Somin looked at her watch as she entered the elevator.

“5:30…its early. Hyunjoong told us to come at 7” Somin thpught “oh well I’ll help out with the preps. The Masterchef can use an extra pair of hands “

The elevator pinged and Somin got out. When she turned towards Hyunjoong’s apartment fear gripped her as she noticed smoke emerging from the apartment door’s gap.

“HYUNJOONG!” Somin screamed and ran to the door but it was locked.”Hyunjoong! Open Up!...Oh God! Hyunjoong! You drunkard! Open!” She cried as she banged on the door

Getting no response she tried to open the door by force. She walked back afew steps and took a deep breath and then charged at the door with all her might.. Just before she was about to hit she suddenly saw the door flung open. Somin closed her eyes as she knew she was going to crash onto the floor. But the floor never hit her. She opened her eyes and felt strong arms holding her. She looked up in surprise to find Hyunjoong staring down at her

“You okay?” Hyunjoong asked worriedly as he helped her stand back

“Yeah..yeah I’m okay” Somin said but as soon as she spoke smoke entered choking her and she started coughing.

Hyunjoong escorted her to the couch and bought her a glass of water.

“Wha-What are you doing here now? I told you guys to be here at seven” Hyunjoong said in irritation. “Are the others following suit too?” he said as he marched into the kitchen blowing away the smoke with his hand

“No its just me” Somin coughed

The ‘just me’ part caught Hyunjoong’s attention as he froze momentarily

“I thought you could use a hand…”Somin rose up from the sofa “and now I’m glad I came early” she smirked as she finished her glass and kept it on the kitchen counter

“I don’t need help. I have got this” Hyunjoong stated arrogantly

“Clearly!” Somin mocked waving her hands around the smoky room. They both rolled their eyes at each other. “First we need to get rid of the smoke. I’ll open the windows…you switch on the exhaust”

Hyunjoong grumbled but obeyed.

“So what were you cooking?”Somin asked when she returned to the kitchen counter

“Aaah…just a simple chocolate cake” Hyunjoong said as he took the cake out of the oven which now looked like a huge block of coal

“Jeez! That’s bad!” Somin hissed as she eyed the burnt chocolate cake

“Fine! I screwed up! Happy?” Hyunjoong cried in frustration “I haven’t cooked for a long time…and now when I really wanted to feed my dongsaengs I burn everything” he threw his oven gloves in anguish

Somin went up to him and rubbed his back. Her touch cooled him down as he exhaled.

“It’s okay. We still have time. We’ll cook up a delicious meal by the time the boys get here okay?”

Hyunjoong looked at her,his eyes searching hers for assurance

“Don’t worry we will.” Somin beamed at him