#126
After Taemin left, Idam went out to the garden alone. He sat on a bench and called Sujeong. Since Idam had suddenly come up to Seoul yesterday, she must have been very bewildered too. However, as it seemed to be a convenient time, she answered the phone right away and greeted him cheerfully.
“I was surprised when Secretary Kang contacted me saying you suddenly went up to Seoul. What happened?”
“Ah, well…”
Idam told her about Taemin’s visit yesterday and his recent situation.
“I’m planning to stay for a few more days before deciding whether to leave the CEO’s side or not.”
[Are you not hurt anywhere?]
“Ah…”
At her question, Idam looked at his ankle and the crutches beside him. Knowing that Sujeong would be furious if she found out Taemin had twisted his ankle, he didn’t disclose this fact.
“Yeah. I’m fine. I’m sorry things turned out this way, Sujeong. How’s the cafe?”
[I was informed that they’d hire a new employee to replace you.]
“Yeah, that’s right.”
[So two people came today, and they’re veterans with experience in running cafes. We’re actually getting help from them.]
“What kind of people are they?”
Idam didn’t expect Taemin to hire such high-quality personnel. Especially since he had offered to cover the employees’ salaries himself, it was even more perplexing. It probably wouldn’t be possible with a normal salary… Idam felt burdened yet pleased by Taemin’s unexpected consideration.
[Of course, your cooking is the best, Idam, but what can we do? You’re… pregnant, right?]
“Huh, how did you know that?”
[Well… Yesterday, when our bear mascot was about to hand out flyers, Baekwol Corporation employees caught me.]
“What? Really? What did they do to you?”
[I was scared for a moment, but they apologized saying they mistook me for you.]
“That’s a relief.”
If anything had happened to Sujeong, Idam wouldn’t have stayed quiet.
[Afterwards, as they were returning to their car, I overheard them talking among themselves. I found out you were pregnant from their conversation.]
“Ah… I see.”
Idam lowered his head.
“I’m sorry for hiding it until now. But I was going to tell you soon.”
[I understand your position. My sister also couldn’t say anything to her company during early pregnancy because she was worried.]
“Ah, really?”
[When she finally told her boss because she couldn’t hide it anymore, they pressured her to quit. My brother and I felt sorry for her.]
“Thank you.”
The more Idam got to know Sujeong, the more he felt she was truly a good person.
[That baby… It’s between you and the CEO, right?]
“Yeah…”
[Are you going to marry the CEO?]
“I don’t know…”
Taemin had become much more affectionate than before, but it was still hard to tell if he was sincere or not. So Idam felt conflicted, thinking it might be difficult to figure everything out within a week. A week seemed shorter than expected.
[I can hear affection for the CEO in your voice?]
“What?”
[Don’t you have feelings for him too?]
At Sujeong’s words, Idam felt his face heat up. It felt like he had been caught doing something he shouldn’t have.
“No, no. I don’t like him. The CEO tried to use me. It might still be the same now.”
[Idam, honestly speaking, it seems like Ji Taemin really likes you.]
“What?”
[At first, he probably intended to use you as an extreme heat omega. I thought so too. That’s why I helped you escape. But seeing him come to Cheongdo in person to find you this time, my thoughts have changed.]
“…”
[Honestly, he could have just ordered an employee to deal with you.]
It was true. Taemin was a very busy person with many ongoing businesses. Yet he came down to Cheongdo to find Idam, and even climbed the wall to the rooftop to meet him as he was running away. It wasn’t something one would do with ordinary feelings.
[Idam, I want you to make a decision that leads to your happiness. Of course, the same goes for the baby that will be born.]
“Yeah…”
Thinking that Taemin’s professed love might be sincere made Idam’s heart flutter. For some reason, his eyes became moist and his chest ached.
[By the way, if the baby takes after both of you, it’s going to be incredibly beautiful. I’m looking forward to it. Ah, a customer is coming in now. I’ll come up to Seoul later. Let’s meet face to face.]
“What? No, I’ll come.”
[What are you talking about, you’re pregnant. Take good care of yourself.]
Sujeong immediately ended the call. A breeze blew for a moment. The branches in the garden swayed. Day by day, as autumn deepened, the green leaves were gradually turning red. As if reflecting Idam’s heart.
‘It seems like Ji Taemin really likes you.’
Sujeong’s voice from earlier echoed in his mind.
It seems that even to a third party like Sujeong, Taemin appeared to like Idam. This seemed to prove that it wasn’t just Idam’s imagination this time. Yet, doubts lingered, complicating his feelings.
“Ah… It’s difficult. So difficult…”
Confused, Idam grabbed his head and twisted it back and forth. His neatly styled hair instantly became a mess like a bird’s nest. But pondering like this was useless. He felt that the only answer was to observe Taemin more for now.
Idam picked up his phone again. This time it was to call Hayun. He had originally intended to call Hayun first, but the line was busy, so he had called Sujeong first.
He had left Seoul suddenly without giving Hayun any notice. And three whole months had passed. While in Cheongdo, he wanted to contact her several times, but knowing he was likely under Taemin’s surveillance, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. So, given the long absence, he expected Hayun to be very angry too. Just as he was about to dial Hayun’s number, feeling like a criminal, he sensed a chilling presence behind him.
“What’s that?”
Tensed, Idam quickly looked back. There was nothing but trees swaying in the wind and a pond. Thinking he might have imagined it, he was about to turn his head back when-
He sensed a strong scent. It was sweet but nauseating enough to make his head spin. It felt as if a whole bottle of intense perfume had been poured over his head. Feeling nauseous, Idam was about to stand up from the bench using his crutches when a deep dizziness hit him and his body staggered.
Just as he was about to fall, he felt hands wrapping around his waist. Firm arms and large hands. Similar to Taemin’s, but clearly a different sensation.
“W-Who…?”
Idam carefully looked back.
“Long time no see.”
For a moment, seeing the blue eyes, he thought it was Taemin. But the golden hair fluttering in the wind indicated it was Rickdi. Though neatly dressed, he looked somewhat disheveled and haggard. Surprised by his sudden appearance, Idam hastily stepped back. As he did so, Rickdi’s hands naturally fell away from his waist.
“Y-You… H-How are you here?”
“I had an appointment to have dinner with Taemin today. But Idam, you need to run away now.”
“What?”
“I found out that Taemin has sent people to deal with you.”
Idam’s heart sank.
“M-Me?”
“Come with me quickly.”
Idam was confused. The feelings he had briefly harbored for Taemin felt like they were plummeting off a cliff. But it also felt strange. Taemin’s attitude had clearly changed. Even Sujeong had asserted this fact. So why suddenly this?
“It’s too dangerous to stay. Follow me.”
Rickdi tried to grab Idam’s hand. At the same time, his blue gaze fixed on Idam’s crutches.
“You’ve hurt your leg.”
“Yes? Yes…”
“Then…”
Taking a deep breath, Rickdi supported Idam’s knees and buttocks and lifted him up. This caused Idam to drop his crutches. While he was momentarily stunned, Rickdi started running.
“W-Wait a moment… Hey…”
Idam tried to stop him, but Rickdi’s legs were relentless. This made Idam’s head spin. Eventually, he passed through the garden and headed towards a corner of the mansion. There, a small iron door that Idam hadn’t known existed while staying at the mansion appeared. Rickdi skillfully slipped through it.
A quiet alleyway came into view, with a bright red sports car on one side. Rickdi sat Idam in the passenger seat before taking the driver’s seat. Idam’s head was dizzy from the sudden change of location, but after calming down for a moment, he cleared his throat and faced Rickdi.
“Um… Did the CEO really say he was going to harm me?”
“Yes.”
“Even… Even so…”
Honestly, it was hard to believe. He remembered Taemin’s words from the building rooftop yesterday.
‘Grandfather is a scary person. So I thought if he found out about my feelings, you would be in danger. That’s why I pretended to follow grandfather’s wishes in front of him.’
Taemin might have had his own circumstances.
“Um… I think I should ask the CEO directly.”
Idam wasn’t close to Rickdi, so being alone with him like this was very uncomfortable. He wanted to get out of this space as soon as possible. He hurriedly grabbed the door handle. Usually, he would have run away quickly, but with his injured ankle, it was difficult to move.
At that moment, Rickdi’s arm suddenly reached out and wrapped around Idam’s waist.
“Don’t go.”
“Um…”
Rickdi’s face came close. For a moment, perhaps because they had the same blue eyes, it felt like facing Taemin, but it was unsettling. It was clearly different from dealing with Taemin.
“Don’t do this.”
Idam tried to shake off Rickdi’s hand. Then,
“Actually, I’ve fallen for you, Idam.”
“What?”
“From the moment I first saw you…”
Rickdi’s confession made Idam even more confused, and he felt a wave of discomfort washing over him.
“I… I have someone I like. Don’t do this.”
Idam, frightened, tried to push Rickdi’s chest away. But the more he did so, the closer Rickdi’s face came. Eventually, he grabbed Idam’s chin. Feeling uncomfortable, Idam turned his face away to avoid him. At that moment, Rickdi’s lips touched Idam’s mouth.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
