Chapter 65: you’re the only one I care about
I leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. Her arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer. The kiss deepened, our tongues dancing together in a slow, sensual rhythm. I could feel the heat between us building, the desire simmering just beneath the surface. As the intensity of the moment began to fade, Jiyeon pulled me into her arms, holding me tightly. I buried my face in her neck, breathing in her familiar scent, a mix of vanilla and something uniquely her.
The shift from the high of our passion to the reality of our situation was like being doused with cold water. I needed to get my head straight. I couldn't keep avoiding the truth forever. Yura needed me to be strong, to be her Alpha, especially now. As I held her, my thoughts swirled with the weight of what she had told me—and what she hadn't.
The night deepened around us, casting long shadows in the room. I felt Yura's breath even out, indicating she had fallen asleep. I watched her for a moment longer, her face peaceful and innocent in the moonlight, then carefully disentangled myself from her embrace. The events of the past few days played on a loop in my mind, and I knew I needed to clear my head if I was going to help Yura through this.
Morning came sooner than expected. I woke up with a plan in my head and a determination in my heart. Slipping out of bed quietly, I decided to surprise everyone with a special breakfast. A French breakfast—croissants, omelets, fresh fruit, and a variety of cheeses—would be a nice change and hopefully lift everyone's spirits.
I headed to the kitchen, where the servants were already bustling about. "I'll take care of breakfast today," I announced, my voice firm. They looked at me with surprise but nodded, stepping aside.
I began by mixing the dough for the croissants, letting it rise while I prepared the fillings for the omelets. Cheese, ham, mushrooms, and fresh herbs were spread out on the counter. The rhythmic tasks were soothing, allowing my mind to focus on something productive.
As I was whisking the eggs, I felt a pang in my side. The injury from the attack still ached, but I pushed through the pain. I couldn't afford to be weak now. Once the croissants were baking, their buttery scent filling the kitchen, I moved on to preparing the fruit—slicing strawberries, arranging blueberries and raspberries on a platter.
Just as I was finishing up, I heard footsteps approaching. Yura and her mother, Min-Seo, entered the kitchen, both looking surprised.
"What's all this?" Yura asked, her eyes wide.
"I wanted to make something special," I said with a smile. "A French breakfast. I thought it might cheer us up."
Min-Seo's expression softened. "That's very thoughtful of you, Jiyeon. But you should be resting. You're still recovering."
"I'm fine," I insisted, even though I knew she was right. "I needed to do something with my hands."
Yura looked at me with a mix of concern and admiration. "You're amazing," she said softly. "But please, let us help."
Together, we set the table, laying out the freshly baked croissants, fluffy omelets, and vibrant fruit. When everything was ready, we sat down to eat. The food was delicious, and for a moment, the tension from the previous days seemed to melt away.
Min-Seo took a bite of her croissant and sighed in delight. "This is wonderful, Jiyeon. But please, no more cooking until you're fully healed."
I laughed, nodding. "Alright, alright. I promise."
As we ate, the atmosphere remained light and cheerful. Just when I thought things were going smoothly, the doorbell rang. Yura went to answer it and returned with Chef Kang, one of the chefs from my restaurant, holding a bouquet of flowers.
"Jiyeon!" he exclaimed, handing me the flowers. "I heard about what happened. I wanted to wish you a speedy recovery."
"Thank you, Chef Kang," I said, smiling as I took the flowers. "It's good to see you."
His visit was brief but heartwarming. However, I couldn't help but notice the way Yura's eyes darkened slightly with jealousy. She stood close to me, her hand possessively on my arm, as if to remind Chef Kang—and herself—that I was hers.
After he left, Yura turned to me, her expression softening. "You're quite popular," she teased, though I could sense the underlying tension.
"He's just a colleague," I reassured her, pulling her into a hug. "You have nothing to worry about."
Yura's lips pursed, and she crossed her arms, looking away from me. It was a mix of adorable and frustrating. "I don't like how he looked at you," she muttered.
I couldn't help but laugh softly. "Oh, Yura. Come on, he's just concerned about me. You know you're the only one I care about."
She glanced at me, a small pout on her lips, before finally giving in and hugging me back. "I guess... but I'm still keeping an eye on him."
We continued our morning routine, finishing breakfast and cleaning up together. Min-Jun had already left for work early in the morning, so it was just Yura, Min-Seo, and me in the house. After breakfast, we all moved to the living room.
Yura still seemed a bit sulky, her eyes flickering to me every so often with a glimmer of jealousy. Min-Seo noticed and shook her head with a chuckle. "Yura, you need to relax. Jiyeon loves you, and only you."
"I know, Mom," Yura said, still pouting slightly.
"Anyway," Min-Seo said, turning to me with a warm smile, "how are you feeling today, Jiyeon? You seem much better."
"I'm doing alright," I replied, smiling back. "Still a bit sore, but nothing I can't handle."
Yura's expression softened, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you sure you're up for everything today?"
Min-Seo interjected before I could respond. "Actually, Yura, why don't you take Jiyeon to work with you today? It might be good for her to get out of the house and change the scenery."
Yura's eyes widened in surprise. "Mom, are you serious? I don't think—"
"It's a great idea," Min-Seo said firmly. "She'll be with you, and you can keep an eye on her. Plus, it'll be good for her to see what you do all day."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the look of bewilderment on Yura's face. "I think it sounds like a good idea. It might be fun."
Yura's eyes narrowed playfully at me. "Alright, but you have to promise to rest if you feel tired."
"Deal," I agreed.
We headed upstairs to get ready. Yura helped me pick out a suitable outfit for her office—something professional yet comfortable. As we dressed, she kept stealing glances at me, her expression a mix of worry and affection.
Once we were both ready, we headed downstairs. Min-Seo was waiting for us, a satisfied smile on her face. "You both look wonderful. Have a great day at work."
"Thanks, Mom," Yura said, giving her a quick hug. "We'll see you later."
We headed out to the car, and Yura's mood seemed to improve slightly. But as we drove to her office, I could see her glancing at me out of the corner of her eye, still slightly pouty.
"You're really going to pout all day, aren't you?" I teased.
She sighed dramatically. "I just... I don't like the idea of anyone else taking care of you. It's my job."
I reached over and squeezed her hand. "Yura, you're doing a great job. But it's okay to let others help sometimes."
She sighed again but squeezed my hand back, a small smile playing on her lips. "I know. I'll try to be less jealous."
When we arrived at her office, Yura led me inside, her demeanor shifting to the cold, professional front she wore at work. She greeted her employees with brief nods and polite words, her posture straight and commanding. But every so often, she would glance back at me, her eyes softening for just a moment before returning to their icy composure.
As we reached her office, she opened the door and gestured for me to go in first. The room was spacious and elegantly decorated, with a large desk, comfortable chairs, and a beautiful view of the city skyline.
"Make yourself comfortable," Yura said, her tone softer now that we were alone. "I'll be working at my desk, but let me know if you need anything."
I nodded, taking a seat on one of the plush chairs. "Thanks, Yura. I'll be fine. Just don't forget to take breaks."
She rolled her eyes playfully. "Yes, Mom."
I spent the morning reading and relaxing while Yura worked. Occasionally, she would glance up from her desk and smile at me, and I would give her a reassuring nod. It was strange to see her in this professional environment, so different from the loving, sometimes pouty partner I knew at home.
Just before lunchtime, Min-Seo called Yura. I couldn't hear what she was saying, but Yura's expression softened, and she looked over at me with a smile. "Mom wants to know if you're up for lunch with us."
I grinned. "I'd love that."
We met Min-Seo at a nearby restaurant, a cozy place with a warm atmosphere. As we ate, the conversation was light and filled with laughter. Min-Seo kept teasing Yura about her jealousy, which made Yura's cheeks flush a deep shade of red.
"You know, Jiyeon," Min-Seo said with a twinkle in her eye, "Yura used to get jealous of her stuffed animals when she was little. She would hide them if she thought I was paying too much attention to them."
Yura groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Mom, please. Not that story."
I laughed, reaching over to squeeze Yura's hand. "It's cute. I like knowing she's always been so passionate."
After lunch, we returned to the office, where Yura tried to focus on her work while still keeping an eye on me. Despite her occasional pouting, I could tell she was glad to have me there.
Stay with us on m-vl-em-py-r
As the afternoon wore on, I began to feel a bit tired. Yura noticed immediately and insisted I lie down on the couch in her office. "I don't want you overdoing it," she said firmly.
I nodded, lying down and closing my eyes. The couch was surprisingly comfortable, and I soon found myself drifting off to sleep.
I woke up to the sound of soft laughter. Opening my eyes, I saw Yura and Min-Seo standing near the desk, talking quietly. Yura's expression was more relaxed now, and she looked genuinely happy.