Recipe for Love

-How did I get into this mess?-

That is the single thought running through Jin’s mind as he tries to outrun the sudden mob of girls behind him.

He had gone to school to just submit a hard copy of his assignment when a group of four girls walked towards him. It had looked innocent enough, he thought they were also handing in their assignment. Until he saw their eyes. That look in their eyes, rang all the warning bells in his head and his instincts screamed at him to run.

So he ran. To his detriment. If he had chosen to entertain them for a bit, the other people would not have joined the stampede after him. Now the mob is right behind his heels and he can’t shake them off no matter how much distance he can put between him and them.

Suddenly, a ray of hope shines, literally, right in front of him. A shop, in the recently renovated retail space looms in front, seemingly closed, save its lights that are still on. He desperately hopes that someone inside will help him and not add on to the crazed stampede behind him. He uses the last of his adrenaline and pushes on to try to get out of sight of the girls behind him. He finally pulls ahead, his hands on the door pulling it open.

Screaming. You hear screaming. Not the blood curdling, I-need-help kind of screaming. But some excited girls kind of screaming. Just as you ignored the part of you that wanted to give into you curiosity, head bending back down to your work, the front door smacks open and slams shut.

You hear heavy breathing, but you can’t make out if it’s a boy or a girl. You are kind of scared considering that you are alone and it is pretty late at night. You slide down to hide behind the counter and slowly peek out from the corner to see who it is. Your heart just about stops when you lay eyes on him. He is so beautiful.

You shake your head to clear it, you know that guys who look like that are just... bad news. Nonetheless, you get your wits back and you step out from your corner to walk towards him.

Upon coming closer, bending to his level, you see that it is not a boy. His features are far too sharp and his gaze is the perfect mix of innocence and wariness. His broad shoulders and long arms screams at you, this is a man. The warning bells ring off in your head, as you know his looks are just plain ridiculous. How could someone look this good? You heave a deep sigh, knowing from experience that men like him, tend to be arrogant, cocky and rude. Nonetheless, manners were something that was drilled into you, ingrained in the fibre of your being, since you were young.

“Excuse me, sorry, we’re not in operation yet.”

He jumps at your voice, opening his eyes to see you standing right in front of him.

Oh no, another girl. Is she like those girls?

You see him jump in shock at your voice and the look on his face is just pure terror. You can’t help but laugh at his reaction.

“Are you okay?” you ask him gently.

Right then, a horde of girls sounding exactly like the screams you heard earlier, rush by your shop front., “Where did he go?!” and you see him flinch. Understanding dawns on you. The man in front of you is a celebrity of some sort. One who is running from a mob of crazy fangirls and is currently looking terrified of being found.

“They’ve gone. If you want to hide, behind the counter is a good place. The kitchen is better though, it is totally invisible from here.” you gentle your voice to calm him.

From your voice, you sound like a sweet petite girl. But you stand up to your full frame and he sees that you are a tall girl. Tall for a girl, and at first thought that you might be on the plumpish side but are in fact toned, and straight shoulders. He also sees that you’re not a girl. It’s a woman who is standing before him, gesturing that he should get up and hide in the kitchen.

He sees your mouth move, but he doesn’t hear what you say.

“Sorry? What did you say?”

“I said that it’s alright now, the girls have gone for now, but I think it’s best that you hide at a better spot. You can go to the kitchen, and I will close up this area.”

You bring him to the kitchen and let him settle there before heading out to close up the place and lock it down. You walk back to the counter and bring out a cupcake and made a cup of decaf latte for him. Food always gave you comfort and you thought that was what he needed most now.

He spaces out in the kitchen as he waits for you, having already called Sejin to come and pick him up. He is currently busy, but Jin has told that he can hang tight at this place until he can come. It is the smell that hits him first, bringing him out of his trance. He’s not one with penchants for sweets like the maknae line nor for coffee like the rap line. But for some strange reason, this... this smell just appeals to him and he cannot wait to try whatever is it that you are bringing into the kitchen.

You lay out the chocolate cupcake and coffee before him, and he’s staring at it like he’s been in the desert for days deprived of water.

“I thought you might need this to calm down, the coffee is decaf, so caffeine is really minimal.”

“Thank you. There must be a gong somewhere because this smells amajing!”

A/N: wordplay on the jing, it is a gong that is primarily used in korean traditional music, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jing_(instrument)

“Did you really just make a joke out of amazing?”

“Yes, because I’m amajin!”

You stare at him wide eyed at how he actually found it funny.

“Maybe I shouldn’t be giving you coffee at all.”

“Haha! I’m sorry, I tend to tell dad jokes way too much.”

“Yeah, a bit too much.” you grin at him.

He takes the first bite, and his eyes widen and the smile that grows just brightens up his face. The cupcake is light, airy and fluffy but the taste of chocolate was strong and fragrant. The chocolate is a little too sweet for his tastes, but because it is meant to be sweet, he doesn’t mind it nor pass any comment about it. In fact, it is because he is eating it with a brew of coffee that is slightly bitter, the combination just brings everything to balance.

You look at him in amusement, head cocked to one side. Jin begins to scarf the food down, enjoying every bite.

“I’m sorry, I usually don’t wolf down my food like this. But oh my God, this is just perfect.”

At his comment, you snap out of your trance. You were momentarily stunned by his good looks when he looks you in the eye, blinding you with that brilliant smile that did more than light up his features.

“Are you sure? You seem very adept at it. And please, don’t be embarrassed by it. As a person who makes food, it’s always a pleasure to see people truly enjoy food that I make. It is comforting to know that what I made is good. I’m glad you like it. It took me a really long time to perfect this recipe. Chocolate cupcakes are easy to make, but for them to be perfect is damn near impossible.”

“You’re the baker here?”

“Yeah, I am. Well, that and I manage the cafe. Y/N, nice to meet you.” You extend out your hand for a handshake.

Accepting your hand, “Jin, it’s nice to meet you too.”