Ex Sponsor 129

Chapter 129

“—Are you in the car?”

“No. I’m in the office.”

“—You arrived early.”

“Ah, just to let you know, today I’m fitting costumes for the drama and outfits for my next schedule. I might be unreachable until evening since I’ll be busy. What’s the matter?”

“—The article will be taken down entirely by the end of today.”

Cheong-yeon, who had been fixing his appearance with one hand while holding the phone, suddenly froze.

“What?”

“—I’ve already given instructions for follow-up measures.”

“Ah. That.”

Do-heon was talking about the marriage article.

But why is he telling me this?

Cheong-yeon tried to make sense of the situation.

Perhaps he was being considerate because of how shocked Cheong-yeon had been when Kim Ji-han showed him the article last time. If that was the case, it made some sense that Do-heon would call him personally to discuss this.

“—As you probably know, the article is unrelated to the truth. Probably because of the dinner with Park Jong-wook…”

“Ah, don’t worry about me.”

Cheong-yeon cut him off, feeling like Do-heon was explaining more than necessary.

“—What?”

“The marriage article. Even if it were true… well, it’s something you’ll have to do eventually. You don’t need to explain everything to me.”

The day Cheong-yeon first seriously considered Do-heon’s marriage possibility after hearing about the article from Kim Ji-han, he had unfortunately been quite drunk. At that time, he thought it was impolite of Do-heon to hide the existence of a potential spouse from him.

But after everything that had happened since then, he realized his opinion didn’t really matter. Do-heon wasn’t in a position where he needed to be courteous to Cheong-yeon, and probably had no intention to be.

“Director?”

When there was silence on the other end, Cheong-yeon called out to Do-heon. Had the call disconnected?

“—You’d be fine even if the article were true?”

“…Weren’t you planning to get married? It would be advantageous for you, especially for business reasons.”

Three years ago. It was when Do-heon was just establishing himself as a successor. Back then, instead of marrying a well-connected Dominant Omega who could support him in various business ventures, he chose Cheong-yeon. Yoo Cheong-yeon, a Recessive Omega with nothing to offer.

Because of that choice, Cheong-yeon knew that Do-heon had to work even harder to prove his capabilities after their marriage.

That’s why Cheong-yeon couldn’t show his feelings even when Do-heon made him feel lonely.

If Do-heon had chosen the Dominant Omega introduced by his family back then, everything would have been much easier and more comfortable for him in many ways. He wouldn’t have needed to work overtime every day or go on business trips for weeks on end.

Well, that’s all in the past now.

Anyway, Cheong-yeon thought it was only natural for Do-heon to choose a well-connected Omega as his new spouse, considering his position.

“—I don’t understand what you’re saying. Are you saying you wouldn’t mind if I married another Omega?”

Cheong-yeon’s lips moved silently, unsure how to respond. Though Do-heon’s voice was emotionless as usual, somehow it sounded accusatory.

“Whether you marry or not is your decision. It’s not something to discuss with me. I meant that you don’t need to explain who you’re seeing or not seeing.”

“Actor, the meeting is starting now.”

At that moment, a male staff member entered the bathroom and whispered carefully to Cheong-yeon.

“Ah, yes. I’ll be right there.”

Cheong-yeon nodded and waved his hand at the staff member, signaling him to go ahead.

“I have to go now. Anyway, don’t worry about me. See you next Friday.”

Cheong-yeon quickly hung up before Do-heon could respond. Then he turned off his phone.

As he hurriedly left the bathroom and walked toward the meeting room, he felt uneasy. Was it because the conversation had been cut short?

From Do-heon’s perspective, he was probably trying to be considerate. Maybe I should have thanked him. …No, that would have been too much.

“Now that everyone is here, let’s start the briefing.”

As Cheong-yeon entered the meeting room and sat down, one of the staff members stood up and began explaining the purpose of today’s meeting.

He detailed how Cheong-yeon’s recent activities had impacted both domestic and certain Asian regions, with specific numbers showing increased search volume. He mentioned that today they would decide on the concept for new outfits based on public response.

The meeting proceeded with a serious atmosphere. However, Cheong-yeon couldn’t completely shake off his conversation with Do-heon.

Despite knowing he should focus on the meeting since these people had gathered for him, distracting thoughts continued to intrude.

This time Do-heon had personally stated that the article wasn’t true, but someday he would remarry.

Cheong-yeon tried to imagine someone else standing beside Do-heon. Some Omega with the same Dominant traits and similar wealth. Whoever it was would certainly be better than himself.

When Do-heon found his rightful place, this relationship would end. Cheong-yeon knew well that even this ridiculous sponsorship contract was merely a game to Do-heon.

Someone with Do-heon’s fastidious personality wouldn’t continue such an inappropriate relationship after marrying another Omega. And if the sponsorship ended, would Cheong-yeon’s career as an actor end as well?

If Do-heon completely withdrew his support, everything he had built might disappear like bubbles.

Then… he too would have to give up acting. After all, his filmography as an actor thus far was created by Do-heon, not truly his own.

Do-heon would turn away from him as if he’d never been interested in a Recessive Omega like him. He would eventually have children who resembled him too.

Honestly, Cheong-yeon didn’t think he could sincerely rejoice and congratulate him, but he knew his place. Beside Do-heon was not where he belonged.

“Cheong-yeon oppa. Why are you so quiet today? Is it because of the swelling we talked about earlier? If you’re tired, have some of this.”

When the meeting ended and during a break in the fitting session, Min Hye-rin approached hesitantly. She handed him an energy drink, saying he seemed unusually unfocused.

“Thanks. Even if it is swelling, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not that bothered.”

“Hee! That’s good then. Let me know if anything feels uncomfortable during the fitting later.”

“I will. Oh right, Hye-rin. I’ll just step out to the waiting room for a moment.”

As if something had suddenly occurred to him, Cheong-yeon passed by Min Hye-rin and left the dressing room. He went to the waiting room at the end of the corridor and opened the door. Since it was a space mostly used by Cheong-yeon alone, hardly anyone passed through here.

“I forgot to take my medicine this morning. Haa.”

Muttering to himself, Cheong-yeon took his bag from where personal belongings were kept and took out one pill each of the pheromone suppressant and contraceptive he had recently started taking.

Due to his irregular lifestyle, he often forgot to take them on time. Cheong-yeon put both types of pills in his mouth and swallowed them with the energy drink Hye-rin had given him.

He knew that taking contraceptives and suppressants simultaneously wasn’t good for his body. But he had no alternative at the moment. As long as he met Do-heon every Friday, there was a possibility of pregnancy, so contraceptives were essential.

Moreover, suppressants were unavoidable too. If heat cycle symptoms appeared unexpectedly, it would be difficult to adjust his schedule, and if he slept with Do-heon during that period, the probability of getting pregnant would be too high.

“Oppa, the team manager says to come out now.”

Min Hye-rin’s voice called for Cheong-yeon from outside the waiting room.

“Ok, coming.”

Cheong-yeon put the medicine back in his bag and got up.

The next day.

After finishing the costume fitting, preparations for the drama shooting began in earnest.

With the script reading for the new drama approaching, Cheong-yeon’s most urgent task was memorizing his lines. He scheduled acting lessons and planned to use any remaining time to study the script.

“Actor, these are the personal items you submitted to the broadcasting station before. They’ve returned them now that filming is complete.”

As soon as Cheong-yeon’s first acting lesson for the new drama ended successfully, his manager appeared with a plain box.

“Ah. That.”

“Please check if anything is missing.”

“Everything seems to be here.”

Cheong-yeon said after checking the contents of the box. Then he closed the lid and stared at it intently, feeling conflicted about what to do with it.

He wasn’t sure if he should take it to his officetel. He remembered how boldly Do-heon had claimed that his merchandise belonged to him.

‘That’s mine now.’

It seemed like a joke, but seeing how he said it without batting an eye, maybe it wasn’t.

It was impossible to know what Moon Do-heon was thinking.

Should I contact him first? I’ve been feeling uneasy after ending the call so abruptly yesterday.

While his manager was in the bathroom, Cheong-yeon sat alone in the van and called Do-heon.

However, since it was still office hours, Do-heon must have been busy, as there was only a monotonous dial tone with no answer.

“He’s not picking up.”

After holding the phone for a moment in contemplation, Cheong-yeon reopened the box. He took a picture of the merchandise inside and sent it to Do-heon with a message.

[(Photo)]

[Director]

[The broadcasting station returned what I’d lent before]

[Should I mail it to you?]

[Or should I bring it myself?]

Cheong-yeon secretly hoped for a reply telling him to keep it. These items had some meaning to him, and he couldn’t imagine what use Do-heon would have for idol merchandise.

“Actor! We’re heading to the officetel right away.”

Just then, his manager returned from the bathroom. As he started the van and was about to leave the parking lot, a message came through on Cheong-yeon’s phone.

[Moon Do-heon: Bring it to my home yourself.]

[Moon Do-heon: Today.]