Just Enough For Her Little Dream: Book Two

In Kyung

I walk into the fancy hotel Jongho works in. This is another level of the rich life. So many bright lights and fancy paintings on the roof. Chandeliers that shine brighter than the moon radiate from each corner of the shiny floors. I'm left in awe every time I enter a new building in this city. Even the bus is so nice. I took my very first bus here and it was the most exciting thing I've done. What's even more exciting is visiting my boyfriend at his fancy work.

My boyfriend. I still can't believe Jongho is...my boyfriend now. My partner sounds much better actually. He's my dear and favorite partner in all areas of my life.

I check myself at one of the large mirrors of a hallway before going into the restaurant connected to this hotel. Even the waiters look so nice and professional. If only I could see Jongho at work in the kitchen.

Instead, I patiently wait for him at one of the empty tables and look through the menu. Everything looks so delicious but is extremely expensive. I've found that the prices in Korea are much lower compared to the ones here and they trick you when you have to pay. The real price isn't even displayed until you have to pay and they add on the taxes with it.

At least, there's internet here and I find the time to look for jobs again. Jongho showed me this interesting website that displays all kinds of jobs available for hire. I also have to work on my resume in order to get matched with the jobs that best suit me. While I'm at it, a waiter comes up to me and kindly says, "Hello. Would you like to order a drink or are you ready for your plate?"

"Oh sorry," I say in English. "Um...I'm visiting the sous chef."

"Oh. You're here for one of the kitchen workers?"

"Yes. Sous chef."

"Oh! Jongho!"

"Yes," I say with a smile. "I can wait."

"I'll let him know you're here. Until then, can I get you anything?"

Do I have to pay for a cup of water? I prefer not to make a fool of myself and just shake my head. I go back to my computer and continue my resume until I feel a warm hand run across my shoulders.

"Hey, In-kyung. What a lovely surprise." Jongho gives my cheek a kiss as he sits next to me on the bench.

I give his lips a quick kiss and say, "I thought I'd visit you at your fancy job." My eyes go down to his uniform and I smile.

"I know," he says with a chuckle. "It's a little dirty. We had a small explosion in the kitchen."

"An explosion?" I say with wide eyes.

He does a laugh that makes the butterflies inside my stomach flutter. "Just another normal day in the kitchen. Don't worry about it."

He leans in for another kiss and I give it to him. I smile against his lips and enjoy this quick moment of excitement running through my every vein. If only I could feel like this all the time. With just the thought of him, the world seems to light up but the taste of his lips silences it.

He pulls away too soon and looks at my computer. "Have you eaten yet? Would you like anything?"

"Oh, it's okay," I say. "I only wanted to see you."

"You don't want to drink something at least?"

"Maybe a cup of water, but it's not expensive is it?" He laughs and I give his arm a small slap. "Hey! Don't make fun of me! It's a genuine question."

"No, my dear. It's free. I'll get you some water right now. Also, why don't you wait for me just outside on your right? There's a pretty garden there. Hopefully, there aren't a lot of people there. If there is, I'll come here."

"I'll go check right now." I give him a sweet blink and he leaves with eyes shining with happiness. Unnie was right. We are at the honeymoon stage in our relationship.

Nevertheless, every stage of our relationship is my favorite. From childhood friends to strangers to lovers. Every part of it is like a chapter from the little book we used to read together when we were children in my great aunt's garden. Except now, we hold hands and write our own story in the garden hidden behind the hotel.

I try the plate he's made for me and let my eyes grow wide in surprise. "This is so good. Did you make this?"

"No. The chef did. I only helped."

"It's yummy. Do you do your own plates here?"

"When the chef is gone, I do all the plates."

"Woah. That's cool," I say with a playful smile. "This restaurant will be a hit because of its sous chef."

I giggle at his blush and he says, "If you continue to come, more customers will come because of a beautiful mysterious woman concentrated on her computer. What were you doing anyways, dear?"

"I was looking through more jobs on this website you showed me."

"What are you looking for specifically? We could use more waitresses here..."

I look at him and see that childish smile on him now. I laugh and shake my head. "It's okay. I feel like I wouldn't be good at waitressing. I was wondering if I could continue working as a reporter."

"You can do that. Many foreigners are considered foreign correspondents. You can start off there."

"Oh...but I would need to report in English."

"I think you're pretty good with English." I give him a tight smile and he chuckles. "You don't believe me?"

"I'm not as good as you or In-hye. I should've listened to her when she told me to study English with her."

"It just takes practice at this point. I thought you were gonna take those English classes with your sister."

I stay quiet before shyly saying, "It was too expensive. Unnie needed it more. So I let her have the classes instead."

Jongho, like always, understands and gives my cheek a kiss. "Don't worry, In-kyung. I'll teach you."

"Really? I don't want to bother."

"I want you to bother me." I laugh at these words as his childish smile grows and he gives my hand a kiss. "Will you come to visit me every day?"

"No. I'm going to get a job."

"Until then can you visit me every day? At least for lunch?"

"Okay. But I'll bring your grandfather with me." He clicks his tongue and my eyes grow wide. "You're such a bad grandson."

"I'm just kidding. Bringing him here will do him good. I have a doctor's appointment to take him next week. Have you called the doctor for your sister?"

"No. They always put me on hold and I grow impatient."

"Then why don't you come with me next week and we can ask there."

"Okay," I say with an excited smile. He gives me a sweet wink before he checks his watch and says, "I have to get back to work."

"When will I get a tour of the fancy kitchen you work in?"

"Maybe if you stay until I get out, I can steal you away and show you my world."

If there's anything I'd love to do is see his world. I want to fall so deep into it and get lost in it. I won't be so scared for this new world because I know I can find his hand in the dark this time. So I apply to all the journalism companies I can find, and wait for him until the end.