Chapter 7
The weight of the restaurant's reputation pressed heavily against Honsu's mind. Seeing Zeyson and his new girlfriend sitting there—flaunting their betrayal—made his blood boil, but he swallowed his rage. He couldn't afford a scene. Not here. Not in his sanctuary.
He approached Dohon, his voice tight. "Go. Take their order."
Dohon offered a subtle, understanding smile. "As you wish, brother."
As Honsu retreated into the kitchen, a sudden, electric idea sparked in his brain. He rushed toward Leza's private quarters. He found her sprawled across the bed, legs swinging idly in the air, her eyes glued to her phone screen.
Honsu cleared his throat, his expression dead serious. "Leza, sit up. Right now. We need to talk. It's urgent."
Leza didn't even lift her gaze. "And where exactly are your eyes wandering, Honsu? My head... or somewhere else?"
"I'm looking at your head!" Honsu snapped, cutting her off. "And listen—our first VIP guests today? It's Zeyson. And his girlfriend."
The name hit like a physical blow. Leza's legs stopped mid-swing. The room plunged into a suffocating silence. The playful energy vanished, replaced by a cold, sharpened tension.
Honsu broke the quiet. "So, what's the plan, Chef? Are you going to help me cook for your ex-fiancé and his new flame?"
Leza sat up slowly, her face unreadable before it twisted into a snarl. "I'll kill him. I'll put poison in his food and watch him choke!"
"Calm down!" Honsu hissed, panic rising. "Think about the Wontey Restaurant. We are famous for our flavors, not for assassinations! If you poison them, everything we've built turns to ash. Do you understand?"
Leza took a long, shuddering breath, her eyes narrowing as a different kind of fire took hold. "I have a plan. A way to crush Zeyson without ruining the restaurant's honor."
Just then, Dohon burst in, clutching the order list with a smirk. "Brother, I've been looking for you everywhere. And here you are, trying to squeeze in a romantic moment with Chef Leza again?"
Honsu snatched the list from his hand, his face flushing crimson. "We weren't doing anything romantic! Stop making things up! Now, let me see... Zeyson ordered the famous Japanese Ramen Bowl and Sushi? Typical. He always had expensive taste."
Leza looked at Dohon. "Go get Dohi. I need all three of you for this."
Dohon gave a mock bow, one hand over his chest. "At your command, Chef Leza."
As he left, Honsu turned to her, a nervous sweat breaking on his brow. "I have a feeling you're about to start a storm in my kitchen. If my reputation takes even a single hit, I'll—"
Dohi and Dohon stepped back inside. Leza stood up, meeting Honsu's gaze with a sharp, defiant attitude. "You'll what? Finish your sentence, Honsu."
Honsu averted his eyes, clearing his throat. "Nothing. Just... tell us the plan."
Dohi whispered to Dohon, "The atmosphere in here is already burning."
"Tell me about it," Dohon whispered back. "It was fine ten minutes ago." He then addressed Leza. "We're here, Chef. What's the mission?"
Leza dropped the bombshell. When she revealed that their VIP guest was her ex-fiancé, the man who had ruined her, the twins gasped in unison.
Dohi covered her mouth in shock. "That handsome guy in the lobby? He's the one? Oh, Leza... what are you going to do?"
Dohon's eyes sparkled with mischievous excitement. "This is better than a movie! This is legendary!" He shifted into his 'commentator mode,' his voice rising with theatrical flair. "Behold! The famous Chef Leza meets the man who stole her fortune and left her for dead! Zeyson has walked into the lion's den! Will the Chef have her revenge, or will the past consume her?"
Honsu glared at Dohi, signaling her to shut him up. Dohi didn't hesitate—she landed a heavy fist on the back of Dohon's head.
"Ow! Dohi, what was that for?" Dohon whined, rubbing his skull.
"Shut your mouth before I shut it for you!" she hissed.
Leza clapped her hands loudly, commanding the room. "Enough! Listen carefully. Here is what I need you to do..."
In the VIP lobby, Zeyson sat back, holding his girlfriend's hand with a smug grin. "We'll be married soon, Sofena. I'll take you across the world. You'll have everything."
Sofena looked at him, her eyes calculating. "And your ex-fiancée? Any word on where she crawled off to?"
Zeyson laughed, a cold, hollow sound. "That nine-fingered failure? She's probably dead by now. And even if she's alive, she's nothing. Her house is in my name, her money is in my pocket. You have nothing to worry about, sweetheart."
Sofena leaned in, hugging him. "Oh, my sweetheart... I knew you were brilliant."
The door to the VIP suite creaked open. Dohon entered, supporting an "old woman." She wore dark Sunglasses and oversized, grandmotherly clothes, moving with a frail, hunched gait. Dohon carefully helped her into a seat near Zeyson's table.
Zeyson snapped his fingers. "Waiter! Over here!"
Dohon approached with practiced grace. "Yes, sir? How may I assist you?"
Zeyson pointed to his gold watch, scowling. "Do you have any idea how long we've been waiting? Where is my order?"
"My deepest apologies, sir," Dohon bowed low. "Your exquisite meal is being prepared as we speak. It will be out in a minute."
As Dohon left, the old woman in the corner let out a sharp, raspy cough. Zeyson stiffened. He turned around, his eyes searching the room with sudden anxiety.
"What's wrong, Zeyson?" Sofena asked, touching his arm.
"It's... nothing," he muttered, though his heart was racing. "For a second, I thought I heard Leza's cough. But it's just that old woman. My mind is playing tricks on me."
Dohon returned with the trays. "Here we go. The Chef's special, just for you."
As they began to eat, the old woman stood up. She hobbled over to their table. When she spoke, her voice was a perfect mimicry of an elder, yet it carried a faint, haunting trace of her true self.
"Excuse me, children... may I join you?"
Zeyson looked up, frowning. "Your voice... it sounds strangely familiar."
The 'old woman'—Leza—cleared her throat. "Nonsense. I have one of those common voices. You must be mistaken."
Zeyson rolled his eyes and went back to his sushi. "Look, old lady, you can't sit here. There are plenty of other chairs. Go somewhere else."
Leza smirked behind her disguise. "But there are three chairs at this table. I think I'll stay right here."
Sofena smiled condescendingly. "Let her stay, Zeyson. She's harmless."
Zeyson sighed. "Fine. If you insist. Sit down, old woman."
Leza took her seat, watching them feed each other with fake affection. "Have you two always been this 'loving'?" she asked, her voice dripping with hidden venom.
"Oh yes," Sofena chirped. "We've loved each other for ten years."
Leza felt a surge of white-hot rage, but she kept her mask. "Is that so? How tragic. You know, just two days ago, I was young and beautiful. But then something happened... and I became this."
Zeyson and Sofena burst into laughter. "See?" Zeyson mocked. "When people get old, they lose their minds. How can a young woman turn old in two days? You're talking nonsense."
Leza smiled, a predatory glint in her eyes. "Perhaps. But tell me, Zeyson... how would you feel if your fiancé robbed you and vanished just before the wedding?"
The smile vanished from Zeyson's face. He stared at the old woman, a chill running down his spine. "What... what do you mean by that?"
Leza brought her left hand to her mouth, giggling. "Oh, don't look so worried! Eat your food. I was just telling a story of my own youth. How I was foolish enough to trust a man who deceived me, stole my wealth, and finally... made me sign over my house while I was drunk. The stress was so great, it turned me into this old woman overnight."
Zeyson scrambled to his feet, his chair screeching against the floor. "Who... who are you?"
At that moment, the door opened. Honsu stepped in, disguised in a heavy suit with a fake beard, looking like a distinguished older gentleman. He walked straight to Leza's side.
Leza stood up, her voice shifting. "But you see, Zeyson... life always provides a path for those who have hope. Meet my husband."
Honsu, though internally cringing at the role, played his part perfectly. Leza turned to him. "Shall we begin, sweetheart?"
"With pleasure," Honsu replied, extending his hand.
They moved to the Dance Floor at the center of the room. Zeyson and Sofena watched in stunned silence as the 'old woman' and the 'older man' began a flawless, high-energy dance. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, a beautiful display of grace and power.
During a dramatic spin, Leza ripped off her Sunglasses. Honsu tore away his fake beard. With a sudden, fluid motion, Leza shed her grandmotherly layers, revealing a stunning, elegant dress underneath.
The 'Old Woman' was gone. Standing there, radiant and fierce, was Leza.
Zeyson's face went pale. His jaw dropped. "Leza...?"
In the final pose of the dance, Leza leaned back against Honsu, staring directly into Zeyson's soul. "And when I found a man like Honsu... I became young again."
The reaction on Zeyson and Sofena's faces was priceless—pure, unadulterated shock.
Honsu and Leza straightened up. Leza looked at Honsu, her eyes sparkling. "Thank you for standing by me."
Honsu rubbed the back of his head, blushing furiously. "I... I actually enjoyed that. I didn't realize how satisfying it would be to watch your ex-fiancé crumble. So, is there anything else we can do to humiliate him?"
Leza's expression darkened. "Just one more thing. I need to wipe that look off his face with a slap."
She began to step toward Zeyson, her hand raised. But before she could reach him, Honsu grabbed her arm and pulled her toward him.
Leza let out a small gasp as she spun into his chest, her eyes locking onto his. Honsu's voice was low, melodic, and dangerously soft. "What you were about to do is dangerous. I have a much better way to show him what he lost."
Before Leza could process his words, Honsu closed his eyes and leaned in. He pressed his lips against hers in a soft, firm kiss.
Leza's mind went blank. A lip kiss? This wasn't in the plan! But... it doesn't feel bad.
She didn't pull away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Honsu's neck, returning the kiss with a sudden, desperate passion.
Zeyson looked like he was about to explode with rage. He couldn't stand the sight—the woman he had discarded was now in the arms of a better man. He grabbed Sofena's hand and stormed out of the restaurant, his dignity in tatters.
The revenge was complete.