#54
The scent grew inexplicably stronger. It felt as if it would trap Idam and slowly melt him away. Idam felt like he was sinking into the fragrance like quicksand. However, he gritted his teeth and snapped back to reality. This was no time to be intoxicated by Taemin’s pheromones. He needed to assess the situation.
Not only had he been caught while trying to escape from Taemin, but he had also slapped him. It was obvious what would happen if he was caught here. He could be raped, killed, or both simultaneously.
Feeling dizzy to the point of vertigo, Idam finally pushed Taemin away and started running.
He saw Taemin’s employees rushing to block him. But Idam dodged them nimbly like a flying squirrel and kept running. Even the large-bodied men seemed flustered by Idam’s agile movements. Eventually, Idam looked back to see if Taemin was chasing him.
But Taemin was just standing there, watching Idam. Though the distance made it hard to discern his expression, Idam could sense a chilling aura. It felt like a blood-soaked spectacle awaited if he returned. His frightened legs moved even faster.
He needed to meet Hayun, but things had become too complicated. Idam had no phone, so he had no way to contact anyone. After brief deliberation, Idam decided to return to the room where he had spoken with Hayun earlier. It was where Hayun was supposed to bring clothes for Idam to change into, and since the men had followed Idam out of there earlier, he judged it would be empty now.
The problem was that this was his first time in the hotel, and it was so large that he didn’t know where that room was. So he had to go by rough estimation.
After running for a while, he soon saw the entrance to the hotel building. But it seemed to be a back entrance, with few people around and a small door. Idam saw this as an opportunity and hurried to enter, but he bumped into someone. He nearly fell backward, but thanks to a firm hand supporting his back, he avoided falling. The feeling was somewhat like Taemin’s embrace, which made Idam check who it was in panic.
“Oh? Mr. Idam?”
It was Rickdi.
Although it was a relief that it wasn’t Taemin, why did he have to run into his friend of all people? It was a moment of terrible misfortune. Idam slowly backed away. Rickdi quietly withdrew the hand that had supported Idam’s back.
“Taemin’s been looking all over for you. Why are you here?”
“Ah… I… I had something to do.”
Idam gradually tensed his ankles. He was anxious that Taemin might have told Rickdi to catch him if he saw Idam. He was ready to sprint away at the first opportunity. However, Rickdi showed no sign of trying to restrain Idam. Rather, his expression was closer to curiosity.
“You’re not really married to Taemin, are you?”
“Huh?”
Rickdi’s comment hit the nail on the head, making Idam shrink even more. He had shown conviction earlier by kissing Taemin and saying he loved him, so he didn’t understand why Rickdi was asking this now.
“Well…”
Although he had decided to leave Taemin now, he didn’t want to easily reveal this fact tied to their contract. He didn’t want others interfering in their issue. Idam was about to say that they were indeed married, but Rickdi cut in first.
“I’ll keep it a secret that you’re not, so don’t worry. I don’t like Taemin much either.”
At that moment, a chilly wind blew. This cold wind seemed like a veil of emotions currently existing in him, and his eyes were as sunken as the deep sea.
What was this? Weren’t they friends? Why did he dislike Taemin? Moreover, what was even more incomprehensible was Idam’s own heart. Idam was scared of Taemin too. But why did he feel uncomfortable when a third party denied Taemin? Because of this, Rickdi felt even more unsettling.
“You. It would be better for you to run away before getting more deeply involved with Taemin’s family. Those family members aren’t normal.”
It was a very meaningful statement. Idam already knew well enough that Taemin wasn’t normal, but this seemed to refer to something different from what he knew. He wanted to ask specifically what Rickdi meant, but since he was about to leave Taemin anyway, he wondered if there was any need to know.
“Idam!”
Just then, Hayun’s voice was heard from behind. At the same time, Rickdi turned and disappeared into the building. Like a criminal hiding after committing a sacrilege. Idam felt uneasy, but he pushed the feeling aside and faced Hayun, who had approached.
“Haa, where have you been? Haa, I’ve been looking for you for a while.”
Hayun was breathing heavily, seemingly having searched extensively.
“Sorry… I was hiding, but suddenly the CEO’s employees barged into that room, so I had no choice but to run away.”
“What? They found you?”
“Yeah…”
“Gasp. Quickly, change into these and let’s get out.”
Hayun hurriedly handed Idam the clothes he was carrying. It was a sky-blue janitor’s uniform. There were worn spots here and there, suggesting someone had used it before.
“I brought this in a hurry. It’s the cleanest one I could find.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Idam quickly took the clothes.
“Let’s change quickly. Come this way.”
“Okay.”
Soon, Idam followed Hayun into the building.
* * *
“Mr. CEO…”
Secretary Kang looked at Taemin’s back as he stood motionless. It was as if time had stopped. But an uncontrollable anger could be felt. Secretary Kang was also tense, having directly witnessed Idam slapping Taemin.
He had heard that Taemin had never received any discipline from his parents. Of course, there had been rough incidents while being involved in the underworld, but he probably had never been slapped like this by someone.
“I’ll deploy more people to chase him.”
Judging that catching Idam was the way to avoid the current situation, he added. But Taemin raised the hand that had been touching his cheek to stop him.
“No, let’s stop the pursuit here.”
“Then shall we quietly follow him?”
“Don’t do anything.”
“Nothing?”
“Yes.”
Why was he making this decision? Openly tracking might be to avoid escalating the situation, but it was hard to understand why he was even ignoring where Idam was going. Secretary Kang was dumbfounded, but thinking Taemin must have his reasons, he didn’t show it.
“Instead, make a list of all the guests, employees, executives, everyone who stayed at this hotel today, and give it to me. Within an hour.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll be heading back now.”
Taemin headed towards the parking lot with a noble demeanor. It was a moment when his suppressed anger felt terrifyingly palpable.
* * *
Idam, changed into the janitor’s uniform, followed Hayun into the basement warehouse. They opened the door inside and came out. There really was a walking trail spread out. The path was better maintained than expected, allowing for quick movement.
Sneaking down like stray cats, they soon reached a road with shops. They immediately caught a taxi. Things seemed to be going more smoothly than expected, which was fortunate but also gave Idam mixed feelings.
“Where would you like to go?”
At the driver’s question, Hayun thought for a moment and answered.
“Please take us to University Street in Inmyeon-dong.”
“Alright.”
Soon the taxi departed. Idam looked at Hayun with wide eyes.
“But why are we going to University Street? Do you know someone there?”
“No. Last time, Ji Tae…”
Hayun was about to mention Taemin’s real name but, conscious of the taxi driver, changed the subject.
“That person came to our house, remember? I’m worried he might come looking for you there.”
“You’re right.”
Last time, Taemin had accurately pinpointed the destination just by knowing which neighborhood Idam was heading to. Moreover, if he was the real owner of Pungjeobcho, it was only a matter of time before he found out that Hayun was among the employees working at the hotel today. Then he would surely come looking for Hayun to track down Idam, whether Idam was with him or not.
* * *
Secretary Kang drove with a tense face, checking on Taemin through the rearview mirror. Currently, he was looking at a tablet. It was because Secretary Kang had just received and passed on the list of guests and employees from Baekwol Hotel. Taemin’s gaze was fierce as he stared at the tablet as if he might burn a hole through it. During this, his phone vibrated.
“Hah…”
Sighing, Taemin touched his phone with an extremely annoyed look and put it to his ear.
[Ji Taemin, where are you? Aren’t you continuing the party?]
It was a call from one of the friends who had attended today’s gathering.
“I’m on my way home now.”
[What? Why suddenly? Where did your wife go?]
“There’s nothing more to know. Let’s hang up.”
After ending the call irritably, he turned off his phone completely. Seeing this, Secretary Kang felt like he was walking on thin ice. So he decided to keep his words to a minimum and remained silent.
“Ah… I see why Yeo Idam suddenly acted like a coy fox.”
“Why is that?”
Secretary Kang asked out of curiosity and to humor Taemin.
“Jang Hayun was working as a server today, wasn’t he?”
“What? Really?”
“Right, I think I’ve seen him occasionally before. I heard he was resigning recently. Fucking omega bastard.”
Taemin cursed under his breath and then threw the tablet to the floor. His eyes were fierce enough that it wouldn’t be strange if he picked up a real sword and stabbed someone right now.
“I think I’ll have to take Idam on a honeymoon once I catch him again this time.”
“A honeymoon?”
At his statement, which didn’t fit the situation at all, Secretary Kang wondered if he was hearing things.
“Yes. He won’t be able to escape from there even if he wants to. Haha.”
Taemin smiled with his eyes.
“So start preparing the private jet.”
“Does that mean you want us to catch Yeo Idam right away?”
“There’s no need for that.”
Taemin leaned back in his seat and placed his hand on the seat next to him. It was where Idam had been sitting when they came to this hotel earlier.
“He’ll have no choice but to contact me first.”
