#86
Gasp.
Idam’s heart sank. He was so surprised that he ended up avoiding Taemin’s eyes. I’m crazy. Why did I say such a thing? Regret blossomed from the impulse given by the waves of his heart.
“What… did you just say?”
Taemin asked in a sleepy voice. He seemed to have missed Idam’s confession. Idam, unsure whether to feel relieved or disappointed, replied that it was nothing while harboring confused feelings. But Taemin showed signs of suspicion as he stroked Idam’s forehead.
“Your fever seems to have gone down a lot, but are you hurting somewhere?”
His touch was full of concern.
“No, I’m fine.”
The fever was now minimal. Instead, his cheeks were burning now.
“Then, that’s good. You’ll feel even better after sleeping some more.”
Go back to sleep, Taemin whispered affectionately as he embraced Idam. He must have been very tired too, as he quickly closed his eyes and steady breathing could be heard. But Taemin’s heartbeat, felt against Idam’s chest, seemed to be beating faster than before. Idam liked that sound, so he pressed closer to Taemin’s body.
His body scent was as mysteriously sweet as his pheromones. It felt good. He wanted more. Perhaps because of this, the confusion he felt when Taemin didn’t hear his voice turned into disappointment, and a corner of his heart became gloomy. He felt like crying, but he swallowed it back.
However, it seemed too impulsive when he still didn’t know Taemin’s feelings exactly. If Taemin rejected him, Idam wouldn’t even be able to stay by his side like this. That moment was too frightening. So he decided to just feel Taemin’s warmth for now.
Perhaps because his mind was a bit more at ease, drowsiness gradually washed over him, and he was suddenly swallowed by sleep.
* * *
When Idam opened his eyes again, the bedroom was bright, and Taemin, who had held him all night, was gone.
“Where did he go again…?”
Anxiously, he quickly looked around. Through the window with neatly drawn curtains, the outside scenery came into view.
The sky was full of dark clouds and it was pouring rain. How much time had passed? Idam was surprised when he checked his phone on the bedside table.
“What? When did time pass like this?”
He had definitely gone to bed yesterday afternoon, but now a whole day had passed and it was morning. Due to the time difference on Jihwado, it was now Idam’s birthday. Hayun had already sent birthday wishes via text. Idam first replied with thanks.
But where had Taemin gone?
Just as Idam, anxious like a baby bird looking for its mother, was about to get out of bed, the bedroom door opened and Taemin entered.
“Oh? You’re awake.”
He immediately took a seat next to Idam.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes… I was surprised it’s already morning. I think I slept too long.”
He had been quite restless before falling asleep yesterday, so it was bewildering to have slept so deeply.
“It’s good to sleep deeply.”
“Did you sleep straight through too, honey? I mean, CEO?”
“I woke up yesterday evening.”
“Then you should have woken me up too.”
“You were sleeping so soundly, I couldn’t. Besides, you’re still sick.”
Taemin sheepishly stroked Idam’s forehead.
“Your fever has definitely gone down now.”
“Yes, I don’t feel dizzy anymore.”
“That’s a relief.”
Taemin sighed in relief and hugged Idam tightly. Idam’s already pounding heart felt like it was about to burst.
“It’s suddenly raining today.”
“Yes…”
“It’s a shame, isn’t it?”
“What? Yes…”
Days like this were more gloomy than clear days. But he hadn’t specially planned anything for today. So he didn’t think it was particularly regrettable, but he wondered why Taemin was saying this. Above all, Taemin usually didn’t show mood swings depending on the weather, so it was even more puzzling.
“Honey. I have some work to do today, so will you be okay alone?”
“What? Oh… Yes, I understand.”
He doesn’t know that today is Idam’s birthday. So it seems he’s going to work as usual. Idam felt disappointed, but he swallowed his words, not wanting to say it was his birthday himself.
“Before that, since you seem much better, I’ll call the doctor.”
Soon after Taemin’s words, the doctor entered.
After thoroughly examining Idam with various medical instruments, he announced that his condition had improved a lot and he could now start eating regular meals. However, he added that Idam should still not overexert himself.
After the examination, Taemin left for work as planned, and Idam remained in the bedroom. Although his body felt much lighter, it was stifling to stay here all day. So, thinking he might go out to the terrace for a bit, he got up from the bed.
Just in case, he put on long sleeves, but perhaps because it was a tropical island, it wasn’t that cold even with the pouring rain. Or maybe it was because his body had improved. Whatever the reason, it was fortunate in the end.
Idam sat in a chair on the terrace and looked at the sea. The waves were rolling more spectacularly than usual.
“Um… madam.”
Hearing someone call him, he turned around. Someone was standing there. The face seemed somewhat familiar. He was confused for a moment about who it was, but then realized. It was the female omega he had saved in the valley the day before yesterday.
“Hello.”
She politely bowed with her hands clasped.
“Ah… Yes… Hello.”
Idam, feeling awkward to keep sitting loftily, stood up and greeted her. The woman waved her hands in surprise.
“No, madam, you don’t need to greet me like that. I just wanted to thank you for saving me!”
“I just happened to pass by…”
Idam scratched his cheek awkwardly. But the woman looked at Idam with sparkling eyes, as if he were a hero.
“I’m so grateful for that coincidence. I’ll definitely repay you later.”
“It’s okay.”
Idam, thinking he hadn’t done anything that great, felt burdened by her words. But the woman seemed determined to insist. So Idam carefully changed the subject.
“By the way, are you feeling alright?”
“Yes. Thanks to you saving me quickly, I recovered soon.”
“That’s good.”
Idam felt relieved. Then the woman stared intently at Idam and gently approached.
“Um… There’s something on your eye.”
“Oh. Is there?”
Idam hurriedly touched around his eyes. But he couldn’t feel anything. As Idam fumbled clumsily, the woman came closer and sat beside him. Then she carefully wiped Idam’s eye with her hand.
“There was something like cotton stuck there. It must have been from the pillow.”
“I see. Thank you.”
It must have been from rolling around in bed. Wondering if there was anything else on his face, he touched it and belatedly realized how close he had gotten to the woman. Feeling awkward, Idam gently averted his eyes. But the woman, as if demanding Idam’s attention, began to introduce herself.
“My name is Eun Sujeong. I’m twenty years old this year.”
“Oh? We’re the same age?”
Now that he looked, she also had a very youthful face. Sujeong also looked surprised.
“Wow, really? I thought you were younger than me. That’s so interesting!”
Sujeong, after expressing her delight, looked at Idam’s complexion with a cautious face.
“I heard you were very sick, how are you feeling now?”
“I’m much better now.”
“That’s such a relief. Actually, that day I fell into the valley while trying to replace a lamp stuck in a tree. The other employees warned me to be careful because the valley was deep and dangerous, but I was careless.”
“Really?”
He wondered why they would make a woman do such dangerous work.
“But you appeared like a prince and saved me, I can’t tell you how grateful I am. You’re such a good swimmer, were you an athlete?”
“Ah, no, I just learned in school classes.”
“Still, that’s amazing! You’re so cool!”
Sujeong continued her admiration. Feeling embarrassed, Idam scratched the back of his neck and waited for it to end. But her mouth showed no signs of stopping.
“You could be a swimming athlete. I thought I was seeing a merman prince! So cool! Really!”
Just as her gushing was coming to an end, a vibration started. Idam checked, thinking it might be his phone, but it wasn’t.
“Oh, sister.”
Sujeong picked up her phone and answered. She gestured to Idam for permission to take the call briefly, then continued speaking.
“Yes. It’s me, sister, I’m doing well. Working hard. By the way, how did that go? Did you go to the hospital?”
Her expression darkened as if she had a heavy story, but soon brightened.
“Oh really? That’s a relief. Right! I thought something was strange. Yes, take care of yourself.”
After ending the call, Sujeong looked at Idam with a bright smile.
“You’re planning to get pregnant too, aren’t you, madam?”
“What?”
Idam was taken aback by her sudden question. For some reason, she seemed unaware of Idam’s type or position. Idam, not wanting to deny an impossible hope with his own mouth, answered with silence. Sujeong, perhaps realizing her question was abrupt, continued speaking.
“It’s just that my sister is in early pregnancy now. She was worried because her pheromones weren’t produced for two weeks.”
“What? Her pheromones aren’t coming out?”
“Yes. So she went to the hospital, but they couldn’t give a clear diagnosis. But today she got examined by a famous omega specialist, and they said it’s one of the early pregnancy symptoms. Apparently, there are a very small number of omegas who experience this symptom. I’m telling you this in case you might experience it later when you have a child, so you can remember.”
“I see…”
Idam responded, thinking this conversation had nothing to do with him.
* * *
Sujeong left the terrace saying she had work to do, and Idam returned to the bedroom and sat on the bed.
‘You’re planning to get pregnant too, aren’t you, madam?’
Sujeong’s voice echoed in his ears. Idam unconsciously touched his stomach, and a baby resembling Taemin flickered in his mind.
“No, what am I thinking.”
Idam shook his head, bewildered. He couldn’t understand why he was having these thoughts when he couldn’t even get pregnant anyway.
Idam shook off the vain imagination and lay down on the bed. Despite having slept so much, fatigue washed over him, perhaps from the brief walk. His eyes slowly closed.
When he woke up again, he felt the air had cleared.
Looking at the window, the sky was clear as if it had never rained. The sun was setting now, making the world glitter as if dipped in caramel syrup. The waves were also much calmer. Surprised by the dramatically changed weather, Idam approached the window for a better look.
“Wow…”
Perhaps because it had rained, the sea was showing off its fantastic beauty even more. Idam’s eyes sparkled as if facing a crystal of ecstasy. It felt like receiving a birthday present. It was so precious that his heart swelled, and he wanted to look at it for a long time.
“The sea is beautiful, isn’t it?”
Startled by the sudden presence, Idam looked back. Taemin was standing there, though Idam didn’t know when he had entered. Unlike the morning, he was wearing a white shirt and suit pants, and his hair seemed styled, revealing his features clearly. Looking elegant, he hugged Idam from behind.
“The sun started to come out in the afternoon. You don’t know how relieved I was. How are you feeling?”
“Much better. I think I’m really all better now!”
Taemin’s lips curved into a smile at Idam’s excited voice. His sharp nose settled on Idam’s nape.
“Yes. Your pheromones smell sweetly refreshing too, so it seems that way. I’m glad.”
Taemin’s eyes, which had been taking in a deep breath, suddenly sharpened.
“Ha, it’s fucking good like a pussy.”
Huh? Confused by his sudden vulgar statement, Idam was about to turn around when Taemin’s teeth bit hard into Idam’s nape. Unlike the usual foreplay, it was quite intense.
“Ah!”
Idam’s eyes widened in shock. Gradually, Taemin’s eyes became abnormal, as if stirring through a whirlpool.
