SUMMA CUM LUST - K.TH

Monsters don’t hide under beds. They wear suits, smile in boardrooms... and whisper your name like a prayer before dragging you to hell.

♛♛♛♛

|| ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕒𝕥 𝕋𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝟝 ||

The restaurant was a small haven of warmth amid the cold city. The dim lights, the aroma of spices, and the steady rhythm of sizzling pans filling the air. Simple, familiar, and filled with quiet life.

There stood Rhea near the kitchen chopping the onions.

She stabbed the onion with unnecessary force. Her eyes were watering like she is at the edge of tragic confession rather than a dinner prep.

“Why must this torture be part of life?” she groaned, wiping tears dramatically. Her father chuckled. “You act like the onions are plotting against you.” He said patting her shoulders and walking out to serve the people in the restaurant.

Rhea threw a dramatic glance at the ceiling. “This is cruelty disguised as cooking. Onions are emotional manipulators.”

Yuna who was recording every stupid and funny thing her bestfriend was doing raised the phone. “You’re acting like you just broke up with your first love, not chopping vegetables.” Yuna said laughing her ass out.

Rhea wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “Just wait, Yuna. When the real drama hits, you’ll wish these onions were your biggest problem.” Just then her father entered.

“Rhea, enough with the soap opera. The next order just came in. The table five wants their bibimbap, and they want it now.” Her father said taking the bulgogi from the counter and rushing out.

She straightened up, sniffling dramatically. “Fine, fine. The onion drama takes a commercial break.” She said and took the bibimbap from the counter and rushing out. Yuna chuckled and took the knife to cut the onions.

This is not new. This is something which happens everyday. Rhea is always there, helping her father and Yuna is just like his daughter.

Rhea, in her apron and onion-teary eyes, stepped out with a tray. Bibimbap and Samgyetang placed neatly on the tray. She walked towards the table five where her father told her to serve. She was focused, unaware of the storm seated at table five.

Rhea has always been good with her work. Perfect.

“I simply cannot believe this” A man with large expressive eyes said. His voice was low, throaty purr that usually commanded attention, but here was barely audible over the sizzle of a nearby fryer.

“A flat tire. And then,this.” He gestured vaguely around the bustling, brightly lit eatery, his expression a delicate blend of disbelief and mild horror.

The man sitting in front of him sighed.

“It’s not ideal, My phone’s dead, of course. And the guards said ‘an hour, maybe two.’ As if time is a mere suggestion.” He eyed the menu, a laminated sheet with faded pictures of pizzas and pasta. “Do you think they have anything... organic?” He said narrowing his eyes.

They had already given their order.

Min Yoongi, stoic in his expensive coat, sat beside Jungkook, who looked wildly out of place in the humble setting, tapping his rings against the table.

They are not used to such bustling environment. But Jungkook who loves food wanted to eat something. He dragged Yoongi to the restaurant, who just came back from a business trip.

Rhea walked towards the table five to serve orders.

Suddenly, a child, no older than five, darted out from between two tables, chasing a runaway toy car. Rhea, startled, swerved to avoid him. Her foot caught on a loose floor tile, and in a slow motion cascade of unfortunate events, the tray tilted.

One misstep. One sharp corner. And hot soup splashed down Yoongi’s black shirt like molten guilt.

Rhea gasped. Her eyes widened. “I...I’m so sorry, sir...!”

Min Yoongi, usually a man of composed fury, was momentarily speechless. He blinked. “My... my suit,” he finally managed to croak, his voice a low, dangerous rumble.

Jungkook stood up instantly, eyes cold. “Do you guys not know how to run a damn place? This isn’t a charity kitchen.” His anger took over him.

Yoongi was silent. He don’t have to say anything as he knows Jungkook will not leave this matter so easily.

“This is a bespoke Italian silk. Do you have any idea what this costs?” He looked at Rhea, his eyes narrowing to slits. “And our dinner! This was crucial! Do you know we are?”

“I’m so sorry, sir! I’ll get some towels and also I will pay for the suit.” She said bowing towards Yoongi who was calm. The hot soup fell on his suit and he did not even flinch like this pain is nothing to him.

“This is unacceptable!” Jungkook roared, finally finding his voice and volume. “Completely, utterly, unequivocally unacceptable!” He stood up, a human monument to creamy, potato-laden rage, drawing the attention of the entire diner.

The child, who had caused the whole incident, now hid behind his mother’s legs, peeking out with wide, innocent eyes. There were many regular customers who were glaring at Jungkook as they know how kind Rhea is.

Rhea bowed frantically. “It was an accident, I didn’t mean...”

“Clearly,” he sneered. “Maybe instead of playing chef, your father should teach you how to not be useless.”

She froze. Her head slowly lifted, teary eyes narrowing with fire. “Say that again about my father, and I swear you’ll be eating your own words off the floor.”

Jungkook stepped forward, but Yoongi placed a lazy hand on his shoulder, stopping him with that eerie calm of his. This is a public place and Yoongi observed the people. It is not good to start any fight. Not now. Not here.

At that exact moment, her father walked in. “Rhea?” He called her out.He wiped his hands on the towel. The chaos was enough to make him leave all his work and come out to handle the situation.

She turned, trembling. But not from fear but from fury. Yoongi wiped his shirt with a napkin. A girl with that much fight... in a world like theirs? Dangerous. Tempting.

The tension like a knife in the air. He looked at Rhea who was glaring at Jungkook and he too was glaring at her. He looked at Yoongi and then at the soup.

“I’m truly sorry for the accident,” he said, bowing politely. “Please, allow us to make it up to you. Tonight’s dinner will be on the house. I’ll personally prepare something special.” He said bowing.

Yoongi simply nodded, expression unreadable. Jungkook, on the other hand, scoffed. “No need. I didn’t come here to get pity food.” He said glaring at her.

Rhea, still holding the empty tray, muttered under her breath, “Didn’t come here for manners either, apparently.” Jungkook’s head turned sharply. “What was that?”

She stepped forward, eyes blazing. “I said, maybe if your ego wasn’t bigger than your mouth, you’d hear yourself.” “Rhea!” her father warned softly. He did not wanted to drag this more further.

Jungkook let out a mocking chuckle, jaw tense. “You really don’t know who you’re talking to, do you?” She crossed her arms. She looked at him from top to bottom. She scanned him. “No, but I’m guessing a rich brat with too much money and zero humility.”

Yoongi bit back a smirk, sipping water like this was a live show. Her father quickly stepped between them. “Enough, both of you! Rhea, go to the kitchen.” Rhea gritted her teeth but obeyed, her glare locked with Jungkook’s until the last second.

As she disappeared behind the curtain, Jungkook leaned toward Yoongi and muttered, “She’s got a mouth on her.”

Yoongi didn’t look away from the kitchen door. “And a spark. Dangerous combination.”

♕♕♕♕♕♕

If Rhea had walked away and apologised then, maybe things would’ve stayed normal.

But fate had already pulled out a chair at Table 5. And it wasn’t planning to leave hungry.