#49
“So how are you keeping that extremely heat-sensitive omega now?”
Grandfather continued his questions while drinking tea.
“I asked him to pretend to be my wife to avoid Father’s political marriage.”
“What? So you’re living as a married couple?”
“Yes…”
Grandfather put down the monaka he was holding and fell silent. After a moment, his bewildered expression gradually faded. Rather, he seemed to become more animated.
“Well done. Omegas are emotional, so that makes them more comfortable. It’s also easier to induce their pheromones.”
“Yes…”
“Your father also deceived an extremely heat-sensitive omega by promising marriage. That’s how he was able to treat him easily. I think you’ll be even faster.”
Taemin felt strange. The thought of his aversion disappearing made him feel dirty. Not that he wanted to remain ill, but he couldn’t understand why he kept having these thoughts that were so unlike him. Taemin left the hanok house, embracing his unpleasant feelings.
* * *
The next day, the day of the gathering arrived.
Idam could hardly tell if his breakfast was going down his nose or mouth at the thought of not only meeting Taemin’s friends today but also pretending to be a married couple. However, knowing that Taemin would surely force-feed him if he didn’t eat properly, he swallowed forcibly.
After the meal, a hair designer and makeup artist came to style Idam and Taemin’s hair and makeup. Taemin chose suits for Idam from those in the mansion, but he wasn’t satisfied with any of them.
To Idam, they all looked splendid and even extravagant, but Taemin made various picky excuses. So they eventually moved to the department store’s VVIP room, where after meticulous selection, Taemin chose a cream-colored suit for Idam to wear.
After leaving the department store, they got into the back seat of the sedan, and the car drove towards their destination. The burdensome gathering was drawing closer. Worry grew. To relieve tension, Idam clasped his hands together and fidgeted with them.
Taemin gazed at Idam as if entranced. He was pretty even without makeup, but dressed up like this, he looked like a brilliant flower. However, his eyes were cloudy, and his shoulders were slumped, making him look somewhat tired.
“Did you have trouble sleeping last night?”
“Yes… a little…”
Idam nodded. Yesterday, after Taemin had left, Idam had fallen back asleep, only to encounter Taemin when he woke up again. As planned, Taemin had washed Idam’s body. Laid back on the bed with a clean body, Idam had wondered if he would have to spread his legs for Taemin again, but that wasn’t the case. Taemin had said they should sleep early for tomorrow.
While Idam was relieved not to have sex, he couldn’t fall asleep. Partly because he had napped while Taemin was out, but also because he was worried about behaving properly in front of Taemin’s friends without making mistakes.
He had finally fallen asleep around dawn but had to wake up after less than two hours. Even though he had tried to manage his expression to not show it, Taemin seemed to have noticed.
“Are you very nervous?”
“Yes…”
“You don’t need to be. It’s a casual gathering, so you just need to use the term ‘honey’ well.”
“Yes…”
Though Taemin was downplaying it, Idam felt endlessly burdened.
“Say it now. Honey.”
“Now?”
Right now, they weren’t alone in this sedan. Secretary Kang was in the passenger seat, and the crew-cut driver was at the wheel. Cold sweat broke out at the thought of saying such an embarrassing word in front of them.
“Go on.”
Forced by Taemin, Idam felt his mouth go dry. After licking his lips with his tongue, he barely managed to squeeze out his voice.
“Honey.”
“Your voice is too soft.”
Idam didn’t understand what was too soft about his voice, which was plenty audible in the small car. Feeling annoyed, he put more strength into his voice.
“Honey!”
It ended up sounding like a shout. Secretary Kang and the driver’s shoulders flinched, and Taemin’s eyes crinkled as he burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahaha!”
This really didn’t seem like something to laugh about… Embarrassed, Idam’s face, including his ears, turned bright red. Taemin looked at Idam like this, chuckling as he grasped his hand.
“Call me like that from now on. Understood?”
“Like this? Isn’t the voice too loud?”
“That’s more natural.”
Idam couldn’t understand how this was natural. It felt rather exaggerated. He also wondered what Taemin would do in front of his friends after this contract ended and Idam disappeared.
“And don’t expose your pheromones there.”
“Yes.”
This was obvious. While Taemin didn’t have an aversion to his pheromones, it was different for other people. That’s why Idam was more careful about controlling his pheromones in crowded places.
But Taemin had said this with a different intention. Lately, he had been feeling groundless anxiety. He feared there might be another alpha like himself who could find Idam’s pheromones sweet, unlike his family’s hereditary aversion to omega pheromones.
If another alpha were to fall for Idam’s pheromones… If that happened…
Taemin felt his heart plummet. No matter who it was, he wouldn’t let them be. He was the owner of this omega and should be the only one to have him. He didn’t want to show even the slightest opening to other men. He desired not just the body, but even more than that.
Overcome with intense possessiveness, he bit down on Idam’s nape.
“Ugh!”
Startled, Idam’s shoulders flinched.
“Why are you suddenly doing this?”
After telling him not to expose his pheromones, giving such stimulation would naturally cause them to flow out. Taemin’s lips twitched.
“You suddenly looked delicious.”
“What…”
At that moment, Taemin’s phone vibrated. He moved away from Idam and answered the call. Thanks to this, Idam could catch his breath for a moment. He gently turned his head to look out the window. The urban landscape had disappeared, replaced by fields, farms, or mountains. The scenery was becoming increasingly detached from the secular world. He wondered where the meeting place could be to see such views.
“What are you looking at so intently?”
Taemin, having finished his call, put his phone in his inner pocket and followed Idam’s gaze out the window. His expression suggested he didn’t understand what was so interesting about the unremarkable view.
“Mr. CEO.”
“I told you not to call me that.”
“Yes… Honey, where are we meeting your friends?”
“An abandoned house.”
“What?”
Idam’s eyes widened in shock at the unexpected answer.
“Haha. I’m joking. You’ll see when we get there.”
Taemin chuckled. Idam continued to stare out the window at the changing scenery, embracing his questions.
After driving for some time, a building suddenly appeared between the mountains that stretched out like a painting. As they got closer, the building revealed its massive form. It was a hotel that looked to be at least 30 stories high. While the building itself was modern, the roof had traditional tiles, and the surrounding walls were also decorated with tiles. Moreover, Idam’s eyes widened even more as he read the three-dimensional English sign.
“Baekwol Hotel?”
Idam’s surprised face turned to Taemin.
“Is this the hotel you operate?”
“How did you know?”
“I looked up Baekwol Corporation the day I received your marriage proposal.”
“I see.”
Taemin seemed very surprised, as if he hadn’t thought of this at all. But for some reason, the corners of his mouth were fluttering like a peacock’s feathers. He seemed to be pleased somehow, which confused Idam.
* * *
Idam got out of the car with Taemin and entered the hotel. The already overwhelming situation became even more intense. People in suits were lined up, bowing at the waist. Among them, a middle-aged man with his bangs swept up welcomed Taemin.
“Welcome, CEO.”
The other employees followed suit with greetings. Intimidated by their presence, Idam unconsciously bowed as well. Taemin stopped him.
“You don’t need to do that. Idam is my wife now.”
“Ah… yes…”
But since it wasn’t real, it felt awkward to act haughty. Moreover, everyone seemed older than Idam, which made it even more uncomfortable.
“We’ve put a lot of effort into preparations, knowing you were coming today, sir.”
The middle-aged man smiled. Taemin looked at him and tilted his head.
“Who are you?”
At that moment, Secretary Kang approached Taemin and whispered.
“This is President Joo Han-guk, currently in charge of Baekwol Hotel’s Seoul branch. You met him last month as well.”
“Ah…”
Taemin nodded as if he just remembered. Joo Han-guk seemed a bit hurt after observing the exchange between Taemin and Secretary Kang, but he quickly brightened up again as if he had found an opportunity to score points.
“The other guests have already arrived. Please follow me this way.”
He turned inward, indicating for them to follow. Just as Idam was about to hurry after them, Taemin slightly extended his elbow towards Idam.
“Link arms with me.”
“What?”
“We’re a married couple.”
“Ah…”
Well, it would look strange if they walked separately. Idam awkwardly linked arms with him. He felt a ticklish sensation in his stomach from the awkwardness.
Following Joo Han-guk’s lead, they took the elevator to the fourth floor and entered a spacious party hall. While the exterior was reminiscent of a traditional Korean house, the interior was entirely modern.
The ceiling had over a dozen chandeliers, and fast-tempo music filled the air. On one side was an artificial sea with prominent waves and sun loungers. On the opposite side was a grand piano, and in front of the balcony was a sports bike. There were even double beds scattered around. It was a chaotic mix with no sense of unity.
Idam was a bit taken aback by the scene, which contrasted with his expectations of a somewhat formal setting for a couples’ gathering, especially given that he and Taemin were wearing suits.
In the center of the hall, a drinking party was in full swing at a table. It was filled with various liquors and abundant dishes. People were seated on sofas circling this central table. Their attire was also casual.
“Ji Taemin, you’re here?”
A blonde, blue-eyed man stood up from the sofa. He was a handsome foreigner with broad shoulders.
“Rickdi.”
Taemin greeted him with a bright smile. The others on the sofa also welcomed Taemin.
“Oh? Who is this cute person?”
Rickdi stared intently at Idam. His gaze was so blatant that Idam rubbed his face, wondering if something was on it. Moreover, it was surprising how fluent his Korean was for a foreigner. Feeling he should greet them, Idam unlinked his arm from Taemin’s and bowed politely with his hands together.
“Hello. Nice to meet you.”
“This is my wife, Yeo Idam.”
At Taemin’s introduction, everyone’s eyes turned to Idam. Nervous, Idam’s shoulders hunched up. Taemin leaned close to Idam’s ear and whispered.
“Act natural.”
“…”
“You’re my person now.”
Taemin held Idam’s hand tightly.
