And Chairman Ju looked with interest at Geonyul, whose eyes resembled his own from the past.
“Leave it to me, Father.”
“This is your last chance.”
“Yes.”
Geonyul’s eyes gleamed sharply as he nodded.
***
“Mr. Suhwan!”
“…?”
Suhwan turned his head with a puzzled expression at the voice calling him. Then he smiled brightly at the man approaching him.
“Ah, Manager.”
It was Manager Cha Yunhyun, his supervisor. Although Yunhyun was his supervisor, they hadn’t seen each other much all day as he had been drafted into a project team and was overwhelmed with work. He had just finished his work today and returned to his original department. Yunhyun, who looked noticeably thinner since the last time Suhwan had seen him, approached him.
“Are you leaving now?”
“Yes, you too, Manager?”
“Whew, it’s the first time in a week I’m leaving on time. Can you believe it?”
“Haha.”
Suhwan laughed awkwardly at Yunhyun’s joke. Yunhyun was much taller than him. Even though they were both alphas, the difference in physique made Suhwan feel somewhat intimidated when Yunhyun came close. Of course, the good-natured Yunhyun had no such intention.
“You probably wanted to stay in school longer, right? The chairman is so peculiar. I mean, whether you join now or next year, it’s the same, right?”
Yunhyun grumbled, openly criticizing Chairman Jin. After news spread that Chairman Jin would soon step down from management, more employees started making derogatory remarks that had previously been taboo. Yunhyun was one of them. Suhwan didn’t know how to react in these situations.
“Ah… it doesn’t matter to me.”
“What does Representative Hwalyeon say?”
“Noona told me to do whatever I want.”
Anyway, after the university community board incident, Suhwan had no desire to go back to school. So even if he could choose more freely after Hwalyeon took over as chairman, he probably wouldn’t return to school.
“I’d rather come to the company than attend a few uninteresting general education classes.”
“Ah, I see.”
Yunhyun nodded with a smile at Suhwan’s words. His smile suited his friendly appearance well. Suhwan walked side by side with him towards the company lobby.
“We barely saw each other today, so how about grabbing a drink now?”
“Right now?”
“Yes, do you have plans?”
“Well……”
At Yunhyun’s question, Suhwan trailed off awkwardly. This morning, he vaguely remembered hearing Seunghyun say he would come pick him up for work every day. But as usual, Suhwan had overslept and nearly been late for work. He had only gotten up when it was time to leave, so he hadn’t properly heard what Seunghyun said and had simply exchanged hasty greetings before rushing out.
He wished it had just been his imagination, but he had a bad feeling about it. Still, he wanted to believe he had misheard. After all, it would be burdensome and difficult for Seunghyun, who was still in school, to come pick him up every day.
“It’s not exactly a plan, I mean, oh!”
As Suhwan passed through the lobby and reached the entrance, he was startled when the transparent door suddenly opened right in front of him, causing him to step back. Yunhyun, who was behind him, instinctively reached out to steady him.
“Whoa, be careful, Suhwan.”
“Ah, thank you.”
“…?”
Yunhyun’s eyes widened at the sudden pheromone scent that struck his nose. It was an omega’s pheromone. A strong omega scent wafted from Suhwan’s hair that had brushed against his nose.
It seemed like a fresh citrus scent, but there was something peculiar about it. The way the pheromones clung so thickly seemed unusual. For an omega, not an alpha, to be covered in such strong pheromones was strange. Something felt off.
However, Yunhyun didn’t show his suspicion and gently held Suhwan’s shoulders.
“Are you okay? You’re not hurt?”
“Yes, I’m fine, Manager.”
Glancing back, Suhwan was a bit surprised to see Yunhyun’s face so close. While he appreciated the concern, their faces were uncomfortably close. Suhwan opened his mouth awkwardly.
“Um, Manager. Your hand…”
Just as he was hesitantly asking Yunhyun to let go, they heard:
“Hyung.”
“Huh?”
Seunghyun, who had just entered through the door, was looking at Suhwan and Yunhyun. Suhwan’s eyes widened when he saw him.
“Seunghyun.”
Seunghyun’s somewhat gloomy eyes focused on Suhwan and Yunhyun. Feeling his gaze, Suhwan hurriedly pulled away from Yunhyun’s hold. Meanwhile, Seunghyun approached them. He stared at Yunhyun with eyes full of wariness.
“Who is this?”
“Um…”
So he really had said he would come pick him up. The flustered Suhwan glanced sideways at Yunhyun, who was standing next to him. Yunhyun’s face also showed curiosity. Suhwan first introduced Yunhyun to Seunghyun.
“This is Manager Cha Yunhyun from my company.”
“Ah… hello.”
Having already heard about Yunhyun from Suhwan, Seunghyun extended his hand while subtly emphasizing his introduction.
“I’m Lee Seunghyun, Suhwan hyung’s fiancé. Nice to meet you.”
“Fiancé?”
“Yes.”
Yunhyun blankly stared at the smiling face before him. Though Seunghyun was obviously male with a substantial build, his unbelievably beautiful face momentarily stunned Yunhyun. His attention was drawn to Seunghyun’s light-colored hair and eyes like a foreigner’s, his high nose, and well-shaped curved lips.
Come to think of it, he had vaguely heard that Suhwan had a fiancé. He’d wondered what kind of person they were, but he hadn’t expected such an extraordinary beauty. As a single person, he couldn’t help but feel envious. Yunhyun smiled kindly and extended his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Lee Seunghyun. I’m Cha Yunhyun.”
As he grasped the rather large hand, he felt an unexpected pain. Yunhyun tilted his head curiously.
For an omega, he’s quite strong. They said he was dominant, maybe that’s why? Yunhyun lowered his hand with a slightly displeased expression.
“Ah, we were going to grab a drink. Since we’re all here, shall we go together?”
Yunhyun asked with a smile, hoping to ease the awkward atmosphere. Seunghyun’s face hardened, and Suhwan turned to Yunhyun in surprise.
“Manager, I never said I was going.”
“Come on, it’s your first day! You can’t just go home. No way, no way.”
“But, well…”
Suhwan looked troubled at Yunhyun’s firm headshaking. At this rate, Seunghyun would be dragged into the drinking session too. As Suhwan hesitated, someone firmly grasped his hand.
“I’m sorry, but we already have reservations elsewhere today.”
“Huh? We have reservations somewhere?”
Suhwan asked in surprise at Seunghyun’s words. But seeing his blinking eyes urging him to play along, Suhwan finally caught on. He opened his mouth with an “Ah” and managed to nod.
“Oh, right. That’s right. There, yes.”
Yunhyun’s eyes rounded in response.
“Oh my, I nearly intruded.”
“No, not at all.”
As the flustered Suhwan shook his head, Yunhyun smiled broadly. He waved his hand casually.
“It’s too bad, but what can we do? I’ll see you tomorrow then, Suhwan.”
“Yes, goodbye, Manager.”
After nodding to Seunghyun as well, Yunhyun went out first, opening the door. It was a quick exit for someone who had been so persistent. Suhwan watched Yunhyun’s retreating figure and then let out a deep sigh of relief.
“Whew, that’s a relief.”
As Suhwan relaxed, Seunghyun, who had been staring at him intently, tightened his grip on his hand. Suhwan flinched belatedly and looked at Seunghyun.
“I really didn’t say I was going for drinks.”
“……”
“Honestly. The manager just said it one-sidedly.”
Seunghyun listened quietly to Suhwan’s nervous explanation. Then, nodding, he pulled the hand he was holding toward himself.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
