Chasing Perfection || Lee Know

Anonymity is key

Hyejin's POV:

The sound of the car engine hummed steadily as Hyejin navigated through the early morning streets of Seoul. Her GPS guided her through an affluent neighborhood, each house exuding quiet wealth. She glanced at the directions, her eyes narrowing slightly. This job better be worth it. Private chef gigs weren't exactly her area of expertise, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

When she finally pulled up to the designated house, her jaw nearly dropped. The modern, sprawling estate stood tall, a perfect blend of glass, concrete, and wood, surrounded by a pristine garden. It screamed wealth and power—exactly the kind of place she didn't want to be right now.

"This can't be it," she muttered under her breath, double-checking the address.

But it was.

As she rang the doorbell, an older woman opened the door. Sook-hee, the housekeeper, greeted her with a polite but firm smile.

"Miss Yoon?"

Hyejin nodded, feeling a tinge of nerves as she stepped inside. The interior was no less impressive than the exterior—minimalistic yet warm, with a subtle masculine touch.

"Before we start, there are a few rules," Sook-hee began, leading Hyejin into the sleek, state-of-the-art kitchen. Her tone was businesslike, leaving no room for negotiation. "First, you are to arrive early in the morning, well before the employer wakes up. You'll prepare breakfast, and leave. Then, you'll return in the late afternoon to prepare dinner. You must leave before he returns home in the evening."

Hyejin blinked. "I won't meet him?"

"That's correct. He values his privacy. Your job is strictly to cook—no interaction beyond that."

Hyejin frowned slightly. She'd been expecting to at least meet her employer, even if only to discuss his dietary preferences. "What about his likes or dislikes?"

"I'll provide you with a list of dishes he prefers and any allergies he has," Sook-hee said briskly. "He's not picky, but he expects quality."

Hyejin glanced around the kitchen, her fingers brushing the cool marble countertop. "Anything else I should know?"

Sook-hee hesitated for a moment, her sharp eyes observing Hyejin. "Yes. Discretion is key. Do not ask questions about him or his work. Do not linger longer than necessary. He has a demanding lifestyle and expects things to run smoothly without interference."

"Understood," Hyejin replied, though she couldn't help but feel a twinge of curiosity. The secrecy felt excessive, even for someone this wealthy.

Sook-hee handed her a neatly typed schedule and list of instructions before giving her a final once-over. "You'll start tomorrow. Don't be late."

As Hyejin drove home later, her mind buzzed with thoughts. The job seemed straightforward enough, but something about it felt... off. Why all the secrecy? And who was this mysterious employer?

Little did she know, she'd soon find out—and the answer would shake her to the core.

Lee Know's POV:

Lee Know leaned back in his office chair, rolling his neck to ease the tension from hours of staring at his computer. The day had been relentless, packed with meetings, emails, and last-minute crises—nothing out of the ordinary, but exhausting all the same.

His assistant, Jaeyoung, walked in with a tray, setting down a steaming cup of tea. "Your dinner order's on its way, sir. Should I—"

"No need," Lee Know interrupted, a hand raised. "I'll handle it."

Jaeyoung gave a short nod and left, leaving Lee Know to his brief moment of solitude. He took a sip of his coffee, glancing at his phone. There was a notification from Sook-hee confirming that the new private chef would start tomorrow.

Good.

Lee Know wasn't one to micromanage personal matters. His assistant had handled the hiring, ensuring the candidate was qualified and, most importantly, discreet. He had no time or patience for unnecessary interactions, especially with someone working in his home.

Still, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. Would this new arrangement disrupt the delicate balance he had cultivated? He valued his privacy fiercely, a necessity in his line of work. The fewer people prying into his life, the better.

His thoughts wandered back to the rules he'd asked Sook-hee to enforce.

"Early mornings. No interaction. In and out before I get home."

It was all designed to keep his life as compartmentalized as possible. He didn't want someone disrupting his sanctuary, especially not when his home was the only place where he could unwind, away from the ceaseless demands of running a company.

And yet, a part of him wondered about the person stepping into the role. A private chef wasn't something he'd ever considered before—at least not until his habits, or lack thereof, had begun to affect his productivity.

He pushed the thought aside. It didn't matter who the chef was as long as they did their job.

Leaning forward, he opened his laptop, intending to dive back into his work. But instead, his gaze shifted to the large window of his office, overlooking the glittering Seoul skyline. The city moved at a relentless pace, much like his life, and there was little time to stop and think about anything outside of his goals.

The new hire was just one more step in his quest for efficiency, a solution to a minor problem. Nothing more.

Unbeknownst to him, the person stepping into his kitchen was far from minor—and she would soon become the one variable he hadn't accounted for.