Chasing Perfection || Lee Know

Silent Alarms

The morning light streamed softly through the windows of Lee Know's kitchen as Hyejin moved around, preparing breakfast. The rhythmic clink of pots and pans was the only sound in the spacious, serene kitchen—aside from the occasional hum of the stovetop. Lee Know sat at the island counter, watching her with a mix of admiration and curiosity. He had grown used to the way she moved around his kitchen like she belonged there, her deft hands working quickly and efficiently despite the subtle tension between them. The air was thick with the unspoken things that lingered in their dynamic.

She finished plating his breakfast, the smell of perfectly scrambled eggs and freshly toasted bread wafting through the air. As she set the plate down in front of him, she paused for a moment, tapping her fingers lightly on the countertop. Lee Know, sensing a shift, looked up from his phone.

"Something on your mind?" he asked casually, though there was a hint of concern in his voice. Hyejin had been quieter than usual over the past few days, and he could sense that she was troubled about something.

She didn't immediately respond. Instead, she gave a half-smile and sat across from him, taking a sip of her coffee before speaking. "I ran into Seojun again," she said, her tone light but carrying an undertone of something more serious.

Lee Know's eyebrows furrowed at the mention of Seojun's name. His protective instincts immediately flared up, but he masked his reaction with a composed expression. "Isn't that the guy from the store?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Yeah, that's him." She leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed. "I've been seeing him a lot lately. It's like... I keep running into him, more often than I should. It's starting to feel like more than coincidence, but I don't know. I'm probably just overthinking it."

Lee Know watched her carefully, trying to gauge her reaction. "That sounds a bit weird, don't you think? If you're running into him that much, there's probably a reason for it." His voice took on a more serious tone as he leaned in, locking eyes with her. "Be careful, alright? He doesn't know you like I do. You don't know him well enough to trust him."

Hyejin shook her head, her lips curling into a wry smile as she stood to refill her coffee mug. "Lee Know, you're overthinking it. It's not like he's stalking me or anything. He's just... coincidentally been around." She gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "It's fine, really. I'm sure it's nothing."

He wasn't convinced. There was something in the way she spoke—so casual, so nonchalant—that made him more worried. Lee Know didn't often let his guard down, but something about this situation felt wrong to him. The pieces didn't add up, but he didn't want to push her too hard, especially when she wasn't ready to voice her concerns.

"I'm not saying you shouldn't trust him, but just be cautious. I'll always be here if you need me, but don't let your guard down too easily." He leaned back in his chair, his eyes not leaving hers. "You're important to me, Hyejin. I just want you safe."

She sighed but smiled softly, reaching over to grab the toast from his plate. "I'm fine, I promise. Thanks for the breakfast, though." Her voice softened with a hint of affection, but she quickly stood up and started gathering her things. "I'll be back later. You have your meetings, right?"

Lee Know gave her a tight smile but said nothing more as she grabbed her bag and slipped out of the kitchen, leaving him with a stomach full of unease. She wasn't wrong, maybe. She wasn't the type to make a big deal out of things unless they were really serious, but something in Lee Know's gut was telling him that Seojun was more than just a coincidence.

Later that day, in the quiet of his office, Lee Know replayed the conversation over and over in his mind. His eyes were fixed on the screen in front of him, but his thoughts were far away. The unease he had felt earlier had only grown stronger as the day went on. There was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind, something that wouldn't let go. Seojun. Hyejin. Their interactions. It just didn't sit right.

He couldn't concentrate on the meeting. He couldn't focus on the reports in front of him. Every time he tried, his mind would wander back to Hyejin, her voice, and that unsettling feeling. Maybe it was nothing, but something about Seojun didn't sit right with him. He was too friendly, too eager to get close. Lee Know didn't trust people who inserted themselves into others' lives so easily, especially not without any genuine reason.

Without thinking, Lee Know grabbed his phone and dialed Hyejin's number. His fingers were shaking slightly, his chest tight as he waited for the call to connect. When it did, he almost didn't know what to say.

"Hyejin, where are you right now?" His voice came out more urgent than he intended.

She answered with an almost nonchalant tone. "I'm just running some errands. Why?"

"Stay where you are," he said quickly. "I'll be there in a few minutes. Just... stay safe."

"What's going on?" she asked, sounding confused.

"Just stay there, Hyejin. Please." Lee Know hung up before she could respond. He couldn't explain it. He couldn't rationalize the fear coursing through him. He had to see her, had to make sure she was okay.

Minutes later, Lee Know found himself outside the building where Hyejin had mentioned she was. His heart pounded in his chest as he scanned the street. The nerves in his body tightened with every passing second. He couldn't explain why, but he had a bad feeling—a feeling that only worsened as he spotted her in the distance.

She was standing outside a small coffee shop, her head tilted as she spoke to someone. Lee Know's gaze narrowed when he saw who it was.

It was Seojun.

Lee Know's pulse quickened. He didn't know how he knew, but something about the way Seojun was standing too close to Hyejin set off alarm bells in his mind. It wasn't the friendly exchange of two people who had just met; it was far too intimate for such a brief acquaintance.

Hyejin tried to take a step back, but Seojun followed her every movement, crowding her personal space as if he had every right to be there. His hand brushed against her arm, his body positioned far too close for comfort.

Lee Know's protective instincts kicked in hard. He couldn't let this go on. Without a second thought, he walked toward them, his body stiff with purpose. Hyejin hadn't noticed him yet, so he made his move before Seojun could get any closer.

"Hyejin," Lee Know called out in a calm, firm voice.

Both of them turned toward him. Hyejin's eyes widened in surprise as Seojun stepped back, his expression unreadable. "Lee Know!" she said, relieved. "What are you doing here?"

Lee Know didn't answer immediately. He focused on Seojun, locking eyes with him in a silent challenge. His voice was colder than he intended, but the message was clear. "Is there a problem here?" he asked, stepping in closer to Hyejin.

Seojun's eyes flickered with mild surprise, but his smile never faltered. "Oh, hey, man. Just chatting with Hyejin here. No harm done, right?"

Lee Know didn't budge. "You've been getting a little too close for comfort, don't you think?"

Seojun raised an eyebrow, but before he could say anything more, Lee Know turned to Hyejin, putting himself between them. "Let's go, Hyejin. Now."

As they walked away, Hyejin shot him a questioning glance, her tone teasing. "Lee Know, you don't have to be so overprotective. I'm fine."

Lee Know's jaw clenched as he walked beside her. "I just don't trust him," he muttered under his breath, his protective instinct still burning inside him. "Not around you. Not after what I just saw."

Hyejin scoffed, but there was something in her eyes—something that suggested she might finally understand just how far Lee Know was willing to go to keep her safe.