#41
Secretary Kang was sitting on the living room sofa, looking at a pad. It was Taemin’s work schedule. Around him, men with short hair were lined up in crow-like suits.
The cheerful sound of footsteps, piercing through this rigid atmosphere, grew louder. Soon, Im Hoyoung entered the living room wearing horn-rimmed glasses. Dressed in an ivory French coat, he was a complete contrast to Secretary Kang.
“Hello.”
At Im Hoyoung’s greeting, Secretary Kang stood up briefly from the sofa and bowed politely. Im Hoyoung then sat down on the sofa with a fresh smile. Secretary Kang did the same.
“Taemin hasn’t woken up yet?”
Im Hoyoung looked around carefully.
“It seems he’s awake, but not ready to come out yet.”
Taemin had a meeting with a business partner scheduled for this afternoon. So Secretary Kang had gone to the bedroom to see if Taemin was awake. Of course, he didn’t open the door, but sensed movement from outside. He heard the loud creaking of the bed and Idam’s moans in succession, so he left the spot.
Usually, Taemin didn’t like to be disturbed when he was with an alpha during his rut. But since his partner was Yeo Idam, he thought Taemin would be even more sensitive. So he decided to wait for now. There was also still time before the scheduled meeting.
“It’s only been two days since it started, right?”
“Yes.”
Because of this, Taemin had been off work for two days.
“Wow, Ji Taemin is losing his mind after tasting an omega for the first time. Ah, crazy.”
Im Hoyoung chuckled in admiration.
“He’s always been well-endowed, but this is interesting.”
He was a doctor, but sometimes had a dirty mouth. Perhaps that’s why he was friends with Taemin.
“So they’ve been at it for two days straight?”
“That’s how it seems.”
In reality, they did eat meals, and the employees changed the sheets and cleaned when they could, but Taemin hadn’t let go of Yeo Idam for a single moment. This was the first time Secretary Kang had seen such a scene while assisting Taemin, and he wasn’t used to it.
Im Hoyoung felt the same way. He had known Taemin since childhood, but this was the first time he had seen him so instinctive and lacking self-control.
He had always been obsessed with work, and even when he dated someone, it never lasted long. Even when he was with alphas during his rut, he treated them merely as tools to relieve his heat.
Of course, for alphas, the existence of an omega is like a spring to quench a dry throat, or a light in the darkness, but this was the first time Taemin had been so intensely focused on someone. The existence of Yeo Idam, who appeared like a comet to Im Hoyoung, who researched and examined omegas for a living, was very intriguing.
“Secretary Kang, you’re a beta, so you don’t know what that omega pheromone is like, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“It was my first time experiencing such pheromones.”
“Was the scent strong or unpleasant?”
“Not at all, it was rather sweet, I’d say. But my body couldn’t accept those pheromones. That’s why I was bedridden all day. I’m still feeling dizzy.”
He slightly removed his glasses and pressed his forehead firmly.
“That omega is like a living weapon to me, but seems like paradise to Taemin.”
As he finished speaking, Im Hoyoung’s gaze turned towards where Taemin’s bedroom was.
As far as Im Hoyoung knew, Taemin’s father also suffered from omega aversion. But he met an omega and was cured, and afterwards married a superior omega from a good family with excellent specs. It was expected that Taemin would follow the same procedure.
The only strange thing was the look in Taemin’s eyes when he gazed at that omega. Like a wild beast smelling blood before a hunt, it was a mix of possessiveness and dangerous heat.
“But why did you come today, Dr. Im?”
Secretary Kang, who had been chatting away, suddenly looked puzzled.
“Rickdi is coming to Korea this time. He said he wants to have a drink with Taemin.”
“What? Does the CEO know about this?”
“He probably doesn’t. I just got the call a little while ago.”
“I see…”
Secretary Kang’s lips moved slightly before he continued speaking.
“Actually, this is the first time I’m hearing that name. Was he also a childhood friend of the CEO?”
“No. He’s a friend I met while studying in the US, and naturally, he became acquainted with Taemin too.”
“I see.”
“Rickdi is also an extremely dominant alpha like Taemin. That’s why they became friends quickly.”
“I see…”
At that moment, footsteps were heard from the second floor. Secretary Kang and Im Hoyoung stopped their conversation and looked in that direction. Taemin, dressed in white homewear, was standing at the top of the stairs. Secretary Kang quickly stood up and approached him.
“CEO, you’re awake?”
Taemin nodded. Though his expression was blank, he seemed strangely energetic. Like a vampire who had just feasted on blood.
“Yes. I have a meeting with Manager Park this afternoon, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Alright. Let’s get ready so we’re not late.”
Having said his piece, Taemin was about to return to the bedroom when he stopped. He had just noticed Im Hoyoung.
“Why are you here?”
The two moved to the reception room and sat on sofas facing each other with a table between them. Taemin looked like he couldn’t be more annoyed, but Im Hoyoung’s expression was full of interest. He leaned forward as if he might pounce on Taemin at any moment.
“Was it good?”
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb. How was that omega? Was it tasty?”
“It was just, you know, whatever.”
Taemin answered casually. In truth, it was more than good – it felt like he had grasped a new heaven in his hands, but he didn’t want to show it. He disliked Im Hoyoung taking an interest in Idam. So he maintained a poker face.
“If it was just ‘whatever’, why have you been sucking and biting for two days?”
Im Hoyoung clicked his tongue as he criticized. Just then, the reception room door opened and an employee entered with drinks. Hot Americanos were placed in front of both of them. As soon as the employee left, Im Hoyoung sipped his Americano and changed the subject.
“Did you check the message from Rickdi?”
“Rickdi? Why?”
Taemin’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
“Oh, he said he’s coming to Korea soon. He wants to meet up with the guys.”
“Well, I’ll have to see if I can match the schedule. Are you coming too?”
“I don’t think I can make it this time. I’m supposed to go on an overseas trip with my in-laws, and I think the dates will overlap.”
In fact, Im Hoyoung had married an omega he met through a blind date when he was thirty. And now he was a married man with two daughters.
“Maybe I’ll skip too.”
He looked annoyed.
“Why? You’ve always been responsible for booking the meeting place. And they said they’re going to play ‘that’ game too. Go. I heard Rickdi is bringing his bride-to-be this time.”
“Bride-to-be?”
“Yeah. Last time he said he was dating an extremely dominant omega, it’s probably that person. Also, everyone except you is married now. So it’s naturally become a couples’ gathering. Since it’s come to this, you should bring someone too. You’ve got a truckload of people who like you.”
“…”
Taemin fell silent and looked out the window. Today, the sky was blue and the sunlight was strong. The trees with new buds were a clear green color. Slowly, Taemin’s gaze shifted to the warehouse with the waterwheel. It was also where Idam had hidden when trying to escape two nights ago. Like dark clouds gathering in a clear sky, a destructive and lewd shadow gradually fell over his eyes. Soon, he curled his lips.
“Sounds fun. I’ll bring my wife too.”
“What wife? When did you get married?”
Im Hoyoung didn’t know the fundamental reason why Taemin was still keeping Idam. It was because Taemin hadn’t disclosed his fake marriage.
“Ten days ago.”
“You crazy bastard, what nonsense are you talking about? You didn’t even have a wedding ceremony. Don’t make such jokes.”
“No, I’m serious. I’m a married man now.”
“Are you insane? Why did you hide it until now?”
“I had my reasons.”
Taemin smiled prettily, his eyes crinkling. He looked like he was about to attend a wonderful festival.
“So tell Rickdi. Tell him I’m married too.”
Im Hoyoung wondered if Taemin was high on drugs. They saw each other often, and he had never seen any signs of wedding preparations, so this felt like a bolt from the blue.
“I’ll take care of the venue and party preparations. But tell them I’m going to play differently this time.”
“Are you talking about that party we always have?”
“Yeah. I should get going to work now.”
Taemin stood up from the sofa with a chilling smile.
“Mmm.”
Idam, who let out a moan, slowly opened his eyes. The canopy bed ceiling came into view. He had fallen asleep after enduring Taemin’s relentless thrusting earlier, and had just now woken up. He immediately looked to his side convulsively. It was out of concern that Taemin might still be clinging to him persistently. But he wasn’t there.
“Phew.”
Idam sighed in relief and turned his head. Looking through the curtains to the outside, he saw that the sun was already setting. He had slept through the entire afternoon. Although he wasn’t wearing anything, his body felt fresh and his hair smelled of shampoo. It seemed Taemin had cleaned up before leaving.
He tried to raise his upper body as he started to feel the need to urinate. But a pain squeezing his waist made him lie back down. It was a natural result of being tormented for two days straight and being shaken while penetrated just a few hours ago.
His shoulders were also stiff and his thighs felt weak. The only fortunate thing was that with Taemin gone, he felt like he could breathe freely again.
“I wish he wouldn’t come back at all.”
Idam muttered, expressing his wish. At that moment:
“Who do you wish wouldn’t come back?”
Taemin’s voice hit like an arrow. Simultaneously, Idam felt like his heart had dropped. He hurriedly raised his upper body and pulled back the softly draped chiffon curtains to see Taemin sitting on the sofa. Even in a simple suit, his appearance was like a photo spread.
Had he been here the whole time…?
Flustered, Idam closed his mouth tightly and lowered his head. But Taemin’s gaze traced Idam as he raised the corners of his mouth.
“Why no answer? Who do you wish wouldn’t come back?”
“…”
Unable to speak, Idam just nibbled on his small lips. Taemin’s eyes curved like crescent moons.
“Surely you don’t mean me?”
