Chasing Perfection || Lee Know

A Scent of Truth

Hyejin's POV:
Hyejin arrived at the house later than usual, the crisp morning air carrying a faint scent of autumn. She shifted her bag on her shoulder, weighed down by the extra ingredients she had packed. Today felt different—there was a spark of creativity brewing inside her, and she was determined to experiment with something special for dessert.

The house greeted her with its usual silence. Sookhee, bustling around the living room, looked up as Hyejin entered.

"Good morning, Sookhee-ssi," Hyejin said with a warm smile.

"Morning, dear. You're in later than usual," Sookhee replied, her voice kind yet curious.

"I had some errands to run," Hyejin explained, setting her bag down on the kitchen counter. "And I thought I'd try something new today. I hope that's alright."

Sookhee chuckled. "As long as it's edible, I'm sure it'll be fine. Though, knowing you, it'll be more than just fine."

By the late afternoon, Hyejin was back in the kitchen. The house was quiet, save for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional clinking of her utensils. She was preparing galbi jjim—braised short ribs in a rich soy-based sauce. It was a dish she had perfected over the years, one that carried the warmth of home.

As the short ribs simmered in the aromatic broth, Hyejin turned her attention to dessert. From her bag, she unpacked the ingredients for yuzu panna cotta. It was one of her favorite creations—a light, refreshing treat that added an elegant touch to any meal.

Sookhee wandered into the kitchen as Hyejin carefully measured out the cream and yuzu juice. "That doesn't look like the usual side dishes," she remarked, leaning on the counter with a curious smile.

"It's not," Hyejin admitted, a hint of pride in her voice. "It's a panna cotta. A little twist to balance the richness of the galbi jjim."

"Panna cotta?" Sookhee repeated, her brows furrowing. "Isn't that... Western? Does he eat that sort of thing?"

Hyejin shrugged, pouring the mixture into delicate ramekins. "I don't know. But food is universal, don't you think? Besides, it's light and citrusy—perfect after a heavy meal. If he doesn't like it, no harm done."

Sookhee laughed, watching as Hyejin carefully placed the ramekins into the fridge to set. "You're bold, I'll give you that. Most people would just stick to what's safe."

"Safe is boring," Hyejin replied with a smirk. "And I don't do boring."

Later, as the evening settled in, Hyejin plated the galbi jjim, arranging the tender ribs with precision and garnishing them with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. The panna cotta was unmolded and served on a small plate, topped with a thin layer of yuzu glaze and a single candied orange slice for decoration.

Sookhee passed through again, eyeing the dessert with approval. "You've outdone yourself this time. That looks too good to eat."

Hyejin chuckled, wiping her hands on a towel. "Let's hope he thinks so too."

Lee Know's POV:

Upstairs, Lee Know had returned earlier than usual. He hadn't planned to eat dinner at home, but a canceled client meeting left him with unexpected free time. As he wandered the halls, his footsteps slowed near the dining room.

There she was.

The chef.

She was bent over the table, arranging the dishes with meticulous care. Lee Know stayed hidden, his sharp eyes observing her every move. There was a precision to her actions, an almost obsessive attention to detail. He had seen this before—years ago, in someone he thought he'd never cross paths with again.

When Hyejin finally left the dining room, he waited a few moments before stepping forward. The dishes on the table caught his attention immediately.

The galbi jjim was, as expected, flawless. But it was the panna cotta that made him pause. He didn't touch it at first, just stared at it, the vibrant citrus glaze catching the light.

He picked up his spoon, taking a small bite. The tartness of the yuzu, the creamy texture—it was perfect. And oddly familiar.

A memory tugged at the edges of his mind. Years ago, at a high school bake sale, a girl with a sharp tongue and an even sharper wit had sold a dessert that tasted strikingly similar. She had claimed it was her own recipe, a creation she was proud of.

Lee Know set the spoon down, his jaw tightening. He didn't want to jump to conclusions, but the pieces were falling into place too neatly to ignore.

Later that night, Lee Know sat in his study, his phone in hand. The screen lit up with a message from JaeYoung.

"Sir, I've gathered some more details about the chef. Yoon Hyejin. She's... well, I think you'll want to read this for yourself."

The attached file was extensive. Her early life, her education, her career, her dismissal, her financial struggles—it was all there.

Lee Know leaned back in his chair, his suspicions confirmed.

It was her.

The girl from high school. The one who always seemed so far from his reach. 

The one who had always challenged him, the one who he let go by a mistake, the one who had never let him have the last word. And now, she was here, in his house, unknowingly cooking for him every day.

His lips curled into a faint smirk. This was about to get interesting.