#57
That was only momentary—Yeoul barely managed to collect himself and began to answer.
“No… Uh… How is it that you, CEO-nim, are here…?”
“I had security work in this area. After finishing, I had a meal with the staff and came here for coffee.”
Just as he said, there were three or four mountain-like bodyguards behind him.
“Ah…”
What kind of cursed coincidence was this? It was too shocking.
“What is baby doing here? How did your brother’s hospital visit go?”
“I… I went.”
Yeoul barely managed to answer, but his heart felt like it would burst. This was because Shin Taeon, though currently silent with no word, could suddenly appear like this. Last time he had sprinted full speed through the hospital saying he’d tell him the code, and thinking he’d have to repeat that act again made his breath catch.
“But why are you here alone?”
“Ah… I was trying to organize my thoughts…”
No particularly good excuse came to mind, so he barely managed to answer.
“I see. Then, what did you drink?”
He checked the cup Yeoul had drunk from with persistent eyes.
“You drank juice?”
“Yes.”
Since coffee was prohibited by contract, it was natural. Eun Sajun also seemed satisfied as the corners of his eyes curved like crescents.
“Good job. Then, do you need to visit the hospital where your brother is admitted again after this?”
“Yes…”
Since he needed to get away from Eun Sajun first, he answered with difficulty.
“Then let’s go together.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I just want to greet baby’s brother.”
What? Why was he trying to close the distance?
“Why…”
Yeoul looked at him in confusion. Soon Eun Sajun firmly grasped Yeoul’s hand and suddenly brought his face close. At his unexpected facial attack, Yeoul felt as if dazzling light was flickering right before his nose.
“Because I want to get a little closer.”
“Ah…”
“I want to learn about baby one by one.”
His voice was soft, but there was even a somewhat strange feeling to it. He didn’t know why he was acting like this, but having him follow along would be problematic in many ways.
“Ah, now that I think about it, my brother said a friend is coming to visit him this afternoon. So it would be difficult to go.”
Yeoul tried to twist the situation in his explanation. He was scared that his lie might be discovered.
“I see.”
A shadow of regret fell across Eun Sajun’s face.
“It can’t be helped. Then it would be difficult for baby to go to your brother’s hospital too.”
“Yes…”
“Then do you have any other business?”
“Ah… No.”
Looking at his momentum, if Yeoul said he had other business, he would naturally follow along. Most importantly, this place was too dangerous right now, so getting away as quickly as possible was the answer.
“Got it. Wait a moment.”
He smiled brightly and handed a card to his staff. He seemed to be instructing them to freely buy drinks or desserts. Yeoul had also heard the boss give a card while telling them to buy snacks when he worked at the restaurant, so he could roughly guess just from the gesture.
After parting with his staff, Eun Sajun approached Yeoul.
“Then, let’s go out now.”
“Yes…”
* * *
Like that, Yeoul came out of the cafe with Eun Sajun and stood by the sedan. He looked around nervously, worried that Shin Taeon might appear even now. Actually, being this completely silent meant he really wasn’t coming. Also, even if he came now, he would encounter Eun Sajun, which would be even more troublesome, so he thought it was rather fortunate.
“I’ll be driving today.”
“You, CEO-nim?”
He had never seen him drive before. Eun Sajun nodded and opened the passenger door wide.
“Come, sit down quickly.”
“Yes… I understand.”
Yeoul sat in the passenger seat awkwardly. And Eun Sajun also went around the hood and took the driver’s seat. He didn’t start the engine but looked at Yeoul intently.
Very silently and deeply. Under that gaze, Yeoul felt somewhat breathless.
“Why… why are you doing that…?”
“Nothing…”
He touched Yeoul’s hair.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“Pardon?”
“I think baby hasn’t had a meal yet.”
“Ah…”
Actually, due to the tension of meeting Shin Taeon, he had no appetite and had even skipped breakfast.
“If there’s something you want to eat, tell me.”
Since it was a situation where it wouldn’t be strange if his mind went crazy, eating something was impossible. So just as he was about to say it was okay.
Grrrrowl.
An embarrassingly loud hungry sound rang from his stomach. He was so flustered that he unconsciously grabbed his stomach. Why was this happening? At the same time, his mouth also felt parched as if thirsty.
“Baby’s stomach must be very hungry. Go ahead and tell me. I’ll get you something delicious.”
“Ah…”
He definitely had no appetite, but suddenly he didn’t know why this was happening. Moreover, it was also puzzling that a specific food immediately came to mind.
“What do you want to eat?”
Eun Sajun also seemed to notice Yeoul’s state and urged him. Since he needed to answer to get away from here first, he carefully opened his mouth.
“I want to eat yukhoe bibimbap.”
“Good. Let’s go eat.”
“But didn’t you say you already had a meal, CEO-nim?”
“It was called a meal, but we mostly just talked about business, so it doesn’t matter. I’m also feeling a bit peckish.”
He smiled faintly and started the engine. At the same time, the car departed. Yeoul was relieved thinking he was getting away from here for now.
* * *
They arrived at a nearby Korean restaurant. It was a space with private rooms. It was quite an upscale restaurant. Just looking at the customers coming and going, they looked mature and were all dressed in suits. Yeoul, wearing casual clothes, felt awkward.
Sitting in floor chairs, they ordered their meal. Eun Sajun also ordered the same yukhoe bibimbap as Yeoul. Silence continued while the food was being prepared. Feeling awkward, Yeoul cast his gaze out the window.
He could see a well-maintained garden where children were running around. They appeared to be about 5 or 6 years old and seemed to have come along to their parents’ gathering. Their chubby faces were innocent. Because of this, Yeoul felt his heart becoming strange.
Was it because of the pregnancy contract? These were scenes he would have passed by indifferently before, but now it felt like facing an unattainable desire.
If only he too were a normal omega… If only he could have children…
How wonderful it would be.
Yeoul shook his head, wanting to stop such thoughts. It would only increase the emptiness.
“What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?”
Eun Sajun was looking at him with a worried expression.
“Pardon?”
His miserable inner thoughts seemed to have shown on his face. Yeoul tried to compose his expression. At the same time, Eun Sajun’s face also became much lighter.
“Then that’s a relief. I was worried you might be feeling unwell somewhere.”
“No…”
Yeoul shook his head. He couldn’t confess his true nature and the anguish he harbored to him.
“Then that’s fortunate.”
He drank water with relief. At the same time, those blue eyes were focused on Yeoul.
Starting from Yeoul’s earlobes, then his nape, and his gaze was fixed toward his abdomen. Eyes that seemed to be certain of something.
But Yeoul didn’t notice that light. Soon a staff member came in with the food. Appetizing yukhoe bibimbap was placed in front of Yeoul. The doenjang soup and side dishes to eat with it were also harmonious.
Right now Shin Taeon hadn’t shown up at the meeting place, which was troubling in many ways, but he thought he should at least eat. Yeoul boldly picked up his spoon.
The meal ended quickly. Afterward, they had yakgwa and sujeonggwa for dessert. The yakgwa was so sweet and delicious that Yeoul devoured it like lightning. It was truly regrettable gluttony.
“Eat this too.”
Eun Sajun offered his portion of yakgwa.
“No. I don’t need to eat it. I’m full.”
“I don’t really like yakgwa. Eat it.”
“Ah… Yes…”
To refuse yakgwa… He thought he was an interesting person and put it in his mouth. A pleasant sweetness shot up to the top of his head. When Yeoul had almost finished eating the yakgwa, Eun Sajun took out his phone to check it.
“Ah, I’ll go out first. Secretary Kim says he has something to convey.”
“Yes? Yes, yes…”
“You can come out right after you finish eating.”
“I understand.”
“Since the talk with Secretary Kim might be long, eat slowly and come out.”
He seemed worried that Yeoul might eat hurriedly.
Yeoul nodded and worked his mouth diligently. Eun Sajun left the room. Yeoul ate the yakgwa earnestly. Though he had told him to come out slowly, he hurried because he didn’t want to be a bother.
He opened the door, came out, and walked down the corridor.
On the opposite side, he could see the children he had seen through the window earlier. They seemed to have come in after playing to their heart’s content. Yeoul felt that empty feeling of longing for something unattainable once more and turned away from those scenes. Soon he came outside and headed to the parking lot.
He could see the sedan and Eun Sajun having a conversation with Secretary Kim in front of it. Looking at their quite serious expressions, they seemed to be having quite an important discussion. Yeoul thought he shouldn’t interrupt their conversation and was stealthily backing away when—
“Oh. You came?”
Eun Sajun discovered Yeoul and approached.
“Ah… Yes…”
Though he had tried to hide his presence, when he approached, he even felt sorry.
“Get in the car first. I need to talk with Secretary Kim a bit more.”
“Ah, I understand.”
Eun Sajun even personally opened the car door. Yeoul awkwardly sat in the back seat. The car door closed. And Secretary Kim and Eun Sajun continued their conversation.
“Lastly, what I want to tell you is…”
Though the car door was clearly closed, Secretary Kim’s voice could be heard clearly. Yeoul looked at the car window puzzledly and discovered it was slightly open. Though the weather had warmed up considerably, it was still cold, so just as he was about to close it completely—
“We found out who purchased the knife discovered in the hospital room bathroom last time.”
The boomerang-like statement pierced his ears.
“The Chinese dealer who sold the replica knife received buyer information for the transaction.”
“Well, to avoid trouble later, they probably would have done that. What’s the buyer’s name?”
“It’s called Shin Taeon. He’s currently doing private lending business and is mixed-race.”
When Shin Taeon’s name came from their mouths, Yeoul felt like his heart would jump out of his mouth. Sweat formed on his palms and his forehead was drenched with clammy sweat.
“Shin Taeon…”
“Currently, Shin Taeon doesn’t possess that knife and seems to have passed it to another person.”
At Secretary Kim’s report that hit the mark and then dug deeper, Yeoul’s legs were trembling.
Could it be… had they found out about him?
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
