Chapter 3: Unseen Encounters

Gen carefully slipped out of the hospital room, avoiding the nurses and the doctors who had been checking on her. Her arm was bandaged, and her head still ached, but she wasn't going to let that stop her. The adrenaline from her rescue had barely worn off, and her work as a chef was waiting for her. After all, cooking was where she felt most herself.

She slipped on her jacket, gave one last glance to the hospital hallway, and left without telling anyone. There was no need to stay in that sterile room when she had a restaurant to run.

As Gen entered The Skill, her restaurant, the familiar scent of spices and sizzling food hit her, and a wave of comfort washed over her. This was her sanctuary.

She hadn't been back for long when a voice rang out from behind her.

"Gen!" a voice called.

Gen turned around and smiled widely as she saw Nam, her best friend, standing at the door. Nam was a businesswoman, stunning and sharp, with an air of confidence that matched Gen's. They hadn't seen each other in years—Nam had been busy with work, traveling, and expanding her business empire, while Gen had been caught up in her own world of culinary creativity and secret heroics. But today, there she was, walking in with a radiant smile that made the room brighter.

"Nam!" Gen exclaimed, rushing over to her. "What are you doing here? I thought you were overseas!"

Nam laughed. "I decided to surprise you! I'm in town for a few meetings, and I just had to stop by."

The two friends shared a warm hug, catching up as they stood in the middle of the bustling restaurant. It was as if no time had passed. The same easy banter, the same shared memories, and the same energy between them.

Meanwhile, Dr. Lee was having lunch with her friends—Kim, Muk, and Adhi—at The Skill, unaware that Gen worked there. They were seated at a corner table, chatting casually, when Lee's gaze landed on the bustling kitchen.

Her eyes widened as she saw someone moving around the kitchen with confidence and skill, seemingly in charge of everything. The woman was quick, focused, and every movement was efficient, a master of her craft. But it didn't take long for Lee to realize the face she was seeing.

"Gen," Lee muttered under her breath.

Dr. Lee stood up abruptly, her mood instantly turning serious. "I need to speak with her."

Her friends exchanged curious glances, but they knew Lee well enough to understand that when she got like this, it meant trouble.

As Lee made her way to the kitchen, she spotted Gen laughing with Nam, her bright smile infectious. But as soon as Gen saw Lee, her expression faltered for a moment before she gave a cheeky grin.

"Well, if it isn't the serious doctor," Gen teased, not missing a beat. "What brings you here, Lee? I didn't know you were a foodie."

Lee raised an eyebrow, the annoyance clear in her voice. "You're a chef? Here? After you discharged yourself from the hospital without following any rules?"

Gen shrugged nonchalantly, her teasing grin still in place. "What can I say? The hospital food was dreadful. I couldn't stay there another minute."

Lee's expression darkened, and she stepped closer, her voice lowering with frustration. "You could've gotten into serious trouble, Gen. I told you to rest. And instead, you decided to go straight back to work. What were you thinking?"

Gen leaned casually against the kitchen counter, still unfazed. "I'm fine, Lee. Really. It's not a big deal."

Lee crossed her arms, clearly annoyed. "Not a big deal? You could've caused more harm to yourself. You're not invincible, you know. You should've stayed in the hospital until you were properly cleared."

Gen rolled her eyes, her playful tone returning. "You really know how to rain on someone's parade, don't you? I'm fine, okay? I'm always fine."

Nam watched the exchange with amusement, her lips twitching into a smile. "Looks like someone's not a fan of your charm, Gen."

Lee's glare shifted to Nam for a moment, and her tone became more serious. "This isn't a joke, Gen. You need to follow the rules. You're not invincible, and if you don't take care of yourself, it's going to be more than just a headache next time."

Gen met Lee's gaze, her teasing nature softening just a little. "Fine, fine. I'll take care of myself. Happy now?"

Lee didn't respond immediately, but she still looked concerned, her arms uncrossing. "You better."

With that, Lee turned back to her friends, still clearly upset. But as she walked away, her gaze lingered for a moment longer on Gen, who was already back to her playful self, offering Nam a taste of some new dish she had been experimenting with.

As Lee settled back into her seat, Nam leaned over and whispered, "Looks like you've got her all riled up."

Gen shrugged with a grin. "Oh, I like making an impression."