#blood korean drama | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

purplemountain · 4 days ago

Text

UNSPOKEN (말하지 않은)

genre: romance, slow-burn, fluff, angst, sexual tension, mutual pining

CHAPTER 7: Rain, Candy, and Curiosity

Caught in her own curiosity, Haein fumbles through embarrassment while Chaewoon remains calm and amused. But as the rain pours, so do the quiet revelations that bring them closer.

First, she let herself fall asleep in his arms and even tugged on his sleeve to stay. Second, she got caught staring at his face this morning. And now, third—she was literally caught digging up his background.

Back-to-back humiliations.

At this point, she might as well order him to shoot her on the spot.

Haein tried to compose herself, but her flushed cheeks and red ears were traitors, exposing her embarrassment completely.

And Chaewoon? He had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from chuckling.

“I was just curious,” she said, straightening her posture, trying to regain control of the situation. “You’re my bodyguard, after all. And I know nothing about you. It’s a simple background check.”

“I see,” he replied, his tone unreadable.

Silence.

The only sound was the soft clink of the coffee cup and plate as he placed them on the table.

Then—

“You could just ask me yourself, you know.”

Haein froze.

Her pride told her to just shut up and drop it. But her embarrassment had already hit rock bottom, so at this point—why not just go all in?

She took a deep breath and asked, bluntly—

“Then… is this your wife and daughter?”

Chaewoon raised a brow. Instead of answering, he tilted his head slightly and asked back, “Is the information relevant to my job?”

His tone wasn’t cold. If anything, it sounded mildly amused.

And she hated that—because damn it, he was right. Whether he had a family or not had nothing to do with his work.

“…It’s not,” she admitted, her voice barely above a mumble.

And then—to her horror—her mouth pursed slightly in defeat. She quickly looked down, embarrassment taking over her.

“I apologize for looking into your personal information,” she added, her fingers subtly curling into her palm. “You can go now.” She said in the most nonchalant tone she can muster.

For a moment, she thought he’d just leave. But instead—

He smiled.

Then, to her surprise, he kneeled down to meet her gaze.

Haein’s breath hitched.

“Yes, the woman and the little girl in the photo are my family,” he said calmly. “But they’re not my wife and daughter. That’s my older sister and my niece. They live abroad. I was tagged in that photo because I took it. If you had looked at the caption, you would’ve seen it says—”

He took out his phone and turned the screen to her.

“‘Thank you, Uncle Chaewoon.’”

Haein wanted to die on the spot.

She had been so shocked when she saw the photo that she completely missed the caption. And now? Now she was even more embarrassed that she had boldly assumed—right in front of him—that it was his wife and child.

Chaewoon, still crouched before her, continued smoothly—

“And to answer some of your other unspoken questions…”

Haein swallowed.

Oh god. He knew.

“No,” he said, “I don’t have a wife or a child of my own.”

Haein internally screamed.

“I’m also not in a romantic relationship with anyone, nor am I seeing someone.”

Her ears burned hotter.

“I’m guarding you 24/7, so I wouldn’t have time for that anyway.”

WHY WAS HE SAYING THIS SO CASUALLY?!

“As for my background,” he went on, “I was a soldier before. I quit for personal reasons and decided to use my skills elsewhere.”

Haein could barely process anything anymore.

“If you’re wondering why I can cook—”

She was wondering, but he didn’t need to say it out loud!

“—my mother taught me from a young age.”

Haein clenched her hands. Please stop talking.

“And lastly,” he said, tilting his head slightly, “don’t hesitate to ask me directly from now on.”

She inhaled sharply.

“I don’t mind it.” He gave her a knowing look.

Then—

“Did I answer most of your curiosity about me, Miss Haein?”

Haein could only stare.

Her pride was shattered. Her mind was blank.

And she could only think—

She was never living this down.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chaewoon had to actively stop himself from smiling.

He had seen many versions of Haein since becoming her bodyguard.

The cold Haein, sharp-tongued and dismissive. The composed Haein, perfectly put together in public. The frustrated Haein, sighing at her family during dinner. The exhausted Haein, asleep in her office.

But this Haein?

The one sitting before him, too embarrassed to look him in the eye after getting caught digging up his background?

This one was new. And he was thoroughly entertained.

It wasn’t just that she was embarrassed. It was that she had been so obvious about it.

The way she fumbled, the way she quickly changed the topic, the way she boldly asked if he had a wife and child—only to realize too late how ridiculous her assumption was.

And now?

Now she was sitting there, stunned into silence, her hands curled into small fists on her lap, her lips pursed like she was refusing to react.

She was obviously trying to will herself to disappear.

And for some reason, he found it… adorable.

He had expected her to dig into his background at some point. She was meticulous, after all. And she never trusted people easily.

But what he hadn’t expected was how much her curiosity about him would amuse him.

The fact that she actually sent him off to get coffee just so she could secretly look into him. The way she had stared at that photo of his sister and niece, brows furrowed in serious contemplation.

The way her entirebody froze when she realized he caught her.

And now—this silence.

He exhaled softly, shaking his head. He really shouldn’t be smiling right now. She’d probably throw something at his head. But he had to admit…

The thought of Haein sitting in her room, scrolling through his files with that same little furrow in her brow, trying to piece together who exactly he was—

It was strangely endearing. She wanted to know more about him. And that was something he hadn’t expected at all.

But he also knew, if she dug a little deeper, someday, somehow, starts knowing a little too much about who he really was, he wasn’t sure if he’d be ready for that day. A part of him hoped it would never come.

He decided to clear off his thoughts, burying it deep in the corners of his mind.

Chaewoon leaned back slightly, watching her closely.

“Well?” he said, raising a brow. “Did that answer everything you wanted to know?”

Haein finally snapped out of her frozen state, looking almost offended by the question.

“…Shut up,” she muttered, taking a sip of her coffee—clearly just trying to do something to avoid responding.

Chaewoon smirked.

So she’s still embarrassed.

He let out a quiet chuckle, deciding—for once—to let her off the hook.

For now.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The wind shifted, carrying with it the scent of incoming rain. The rustling leaves whispered a quiet warning, and the clouds above darkened to gray.

Haein was still seated in the garden, very aware of Chaewoon’s presence beside her. She was still trying to recover from her earlier embarrassment, keeping her composure as if she hadn’t just spent the last ten minutes being flustered beyond belief.

Meanwhile, Chaewoon was doing his best to suppress a smile.

The way she kept shifting slightly in her seat, how she avoided his gaze yet kept sneaking glances when she thought he wouldn’t notice—it was all too endearing.

The first raindrop landed soundlessly on the table. Then another.

Before she could fully process it, Chaewoon had already moved.

In one smooth motion, he stood up, unfolded the blanket from earlier, and draped it over her head, shielding her from the rain.

Haein looked up, startled. “What—”

“We should head inside now,” he said simply, his deep voice calm and steady. “It’s about to rain.”

And just as the words left his lips, the sky opened up. The drizzle turned into a downpour in seconds.

Chaewoon didn’t even flinch as the rain hit his shoulders, dampening his clothes. Instead, he adjusted the blanket over her more securely, making sure she wouldn’t get wet.

Haein, still frozen in place, blinked up at him.

Something about the way he did it so naturally—without hesitation, without even thinking twice—made her chest tighten just a little.

She lowered her gaze, gripping the edges of the blanket. “…Okay.” Chaewoon nodded. “Let’s go.”

And just like that, he walked beside her, shielding her from the rain all the way back inside.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It had been raining all afternoon.

The sky was a deep shade of gray, the steady rhythm of raindrops tapping against the windows of the mansion. Haein was in the living room, curled up on the couch with her laptop, trying to work—but her eyes kept wandering to the garden outside.

Chaewoon noticed, of course.

“You can’t go out in this weather,” he said from his usual spot near the door, arms crossed.

“I wasn’t planning to,” she said, a little too quickly.

He raised an eyebrow. She ignored him.

But ten minutes later, she was standing by the glass doors, watching the rain with that same distant look in her eyes.

Chaewoon sighed. He disappeared for a moment, and when he came back, he was holding a blanket. “Here,” he said simply, draping it over her shoulders.

He then reached for something in his pocket and handed it to her. A small packet of honey candies.

She frowned, confused. “What’s this for?”

“You always take one when you’re stressed,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Haein stared at the candies in her palm. She had never once told him that.

Yet, somehow… he knew.

Her fingers curled around them slowly.

Chaewoon was already stepping back to his usual place, acting like this—this warmth, this quiet attentiveness—was just part of his job.

But Haein knew better.

She didn’t say thank you.

She just unwrapped a candy and popped it into her mouth, letting the subtle sweetness melt on her tongue. Then, ever so slightly, she pulled the blanket tighter around herself.

Chaewoon glanced at her.

And in that moment, she knew he understood.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Oh, by the way, you don’t have to accompany me all day when I’m on a day off. I’ll just be here in the house anyway.”

“It’s all right. When I found out you’re having a day off, I was already here in your living room. And I figured I’d just stay in case you needed me for anything.”

Haein bit her lip. She kind of felt bad. Because of her hasty decision, Chaewoon had to spend a boring day with her in this house—wait, did she just feel bad?? Haein?? Feeling bad?? Haein could honestly care less about the people around her. And he was her bodyguard, for god’s sake. He was just doing his job.

But then again, she could’ve just dismissed him earlier, told him he could take the day off.

But then again, why didn’t she?

Perhaps, something inside her wanted him to stay. Maybe she had gotten too used to his presence that she no longer minded him being around.

And it was getting ridiculous.

“I think I’ll just be resting inside my room for the rest of the day. You can go home now… if you’d like.”

Haein wanted to smack her forehead. Why did I say it like that?

She could’ve just told him he was dismissed. But no. She left the decision up to him. As if she wasn’t the one with authority here. As if… she was hoping he wouldn’t actually leave.

And the worst part? She was waiting for his answer.

Chaewoon, of course, knew exactly what was going on.

“If you’re leaving the decision to me,” he said, voice steady, “then I would like to stay.”

Ridiculous.

Her fingers twitched. She quickly busied herself by reaching for her coffee, masking whatever was going on inside her. Fine. If he wanted to stay, that was his choice.

“Don’t you have any hobbies?” she blurted out.

Chaewoon raised an eyebrow.

Haein internally cringed. Why did that sound so weird?

She quickly tried to fix it. “Sorry, what I meant was—”

But before she could even finish, Chaewoon let out a low chuckle.

Haein swore her ears were heating up again.

Why was he chuckling?

“Yes, I do have some hobbies,” he answered, still amused. “One of them is cycling. But I can’t really do that right now because of the weather.”

“Oh.”

There was a brief pause.

Haein wanted to say something else—maybe something that would end this ridiculous conversation—but before she could, she caught the way Chaewoon glanced at her.

Like he knew.

And the truth was—he did.

Chaewoon could’ve used this time to report back to his boss. Or gather more information about the chairman. He had plenty of things to do.

But instead, he chose to stay.

Even if it meant just standing outside her room all day.

< Chapter 6 Chapter 8 >

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hi!! thank you to those who are still reading this >< this chapter feels a little shorter than how I normally do chapters but I think this is better so it's less boring for the readers?? idk honestly afsghdjgfgdhs

might also be a little slow on updates starting tomorrow since I'm going to get a little busy right now irl :')

I also have upcoming stories I want to upload! ju jihoon is still the male lead of course😂

see you next chapter!!

taglist: @lvnat1c @strangerinthesecretforest <3

#fanfiction #fanfics #kdrama #ju ji hoon #juji #woo chaewoon #blood free #주지훈 #kim ji won #hong haein #queen of tears #김지원 #kdrama lover #korean drama #kdrama ship #slow burn

25 notes · View notes

purplemountain · 5 days ago

Text

UNSPOKEN (말하지 않은)

genre: romance, slow-burn, fluff, angst, sexual tension, mutual pining

CHAPTER 6: Curiosities

After a quiet moment of care, Haein and Chaewoon start to see each other differently. What began as simple concern turns into something more, leaving them both with questions they didn’t expect to ask.

The car’s engine hummed as he drove through the quiet city streets. His fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel.

He should’ve left right after. That was the plan. That had always been the plan.

He kept reminding himself—You were only doing your job.

Get her home. Make sure she’s safe. Report back. That was it. That’s all this was.

But it wasn’t, was it?

His mind drifted back to the moment, just minutes earlier. The soft weight of her in his arms as he carried her to her bed. The way her hair fell over her face, the warmth of her breath brushing against his collar. He remembered kneeling down, tucking her in with practiced, detached care. And then—

That tug.

So faint. So subtle. Yet it hit him like a bullet.

Her fingers, curled into his sleeve. Her voice, soft and sleepy. “…Stay.”

Chaewoon’s jaw clenched at the memory.

She hadn’t even been fully conscious. Didn’t know what she was asking. It wasn’t intentional. But it didn’t matter. Because something in him had responded anyway. Something dangerous.

He had hesitated. For the first time in a long time, he had hesitated.

He wasn’t supposed to do that. He wasn’t just a bodyguard. He wasn’t just a driver. He was a spy. A watcher in the dark. And now, not only was he reporting the Chairman’s words and movements—but hers too.

Every time she spoke, every time she looked too tired, too sad, too human—he was supposed to observe it, and file it away like evidence. Every word, every glance, every crack in her voice—he was expected to report all of it. But lately, he found himself leaving most of it out. Especially the parts where she was vulnerable. The parts that made her feel real. The parts that made him feel something.

That half-asleep voice calling him back. Those fingers clutching his jacket like he was her last lifeline.

That instinct inside him that wanted to sit by her side a little longer.

He told himself again, This is just a job. But it didn’t land like it used to.

Because for the first time, he didn’t want to detach.

He hadn’t wanted to let go. And that terrified him more than anything else.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened as the streetlights passed overhead. He was in too deep.

And if he wasn’t careful, Haein wouldn’t be the only one left vulnerable.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hong Haein woke up feeling unusually well-rested. Which was strange, considering the last thing she remembered was reviewing reports in her office, fighting off sleep.

She sat up, blinking groggily. The familiar walls of her bedroom came into focus.

Wait.

Her room?

How—?

Her gaze shifted to the bedside table, where a neatly arranged breakfast tray sat next to a small packet of medicine.

And then she saw it.

A folded note.

She already knew who it was from before she even picked it up.

“Eat your breakfast. Drink your medicine.”

No greeting. No signature. Just straightforward and to the point—exactly how Woo Chaewoon always spoke to her.

Haein exhaled, a small, involuntary smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Typical.

But just as she reached for the cup of warm tea, a memory from the night before suddenly hit her.

—The feeling of strong arms lifting her.

—A quiet, steady presence beside her bed.

—The warmth of a jacket in her grasp.

—Her own voice, half-asleep, murmuring, “…Stay.”

Haein froze.

Oh. No.

Her stomach dropped as the realization sank in.

She slapped a hand over her face.

Please tell me that didn’t actually happen.

But it did.

And now she had to face him.

…Or, maybe she could just avoid him for the rest of the day. Possibly forever.

Yes. That sounded like a solid plan. Absolutely.

Haein had barely wrapped her mind around the idea of avoiding Chaewoon for the entire day when her phone buzzed.

Chaewoon: Are you awake?

She stared at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. She could ignore him. Pretend she was still asleep. But knowing him, he’d just find a way to confirm it himself.

With a sigh, she typed back.

Haein: Yes.

His reply was instant.

Chaewoon: May I come in for a second?

Her breath hitched.

What? Here? Now?

She sat frozen for a few seconds, completely flustered. She could shut him down coldly, tell him she didn’t need anything. That would be the logical thing to do. The easy thing.

And yet, she hesitated.

Before she could decide, there was a soft knock on the door.

“Ma’am?” His voice was calm but firm. “Are you alright?”

She pressed her lips together, gripping the blanket on her lap. If I don’t answer, maybe he’ll just leave—

“I’m coming in.”

Her eyes widened. “Wait—”

The door opened.

Chaewoon stepped inside, scanning the room, and when his eyes landed on her—very much unharmed, sitting in bed still wearing her office clothes from yesterday—his tense shoulders relaxed.

Haein narrowed her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

Instead of answering, he took a few steps forward, holding up a small container.

She blinked. “What is that?”

“Ointment.”

“For?”

He nodded toward her feet. She followed his gaze—only then noticing the faint scratches along the sides.

Haein frowned. She must’ve gotten them from walking around in heels all day yesterday inside and outside the company. She remembered him insisting she rest her feet for a while, but she stubbornly refused. No wonder her feet now looked like that. She hadn’t even realized.

“You didn’t notice,” Chaewoon observed, setting the container on the bedside table.

“It’s nothing,” she muttered. “I don’t need that.”

He looked at her for a second, then knelt beside the bed, opening the container.

“I can apply it myself,” she said quickly.

“Please let me.”

The words were simple, quiet. But something in the way he said them made her pause.

She could argue, tell him it was unnecessary. But instead, she found herself sighing as she stretched out one foot, just slightly.

Chaewoon took it as permission.

His hands were steady, his touch careful as he smoothed the ointment over her skin. It was efficient—clinical, almost. But the warmth of his fingers lingered, and for some reason, it made her stomach feel strangely unsettled.

She stared down at him, at the way he focused on his task with quiet precision.

“…Why are you doing this?” she asked, her voice softer than she intended.

“Because you don’t take care of yourself,” he said simply, not looking up.

Her lips parted slightly, caught off guard by the blunt honesty.

For once, she didn’t have a sharp retort.

She just watched him, heart beating a little too loudly in her chest.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haein hadn’t meant to stare.

She really hadn’t.

But as Chaewoon carefully applied the ointment, she found herself noticing things she had never paid attention to before.

The way his brows furrowed ever so slightly, a flicker of disapproval at the sight of her scratched-up feet. The way his long fingers worked with precision, careful yet firm. The way his eyes blinked, just a bit slower, every time she flinched at the cool sting of the ointment.

She knew he was handsome. Of course, she did. A little too handsome, honestly. But she had never really looked at him before. Not like this.

And now, for some reason, she was seeing his face as if for the first time.

The sharp angles softened by the warm glow of the morning light. The contrast of his dark lashes against his skin. The way his lips pressed together in quiet concentration.

It was… distracting.

Too distracting.

Haein caught herself before she could stare any longer. But it was already too late.

Because just as she snapped out of it, Chaewoon glanced up—

And caught her staring.

Their eyes met.

A brief, fleeting second stretched into something much longer, something heavier.

Her throat went dry.

Immediately, she looked away, clearing her throat as if that could erase the moment. “Thank you,” she said quickly, voice a little too firm. “You can go now.”

Chaewoon, as always, didn’t react much. He simply nodded, closing the container and standing up.

But as he walked toward the door, Haein was very aware of the fact that her heart was beating just a little too fast.

And that was the most annoying part of all.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chaewoon was a spy. A professional. He had been trained to detect the subtlest of changes, the smallest of shifts in energy.

So of course, he noticed.

He noticed the way Haein’s gaze lingered on him a little too long. The way her breathing changed ever so slightly when his fingers brushed against her skin. The way she was staring—really staring—as if she was seeing him for the first time.

And the most frustrating part?

He felt it.

A warmth creeping up the back of his neck. The sudden self-awareness of his own hands, his posture. A flicker of something unfamiliar curling in his stomach.

He had faced interrogation, surveillance, and the world’s most dangerous criminals without so much as blinking. He had never been intimidated by anyone.

But under her gaze, for the first time—

He felt… shy.

It was ridiculous.

He willed himself to focus, to keep his hands steady as he finished applying the ointment. But when he finally looked up and met her eyes, something in his chest dropped.

And then—just as quickly—she snapped her head to the side, clearing her throat, hastily dismissing him.

Chaewoon almost—almost—smiled.

She had lost her composure first. That was something, at least.

He stood, giving a brief nod before stepping out of her room.

The moment the door shut behind him, he exhaled sharply. His pulse was annoyingly unsteady. His ears felt oddly warm.

He headed straight for the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water, and downed it in one go. Then, setting the glass down, he wiped a hand over his forehead.

What the hell was that?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haein wanted to bury herself alive.

She had barely survived that embarrassing encounter with Chaewoon, and now, all she wanted to do was crawl back under the covers and pretend it never happened.

But then—

A familiar scent drifted toward her.

She blinked, glancing at the bedside table. Oh. Right. Breakfast.

Fine. She’d eat first. Then continue moping.

She picked up her spoon and took a bite.

…And immediately paused.

Something was different.

She took another bite, slower this time.

The taste was—better than usual. Which was strange, because their family chef was already excellent. But this? This had a warmth to it. A personal touch.

Had Chaewoon ordered it from somewhere?

She needed to know.

Still half-lost in her hunger thoughts, she grabbed her phone and sent a text.

Haein: Where did you get this breakfast?

It didn’t take long for him to reply.

Chaewoon: I made it.

Haein froze mid-chew.

He… cooked it?

She stared at the screen, then back at her food. Then back at the screen.

Woo Chaewoon—the man who barely spoke, who always had that unreadable expression, who moved like a human shadow—could cook?

Her curiosity flared, completely uninvited.

Since when? Where did he learn? Why is he good?

And then, a far more dangerous thought entered her mind.

Does he have a family?

She had never even considered it before. When he was first assigned to her, she had been too annoyed, too disinterested to care about his personal life. But now…

He was older than her. Ten years older.

Does he have a wife?

A girlfriend?

The idea of Chaewoon coming home to someone—someone waiting for him, cooking for him the way he cooked for her—made something twist uncomfortably in her chest.

Haein immediately shut the thought down.

She was being ridiculous.

She stabbed at her food, scowling.

She didn’t care.

…But somehow, she had to know.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chaewoon knew Haein had taken the day off. It was a sudden decision early that morning when she sent a quick text to her assistant, her personal driver, and him.

And he was already outside her room when he received the text, ointment in hand. He had to give it to her or atleast make sure she uses it. It was the only reason he had asked to come into her room earlier.

She was a workaholic—someone who rarely, if ever, took a break—so it had crossed his mind to wonder why. But at the same time, he was relieved. At least she knew how to rest.

Now, his job was simple. Stay close. Be there if she needed anything.

It was a quiet morning, until his phone buzzed. A text from Haein.

Haein: Where did you get this breakfast?

He blinked. His first thought: Is something wrong with it?

Chaewoon: I made it.

No reply.

A small crease formed between his brows.

Did she not like it? Did it taste bad?

He had made it without much thought, just going about his usual routine. And yet, now that she was actually eating it, he found himself oddly self-conscious.

Maybe he should have just let the family chef cook for her. Maybe—

His phone buzzed again. His eyes immediately darting to her text.

Haein: Thanks. I like it.

Chaewoon exhaled, a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

And before he could stop himself—

He smiled.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haein couldn’t stop thinking about it.

It was annoying.

How come she knew next to nothing about her own bodyguard?

Other than the obvious—tall, quiet, handsome, surprisingly good at cooking, and annoyingly considerate—she knew nothing.

She considered asking her grandfather, but immediately scrapped the idea. Knowing him, he’d probably bring it up to Chaewoon directly, and there was no way she was dealing with that level of embarrassment.

So instead, she pulled out her phone and messaged her secretary.

Haein: Give me anything you can find on Woo Chaewoon.

Secretary: Your bodyguard?

Haein: Yes.

Secretary: Shouldn’t you already know about him since he’s, you know… your bodyguard?

Haein: I wouldn’t be asking you if I did.

Her secretary, to their credit, didn’t ask any more questions.

Now all she had to do was wait. But sitting still wasn’t an option.

Maybe—just maybe—she could get some information out of him herself.

Casually. Subtly. Completely normal conversation.

She grabbed her laptop (so it looked like she was working) and stepped out into the garden. Where, as expected, Chaewoon was already positioned a few steps away, arms crossed, watching the surroundings.

She took a deep breath, calming the ridiculous nervous energy in her chest.

Alright, Woo Chaewoon. Let’s see what I can find out about you.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haein had a plan. Casually strike up a conversation with Chaewoon. You know, just to get a little information out of him. She was just a little curious after all. Just a little.

But it was easier said than done.

She tried forming natural conversation starters in her head, but it’s been 20 minutes since she went outside her room and pretended to look busy with her laptop in the garden.

Maybe she’d just wait whatever her secretary found out about him after all.

And then, a notification popped up on her laptop.

Finally.

Her secretary had sent a file and some links.

Nice.

But she couldn’t open them. Not yet. Not when Chaewoon was right there, just a few steps behind her.

Sure, he was far enough that he wouldn’t be able to read her screen, but still—she couldn’t risk it. She needed him gone, just for a few minutes.

So, in the most nonchalant voice she could muster, she said, “Can you bring me coffee? And maybe a few snacks.” She never ordered him around for simple things like this. But desperate times called for desperate measures.

Chaewoon glanced at her, tilting his head slightly—almost as if questioning the odd request—but he nodded and left without a word.

As soon as he was gone, she opened everything.

First, the basics.

Birthday: December 10.

“Oh,” she murmured. “That’s in a few weeks.”

Then—

Military background. Marine Corps. 707th Special Mission Group.

Her brows lifted. A soldier? A high-ranking one, actually.

“How did he end up as a bodyguard?” she muttered to herself.

Unfortunately, there was nothing about his family. But—

A link to a social media profile. She clicked on it.

As expected, no posts. Not even a profile picture. Clearly just for business or minimal communication.

But then—

Tagged posts.

Bingo.

Most of them were group photos from training and work. Nothing too interesting.

Until—

Her eyes landed on one particular photo.

A woman. And a child.

Her fingers froze on the trackpad.

His wife? His daughter?

Her mind raced.

Before she could process the thought, someone cleared their throat.

Right behind her.

Shit.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Chaewoon first saw Haein step out of her room, he nearly did a double take.

Gone were the usual luxury clothes, the perfectly styled hair, and the sharp, intimidating makeup. Instead, she was in cozy attire—loose, comfortable clothes, her hair casually falling over her shoulders, her face bare of any enhancements.

It wasn’t a sight he was used to.

And oddly enough… he found her even prettier like this.

Of course, he already knew she was beautiful. He had met plenty of beautiful women in his life. But without any bias, he could say with certainty—Hong Haein was probably the most beautiful of all.

That thought alone made him mentally slap himself. What the hell am I thinking?

He quickly focused back on his job.

She was working, of course. Even on her day off. But something was different. She was restless. She kept glancing at her phone. Checking her laptop inbox. Again, and again.

She’s waiting for something, he concluded.

Then—

“Can you bring me coffee? And maybe a few snacks?”

That made him pause. It wasn’t strange, exactly. But she had never asked him to do something so trivial before.

Had she finally warmed up to him? Enough to start giving him simple errands?

Without questioning it, he nodded and left. But when he returned—

He found her eyes glued to her laptop. And on her screen, his background information. He immediately understood.

So that’s what she was waiting for.

Amusement flickered in his eyes as he watched her scroll, intensely focused.

Then, when she landed on the photo—the one with the woman and the little girl—he noticed it.

Her brows furrowed.

The same way they always did when she was too focused… or irritated.

And she stared at it for a little too long.

Chaewoon couldn’t help but smile. He shook his head lightly.

Is this why she suddenly sent me to get snacks?

Somehow, he found it… oddly cute.

Finally, deciding to put an end to her “research,” he cleared his throat.

And immediately, she froze in place.

If he had less self-control, he would’ve teased her about it. Or maybe let out a chuckle.

But if he wanted to keep his head intact, it was probably best not to.

< Chapter 5 Chapter 7 >

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay!! My favorite part was actually supposed to be included here in this chapter but I realized it was getting too long so I had to cut it into two parts >< working on Chapter 7 right now!! This is where I was actually cheesing the entire time I was writing this story.

taglist: @lvnat1c @strangerinthesecretforest <3

#fanfiction #fanfics #kdrama #ju ji hoon #juji #woo chaewoon #blood free #주지훈 #kim ji won #hong haein #queen of tears #김지원 #kdrama lover #korean drama #kdrama ship #slow burn

19 notes · View notes