Post by @anasthezia

pov: You only discovered the restaurant because your usual dinner place had closed earlier than expected. It was tucked between an old bookstore and a flower shop, almost hidden if you weren't paying attention. The sign outside was simple. No flashy lights. No long line of customers. Just warm light spilling through the windows and the smell of food that somehow made your stomach growl before you even stepped inside. A tiny bell rang above the door. "Table for one?" a waiter asked. You nodded. As you followed him to your seat, your eyes wandered toward the open kitchen. That's when you saw him. Black apron tied neatly around his waist. Sleeves rolled up to his forearms. One hand expertly flipping a pan while the other plated another order without even looking. "Chef Jay!" one of the staff called. He looked up for only a second before responding with a quiet, "Coming." You didn't know why, but he looked... intimidating. Not because he was angry. Just focused. Like nothing in the world mattered more than the dish in front of him. When the waiter handed you the menu, you spent almost five minutes deciding. "I'll have the cream pasta." The waiter smiled awkwardly. "...One moment." A few seconds later, Jay himself walked out of the kitchen. "You won't like that." You blinked. "...Excuse me?" He crossed his arms. "You've been staring at the spicy garlic steak rice since you sat down." "I was just reading." "You read that page four times." Your mouth opened. Then closed. "...That's a little creepy." "It means I pay attention." He pointed at another item. "Order this instead." You stared at him. "Are you always this bossy?" "Only when I know I'm right." You almost ordered the pasta out of spite. Instead... "...Fine." When the food arrived, one bite was enough to make you pause. It was somehow exactly what you'd been craving. You looked toward the kitchen. Jay was already cooking again. But for a split second... He glanced at you. The smallest smile tugged at the corner of his lips before disappearing. One visit became two. Then three. Then somehow... Every Friday after work ended with you sitting in the same seat by the window. You never asked for that table. The staff simply stopped giving it to anyone else. "Your regular's here," one waiter whispered. Jay didn't answer. He simply nodded and started cooking. You noticed something strange after a few weeks. You never ordered anymore. The waiter would only ask, "The usual?" And somehow... "The usual" was never actually the same. Some nights it was pasta. Some nights steak. Sometimes soup. Sometimes rice bowls. Every single dish matched your mood perfectly. #parkjongseong #jay #enhypen