“Understood. I’ll let Philip know and have it brought out quickly.”
The employee took the menu and left the table. A brief silence settled over them before Alexander finally spoke.
“Well, I didn’t really have anyone to come with, so I ended up here alone.”
Yeon Yiseo had wondered what he’d bring up—and it turned out to be that.
“Ah… I see.”
Not knowing how else to respond, Yeon Yiseo simply said that. It felt too curt, so he added belatedly, “I see.”
Alexander, who had been tapping lightly on the table, seemed to want to shift the mood and adjusted his tone a little.
“How’s work treating you?”
“It’s good. The staff are really nice too.”
“That’s a relief. I should’ve checked in on that myself, but I didn’t get the chance.”
“It’s alright. You’re a very busy man.”
Yeon Yiseo waved a hand dismissively. It wasn’t flattery—it was just the truth.
“How are you feeling, physically?”
Understanding what Alexander was referring to, Yeon Yiseo gave a small shrug.
“I’m doing fine. I think the good work environment helps—it’s less exhausting overall.”
“I see. That’s great to hear.”
While they were talking, the employee returned with two burger sets. The moment Yeon Yiseo saw the plate placed in front of him, his mouth opened in surprise.
Even the smell was heavenly. Even someone stuffed full would probably take one whiff and still ask for a bite. The size was impressive too—about as big as two adult fists—and the thickness was nothing to scoff at either.
Although a fork and knife had been provided, Alexander didn’t hesitate to pick up the burger with his hands.
“Knives for burgers? Nonsense.”
Saying so, Alexander took a huge bite. Seeing how satisfied he looked, Yeon Yiseo followed suit and picked up his burger.
The patty was intensely smoky, and the juices were abundant. The rich, melted cheese clung to his tongue in the most satisfying way. Chili sauce dripped from the burger, but he managed to avoid getting it on his clothes by bending over his plate just in time.
It was absolutely delicious. Now he understood why Alexander had specifically chosen this place. The slightly steeper price compared to other burgers also made sense.
“This is amazing.”
“Right? I’m glad it suits your taste.”
“It doesn’t just suit my taste—this is seriously good.”
As Yeon Yiseo spoke, he froze at Alexander’s hand suddenly reaching toward him. Something brushed his cheek—it was a napkin.
“You had something there.”
Just as he said, there was a red smear on the napkin—likely from the chili sauce.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Alexander casually crumpled the napkin in his hand and set it aside. The fries that came with the set were steak fries, freshly fried and piping hot. Yeon Yiseo popped several into his mouth in a row, savoring the salty, savory flavor before taking a sip of cola.
It was about an hour later when the two finally left the restaurant.
“It’s not ideal to have you taking the subway at this hour. How about coming to my place instead?”
“I’m fine, really.”
“Well, I’m not. I don’t want to see headlines about someone getting hurt after having dinner with me.”
Alexander’s logic was hard to argue with. Still, it wasn’t like Yeon Yiseo hadn’t come home late after working at Dymine before. The subway could be dangerous at this hour, sure—but not always.
“You already bought me dinner. I’ll be okay. I can get home by myself.”
Yeon Yiseo firmly refused. Alexander stared at him for a moment, then spoke again.
“I hope you won’t think of this as some kind of debt. And even if it were a favor—so what? As the CEO, it’s only right that I care about how my employee gets home.”
Alexander was perceptive. He saw right through Yeon Yiseo—even parts of himself Yeon Yiseo hadn’t realized.
It was true. The reason he declined Alexander’s offer wasn’t just because he didn’t want to owe anyone. What scared him was getting used to that sense of reliance. Because once you start expecting things from others…
Expecting too much from people never ends well. Especially when he was the one doing the expecting. It never ended well.
“That’s not it. I have something I need to do at home tonight.”
“Then how about I give you a ride there? Is that also a no?”
The string of offers made Yeon Yiseo falter. Normally, he might’ve accepted. But today, of all days, he couldn’t.
“I’m sorry.”
The expression on Alexander’s face visibly darkened at the rejection.
“…I see. Then at least let me walk you to the subway entrance—”
“Mr. Alexander.”
Yeon Yiseo called his name softly, cutting him off. Alexander stopped mid-sentence.
“If you’re feeling responsible for me, you really don’t have to.”
It was the only reason he could think of for Alexander’s excessive kindness: guilt over transforming a Beta into a recessive Omega. But taking on that kind of responsibility was unnecessary. In fact, just providing pheromone doses was already more than enough.
“…I understand. I overstepped.”
“Not at all. Thank you for your concern.”
Yeon Yiseo shook his head as he spoke. He was genuinely grateful to Alexander.
“How about this weekend for your next pheromone dose?”
Just as Yeon Yiseo was about to say goodbye, Alexander brought it up.
He figured he’d be fine until the weekend, but given how rare it was for Alexander to have free time, it made sense to do it when possible.
“Sounds good. That would be best. Well then, I’ll take my leave here. Please get home safely.”
“You too, Yeon Yiseo. Take care.”
This much, Yeon Yiseo couldn’t refuse. He gave Alexander a polite bow and walked away.
The subway wasn’t crowded, but it wasn’t empty either. Just another ordinary night. He got off at his usual stop and walked toward home.
***
Thanks to Alexander, he’d had a full, satisfying dinner, and now he was mentally reviewing his simple plan: go home, wash up, and sleep.
But he stopped in his tracks when he saw a shadow cast across the front of his house.
“…It’s not even time yet.”
“Talkin’ about time, fuck off.”
Apparently hearing his muttered complaint, the shadow cursed in response. As it came closer, the face of the person in the darkness was revealed.
“I haven’t even gotten paid yet, Jeremy.”
“You got a card, don’t you? Pull out a cash advance.”
Jeremy nodded like it was obvious, as if giving an order.
Technically, he wasn’t wrong. But Yeon Yiseo had already maxed it out.
His new job came with a higher salary, so covering the interest wasn’t the problem. The real issue was that this couldn’t go on forever.
“I can’t anymore.”
“…What?”
“There’s a limit to how much cash I can scrape together.”
It wasn’t a lie. It was the truth.
Most of the money he’d earned—from his part-time jobs, from his salary at Dymine—Jeremy had taken.
He barely managed to survive each month.
Luckily, Jeremy didn’t seem to know that he’d changed companies. That gave Yeon Yiseo a chance to talk his way out of it.
But—
“Cut the bullshit. I heard you switched jobs. No way you moved for the same pay, right? You gotta be making more. So hand it over. What, think you can squirrel it away like some sneaky little rat? Don’t forget—I always find out. Don’t try any shit.”
Yeon Yiseo swallowed hard.
How the hell had Jeremy found out about that?
Thankfully, he didn’t seem to know where he worked now.
If he did, he’d be throwing around “Scott Industries” just to watch Yeon Yiseo squirm.
Jeremy smirked, the corner of his mouth curling up.
“Don’t just stand there. Give me the money.”
He growled the words and struck Yeon Yiseo on the head.
A dull thud. His head snapped to the side.
“You little shit, this the only way you’ll get it through your head?”
“…Why the hell do you need the money so badly?”
“…What’s it to you, huh? None of your fucking business!”
Jeremy barked, sounding oddly agitated.
Yeon Yiseo frowned, then pressed further.
“I’ve thought this before, but… Are you on something?”
“You fucking brat, you talk too much—just give me the damn money!”
“…Ugh!”
The sound came first—thwack—and then the pain.
Judging by the salty taste in his mouth, his lip had split.
It hurt like hell, but not enough to be unbearable.
Still, it was going to be a pain coming up with an excuse for the injury. People staring, asking questions…
“You want me to make sure you can’t go to work, huh?!”
“Then you’ll be the one in trouble, won’t you?”
“…What’d you say?!”
Jeremy raised his fist in fury—but dropped it without throwing a punch.
Yeon Yiseo had braced himself for a blow, and his entire body was tense.
When it didn’t come, he exhaled.
Jeremy glared at him, eyes glinting with an odd shine.
