Alpha Culinary Love

Chapter 105: And what exactly did I promise

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling the silence of the room settle around me. Yura's absence was palpable, the warmth of her presence replaced by a cold emptiness that seemed to seep into every corner of my being. My heart ached with a longing that was both physical and emotional, a deep-seated need to be near her that I couldn't shake. The maids had done their best to make me comfortable, but nothing could fill the void left by Yura's departure.

I turned onto my side, pulling the blankets up to my chin as if that could somehow bring me closer to her. The soft fabric brushed against my skin, but it wasn't the same as feeling her beside me, her warmth enveloping me in a cocoon of love and safety. I closed my eyes, trying to imagine her there with me, her voice soothing me as she whispered sweet nothings into my ear. But the fantasy only made the reality more unbearable.

The minutes ticked by slowly, each one dragging into the next. The maids checked on me periodically, offering tea, snacks, and comforting words, but I declined them all, too caught up in my thoughts to care about anything else. I missed Yura's touch, the way her fingers would trace patterns on my skin as we lay together, the way she would kiss me good morning, her lips soft and tender against mine. It was these small, intimate moments that I craved, and without them, I felt adrift.

At some point, I must have dozed off, because when I opened my eyes again, the room was filled with the soft, warm light of mid-morning. I blinked, disoriented, my mind struggling to catch up with the passage of time. For a moment, I thought Yura might have returned, and my heart leapt in anticipation. But the room was empty, the door still closed, and I was alone once more.

A soft knock at the door drew my attention, and one of the maids peeked her head in. "Miss Jiyeon, would you like anything? Some water, perhaps?"

I shook my head, offering a small smile. "No, thank you. I'm fine."

She nodded, her expression understanding. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We're here for you."

"Thank you," I said again, my voice barely above a whisper.

She left the room quietly, and I sank back into the pillows, my thoughts once again turning to Yura. I wondered what she was doing, whether she was thinking of me as much as I was thinking of her. I imagined her in her office, focused and determined, yet with a small part of her mind always on me. I could almost see her glancing at the clock, counting down the minutes until she could call me, her phone ready and waiting on her desk.

The thought brought a small smile to my lips, and I felt a bit of the heaviness in my chest lift. Yura always kept her promises, and I knew she would call as soon as she could. But until then, I had to find a way to distract myself, to pass the time without letting the loneliness consume me.

I sat up slowly, feeling the remnants of the fever still clinging to me, a faint warmth under my skin. It wasn't as intense as it had been the day before, but it was enough to remind me of how much I needed Yura. Still, I couldn't spend the entire day wallowing in my own emotions. Yura wouldn't want that. She would want me to take care of myself, to rest and recover so that I could be strong for her when she returned.

With a deep breath, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, a little unsteady at first. The room swayed slightly, but I steadied myself, taking a moment to gather my strength. I walked over to the window and pulled back the curtains, letting the sunlight flood the room. The bright light was almost blinding after the dimness of the bedroom, but it felt good, like a balm on my soul.

Outside, the world was moving on as usual, unaware of the turmoil within me. I watched as people went about their day, the distant hum of traffic and the occasional chirp of birds creating a peaceful backdrop. The normalcy of it all was strangely comforting, a reminder that life continued, even when it felt like my own had come to a standstill.

I turned away from the window, determined to make the best of the day. I would start by getting dressed, maybe taking a short walk around the garden to clear my head. It wasn't much, but it was something, and that was better than lying in bed feeling sorry for myself.

I walked over to the closet and pulled out a comfortable outfit, something soft and easy to wear. As I changed, I found myself thinking about Yura again, about how she would tease me for being so clingy, but with that affectionate glint in her eyes that let me know she didn't mind. I missed her playful teasing, the way she could make me laugh even when I didn't want to.

Once I was dressed, I made my way downstairs, moving slowly to avoid the dizziness that still threatened to overtake me. The maids greeted me with smiles as I passed, their concern evident but not overbearing. They knew I needed space, but they were there if I needed them, a comforting presence in the background.

I stepped outside into the garden, the cool air refreshing against my warm skin. The garden was beautiful this time of year, the flowers in full bloom, their vibrant colors a feast for the eyes. I walked along the path, taking in the sights and sounds of nature, letting it soothe my restless mind. The scent of roses and lavender filled the air, mixing with the earthy smell of the soil, creating a calming atmosphere that I desperately needed.

As I wandered through the garden, I couldn't help but think about the future, about what lay ahead for Yura and me. We had come so far, overcome so much, but there were still challenges to face. The new restaurant, the pressures of our respective careers, and the inevitable ups and downs of our relationship. But through it all, I knew we would stand strong, side by side, supporting each other in every way we could.

The thought gave me a sense of peace, a reassurance that no matter what happened, we would face it together. And for now, that was enough.

I continued my walk, feeling more at ease with each step, the fresh air and the beauty of the garden working their magic. By the time I returned to the house, I felt calmer, more centered. The lingering fever was still there, but it was manageable, and I was determined not to let it ruin my day.

As I stepped back inside, one of the maids approached me with a warm smile. "Miss Jiyeon, would you like some tea? It might help with the fever."

"That sounds nice," I replied, returning her smile. "Thank you."

She nodded and hurried off to prepare the tea, leaving me to settle into one of the comfortable chairs in the living room. I leaned back, closing my eyes for a moment, letting the quietness of the house envelop me.

It wasn't long before the maid returned with a tray, a steaming pot of tea and a delicate cup set before me. The aroma of the tea wafted up, soothing and fragrant. I took a sip, the warmth spreading through me, easing some of the tension that had built up over the morning.

As I sipped my tea, I found myself thinking about Yura again, about how she always knew exactly what I needed, even when I didn't. She had a way of reading me, of understanding me on a level that no one else ever had. It was one of the many reasons I loved her so deeply.

The hours passed slowly, each one bringing me closer to the moment when Yura would call. I kept my phone close, checking it frequently, even though I knew it was still too early. The anticipation was almost unbearable, but it was also a reminder of how much she meant to me.

Finally, just as I was beginning to lose patience, my phone buzzed with a message. I snatched it up, my heart skipping a beat when I saw Yura's name on the screen.

**Yura:** "Hey love, how are you feeling? I'm about to head into a meeting, but I wanted to check in on you first."

I smiled, feeling a rush of warmth at her thoughtfulness. Even in the middle of her busy day, she had taken the time to reach out to me.

**Me:** "I'm okay. Missing you, though. When will you be home?"

Her reply came quickly, and I could almost hear the smile in her voice as I read it.

**Yura:** "Soon. I'll be home before you know it. Just a few more hours, okay?"

I sighed, feeling both reassured and frustrated by the wait. Read new chapters at m_v-l'e|-NovelBin.net

**Me:** "Okay. I'll be counting down the minutes."

**Yura:** "I know you will. Hang in there, Jiyeon. I'll make it up to you tonight, I promise."

The promise in her words sent a shiver of anticipation through me, and I found myself smiling despite the lingering ache in my heart. Yura always knew how to lift my spirits, even from a distance.

**Me:** "I'll hold you to that. I love you."

**Yura:** "I love you too. I'll see you soon."

With that, the conversation ended, and I was left staring at my phone, my heart still racing. The exchange had been brief, but it was enough to sustain me, to remind me that she would be back soon,

and that everything would be okay.

I put the phone down, feeling a renewed sense of determination to get through the rest of the day. It wouldn't be easy, but I knew that every moment brought me closer to the one I was waiting for: the moment when Yura would walk through the door, her smile lighting up the room, and all the loneliness and longing would fade away.

The hours stretched on, and I did my best to keep myself occupied. I read a book, watched some TV, and even tried my hand at cooking something simple, though it didn't turn out nearly as well as when Yura was there to guide me. The maids offered their assistance, but I insisted on doing it myself, needing the distraction to keep my mind off the waiting.

Finally, as the late afternoon sun began to cast long shadows across the room, I heard the sound of the front door opening. My heart leapt, and I abandoned whatever I had been doing, rushing towards the entryway.

There she was, standing in the doorway, her eyes searching for me as she slipped off her shoes. The moment our eyes met, a smile spread across her face, and I felt my entire body relax, the tension melting away as if it had never been there.

"Yura!" I called out, my voice filled with relief and happiness. I practically flew into her arms, wrapping myself around her as if I would never let go.

"Jiyeon," she murmured, her voice soft and filled with love as she held me close. "I missed you too."

I buried my face in her neck, inhaling the sweet scent of strawberries that always seemed to linger on her skin. It was a smell that I had come to associate with comfort, with home, and in that moment, I felt more at peace than I had all day.

"Are you okay?" she asked, pulling back slightly to look at me, her eyes full of concern.

"I am now," I replied, my voice a little shaky. "I just… missed you so much."

"I know, baby," she said gently, cupping my face in her hands. "I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere."

The sincerity in her voice, the warmth in her touch, made my heart swell with emotion. I leaned in, pressing my lips to hers in a soft, lingering kiss that was full of all the love and longing I had felt throughout the day.

When we finally pulled apart, I could see the same emotions reflected in her eyes, and it made me feel even more connected to her, as if nothing in the world could ever come between us.

"Come on," she said with a smile, taking my hand. "Let's go sit down. You should be resting."

I nodded, allowing her to lead me back into the living room. She settled me on the couch, pulling a blanket over my lap before sitting down beside me. The maids had already prepared some tea and snacks, and Yura poured us both a cup, the familiar routine bringing a sense of normalcy to the end of a long and difficult day.

As we sipped our tea, Yura told me about her day, the meetings she had attended, and the people she had spoken to. I listened, content just to hear her voice, to watch the way her eyes lit up when she talked about something she was passionate about.

But as much as I enjoyed hearing about her day, there was something else on my mind, something that I had been thinking about ever since our brief conversation earlier.

"Yura," I began, hesitating slightly as I tried to find the right words. "About what you said earlier… about making it up to me tonight…"

She raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Oh? And what exactly did I promise?"

I blushed, feeling a little embarrassed but also excited. "You said you would make it up to me. And… I'm holding you to that."

She chuckled, leaning in to kiss me again, this time with a little more heat behind it. "Is that so? Well, I suppose I'll have to keep my promise then."

My heart skipped a beat at the implication in her words, and I felt a rush of anticipation. But before I could say anything else, she pulled away, a playful glint in her eyes.

"But first," she said, her tone serious, "you need to eat something. You haven't had much today, have you?"

I pouted, but I knew she was right. I hadn't been very good about taking care of myself in her absence, too caught up in my own emotions to think about food.

"Okay," I agreed reluctantly. "But after that…"

She smiled, a mischievous look on her face. "After that, we'll see."

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of soft touches, whispered words, and shared laughter. Yura made sure I ate, feeding me small bites of food with a tenderness that made my heart ache with love. And when the time finally came to make good on her promise, she did so with a passion and care that left me breathless and utterly content.

As we lay together in the aftermath, our bodies entwined, I felt a deep sense of peace and fulfillment. The day had been long and difficult, but it had all been worth it for this moment, for the love and connection that we shared.