Alpha Culinary Love

The morning light streamed through my office windows, warming the room with a soft, golden glow. But the peaceful ambiance did nothing to calm the storm inside me. My eyes were locked on the countdown timer on my laptop screen, the numbers ticking down with ruthless precision.

[18 days remaining.]

It was like a constant, unrelenting heartbeat, a reminder that time was slipping away faster than I could manage. I took a deep breath, letting the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fill my lungs, trying to find a moment of calm. But calm was a luxury I couldn't afford right now. Not with so much on the line.

I turned away from the screen, steeling myself for the meeting ahead. Today was pivotal. The team needed to know where we stood, to feel the urgency that had been gnawing at me ever since we uncovered the sabotage. It wasn't just about getting things done; it was about pulling together, about each of us giving everything we had to meet this deadline.

I straightened my posture, forcing myself into the mindset I needed to lead. My heels clicked sharply on the polished floor as I walked toward the meeting room, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet hallway. It was a stark reminder of the pace we had to maintain—unyielding, relentless.

As I entered the room, I was met with a sea of faces. My staff was already gathered, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and determination. They were tired—I could see it in their eyes—but they were still here, still ready to push forward. Some sipped coffee, others flipped through notes, but all of them looked up as I walked in, waiting for me to speak.

I took my place at the head of the table, scanning the room, meeting each gaze with the intensity I needed them to feel. They were giving me their all, but I knew they were close to the edge. I needed to pull them back from that edge and remind them of why we were here, why this mattered.

"Thank you all for being here," I began, my voice firm and steady. "I know things have been tough lately. The sabotage set us back, and our timeline is tighter than ever. But we've dealt with worse before. We've proven that we can handle any challenge, and this is no different."

I paused, letting my words sink in. I needed them to believe it as much as I did. "We've got 18 days left. That's 18 days to finish what we started, to open the doors to a new branch that we can all be proud of. I won't sugarcoat it—these next few weeks will be intense. But if we stay focused, if we work together, we can do this."

There was a murmur of agreement, but I could still see doubt in some of their eyes. I had to wipe that doubt away, light the same fire in them that was burning in my chest.

"I'm not just asking you to work harder," I continued, my voice gaining strength. "I'm asking you to own this project. Make it yours. Every detail matters, every task counts. If you see something that needs fixing, don't wait for someone else to do it—take action. We don't have time to waste, but we have something just as valuable: determination. Let's use that."

The room fell silent as the weight of my words settled over them. I saw the shift in their expressions, the resolve tightening their features. They were ready.

Satisfied, I nodded. "Let's get to work."

As they began to disperse, I felt a surge of adrenaline. The stakes were higher than ever, but we were ready. I was ready. I left the meeting room, my mind already racing with the tasks ahead as I headed to the site of the new branch.

The construction site buzzed with activity. Workers moved with purpose, each swing of a hammer, each precise cut of wood, evidence of their focus. I walked through the site, my eyes sharp, noting every detail. The scent of sawdust mixed with the fresh paint—it was the smell of progress, of dreams being built.

But today, there was no time to savor it. I moved quickly, checking in with workers, making sure the kitchen equipment was installed correctly, reviewing the delivery schedules, coordinating with the interior designers. Each conversation was brief but pointed, my instructions clear and firm.

I could feel the countdown pressing down on me with every step. The system's reminders were a constant hum in the back of my mind, but I refused to let it shake me. This was my project, my responsibility. I would see it through, no matter what it took.

As I reviewed the updated floor plans, I heard the familiar sound of heels clicking against the concrete floor. I looked up to see Yura approaching, her presence commanding as always. Dressed in her sharp, tailored suit, she exuded an air of authority that made everyone around her stand a little straighter. Enjoy new chapters from mvl

I felt a small smile tug at my lips as she reached me. "Glad you could make it."

"I wouldn't miss it," she replied, her voice cool, though there was a warmth in her eyes that only I ever saw. "How's everything coming along?"

"Better," I admitted. "We're behind, but catching up. I think we can make it."

Yura gave a curt nod, her gaze sweeping over the site with a critical eye. "We will make it. There's no other option."

Her words filled me with a renewed sense of determination. "Agreed. I just need to keep everyone on track."

"If anyone can do that, it's you," she said, her tone as cold as ever, but I knew she meant it. "But don't hesitate to crack down if you need to. We can't afford any slackers."

"I won't hesitate," I promised, my resolve hardening.

We moved through the site together, discussing the progress and the challenges ahead. Yura was her usual no-nonsense self, her words direct and to the point, but I could sense the underlying concern in her voice. She wasn't just focused on the project's success—she was worried about me.

"You're pushing yourself too hard," she said quietly as we paused near the entrance of the restaurant. "You need to rest."

I shook my head, brushing off her concern. "I can't afford to rest right now. There's too much at stake."

Her eyes narrowed, her voice dropping to a low, icy whisper. "And what happens if you burn out? If you collapse from exhaustion? You're no good to anyone like that."

Her words hit me hard, and for a moment, I felt the weight of the exhaustion I'd been pushing aside. But I couldn't let it slow me down. "I won't collapse. I know my limits."

Yura stared at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. "Just remember," she said finally, her tone still icy but laced with something close to concern, "you're not in this alone. Let me handle some of the burden."

Her words softened something in me, but I remained resolute. "I know. And I'm grateful. But this is my responsibility. I have to see it through."

Yura nodded slowly, her gaze intense. "Just don't forget to take care of yourself. I won't forgive you if you don't."

I smiled, touched by her concern. "I promise."

With that, we parted ways—Yura heading off to deal with some legal matters while I continued overseeing the site. The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings, phone calls, and on-site inspections. Every moment was filled with purpose, every task completed with precision. I was on a mission, and nothing was going to stand in my way.

But as the day wore on, the strain began to take its toll. I could feel the fatigue creeping into my muscles, the weight of the constant pressure bearing down on my shoulders. I pushed through it, refusing to let it slow me down, but the system's snarky reminders did little to help.

[You look tired, Jiyeon. Maybe you should take a break before you pass out?]

I ignored the message, my jaw clenching in frustration. There was no time for breaks, no time to slow down. Not now. Not with so much still left to do.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the construction site, I finally allowed myself a moment to pause. I stood in the center of the half-finished restaurant, my eyes sweeping over the space that would soon be filled with customers, laughter, and the smell of delicious food. It was coming together, slowly but surely. But there was still so much left to do.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out, expecting another reminder from the system. But instead, it was a message from Yura.

"Dinner tonight? You need a break, and I need to see you."

A smile spread across my face, easing the tension in my chest at the thought of spending time with her. I quickly typed out a reply.

"Dinner sounds perfect. I'll finish up here and meet you at home."

With that, I took one last look around the site before heading out. The countdown was still ticking away in the back of my mind, a constant reminder of the pressure I was under. But for now, I allowed myself to breathe, to step away from the chaos and spend a quiet evening with the person who grounded me, who reminded me why I was fighting so hard in the first place.

As I walked to my car, the night air cool against my skin, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The mission was far from over, and the hardest days were still ahead. But with Yura by my side and a team of dedicated people working with me, I knew we would succeed. We had to.

And when the countdown finally reached zero, I would be ready.