Troll, Uncategorized

‌⁠♡⁩ TL: Khadija SK

 

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Ian Aylesford.

 

Even amidst the commotion, that name rang out clearly, causing Jin-ah to flinch for a moment. Because of that, she almost hurt her hand, but she narrowly avoided it.

 

‘As expected, he’s here too.’

 

She had a bad feeling ever since she heard the name Aylesford Group.

 

‘He seems well enough to attend a party.’

 

She had heard that everyone injured at the mansion had been hospitalized, but it seemed he had already been discharged. On top of that, he was apparently well enough to return to London right away.

 

Unconsciously, her grip tightened. The thought that the person who had pushed the situation into chaos was enjoying a party outside, while she was enduring all kinds of harassment and toil, her hands blistering from work, made her feel a sudden surge of resentment.

 

After the hall manager left, the sous-chef continued to vent his irritation.

 

“How is he supposed to know whether I smoke or not? What is he, a dog? He probably sent it back just to show off his gourmet pretensions in front of others.”

 

Even so, he prepared another steak, cooking it rare. After all, the title “heir to the Aylesford family” carried undeniable weight.

 

Thanks to the rare preparation, the steak was sent back out quickly. However, the hall manager soon returned and slammed the plate down as if throwing it.

 

“Are you kidding me? He’s asking for it again!”

 

When the most important guest had sent the dish back twice, even the hall manager lost his temper. Glaring at the sous-chef like a celebrity chef from TV throwing food, the hall manager spoke harshly.

 

“Be thankful the head chef hasn’t noticed yet! Just get it right this time!”

 

Having spent the entire day catering to the demands of VIPs, the hall manager, already on edge, shouted and stormed out.

 

For a moment, silence fell over the kitchen. Everyone held their breath, staring at the sous-chef.

 

“Damn it.”

 

The sous-chef threw the returned plate of food straight into the trash. As he turned his head, the others hurriedly averted their gazes.

 

He wanted to cook the dish himself and send it back again, but if the food was returned a third time, it would truly be a major issue. The hall manager was right—things were only okay because the head chef wasn’t aware of the situation yet. If he found out, it wouldn’t end well. If unlucky, someone might get fired on the spot.

 

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the sous-chef glanced around at the other chefs.

 

“Damn it.”

 

Everyone responsible for the main dishes was part of the group that smoked together behind the hotel.

 

‘Does he really know?’

 

The thought crossed his mind. After all, the man was the heir to the Aylesford Group. Someone who only consumed the best of everything might indeed have a sharp sense of smell and taste.

 

That realization made a cold sweat run down his back. Having sent the dish back twice, if he brought out something he’d cooked again, the response wouldn’t be pleasant.

 

The others must have realized it too; no one volunteered to step forward.

 

Everyone knew better than anyone that getting involved now would only make them the scapegoat who’d have to apologize.

 

At that moment, the sous-chef’s eyes fell on Jin-ah.

 

“You, over there…”

 

The sous-chef stammered, unable to recall her name, but gestured for her to come over. As Jin-ah approached, the tension on everyone else’s faces eased. The sacrificial lamb had been chosen.

 

“You go make it and take it out.”

 

“What? Me?”

 

This, from the same man who wouldn’t even teach her how to make a single sauce, now suddenly demanding she prepare and serve the main dish, a steak.

 

“Yes, you. You wrote on your application that you don’t smoke, didn’t you?”

 

Of course, she had. It was a requirement for applicants. Yet, when she joined, she found the sous-chef and his group were all smokers, which had been baffling.

 

Jin-ah stared at the sous-chef for a moment. It seemed he was determined to push her into this situation. There was no point in resisting; she couldn’t say no.

 

“…Ha…”

 

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. An awful boss and an awful customer. She wanted to throw everything down and storm out.

 

For a moment, she considered it, but she quickly pushed the thought aside.

 

She was on the clock. Even if her colleagues were unprofessional, the kitchen still had a duty to satisfy the customer.

 

Jin-ah set down the knife she had been holding. In doing so, the blade nicked the back of her hand.

 

A sharp sting followed, and blood seeped out, but it was only a scratch, not a deep cut. She quickly wiped the blood away and stepped in front of the grill.

 

‘Is this meat from Aylesford too?’

 

The prepared filet mignon was unmistakably top-quality. Anyone could tell at a glance; her mouth even watered.

 

Jin-ah swiftly grilled the steak. After finishing the resting process, she plated it and prepared to take it out. But as she reached for the plate, a small amount of blood from her earlier cut stained the side of her finger.

 

“Damn it.”

 

Jin-ah hastily wiped the blood off with a kitchen towel. It hadn’t touched the plate itself, and it was barely noticeable, so there was no need to replace it.

 

‘Not like he’s some perfect angel.’

 

The thought of serving this to Ian Aylesford made her want to roll it on the floor three times, but she restrained herself.

 

As Jin-ah brought out the steak, the hall manager gave her a suspicious look. Speaking loud enough for her to hear, he said,

 

“If the customer sends it back again, you’ll have to personally apologize.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Whatever happens, happens. Jin-ah replied briefly and returned to her station. Jessie, who worked next to her, whispered.

 

“What are you going to do? Looks like you’ll get blamed for everything.”

 

“What can I do? They’re determined to pin it on me; it’s not like I have any power.”

 

Ignoring the glances from others, Jin-ah continued her work. A moment later, the hall manager returned.

 

Ah, here it comes.

 

“About the steak just now…”

 

Before the sous-chef could point at her, Jin-ah raised her hand.

 

“Yes, I made it.”

 

The hall manager spoke urgently.

 

“Take off your apron and come with me.”

 

At those words, Jin-ah yanked off her apron and shoved it under the counter. As if they had expected this, the sous-chef and his group smirked.

 

Then, the hall manager said, loud enough for them to hear,

 

“This time, the customer was full of praise. He insists on meeting you in person, so let’s go together.”

 

Following the hall manager, Jin-ah passed through several doors, and the surroundings transformed in an instant.

 

The thick aroma of food that had filled the air moments ago was replaced by a subtle yet refreshing fragrance. The shouts, chopping sounds, and clattering of dishes were now replaced by gentle music flowing through the hall.

 

Feeling as if she had suddenly stepped into a completely different world, Jin-ah awkwardly followed the hall manager.

 

Soon, her steps faltered as she spotted Ian sitting at a table.

 

Something was strange.

 

The moment she saw him, an inexplicable sense of incongruity washed over her.

 

Ian’s appearance was impeccable. He wore a perfectly tailored, high-end suit, and his hair was neatly styled. He looked like he had just stepped out of a luxury men’s catalog.

 

This wasn’t how he had looked when they first met.

 

Of course, even back then, it was obvious he came from wealth. But his demeanor now was entirely different. Back then, he had exuded a peculiar, almost vulgar air.

 

He had seemed like the kind of man eager to flaunt his wealth, embodying an obnoxious snobbishness. Jin-ah had silently mocked him for it.

 

She’d thought that no amount of money could hide his innate crudeness.

 

But now…

 

Her throat felt dry, and with every step closer, she grew more tense.

 

The restaurant’s layout today didn’t have any designated “best” seating arrangement. But anyone here could tell at a glance that the spot Ian occupied was the most significant.

 

With the grand windows overlooking the Thames behind him, Ian sat leisurely, conversing with those around him. His presence made it clear that this was the focal point of the room.

 

Ian Aylesford was a man who completely dominated his surroundings. Even among similarly dressed men, he stood out effortlessly.

 

People around him seemed mesmerized, paying little attention to their own partners as they gazed at him.

 

When he laughed, they laughed along. When he gestured dismissively, they looked visibly disappointed, as though they had been personally rejected.

 

It might have appeared to be a lively party on the surface, but in reality, it was little more than a spectacle of people bowing their heads to Ian Aylesford.

 

‘Was he always like this?’

 

This didn’t make sense.

 

The Ian Aylesford she remembered didn’t have this kind of commanding presence.

 

He had been vulgar, someone undeserving of anyone’s respect—a shallow man with nothing but a handsome face to show for himself.

 

In a setting like this, she had expected Ian to make a drunken fool of himself. But seeing such a completely different side of him left her stunned.

 

For a moment, Jin-ah wondered if the man sitting there wasn’t the Ian she had met, but someone else entirely—a different person with the same face.

 

“…Hah.”

 

A ridiculous thought. She couldn’t help but let out a faint laugh at herself.

 

The sound escaped her lips before she realized it, and the next moment, heads turned sharply toward her.

 

The lively laughter that had filled the restaurant vanished in an instant, replaced by cold stares aimed directly at her.

 

‘Did I really laugh that loudly?’

 

It must have been loud enough to draw everyone’s attention.

 

Before she could process her embarrassment, Jin-ah found herself standing before Ian.

 

The hall manager announced that he had brought the person who cooked the dish and then stepped back. Ian didn’t spare the manager even a glance, instead fixing his gaze solely on Jin-ah.

 

After a moment of quiet observation, he spoke.

 

“We met at the Kno-Dearg estate, didn’t we?”

 

His voice was deep and weighty, resonating in a way that seemed to strike something within her, leaving her momentarily weakened.

 

It was undoubtedly the same voice she had heard before, yet it sounded strangely unfamiliar now.

 

Trying to steady her legs, which were threatening to give out, Jin-ah picked up on something odd in his words.

 

Their first meeting hadn’t been at the estate but in front of an office. So why was he talking as if they had first met at the estate?

 

Unintentionally, she took a step back, and Ian smiled.

 

“There’s no need to be nervous. I simply wanted to thank you personally because the dish was truly exceptional.”

 

As he spoke, he lightly tapped the side of the plate with his finger.

 

Watching his gesture, Ji-ah  felt her breath catch.

 

The spot he was tapping was precisely where her blood had smudged earlier.

 

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