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❈Kun Jung-Hee

Jubilee, Cluoshire
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"Come here."

A command that didn't warrant an answer or objection. I approached slowly, dread clawing at my throat with each step. Whatever was going to happen next wasn't going to end well, I could just feel it down to my bones.

"You know who this important guest is I'm sure." He said with his arms crossed over his chest.

I nod, I already knew where this conversation was going.

"Since Francis is indisposed, you are my best card to play at the moment, unfortunately." He says with a roll of his eyes and a deep sigh like it physically pains him to admit my worth.

I could feel my teeth grind as I clenched my jaw to stop any sneer or nasty remarks that were just raging in my mind.

'Think of the money, Jung-Hee. Eyes on the prize...'

"You will cook and personally serve this customer. You have had... moderate success with these kinds of customers before and you will do it again."

I just smile tensely.

'Wait for the catch, there's always a catch...'

"And if you don't satisfy this customer, don't bother coming back." He finished.

'And there is ... the final ultimatum.'

"Do you understand me, Jang-Hei?"

I could vividly envision punching Sam right in his smug face right now. It would feel satisfying and I could practically feel my body humming from the steady building rage. The chef's eyes bounced between Sam and me, clearly terrified of the fight which was teething on the edge.

'The money Jung-Hee!'

"I said do you understand me?"

'THE MONEY-'

I finally look him in the eyes, my smile straining on my face.

"Understood."

The air still cackling with tension thick enough to chock on. Sam didn't even acknowledge me after that just turned and left out back towards the restaurant. And for a second, the kitchen had deafened with uncomfortable silence.

"Mira.."

Mira, one of the assistance chefs practically jumped out of her skin at my voice suddenly sounding.

"Y-yes?"

"What was his order?"

She looks at me dumbly for a second before finally shaking out of it.

"Herb and Spice Beef Tenderloin Roast I believe.."

I was already on the move as she spoke. Pulling back the arms of my button-down and throwing on a spare apron and gloves. I turned to the rest of the kitchen staff who were all looking directly at me.

"Eric, and Laura, you two are going to help me. Everyone else just continues as usual."I ordered.

Suddenly the kitchen came back alive, I would occasionally instruct one or two for something then switch to a new group. We all toiled for about 15 to 20 minutes before finally the dish was done. I wasted not a moment for putting it on a tray and carrying it out.

Apparently, things had gone from bad to worst in the short time frame.

Birthday Boy was now arguing with his family, namely his grandmother. And making quite the spectacle of himself at the same time. There was a steady echo of whisper among the party goers. If looks could kill, Jackson would be buried 6 feet under with the way Michelle was staring at him

"For Christ's sake Jackson, you are acting like a child!!" His mother cries out.

"Yeah?! We-well, you treat me like one well enough! Why can't any of you just let me live my life." His words were still heavily slurred however the tone was bitter and filled with frustration.

All around eyes were peeled fast to the incident happening before them, some were even recording on their phones. I could practically see the vein bulging on Michelle's face, Jackson was gonna be a dead man tonight one way or another. It wasn't until I approached that I really took "birthday boy" in.

Jack was tall, easily towering over me at least. Broad-shouldered with a tapered waist, clearly he keeps himself in shape. Neatly trimmed and packaged, all in all, he would be the ideal man. But then... he opens his mouth and basically all that goes to crap.

I stood for minutes in silence before realizing neither he or his mother will stop arguing long enough to notice me so I let out an "ahem" to address the room. Everyone stops and stared at me and I just rolled my eyes.

'Jesus these people...'

Jackson was also staring at me, particularly hard might I say, and it was slowly starting to grind on my nerves.

"Your food sir." I said in the most passive-aggressive tone I could.

Fortunately (or unfortunately? Ehh who knows?) he doesn't make any remarks and just stumbled to the table as I place down the tray. The room is silent as everyone watches him taking the first few bites of his meal. I could see Sam's smug face from the corner of my eyes. I knew what this was, Sam didn't really care if Jackson likes my food, he just needed a scapegoat and I knew he's been dying to get rid of me for a while now.

'Oh don't worry asshole after this I quit.'

The whole room seems to be waiting on battered breath, literally waiting for the incoming and completed unsurprising outburst. Practically the whole world had learned about the Young Prince's rather picky eating habits. Hell aside from his Father and maybe a few choice Chefs, Jackson was virtually unsatisfied every time.

However, I have a bit of an ace up my sleeve.

This wasn't the first time I've cooked for him.

It was almost comedic to see Jackson's face practically lighting up like a child who just got his first Christmas gift.

"Its-its good!" He said, vastly surprised.

"Wait what really?!" His friends reach over almost instantly after his reaction, taking bites of his food almost immediately.

"Holy-!"

"Damn that is good..."

The restaurant floor erupted with murmurs and gossip. I, however, was giving Sam the biggest and smuggest smirk. To say he was pissed would be an understatement for the century. His face was almost a full ruby red, veins popping all out of his skull. If looks could kill I would be already dead and buried. I was so distracted by Sam that I didn't notice how quiet it had gotten around me. It wasn't until I turned back that I understood why.

Jackson was standing right in front of me and a wide smirk on his face.

I was momentarily stunned as I honestly wasn't expecting him to even acknowledge me after that. He was clearly still very much unsteady but he looks so happy..

....Then he opened his mouth.

"Your- re-reallly cute."

I think I spoke for the entirety of the restaurant when I responded.

"What the fuck..?"

He just chuckled and try to walk closer.

"Wait, Jack, that's not-"

"Ba-back off man, you always get the cute girls!!"

'This mother fu-'

Let it be known the next course of events was completely and without a doubt not my fault in away way what so ever.

Jackson apparently was more unstable in walking than I realized because as soon as he took one more step forward, he trips. And of course, me being the only one within the distance of him tries to stop his face from meeting the floor. Everything seemed to happen just like out of a cliche romance novel as somehow, someway he manages to land directly on me and our lips touch in a rather brief kiss. However, it was more than enough.

Again remember, not my fault.

I drew my fist back and punched him without even a passing thought. From then on, everything went straight to shit.

"HOLY SHIT!"

"Jackson?!"

"Oh crap is that blood??!!"

I stood frozen like a statue as all the chaos ensure around me before feeling a death grip on my shoulder. It was funny how before Sam' face was a bright red but now it is dark and actually looks like he wanted to murder me.

Today just wasn't my day...