#73
Jaeha’s embrace was full of a pleasant scent. As he held and comforted Eunhong, the scent seemed to grow stronger. Eunhong found some consolation in thinking that if Jaeha wore a watch like his, it would probably be just as noisy.
Still nestled with his cheek against Jaeha’s shoulder, Eunhong hesitantly spoke. It was something he had wanted to say since a few nights ago, and now seemed like the right opportunity.
“You know. What if.”
“Hm?”
“What if our relationship fails…”
Jaeha pulled away and looked into Eunhong’s eyes.
“Why would our relationship fail?”
“I’m just saying, what if.”
Eunhong spoke clearly, squeezing the hand he was still holding.
“Even if it fails… don’t disappear like before. Promise me.”
***
[They say new couples are together 24 hours a day, but that turned out to be completely false too.]
“24 hours is an exaggeration.” [Who says that? 24 hours, really.]
[Be honest. What’s more important, work or me? ㅠㅅㅠ]
“……” [Don’t use emoticons. It’s out of character.]
Eunhong was standing in front of the company, typing messages for a while. Today was a long-awaited team dinner. It was an event he absolutely couldn’t miss, and despite mentioning it days ago, Jaeha was still very worried. So they had agreed to send messages frequently.
Team members came down from the office in small groups, gathering in front of the company building. After receiving the location of the pre-booked restaurant, they started moving one by one. Everyone looked happy upon checking the menu.
Most of the graphics team had left, and Eunhong was about to leave too. Someone waved at Eunhong from afar and walked towards him. He was tall enough to be noticeable and impossible to ignore.
“It’s really hard to meet you, Eunhong.”
Eunhong looked up, not hiding his displeasure. It was Han Jeongwook. He was the last person Eunhong expected to meet in front of the company building, and he couldn’t understand why he was there.
“I told you we wouldn’t be in contact again.”
“That’s why I came to see you in person. You blocked my number.”
Han Jeongwook glanced behind Eunhong and muttered, “You seem to be short on time today.”
“How did you know to come here?”
“Well, would you be angry if I said I investigated?”
Eunhong frowned deeply and turned on his phone. As he was about to search for how to report stalking, Han Jeongwook’s hand covered the screen.
“It’s a joke. A friend of mine opened a dental clinic in the building across the street. I came to congratulate him. And I just happened to run into you here.”
Han Jeongwook laughed awkwardly at Eunhong’s suspicious look.
“Since we met like this, isn’t it fate? Can’t you unblock my number? I’m not lying when I say I’m interested in you.”
Eunhong recalled Han Jeongwook asking to have a meal together and felt even more uncomfortable. How shameless. Behind Han Jeongwook, Eunhong could see his team members walking away. Knowing he’d receive a call looking for him soon, he tried to wrap up the situation quickly.
“Then go on your way. I’m busy, so I’ll be going.”
As Eunhong bowed slightly and tried to pass by, Han Jeongwook blocked his path. When Eunhong resolutely turned right, he blocked him again. Eunhong glared at him with an annoyed expression, and Han Jeongwook continued as if he had been waiting for this.
“Is it so hard to give me a chance to explain?”
“What’s the point of explaining? We’re never going to see each other again.”
“Don’t be so definitive. Aren’t I quite a good alpha? Now that you’re an omega, you should try dating a trait holder. I recommend myself as your introduction.”
At the mention of omega, Eunhong instinctively looked around, worried someone might have heard.
“Or are you perhaps dating the Han Jung grandson?”
Eunhong’s expression instantly hardened. Regardless of whether they were dating, Han Jeongwook was smiling as if he already knew about their relationship. For a moment, thoughts of rumors and front-page news flashed through Eunhong’s mind. Just as he was about to deny it, Han Jeongwook let out a short whistle.
“Looks like I’m right.”
“…Don’t jump to conclusions.”
“Professor Choi Uijin was so concerned, I thought you must have some connection to that family… But seeing you working at a normal company, it didn’t seem like you bought the file with any purpose. I had a hunch, and it turns out I was right. Ah, sorry if I’m being too blunt. It’s a habit from working in this field for so long.”
His expression didn’t look sorry at all. When Eunhong glared at him angrily, he smiled even more broadly.
“What should I do? This is more interesting. You haven’t imprinted yet, so let’s have some fun, shall we?”
Eunhong let out a mirthless laugh and gritted his teeth. He took a step back as Han Jeongwook’s intense pheromones seemed to take on a tangible form. The sweet scent was thick and alluring, befitting a dominant trait, but that was all. It felt like smelling an expensive perfume, one that wasn’t to his taste. Once again, Eunhong felt no reaction.
“…If I see you again after today, I’ll report you for stalking.”
“Don’t be like that. Have a meal with me just once. It’s a shame to end up with one person right after manifesting, without experiencing dating with that attractive trait. Contact me. This is my other number.”
Han Jeongwook arbitrarily took Eunhong’s hand and placed a black business card on his palm. His grip was so strong that Eunhong couldn’t shake him off, which startled him.
“Just give it a try. Hm? I guarantee it won’t be a loss for you either.”
“I think you’re out of your mind.”
“Make sure to answer my call next time.”
Han Jeongwook gently folded Eunhong’s hand over the business card he had given, then took a step back. He patted Eunhong’s shoulder and turned away without hesitation. They say when you’re too angry, you laugh out of bewilderment, and that’s exactly how Eunhong felt. He glared at Han Jeongwook’s retreating back, then crumpled the business card in his hand and threw it in the trash. The faint alpha pheromones left on his palm from Han Jeongwook intensified his unpleasant mood.
***
The team dinner was at a meat restaurant in the busy area near the company. When Eunhong entered the restaurant, everyone was already seated and a round of drinks had been served. He took off his coat and sat on the outer edge of the seat, easy to slip out. Gil Dong-wook called out to him from the inner seat, but Eunhong pretended not to hear.
Shim AD, sitting across from him, prepared Eunhong’s glass and plate. Another round of drinks went around before the meat on the grill was even cooked. Eunhong used medication as an excuse and filled his beer glass with carbonated water instead. Some people didn’t like this.
“Hey, I take health supplements too. On days like this, you just drink and die, what’s with the medication excuse?”
“Doesn’t drinking make the supplements useless?”
“I take supplements to prepare my body for drinking.”
“Oh my, then have a drink with me.”
The quick-witted Shim AD intervened and drank instead of Eunhong.
The drinking atmosphere heated up quickly. It seemed to slow down as the meat cooked, but then picked up speed as topics like the first half’s schedule and salary freezes came up. When money talk started, Eunhong suddenly craved alcohol too, but he resisted firmly, remembering his recent mistakes with Jaeha when drinking. He had planned to accept if Shim AD offered even one drink, but Shim AD, perhaps worried about Eunhong making a pheromone mistake, didn’t offer him a single drop.
At that moment, Yoo Junseok stood up and announced his marriage. The apocalyptic atmosphere that had been building at the table while discussing salaries suddenly changed. People with flushed faces stood up one after another, shaking Junseok’s hand. Congratulating him, asking how it happened.
Wedding invitations were passed around, and another round of drinks followed. When people drink to forget their troubles, having a reason to celebrate makes them even more excited. As 500cc glasses filled with soju were enthusiastically passed around the table, Kim Jieun, sitting next to Eunhong, accidentally spilled an entire cup on him.
“Ah! How! I’m so sorry!”
The soju poured from his head down, soaking his entire body. Eunhong first took off his watch and put it in his bag, then wiped off the alcohol remaining on his clothes. He waved off Kim Jieun’s repeated apologies, saying it was okay. Although his top was wet, his coat was fine, so he thought it would be alright.
Eunhong was the one who got wet, but Kim Jieun looked more affected by the alcohol. She staggered to the bathroom, emanating a strong smell of alcohol. Indeed, there were fewer and fewer sober people at the table. For some reason, Yang Taesub from the planning team was chewing on a subordinate’s phone with his molars. Eunhong briefly wondered which would be more expensive, the screen or dental implants. It was becoming torturous to watch this spectacle without having drunk a single drop.
[Where’s the dinner location? I’ll come over.]
Just as Eunhong was looking for a chance to escape, a message came in from Jaeha.
[It’s right nearby. I was just about to leave.]
Eunhong said his goodbyes discreetly, put on his coat, and left the restaurant, but Shim AD followed him out. When asked why he wasn’t staying longer, Eunhong shrugged.
“They’ll have more fun if I leave. You guys are just happy with the company card, right?”
“That’s not true.”
“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”
Shim AD chuckled and lightly punched Eunhong’s shoulder. They had known each other for a long time, so despite being work superior and subordinate, they were comfortable with each other. Shim AD often looked out for Eunhong in various ways, so Eunhong respected him in return.
As they came out of the alley onto the main road where cars were passing, Shim AD took out a cigarette first.
“Is smoking okay?”
Eunhong nodded. As he watched the series of actions – lighting up, inhaling the smoke – he suddenly became curious about the effect of cigarettes in masking pheromones. But before he could ask, Shim AD offered him a cigarette. His grinning expression showed he knew everything.
“You’re curious about this right now, aren’t you?”
Eunhong’s eyes widened, then he nodded.
“Yes, I’d like to try it once.”
