A Recipe for Romance DUA LIPA ( Short Story)

Chapter 1: The Gala Encounter

---

Chapter 1: The Gala Encounter

The night was buzzing with energy at the British Vogue charity gala. A-listers mingled, cameras flashed, and champagne flowed as London’s elite gathered for an evening of glamour. It was the kind of event where every detail was meticulously planned, right down to the food. That’s where Y/N came in.

Y/N, a private chef with multiple restaurants across the city, had been hired to oversee the menu. The dishes were intricate, inspired by the flavors and colors of a British summer, and Y/N watched proudly as servers whisked her creations around the room.

She stepped outside onto the balcony, seeking a moment of quiet. With a glass of champagne in hand, Y/N looked out at the London skyline, content to be a quiet observer tonight. The sound of footsteps caught her attention. Turning, she saw none other than Dua Lipa, her arms loaded with a large plate of food, sneaking out onto the balcony. Y/N’s mouth curled into an amused smile.

Dua, clearly caught up in her own world, began devouring the food in front of her, stuffing her mouth like she hadn’t eaten in days.

“Hungry, are we?” Y/N couldn’t resist.

Dua looked up, her eyes wide, mid-bite. She tried to swallow quickly but ended up laughing instead, nearly choking on a piece of salmon.

“Oh my god, you saw that,” she groaned, finally managing to swallow. “I thought I was being all sneaky, slipping out here.”

Y/N chuckled. “Trust me, I’ve seen worse. At least you’re enjoying it.”

“Are you kidding?” Dua said, leaning against the railing. “This food is insane. I’ve been to a lot of these events, but this is… it’s like heaven on a plate.”

Y/N smiled, swirling her glass. “Glad to hear it. I’ll have to pass along the compliment to the chef.”

Dua took another bite, closing her eyes dramatically as she savored the flavors. “You better! I need this chef in my life—like, permanently.”

“Oh really?” Y/N asked, feigning surprise. “What’s so great about them?”

“Please! Whoever made this,” Dua gestured to her plate, “has some kind of magic touch. This stuff is too good. I might have to hire them for my next tour.”

Y/N’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “Well, that might be a little difficult. Private chefs like that tend to be... selective.”

Dua raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Selective, huh? Well, I’m pretty persistent. I’ll track them down eventually. Do you happen to know who they are?”

“Oh, I might have an idea,” Y/N replied, casually taking a sip of her drink. “But before you get ahead of yourself, maybe you should try the sushi buffet inside. I heard the crispy rice with salmon is the real star of the night.”

“Really?” Dua perked up. “Thanks for the tip!” Without a second thought, she spun around, her excitement almost childlike. But in her haste, she slipped, her heel catching on the floor. She flailed, and Y/N reacted instinctively, catching her before she fell.

For a brief second, they were face-to-face, Y/N’s hands steady on Dua’s shoulders. Dua blinked, a little flustered.

“Close call,” Y/N said softly, their gazes locked.

Dua’s face broke into a laugh, trying to shake off the moment. “Okay, you officially saved my life. I owe you one. That would’ve been embarrassing.”

Y/N grinned, letting her go. “You’d have recovered. Maybe with a story to tell about how the food was so good you almost tripped for it.”

Dua laughed, relaxing again. “Well, that’s true. It would’ve made for a great headline.” She straightened, looking around as if suddenly remembering her mission. “But yeah, uh, sushi bar, right? Thanks again for the save—and the insider tip.”

“Anytime,” Y/N replied with a wink.

Dua gave a playful salute and headed back inside, leaving Y/N alone on the balcony. Y/N watched her go, a smile lingering on her lips. There was something refreshingly down-to-earth about Dua that she hadn’t expected. But tonight was just a job, and Y/N wasn’t one to get starstruck.

As she turned back to her drink, Y/N realized she wouldn’t mind seeing Dua again. A small voice in her head wondered if perhaps this evening wasn’t just another event.

---

Inside the ballroom, Dua returned to her friends, her excitement about the food contagious. Her friends exchanged amused glances as she gushed about the incredible flavors and the mystery chef she was determined to find.

“I’m serious!” Dua insisted. “This chef is a genius. I have to meet them.”

“Good luck with that,” one of her friends teased. “Private chefs are practically impossible to track down.”

Dua smirked, unfazed. “Challenge accepted.”

As the night continued, Dua kept her eye on the food tables, hoping for a glimpse of the person responsible for the evening’s culinary magic. But Y/N, ever the professional, remained in the background, observing quietly and keeping her interactions limited.

By the time the event wrapped up, Dua hadn’t found her elusive chef. But as she left, she held onto the memory of the witty stranger on the balcony—the one who had not only saved her from an embarrassing fall but also given her the best food tip of the night.

And as for Y/N? She left with a sense of satisfaction, knowing she’d made an impression. What she didn’t know was that Dua Lipa would soon be on a mission to track her down, determined to uncover the mystery chef who had won over her taste buds—and maybe, just maybe, something more.

---

This opening sets up their chemistry with banter, a bit of mystery, and a memorable first encounter!