#88
Idam felt himself plummeting rapidly, his imaginary flight through the clouds cut short. The shock of his shattered certainty was overwhelming. Was this a nightmare? He tried to reconsider if he had misunderstood Taemin’s words, but realized it was just painful rationalization.
However, a strange elation swirled in Taemin’s eyes as he faced Idam’s pale face. He gazed alluringly at the despondent Idam and kissed him again. His moist tongue also entered gently, licking softly. The tongue movement was so tender that Idam unconsciously closed his eyes.
The kiss sweeter than whipped cream, the warm heat – the form Taemin showed seemed like love, but Idam couldn’t believe their hearts were different.
Or was Taemin perhaps joking now? It seemed too cruel for a joke, but given how unusual Taemin was, it was possible. Maybe when this kiss ended, Idam could confirm Taemin’s true feelings. Idam hoped once more.
Taemin’s kiss, which had bitten and sucked until Idam’s lips were plump, gradually ended. His gaze fixed on Idam as if pursuing him.
“Idam, you act very well.”
“A-act?”
“Yes. Are you practicing before appearing in front of my father?”
“I… I’m not acting. I’m sincere.”
As Taemin denied his feelings, Idam refuted sadly. He wondered if Taemin was acting this way because he lacked confidence in his own emotions.
“I really love you, Mr. CEO… no, Ji Taemin. I’m grateful for your help and I keep… thinking of you… I’m happy when I’m with you… Yes. I like you a lot… so very much.”
Why was it so difficult to say prettier words? His tongue seemed tied. The pressure to convince Taemin made it even harder.
But Taemin’s gaze remained unchanged. As if frozen.
“Such a severe delusion. Idam, you’re just a fake wife and someone to cure my genetic disease.”
“…”
“It’s troublesome if you cross this line.”
Idam’s heart felt like it would break at Taemin’s cold reply. The tears that had been full of emotion just moments ago turned to sadness. Transparent tear tracks were added to his pale cheeks. Taemin stared at Idam’s face as if entranced, then smiled.
“But, because Idam is precious and special, I won’t consider it a contract violation even if you say you like me.”
“I… Mr. CEO…”
“We agreed to call me ‘darling’, didn’t we?”
“…”
Idam bit his lip, unable to continue speaking.
“Beautiful.”
Taemin whispered as if he had discovered a jewel. Then he explored Idam’s lips once more. Despite this hurtful situation, his lips were intense and hot.
What was all the kindness Taemin had shown until now?
He had fulfilled the wishes Idam had wanted while simultaneously claiming the farthest distance in the world.
In this disappointment, Idam’s heart became endlessly desolate. Even in this situation, fireworks continued to burst brilliantly in the night sky, showing off their splendor.
* * *
After the fireworks ended, Taemin headed to the study briefly for work, and Idam walked the corridor of the villa. His empty eyes looked like those of a person whose soul had left. Nevertheless, the bouquet of roses Taemin had given him was nestled in his small arms.
Where did it go wrong?
Idam couldn’t bear the sense of loss from the collapse of what he had firmly believed. He had thought it was the happiest birthday of his life, but it had become hell.
“Hah…”
He sighed. He gritted his teeth, trying to hold back tears that threatened to burst out again. It was then that he sensed someone’s presence from the opposite direction.
“Oh? Madam?”
Idam turned his head towards the familiar voice. It was Sujeong, whom he had talked with on the terrace earlier.
“Oh my! Did the CEO give you this?”
She exclaimed over the bouquet in Idam’s arms, saying how pretty it was. Idam just smiled, swallowing his bitterness.
“Wow… I just discovered something interesting.”
“Yes?”
“There’s a secret exit in this villa. Did you know?”
“No…”
Since coming to this island, everything had been focused solely on Taemin, so he had no way of knowing.
“I was cleaning alone in the kitchen today. Somehow, I even touched behind the cabinet where natural seasonings are stored. And there was a door there. When I opened it, it led outside the villa.”
“Could it be some kind of emergency exit?”
“Probably. But I’ve been on this island and learned the villa’s structure, yet I’ve never heard of such a space. I think most people don’t know about it.”
“That’s interesting…”
Idam, whose mind had been briefly numbed by Taemin’s shocking behavior, felt a sense of freshness.
“Right?”
“But why are you telling me this?”
“Ah… well. I’ve been employed for less than two weeks. So there’s still a lot I don’t know.”
“Ah… I see.”
It turned out Sujeong was a newbie employee. That’s why she had mentioned pregnancy plans yesterday, thinking Idam was Taemin’s real wife.
“So, maybe because the other employees here have worked for a long time, they seem close to each other. I felt left out, but I felt close to you, Madam, since we’re the same age. Was I too forward?”
“No, not at all… I’d like to have a friend too.”
“Wow! Then, let’s be friends!”
Sujeong grinned and held Idam’s hand. Surprised by her friendliness, Idam flinched for a moment but then held her hand back. It felt like Hayun’s empty place was being filled.
“Well then, I’ll go back to work!”
“Okay, okay.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Soon, Sujeong disappeared in the opposite direction with an energetic face. Idam felt momentarily healed by her bright energy, but his heart became incredibly heavy at the thought of facing Taemin when he returned to the bedroom.
* * *
“Haah…”
Taemin entered the study and sat on the sofa. His blue eyes were hot as if madness had bloomed in them. His lips also curved up coldly.
‘I really love you, Mr. CEO… no, Ji Taemin. I’m grateful for your help and I keep thinking of you. I’m happy when I’m with you. Yes. I like you a lot… so very much.’
Idam’s voice echoed in his head. It felt like he was on drugs. As if a long-held wish had been fulfilled. Taemin was immersed in ecstasy.
But…
He had no intention of accepting this fairy’s feelings. The kindness he had shown so far was just handcuffs put in place to prevent this fairy from running away again. He hadn’t brought him here to play some boring love game. He was just curious, interested, and found him delicious because their pheromones matched well.
This relationship was centered on Taemin. While looking at that fairy pleased his eyes and being together was sweet, he was just a consumable omega that could be easily discarded when Taemin got bored. Taemin maintained his firm stubbornness, ignoring the revolution stirring in his heart.
“There’s no way I could love someone.”
Just as Taemin, who had composed himself like a solid wall, was about to get up from the sofa, his phone in his pants pocket rang. The caller was Im Hoyoung. He tilted his head and answered the phone.
“Why are you calling?”
[Hey, were you just having sex?]
“What sex… Why are you calling and making a fuss?”
He was already troubled, and now he felt irritated.
[Ah… It’s nothing, I just wanted to ask about Jeramy…]
“Ah…”
Taemin’s gaze began to blur as he listened to Im Hoyoung’s voice. An uncontrollable heat was rising. It felt like someone was pounding on his heart. Breathing became difficult, and he could feel his pheromones jumping erratically in his body. This sensation, this feeling. It was definitely something he knew.
“Haa… fuck.”
[What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly like this? Did something happen?]
Sensing something was off from Taemin’s rough breathing, Im Hoyoung asked again. But Taemin was too heated up to even answer and tilted his head back. He could feel pheromones blooming like a storm in his body. His heart was beating as if it would shatter.
“Haa… Haa.”
[Are you possibly going into rut cycle?]
Unable to answer, Taemin dropped the phone he was holding to the floor. He cupped his face with both hands and felt the rising heat. His beating heart emitted an intense heat. The fingers covering his face slowly fell away. His blue eyes changed lustfully as if struck by lightning.
He eventually picked up the phone that had fallen to the floor.
[Ji Taemin, you crazy bastard, snap out of it!]
“Who are you?”
[What? I’m your friend, Im Hoyoung. What’s wrong with you?]
“Im Hoyoung?”
Taemin’s expression became unfamiliar, as if meeting the friend he had been talking to just moments ago for the first time.
“Who’s Im Hoyoung?”
[Don’t tell me… You really are in rut?]
“Rut… Haa.”
Taemin, taking in a rough breath, grabbed his hair.
“Do you know where the fairy is?”
[What are you suddenly talking about?]
“I need to impregnate… Can’t let escape…”
Taemin threw the phone to the floor, saying words that didn’t make sense. The phone’s screen cracked as it hit the marble floor. Taemin’s gaze was markedly different from moments ago. It was rough, as if signaling sticky heat and instinct. He rose roughly from the sofa like a starved beast. Then he grabbed the door with such force that the doorknob nearly came off and left.
* * *
After showering, Idam put on fluffy pajamas and sat on the sofa. Then he picked up the rose bouquet Taemin had given him earlier and stared at it intently. As he touched the fresh petals, his heart tingled at the moist sensation. To think that all the kindness he had shown was just his own delusion… Idam’s eyes, sunk in sorrow, welled up with tears again. His chest also felt tight.
“Hah… Should I go out for a bit?”
If he lay down in bed like this, he felt he might have to stay awake all night. He wanted to organize his thoughts and clear his mind. After putting the bouquet back on the table, he left the bedroom. Just as Idam opened the front door to go out, Taemin entered the bedroom. And he began searching various places with urgent movements.
Taemin’s fairy was nowhere to be seen. His rough eyes flashed even more sharply.
“Where did you go. My fairy…”
Eventually, he left the bedroom again. The fragrant flower scent felt like footprints. Taemin followed that scent. With eyes crazed by heat.
