28 Breakfast Potato

The next day, Yanee woke up a lot later than usual. She pulled an all-nighter so it was only natural. She didn't have anything scheduled today as well so she just slept as long as she wanted. She didn't set an alarm clock too. Still, she was surprised to see that it's already almost half past noon. Usually, even if she worked late into the night, she's still able to wake up in the morning, albeit closer to noon, but never past noon.

She hurriedly ran into the bathroom to take a shower and quickly dressed up. As she didn't need to interview someone today, and just basically need to check her notes, she just put on a pair of skinny jeans and a white shirt that exposed one shoulder.

Originally, she was planning on eating out for lunch today but decided to just eat at the hotel restaurant instead since she's already too hungry. She was never one to go on a diet as her metabolism was good. She never skipped meals, so she's having trouble with her stomach now. As if it was scolding her for daring to sleep the morning away, her tummy gave a low growl that she was thankful sounded while she was still alone in her room.

Grabbing her purse, Yanee looked at herself at the mirror and nodded in satisfaction. Even without makeup, she was grateful that she didn't have much eye bags on her face. When she was working on the article for the magazine, she had swollen eyes from sleeping too little.

She hurried down the hotel to the restaurant in order to at least still find a table available, thinking that lunchtime was usually crowded. But then she felt so silly as she realized that the hotel restaurant was more expensive than where people mostly went for a simple lunch.

Yanee felt a bit guilty then because her meals taken from the hotel restaurant would be charged to her company. But, remembering that the potato would probably pay for it, she changed her mind. She grinned mischievously as an idea came to her. She was planning to order something expensive to get even with her boss as she entered the restaurant when she spotted a familiar back.

Huh?

Yanee didn't know why the man, wearing a white shirt, sitting not too far away from the restaurant's entrance seemed familiar to her. She frowned as she approached, to check if the familiar broad back would match a familiar face, and she was shocked when she realized who it was.

"Yanee Lee, aren't you late again?" the familiar baritone teased as soon as she got near.

Potato! Potato in Korea!

"B-boss?" Yanee couldn't believe it. What was he doing here?

Sinfully attractive too, she muttered under her breath as she noted his choice of clothing similar to hers and somewhat frowned.

"I'm not late, boss. I don't have any schedule today," she reminded him politely, but the man ignored her words as he stood up and pulled a chair for her.

Yanee was planning to sit by the window so she could see people pass by outside, but had no choice but sit with him now.

Tohru James laughed and Yanee forgot what more she was about to say. She was totally distracted by the crinkling around his eyes that used to be so gloomy, but when his eyes lit up like this, it gave off a refreshing feeling. Oh, and that curve of his lips…

Sinful…potato. A sinful potato.

"Stop looking, Yanee Lee. You will get fat. He's a carb – the bad-for-your-body carb," she mentally berated herself as she sat up properly.

"Boss," she began as Tohru called the waiter. It was clear that they would be dining together again. But it didn't matter because he would be picking up the tab anyway as she's still technically on a business trip. In their employee handbook, the company would shoulder everything.

Everything…

"What will you have?" Tohru asked, and Yanee sighed as she picked up the menu and browsed.

She was really very hungry she didn't care what she ate as long as she could have it immediately. However, looking at the menu, she scanned the page of breakfast instead of lunch and was suddenly faced with a dilemma. Everything there sounded so delicious.

Let's see…

Heart pancakes, pan-fried frittata, tuna omelet, breakfast potato…

Upon reading the last word, Yanee couldn't help but snort in laughter. Breakfast potato indeed, she smirked as she surreptitiously glanced at her boss who was the potato having breakfast or lunch. She wouldn't have such a heavy meal when she just woke up, of course. But much to her surprise, he was actually looking at her – intently if she might add, and her heart did a summersault.

Misunderstanding her pause, Tohru let out a chuckle. "Don't count calories. You just eat what you want," he told her.

"Potato," Ynaee blurted out mindlessly and she choked on her saliva upon realizing what she said.

"Potato?" Tohru echoed with a funny expression because it wasn't on the menu, at least not as the main dish. "Potato and what?"

Of course, Yanee couldn't answer. She was not talking about the potato on the menu in the first place. Darn it. She wondered why this guy was being nice and looking so good today of all days. She still felt a bit vulnerable emotionally after her interview with the Kang couple. She needed time to raise her defensive walls again but it was hard as she was blindsided by this surprise appearance. She wondered what he was doing in that place? 

"I presume the miss is talking about the breakfast menu?" the waiter asked kindly but when Yanee nodded, he smiled apologetically. "I'm so sorry but we only serve what's on the lunch menu at this time. Would you like to take a look at our dishes with potato instead?"

 Since she had trouble answering, Yanee was forced to listen to the waiter present to her at least three dishes with potato, and she just gave up and chose one with a piece of steak. So much for a light meal, she would be eating like a jock in a while.

As soon as the waiter left, Tohru James' amused eyes stared at her again, and Yanee felt like poking him with something as revenge. She would be eating more than she intended because he kept distracting her.

"I didn't know you like potatoes very much," Tohru commented making Yanee feel upset that she scowled.

"No, sir. I hate potatoes. I totally hate potatoes."

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