Chapter 1: Chance Encounter

My Destiny
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In the bustling heart of downtown Seoul, where the aroma of sizzling delicacies intermingles with the city's vibrant energy, Nicky Hwang stands as an emblem of both culinary excellence and unwavering devotion.

As the proud owner and manager of "Nicky's Gastronomia," a renowned restaurant that has carved its name into the city's culinary landscape, Nicky's passion extends far beyond the world of gastronomy.

"It's incredible how the city comes alive every night," Nicky mused as she gazed out of the restaurant's large windows, her eyes reflecting the neon glow of the bustling streets. She turned to her head chef, James, who was busy perfecting a new dish for the menu. "James, you see that energy out there? That's what inspires me every day. Like my passion for managing this restaurant, something else fuels my heart."

James looked up from his culinary masterpiece, curiosity piqued. "What's that, Nicky?"

Nicky's face lit up with a smile as she confided, "K-pop, James. K-pop is my other passion." She leaned in closer as if sharing a secret. "And someone special is at the center of it all—Mina Myoui, from Twice."

James's eyes widened in surprise. "Mina Myoui? From Twice? You're a fan?"

Nicky nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! Her talent, her grace on stage, it's all so mesmerizing. Whenever I watch her perform, it's like I'm transported to a different world. She's not just an idol to me; she's an inspiration."

James couldn't help but chuckle. "I had no idea you were such a devoted fan, Nicky. It's refreshing to see your passion extends beyond the kitchen."

Nicky's love for Mina and Twice was no secret to her staff, who often . As she stood in her restaurant, surrounded by the delectable scents of her culinary creations and the lively ambiance of Seoul, Nicky knew that her worlds of haute cuisine and K-pop were like harmonious notes in a beautiful symphony, each one enhancing her journey of inspiration and dedication.

 

With her belongings securely packed in her bag, Nicky prepared to leave the office. She carefully donned her cardigan over her work uniform, the comfortable weight of routine settling upon her shoulders. With a polite smile, she announced her departure to her workers.

"Goodbye, guys, see you tomorrow," Nicky said warmly, receiving nods and well wishes in return. As she made her way toward the exit, her fingers brushed her phone's screen, engrossed in a conversation thread. Lost in thought, she unintentionally collided with someone in the doorway.

"Owww~," the person on the receiving end groaned in pain.

Startled, Nicky glanced up from her phone, her eyes meeting those of a girl now groaning on the ground. Instinctively, she extended a hand to help.

"I'm so sorry; I wasn't looking where I was going," Nicky said with genuine concern, picking up the girl's fallen bag and handing it back to her.

"Are you all right, miss? I'm really sorry about that," Nicky continued, her voice filled with apologies as the girl began dusting dirt from her pants. Suddenly, the girl looked up, and Nicky froze in place.

Time seemed to stand still as disbelief washed over Nicky. The girl smiled, seemingly unperturbed by the accidental collision. Nicky, however, remained rooted to the spot, wide-eyed and tongue-tied.

"Hey, are you all right?" the girl called out, waving her hand in front of Nicky's face.

Blinking rapidly, Nicky finally snapped out of her daze, profusely apologizing once more before hurrying away in embarrassment. As she half-ran to her car, she failed to notice that her name tag had slipped from her bag, landing unnoticed on the ground. She quickly got into her car and drove off, the encounter leaving her flustered.

Meanwhile, the girl who had met Nicky examined the name tag she'd found on the ground. "Nicky Hwang, Restaurant Manager," she read aloud, shaking her head and smiling. She slipped the name tag into her bag before entering the restaurant.

Inside, the girl was greeted by her friend. "Mitang, what happened to you? You look a mess," her friend asked, gesturing at her dirty pants.

"I had a small accident at the entrance door," she replied, a laugh escaping her lips as she recollected the earlier encounter.

"Are you okay?" her friend asked genuine concern in her eyes.

"I'm fine; I just bumped into someone. Have you ordered Sana-chan? I'm so hungry I could eat a cow," she quipped, earning a chuckle from her friend.

"Whatever you say, Mitang," Sana responded with a laugh, teasing her dear friend, Mina. The day had taken an unexpected turn, but Mina couldn't help but feel that fate had played a hand in this chance encounter with Nicky Hwang, the restaurant manager. Little did she know that their paths would cross again, leading to an unexpected connection that would change their lives in ways they could never have imagined.


The next day arrived with the familiar ring of Nicky's alarm echoing through her spacious room. She stirred beneath the covers, slowly reaching out to the bedside table to silence the persistent chime. As she peeled herself out under the warm embrace of her blankets, she stretched her arms, sending a cascade of comfort and drowsiness through her body.

With a gentle sigh, Nicky swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet meeting the cool hardwood floor. A quick series of stretches followed, helping to banish the last remnants of sleep before she made her way to the bathroom to start her morning routine.

After she had dressed for the day, Nicky grabbed her trusty messenger bag, a constant companion that held her daily essentials and headed to the garage where her car awaited. The engine purred to life as she settled into the driver's seat, and with a smooth pull-out, she was on her way.

The familiar tunes

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