This time, Yeon Yiseo gave a small nod. Alexander’s large, defined hands carefully reached for his necktie and gently loosened it.
The soft rustling of fabric brushing against fabric filled the air. It was a sound that he normally wouldn’t have noticed, but in this moment, in this situation, it felt incredibly loud.
In a daze, Yeon Yiseo passively received Alexander’s touch—until he suddenly realized that Alexander had already pulled back his pheromones. With that cue, Yeon Yiseo quickly closed off his own. His body and mind were still struggling to return to their usual state, so it wasn’t easy to shut them off, but he managed after a short effort.
“You haven’t manifested for long, but you’re already skilled at regulating your pheromones.”
Alexander’s low voice sounded like praise, and Yeon Yiseo answered in a sluggish tone.
“If I don’t, people get the wrong idea.”
“Wrong idea? What kind of idea?”
“They think I’m… someone who does that kind of work.”
Normally, Yeon Yiseo would never have said something so blunt. But he wasn’t in his usual state—something inside him had been unlocked, like a lock coming undone.
“That kind of work… Ah.”
It was a vague phrasing, but Alexander seemed to understand what Yeon Yiseo meant. His voice sharpened slightly, prompting Yeon Yiseo to turn his head toward him. Alexander spoke before Yeon Yiseo could even ask why.
“Sounds like you’ve had some unpleasant experiences. Even if I didn’t do it directly, I can’t deny I’m partly responsible. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not your fault, sir. Why would you…”
“Let’s stop talking now. You should just rest until you feel better. Don’t worry about me—I’ll be in another room. Call me if you need anything.”
His warm, gentle voice was comforting. And he was right—Yeon Yiseo could barely muster the strength to move his lips and speak.
The comfort that came with complete stillness… it was something he had never experienced before. As he exhaled slowly, Yeon Yiseo closed his eyes.
***
When he opened them again, he realized he had dozed off for a few minutes. His body felt incredibly refreshed—as if he’d slept soundly for over ten hours. He quickly checked the time and was relieved to see that only about ten minutes had passed.
“You’re awake.”
Alexander had changed out of his suit into casual clothes. The soft-looking white sweater and black slacks suited him perfectly. Sitting up awkwardly from where he’d been lying, Yeon Yiseo spoke.
“Sorry, I must’ve nodded off. I should be going now.”
“No need to apologize. Are you sure you can get up?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Yeon Yiseo rose from the sofa, placing the luxurious blanket Alexander had draped over him neatly to the side.
“It’s quite late now. I’d like to drive you home, but my driver’s already off duty. How about staying here tonight?”
“Here?”
“Yes. That is, if you’re comfortable with it.”
It was hard to believe Alexander couldn’t take him home just because the driver had left. Surely he could drive himself. But after already receiving so much kindness, Yeon Yiseo couldn’t bring himself to ask for even more. Normally, he would have politely declined and left without hesitation.
But today was different. He remembered what Alexander had said earlier:
“It’s best to accept help when you need it—especially when someone’s offering.”
Besides, going out at this hour made him hesitate, and even the transportation fare felt burdensome. Honestly, staying here tonight would be easier. The place was close to a subway line, which might even make tomorrow’s commute more convenient than from home.
“I’ve got a change of clothes for you, and fresh underwear as well. So don’t worry about that.”
With Alexander’s added reassurance, all practical concerns were resolved. The only thing holding him back now was something less tangible.
Maybe it was his pride. Or maybe just plain stubbornness. But accepting Alexander’s kindness—there was nothing particularly wrong about it.
“…Then, I’ll be in your care tonight.”
“Great. Let me show you to your room.”
Alexander guided him cheerfully. Though he called it a guest room, the space was well-furnished, and the bed was clearly of top quality.
“As for tomorrow morning, don’t worry about the company.”
“Alright. Understood.”
Yeon Yiseo was slightly relieved by how easily Alexander accepted that. He had worried the man might offer to personally take him to work. He hadn’t imagined when he left for work that morning that he’d end the day sleeping in Alexander’s house.
“There’s a private bathroom in the room, and I’ll bring you something to change into.”
“Yes, thank you. Um… sir, thank you. For everything today. Really.”
Yeon Yiseo gave his honest thanks, and Alexander simply smiled in response. Looking at the clothes Alexander handed him, Yeon Yiseo wondered if they might be too big on him.
“These were cleaned and stored.”
Yeon Yiseo accepted them and hesitantly asked,
“But sir… isn’t this going to be a bit too big on me?”
“Roughly, it should fit. We’re about the same height.”
He must have meant someone else he’d brought here before.
“I wore those in elementary school. They somehow ended up mixed in with the rest of my things. I must’ve grabbed them by mistake while packing.”
But what he added next left Yeon Yiseo speechless.
“Elementary school…?”
“Ah, don’t worry—they were all freshly washed recently.”
Alexander added it like it was nothing. All Yeon Yiseo could respond with was a quiet, “I see.” After Alexander left and gently closed the door behind him, Yeon Yiseo changed into the clothes he’d been given. Despite the casual “roughly fits” remark, the clothes fit him perfectly.
Had Alexander not said they were from his elementary school days, he would’ve just thought the fit was oddly precise. Even now they were a bit big, so he must’ve been absolutely massive as a child. Wanting to let Alexander know the clothes fit well, Yeon Yiseo stepped outside.
Alexander happened to be nearby.
“Sir, I just wanted to say—the clothes fit perfectly.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“I’ll take them home to wash—”
“That’s not necessary. You’ll probably wear them again, so just leave them here.”
Alexander was already talking about after today. It wasn’t wrong—but it still felt oddly embarrassing. Unable to reply immediately, Yeon Yiseo’s gaze landed on the book in Alexander’s hands.
Interpreting the look, Alexander explained:
“This is something I’m reviewing for tomorrow. They asked me to write a recommendation blurb.”
“Ah, I see.”
He must’ve been asked to endorse the book. Despite likely waking early today, he didn’t look tired at all—maybe because he was an extreme-dominant. As a recessive Omega, Yeon Yiseo’s stamina had improved compared to when he was a Beta, but still—it didn’t compare.
“You should try to sleep early. It’ll help stabilize your pheromones too.”
“Yes, I’ll do that. Then… good night, sir.”
After the polite farewell, Yeon Yiseo returned to his room, freshened up in the en suite bathroom, and lay down in bed. With only the bedside lamp on, he soon turned that off too and fell asleep.
***
On the way to work the next morning, people kept sneaking glances at him. He wondered if he smelled, since he was wearing the same clothes from yesterday—but that didn’t seem to be it.
Still puzzled, he reached the office and ran into Natalie, who had arrived earlier.
“Morning, Yiseo. …Oh my, even with a packed schedule, love finds a way, huh? Who is it?”
“Huh?”
Yeon Yiseo blinked like a scholar who’d just discovered a two-headed frog. He even had to ask if she was talking to him. Natalie laughed, clearly amused by his reaction.
“Don’t play dumb—you’re practically drenched in Alpha pheromones.”
“Pheromones?”
Natalie looked surprised by his genuine confusion.
“Yeah. There’s Alpha pheromones all over you. If it’s a scent you don’t recognize, then… wait, don’t tell me this wasn’t consensual?”
When Yeon Yiseo didn’t immediately reply, Natalie’s expression turned serious. Non-consensual pheromone marking was a serious issue—so her concern wasn’t unfounded.
As he replayed yesterday’s events in his mind, only one person came to mind: Alexander. No one else could’ve done this. It hit him then—that while he’d been dazed, caught up in the pheromone high, Alexander hadn’t ignored that incident from earlier. He’d responded—in his own way.
Yeon Yiseo quickly shook his hands.
“Ah—no, it’s okay. I think I know what happened.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. So… you don’t need to worry.”
“Alright, then. But… are you sure there’s no problem?”
Natalie still looked genuinely worried. Wanting to ease her concern, Yeon Yiseo explained:
“I’m not very good at controlling it yet. Sometimes when I get startled, my pheromones leak out. There was… an incident before because of that. I think he remembered and responded to it.”
“Incident? …Ah. You don’t need to explain. I think I get it. Freakin’ psychos.”
Natalie muttered a quiet curse under her breath.
