FATAL TROUBLE (REVERSE HAREM)

Part 100

The kitchen was an absolute war zone. Flour dusted the counters, bowls cluttered every surface, and a strong smell of something burning—hopefully not important—lingered in the air. You were standing in front of the mixing bowl, sleeves rolled up, determination blazing in your eyes.

Sunghoon and Jake sat at the dining table nearby, their laptops open as they worked on some paperwork. They were clearly more entertained by your struggle than whatever they were supposed to be doing.

"You sure you know what you're doing?" Sunghoon asked, raising an eyebrow as he watched you pour an alarming amount of sugar into the bowl.

"No," you admitted without hesitation.

Jake snickered. "At least you're honest."

"Shut up and be useful!" you huffed, turning back to Heeseung, the only person actually helping you. He stood beside you, arms crossed, watching your every move like a strict mentor.

"Alright, now mix that," he instructed, nodding towards the bowl.

You grabbed the electric mixer and turned it on. Immediately, the batter splattered everywhere—on the counter, on the floor, and, most importantly, all over you.

Sunoo, who had been clinging to you like a koala, shrieked dramatically. "Ella! You're a mess!" He grabbed a towel and aggressively wiped your face, tugging at your hair in the process. "This is unacceptable!"

"Ow! Sunoo! Stop pulling my hair!" you whined, swatting at him while still holding the mixer.

"You're getting batter in your hair!" he scolded, not letting go.

Meanwhile, Ni-ki was busy being the devil's advocate. He sat on the counter, legs swinging as he grabbed random ingredients and tried to throw them into your bowl.

"What's this?" he asked, holding up a bottle of soy sauce.

"Ni-ki, don't you—"

Too late. He uncapped it and made a move to pour it in.

"Ni-ki, I swear—"

A hand shot out, grabbing Ni-ki's wrist just in time. Heeseung sighed. "Can you not sabotage this? It's already bad enough as it is."

Ni-ki pouted. "I was just helping!"

"You're helping me lose my sanity!" you snapped.

Heeseung gently took the mixer from your hands before you could cause more damage. "Alright, let me do this before you destroy the kitchen."

"But I want to help!" you insisted, crossing your arms.

"You are helping," he said dryly. "By standing there and looking pretty, princess."

You gasped in offense. "I am not a useless princess!"

Heeseung sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. Crack the eggs."

That seemed easy enough. You grabbed an egg and confidently tapped it against the edge of the bowl—only for the entire thing to shatter in your hand, shell and all.

Sunghoon burst out laughing. "Oh my god—did you just—?"

"Shut up, Sunghoon!"

"Try again," Heeseung said, exasperated.

You grabbed another egg and repeated the process, this time being gentler. It worked. You beamed in triumph. "See? I'm learning!"

"Sure," Heeseung muttered under his breath.

At some point, Ni-ki started taste-testing random things, which led to him spitting out a spoonful of batter. "Ugh! This is disgusting!"

Sunoo, still fussing over your appearance, gasped in horror. "Well, of course! Ella probably messed it up!"