#56
However, knowing he couldn’t continue like this, Idam forced out a response.
“Yes…”
[Have you eaten?]
Taemin’s question followed. His voice was full of gentleness.
“Yes…”
[What did you eat?]
“Leftover chicken from yesterday.”
[I see. You ate chicken. What flavor?]
“Spicy seasoned chicken. It had whole green chili peppers, so it was spicy and delicious.”
[Did you only eat chicken?]
“No. I also had some microwaved rice. Mixing the rice with the leftover sauce made it go down easily.”
[So our baby likes spicy seasoned chicken.]
“Yes. I love it very much.”
[I’ll have to buy you a lot more in the future.]
“Ah… well…”
Idam caught himself, realizing he had been answering without thinking. He felt foolish for talking about chicken when he should be setting up an important meeting. He had been swept up in Taemin’s pointless questions. Idam slapped his forehead and tried to focus. He steeled his round eyes.
“I called because I have something to tell you.”
[Hmm, what is it?]
“I want to terminate the contract with you, CEO. I’ve secured the money to repay you.”
A moment of silence passed. Idam felt the sweat already forming on his hands growing even more profuse. His heart, which had been pounding loudly, now felt like it was trying to tear through his flesh.
[I didn’t expect you to come at me like this.]
His voice was calm, but there was a sense that he was hiding a sharp edge.
[I wonder how my little baby, who was struggling without a penny, suddenly came up with that money?]
His question seemed less like demanding an answer from Idam and more like expressing displeasure at Idam’s attempt to rise above his station. Idam’s eyes hardened, determined not to back down.
“You don’t need to know that. In any case, I want to repay the money I borrowed from you and end this.”
[I don’t think this is a conversation we should have over the phone. Let’s talk in person. Where shall we meet?]
Idam looked outside the phone booth. He saw the police station building and the mascots Podori and Posuni doing their dance.
“Let’s meet in front of Sari Police Station.”
[The police station? Are you planning to turn me over to the cops?]
Taemin’s reaction was immediately sensitive, as if he had something to hide. Idam felt like telling Podori to arrest Ji Taemin. But he knew he’d be on his way to the afterlife before that could happen.
“No, there’s a cafe called Ruby in front of it. Let’s meet there.”
[Alright. Wait for me for 20 minutes.]
“What? You’re coming now?”
Idam had thought he’d suggest meeting tomorrow, given how busy he was. Plus, the laundry he had dropped off today wouldn’t be ready until tomorrow morning, so this seemed too rushed.
[Of course. Is it inconvenient to meet now?]
“Ah… no. Let’s meet now.”
He could return the clothes later. Idam decided to go along with Taemin’s bulldozer-like words, as he also wanted to wrap this up quickly.
[See you soon then.]
Taemin hung up first. Idam lowered the receiver belatedly and let out a deep sigh. He felt like he might get dizzy even though he wasn’t prone to it. He was going to face Taemin sooner than expected.
“Can I really do this…”
Fear blossomed as he wondered if Taemin might show up with some terrifying weapon. But then Idam shook his head, looking at Podori and Posuni.
“No, it’s okay. Don’t worry too much.”
With the police station right there, he could run there immediately if anything happened. Let’s trust the people’s guardians. Idam clenched his fist.
* * *
The deep pink strawberry juice sparkled like jewels in the sunlight, its ice crystals shimmering. Idam sat rigidly like a wooden block, staring at the strawberry juice. Upon entering the cafe, Idam had taken a seat by the window. It was a spot with a clear view of the police station across the street.
Nevertheless, due to rising tension, his throat kept getting dry and his stomach churned. Just as he put the straw in his mouth and took a sip of juice,
“Hey, look at that guy. Isn’t he incredibly handsome?”
A woman at the next table whispered to someone who seemed to be her friend. The voice was quite loud, causing Idam to unconsciously look in the direction they were looking. Just then, Taemin was entering, looking like a model in his neatly pressed suit. Secretary Kang, who usually stuck to him like glue, wasn’t there; he was alone.
Idam could tell that the handsome person the women had been whispering about was Taemin. Indeed, among the crowd, his outstanding beauty seemed even more dazzling. So the first impression was really good.
But with such superior beauty, he must have easily gained the affection of others, dated many people, and done strange things. Everything Idam had done with Taemin was a first for him, but for Taemin, it was probably just a passing game. That’s why he must have nonchalantly tried to take Idam to that orgy party. Idam’s chest felt painful and sore, as if he had been cut with scissors. Thinking about it again, Taemin was too good for him and they didn’t match. He wanted to repay the borrowed money and end this as soon as possible.
Idam steeled his heart that felt like it might shatter.
“Did you wait long?”
While Idam was gathering his resolve, Taemin sat down across from him. Idam raised his lowered head. Taemin’s sculpted face appeared before him. The cheek Idam had slapped looked perfectly fine, as if it had never been hit. Although it had only been one night since they last met, why did it feel like they were meeting after such a long time? For some reason, his heart was beating fast and his body temperature was rising.
“I’ll go order a drink.”
He soon stood up and headed to the counter. Idam pondered how to lead the conversation with Taemin, while wiping the sweat from his palms onto his thighs.
Meanwhile, Taemin returned with an Americano. Despite the weather being more like early summer than spring, he insisted on having a hot Americano.
“Where are you staying now? I went to your friend’s place but you weren’t there.”
As expected, he seemed to have visited Hayun’s villa.
“Just somewhere suitable.”
Not wanting to mention the motel, Idam gave a vague answer.
“Well, considering where two poor boys might go, it’s probably a motel.”
Taemin took a sip of his Americano and continued, as if to say there was no point in trying to hide it clumsily.
“I didn’t know Jang Hayun would be working as a server in that party hall.”
As Idam had guessed, Taemin was aware of this too.
“Did you two plan to meet there?”
“No.”
Idam shook his head firmly.
“We just happened to meet by chance.”
“…”
Taemin’s eyes gradually changed, becoming like a snake eyeing its prey.
“So you say you’ve got the money?”
“Yes. So I want to terminate the contract. I hope you’ll find another omega instead of me.”
At Idam’s resolute voice, Taemin’s brow furrowed as if cracking. Facing this head-on, Idam’s heart seemed to sink. He quickly scanned the table. He was checking if there was anything that could be used as a weapon. Fortunately, there was nothing pointed or stick-like. Still, if Taemin looked like he was about to do something, Idam was ready to jump up and run to Podori.
But this anxiety was short-lived as Taemin’s expression soon changed to that of a calm lake, and his lips twitched as if anticipating an interesting game.
“Was there a clause in the contract I gave you stating that the contract would be terminated if you repaid the money?”
“What?”
Idam’s mind went blank at this sudden question. Taemin leaned forward from his reclined position.
“There wasn’t.”
His voice became persistent, as if about to bite into a fairy caught in his spider web.
“Initially, you were supposed to be my wife for just a week, but due to unexpected circumstances, it was extended.”
“…”
“Rather, coming out like this now is a breach of contract. And you haven’t forgotten, have you? The amount you borrowed from me is 700 million won.”
“How could I have borrowed 700 million from you?”
Idam asked, feeling a lump in his throat. The previously hot weather suddenly felt like it had turned into a chilly early winter.
“Last time, I sent 350 million to your account. But when you tried to send money to that loan shark, you couldn’t because of the transfer limit. So I deposited it under your name instead. Have you forgotten?”
That’s right. It had happened. It was a fact Idam had forgotten amidst the shock of receiving the money and being kissed by Taemin, and the various events that occurred after entering his house. Idam felt like he had been hit on the back of the head with a hammer.
“So it’s not acceptable for you to try to terminate our contract like this. If you really want to, pay three times the penalty fee.”
Three times 700 million would be 2.1 billion won. It was an amount Idam couldn’t face even if he worked his entire life. It felt like a bolt from the blue, but he tried to calm down. There’s a saying that even if you’re caught by a tiger, you’ll be fine if you keep your wits about you. After organizing his thoughts for a moment, he steeled his round eyes.
“But… but I agreed to become your wife because I needed that 350 million won. You hired me based on that money too. Also, when we were writing the contract, you said you’d take back the 350 million if I didn’t comply. So even if it’s not explicitly stated in the contract, that money is the most important element and conflict in our relationship. I don’t see any problem with resolving this. You’d use money to buy another omega anyway, right? So I’ll return all of that money, and let’s end it here.”
Although Idam wasn’t academically inclined or skilled in arguments, he spoke as clearly as he could. With his life on the line, he was giving it his all.
Taemin’s expression gradually changed, becoming sharp.
“Baby… you’re being quite brazen.”
The veins on his hand holding the mug stood out. It was terribly fierce. Scared, Idam was about to lift his bottom off the chair, feeling like he should run to Podori immediately.
“Hahaha!”
Taemin started laughing like a madman.
