Chapter 513: Glimpse of Jack’s Last Days (6)
Chapter 513: Glimpse of Jack’s Last Days (6)
Kaya snuggled her arm around Chloe’s shoulder. Chloe glanced at Kaya with a momentary awkwardness, then turned her attention back to Catherine and Janet.
It was at that moment Rachel arrived, clearly having hurried over as soon as she was contacted. Her hair and dress were untidy, betraying the rush.
Why did Minjoon feel something strange in Rachel’s eyes as she looked at Catherine? There was something deep, warm, yet sorrowful in her gaze. Only moments later did he understand why.
“Daniel didn’t want to have a baby,” Rachel murmured softly.
Minjoon wasn’t particularly surprised. He had known from the start that they didn’t have children. He’d wondered whether one of them simply didn’t want a baby or if there were fertility issues. Either way, he assumed one of those reasons explained it.
“Why do you think I didn’t have a baby?”
“Well, I don’t think that’s the important part. Maybe you just didn’t want one. For example, I wouldn’t be very happy if someone told Kaya and me to have a child right now. Of course, I’d be happy if Kaya had a baby, but that’s a different matter.”
“Gosh, if you have a dream, you’re bound by it, and you can’t live a life worthy of human dignity.”
“Of course you can live with dignity, but the problem is you can’t live like an ordinary citizen.”
He looked at her earnestly. Honestly, Minjoon understood why Daniel might not have wanted children. Daniel’s cooking journal didn’t contain thoughts about cooking alone. It read more like a scribble book or daily diary. There were drawings of unicorns unrelated to cooking and idle thoughts on various topics.
From these random jottings, Daniel came across as too liberal to settle into a normal life with wife and children. Even if he had children, he wouldn’t have sacrificed or invested himself fully in them—his life was paramount.
If I were in his place, I’d probably be the same.
Minjoon thought that if he had children, he might be different, but even so, he believed he’d follow the path Daniel pursued. In other words, despite having a lovely child, he’d prioritise his ambition and cooking over Kaya and his child. Kaya might think differently, but for now, this was his honest reflection.
Rachel said, “Maybe my life would have been somewhat different if I’d had a child. I might not have broken down so easily when Daniel left me. But it’s frustrating and stupid to think about such ‘what-if’s right now.”
“I understand how you feel, Rachel. But for people like us, raising children is always scary…”
“Jack is preparing for his death,” she said.
That unexpected declaration stunned Minjoon into silence. He was emotionally overwhelmed but sensed what she meant.
She smiled bitterly. “Still, Jack doesn’t seem afraid because he believes Lisa will overcome cancer. He thinks she will survive and carry on his legacy after he’s gone. In other words, he isn’t afraid of dying.”
“I understand that perfectly. You must feel sorry for him, though.”
“No, I don’t, since I have someone to carry my legacy too,” she said, looking at him.
Minjoon smiled awkwardly.
“Well, I thought the chef who could carry your legacy would be Dave or June, or maybe the head chef of another Rose Island branch…”
“I told you last time — sure, they can run my restaurants, but they can’t carry on my cuisine.”
“Why? Because their styles are different? That’s true for me too — all my dishes differ from yours or Daniel’s.”
“It’s not about their dishes reflecting mine. It’s whether they can make my dishes.”
Minjoon frowned, still not fully grasping her meaning. But she didn’t grow frustrated; her expectations for him were too high to be impatient.
“Your cooking style may differ, but I passed on all my thoughts and ideals about cooking to you, one by one. Everything I taught you lives in your cooking.”
“But that’s true of the other Rose Island chefs as well.”
“There’s one more thing.”
She raised a finger before he could ask further.
“Daniel was the best chef no one in the world could deny.”
“Isn’t that a bit vague?”
“Who said it’s vague? No matter what people say, they can’t deny Daniel and me were the best chefs—that includes chefs not only in the United States but also worldwide after they’ve tasted our dishes. You should be like us.”
“I have a long way to go.”
“Yes, I know. June is trying to help you shorten the journey, but you still have a long way ahead. Minjoon, here’s my advice: learn as much as you can from June quickly, then come back to Los Angeles.”
She smiled, continuing, “The main Rose Island store, or our Venice branch, is ready for you. In that restaurant filled with memories and footprints of Daniel and me, I hope you can create your own legacy next.”
“My legacy?”
“Yes, that’s my little wish.”
For some reason, Minjoon couldn’t laugh.
She said, “It used to be the best restaurant in America, so keep it that way with your presence.”
Her high expectations weighed on him with responsibility.
“Let me prepare the best environment for your work, so reward me by making the Venice restaurant the world’s best.”
Surprisingly, he no longer disliked her offer.
Catherine was lovely — not just because of her looks but because she was Janet and Anderson’s child. She was Minjoon’s nephew and the first baby Janet had delivered among their friends. She was the sole source of happiness and hope in lives otherwise overshadowed by sadness and anxiety.
Kaya, Chloe, and even Minjoon were captivated by her charm. Whenever possible, they held her tiny fingers, and when they paused before the newborn’s window, they eagerly peered in to see her face.
Of course, they couldn’t stay long because they had to return to New York.
This time, Ella didn’t cry—perhaps because she’d grown used to being separated from them or was simply thrilled to see Catherine. Maybe Jack and Lisa’s worsening health had made her more mature.
That’s why Minjoon greeted Ella warmly at the airport. He squeezed her cheek with its faint calluses.
“Ella, since you have a mobile phone now, call me anytime you want to see my face. I’ll answer if I’m not busy, alright?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
“Don’t be sullen, okay?”
“Okay,” she replied briefly, nodding. Her adorable voice and gestures were precious, but Minjoon felt sorry for her given the situation she and Lisa were enduring. He looked at Lisa, trying to read her thoughts but couldn’t. Lisa’s cunning nature made her rarely reveal her weaknesses. Though sorry he couldn’t understand her deeply, he also felt some relief.
He didn’t like feeling relieved and so avoided her gaze.
“I’ll come back soon.”
“You don’t have to visit me this often. You’ll keep coming back anyway.”
“Sure, that’s true. But let me come back soon, because I feel comfortable here—with this city and its people.”
While Minjoon spoke, Chloe and Kaya played with Ella, pinching her cheeks and hugging her. At first, Ella rested in their arms tightly but was now squirming to escape.
Watching her adorable struggle, Lisa smiled.
“All right, come back whenever you want. We’ll always wait for you.”
That was the last conversation they had.