◦◦,'°.✽✦✽.◦.✽✦✽.°',◦◦

I wish I knew how to

quit you...

-Annie Proulx-

◦◦,'°.✽✦✽.◦.✽✦✽.°',◦◦

By 5 p.m., the trendy coffee shop/bakery was quiet.

You were utterly exhausted. You've been back in Gangnam-Gu for a year after living twenty-six years in Switzerland with your parents. After your graduation, you tragically lost your father in a car accident. Your father was your rock, and you and your mother couldn't live in Switzerland any longer, so she chose to bring you back to her birthplace after five years. Your Korean grandparents died a few years ago, and your mother's brother, Uncle Ro, is your only living relative in South Korea. Your paternal grandparents are still alive in Switzerland. They'll be coming to see you in a few weeks. They didn't want you and your mother to return to your country.

You and your mother have chosen to buy a cute coffee shop franchise called "Dilly Dally," where she can serve breakfast meals, and you can handle the fresh baking. You've hired two assistant bakers to help you with your crew, and you're focusing on sweet treats like desserts and cakes.

Emilia, your childhood friend from Switzerland, made the move to South Korea alongside you as a young adult, encouraged by her parents to explore new horizons. You and Emilia had been inseparable since elementary school.

Life without each other seemed unimaginable.

Through thick and thin, Emilia stood by your side, even during the countless rejections you faced from the person you'd loved since your first year while he was in his third year.

The entire college knew of the "awkward nerd" hopelessly enamored with Kim Seokjin, the most sought-after foreign student. His pure Korean heritage added to his allure. Tall, affluent, and resembling a model, he was the only one who captured your enduring interest. Though kind and polite, he didn't reciprocate your feelings. Yet, your love for him remained steadfast, showering him with daily gifts that puzzled your friends.

Rumors spread through college that he was discovered in Korea and became a renowned model for luxury fashion brands.

Emilia continued to follow him on social media, despite your clear aversion to anything related to "Seokjin." Purposefully avoiding magazines featuring his face became a habit.

After a painful incident during his graduation, you closed the chapter on love, vowing never to revisit it.

While your outward appearance blossomed from an "ugly duckling" to a stunning figure, your heart grew distant and cold, locking away emotions. Both Emilia and your mother lamented your disinterest in love.

Struggling with depression, therapy became a necessary part of your life until one day, awakening with newfound vigor and determination, you took charge, ready to take control and move forward, which you did.

Today, a wedding party will visit to sample cakes for the upcoming grand wedding of Aera and Seok-Joon, a billionaire couple, set to be celebrated on a luxurious yacht.

Despite your focus on baking designer cupcakes for various occasions, including celebrity events and even serving as a judge in international cake decorating competitions, you were surprised when the couple chose your bakery for their celebrity wedding cake.

The Kims, who have been in contact for nearly three weeks, recognized your talent for such high-profile events, yet you've kept a low profile in Korea after returning from judging cake shows in Switzerland and Denmark.

Emilia found you arranging 10 sample pieces of the wedding cake on platters labeled with the cake's name, considering the testers' small sizes. These samples are for the wedding party to taste and decide on their preferred flavors, as they must choose from multiple options for the cake that will mark the year's most extravagant wedding. Additionally, a portion of the cakes will be available for sale by the slice at the bakery.

Emilia stood behind you, admiring the platters. "I'm a fan of the marble cake. Wonder what Aera will choose. She and her fiance seem indecisive."

You chuckled softly. "Yeah, she's quirky but likable. We could blend their flavors into one cake, maybe on a different tier." The final piece done, you wrapped the platters in plastic wrap.

"Your cake-making skills are impressive," Emilia remarked, tucking her brown hair behind her ears. "No wonder you've been hailed as the best baker in both university and country."

"Well, I've had a lifelong mentor in cake baking - my mother," you smirked. "I baked my first cupcakes at four and haven't stopped since, drawn to all things sweet and fluffy."

You set aside the platters as the wedding party and their head bridesmaid and groomsman were due shortly.

Emilia eyed the cake, "Any marble cake left for me?"

"In the shop's glass cake stand. Help yourself. Also, set up the consultation room and have Taeri and Bong prepare the table with the platters and water glasses. Aera needs to finalize her choice, and we've got design planning ahead," you nodded.

"Consider it done! Bong's stepping in as a waiter today; Han's out sick. Taeri's with your mom and the chef in the kitchen," Emilia swayed out of the workshop. Her affection for a Korean cop surprised you; they've been dating for two months. You're happy for her transformation from a bullied girl to a confident woman, though you chose a different path, swearing off love.

"Em, handle the couple while I tackle the accounts, alright? Just give me a call if you need anything," you called out.

"Sure thing!" Her voice echoed from the hallway. She's your close friend, living with you and your mother, offered her own en-suite room.

Your successful career and shop enabled financial freedom. Both your cars are owned, with Emilia driving the company car while yours stays parked.

Y

ou caught the sound of the bell while engrossed in financial work in your small office. Anticipating Aera's arrival with her fiance, you grin, knowing Emilia will attend to them and their bridal party.

Emilia rushes in, visibly distressed, unable to form a coherent sentence, her eyes wide. You're surprised and concerned as she seems to be hyperventilating.

"Hey, what's going on with you?" You chuckle at her erratic behavior.

Wide-eyed and in a state of panic, Emilia looks at you. "Oh my goodness! Mayla, did you know Kim Seok-Joon has a sibling?"

"Yeah, he mentioned it before. What's the big deal? Em, you're not single!" You chuckle lightly.

"It's Kim Seokjin's brother-your old university crush!" Emilia regrets telling you. "He... he joined them today. He's even more attractive than before. Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry, Mayla." You stand up, startled, but manage not to spill your water on the laptop. You're utterly shocked, your vision blurring.

At first, hearing about Seokjin feels like a joke. Nothing seems to register.

Emilia rushes over, visibly concerned about your frozen state.

"Mayla... are you okay?" She's deeply worried, looking at your pale face.

"Em, I'm not prepared to face him after eight years," you say, turning to her, biting your cheek. "I tried so hard to forget. I sought counseling to deal with the heartbreak. I don't think I'm ready." Your eyes look pensive, lips bitten.

"Mayla, please. I know how much you felt for him. But it's been almost eight years. You've grown into a strong, independent woman. We're proud of your progress. Show him you've moved on. You've changed. You're more mature now," she says, embracing you gently.

"Am I strong enough?" You exhale sharply.

"You absolutely are. You're strong and courageous. Go out there with confidence. Let him see the person you've become, not the naive student from before," she encourages you.

You manage a smile that doesn't quite reach your eyes.

"And your appearance is entirely different. He couldn't place me, maybe Seokjins will draw his attention to you. Stay professional, pretend you don't remember him. You don't have to engage with him after the wedding, okay?" She pats your shoulder, smiling.

"Okay... so everything else is fine?" You take a deep breath.

"Yes, Aera wants to see you and has some suggestions." She grins, noting your annoyance. With a racing heart, you don't have time for more changes; the cake is all that's left to prepare.

""Here we go again," you grumble quietly, trailing Emilia reluctantly out the door, feeling your stomach churn with apprehension. It's been nearly a decade since you last saw him, and you dread the resurgence of suppressed emotions.

Entering the meeting room, you take a calming breath and force a smile. The scene before you unfolds-a quartet of individuals seated around a table, indulging in laughter and tasting various cakes.

Amidst chuckles, the couple shares bites of cake, exchanging compliments. As attention shifts to you and Emilia, everyone rises, offering polite bows. You strive to avoid a particular gaze fixated on you.

Aera rushes over, embracing you warmly, radiating enthusiasm. "Ms. Kang, I apologize. The samples are divine. We're torn between three options-Joon and I can't seem to choose," she gushes, leading you to the table where Joon busily snacks from his partner's tray.

"Tiramisu and Red Devil's Food are Joon's top picks. Dark chocolate champagne and Pistachio Nut are favorites among our wedding party. Pistachio nuts are adored by my younger brother-in-law, and I pair them with Tiramisu. It's incredible. However, we're at a dilemma," she confides in a hushed tone.

A grin passes between you and Emilia, yet the anxious flutter in your stomach intensifies, particularly under the lingering gaze of Seokjin. When introduced by his brother, you merely nodded, avoiding direct eye contact, fully engrossed in the couple's proceedings.

"It's a conundrum... presenting ten wedding cakes might be a bit much, don't you think?" quipped Seok-Joon, his wide grin encompassing his face as he sneakily glances in your direction.

'"You know, we could choose three of your most-loved flavors and create a new flavor for each tier," you suggest with a smirk. "And for the dessert table, we could have an assortment of cupcake flavors." As your eyes momentarily met, Seokjin smirked while nibbling on a piece of pistachio.

He scrutinized you intently, trying to recall, but you seemed both unfamiliar and strikingly distinct. The memory of how he knew you eluded him.

He recalled every stunning girl he'd ever encountered, her unique perfume stirring a strange feeling within him. Despite her beauty, this woman felt eerily familiar, an unusual awareness lingering about her. Did he know her? He must know her. She's breathtaking... Kang Mayla...Mayla...Kang...suddenly, his eyes widened in realization.

"Okay, we'll go with that plan. I really love the combination-" As you noted their choices in your diary, Emilia interrupted.

"Fantastic picks...pistachio, tiramisu, and Red Devils," Emilia cheered. "The main wedding cake will be delightful. And for the cupcakes, dark chocolate champagne and white vanilla bean with pink and white buttercream will be perfect. Sorted."

Relieved, the couple exchanged loving glances, pleased that you resolved the cake issue. Aera's 18-year-old sister, calm and polite, joined Seokjin in confirming the completion of their tasting.

As the group finished their drinks, you signaled the couple. Aera and the wedding party graciously followed Emilia out, leaving you momentarily relieved. But as two firm hands landed on your shoulders, a shiver raced down your spine, rendering your voice frozen in your throat. For a fleeting moment, you closed your eyes.

"Hello, Mayla... it's been a while..." You locked eyes with the man who had held your heart captive for almost eight years... You turned your head slightly...

Kim Seokjin-the only man in history to reject you fifteen times.

A/n. The first chapter of Chefs'kiss. I hope you like it and thank you to all the new readers and shadow readers, and a shout out to the first commenters, those who add the book to their readers' list, and the constant voters. You are amazing.

Question 1: Do you think she needed therapy?

Question 2: Was Seokjin the cause of her cold heart?