Alpha Culinary Love

Back at the manor, while Jiyeon worked on refining our proposal, I retreated to my office. My role in this venture was different; I was here to support Jiyeon and ensure her dreams were realized. And sometimes, that meant taking actions she didn't need to know about.

I closed the door behind me, the solid oak providing a comforting barrier between my world and Jiyeon's. I sat at my desk, my fingers drumming on the polished surface as I considered the best approach to our problem. Ms. Kim was a nuisance, but nuisances could be dealt with. I picked up the phone and dialed a number I reserved for situations just like this one.

The line clicked after the second ring. "Yes, Ms. Min?" The voice on the other end was calm and professional, just as I expected.

"I have a situation that requires immediate attention," I said, my voice cold and precise. "There is a woman, Ms. Kim, who is competing for a property that is crucial to our plans. I need her out of the picture."

The voice on the other end didn't hesitate. "Understood. We'll handle it discreetly. Do you have any specifics?"

"I need her to lose interest in the property entirely. Make it clear that pursuing it further would be detrimental to her. I trust you know how to handle this?"

"Absolutely, Ms. Min. We'll take care of it." Your next chapter is on m v|l-e'm,p| y- r

I hung up the phone, a sense of calm washing over me. This was the part of my world that Jiyeon didn't need to know about—the quiet, efficient elimination of obstacles. I trusted my contacts to handle Ms. Kim in a way that would leave no traces back to us. Jiyeon's dream was too important to be derailed by someone else's ambitions.

Later that evening, Jiyeon found me in the office. Her face was bright with excitement, a stark contrast to the cold calculations that had occupied my mind moments before. "I think the proposal is ready," she said, holding up a neatly bound document. "I can't wait to show Mr. Thompson tomorrow."

I smiled, pushing thoughts of Ms. Kim to the back of my mind. "That's wonderful, Jiyeon. I know he'll be impressed."

"Thank you for all your help, Yura. I couldn't have done this without you."

"You don't have to thank me," I said, standing and walking over to her. I placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm here to make sure your dreams come true."

Jiyeon smiled, her eyes filled with gratitude and trust. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Yura."

"Luckily, you won't have to find out," I replied with a wink, trying to lighten the mood. "Now, why don't you go relax? You've earned it."

Jiyeon nodded, giving me a quick hug before heading to the living room. I watched her go, my heart warming at the sight of her joy. But as she disappeared from view, the weight of my earlier conversation with my contact settled back onto my shoulders. I had to make sure everything went smoothly and discreetly. I couldn't afford any loose ends.

I turned back to my desk and quickly gathered the documents detailing the arrangements I had made regarding Ms. Kim. The last thing I wanted was for Jiyeon to stumble upon something that could raise questions. I tucked the papers into a secure drawer and locked it, feeling a slight twinge of guilt. This was necessary, I reminded myself. It was for Jiyeon's dream.

A few hours later, Jiyeon, energized from a short nap, wandered into my office, a bright smile on her face. "Hey, Yura, do you want to take a break and grab some coffee with me?"

I looked up from my computer screen and returned her smile. "Sure, let me just finish this email."

"Take your time," she said, settling into the chair opposite my desk. As I typed, I could feel her eyes roaming around the room. It was something she did often, usually out of idle curiosity.

"What's this?" Jiyeon asked, her tone casual as she reached for a file I had accidentally left out.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. "Oh, that's just some boring business stuff. Nothing interesting," I said quickly, trying to keep my tone light.

Jiyeon glanced at me, curiosity piqued. "Really? It looks like it's about the property."

I stood up, moving to take the file from her hands. "Trust me, Jiyeon, it's nothing you need to worry about."

But she pulled away slightly, her eyes narrowing as she opened the file. Her expression changed as she read the contents, confusion turning into shock. "Yura, what is this?"

I sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. "Jiyeon, it's complicated."

Her eyes blazed with a mix of hurt and anger. "It says here you're planning to force Ms. Kim out of the competition. You're having someone threaten her?"

"It's not like that," I said, reaching out to touch her arm, but she pulled back.

"Then what is it like, Yura? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're going behind my back to get rid of her."

"I'm doing this for you," I said, my voice rising in frustration. "To make sure your dream isn't destroyed by someone else."

Jiyeon's expression hardened. "But not like this. I don't want to achieve my dream by hurting others. That's not who I am, and I thought it wasn't who you were either."

"I'm protecting you," I insisted, trying to make her understand. "Sometimes, you have to make tough decisions."

She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "This isn't a tough decision, Yura. This is wrong. I can't believe you would do this."

I took a step back, feeling a coldness seep into my bones. "Jiyeon, please understand. I'm trying to help you."

"Help me? By betraying everything I stand for?" Her voice cracked, the pain evident. "I can't be a part of this, Yura. Not if it means sacrificing my integrity."

For a moment, we stood there, the silence between us thick and heavy. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the struggle between her love for me and her principles.

"Jiyeon," I whispered, my voice breaking. "Please, I... I didn't mean to hurt you."