#67
Taemin’s expression changed in an instant. A great turmoil arose in his heart, as if a hidden flame had been discovered. Without realizing the true feelings his heart was heading towards, a defensive attitude leaked out of his mouth.
“That’s a startling question. Why are you asking such a thing?”
“Because it’s strange.”
“What’s strange about it?”
“You got hurt trying to save Idam, and now you’re not only providing a job and a place to live, but also taking care of the Kwon Gicheol situation. I thought there was no such thing as kindness without reason in this world. I wondered if you might have feelings for Idam and that’s why you’re being so altruistic.”
“Ah.”
The corners of Taemin’s eyes slowly curved. His lips were filled with a sneer.
“That’s impossible.”
“What?”
“There’s no way I could like him.”
It was a plain but cruel answer from Taemin. Simultaneously, Hayun’s brow furrowed mercilessly.
“Then, what is it? Why are you doing this?”
“Let’s just say it’s for fun.”
“Fun?”
Hayun’s voice cracked with anger. He gritted his molars while watching the back of Idam’s head as he walked away.
“Damn it. Are you just playing with Idam?”
“Is that not allowed?”
Taemin’s blue eyes felt as cold as if they were laced with a lethal dose of poison.
“Ha… Damn it.”
Furious, Hayun reached out to grab Taemin’s collar. But Taemin caught his hand. It was an impossible attack from the start, given the significant difference in height and build between them.
“It’s troublesome if you make presumptuous misunderstandings.”
“…”
“Yeo Idam is a special omega to me. It’s just that he’s interesting.”
“I guess that special reason is because of his pheromones?”
Hayun shook off Taemin’s hand holding his wrist and continued speaking.
“Idam told me everything. You’re uncomfortable with other omegas, but you feel differently about Idam’s pheromones, right?”
“That’s right. It’s very sweet, like meeting a fairy.”
“A fairy?”
Hayun felt goosebumps at Taemin’s expression, which was somewhat hard to follow.
“Yes. That’s why I’m keeping him by my side ‘for now’.”
Taemin’s gaze, emphasizing the limited time, was thoroughly looking down on Idam. Hayun swept his bangs up as if to dissipate the rising heat.
“Idam is more innocent and kind than you think. And he’s had a hard life because of his pheromones. If you hurt him, I won’t stand by quietly.”
“Do as you please.”
Taemin turned his back on Hayun without showing any sign of being affected and headed towards the main house.
“Damn it. What kind of bastard is he?”
Hayun muttered roughly, removing his hand from his bangs.
He had felt something odd about Taemin’s behavior this dawn. He had the impression that the kindness shown to him seemed to be conscious of Idam. Especially when facing Idam, Taemin was smiling with utmost gentleness. So he thought Taemin might have feelings for Idam and was putting on a show to win his favor, but it seemed that was a misunderstanding.
He was even more of a bastard than expected.
The problem was Idam’s behavior. He had immediately agreed when Taemin said he would find a job for Hayun, and the way he looked at Taemin had changed from before. His eyes were moist and blind with affection. They were also full of warmth. It was an attitude of Idam’s that Hayun had never seen before.
“No way…”
He couldn’t be in love, could he?
Hayun’s heart grew heavy, as if facing despair. He wanted to believe it wasn’t true. He decided to observe where Idam’s heart was heading now in the reception room.
* * *
When Hayun entered the reception room, Taemin and Idam were sitting side by side, engaged in conversation.
Idam was looking at Taemin with an affectionate expression. Honey seemed to be dripping from his eyes. As he had feared, he could feel that a change had come over Idam’s feelings. Moreover, the same was true for Taemin. If he hadn’t heard the truth from his own mouth earlier, he would have mistaken the two for having mutual feelings for each other.
“Hayun, you’re here?”
Idam greeted him with a bright smile. He kindly pointed to the seat in front of Hayun, telling him to sit there.
“Uh…”
Hayun sat down with a heavy heart. He could see the two holding hands. They even had their fingers interlaced. It looked like a couple to anyone who saw them. Hayun was even more dumbfounded. His heart burned black with the feeling of Taemin’s intention to play with Idam.
“CEO Ji, what did you want to tell us?”
Hayun went straight to the point, wanting to stop Taemin’s pretense of toying with Idam, even if just a little. Taemin also took his eyes off Idam and adopted a businesslike expression.
“We’re currently tracking Kwon Gicheol. It seems that man visited your house, Mr. Jang Hayun.”
“What? How do you know that?”
Hayun’s eyes widened in surprise. Idam was the same. In contrast, Taemin began to answer with a rather calm attitude.
“After hearing what you said yesterday, I thought Kwon Gicheol might come looking for you, Mr. Jang Hayun. So I had employees planted near the villa. This morning, as I expected, Kwon Gicheol entered the villa complex, they say.”
“So did you catch him?”
Idam asked with eyes like a rabbit’s.
“It seems he noticed something was off and managed to escape. Mr. Jang Hayun, I think it would be best if you don’t go to your main residence for a while.”
“I expected that too. I had written down my home address when we signed the contract.”
Hayun spoke calmly, like someone who had reached enlightenment.
“We’ll track down Kwon Gicheol as quickly as possible.”
“Yes…”
Hayun answered with mixed feelings. He was angry that Taemin was playing with Idam’s emotions, but he felt miserable because of his helpless situation in the face of this reality.
“And we’ve determined the department where Mr. Jang Hayun will work, and of course, an apartment has been prepared for you to live in. Would it be alright for you to start work next week?”
He was pretending to ask for understanding, but in reality, his tone was quite forceful. Hayun gritted his molars and nodded.
“I understand.”
“And we’ll have our employees move your belongings from your current villa.”
“All of it?”
“No. Electronic devices and furniture are already provided in the apartment. So we’ll pack your clothes and daily necessities. If there are any valuables or items that need special attention, please organize them and let me know.”
“Yes.”
Hayun answered heavily. The thought of Taemin’s underlings rummaging through his house was extremely unpleasant. In fact, he wasn’t sure if this decision was right. Both Kwon Gicheol and Ji Taemin seemed like the same kind of bastard to him.
“Then, let’s start the move today.”
“Today?”
Hayun was surprised by his quick decision-making.
“Yes, I’d like Mr. Jang Hayun to adapt to the new place as soon as possible.”
“…”
Hayun could read the true intentions hidden in Taemin’s kindness. He probably wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible because he found him annoying.
Above all, Hayun himself wanted to leave this mansion. Although he would still feel suffocated being within Taemin’s boundaries at the job and residence he provided, it seemed at least better than here. Moreover, after facing that alpha’s true intentions, he didn’t want to see him even more.
Only… he was very worried about Idam being left alone. Idam was overwhelmed with gratitude seeing Taemin take care of Hayun. The blush on his cheeks looked so ripe, like a perfectly ripened persimmon. Even a fool could see that Idam was starting to have feelings for Taemin. He was really too naive.
But he couldn’t tell Idam about Taemin’s true intentions either.
Idam was currently entangled with Taemin because of money and couldn’t run away. If he learned of Taemin’s dirty intentions in this situation, it seemed like an even deeper hell would unfold.
Hayun made a resolution. Although he was retreating for now, he would find a way to get Idam out of Taemin’s den later.
* * *
“Then, CEO, have a good day.”
Idam saw Taemin off at the entrance, clasping his hands together. Taemin also smiled kindly.
“Alright. I’ll stop by the hospital and then finish work, so I should be back around 7 PM. Wait for me just a little bit.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“And I’ve prepared some snacks, so make sure to eat them all.”
“Ah… Yes. Thank you.”
Idam nodded with a face full of blush on both cheeks. Taemin found his loyal appearance somewhat pretty. For a moment, he reached out to pat Idam’s head but stopped, then opened the front door and left. Like someone caught in the act of stealing.
“Ha…”
His expression, which had been utterly gentle in front of Idam, twisted into cold eyes in an instant.
‘You… do you like Idam?’
Jang Hayun’s voice came to mind. He didn’t expect to hear such a fucking question from that omega bastard. It was unpleasant.
The problem was that this emotion didn’t feel negative, but rather like being caught doing something shameful. Feeling uneasy, Taemin bit his lip hard.
Me… liking Yeo Idam?
That’s absolutely impossible.
To Taemin, Idam was just a fairy who could relieve his aversion. So he was someone who could be discarded like a toy whenever he got bored. There couldn’t be any more romantic feelings than that. Taemin hardened his heart as if putting on armor.
At that moment, the wind blew. A sweet scent like the arrival of spring caressed his nose. It felt like being in heaven. It was Idam’s pheromones. Taemin turned his head as if bewitched, following the wind. Idam was standing on the balcony, having come out at some point.
The moment he faced Idam, illuminated by the dazzling sunlight, Taemin felt his heart pounding unbearably. It felt like the flame he had already been feeling was burrowing into his chest and stirring it up.
It was a sensation that was not easy to resist or deny, no matter how much he tried.
Idam must have sensed that Taemin was looking at him, as he waved his hand. It seemed like a gesture wishing him a good day. Soon, Taemin found himself waving back as if entranced.
