20
“Well. First, is the other person rich? Then maybe I should just ask for money. But these days, gift taxes can be troublesome. If it’s cash… since the source of the funds might be questioned, I think physical items might be better. Or gold bars would be good too. But why do you ask?”
Taejun, who was openly expressing such thoroughly modern thinking, looked at Seunghyeok.
“I just thought that’s what most people would do.”
“Why? Are there people who don’t?”
“It’s nothing. Let’s get back to business.”
Taejun grumbled at Seunghyeok’s abrupt change of subject, as if he found it disagreeable, but soon acted as if he had given up. Taejun quickly moved on to business matters.
Taejun gave a brief briefing on several cases he had been commissioned to handle. Needless to say, they were all satisfactory. This was thanks to Taejun, who knew Seunghyeok’s preferences and handled the work meticulously.
Seunghyeok took out papers from the document envelope handed to him by Taejun and quickly scanned them with his eyes.
Junghyun’s name was written on the documents. A comprehensive investigation about Junghyun.
That was exactly what he had commissioned Taejun to do.
Of course, he had conducted investigations before, but those had primarily focused on Junghyun’s parents, the president couple of Hyeonmu Enterprise.
The trajectory of his life was recorded on a single sheet of paper.
Seunghyeok’s gaze stopped at one spot.
“You couldn’t find his whereabouts after that?”
As soon as Seunghyeok finished speaking languidly, Taejun answered quickly.
“You mean Jo Yeongung? He seems to be only using cash, so he must have money hidden somewhere, but since he’s quite a spendthrift, I’ve compiled a list of places where he might be.”
[Adopted before reaching two weeks of age.]
This was the phrase where Seunghyeok’s gaze had halted.
With technological advancements, one can determine what designation a child will manifest as soon as they are born. After one week, the accuracy reaches 98%.
Seunghyeok’s subdued eyes quickly scanned the lower part of the document.
The period during which Junghyun lived with the president couple was only until elementary school. Before he entered elementary school, he was raised by a live-in housekeeper. Even that person was changed every six months.
During middle school, he stayed at a boarding school, and in high school, he moved out and started living on his own. He only went back to his family home briefly during vacations, and even then, the couple would be away on holiday trips together.
On the surface, Junghyun had led quite an upper-class life. After all, a school with special educational programs for alphas and omegas required payment of about 40 million won per year.
In the investigation material Seunghyeok held, there was nothing that could suggest any affection between parents and child.
It was rare for a child from a wealthy family to be treated this way. Unless they weren’t really considered their child.
Moreover, Junghyun is a recessive omega.
“…”
Seunghyeok could easily guess why they had adopted Junghyun.
Seunghyeok knew very well how selfish people could be for their own interests. If the number of cards one can hold increases, there’s no reason to refuse. Both they and Seunghyeok were just that kind of people. He had never thought negatively about it.
But why did it make him feel like his insides were turning?
Seunghyeok recalled what he knew about Junghyun one by one.
He had grown tired of delivery food and started cooking for himself, and when he ate with Seunghyeok, he seemed so happy it was as if he might wag a tail if he had one. Individual trivial details fit together like puzzle pieces.
The mere two pieces of chicken he had eaten.
The lunchbox that he said he enjoyed but ultimately couldn’t finish.
…Shit.
His hand holding the paper tightened.
Did Junghyun know that he was adopted?
He didn’t make hasty judgments. He didn’t want to approach Junghyun with thoughts like “he’s pitiful” or “that’s unfortunate.” He didn’t want to look at Junghyun from such a perspective.
Ahem. He heard Taejun softly clearing his throat beside him.
“Still, it’s fortunate that he grew up as an omega in a wealthy household with that much protection.”
“Protection?”
Seunghyeok questioned in a slow tone while looking at Taejun. He saw a flicker of “uh-oh” cross Taejun’s eyes.
“Should we be grateful when they put something in a cage, feed it, and raise it until it’s big enough to slaughter?”
Despite his languid tone, there seemed to be a flame rising from within Seunghyeok’s eyes. However, this time Taejun didn’t back down.
“That doesn’t sound like something someone who hasn’t experienced the threats omegas live under should say.”
Taejun shot back without yielding. The two remained silent for a while.
“Why are you looking at me like that? You look like you’re going to eat me.”
Taejun was the first to raise both hands, indicating surrender.
Seunghyeok slowly closed and opened his eyelids. Taejun wasn’t the one he should be angry with.
He honestly acknowledged that his recent response was merely venting frustration. Seunghyeok quickly dried up his emotions.
“Good. I’ll tell our team to look into CEO Jo Yeongung’s side, so please narrow down the locations.”
“But wait, this is something even your team members could do, so why are you using me like this?”
Thanks to Taejun’s playful comeback, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.
“There’s no one among our employees who can find things as accurately as you, Taejun.”
Taejun stared at Seunghyeok, who spoke so casually. Soon, Taejun laughed, “Ha!”
“You’re flattering me again. Fine, I’ll find it and bring it to you.”
The time when their meeting ended was long after all employees had gone home.
Taejun stretched and moved his neck from side to side.
When Seunghyeok silently urged Taejun, he walked deliberately slowly, as if on purpose. Only when Seunghyeok’s gaze became fierce did Taejun move quickly, saying, “Oh my, how scary.”
When he returned home and opened the front door, there was a sound of something quickly moving inside. Then Junghyun appeared. It seemed he had been waiting for Seunghyeok without sleeping and had rushed out when he heard someone coming. His disheveled hair clearly showed how hurried Junghyun had been.
Perhaps because he had given advance notice? This time, he hadn’t prepared a meal.
Seunghyeok reached out and tidied Junghyun’s messy hair. In response, Junghyun smiled slightly, his eyes curving.
“You must be very tired. You should rest.”
“Were you up until this hour?”
“Yes, I wanted to see you come in before going to sleep.”
Junghyun’s smiling words felt sweet. How strange.
Junghyun smiled faintly at Seunghyeok’s gaze on him. Then, as if suddenly remembering, he greeted Seunghyeok.
“You must be tired, so go in and rest. Now that I’ve seen you, I’ll head to my room as well.”
Junghyun quickly finished speaking and slipped into his room before Seunghyeok could say anything. It was disappointing, but since Junghyun was clearly tired too, he didn’t hold him back.
After a brief shower, Seunghyeok didn’t go straight to bed.
Leaning against the headboard, he was flipping through the investigation materials he had received from Taejun.
Looking at Junghyun now, one would never expect him to have such a background.
Tap, tap. Seunghyeok’s eyes grew sharp as he drummed his fingers on the desk.
* * *
Junghyun slowly opened his eyes.
Something felt off.
“Huh…?!”
Junghyun sat up abruptly and was shocked to see how bright it was outside the window.
Had he missed hearing Seunghyeok leaving for work?
The only proper times during the day when he could see his face were the brief moments before he left for work and after he returned. And he had missed that time. Finding this absurd, Junghyun chewed on his lip and stepped outside his room.
“Are you up?”
“…Oh.”
Junghyun froze. Someone unexpected was there.
“Hyung, did you go to work…”
Seunghyeok was at home. Today was even a weekday.
But something was strange. Instead of his usual suit, he was wearing jeans and a knit sweater.
“It’s a holiday today.”
“…Ah. No, then why aren’t you sleeping more? Aren’t you tired?”
“Why are you so intent on getting me to sleep?”
“What? No, that’s not it. It’s not like that, I’m just concerned you might be tired.”
Seunghyeok smiled. Junghyun cautiously asked:
“So are you staying home all day today?”
“That’s right.”
Initially taken aback, Junghyun’s face blossomed with a smile like a child who had received an unexpected gift.
All day.
He was happy about the fact that he wouldn’t be alone in this spacious house, but with someone. And he was even happier that it was Seunghyeok and not someone else.
“I was thinking we could have a light breakfast and then go out, would that be okay?”
“Go out?”
“Do you like shopping? I want to buy some clothes for you.”
Seunghyeok’s words were unexpected.
Hesitating about whether he could ask, Junghyun cautiously opened his mouth.
“Um… but, Hyung.”
“Yes?”
“Is it okay for me to go outside? I, um…”
Even though no one else was listening, Junghyun’s voice grew quieter. He moved closer to Seunghyeok as if whispering.
“Aren’t I confined here right now?”
Despite his careful questioning, Seunghyeok burst into laughter.
Junghyun closed his mouth and stared at him in surprise. Had he said something wrong? Seunghyeok’s laughter was pleasing to see, but this situation was a bit perplexing.
“Um…”
“Ah, no. I just didn’t expect you to ask that. You’ve already been to the supermarket, and now you’re asking this? Isn’t that a bit too carefree for someone who’s supposedly confined?”
Seunghyeok asked, as if finding it amusing.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
