Chasing Perfection || Lee Know

Flavors of Temptation

Note: Just so you guys know, this chapter contains a scene with a tad bit of suggestive content so yeah for those who don't like suggestive content, I'll be sure to put a divider :)) Happy Reading guys!!

Minho sprawled out on the couch, his injured knee propped up by a cushion. The previous night's robbery still lingered in the back of his mind, and the pain from the sprained joint wasn't helping his mood. He looked at Hyejin, who was bustling around the kitchen, preparing a cup of tea for him. Her movements were swift, efficient, and yet, he couldn't shake off the worry gnawing at him. It was the way Hyejin had been acting since last night. She'd been quieter than usual, her eyes clouded with worry that she wasn't saying much about.

He watched her carefully as she moved around the kitchen, "Hyejin," he called, his voice softer than he intended. "Stop acting like I'm going to break. I'm fine."

She didn't stop what she was doing, but her shoulders stiffened. Without looking at him, she spoke, her voice low. "I know you're not fragile, Minho. But after everything last night, I keep thinking... What if you had gotten seriously hurt? What if things went wrong and you weren't here today?"

The words hung in the air, thick with the weight of unspoken fears. She blinked quickly, fighting the sting in her eyes. She had been thinking about it all morning—what could've happened if the situation had escalated further, if he hadn't managed to get away.

Minho's gaze softened as he watched her back stiffen even more. "You don't have to worry about that. I can handle myself."

"I know you can," she replied quickly, but the tension in her voice betrayed the cracks in her calm exterior. "But it doesn't stop the what-ifs from creeping up on me. I don't know what I'd do if—"

She stopped herself, swallowing the knot in her throat, but Minho could hear the rest of her unspoken thoughts. What if you were gone?

He stood up, ignoring the pain in his leg, and closed the distance between them. "Hey," he said gently, touching her arm. "I get it. You're worried. But you've gotta trust me. I'm not going anywhere. Not like that."

Hyejin glanced up at him, and he saw the exhaustion in her eyes—exhaustion from worrying, from pushing her own thoughts aside. But when she looked at him, her lips curved into a faint smile. "I know. It's just... hard."

He stepped closer, cupping her cheek softly, his thumb brushing the skin beneath her eyes. He smiled at her, the usual cockiness replaced by something softer. "You don't need to carry that weight alone, Hyejin."

She nodded, her hands still gripping the edge of the counter, as though grounding herself. "I'm just not... not used to letting myself worry about anyone. Especially not like this."

Minho could see the vulnerability in her eyes, but it was a quiet vulnerability—one that she rarely showed. "You don't have to keep it all in. If you need to say something, I'm here."

Her lips quirked into a brief smile, and she finally reached up, placing her hand over his. "Thank you," she said, her voice steady again. "I don't say it much, but I care about you. I just don't want anything to happen."

"I care about you too, Hyejin," Minho replied, his voice sincere. "And I'll be more careful. You have my word."

Hyejin took a deep breath, the tension in her shoulders easing. "Good. Because I can't have you doing something reckless again. Not after everything that happened."

Minho chuckled, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "You're right. I'll keep it together, I promise."

Hyejin smiled and, for the first time in what felt like forever, it wasn't forced. The corners of her mouth lifted, but the look in her eyes said more than words could. "I'm serious about the penthouse though. You don't have to—"