“Has Lee Yeonwoo quit his job?”
“Ah, yes. Looking at this week’s computer records, it seems he has quit.”
“…Really?”
From what he had heard, Yeonwoo was supposed to work until the end of the month. Perhaps he wanted to properly collect a full month’s salary.
On the surface, he looked like someone who had never experienced hardship, but he was surprisingly practical. Sometimes, this aspect of him appeared cute. No, perhaps ‘endearing’ would be the better word.
“…”
A thin wrinkle formed between Ho Munbeom’s brows at the train of thought that surprised even himself. Suddenly remembering that Secretary Kang was still standing in front of him, he said, “Try to coordinate the schedule with Yeonwoo.”
After moving to his office, Ho Munbeom held his phone in his hand. He fidgeted with the device, which he usually kept away from his body during work hours, and soon navigated to the photo gallery. There appeared a figure standing in front of the Gangwon-do villa’s yard. It was Yeonwoo.
“…”
With a bag on his back, holding both straps, Yeonwoo was looking up at the large tree beside the villa. Unaware that he was being photographed, he was watching the leaves sway in the cool breeze. Before he knew it, Ho Munbeom had taken a picture while observing Yeonwoo’s profile as he gazed upward. He stared at the photo that had ended up on his phone and rubbed his thumb over it.
Yesterday, he had received pheromone test results from Hwayoung, who had contacted him.
In conclusion, all indicators were stable, so there was no need to worry for the time being. The opinion was that there would be no significant problem controlling his rut with medication for a while at this level.
Hwayoung was one of the few acquaintances and doctors who knew about the chronic headaches that had troubled Ho Munbeom for a long time. Coming from someone who examined him more meticulously than others, hearing that there was “no significant problem” meant it really was fine. When Hwayoung casually asked about his partner while saying it was fortunate, Ho Munbeom had consistently feigned ignorance.
If only Yeonwoo and he kept their mouths shut, their relationship could last a long time.
During this time, he would benefit from not suffering headaches, and as for Yeonwoo, he wanted to give him everything he desired. Whether it was money or treatment for his hospitalized father. For the latter, it might be good to look into transferring him to a better hospital from now on.
No, if he touched Yeonwoo’s father, it would immediately reach the ears of others as well. Lee Jonghoon, was it? At a glance, his face bore no resemblance to Yeonwoo at all. Still, they should share half their blood, so it was surprising that there were no resemblances.
Then, setting aside his father for now, should he focus more on Yeonwoo?
It wouldn’t be bad to observe him from the sidelines and support him with whatever he wanted or desired. That way, perhaps a balance could be maintained. So that their relationship wouldn’t tilt to one side.
After looking at Yeonwoo’s photo for a while, Ho Munbeom went to his call log. After checking the number he had contacted last week, he pressed the button. The ringing tone continued for a long time. As the call wasn’t immediately answered, he checked the time on his phone. 11:40 AM. If he wasn’t working at his part-time job, there shouldn’t be a situation where he couldn’t answer.
[…Hello?]
The wrinkle that had formed between Ho Munbeom’s brows was about to become more pronounced as the ringing continued. Just as he was about to hang up, he paused at the small, breath-like voice that came through. After a slight pause, Yeonwoo spoke:
[I was in another room, so I answered a bit late.]
He said softly that he had been cleaning, and Ho Munbeom licked his lower lip.
Feeling a slight tightening in his lower abdomen, Ho Munbeom brought the phone to his ear.
“No, it’s my fault for calling suddenly.”
[That’s not true…]
From Yeonwoo, who trailed off, he could sense hesitation about what to say and how to say it.
Ho Munbeom typically preferred certainty in his human relationships. Phone calls were no different. He had a personality that would quickly end a call with an “I understand” if the other person hesitated even slightly. But this time, he waited. Because through the phone, he could hear Yeonwoo’s very faint breathing.
What more should he say and how? As Ho Munbeom waited for this, he suddenly wondered what this situation was—calling first, making the other person uncomfortable, and seemingly enjoying it.
Just then, he heard a voice saying “Executive Director.”
[…Have you had lunch yet?]
“…”
To think that the carefully chosen words were about asking about meals. It was time for lunch, but it was both unexpected and somewhat cute. A thin smile had already formed at the corners of Ho Munbeom’s mouth as he leaned his waist against the desk.
“I haven’t eaten yet. What about you?”
[I’m planning to eat after I finish cleaning.]
“Eat first unless the cleaning is urgent. Preferably something high in calories.”
While the current Yeonwoo, who fit perfectly in his arms, was good, it wouldn’t be bad if he gained a bit more weight.
Still, he already had an adequate amount of flesh in the places where it mattered. For example, his cheeks, buttocks, and even his chest, if gathered with force…
As he continued this train of thought, he slightly furrowed his brow.
Thinking it was an unnecessary thought, he was about to put his hand in his hair when he heard “Executive Director” being called. Come to think of it, since when had Yeonwoo called him by his title? Being called by his title was familiar, but it felt different coming from Yeonwoo’s mouth.
“Beom.”
[…Yes?]
“When will you call me Beom?”
It was a nickname that even his family rarely used.
Ho Moon Group was a name created by taking one character each from the surnames of its founders, his grandfather and grandmother. Naturally, Ho Munbeom’s name is not Beom but Munbeom, but since there’s also a story that Chairman Ho Jaejung named him after the group’s name, many people considered Ho Munbeom’s name to be Beom. The family members also thought the same, but in reality, only a few very close people could call him Beom. And he was telling Yeonwoo to call him by that name.
“Come to think of it, I’m not even your superior.”
[That’s true, but.]
The hesitation was thickly evident in his halting voice. Then, after a moment, Yeonwoo whispered softly, “Then, how about Mr. Beom?”
“…”
Previously, he couldn’t even open his mouth to call him Beom, but now he at least called him “Mr. Beom.” Still, to add the honorific “Mr.”
With a sudden sense of their age gap, Ho Munbeom remained silent for a moment before speaking.
“I think it’s better to call me Executive Director.”
[…That’s right, isn’t it?]
A small laugh mixed between his words.
Saying that he seemed to have relaxed a bit during the call, Ho Munbeom answered, “Yes.”
“Mr. Beom, it’s the first time I’ve been called that.”
[It’s good that it’s a first.]
“Is that a good thing?”
[Yes.]
It was strange. The conversation had become much easier because of such a trivial exchange. Yeonwoo must have felt the same way, as his responses came quickly. Ho Munbeom, who had been listening to the faint breathing and laughter mixed in, asked casually:
“Are you free this weekend? Let’s meet.”
[…Yes.]
Since getting to know Yeonwoo, the two had been meeting relatively regularly. Yeonwoo would have expected an invitation to meet around this time, but his answer was delayed. To be precise, he seemed shy. Though the physical distance had been closed in an instant, was there still emotional awkwardness? Or…
Just then, there was a knock, knock sound. Expecting his secretary to enter, Ho Munbeom quickly wrapped up the call.
“I will send the time and place later. I have to go to work now.”
[Yes, please take care to eat properly, and see you later.]
“…Alright.”
As soon as he answered and ended the call, Secretary Kang entered.
“Executive Director, I’ve taken care of what you mentioned this morning. You can use it at any time you want this Saturday or Sunday.”
“…”
The resort side, which had been focusing on open promotions, expressed difficulty in canceling all weekend accommodation plans, but since it was a request from the Ho Moon Group headquarters, they managed to resolve it somehow. The remaining task was to ensure that the fact that Ho Munbeom and Yeonwoo were using the place wouldn’t leak to the outside.
Once Ho Munbeom confirmed the report, the next step would be to contact Yeonwoo. However, his superior, who was sitting on the desk, was merely fiddling with his phone.
Just as he was considering whether to explain again, Ho Munbeom raised his head.
“Isn’t telling someone to take care of their meals something you say to an elder?”
“…Yes, I suppose so.”
Wondering why he suddenly asked such a thing, Ho Munbeom, who had been stroking his chin, went to sit at his desk.
Secretary Kang, who had been closely observing his superior’s expression, carefully asked:
“What would you like for lunch?”
“Something simple…”
Ho Munbeom started to speak but then closed his mouth and raised his head.
“I think there was a good place for Korean set meal lunch boxes nearby.”
“I will prepare that for you today.”
“And don’t worry about contacting Yeonwoo.”
“Yes, I will do as you say.”
Secretary Kang suppressed the urge to ask which menu he wanted from the Korean set meals. Just the fact that he had decided on a Korean set meal was noteworthy. Ho Munbeom was a man who disliked being asked many questions. After confirming that he immediately started working, Secretary Kang quietly closed the door and left.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
