“Sorry? I mean, why would you…? Oh, I see. I was just looking because the bed turned out to be bigger than I expected.”
Yeon Yiseo had no idea why Alexander was explaining that to him, but he nodded anyway. He hadn’t been staring because it looked dirty or anything, so he felt the need to clarify. Alexander was silent for a moment, then finally replied, “I see.”
“Would it be okay if I wake you up around 7:30?”
“Mm, sure. Considering the time I’ll need to get ready, that should work.”
While Yeon Yiseo was setting his phone alarm, Alexander lay down on the bed. Perhaps because of his large build, the bed suddenly seemed small the moment he lay on it. Instead of lying straight in the center, he shifted to one side to make room and then patted the space next to him. He seemed to be asking Yeon Yiseo to lie down too, but Yiseo shook his head.
“I’m fine. I can just sit here.”
“I didn’t ask you to come in just to be uncomfortable. Lie down, even if it’s just for a bit.”
“Really, I’m okay. This is comfortable enough.”
Despite Alexander’s insistence, Yeon Yiseo remained seated on the edge of the bed. It was a deliberate choice—he figured if he stayed in an awkward position, it would keep him from falling asleep. Alexander looked at him as if he had something more to say, but then simply closed his eyes and began speaking in a quiet voice.
“You shouldn’t see that person again—the one who marked you with pheromones without your consent.”
“……”
Yeon Yiseo couldn’t answer right away. He hadn’t expected that at all.
Maybe Alexander interpreted the silence as refusal, because he opened his eyes and looked up at Yeon Yiseo with blue irises that seemed to demand a response. Yiseo averted his gaze. He was just being concerned—just saying something that any friend might say. But for some reason, his heart fluttered.
“You should try to get some sleep.”
He said it because he suddenly realized Alexander hadn’t actually rested, thanks to all their back-and-forth. But then Alexander tapped lightly on Yiseo’s thigh, and Yiseo instinctively turned his head toward him.
“Thank you… for staying with me.”
It was completely different from what Yeon Yiseo had expected. He’d thought Alexander would press for an answer, but instead, he just expressed his gratitude.
“……I won’t see him again.”
The subject was omitted, the words abrupt—but Alexander didn’t question it. He just raised an eyebrow, as if he understood everything Yeon Yiseo was saying.
“Good. I think that’s a wise decision.”
That was all he said—nothing more, nothing less. Yet for some reason, Yeon Yiseo suddenly found himself overcome with emotion. Was it from lack of sleep? He couldn’t bring himself to look Alexander in the face.
“I should probably sleep now.”
At that, Yeon Yiseo cautiously moved his eyes to check. Alexander had his eyes closed again, and maybe it was just his imagination, but his face looked noticeably more at ease. Soon, steady breathing came from him.
Was he asleep now? Yeon Yiseo was watching quietly when Alexander’s arm shifted and brushed against his thigh, startling him. He stared at the hand that had ended up next to him, debating whether to move it. But he decided against it—he might accidentally wake him.
And besides, even though the touch was slight, the warmth from it had a strangely calming effect. It was hard to resist the urge to just stay like this a bit longer. So he stayed seated, listening to the steady rhythm of breathing, and before long, his own eyelids started to close.
He checked his phone. 5:23 a.m.
Only about fifteen minutes had passed.
His eyes felt dry. Maybe it’d be best to close them for just a bit. He checked the alarm again, adjusted his position, and crossed his arms. To keep the phone from slipping, he wedged it between his body and his arm. Resting his head against the bed’s headboard made things a bit more comfortable.
The thunder that had occasionally rumbled outside was now fading into the distance. Eventually, no sound remained.
***
At some point, his eyes suddenly flew open. Tap. Taptaptap. Rain hitting the window could be heard faintly. Strangely, his body felt refreshed. Disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings, Yeon Yiseo turned his head, looked around—and shot up with a gasp.
He’d only closed his eyes for a second after confirming that Alexander was asleep—so why was he now lying alone on the bed?
A clock on the table entered his view. His mouth fell open when he saw the time.
The hour hand was pointing at three.
This was a disaster. He hadn’t just dozed off—he’d slept way past the time he should’ve been up. He’d slept right through work hours, just lying there like it was nothing. He had set an alarm…
Frantically, he checked his phone. There was no sign that the alarm had ever gone off. Had he turned it off in his sleep?
Yeon Yiseo rushed out of the room, and as he stepped into the outer office, Alexander looked up from behind his monitor.
“You’re awake.”
“I’m so sorry, sir. I’ll head out and get to work right away.”
He didn’t even know what kind of face to make. Once he stepped out of the CEO’s office, he’d see Ellie, the receptionist, right away—and he had no idea how to greet her. Who knows what rumors might spread among the staff.
But it was a situation he’d have to face. He couldn’t hide forever—he had to deal with it.
Just as he was firming up his resolve and approaching the door, Alexander’s voice came from behind.
“No, it’s fine. You don’t have to.”
“Pardon?”
“I told the secretarial staff not to come in today. Miss Kuttner included.”
Even Ellie had been told not to come in? Yeon Yiseo tilted his head, wondering if he’d heard that right.
“You told the entire secretarial team… not to come in? Why…?”
“There’s going to be noise due to table replacements. Plus, we need to add more large floral arrangements to the reception area.”
His explanation was vague. Hard to believe, really. How much noise could replacing a few tables cause? And how long could it possibly take?
Alexander stood and slowly walked over to Yeon Yiseo, who still looked confused.
“There’s no one else on this floor right now. So it’s fine for you to leave whenever you like.”
Now Yeon Yiseo understood. Alexander had realized that he was reluctant to be seen leaving the CEO’s office by other employees—so he’d arranged things to prevent that from happening.
“Of course, since it’s paid leave, they won’t have any complaints.”
“But… why go that far? You could’ve just woken me up.”
Yeon Yiseo honestly couldn’t understand.
“You were sleeping so soundly. Even when I laid you on the bed, you didn’t stir. I did turn off the alarm when it rang, but I got a little startled, worried it might wake you. Still, I’m glad you got proper rest.”
As he spoke, Alexander put on the suit jacket he’d taken off earlier.
Yeon Yiseo was stunned. So that’s why the alarm hadn’t gone off.
“You definitely look better than you did this morning.”
Alexander’s tone was light, as if he were genuinely relieved. Yeon Yiseo just stared blankly at him. So he’d given the entire team paid leave just for that? Just so Yeon Yiseo wouldn’t feel awkward walking out of his office?
What benefit could Alexander possibly gain from doing all this? It made no sense.
From a business standpoint, if he had to choose between losing a day of labor from his staff and Yeon Yiseo feeling uncomfortable, the logical choice was obvious. Yeon Yiseo being flustered wouldn’t affect Alexander in the slightest.
But before Yeon Yiseo could voice any of that, Alexander beat him to it.
“Just to be clear—there wasn’t anything urgent that needed doing. No meetings scheduled either. So don’t worry about it. Now then, let’s get going.”
His tone shifted, as if to change the mood.
“Get going…? Where?”
“Lunch. I waited for you to wake up, but honestly, I’m starving.”
Yeon Yiseo was completely thrown. It was one thing for him to miss lunch—but to think Alexander had skipped a meal because of him?
His head throbbed when he thought about the rent money Jeremy had taken, and how dangerously low his balance was… but he couldn’t just let this go.
“Let me treat you. Is there anything you’re craving?”
Yeon Yiseo’s offer made Alexander freeze mid-motion as he buttoned his jacket. He looked at Yiseo with a curious expression.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard someone say that to me… since I was a kid.”
His voice was unusually touched.
And it made sense. If Alexander ever wanted to eat something, he could afford it without a second thought.
“Have you never seen my salary reported in the news?”
That comment from Alexander echoed in Yeon Yiseo’s mind.
Their salaries couldn’t even be compared. But he could still show appreciation. Just because something might be trivial to Alexander didn’t mean Yiseo had to stay silent. There was a difference between doing nothing… and doing something.
