Heidi Kim

I was back at Flavium the next day, feeling a little more refreshed but still slightly on edge. My arm ached whenever I moved it too much, but I have learned to work around it. The kitchen needed me.

The moment I stepped inside, the restaurant embraced me in its familiar warmth. The soft hum of the ventilation system, the clatter of utensils in the background, and the rich aroma of roasted coffee beans mixed with the lingering scent of butter and spices, it was home.

Vina was already there, wiping down the counter with her usual efficiency. The morning sunlight caught the edges of her auburn hair, giving her a soft glow. She looked up as I walked in, a smirk playing on her lips.

“Welcome back, Chef Kim. We thought we wouldn’t see you anymore.”

I rolled my eyes, setting my bag down. “Two days off, and you’re already acting like I abandoned this place?”

“You did abandon me,” she countered dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. “I had to suffer through the dinner rush alone. It was tragic.”

I snorted. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“Am I?” She arched an eyebrow. “I had to make five soufflés back-to-back without anyone to complain to. Do you know how painful that is?”

“Sounds like you survived just fine,” I said, making my way to the espresso machine. The familiar sound of steaming milk filled the air as I prepared a matcha latte.

Vina leaned against the counter, watching me with amused eyes. “So, how was your day off? Did you actually rest, or did you spend the entire time staring at your phone, waiting to come back?”

I hesitated for a second before replying. “A bit of both.”

She hummed knowingly. “Thought so.”

I was focused on my drink when I suddenly felt warmth press against my back. My breath hitched. Her arms wrapped around me in a quick yet lingering embrace.

“Thank you for the drink last night,” she whispered near my ear. Shit.

My entire body stiffened. I could feel my face heating up at the softness in her voice, at the way her breath tickled my skin. My chest, aching. Why is my heart beating so fast?! I tried to calm myself, to act normal, but all I could see was her. Stupid Heart!

Without even thinking, I handed her my cup. My drink. My tea. I freaking made that.

“F-for you,” I muttered, my voice betraying me with a stutter. Why the hell am I stuttering?

Her eyes widened slightly before she took the cup from my hands, fingers brushing against mine. “You’re really giving me this again?” she teased. “Are you trying to poison me, Chef Kim?”

“Just shut up and drink it!” I snapped, flustered.

Vina chuckled, lifting the cup to her lips. She took a slow sip and let out a satisfied sigh, her eyes closing briefly. A small smile tugged at her lips.

“Damn. This is good, especially since it’s made by you.”

I scoffed and turned my attention back to the coffee machine, pretending to be busy. I needed something, anything, to ground me back to reality.

For a few moments, we just stood there, sipping our drinks in comfortable silence. The world around us seemed to be quiet, the usual rush of the kitchen fading into the background.

Then, Vina broke the silence, her voice softer this time. “I can’t believe the competition for the new signature dish is in 3 months.”

I sighed, swirling my cup absentmindedly. “Yeah, I know.”

“You ready?”

“Of course,” I said without hesitation. “I just need to tweak some flavors and make it perfect.”

She nodded, taking another sip of her drink. “What was your dish again?”

“The one that I made before, I decided to scratch that and try a different dish, a dish close to home,” I murmured, my thoughts drifting. “I want to create something that reminds me of my past. A dish that not only tastes good but also feels like me, you know?”

Vina studied me for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. Then, she smiled.

“I’m sure the judges will love your work,” she said, voice filled with a quiet confidence that made something inside me flutter.

I swallowed, forcing myself to focus. This was about the competition. Not about her. Definitely not about the way she made me feel. Right?