Chasing Perfection || Lee Know

With Every step, He guards

Hyejin's POV:

Hyejin slammed the refrigerator door shut, her movements sharper than usual as she put away the groceries she had picked up after work. Lee Know leaned against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed, a deep frown etched on his face.

"Are we going to talk about what happened earlier?" His voice was calm but tinged with an edge that made her pause mid-motion.

"I don't know what you mean," she said curtly, grabbing a jar of kimchi from the counter and shoving it into the fridge.

"You know exactly what I mean," Lee Know replied, his eyes narrowing. "That guy, Seojun—what's his deal?"

Hyejin straightened, meeting his gaze with a look of exasperation. "He's my neighbor. That's it."

"Your neighbor who doesn't seem to understand personal boundaries," he shot back, his tone growing sharper.

"He's just being friendly," she said defensively, though she hated how unsure her voice sounded even to her. "You're overreacting."

"Am I?" Lee Know's voice dropped, quiet but cutting. "I saw the way he kept leaning in, the way he grabbed your arm when you tried to walk away. That wasn't friendly—it was possessive."

Hyejin's hands clenched into fists at her sides. "And what would you have me do, huh? Cause a scene? Scream at my neighbor in front of everyone?"

"If that's what it takes to keep him in check, then yes," he snapped. "Hyejin, this isn't something to brush off. That guy gives off all the wrong vibes."

She turned to fully face him, her eyes blazing. "I can handle it, Lee Know. I don't need you swooping in like some self-appointed bodyguard!"

"I'm not trying to 'swoop in,'" he said through gritted teeth. "I'm trying to look out for you because you clearly don't see what's going on!"

"I see it," she said, her voice rising. "I don't like it either, okay? But that doesn't give you the right to insert yourself into my business!"

"Your business? Hyejin, this isn't about your pride. It's about your safety!"

"I don't need you to worry about my safety," she retorted, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and something she couldn't quite name. "I'm not some damsel in distress who needs rescuing."

Lee Know took a step closer, his frustration evident in the way his jaw tightened. "It's not about rescuing you. It's about the fact that you're too stubborn to admit when you need help!"

"I don't need your help!" she shouted, the words echoing in the spacious kitchen.

For a moment, they just stood there, the silence between them heavy and charged. Hyejin's heart was pounding, and she hated how raw she felt, like he'd peeled back a layer she had worked so hard to keep hidden.

Lee Know's voice softened, but his intensity didn't waver. "I'm not trying to control you, Hyejin. I just don't trust that guy, and I don't want you to get hurt."

His words hit her like a blow, stirring something deep inside that she couldn't quite place. She wanted to tell him she appreciated his concern, but the vulnerability it required was too much to bear.

"Thanks for the concern," she said stiffly, grabbing her bag. "But I can take care of myself."

"Hyejin—"

"Drop it, Lee Know."

Her voice left no room for argument as she stormed out of the kitchen, leaving Lee Know standing there, his expression a mix of frustration and something softer, something he wouldn't dare put into words.

In the afternoon:
Hyejin's POV:

It was a raining in the afternoon when Hyejin sat at a small café, trying to enjoy a quiet moment before heading back to Lee Know's apartment. She had barely taken a sip of her coffee when she saw him—Seojun. His familiar figure appeared at the door, and for a brief second, she considered leaving. But it was too late; he had already spotted her.

"Hyejin!" Seojun's voice was warm, almost too warm. He approached her table with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

She forced a polite smile. "Seojun, hey. What are you doing here?"

"Just thought I'd grab a drink," he said, taking the seat across from her without waiting for an invitation. "It's been a while since we talked, don't you think?"

She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, feeling trapped. "Yeah, I've been busy."

He didn't seem to hear her. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on her with a focused intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. "You know, you're always so distant with me, Hyejin. I don't understand. We've gotten to know each other a little, haven't we?"

Her stomach twisted in unease. She tried to ignore the panic rising inside her. "I'm not distant, Seojun. I just—" She was cut off when he reached across the table, his fingers brushing against hers in a way that felt too intimate, too possessive.

"Hyejin," Seojun murmured, his voice lowering, "I think you're just playing hard to get. But I'm not going anywhere. You'll see."

Her heart started to race. Something about his words felt too final, like he was claiming ownership over her, and it made her feel suffocated.

Before she could react, Seojun leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "I'll wait for you. Don't worry."

Panic surged through her, but she managed to keep her composure long enough to stammer, "Excuse me, I need to use the washroom," before rising from her seat. She quickly scanned the café for an escape route. The backdoor—there wasn't one. She was trapped. She hurried to the washroom and locked herself in a stall and fumbled with her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed the only person she could think of.

The call went unanswered.

"Come on, Lee Know please just pick up," she whispered, trying again.

On the second attempt, he picked up. "Lee Know, I—I need you here. Now."

Lee Know's POV:

The meeting was dragging on, his mind half-distracted by thoughts of Hyejin. Then his phone lit up with her name. He glanced at it briefly and silenced it, figuring it wasn't urgent.

But when the second call came in, something gnawed at him. Excusing himself from the conference room, he picked up. "Hyejin?"

"I—I need you here. Now," she stammered, her voice shaky.

His chest tightened. Without hesitation, he cut the call short, turned to the room of executives, and said firmly, "Something urgent came up. We'll reschedule."

Ignoring their murmurs, he grabbed his coat and rushed out, his heart pounding. The panic in her voice replayed in his head, spurring him to drive faster.

When Lee Know arrived at the café, he spotted Hyejin immediately. She was sitting stiffly at a table, her body language screaming discomfort. Seojun was far too close, his hand hovering near her arm, his smile predatory.

Lee Know didn't hesitate. He stormed inside, his presence drawing attention as he strode to their table. Hyejin's head snapped up, relief flooding her features.

"Hyejin," Lee Know said coolly, standing at the edge of the table. "I got your call. Let's go."

Seojun straightened, clearly thrown by Lee Know's sudden appearance. "Hey! Minho right? What's up?" he asked, his tone laced with annoyance.

Lee Know ignored him, his focus solely on Hyejin. "Are you okay?" he asked her, his voice softening.

She nodded quickly, as she got up from her seat and hugged him, arms tightening around him, her eyes pleading with him to take her out of there.

Seojun, however, wasn't done. "Hold on, you can't just walk in here and—"

Lee Know turned his cold gaze on him. "I'd step back if I were you," he said, his voice low, his tone deadly. He wrapped an arm protectively around Hyejin's waist, pulling her towards him.

Seojun's smirk faltered. "You really think you can just walk in here and tell me what to do? That too in such a rude tone?"

Lee Know's smile was ice. "Damn right I can, especially when you've been crossing lines left and right. And I don't talk kindly to men who think they can just walk into her life uninvited."

"Come on," Seojun scoffed, his confidence wavering. "Don't make a big deal out of this."

Lee Know stepped closer, his voice dropping into a low growl. "Stay away from her," he warned.

Seojun's bravado flickered. "Or what?" he challenged, but the uncertainty in his eyes betrayed him.

Lee Know didn't hesitate. "I'll kill you if you ever come near her again," he said, his words sharp and deliberate.

The air in the café seemed to still. Hyejin's eyes widened, the words hitting her like a blow. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. But Lee Know's gaze didn't leave Seojun's, and she knew, in that moment, that he wasn't joking. His calm demeanor only made the threat more chilling.

Seojun swallowed hard, muttering, "You're insane," before stepping back. The flicker of fear in his expression was undeniable.

Without another word, Lee Know guided Hyejin out of the café, his hand firmly gripping hers as though he'd never let go.

As they left the café, Hyejin's mind raced, the intensity of what had just transpired weighing heavily on her shoulders. She kept her head down, her heart pounding as the reality of the encounter set in.

Lee Know led her to the car, his grip on her hand unwavering, a silent reassurance. But as soon as the doors shut and the engine roared to life, Hyejin's composure shattered.

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around herself, her quiet sobs filling the small space. Everything—her fear, her pride, her vulnerability, her inability to handle the situation on her own—came crashing down.

Lee Know glanced at her, his chest tightening at the sight of her trembling shoulders. Without a word, he reached over, pulling her into his arms.

"Hey," he murmured softly, his voice low and soothing. "It's okay. You're safe now."

Hyejin collapsed against his chest, letting herself fall apart in a way she hadn't allowed herself to in years. His warmth, his steady presence, it was all she needed.

As her sobs quieted, she pulled back slightly, her face flushed with emotion. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice cracking. "I didn't know what to do."

"You don't have to apologize," Lee Know said, his voice steady. "You don't have to handle everything on your own. Let me help you. I'm here for you, always."

He started the car engine and drove away, the rain tapping against the windshield, Lee Know reached over, lacing his fingers with hers. His grip was firm, grounding her in a way words couldn't.

The car ride back to Lee Know's house was shrouded in silence. Hyejin leaned her head against the window, staring at the blurred city lights as they passed, her thoughts swirling with the events of the evening.

She hated how unsettled she felt, hated how Seojun's actions lingered in her mind even after she had brushed them off. But what she hated most was the way Lee Know's concern chipped away at the walls she had so carefully built.

Lee Know, on the other hand, kept his eyes on the road, his grip on the steering wheel firm but steady. He was still fuming, his mind going back to how Seojun touched her.

As they approached a red light, Lee Know glanced over at her. She looked exhausted, her posture tense, her usual sharpness dulled by the weight of the afternoon events.

Without a word, he reached over and reclined her seat back slightly. Hyejin blinked, startled, and turned to him with a questioning look.

"Rest," he said simply, his tone softer now, though it still carried a hint of command. "You've had a long day."

Before she could protest, he added, "I'll take care of dinner. For both of us."

Hyejin's lips parted as if to argue, but she closed them again, the tension in her shoulders easing ever so slightly. She wasn't sure if it was exhaustion or the unexpected gentleness in his voice, but for once, she didn't fight him. Instead, she closed her eyes, letting the hum of the car and the quiet reassurance in his words lull her into a rare moment of peace.

"Thank you," she said softly, her eyes meeting his gaze, half open.

Lee Know gave her a small smile. "You're not alone, Hyejin. Not anymore."

Hyejin glanced down at their hands again, her heart softening. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt safe. She wasn't alone in this fight—and with Lee Know beside her, she knew she never would be.


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I really hope that the readers are liking this story hehe, this is my favorite chapter out of this story - yet huhuhuhu. I'm so excited to publish the next chapters I literally can't wait ahhhhhahahah. Anyways I love y'all so much, muahhhh have a good day/night <333