Pancakes

It had been a week since their exams ended, and now, everyone was focused solely on the mission ahead. That particular morning, the crisp winter breeze sneaked through the slightly open window, carrying the scent of frost and… pancakes?

Carrie groaned, stretching like a cat before reluctantly dragging herself out of bed. The warmth of her robe was an embrace she wasn't ready to leave, but the heavenly aroma wafting from the kitchen acted like an invisible leash, pulling her forward.

The kitchen was quiet—too quiet. Yet, the golden-brown pancakes stacked neatly in the warmer whispered sweet promises of a delicious morning. With a smug grin, she plucked one from the top, taking a generous bite. Fluffy. Warm. Perfect.

"If only his attitude matched his cooking," she mumbled between chews. "He'd be a solid 100 percent boyfriend instead of just… 60."

As she picked the last pancake, something caught her eye—a small, folded note resting beside the warmer. Raising an eyebrow, she picked it up and unfolded it.

"DO NOT eat the pancakes. Yours is at the corner—cupcakes and orange juice."

Carrie froze. The pancake in her hand suddenly felt like evidence at a crime scene. She stared at the note. Then at the pancake. Then back at the note.

"…Too late now."

Still, curiosity tugged at her, and she turned toward the small dining table at the corner. Sure enough, a plate of cupcakes and a fresh glass of orange juice awaited her.

"What now?" she muttered, but before she could ponder further, another note peeked out from beneath an empty coffee cup. She snatched it up.

"I'll be back with Mr. Liam by 10 AM. He wants to have breakfast with me. Get ready before he arrives. Order coffee if you can."

Carrie's eyes scanned the message again.

Then again.

Then she screamed.

"WHAT?!?" She practically threw herself at the clock.

9:15 AM.

"No way—no way—no way!" She spun in frantic circles. "What do I do? What do I do?! Should I call Leo?"

In a desperate attempt to save herself, she grabbed her phone and started frantically swiping through restaurant delivery options. But, because luck clearly had a personal vendetta against her, everything was closed.

She let out a long, dramatic sigh and yanked at her own hair. "Carrie, why are you like this?!"

Just as she was about to accept her tragic fate, a light bulb flickered in her head.

"Aha!" She snapped her fingers. "Dumplings! Grandma's recipe—I can make that!"

Charging toward the kitchen, she muttered, "Okay, uh… two cups of flour… half a teaspoon of baking powder… two tablespoons of vegetable oil—wait, or was it four?" She hesitated.

"…Let's go with four."

She dumped everything into a bowl, adding a cup of warm water, and started mixing with the intensity of a mad scientist. "Mix, mix, mix—"

Miraculously, she finished in record time. Was she that fast, or was it just that Jae-wook was late? Either way, the dumplings were done, the table was set, and everything looked perfect.

Except the kitchen.

Which now resembled a battlefield where flour bombs had been detonated by an army of raccoons.

But there was no time to worry about that now—because through the window, she spotted Jae-wook and Mr. Liam approaching the house.

Carrie bolted upstairs to get ready.

---

Meanwhile, Jae-wook led Mr. Liam inside, completely unaware of the culinary crisis that had just unfolded.

"Please, make yourself at home, Mr. Liam," Jae-wook said, pulling out a chair for their guest.

"Oh, you're certainly polite," Mr. Liam chuckled as he sat. "I heard differently."

Jae-wook ignored that. Instead, his gaze swept across the table, his expression unreadable.

Carrie had done well setting things up… but something was off.

His hands hesitated as he lifted the lid to reveal—

Dumplings.

His blood ran cold.

He had not made dumplings.

He barely had time to process before Mr. Liam spoke. "Is something wrong, Mr. Alex? You look surprised. And… slightly horrified."

"It's nothing," Jae-wook lied, his eye twitching. "It's just that… these are dumplings."

"oh! I love dumplings!" Mr. Liam grinned. "And the broth looks absolutely delicious."

I wouldn't be that excited, Jae-wook thought grimly.

Before he could react, Carrie appeared, dressed in her usual disguise. She smoothly took the spoon from Jae-wook and began serving both men, bowing respectfully.

"Oh! Please, join us," Mr. Liam offered, gesturing to a seat.

Carrie bowed again before sitting down. Jae-wook, on the other hand, looked like he was mentally malfunctioning.

Something felt off.

And then—

"So, who is she?" Mr. Liam asked casually.

Carrie's brain short-circuited.

"She?"

Jae-wook sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Ohhh! The girl you were rumored to be dating?" Mr. Liam said, studying Carrie. "Ah, I knew she looked familiar. But I swear I've seen her somewhere other than that article…"

Carrie's panic spiked. "You must be mistaken, sir! I'm Mr. Hamilton—the new bodyguard."

"I thought he doesn't speak?" Mr. Liam raised an eyebrow.

"I—I don't usually," Carrie stammered, "because of my… uh… feminine tone."

Jae-wook groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Carrie."

She turned to him.

"Your hair is loose."

Carrie's soul left her body.

Her fingers shot up to her head, frantically feeling the length of her hair, she had forgotten to put on a wig.

"No… NO—"

Mr. Liam smirked. "Interesting. So, 'Mr. Hamilton' was actually a woman all along—one that's been living with Jae-wook. The same girl from that article." He leaned back, looking way too amused. "This is getting interesting. I think I'm suddenly much more invested in this contract."

Jae-wook, staring at his now doomed mission, simply muttered, "Let's just hope breakfast makes up for this mess."

Mr. Liam took a dumpling, inspecting it before taking a bite.

Silence.

Then—

"It's actually quite good," he admitted. "Less salt—just the way I like it. Thankfully, it wasn't pancakes or anything with dairy. That would have been disastrous."

Jae-wook's fork clattered onto his plate.

Carrie, mid-chew, nearly choked.

Mr. Liam happily took another bite.

Jae-wook slowly turned to Carrie, his voice dangerously calm.

"…You ate the pancakes, didn't you?"

Carrie swallowed hard. "Uh…"

"Just perfect" Jae-wook said sacasticaly before turning away.