Chapter 545: Unexpected Twist (25)
Chapter 545: Unexpected Twist (25)
June could not shake off her anxiety. It seemed obvious that Rachel was hiding something from her—but Rachel would never have hidden it if she intended to answer June’s questions.
Her course today was a success. Undoubtedly so, at least compared to what she had planned when she arrived in Los Angeles. Of course, Dave also presented dishes exceeding expectations, but she had outdone theirs as well.
To be honest, she felt drained. From her perspective, it had never been easy to choose who was better. But given the nature of this competition, where a winner must be chosen, Rachel and Minjoon had to select one.
What, then, were the criteria? No—it didn’t matter.
The real question was whether June could be at peace with whatever the result.
That question haunted her for days after the contest ended. The head chefs and others, impressed by her brilliant course, frequently greeted her, but she responded with stiff, almost distant replies.
Yet no one blamed her. Instead, they accepted her nervousness as natural and encouraged her. She had lived her entire life for this moment. The decision that would shape her fate was imminent. How could she not tremble?
Still, her mood was unsettled for reasons different from what others assumed. She wasn’t truly nervous. What drained her was emptiness.
On the day the final chef showcased his dishes, June quietly called Dave. She didn’t ask why. They dined at a modest steakhouse on Santa Monica’s main street, a place more frequented by tourists than locals, with no Michelin stars in sight.
Eating a burger with only melted cheddar and a meat patty, no vegetables, she confessed, “I feel lost.”
Dave was silent. On his plate were grilled pork, tomatoes, foil-wrapped potatoes, and pickle sauce. He took a bite of the potatoes, watching her.
She bit her burger again and said, low and quiet, “I always plan—small or big. I’ve followed one path all my life. Not just cooking, but becoming head of Rose Island. You know what comes after.”
Dave remained silent. What she needed wasn’t an answer, but someone who would listen. Luckily, Dave was more listener than talker. Especially, he liked her voice.
“I never thought I’d lose my way. But I realised I was paying more attention to the path than myself,” she continued, half mocking herself.
Ordinary people dream of happiness—naturally. If one didn’t want happiness, why dream at all?
Yet once their dream nears, the dream itself ceases to be just a dream. It becomes a necessity, an imperative. Happiness pales in comparison to what they must achieve. Failure isn’t an option.
June, excellent at everything, couldn’t accept failure. She would rather die than be defeated. She hated missing any hope she’d held.
“I’m exhausted,” she said.
It was a fair confession. Until then, she’d kept moving forward without tasting happiness. She never expected happiness at the journey’s end—only results.
In days to come, she might receive the fruits of her life’s work. Or not. It hinged on Minjoon’s and Rachel’s judgement, the contest’s arbiters. Her fate depended on their whim. Their decision could shatter her lifelong dream.
“I think I’ve forgotten how not to run.”
Dave wanted to comfort her but stayed silent. He had no words. Had he been drinking, he might have been braver, but she declined alcohol, not wanting distraction.
“It’s funny, isn’t it? I’m scared of what Rachel or Minjoon’s announcement will do. You and I broke up, and I bet my life on this. I’ve worked so hard, yet in the end, it might all be for nothing.”
Quietly, he said, “June, don’t you just accept whoever wins?”
He seemed to plead for her to relax. “I don’t mind losing. I fear our relationship stalling because of your stubbornness. Like you gave me up, maybe you can give up some of yourself…”
“Nope, I can’t,” she said firmly.
That crushed him. He wouldn’t deny being shaken hearing such earnest pleas from this cool woman. But she felt this constantly—heartbroken, torn. At day’s end, she chose to pursue her path.
“I told you, I value my path over myself. It’s the same with our love.”
“June…”
“There’s only one thing I fear.”
She glanced at her nearly finished burger, the bite marks making her heart ache. She hesitated before speaking.
She looked around. Most patrons were tourists, dressed up. She felt out of place. Though not a Santa Monica native—and thus a tourist—she felt neither tourist nor local. Having lived here briefly before, she didn’t know why.
Only then did she realise, just like at the restaurant, she was in a liminal space in life—neither visitor nor owner. It was ambition, not she herself, that owned her.
Her ambition whispered, “Listen to me, and I’ll give you all you desire. Follow me, forget what you think you want, and you will gain more than you imagined.”
Suddenly, Dave interrupted, “Why did you stop talking?”
“Oh…”
She blankly looked at him. She wanted to confess her fear—that the treasure at the mountain’s peak might not exist, that her sleepless climb was a dream she’d never fulfil. But it was too humiliating to say to the man she loved.
“Nothing.”
She chose silence. Even if the world called her foolish, she wished Dave wouldn’t.
She once loved him—and might again—so she still wanted to be his.
Meanwhile, head chefs kept asking Minjoon questions, some delicately, others bluntly: Who will win?
He answered with an awkward smile that he didn’t know. That was not what they hoped to hear, but he refused to lie.
“This is too hard.”
In Rachel’s office, Minjoon faced her alone and sighed. Judging and tasting the dishes was his joy, but choosing the winner was no easy task.