Chapter 31
Jo strolled through the supermarket, his face cap and casual attire - a blue T-shirt and black coat and jean - exuding a relaxed, effortless vibe. His two friends had been trailing behind him, their laughter and playful banter filling the air as they sang and joked around. But now, they were nowhere to be seen, vanished into the crowded aisles like ghosts. Jo wasn't surprised; they often got distracted and wandered off, their attention spans as fleeting as a whispered secret.
As Jo navigated the shelves, his cart gradually filled with the makings of a hearty dinner. Seasonings,butter, and assortment of other ingredients were carefully selected and placed in his cart. His movements were methodical, his mind focused on the task at hand. Yet, as he shopped, his thoughts began to drift, his eyes taking on a faraway look. "I wonder what kind of Korean food I should cook for her," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the hum of the fluorescent lights. His mind was preoccupied with the idea of impressing sarah with his culinary skills, and the prospect of cooking for her had taken on a tantalizing allure.
The aisles of the supermarket seemed to fade into the background as Jo's thoughts consumed him. "I don't know what she would like," he muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the food shelves as he picked up ingredient after ingredient. Tomatoes, onions, peppers - the list went on, his cart gradually filling up with an assortment of items.
Just as he was lost in thought, his two friends appeared out of nowhere, their faces etched with amusement and curiosity. They gazed at the contents of Jo's cart, their eyebrows arching in unison. "All this for one person?"
Jae ho asked, his voice laced with incredulity, as if the very idea was absurd.
Song chimed in, his eyes wide with wonder. "You want to cook all this for one person?" he repeated, his tone dripping with skepticism. And then, with a hopeful glint in his eye, he asked, "Can we join the dinner?"
Jo's response was instantaneous. "No," he barked, his voice echoing through the store like a warning. "Besides, it's not the dinner that you two are invited to," he added, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone like a slow-burning fire.
Jae ho nudged the other, a knowing glint in his eye. "I told you he likes her," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the fluorescent lights.
Jo's face flushed a deep shade of red as he shot back, "Yeah, of course. So what? What are you going to do to me?"
The two boys laughed, their teasing clearly having hit a nerve. They shook their heads, their faces etched with amusement, as if they had uncovered a long-held secret. Jo's embarrassment was palpable, his defenses breached by their playful jabs.
*
*
* Sarah's POV
As I sat in my room, my phone buzzed with a text from Jo, inviting me to the kitchen to start making dinner. Before I could even respond, a knock on the door broke the silence. I rose from my chair, curiosity getting the better of me, and made my way to the door. As I opened it, a charming smile greeted me. "Hi, my name is Jae ho, and I'm here to escort you," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I raised an eyebrow "And who are you?" I asked, my voice laced with playful skepticism. The guy chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You seem to have forgotten me," he said, his tone dripping with mock offense. "I'm Jo's friend, your brother-in-law."
I laughed, the sound bubbling up from my chest. "Okay, give me a minute," I said, stepping back into my room. I quickly changed into something nice, the soft fabric rustling against my skin. I sprayed a generous amount of perfume, the scent wafting up to greet me. After locking my room, I followed Jae ho to the cafeteria, my heart beating with anticipation.
As we walked, the silence between us was filled with an unspoken understanding. When we arrived at the place,I was surprised to find it empty, the tables and chairs arranged with precision. Jae ho smiled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Enjoy your dinner date," he said, his voice low and husky, as he gestured for me to enter.
With a gentle nudge, I stepped into the cafeteria, the door closing behind me with a soft click. I was enveloped in an atmosphere of intimacy, the only sound the soft hum of the fluorescent lights. I couldn't help but wonder what Jo had planned, my heart racing with excitement and curiosity.
As I entered fully into the cafeteria, Jo emerged from the shadows, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Where are the people, the chefs?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Jo chuckled and said, "Calm down, this place is actually the student kitchen. It's meant for students to use when they need a place to eat or cook." I nodded, feeling a sense of understanding wash over me. "Oh," I said, my eyes scanning the empty space.
Jo's eyes sparkled with amusement as he asked, "Why don't you join me in the kitchen?" I smiled, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. I walked over to the kitchen area, He picked up an apron from the hook and tied it around his own waist, the gesture intimate and domestic.
Then, he washed his hands, the sound of the water rushing over his skin. I watched, mesmerized, as he prepared to cook. The apron around his waist made him look endearing.