As soon as he saw Chloes eyes, Cho Min Joon thought of one thing. His eyes squinted. No way. The way she looked at him would have made any guy suspicious, but Cho Min Joon did his best to deny it. Chloe was warm and friendly to everyone. If he misunderstood that, it would make him look disgraceful.

Kaya opened her mouth.

So where would you set up your restaurants?

Who knows? That depends on the situation.

Youll do it inside America though, right?

Probably. Unless I hit it big and set up locations all over the world like Joseph or Rachel Theres no reason to go to a different country. Oh, maybe its different for Min Joon?

Chloe glanced at Cho Min Joon and asked. Cho Min Joon shrugged. Seeing how casual she was with him now, he figured that the emotion he felt earlier was just a misunderstanding.

Ill probably go to Korea.

Come to America. Immigrate here.

Why are you so obsessed with immigration these days? You keep saying that.

In response, Kaya glared at Cho Min Joon. Instead of answering, she stuffed her face with a sandwich. Chloe had an idea why Kaya was acting that way and smiled. She spoke in a calm voice, Kayas always worried about you going back to Korea.

What? Why?

Because theyre technically still at war, so Kaya thinks its dangerous there.

In response, Cho Min Joon sighed. He knew everything looked different from the inside and outside, but he didnt know she would be so worried. Kaya spoke with a serious look on her face, Get a job at an American restaurant. If you just stick it out with a job for a few years, you can get a PR.

Kaya. Thank you for worrying about me, but its not what you think. Not a single person in Korea is worried about a war.

Im worried.

Silence fell. Kaya only realized after she said it just how caring she sounded, but she didnt take it back. It was true that she was worried. Anderson mumbled, What are you his wife?

Shut up. Ill kill you.

Watch your mouth.

Kaya lifted her fork and threatened Anderson with it, but he didnt stop. Kaya glared at Anderson and then smirked and shrugged. Anderson knitted his brows, but Kaya wasnt looking at Anderson anymore. She was acting calm as if he wasnt worth her time.

Anyway, think about it, Min Joon. Whether Korea will be at war or not, youre much more popular in America. Like you said earlier, you want to become a successful chef. Then America is best.

I know But shouldnt I worry about that after Grand Chef is over?

Why worry about the results? Im going to win anyway.

In response to Kayas remark, Anderson showed a spark in his eyes.

I cant agree to that. You think you can beat me?

Have you gotten 9 points before?

In response, Andersons face stiffened up. Kaya smirked and continued, Well, I have. At the On the Lake restaurant, and Min Joon told me Chloe got a 9 at the buffet, but you havent.

You guys were just lucky, and points arent everything, you know.

You wouldnt be saying that if youve gotten a 9 before. Stop acting all tough and be quiet.

Andersons lips trembled. He immediately got up.

Im going to wait in the car.

Hold it in, Anderson. Kayas still a kid. Be more understanding.

I hate children.

Cho Min Joon tried to calm him down, but Anderson left anyway. Kaya stuck out her lip and grumped.

Children dont like you either.

***

Be more gentle.

Stop being a baby.

Kayas hands reached for the gauze on Cho Min Joons neck. She looked more nervous than usual. Her careful hands pulled on the gauze, causing for his skin to stretch. Kaya sighed.

Looks like the inflammation went down.

Its been a week.

Cho Min Joon answered with a frown. He felt his neck trembling because of the open air. Kaya carefully put her hand on his shoulder. Her soft hand was trembling as well.

That hurt, didnt it?

Dont feel sorry.

Im not sorry. Im just worried.

Dont worry either. Its all in the past. It doesnt even hurt anymore.

Do you think itll leave a scar?

Cho Min Joon was unable to answer that question. The doctor said it was almost impossible to not get a scar. He tried to smile and said, Its not so bad for a guy to have a few scars here and there.

Sorry.

I thought you said you werent sorry.

He felt weird whenever Kaya acted vulnerable. She had always looked strong and perfect, so every time she acted like a little girl, he felt as though she was opening up to him.

But have you thought about it?

Are you talking about immigration again?

You said youd think about it.

Its only been a few days. I need more time than that.

My little sister likes you.

That was a random thing to say. He looked at Kaya in confusion. Kaya shrugged and said, My mom likes you too. She thinks youre nice.

Why are you saying that all of a sudden?

Whats your family like? Did they say anything about me?

Im not sure. They ask about you sometimes, but theyre not big talkers. But they did ask about you. They asked if were really dating.

What did you say?

Kaya opened her eyes wide and stared at him. Cho Min Joon laughed.

What do you think? I just told them the truth.

Well, whats the truth?

Cho Min Joon raised his eyebrow. Kaya glared back and fumbled her hands.

Im just asking. Im curious.

I said youre a close friend. You wont yell at me for calling you a friend, right?

No, not anymore.

Kaya answered in a quiet voice. She smacked her lips before she continued, Did they say anything about Chloe?

Im not sure. The show never really showed us together. It was always us two that were strangely put together.

Whats so strange about it?

Cho Min Joon got up from his seat. Kaya hurriedly tried to get up from her crossed legs and wobbled as a result. Cho Min Joon grabbed Kaya by the arm.

Be more careful. Look at Chloe. Shes so feminine.

How dare you compare us like that? Then you should be more manly. Get more muscles.

Im working on it. Im working out now.

You wont go once a week.

Thats because of my burn. Stop nagging me. Its not like Im that skinny.

Youre not muscular either.

Cho Min Joon closed his mouth shut. As soon as he entered the gym, Anderson stared at him In a weird way.

Did you guys fight?

Why do you ask?

Because it looks like it.

Cho Min Joon shrugged in response. Chloe wiped off the sweat from her forehead and drank some water.

The four of us wont be together for long. Lets try to get along.

Youre making me sad.

Hehe, sorry.

Chloe grinned widely. Anderson opened his mouth.

The next mission will probably be in teams, right?

Probably.

Come to think of it, Martin said something insulting last time.

What?

Kaya answered.

That theres going to be an event that exceeds our expectations, but he said not to be nervous.

***

A plane was flying over Michigan Lake toward Chicago. Flying on a private jet sounded romantic to average people. Traveling, international CEO, just the fact that they were in the sky made anyone feel jealous.

But at this moment, Rachel Rose didnt feel any of that romance, and the reason could be sensed with her eyes, nose, and ears. It was because of the old person in front of her. The Caucasian man in front of her who had greyish blonde hair and a long beard was stuffing his mouth with food. A private jet. He was eating in a way that didnt suit the classy image of those words. Rachel sighed.

Sergei, be more respectful to the chef who made that food. You still havent changed.

Ugh, stop acting refined. You were just like me when we were younger. Do you want to be more refined as you get older? I cant do that or it makes me gag, and its not that delicious to have that kind of manners anyway.

A rough voice with a Russian accent spoke in English. Rachel hesitated for a moment before taking a bite of a biscuit. It was foolish to fill her stomach with what kind of dishes she would soon face, but seeing Sergei eat made her hungry. As she got older, she was less sensitive to hunger, but people who eat a lot must have been contagious. She slowly chewed on her biscuit while saying.

Whats wrong with the food? This is great for plane food. And sure, its embarrassing to change as we get older, but its even more embarrassing to stay a rebel when were too old for that.

Ha, Beethoven and Bach were both rebels. Thats how it is for real artists.

Well, Beethoven and Bach were never old like you.

Sergei didnt answer and took a big bite of his salad. Not with his fork, but his chopsticks. When Rachel stared at his chopsticks, he smirked and said, Chopsticks are best for eating lots at a time. Forks are too sharp.

How on earth did you become a chef?

What do you think? I got here because I like food.

Rachel watched him eat a crazy amount of salad in one bite with a frown. That man was the CEO of a famous restaurant chain that was at a similar level of Rose Island. Young chefs looked up to Sergei despite his messy appearance But Rachel didnt understand.

So whats gotten into you? You were always stuck at home after that Daniel died.

You still dont know how to talk with a filter.

Its true. Daniel was the perfect chef But it was stupid of you to get depression just because he died.

He was telling the truth, so she wasnt even mad. Rachel spoke in a tired voice, Theres someone Im interested in. Lower that pinky. If you keep acting lowly, I might just lose it.

Hehe I kind of want to see the great Rachel Rose lose her temper though.

Your wife keeps calling me because you keep acting like that.

What?

What we talk about is confidential, so shut that smelly mouth of yours and listen. Did you see the show?

I dont have time for TV. Oh, are you talking about that guy? That guy with the perfect palate.

Rachel nodded. Sergei nodded in response.

I see why youre interested. Hows his talent?

I dont know yet. Well find out today.

Hed better brace himself. Theres nothing harder than satisfying this old ladys taste.

Hell do well.

How are you so sure?

Rachels eyes turned flat.

Because if he doesnt, Ill help him to become as great as I need him to be.