Chapter 8: The Sound Of Rain And Heartbeat

Trauma Code: A Hero in Love

genre: workplace romance, comedy, mutual pinning, slow-burn, banter, suggestive

1.2 Side Effects May Include...

Dr. Baek Kanghyuk was nothing if not a professional. He prided himself on his ability to stay focused, composed, and entirely unaffected by trivial matters.

But trivial matters apparently included Dr. Song Hye Joo.

And certain people were starting to notice.

“Dr. Baek,” Nurse Jang Mi called out sweetly, leaning against the nurse’s station with a knowing smile. “You seem awfully interested in Dr. Song’s patient chart. Should I be concerned?”

Kanghyuk, who had not been interested in the chart but rather in the way Hye Joo was speaking to a patient across the room, turned to her with a blank expression. “What are you talking about?”

“She’s talking about how you’ve been watching Dr. Song like she’s a rare specimen under observation,” Dr. Yang Jae Won chimed in, sliding into the conversation with a teasing grin.

Kanghyuk exhaled sharply. “I was simply making sure everything was running smoothly.”

“Uh-huh.” Jae Won crossed his arms. “So what about last night? When you—for the first time in history—decided to personally restock the supply closet while Dr. Song was in there doing inventory?”

Jang Mi gasped dramatically. “Wait, you did that? I thought we had a ghost helper or something!”

Kanghyuk pressed his lips into a firm line. “You two clearly have too much free time.”

“Oh, don’t worry. We make time for important discoveries,” Jang Mi said, smirking. “Like uncovering the fact that our very own Dr. Baek has a soft spot for a certain new doctor~.”

Jae Won leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. “It’s kind of cute, actually. Seeing you all… human for once.”

Kanghyuk shot them both a flat look. “You’re both mistaken.”

Jang Mi feigned disappointment. “Oh, that’s a shame. We were going to be supportive of your little crush, but if you insist—”

“—Then I insist you both take double shifts tomorrow.”

Silence.

Jang Mi’s jaw dropped. “Wait—what?”

Jae Won let out an exaggerated sigh. “Come on, doc. No need to be so defensive.”

Kanghyuk gave them both a slow, satisfied nod. “Consider it an opportunity to focus on actual work instead of pointless gossip.”

Jang Mi groaned, throwing her head back. “This is so unfair. Dr. Song gets a free pass just for existing while we get double shifts?”

Jae Won patted her shoulder solemnly. “It’s the price we pay for seeking the truth.”

Before either of them could argue further, Kanghyuk turned on his heel and walked off, heading toward his next patient. But not before catching a glimpse of Dr. Song Hye Joo in his peripheral vision—focused, determined, a soft furrow in her brow as she reviewed a case file.

He looked away quickly.

Not because he was flustered. Definitely not.

But because the last thing he needed was more ammunition for those two troublemakers.

Unfortunately, Jang Mi still called after him with a singsong voice as Jae Won giggled beside her. “Goodnight, Dr. Baek~! Don’t dream about Dr. Song too much!”

Kanghyuk sighed. He was going to make sure their double shifts were extra exhausting.

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Trauma Code: A Hero in Love - Chapter List

💧

HAN HYO-JOO as Yun Ja-yu JU JI-HOON as Woo Chae-woon BLOOD FREE 지배종 (dir. Park Chul-hwan)

Along With The Gods: The Two Worlds (2017-8)

Haewonmak & Deokchun doing high fives

w/ Haewonmak being a protective uncle

Trauma Code: A Hero in Love

genre: workplace romance, comedy, mutual pinning, slow-burn, banter, suggestive

1.3 Cardiac Complications

Dr. Baek Kanghyuk had faced countless medical emergencies. Gunshot wounds, collapsed lungs, cardiac arrests—he had handled them all with precision and composure.

But nothing, nothing, had prepared him for Dr. Song Hye Joo standing a little too close to him.

It wasn’t intentional. She was just trying to get a better look at the patient’s chart he was holding. But when she leaned in, her shoulder lightly brushing against his arm, Kanghyuk felt his entire body lock up.

It was ridiculous. He wasn’t some inexperienced intern. He was a seasoned doctor. This was normal human interaction. And yet—

“Dr. Baek?” Hye Joo’s voice was soft, her breath faintly hitting the side of his neck.

Kanghyuk cleared his throat, hyper-aware of how close she was. “…Yes?”

She pointed at the chart, completely unaware of his internal crisis. “I think the dosage here should be adjusted slightly. The patient’s vitals indicate they might not tolerate the standard amount.”

He barely processed her words. For some reason, all he could focus on was how near she was. How he could catch the subtle scent of her shampoo—something light and clean.

When he didn’t immediately respond, Hye Joo tilted her head up to look at him. “Dr. Baek?”

Kanghyuk exhaled through his nose. Pull yourself together.

“Yes. You’re right,” he said, his voice far too stiff. “Good observation.”

Then, with all the grace of a malfunctioning robot, he took a deliberate step back.

A little too quickly.

His hip collided with the edge of the counter, making a loud thud.

Hye Joo blinked. “…You okay?”

“I’m fine,” he said immediately, standing straighter, pretending like nothing had happened.

But across the room, Dr. Yang Jae Won and Nurse Jang Mi were watching everything unfold.

And they were barely holding it together.

Jang Mi had her hand clamped over her mouth, her shoulders shaking as she tried to suppress her laughter. Jae Won, meanwhile, looked like he was about to combust with glee.

Kanghyuk shot them both a warning glare, but it only made them laugh harder.

“He backed into the counter—” Jang Mi wheezed.

“Because he panicked—” Jae Won added, tears in his eyes.

Kanghyuk ignored them and turned back to Hye Joo, trying to salvage whatever was left of his dignity. “Make the adjustment to the dosage. I’ll review it later.”

Hye Joo, completely oblivious to his suffering, simply nodded. “Of course.”

And with that, she walked away, leaving Kanghyuk to deal with the aftermath of his humiliation.

Jae Won leaned in, smirking. “So, doc… Should we call an ambulance? You seem to be having some cardiac complications.”

Jang Mi wiped away a fake tear. “He’s so strong in the ER but almost passed out from mild physical contact. Amazing.”

Kanghyuk exhaled sharply. “Triple shifts. Both of you.”

Their laughter immediately died.

“Wait, what?!” Jang Mi gasped.

Jae Won groaned. “Come on, man. You can’t keep punishing us for observing.”

Kanghyuk adjusted his coat, regaining his usual calm exterior. “Consider it a test of endurance.”

And with that, he walked off—this time making sure to not back into anything.

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Trauma Code: A Hero in Love - Chapter List

Inception & Deja Vu (parallels🖤)

I know you get deja vu 🥀

THIS IS NOT A STUDY POST

Your honor, I'm officially in love with Ju Ji Hoon and his characters TT

I mean, how can you not fall for the man T-T

Oh my godddddddd Ju Jihoon. Imagine existing with a face like that. Yes even his little eye, it is so charming, fuck me uppppppppppp

The Trouble with Admitting Things

Baek Kang-hyuk x Reader

Genre: Fluff, Humor, Light Slow Burn

Warnings: Mild teasing, secondhand embarrassment

Word Count: ~6,500

Synopsis: After a grueling shift, you accidentally admit to admiring Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk—big mistake. He seizes every chance to tease you, turning your embarrassment into daily entertainment. But when the teasing gives way to unexpected sincerity, you realize admiration might not be so one-sided after all.

You should have known better than to let your guard down around Baek Kang-hyuk.

Especially not when you were running on fumes, too exhausted to keep up your usual defenses.

It had been a brutal shift at the trauma center—back-to-back emergencies, rushed procedures, and a never-ending stream of critical cases. The air had been thick with tension, every second spent making life-or-death decisions. But despite the chaos, the team had worked together like a well-oiled machine, with Kang-hyuk at the helm, cool-headed and sharp as ever.

And now? Now you were all slumped in the break room, desperately clinging to the last ounces of energy in your bodies.

The scent of instant coffee mixed with antiseptic filled the air, and you nursed your mug as if it held the key to your survival. Across from you, Dr. Park Gyeong-won sighed dramatically, rubbing his temples.

“I think I lost about five years of my life in that last hour.”

Jang-mi, one of the trauma nurses, groaned. “Forget years, I think my soul left my body when that last code was called.”

There was a chorus of agreement.

And that was when your sleep-deprived brain betrayed you.

“Honestly,” you muttered, stretching your sore neck, “if it weren’t for Dr. Baek, half of us wouldn’t have made it through that shift.”

The moment the words left your mouth, the room fell eerily silent.

You blinked, sluggishly registering the amused looks being exchanged.

Gyeong-won raised an eyebrow, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “Oh? Is that admiration I hear?”

Jang-mi, who had just taken a sip of tea, nearly choked. She slammed her cup down, eyes wide with exaggerated shock. “Wait, wait—our Dr. Baek?” Her gaze snapped to Kang-hyuk, who was leaning against the counter, watching the scene unfold with an infuriatingly smug expression.

“Did you hear that?” she gasped.

Dr. Yang Jae-won, who had been lazily sprawled in his chair, perked up. “Wow, (Y/N). That’s high praise coming from you.” He smirked. “You usually just call him an insufferable ass.”

Your stomach dropped. Oh, no.

“I meant professionally,” you blurted, suddenly very aware of how hot your face felt.

Kang-hyuk chuckled, arms crossed, his smirk widening. “Professionally, huh?”

You shot him a glare, but he was enjoying this way too much.

Unfortunately, so was everyone else.

“Oh, don’t backtrack now,” Jang-mi teased, practically vibrating with excitement. “We all heard it.”

Gyeong-won leaned forward, chin resting on his hand. “So, tell us, (Y/N). What exactly do you admire about Dr. Baek?”

You swore you felt your soul leave your body. “Can we not—”

Jae-won smirked. “Is it his surgical skills? His confidence? His broad shoulders?”

Jang-mi gasped. “His hands, maybe?”

“Oh my God, stop—”

“Or is it,” Kang-hyuk drawled, tilting his head, “my charming personality?”

Your entire face went up in flames.

Kang-hyuk took a slow step closer, voice rich with amusement. “Why are you blushing?”

“I am not—”

“Are you embarrassed?”

“No—”

“You are.”

“I swear to—”

Jang-mi gasped again, dramatic as ever. “Oh no. What if it’s actually his hands?”

Gyeong-won feigned deep thought. “It’s the hands, isn’t it?”

“I HATE ALL OF YOU.”

Kang-hyuk grinned, full-on thriving in your misery. “So, (Y/N),” he mused, “do you admire my hands?”

You considered throwing your coffee at him.

The problem with Baek Kang-hyuk was that he never let things go.

Ever.

For the next week, he found every opportunity to remind you of your unfortunate slip-up.

During morning rounds: “(Y/N), you seem distracted. Thinking about my hands again?”

During surgery: “You’re staring. I get it. My technique is admirable.”

Even in the middle of a high-stakes procedure: “Focus, (Y/N). Just pretend it’s me guiding you with my admirable skills.”

It was relentless. And the worst part? Everyone else was in on it.

Jang-mi started taking exaggerated notes whenever Kang-hyuk spoke, dramatically whispering, “Such admiration,” under her breath.

Jae-won? He would randomly sigh in the middle of conversations and lament, “If only someone admired me the way (Y/N) admires Dr. Baek.”

Even Park Gyeong-won, who was usually the most mature of the bunch, just smirked whenever you shot him a pleading look.

You were never going to live this down.

The tipping point came when Kang-hyuk—absolute menace that he was—walked into the break room while you were alone, arms crossed, looking far too amused.

“You know,” he started conversationally, “I’ve been thinking.”

“Oh no.”

He ignored you. “Since you admire me so much, maybe I should return the favor.”

You groaned. “Please don’t.”

“But there’s just so much to admire,” he continued dramatically. “Your sharp tongue, your ability to withstand my teasing—”

You threw a napkin at him. He dodged easily.

“See?” he grinned. “That resilience. Very admirable.”

You contemplated homicide.

It all came to a head late one night.

You were in the on-call room, exhausted, head resting against the back of the couch. The door creaked open, but you didn’t bother looking up.

“If this is about my admiration comment,” you grumbled, “I am going to scream.”

A chuckle. “Relax. It’s just me.”

You cracked one eye open to see Kang-hyuk standing by the door, hands in his pockets. He looked… different. Less teasing. More thoughtful.

You frowned. “What?”

He hesitated before stepping inside, closing the door behind him.

“Listen,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “I know I’ve been messing with you a lot, but…” He exhaled, looking almost—shy? “It actually meant something.”

Your breath caught. “What?”

“What you said.” His voice was quieter now. “That you admired me.”

You swallowed, suddenly unsure where this was going.

He let out a small, self-deprecating chuckle. “I don’t really hear that a lot. Not from people who—” He trailed off before shaking his head. “Anyway. It was nice. Coming from you.”

Your heart did something funny in your chest.

“You admire me?” you repeated dumbly.

His lips quirked. “Someone who keeps me on my toes? Someone I—” He paused before smirking, voice dropping to something softer. “—also admire.”

Your brain short-circuited.

“I—what—”

He chuckled, stepping closer. “Relax, (Y/N). It’s just admiration.”

Your face burned. “You’re the worst.”

“I know.” His grin widened. “But at least now we’re even.”

You groaned, burying your face in your hands.

Baek Kang-hyuk just laughed.

I’ve got a Yang Jae-won fic cooking in my drafts… should I??? 👀👀👀

taglist: perm @missroro @study-with-reine234

UNSPOKEN (말하지 않은)

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

Chapter 4: In His Care

Chaewoon’s protective instincts toward Haein become more apparent as he observes her every move with quiet care. His subtle gestures and watchful presence reveal a side of him that Haein begins to notice—one that goes beyond his role as a bodyguard.

It had been a week since Chaewoon became Haein’s bodyguard, and in that time, he’d already learned to read her like an open book. Watching her through the glass walls of her office, he could tell just by the way she furrowed her brows and gripped the paper tighter—something was bothering her.

Five, four, three, two, one... he counted in his head.

As expected, Haein’s sharp voice rang out, “What happened to decorating the personal shopper room like a gallery? The artist’s reputation and colors don’t suit the interior design.”

Chaewoon couldn’t help but smile. Yelling and glaring like that, she looks so mean.

But then, just as quickly, her expression shifted, a satisfied smile curling on her lips as she flipped to the next page. “Yes, this is what I was talking about.”

She looks excited, Chaewoon thought, still watching her every move.

The annoyed Haein from moments ago was gone, replaced by a woman pleased with what she saw. And just as Haein’s lips slightly curled up, Chaewoon’s own little smile started to falter. For a moment, time slowed down, and for some reason, he could not look away at her smiling face.

He cleared his throat, forcing himself to look away and stare blankly at the opposite wall, as if that would shake the strange, unsettling feeling that had taken hold of him.

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HAEIN'S POV

Hong Haein wasn’t used to people caring about her—not in the way Woo Chaewoon did.

Not that she would ever admit it.

But for a while now, she had stopped trying to shake him off. That didn’t mean she liked his presence, but she had accepted, begrudgingly, that he was annoyingly efficient at his job.

She just hadn’t expected him to be so… considerate.

1. The Elevator Incident

It started in the company lobby. Haein was walking ahead, clicking through emails on her phone, when the elevator doors opened. She stepped in without thinking.

Then, in a single swift motion, Chaewoon reached out, placed a firm hand on the small of her back, and pulled her back just as a man rushed out, nearly knocking into her.

She barely had time to react before she found herself standing inches from him, her back against his chest.

“Watch your step,” he murmured, his hand falling away the second the man passed.

Haein straightened, clearing her throat. “I had it under control.”

Chaewoon didn’t argue, simply stepping inside after her. “Of course, ma’am.”

She turned to glare at him, only to find the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.

Infuriating.

2. The Heels Problem

Later that day, she had back-to-back meetings, which meant strutting around the office in heels that looked good but felt like a medieval torture device.

By the time she stepped outside, her feet were killing her.

As they reached the car, Chaewoon—without a word—opened the door for her, then subtly adjusted the car mat so she could rest her feet more comfortably.

It was such a small gesture, so smooth, that she almost missed it.

She slid into the seat, watching as he walked around to the front. Inside the car was also a pair of soft comfy slippers that was not originally there.

Her jaw tightened. He wasn’t supposed to be like this. He was supposed to be just another disposable bodyguard, a shadow she could ignore.

Then why was he making it so difficult?

3. The Rain

By the time they arrived at a charity gala that evening, it had started raining. Hard.

As usual, Chaewoon was the first to step out of the car. He retrieved an umbrella, opened her door, and held it above her.

Haein, exhausted and mildly annoyed at the world, reached for the umbrella.

“I can hold it myself.”

Chaewoon, as always, was unmoved. “That’s my job.”

She stepped out, expecting him to keep a respectable distance. Instead, he adjusted the umbrella so that she was completely covered—even if it meant part of his shoulder got drenched.

She noticed. And she hated that she noticed.

By the time they entered the building, she found herself stealing glances at his wet sleeve.

Chaewoon brought her a towel, his expression as calm as ever. She expected him to use it to dry himself off, but instead, he held it out to her.

She raised an eyebrow, about to refuse, when he paused for a brief moment. Then, with surprising grace, he knelt down in front of her, positioning the towel to wipe her shoes.

Oh, my shoes are wet.

The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. Haein instinctively stepped back just as his hand was about to touch the leather.

“You don’t need to do that. You’re not my servant,” she said, her tone sharper than she intended. She cleared her throat, trying to regain some composure. “Wipe yourself instead. You’re drenched.”

She huffed, a bit embarrassed by the sudden awkwardness, and turned on her heel, walking briskly into the gala without looking back.

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CHAEWOON'S POV

The Elevator

Woo Chaewoon was always quick on his feet. So, when Haein, her attention absorbed by her phone, failed to notice the man about to collide with her as the elevator doors opened, he reacted instinctively.

Chaewoon's reflexes kicked in without thinking. His hand moved swiftly to the small of her back, steadying her just as a man rushed out, too close for comfort.

For a brief moment, he felt her back tense against his chest as he pulled her away. The contact surprisingly electric, but he didn’t let it show. He barely heard her breath catch in her throat, but he noticed.

"Watch your step," he murmured quietly, making sure the man passed safely before letting his hand fall away from her back.

She straightened up quickly, her back stiff. He could feel the subtle shift in her posture as she composed herself.

“I had it under control,” she said, voice a little sharp, but he didn’t respond to the challenge in her tone.

Instead, he stepped into the elevator after her, keeping his face unreadable. “Of course, ma’am.”

She turned to glare at him, her eyes narrowing in irritation. But for just a moment, he caught the faintest flicker of something else there—amusement, maybe. It was gone too quickly for him to dwell on, but it made him smile to himself, just the slightest curve of his lips.

Infuriating. But somehow, she made it worth it.

2. The Heels

Chaewoon had learned to notice the small signs that Haein never acknowledged. He could see it in the way she walked—stiff, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as if she were fighting the discomfort that no one else seemed to notice. Her back straightened, her pace measured, but there was always that subtle shift in her posture after each long meeting. The heels, he knew, were not made for comfort. He also knew she would never be the type to wear flats outside.

So, when they reached the car after a long day, Chaewoon opened the door for her without a word, then quickly adjusted the car mat under her feet. It wasn’t much, just enough to give her a bit of relief, and he did it so smoothly that she almost didn’t catch it.

But she did.

As she slid into the car, he caught the slight wince in her face, then the subtle relief as she settled into the seat. Chaewoon walked around to the front, but when he opened the door to slide in, he saw her eyes lingering on the pair of slippers he had neatly placed inside for her.

Her gaze was confused, almost questioning.

It was an ordinary thing, a small act of care, but it was enough for him to see the slight stiffening in her jaw. He couldn’t help but wonder why she was so resistant to the simplest gestures. After all, he was only doing his job. But still, the thought lingered. She wasn’t supposed to be this difficult to ignore.

Yet, here she was, making it harder than it should be.

3. The Rain

Chaewoon didn’t expect her to notice. The rain had soaked through part of his sleeve, but it wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last. He held the umbrella steady over her, making sure not a single drop touched her, while the cold slowly seeped into his own shoulder. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It was his job.

But then, she looked.

It was quick, just a glance at his wet sleeve, but he caught it. The slight pause in her step, the way her gaze lingered a fraction too long before she looked away. She noticed. He wasn’t sure why that detail mattered, but for some reason, it did.

By the time they reached the entrance, she was back to her usual self—sharp, composed, untouchable. But Chaewoon had seen the flicker of something else. He returned with a towel, expecting her to take it without a second thought. Instead, she hesitated.

So he did what came naturally—knelt down in front of her.

Her shoes were wet. He had noticed, of course, just as he noticed the slight shift in her stance, the way she tensed the second she realized what he was about to do. Then, before he could even move, she stepped back.

“You don’t need to do that. You’re not my servant.” Her voice was clipped, but it wasn’t anger. It was something else—something that made her avert her gaze a second too late.

Chaewoon didn’t argue. He simply stood, towel still in hand, watching as she walked away quicker than usual, like she was trying to escape something.

As she walked further ahead, Chaewoon’s eyes followed her. His gaze lingered just a moment longer, catching the flush of her ears—redder than usual.

He wondered if it was the cold, or if it was something else entirely.

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It was another busy day for Hong Haein, this time at Queen’s Department Store. She was making her way through the floors when a commotion near the cosmetics section caught her attention. A small crowd had gathered, murmuring among themselves as an angry man raised his voice at one of the employees.

At first, Haein didn’t interfere, simply observing from a distance.

The customer was demanding a refund for a product that was nearly used up. The employee, a young woman, remained professional, explaining that refunds weren’t possible once the product was almost empty. But the man wasn’t listening. Instead, he insisted—loudly—that his girlfriend’s skin had worsened because of it. A blatant lie. It was a common trick—buy, use, complain, and demand a refund.

But then, the situation escalated.

Frustrated by the refusal, the man swiped an arm across the counter, knocking over bottles and compacts. The sharp sound of breaking glass made the employee flinch.

“Do you think I’m some kind of joke?” His voice rose, and so did his hand.

Chaewoon, standing silently nearby, was already prepared to intervene. But before he could move, Haein was already stepping in.

She caught the man’s wrist mid-air, stopping his hand before it could strike the employee.

“And who the hell are you?!” he snapped, yanking his arm back. His face twisted in outrage, as if personally offended that a woman had dared to stop him.

Haein’s expression remained calm, her voice unwavering. “This is not a place for such behavior.”

The man scoffed. “Then bring me your CEO. I don’t have time for people like you.”

“You’re looking for me?”

His face faltered for a second before he recovered. “So you’re the CEO?” He sneered, folding his arms. “Figures. No wonder your employees are incompetent. Why did you not train your employee properly then!?”

“You’re right,” she said coolly. “Maybe I haven’t trained them properly.” She turned to the employee, glancing at the nametag. “Ms. Kim Minji?”

The young woman tensed, clearly expecting a reprimand.

Haein sighed and crossed her arms. “Your job is to deal with customers only. As for criminals, report them to the police immediately.”

The man’s face reddened. “Wow. A criminal? So now you’re insulting customers? The CEO of this mall looks down on people. We will sue you.”

Haein simply smiled. Behind her, Chaewoon observed the scene with quiet amusement.

“Please do,” she said lightly. “I’ll be suing as well.”

The man sputtered. “What did you just say?!”

His temper snapped. His hand moved again, this time toward Haein.

But before he could get close, a shadow loomed over him.

Chaewoon was already there.

His tall frame blocked the man completely, cutting off his path like an immovable wall. His movements were smooth, effortless, but his presence alone was enough to make the air feel heavier. In one swift motion, his hand wrapped around the man’s wrist—not rough, not violent, but firm. A controlled grip, precise and unyielding.

The shift in atmosphere was instant.

The man’s anger wavered, his bravado shrinking under the weight of Chaewoon’s presence. Up close, he could see the way Chaewoon carried himself—not just as an employee, not just as security, but as someone who was dangerous in all the ways that mattered. There was no unnecessary aggression in his stance, no tension in his shoulders, no wild anger in his eyes. Just cold, calculated control. The kind that made people second-guess their next move.

For the first time since the commotion started, the man hesitated.

Chaewoon’s grip didn’t tighten, but the unspoken message was clear: Don’t try it.

The man swallowed. His wrist, though not in pain, felt like it was caught in something unshakable. He looked around, as if realizing how quiet the crowd had gone, how the eyes that once watched in amusement were now filled with anticipation—waiting to see if he would be foolish enough to push further.

He wasn’t.

“You can be charged with obstruction of business, property damage, and attempted assault,” Chaewoon said evenly. His voice wasn’t loud, but it didn’t need to be. It carried the kind of weight that made people listen.

Haein tilted her head, unfazed. “And I’ll add another lawsuit for the sales loss you caused.” She turned to the crowd. “Did you all get that on camera?”

A chorus of affirmations rose from the spectators, many holding up their phones, their screens still recording. A few even cheered.

The man looked around, suddenly realizing how outnumbered he was.

“Take them to the police,” Haein ordered as security finally arrived, stepping forward to apprehend him.

As the man was dragged away, Haein turned back to Chaewoon, a satisfied smile on her face. He met her gaze, his own expression unreadable.

She gave him a small nod. “Let’s go.”

Without another word, Chaewoon followed.

On their way back to the company, Haein found herself replaying the moment in her head.

It had happened so fast. One second, she was handling the situation as she always did—calm, composed, in control. The next, a hand had been raised in her direction, and before she could even react, a shadow had stepped in front of her.

Chaewoon.

Haein had barely registered the movement before he was there, his tall frame blocking her completely. The space that had once felt open was suddenly filled—broad shoulders, solid stance, the subtle shift of muscle beneath his suit.

She hadn’t been expecting it.

She had seen him be cautious before, seen the way he silently observed her surroundings. But this was different.

His hand had wrapped around the man’s wrist—not roughly, not aggressively, but with a kind of controlled force that left no room for argument.

She hadn’t seen his face at first, only the sharp line of his jaw from the side, the way his fingers flexed slightly as if calculating the exact amount of strength needed to hold back without breaking.

Then she had seen the change in the man’s expression. The way his anger faltered, the realization creeping in. He had thought he could intimidate her, but now he was faced with someone he couldn’t push, someone who didn’t even need to raise his voice to make his presence known.

“You can be charged with obstruction of business, property damage, and attempted assault,” Chaewoon had said, his voice low, even. It wasn’t loud, but it carried the kind of weight that made people listen.

Chaewoon didn’t move, his stance unwavering, his hand still gripping the man’s wrist as he watched him with cool detachment. And for the first time, Haein realized something.

For all the quiet patience she had seen in Woo Chaewoon, there was another side to him. A side that wouldn’t hesitate to shield her the moment someone dared to lay a hand on her.

And for reasons she couldn’t quite place, she found herself staring at him just a moment longer than necessary.

Gentle, quiet, patient Woo Chaewoon. You had this side to you, huh?

The thought followed her into the car. As they drove in silence, she caught a glimpse of him through the rearview mirror. He looked the same as always—calm, focused, completely unbothered.

She clicked her tongue and turned to the window, blinking more times than necessary.

As if that would make her stop thinking about it.

From the front seat, Chaewoon felt Haein’s gaze linger on him. He kept his eyes on the road, but he noticed everything—the slight shift in her seat, the way she suddenly blinked faster before turning to the window.

For a brief moment, he felt… aware of himself. Just a little.

But why?

Why did her gaze make him falter, even for a second?

He didn’t know.

< Chapter 3 Chapter 5 >

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incorporated some QOT scenes in the story >< will also incorporate BF scenes next chapters!

I feel like maybe the story's pacing is a little slow I noticed that it has fewer readers each chapter🥲 maybe the slow-burn is burning too slow?🥲

but it's fine! I was momentarily discouraged to continue it but honestly, I think I'm also writing this story mostly for myself hihi it's been a loonnggg while since I started writing something again, like actually writing and not just daydreaming about it throughout the day

thank you again who's still tuning in! <3

taglist: @lvnat1c <3