Chasing Perfection || Lee Know

Yes, Chef

After breakfast chaos and sticky syrup kisses, they ended up on the couch—Hyejin curled into Minho's side, legs tucked over his lap, his arm draped around her like a safety belt.

The kittens, of course, had claimed their territory. Doongie lay like a loaf on the top edge of the couch. Soonie was snuggled against Minho's chest like he paid rent. Dori had wormed his way between their legs, his tiny snores rising in rhythm with the low music still playing from the kitchen speaker.

It was quiet now, the house humming with the peaceful laziness of a slow, sunny afternoon.

Hyejin traced absent circles on Minho's hoodie sleeve, eyes fixed on the muted TV.

He noticed.

"You're thinking too loud," he murmured, kissing her temple.

Hyejin laughed softly but didn't meet his eyes right away. "Minho?"

"Mmm?"

"You still want me to be your private chef, right?"

He turned, eyebrows raising. "Where is this going?"

She hesitated, then sat up slightly, tugging her hair over one shoulder. "I got a call yesterday. Some woman who's opening a luxury hotel in Seoul. Hwang Soojeong, y'know the culinary director behind the hotel chain Maison Raé. She said she attended one of your events—the one I catered—and heard a lot about me through your coworkers." A pause. "She offered me a job."

Minho blinked.

"As the head chef."

His mouth parted slightly, the silence stretching just enough to make Hyejin's stomach tighten.

She rushed to fill it. "It's not a big deal! I mean—I told her I'd think about it, but it's fine, I was just curious what you'd think, but I'll say no, obviously—"

"Are you insane?"

She froze.

Minho sat up straighter, eyebrows shooting up. "Why would you say no?!"

"You didn't say anything at first—"

"Because I was trying to process the fact that the love of my life got offered a literal head chef position and didn't immediately say yes?? Hyejin, hello?"

Her mouth fell open, blinking fast. "Wait. So you're not mad?"

"Why would I be mad?" He huffed, cradling her face in both hands. "You think I'd ever hold you back from something this amazing?"

"I just... didn't want you to think I was leaving, or that I was putting my career before—"

He groaned. "Okay, stop. First of all, you don't need my permission. This is your life. Second, I'm not going anywhere, and I know you're not either. And third—if you don't take that job, I'm reporting you to feminist Twitter."

She laughed, head tipping forward into his chest, warmth blooming all over her cheeks.

Minho wrapped his arms around her again, softer now, chin resting on top of her head. "Seriously, Jinnie. I want you to take it. You've earned this. And if you're nervous, we'll figure it out together. But don't you ever brush something this big off like it's nothing."

"I was scared."

"I know." He kissed her hair. "But now you've got me. And SoonDoongDori."

She sniffled a laugh into his hoodie. "They don't care about my job."

"They care about breakfast. And you. So yeah, they do."

She peeked up at him, and Minho leaned down to kiss her, slow and sweet and filled with a kind of steady reassurance only he could give.