This was an actual event from Don’t Look for the Sickly Villain.
Worse yet—it wasn’t meant for Yeon Yiseo. It was the first meeting event between Seo Eunwoo and Tamir.
Of course Yeon Yiseo wanted to bite his tongue.
It was an absurd situation. Why was this event happening now, and to him?
Fighting hard to keep his composure, Yeon Yiseo kept his expression neutral and spoke.
“It’s best to take medication with water. This one’s unopened.”
He offered the bottle he’d been holding.
He’d failed to recognize Tamir earlier simply because he wasn’t wearing a turban. Yeon Yiseo figured that if Tamir refused, he could at least use it as an excuse to get away.
But Tamir took the water without hesitation.
“Have you eaten anything today?”
Yeon Yiseo asked, just as Tamir was about to raise the bottle to his lips.
“I haven’t. My head’s been pounding all day, so I didn’t have much of an appetite.”
“Then it’d be a good idea to eat something light, at least. The catering team tonight is excellent. They’ve even served at White House banquets. If you give me a moment, I’ll bring you something.”
“Then please do.”
As soon as Tamir replied, Yeon Yiseo moved swiftly.
He hadn’t meant to get entangled in this, but he couldn’t ignore it—he’d recently made the mistake of taking pills on an empty stomach and ended up with searing stomach pain. He never wanted to go through that again.
Sure, Tamir was an extreme-dominant Alpha and wouldn’t get sick the same way, but Yeon Yiseo couldn’t help worrying.
He chose dishes he had personally tried and liked, plated them neatly, and returned to Tamir.
On the way back, it occurred to him—Tamir probably had a personal attendant. He could’ve just asked them to help.
Sure enough, standing behind Tamir was a man in a crisp suit—clearly his aide.
If he was that close, wouldn’t it have made more sense to pass the food through him? Why hadn’t Yeon Yiseo noticed him earlier?
Tamir was nodding at something the man had said.
Then, spotting Yeon Yiseo approaching, he raised his hand in greeting. The attendant quietly stepped a few paces back.
Yeon Yiseo handed him the plate. He didn’t know Tamir’s food preferences, but as long as there weren’t any dietary restrictions against lamb, it should be fine. Just in case, he’d also brought bread spread with hummus.
“Mmm. Just as you said—this is excellent.”
Tamir sampled the food, nodded in appreciation.
“Thank you, Mr. Yeon Yiseo. Mr. Scott certainly has an excellent secretary.”
Yeon Yiseo was startled—no, thrown off—to hear his name.
“I apologize. I usually don’t eat anything from strangers.”
“Not at all. That’s completely understandable.”
Tamir smiled, eyes softening.
Given his status, it was a reasonable level of caution. Anyone who thought otherwise didn’t know what powerful politicians or corporate moguls had to deal with.
Yeon Yiseo had either seen or heard of enough incidents to empathize with the caution.
But what really surprised him was how quickly Tamir had figured out who he was and what he did.
Yeon Yiseo reached out to take Tamir’s empty plate, but the man handed it to his aide instead. He lowered his own hand awkwardly.
Tamir’s demeanor had shifted. After drinking the water and taking the pills, he also passed the bottle to his aide.
Yeon Yiseo didn’t mind how he disposed of it—he’d given it to him, after all—but seeing it felt… strangely unsettling.
Tamir had treated him like a subordinate at first, but now, it felt like he was being regarded as an equal.
“It’s only natural to show respect to someone who’s shown you kindness,” Tamir said, clearly catching on to Yeon Yiseo’s subtle reaction.
Suddenly feeling awkward, Yeon Yiseo felt the need to say something, anything.
Without thinking, the first thing he saw slipped from his mouth.
“Your eyes… they’re teal. Doesn’t look like it’s just a trick of the light. It’s a beautiful color. …Ah, well, I’ll excuse myself now. Please enjoy the rest of the party.”
Even as he spoke, Yeon Yiseo felt himself cringing inside. What am I even saying?
He rushed to wrap it up.
Time to go.
But just as he was about to bow out, Tamir gently caught his hand.
His hands were large—just his fingers alone nearly wrapped all the way around Yeon Yiseo’s hand.
“Mr. Yeon Yiseo. Don’t you think this meeting is… a fated connection, guided by something greater?”
What the hell is he saying?
Yeon Yiseo barely stopped the words from tumbling out.
Most people would have played along—after all, this was Tamir Ali Muhammad. Even if he just burped, someone would probably call it divine music.
But not Yeon Yiseo.
Had he triggered this himself? Was it something he said? He suddenly wanted to slap himself in the mouth. What kind of spell had come over him?
But what’s said is said. He couldn’t pretend it didn’t happen.
And fleeing would be a mistake. Making an enemy out of Tamir Ali Muhammad was not an option.
This wasn’t some Thomas or James living in a suburb—this man had the power to erase Yeon Yiseo’s entire career on a whim.
So he had to get out of this carefully.
“If Mr. Muhammad were to take an interest in Dymine, it would be a tremendous honor for us.”
“Mr. Scott must feel very secure with a secretary like you. But I wasn’t talking about the company.”
Tamir took a step closer.
His features were so sharply defined, they looked unreal.
If Yeon Yiseo had to categorize the emotion in Tamir’s gaze, it tilted just slightly into affection level territory—but mostly, it was clear curiosity.
Still, that didn’t make it any more comfortable.
“Ahaha… Thank you for the kind words, Mr. Muhammad. I’ll be sure to pass them along to my boss.”
“That’s not too difficult. Do you want me to do that?”
…He really doesn’t do jokes, does he?
Yeon Yiseo felt a cold sweat slide down his back. Keeping his smile intact, he shook his head slowly. He just wanted to get out of here.
Let’s be absolutely clear: Yeon Yiseo had wanted valuable connections. He had not signed up to date them.
And Tamir—without a doubt—was making a move.
He needed to reject him—firmly, but without causing offense.
Just as he was wrestling with how to do that, a voice called out from behind him.
“Mr. Yeon Yiseo. I was wondering where you’d gone.”
Low and smooth—like the trumpet of an angel. To Yeon Yiseo, it truly sounded heavenly.
He turned to find Alexander standing there.
“Mr. Scott.”
“Good evening, Mr. Muhammad.”
Tamir clearly recognized him. Alexander stepped between them.
“Your boss is looking for you. You should probably go.”
Ethan was looking for him? That was all the excuse Yeon Yiseo needed. He quickly bowed to both men and stepped away.
Tamir didn’t try to stop him—perhaps because the excuse was work-related.
Ethan was in conversation with a senator.
Yeon Yiseo approached Natalie, who was standing nearby, and whispered,
“I heard the boss was looking for me?”
“Huh? Nope. I’ve been next to him the whole time—he didn’t say anything like that.”
“Wait… really?”
“Yup. Who told you that?”
Yeon Yiseo shook his head.
“No one. I must’ve misheard. Natalie, want to take a break somewhere? I can cover for you.”
“This is the best spot in the house—I’m good right here. Did you get something to eat?”
Yeon Yiseo shook his head again. Natalie lightly pushed him.
“Then go eat something already!”
Left with no choice, Yeon Yiseo left the floor and headed toward the food tables. Everything looked amazing—so vibrant and inviting, practically begging to be eaten.
If I could eat and rest here, that’d be perfect.
Too bad the party still had hours to go.
He chose a chocolate cake topped with banana and asked one of the catering staff to slice it for him.
Once served, he took a seat at the bar and dug in with a fork.
Everyone else was ordering cocktails, and here he was, eating cake alone.
He probably looked ridiculous. But so what? Right now, his entire focus was on the cake.
Rich chocolate flavor filled his mouth. The creamy frosting and tender banana came together in a perfect balance.
With every bite, his mood actually started to lift—at least a little.
Maybe I should get another piece.
He was just about to stand up when…
“You must like sweets.”
A voice behind him.
Yeon Yiseo turned around instantly.
