(For full dramatic effects listening to Maroon by Taylor Swift is recommended 😍)
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It was the smell of toasted bread and lemon butter that woke her.
Not the brush of lips on her temple.
Not the scent of Minho's cologne.
Not the soft rustle of a tailored suit jacket.
He was already gone.
Hyejin blinked against the morning light, the bed far too cold on his side, the sheets already reset with sharp military precision. No lazy arm reaching over her. No sleepy mumble of "five more minutes, baby."
Just... emptiness.
She sat up slowly, frowning. Reached instinctively for her phone.
No texts.
No calls.
Her chest tightened, not in full panic, but in that quiet, unsettled way. The kind of tension that didn't scream yet — just watched.
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When she finally dragged herself into the kitchen, still in his oversized hoodie and socks with tiny strawberries on them, she found the note.
Stuck to the fridge.
Written in Minho's annoyingly neat handwriting with one of his stupid CEO fountain pens.
"Had to run early — big exec meeting.
Made you lemon-ricotta toast (please don't ask me what ricotta is again, its literally JUST fancy cottage cheese)
Fridge has cold brew, oven's on low.
Love you, Head Chef Hottie 🍳💋
— Your Favorite Alarm Clock (...who forgot to ring)"
Hyejin stood there for a long second, arms folded, heart caught between fondness and concern.
It was so like him — to still think of her while forgetting to say goodbye.
But that wasn't what bothered her.
What bothered her was... this was the third time this week.
Three mornings of silence. Three mornings where he left earlier than usual, quiet as a shadow, smiling less and thinking more.
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Work, as always, didn't wait.
Her restaurant — a warm-lit space with open counters and tiled blue walls — was already alive with clattering pans, the hiss of oil, the bark of line chefs prepping all the ingredients.
"Chef-nim, table four wants gluten-free again."
"Chef, the scallops are delayed."
"Hyejin-ssi, the magazine called — they want an interview for the Michelin shortlist."
Everything was happening. Everything always happened.
But Minho didn't reply to her message.
Or her second one.
Or her third, which simply read:
"Did you eat?"
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She was plating citrus-poached salmon when her phone finally rang
Not from Minho.
From Jisung — Minho's COO, his good friend.
He never called unless something had gone wrong.
"Hey, Hyejin," his voice was quiet, too soft. "Don't panic — hyung's okay. He's just... not okay."
Her fingers froze on the rim of the plate.
"Tell me."
"He locked himself in the top floor boardroom after the shareholder call. Wouldn't come out. Barely said a word. They're pulling funding for the Nova series — the launch flopped, stocks dipped, and now the board wants a restructure."
Hyejin gripped the edge of the counter.
"And he didn't tell me."
Jisung sighed. "You know how he gets when he thinks he has to protect everyone."
She closed her eyes.
Of course she knew.
Minho didn't fall apart in flames — he imploded. Quietly. Neatly. Tragically.
"I'll come by the office."
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Perfection || Lee Know
FanfictionHe was her first rival, her first love-and the first to walk away. Now, he's her boss, and she's the last person he wants in his kitchen. But old habits die hard... and so do old feelings. ‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡🪐༘⋆ Yoon Hyejin, constantly overshadowed by her hig...
