It felt like quite a long time had passed. After carefully washing Sanho, who had fallen asleep as if collapsing, I lay down next to him on the bed and did nothing. Most of the time, I kept my eyes closed lazily, but I wasn’t asleep. The explosively surging pheromones of the Omega gradually found stability after mating with the Alpha. Since it wasn’t a typical Heat Cycle, the wild pheromones quickly calmed down.
“…….”
Still, Sanho tossed and turned a few times. Sometimes he frowned as if in pain, and at other times, he broke out in a cold sweat as if struggling. Every time Sanho moved, Siwoo lay on his side and embraced him. He brushed Sanho’s hair back, which had fallen over his forehead like a baby, and when he couldn’t help but want to hold him tightly, he gently nibbled on his earlobe without causing pain. He even pressed his lips against Sanho’s cute nose. When Siwoo’s lips touched him, it tickled, causing Sanho to furrow his brow, and Siwoo chuckled softly, gently rubbing the furrowed brow with his fingertips. It was quite a peaceful time.
“…….”
The pheromones that weren’t consciously controlled surged. Holding the Omega in his arms, Siwoo found no reason to control the pheromones that naturally seeped out. The pheromones, imbued with the warm scent of earth, gently caressed Sanho’s body, and each time, Sanho would softly exhale. Although he was deep in sleep, he must have felt the comforting touch.
The hair that had been brushed back fell again beneath his eyebrows. The black, shiny hair fell delicately over his white skin, creating a strange light. This boy was all white and all black. Or perhaps he had a shy hint of red.
“…like a doll.”
Siwoo murmured in a small voice. It was an astonishing sensation. It felt like something sharp was cutting through his heart while also cradling him gently. The memories of the past year, which had surged in like a tide, slowly found their place, stirring Siwoo’s heart. When did it start? When did he begin to harbor such feelings for this boy? Even now, with his memories fully returned, he had no way of knowing the starting point of these feelings.
Suddenly, a fear of even touching this precious boy with a single fingertip washed over him. Remembering how, just a few hours ago, he had excitedly thrust his ferocious member into this boy’s body made his heart race as if it would burst. Even now, his instinctual desire to hold him tightly felt a bit shameless.
Like a frightened child, Siwoo gently pulled his body back. As he created a little distance, Sanho’s delicate face filled his view. The long eyelashes that had seemed fragmented when they were stuck together, the cute nose, and the fruit-like lips all blended together in a striking way. Siwoo frowned slightly, looking embarrassed, and smiled.
Ah, so… beautiful.
Feeling Sanho’s body slightly pull away from the warmth that had been constantly shared, he tossed and turned. His brow furrowed for a moment, then his eyelids slowly lifted. The dark eyes, still tinged with sleep, turned toward Siwoo.
“…….”
“…….”
“…….”
For a moment, they faced each other. Soon, with a languid expression, Siwoo smiled, crinkling the corners of his eyes.
“Hello.”
He greeted him with a voice as languid as his expression. The dawn sun, just beginning to rise, cast a bluish shadow through the window. Sanho blinked a couple of times and then continued to gaze at Siwoo.
“Did you sleep well?”
“…….”
“You’ve been asleep for a long time.”
“…….”
“The heat is over now—”
Suddenly, Sanho reached out and poked Siwoo’s cheek.
“Is this a dream?”
At the unexpected remark, Siwoo laughed again. The curve of his eyes deepened a little more.
“It’s not a dream.”
“Really, really, my memory has come back?”
Seeing Sanho staring at him as if he still couldn’t believe it, Siwoo laughed out loud. But soon, he noticed something strange. The gaze of Sanho, who was staring at him blankly, was gradually distorting. Like someone who had lost something precious, a look resembling despair appeared on Sanho’s face.
“Do you dislike that my memory has returned?”
Even though he asked playfully, pretending to be nonchalant, Sanho quietly kept his mouth shut. Although Siwoo’s eyes still smiled, an uneasy feeling gradually spread within him. Siwoo furrowed his brows slightly.
“You said you wanted to leave here, so you had to remember.”
“…….”
“Very frighteningly, either find your memory or I’ll….”
His furrowed brows deepened a little more. Feeling blood rush down, Siwoo squinted one eye in discomfort.
“…who was it that asked me to make you pregnant?”
“That’s…”
“That’s?”
Sanho’s mouth closed again. Seeing Sanho’s earlobes turn red, Siwoo let out a small laugh.
“Sanho, you tell so many lies.”
“What do you mean….”
“You pretended to be trapped with me on the first day. Acting like you didn’t know anything.”
“…….”
“You secretly mixed medicine in the water. Even using vitamin pills to deceive me.”
“…….”
“And what else is there?”
“I…”
“Oh, you even pretended to trip and fell down the stairs. Without a hint of fear.”
As that moment came to mind, the smile faded from Siwoo’s face. With a slightly distorted expression, he reached out and gently stroked Sanho’s hair. His large hand carefully caressed the wound on Sanho’s head, which had been torn by the edge of the stairs.
“This is something you’ll definitely get scolded for.”
“At that time, you—”
Siwoo brought his pursed lips closer to Sanho. His clear face came near. He gently bit Sanho’s lower lip and then pulled back.
“No, you need to be scolded. You need to be scolded a lot, you.”
Sanho blinked in confusion. His innocent face was both absurd and beautiful, causing Siwoo to let out a small laugh.
“I said I could give you anything you wanted, didn’t I? Remember?”
“…yes.”
“Then you have to do what I want too.”
As if it were a matter of course, he spoke about the exchange. Sanho looked at Siwoo with one eyebrow slightly furrowed.
“Do you remember what I wanted from you?”
“…not to work part-time.”
It was a fragmentary answer. Siwoo chuckled and shook his head.
“Well, that’s true, but… besides that.”
“Besides that?”
Siwoo quietly reached out and gently wrapped his arms around Sanho’s waist. The distance that had been created between them closed again.
“I don’t want anyone to treat you carelessly. Sanho, I don’t want you to treat yourself carelessly either.”
“…….”
“How can you think of hurting yourself carelessly? Huh?”
“…….”
“You said you liked me. You said you loved me. So why can’t you do just that one thing I want?”
It was a reproachful statement, but his voice was infinitely gentle. Sanho’s lips trembled. Siwoo’s previously relaxed brow furrowed again. He cupped Sanho’s cheek with his large hand and gently pressed his thumb against his lower lip. Every time this boy’s lips quivered, the delicate skin caught between his teeth made Siwoo feel sorry. With his lips released by physical force, Sanho lowered his eyes and avoided his gaze.
“Sanho.”
“…yes.”
“What happened? While I lost my memory, what happened?”
Sanho still didn’t answer. His lowered gaze didn’t move. Slowly sliding his hand along the curve of Sanho’s waist, Siwoo opened his mouth slowly.
“Tell me, what happened.”
The gentle touch on his deeply curved waist felt very affectionate. It felt like he was comforting a child or touching a lover. Sanho’s waist trembled lightly at the feather-like softness of the gesture. After a long silence, Sanho quietly opened his mouth.
“Nothing happened.”
Siwoo’s hand, which had been constantly exploring Sanho’s body, abruptly stopped. The still hand soon spread wide, wrapping around Sanho’s waist. Then he pulled him toward himself with force.
“Really, nothing happened?”
“Yes. Nothing at all.”
Siwoo’s grip tightened. As Sanho nestled into his embrace, he felt his heart pounding loudly. The warmth and gentle pressure made Sanho tremble again.
“How could you, who says nothing happened, lock me up?”
“…senpai.”
“How could you lock me up when just a little touch makes you tremble like this?”
Their lower bodies were pressed closely together. The soft skin of Sanho rubbed against Siwoo’s firm thigh.
“Tell me, Sanho.”
“Really, nothing….”
“Tell me what happened with your father.”
At Siwoo’s words, Sanho’s body tensed for a moment. He hadn’t expected Siwoo to bring up Chairman Jin’s story first. Siwoo gently stroked Sanho’s rigid body.
“I know your father well.”
“…….”
“If Director Park Kyuchul was getting you medicine, it must have been at your father’s orders.”
Siwoo’s voice, which continued calmly, was steady. Sanho’s hand, which had been resting against Siwoo’s chest, slowly clenched into a fist.
“Your father wouldn’t have helped you for no reason. He must have taken something from you in return.”
The strength in Sanho’s clenched fist increased. Looking down at Sanho’s knuckles, which had turned white, Siwoo quietly released his hand. As Sanho slowly opened his mouth, his palm brushed against Siwoo’s hand.
“Time… there’s not much left.”
“What time?”
“The time I can be with you.”
“…….”
“That was all I had. To be with you, I had to give you everything I had.”
What does that mean… Siwoo raised Sanho’s hand, which he had been stroking, to eye level. He gently kissed the tips of Sanho’s fingers while looking at him.
“…did you bet with your father again, putting yourself on the line?”
“It’s not a bet… it’s a deal.”
Chewing on the inside of his cheek, Sanho avoided Siwoo’s gaze. Siwoo rubbed Sanho’s fingertips against his lips, quietly gazing at him.
“Time.”
And then a memory followed. The memory, which rolled back like a film, returned to three months ago, on the day of his engagement.
‘…time.’
‘Yes. I just need time, Father.’
It was in Chairman Jin’s office. That day, instead of heading to the engagement venue, he had gone to his father’s office. Deep within the tall JR building. There, he had met his father. And he had told him that story.
***
[Three months ago]
“Director.”
Manager Jung, who had parked the car in front of the JR building, looked at Siwoo through the rearview mirror.
“Yes, Manager.”
“…I’ll be waiting.”
Siwoo nodded at Manager Jung. Taking a deep breath, he opened the car door. He knew that this step would determine the course of his future.
“Um… Director…?”
As he entered the headquarters lobby, a staff member standing at the information desk recognized Siwoo and widened his eyes in surprise. Just moments ago, the news of his engagement had been revealed through the media. Siwoo’s sudden decision for a private engagement, coupled with his appearance, was enough to astonish the staff. Siwoo smiled lightly at the employee.
“I came to see my father.”
“Oh, that’s….”
The rumors of discord between Chairman Jin and his son were already well-known. The staff seemed very flustered by Siwoo’s appearance. Siwoo nodded calmly and stepped inside. He entered the large elevator that only a select few could access and glanced at his wristwatch. Strangely, he felt very calm. It was surprising that the anxiety that had filled his heart for a month while planning this was settling at the most decisive moment.
In front of the large office door, Siwoo stopped. Perhaps the information desk had already reported his arrival, as the secretaries who usually occupied their posts were nowhere to be seen. Siwoo glanced at the empty desk and knocked on the large door.
“Come in.”
A low voice responded. Siwoo slowly opened the door and stepped inside.
“Ah, I was just thinking it was about time for you to come see me.”
Chairman Jin, sitting in front of the large window, spoke. Siwoo silently gazed at his father. He paused for a moment but soon took a step toward his father’s large desk. Chairman Jin casually interlaced his fingers and looked up at Siwoo. Even though Siwoo was looking up from below, he felt a sense of pressure. His father was a towering figure. Sometimes, he feared such a father, but he always respected him. However, at this moment, he felt no fear at all. There was nothing greater than the desire to protect someone he cared for.
“It must be quite difficult to control the media. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
