Chasing Perfection || Lee Know

The Morning Intrusion

Hyenjin rang the doorbell and entered greeting Sookhee morning. She could still feel some sort of unease which Hana had clearly forgotten to take with her the previous day. Lee know sat on the island counter reading something on his laptop and they both greeted each other. Hyejin stepped onto the raised, open kitchen and began her work.

The morning sunlight poured through the windows, gilding the sleek kitchen in a soft glow. Hyejin stirred the pan on the stove, her rhythm interrupted by the piercing sound of the doorbell.

Sookhee moved to answer, and seconds later, the sharp clack of heels echoed in the hallway.

"Isn't this quaint?" Hana's voice rang out, dripping with mockery.

Hyejin glanced over her shoulder, irritation already bubbling. Hana's confident strides screamed entitlement, and her tone confirmed it.

Lee Know's head lifted from his laptop, his expression hardening instantly. "Hana." His voice was flat, unwelcoming. "Leave."

Hana ignored him, her sharp gaze landing on Hyejin. "Well, isn't this a cozy little domestic scene? Good Morning to you too, Hyejin"

Hyejin turned off the stove, wiped her hands on a towel, and faced her fully, a sweet but razor-sharp smile on her lips. "Morning. And by the way, barging in without an invitation is usually frowned upon."

Lee Know's lips twitched into a smirk, but he quickly masked it by turning back to his laptop.

Hana narrowed her eyes, undeterred. "Feisty. But trust me, darling, you're playing in a league you can't possibly understand."

Hyejin tilted her head innocently. "You're right. I wouldn't understand how to stay relevant by showing up uninvited and clinging to exes. Must be exhausting."

That one hit its mark. Hana's expression tightened, but she recovered quickly, her tone sharpening. "You've got quite the mouth on you. Does Minho keep you around for the entertainment?"

"Actually," Hyejin shot back, her smile widening, "he keeps me around because I don't give him migraines. Something tells me you wouldn't know what that's like."

Lee Know coughed lightly into his hand, but the glint in his eyes betrayed him.

Lee Know finally leaned back, his arms crossed. "Enough Hana, Just say what you need to and get out"

Hana huffed, straightening her shoulders. "I came here to talk. Privately." She looked over at Hyejin as she stated the word privately

Hyejin raised an eyebrow. "Oh, don't mind me. I'm just the help, remember? I'll be right here, working, while you do whatever this is."

Her confidence flickered, but she pressed on. "Minho, you're throwing everything away—your reputation, your legacy. And for what? This... detour?" Her hand gestured vaguely toward Hyejin, as though she couldn't even dignify her with a name.

Hyejin tilted her head, a saccharine smile playing on her lips. "Aw, don't hurt yourself trying to remember my name. I know it's hard when you're this full of yourself."

Lee Know's lips curved slightly, but he kept his head down, pretending to skim his laptop screen.

Hana scoffed. "I wasn't talking to you."
Hana's eyes shimmered with fake vulnerability as she pressed on. "Do you remember how we used to be, Minho? How perfect everything was before you decided I wasn't enough?"

Lee Know's expression hardened, his fists clenching at his sides. "Stop. Right now."

"Why? Afraid of the truth?" Hana shot back, her voice rising. "Afraid she might find out what you did?"

Hyejin, who had been quietly observing, arched an eyebrow. "Find out what? That he's incredibly patient for putting up with this nonsense?"

Hana's facade cracked for a brief second before she forced a bitter laugh. "Oh, you have no idea, do you? Let me enlighten you—"

Lee Know's patience snapped, "You cheated on me, Hana. You think I forgot?"

The room fell silent, Hana's confidence crumbling for a fraction of a second.

Hyejin, unable to resist, leaned against the counter and muttered loud enough for everyone to hear, "Forgiveness must be on sale. That, or her memory's just terrible."

Lee Know's laughter was soft but audible this time, and Hana shot them both a glare that could've sliced steel.

"Stay out of this," Hana snapped at Hyejin before turning back to Lee Know. "You've made your point. But don't say I didn't warn you."

"Great. Warning delivered," Hyejin interjected, walking back to the stove. "Now, if you're done contributing absolutely nothing, there's the door. Please use it."

Hana stared daggers at her but finally turned on her heel, storming out.

As the door slammed behind her, Lee Know exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. Hyejin glanced over at him, her playful demeanor softening.

"You okay?" she asked.

"I've been better," he admitted, leaning against the counter.

"Well? Time to explain yourself Lee Minho."

He hesitated, then nodded. "Hana and I... we were together a long time ago. She cheated on me, but instead of owning up to it, she spun a story to make me the bad guy. Ending it was the best decision I ever made."

Hyejin studied him for a moment, her usual sarcastic wit subdued. "Why didn't you tell me about her before?"

"Because it's not your burden to carry," he said simply. "She's my mistake to deal with."

Hyejin tilted her head. "Mistake? You can't really blame yourself for what she did."

His lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thanks, chef. But I think I'll leave the psychoanalysis to the professionals."

"Fair enough," she replied, picking up her spatula again. " "You sure know how to pick them though. But for what it's worth, you handled that better than I would have. I might've thrown the frying pan."

He chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Remind me why I pay you to be this honest with me?"

She smirked, flipping the food in the pan. "You don't. That one's on the house."

And with that, the tension began to ease, though Hyejin couldn't shake the feeling that this was far from the end of Hana's interference.