourmet burger, you'll be sorely disappointed."
Yura sauntered into the kitchen, her bare feet making soft sounds against the polished hardwood floors. She leaned over the counter, peering closely at the risotto, and let out a low whistle. "Well, aren't you just showing off? Scallops, miso, and truffles? What's the occasion? Or did you just feel like making me cry with joy?"
Jiyeon glanced up, smirking. "I just felt like showing off. Besides, you said you wanted something memorable, and I like a challenge."
Yura's grin widened. "Well, you certainly set the bar high. If this is you trying to impress me, I'm definitely not complaining. But…" She paused, her expression turning mischievous. "...are you trying to distract me from something? Did you burn another dish before this?"
Jiyeon shot her a look. "Do I *look* like someone who burns dishes? The only thing I'm trying to distract you from is the fact that you've been dodging doing the laundry for two weeks."
Yura laughed, grabbing a piece of fennel from the salad and popping it into her mouth before Jiyeon could swat her hand away. "Touché. I guess you've caught me. But seriously," she said as she reached for another piece, "this looks incredible. Do we eat now or do I have to sit here and watch you rearrange the food on the plate for another twenty minutes?"
Jiyeon rolled her eyes. "We eat now. But if you touch that risotto with your bare hands again, I will personally throw you out of this kitchen."
Yura grinned, stepping back with her hands raised in mock surrender. "Okay, okay. I'll wait like a civilized person."
Satisfied, Jiyeon carefully brought the plates over to the dining table, setting them down with a flourish. Yura followed, grabbing two glasses and a bottle of white wine from the wine fridge. She poured them both a generous glass and handed one to Jiyeon as they sat down.
"To my brilliant wife, who continues to amaze me with her culinary genius," Yura said, raising her glass in a mock toast. "And who also happens to be terrifying in the kitchen."
Jiyeon smirked, clinking her glass against Yura's. "And to my wife, who miraculously manages to survive each day without setting something on fire."
"Hey, I'm very capable when I want to be," Yura protested, taking a sip of her wine. "I just choose to leave the kitchen destruction to the professionals."
"Uh-huh," Jiyeon replied dryly. "Sure you do."
They both dug into their food, the conversation slipping into comfortable silence as they savored each bite. The scallops were tender and perfectly seared, their sweetness balanced by the rich umami of the miso glaze. The truffle risotto was creamy and decadent, with just the right amount of earthiness from the truffles. Even the citrus in the fennel salad cut through the richness, adding a bright, refreshing contrast to the meal.
After a few moments, Yura looked up, her eyes wide. "Okay, this is ridiculous. You've officially outdone yourself."
Jiyeon raised an eyebrow, still chewing her own bite. "Ridiculous good or ridiculous bad?"
"Ridiculous good, obviously," Yura said, gesturing toward the plate with her fork. "Like, this could make a grown person cry. I'm pretty sure you've just ruined restaurant food for me forever."
Jiyeon's lips twitched into a smile. "That was the goal."
Yura leaned back in her chair, taking another sip of wine as she regarded Jiyeon with a thoughtful expression. "You know, I've been thinking…"
"That's dangerous," Jiyeon quipped, earning a playful glare.
"Ha, ha," Yura said sarcastically. "But seriously, I've been thinking. You've got this whole restaurant empire going on, and now you're branching out with new locations, and yet you still find time to cook dinners like this for me." She shook her head in mock disbelief. "Are you secretly a robot? Because this level of productivity is kind of insane."
Jiyeon shrugged, though she couldn't suppress the small swell of pride in her chest. "I just like to stay busy. Besides, cooking for you is different. It's not work."
Yura softened, her teasing tone giving way to something more genuine. "Well, I appreciate it. I know you don't have to go all out like this, but you do. It means a lot."
Jiyeon met her wife's gaze, the warmth between them palpable. "Of course. It's the least I can do after you helped me with the new branch. That was no small feat."
Yura waved her hand dismissively. "Please, I just made a few phone calls and threatened some people with vague legal jargon. You're the one who did all the real work."
Jiyeon chuckled, shaking her head. "You underestimate how terrifying you are when you go into 'business mode.' I've seen grown men visibly pale after one of your infamous 'discussions.'"
Yura grinned wickedly. "What can I say? I have a talent for making people squirm. But enough about me—what's the plan for tomorrow? You heading back to the new place, or are you going to grace your original staff with your terrifying presence again?"
Jiyeon leaned back, considering the question. "I think I'll start at the new branch, make sure they've got everything under control. Then I'll swing by the original restaurant later in the day. I've got a few new recipes I want to test out."
"New recipes, huh?" Yura said, her eyes lighting up with interest. "Are these top-secret, or can I get a sneak preview?"
"Top-secret, obviously," Jiyeon replied with a smirk. "But if you're nice, I might let you try something."
Yura's smile widened. "Oh, I can definitely be nice. *Very* nice."
Jiyeon gave her a mock glare. "Nice as in 'not trying to sabotage my staff every time you visit the kitchen.'"
"I can't make any promises," Yura said with a wink. "But I'll try. For you."
Jiyeon rolled her eyes, finishing the last bite of her risotto. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Yura shrugged, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied smile. "And yet, you married me."
"I must have been temporarily insane," Jiyeon muttered, though there was no heat behind the words.
Yura laughed, the sound filling the dining room as the last of the light faded outside the windows. The soft glow of the chandelier above cast a warm, intimate light over the table, creating a perfect moment of calm in the middle of their otherwise chaotic lives.
As they finished their meal and cleared the table, Jiyeon couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment settle over her. There was something profoundly satisfying about these quiet evenings at home, where the only thing that mattered was the food on their plates and the person sitting across from them.
Later, as they curled up together on the couch, a movie playing in the background, Jiyeon rested her head on Yura's shoulder, her eyes heavy with the kind of peaceful exhaustion that came after a long, fulfilling day.
"Thanks for dinner," Yura murmured, her voice low and soft.
"Thanks for eating it without complaining," Jiyeon replied, her own voice equally quiet.
Yura chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of Jiyeon's head. "You're lucky I'm not picky."
"You're lucky I'm a good cook," Jiyeon shot back, though the teasing tone was softened by the affection in her voice.
As the night wore on, the movie forgotten and their conversation fading into comfortable silence, Jiyeon felt the weight of the day slowly melt away. There would be more busy days ahead, more restaurant openings, more challenges to tackle—but for now, she was exactly where she needed to be.
By the time Yura strolled into the dining room, Jiyeon was already seated, a glass of wine in hand, and the table elegantly set with the meticulously crafted dishes. The warm glow of the chandelier above cast a soft light over the room, giving it a cozy yet sophisticated feel. Yura paused, taking in the sight of the food, her eyes widening in appreciation.
"Damn," she said, whistling low under her breath. "You've really outdone yourself this time. Are you trying to seduce me with scallops?"
Jiyeon smirked, taking a slow sip of her wine. "Depends. Is it working?"
Yura slid into the seat across from her, grinning like a wolf. "Always does, Chef."
With a satisfied chuckle, Jiyeon gestured toward the plates. "Dig in before it gets cold."
Yura didn't need to be told twice. She picked up her fork and knife, cutting into the seared scallops with practiced precision, and took her first bite. The moment the flavors hit her tongue, she let out a low, appreciative hum. "Holy hell, this is good."
"Glad you approve," Jiyeon said, watching Yura with a mix of amusement and pride. "You'd better savor it, though. I don't make this kind of meal every day."
"Oh, I'm savoring it," Yura said between bites, her expression one of pure bliss. "You should really open another restaurant. One just for me. Call it *The Spoiled Wife*."
Jiyeon laughed, shaking her head. "You wish."
Yura pointed her fork at Jiyeon, still chewing. "I'm serious. I'd be your best customer."
"More like my only customer," Jiyeon shot back, grinning. "But I'll think about it."