#41
Yeoul arrived at what was presumed to be the north storage room on the first floor.
“Is this the right placeā¦?”
Yeoul scratched his head while harboring doubts. Although he had been staying in this mansion until now, he had only been to the bedroom and dining room, living what was no different from confinement. According to Song Hobin, housekeepers came and went here, but from Yeoul’s perspective, there was dust on the doorknob and no signs of human presence.
So he was even more puzzled, but if he delayed any longer, he would obviously be late for his appointment, so he hurriedly opened the door. Although it was called a storage room, the inside was completely empty and dark without even a window. Was there really a door leading outside? Yeoul swallowed dry saliva and entered inside. Then he took out his phone and opened the flashlight app to examine the interior.
Song Hobin’s words weren’t completely false. There was a door inside.
Yeoul’s eyes sparkled as if he had discovered light. He hurriedly approached and grabbed the doorknob. For a moment, he had the ominous thought that it might not open, but contrary to his worries, the door opened wide.
As he felt the cold winter wind, he could see the sidewalk and road lanes. It was the moment he realized Song Hobin’s words were true.
He felt like he had received help from him to the point where he felt sorry for sensing something fishy from his phone conversation earlier. But there was no time to feel such emotions. First, he had to meet Shin Taeon, so he had to run quickly.
* * *
“Is this the right placeā¦?”
Yeoul entered the alley while catching his breath. Perhaps because it had been a while since he came here, he got a little lost, but when he saw the familiar signboard, he breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly opened the door and went in.
Like last time, the inside of the cafe was completely empty. This time, there wasn’t even anyone at the counter. But at one table, there was Shin Taeon with a cigarette in his mouth.
“Over here. Geum Yeoul.”
Yeoul hurriedly pulled out a chair in front of him and sat down. Shin Taeon examined Yeoul and then furrowed his brow sharply.
“Why are you so late?”
“Late?”
Yeoul wondered what he was talking about and took out his phone to check the time. It had just turned 8 o’clock.
“I came right on time.”
“You should come 10 minutes early.”
He had forgotten for a moment. When Shin Taeon made appointments, he was often late himself but absolutely wouldn’t allow the other party to be late. It was a moment when he felt his selfish nature anew.
“I’ll come early next time.”
Since he knew it was pointless to argue with him, he had to humor him. Besides, now wasn’t the time to waste time on such things.
“Anyway, what happened with the code? Is it definitely correct?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“What? You still don’t know?”
What kind of talk was this? He said it would take a week, but now two weeks had passed. His chest felt blocked and heat rose.
“What’s taking so long?”
Logically, it made no sense. At this point, he wondered if he was just stalling for time to pull some trick.
“I’m annoyed too.”
Shin Taeon furrowed his brow and pulled out the cigarette he was biting. Then, despite there being an ashtray right there, he put it out on the table. It was another moment to see his character.
“The informant at the Russian lab keeps making excuses about errors and whatnot.”
“ā¦ā¦.”
“Fuck, I’m so pissed I’m thinking of giving them three more days and if there’s no answer, I’ll beat them up.”
“If it’s confirmed to be the real code, you’ll definitely release Yeojin, right?”
Yeoul’s eyes turned cold. From his gentle face, rough killing intent came alive as he breathed fiercely. But Shin Taeon remained calm, unable to read Yeoul’s sharp aggression.
“Of course. Just wait three days.”
“Hahā¦.”
He wondered if he had been worrying for days just to hear such an empty story. Along with irritation, anger surged up. He felt like hitting Shin Taeon’s head with the ashtray in front of him.
“I also want to find out that code as soon as possible. It’s annoying.”
“If you say the same thing three days from now, I won’t stay still either.”
At Yeoul’s attitude, Shin Taeon’s eyes curved like a crescent moon. Precisely, it was a look of looking down on Yeoul as if he were beneath his feet.
“What are you going to do if you don’t stay still?”
“ā¦ā¦.”
Yeoul lowered his head. Below the table, he could see Shin Taeon’s large thigh. It seemed very solid, but in the end, it was human flesh. Yeoul stared at Shin Taeon’s thigh meaningfully.
But Shin Taeon couldn’t read Yeoul’s expression at all and looked at his wristwatch, then became urgent.
“I have another meeting now. I don’t have time to play word games with you.”
He hurriedly got up from his chair.
“Let’s meet here at 8 o’clock three days from now.”
“Hahā¦.”
Yeoul slowly raised his head. He had barely risked his life to come out today, and now he was saying to promise another time, which was ridiculous.
“This is really the last time, right?”
“Yeah.”
Until now, he had barely suppressed his aggression, but if this situation repeated again, Yeoul really wouldn’t stay still.
“I understand. I really hope there’s a conclusion this time.”
“I feel the same way.”
Shin Taeon said that, but his lingering attachment toward Yeoul seemed to breathe. Of course, Yeoul couldn’t feel Shin Taeon’s gaze at all. Shin Taeon soon left the cafe. Yeoul also judged there was nothing to gain by staying and immediately followed Shin Taeon out. He seemed to be going his own way showing his back, but soon stopped walking. Then he turned his head to face Yeoul.
“Geum Yeoul.”
“Yes?”
“Do you really think you’re an extremely recessive omega?”
Why was he suddenly asking such a question? Yeoul was very bewildered but moved his lips.
“Yesā¦. That’s right.”
Five years ago. He had received a diagnosis as an extremely recessive omega from a doctor and answered while recalling the hardships he had experienced living until now.
“Hmmā¦.”
Shin Taeon looked Yeoul up and down from head to toe.
“You really are an idiot.”
“What?”
“No, never mind.”
Shin Taeon shook his head and swept up his bangs.
“I’m leaving now. See you again, Geum Yeoul.”
He headed toward the parking lot and disappeared. Left alone with the cold wind, Yeoul felt uneasy.
Why would he ask once more when he obviously knew he was an extremely recessive omega? Having a complex about his traits made his heart even more disturbed. But Yeoul thought he should pull himself together. He couldn’t waste time on such emotions now. Just as he was about to turn around to go back to the mansion.
“Huk!”
Yeoul’s face hardened as if he had seen a ghost. It was because Song Hobin was in front of him. His eyes visible under the streetlight were very cold.
“Wh-why are you here?”
With heart-stopping events happening in succession, he felt like going crazy, and Song Hobin’s appearance seemed to push Yeoul further to the edge.
“Since Baby-nim went out, I came to provide security.”
What kind of security was following like a ghost? It was obvious surveillance. It was a mistake that he didn’t notice Song Hobin following because he was too focused on Shin Taeon. He gradually got closer to Yeoul.
“Who was that person just now?”
“Just someoneā¦ someone I knowā¦.”
“What kind of person you know would call Baby-nim Geum Yeoul?”
Huk. Did he hear that far? Yeoul was shocked.
“As far as I know, Baby-nim’s real name is Geum Haneul.”
“ā¦ā¦.”
“And you’re an extremely recessive omega?”
The worst situation was now unfolding before his eyes. He felt breathless. If he could just endure three more days, he might be freed from this suffocating situationā¦. Having his real name and traits discovered, what kind of mess was this?
“Aren’t you staying by CEO-nim’s side because you’re an extremely dominant omega?”
“Th-that’s rightā¦. I’m an extremely dominant omega.”
Yeoul said with a trembling voice. But Song Hobin coldly lowered his eyes. Then he roughly grabbed Yeoul’s hand and pulled him forcefully.
“Wh-why are you suddenly doing this?”
Yeoul felt a suffocating sensation and shook off his hand. But Song Hobin caught Yeoul’s hand again.
“Can I tell CEO-nim your true identity?”
“What?”
“If you don’t want that to happen, follow me quietly.”
At his obvious threat, Yeoul’s heart sank. Things had gone wrong, way too wrong. His head felt like it would explode.
He couldn’t be dragged away like thisā¦. If an unfavorable situation arose, he didn’t know what he might do to Song Hobin. If he went like this, he felt like he would commit an irreversible act.
What should he doā¦?
It was when his hesitation was growing. The phone in his pocket started ringing. As always, the caller was undoubtedly Eun Sajun. Yeoul was conflicted about whether to answer or not.
At that moment, an intense impulse arose in Yeoul’s heart. He didn’t know why. Without realizing it, he ended up touching the call button.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
