Chapter 71
Though he forcibly covered himself with the blanket and tried to sleep, there was no way he could fall asleep. About two hours after Tae-geon disappeared, the sound of a car was heard again, followed by the front door opening. Hyeon-woo kept his eyes tightly shut, pretending to be asleep, and focused all his senses on listening.
After footsteps heading towards the dining table, there was a rustling sound of something being taken out of a bag. As the greasy smell of omelette filled the room, his stomach started to churn. It wasn’t even food he particularly wanted to eat in the first place. He didn’t expect Tae-geon to actually buy it when he had just blurted it out on a whim as a test.
Unaware that Hyeon-woo was desperately trying to suppress his nausea, Tae-geon transferred the packaged omelette onto a plate. It was the omelette from the Aiden Hotel that Hyeon-woo often used to beg K to order through room service.
Tae-geon was about to set the table but changed his mind and took out a tray, placing the plate and utensils on it. Since it was a dish that didn’t need side dishes, he thought it would be more comfortable for Hyeon-woo to bring it to the bed.
“Hyeon-woo.”
He called Hyeon-woo’s name several times, but there was no response. He put the tray down on the bedside table and tried to wake Hyeon-woo. Hyeon-woo stirred reluctantly and sat up, keeping his lower body under the blanket. As Tae-geon placed the tray on Hyeon-woo’s legs, an indescribably greasy smell assaulted Hyeon-woo’s nose.
“Urgh…!”
An intense wave of nausea hit him. Hyeon-woo covered his mouth. His stomach churned violently once again.
“Uurgh…! Get it away!!”
Clang-!
Hyeon-woo threw off the blanket recklessly and ran to the bathroom, leaving behind Tae-geon, who stood frozen like a statue with the yellow omelette splattered all over his face.
*
“I want to eat tteokkkochi. The one they used to sell in front of our elementary school.”
Tae-geon diligently procured the foods Hyeon-woo said he wanted to eat, like a mother bird. He had long since given up on those pathetic sleep-talking episodes. Whenever Hyeon-woo saw Tae-geon’s face, a string of foods he wanted to eat poured out of his mouth like candy. For the past few days, Tae-geon hadn’t even gone to work, focusing solely on fattening Hyeon-woo up.
It was ridiculous that he was carrying out a morning sickness mission when Hyeon-woo wasn’t even pregnant with his child, but when he saw Hyeon-woo eagerly waiting for him and delightfully eating the food he brought, such calculating thoughts didn’t cross his mind at all. He felt inexplicably proud and satisfied, feeling full even on days when he hadn’t eaten anything.
It was all the more precious because it was an aspect he had never expected to see. Hyeon-woo welcoming him in that house. To be precise, it wasn’t him that Hyeon-woo was waiting for, but whatever was in his hands, but that didn’t matter. Anything was fine. Just the thought of Hyeon-woo greeting him upon his return made Tae-geon’s heart flutter for no reason.
As the traffic light changed, Tae-geon stepped hard on the accelerator.
Tteokkkochi. Tteokkkochi…
Every red light he encountered at intersections looked like tteokkkochi to him.
Ding-.
Ding-.
Ding-.
Three message notifications sounded from the coat he had taken off and placed on the passenger seat. After parking the car on the side of the road in front of the elementary school he and Hyeon-woo had attended together, he put on his coat and got out. He took out the phone from his pocket and opened the message inbox, and a photo and personal information of someone appeared on the screen.
Tae-geon’s eyes darkened as he scanned the screen. It was the identity of the bastard who had lured Hyeon-woo to that vulgar place. As he thought it wouldn’t be easy to dig up information, it turned out to be an extraordinary family indeed.
With one hand in his pocket and a crooked posture, Tae-geon stared at the profile and face in the photo for a long time, his eyebrows slowly furrowing. It seemed oddly familiar. Where have I seen this face before? As he was staring at the screen, trying to recall, Tae-geon finally exclaimed, “Ah!” as if he had remembered.
The first partner he had slept with.
It was the very omega he had knotted.
“…Haha.”
A laugh of disbelief escaped at the unexpected identity of the person. Tae-geon’s eyes gleamed dangerously as he raised one corner of his mouth in a vicious smile.
*
The tteokkkochi wrapped in aluminum foil quickly disappeared into Hyeon-woo’s stomach one by one.
“Is it good?”
“……”
Although Hyeon-woo continued to ignore the question and focused solely on eating, Tae-geon felt satisfied seeing his fair cheeks that had recently gained a healthier color. It seemed his appetite was returning, as he often ate the meals Tae-geon prepared on the dining table before going out.
“Eat slowly.”
Tae-geon got up from his seat and started preparing the groceries he had bought. He made porridge that would be easy for Hyeon-woo to digest with his severe morning sickness, putting half in the freezer and half in the refrigerator. He also prepared the honey rice cakes, sandwiches, and fruits he had bought in bulk at the mart, cutting them into easy-to-eat pieces and storing them in airtight containers. He also carefully rechecked the condition of various side dishes.
Tae-geon’s hands were busy filling the refrigerator in advance, calculating Hyeon-woo’s meal portions, as he planned to be away from home for several days, including his rut.
After finishing all the tteokkkochi and hiding under the blanket, Hyeon-woo peeked out his head and stared at Tae-geon. He was puzzled by Tae-geon’s unusually busy appearance. Noticing Hyeon-woo’s gaze, Tae-geon spoke first.
“I’m busy with work, so I won’t be able to come home for about 5 days.”
“……”
“There’s plenty of food, so make sure to eat what’s in the fridge first, and don’t skip meals.”
There was still no reply. Hyeon-woo pulled the blanket over his head as if it was none of his business, and soon Tae-geon confirmed that he had fallen asleep, breathing softly. Then, Tae-geon left the house with a cheerful stride.
Coincidentally, that omega’s and Hyeon-woo’s heat cycle periods matched. Though he had no intention of remaining as a dancing bear in his family home, he didn’t expect the opportunity to escape would come so quickly in this way.
He changed his strategy. During his rut, he would not touch Hyeon-woo. There was no need to attend the emergency management meeting either. If he utilized this opportunity well, he could handle all the suspicions about his rut, Hyeon-woo’s well-being, and the disposal of that omega at once. It was a golden chance to dispel all doubts and drive in the wedge as he wished.
Tae-geon checked once again in the side mirror to see if the van tailing him was keeping up well.
Ding-.
A message arrived. Taking advantage of the red light, he quickly scanned his phone.
[I’ve arrived.]
Tae-geon’s car disappeared swiftly into the hotel’s underground parking lot, drawing an elegant arc. A black van followed, vanishing into the parking lot as well.
*
Se-jin’s heart started racing madly as he spotted the alpha entering the lounge. The alpha recognized Se-jin sitting on a stool and approached with one corner of his mouth curved up.
The black turtleneck sweater he wore under his coat looked both ascetic and sexy. His dark, disheveled hair, tousled by the wind, appeared debauched yet somehow elegant. Though his outfit of sweater, jeans, and sneakers was a common style found in any university area, his broad shoulders and excellent body proportions made it seem like he could make even a sackcloth look like designer wear.
People’s gazes followed the alpha as he passed. Se-jin gave him an eye-smile and pointed to the empty stool next to him. Just seating the alpha next to him made Se-jin feel empowered.
“What would you like to drink?”
In response to Se-jin’s question, the alpha shifted his gaze to the cocktail in front of him and replied in a handsome voice.
“I’ll have the same.”
Se-jin raised his hand to call the bartender.
“One gin and tonic, please. On the rocks.”
Soon, the bartender reappeared with a gin and tonic garnished with a lemon slice, along with a bill in a black leather folder. Se-jin signed the bill in elegant handwriting using the fountain pen from the folder and handed it back to the bartender along with his credit card. Noticing the alpha’s gaze fixed on his hand, Se-jin said with a smile,
“The first round is on me.”
Se-jin narrowed his eyes as the alpha finally met his gaze.
Last summer, Se-jin had his wedding as planned. After much trouble, he had managed to identify the alpha who had given him that ecstatic night, but he had given up without regret when faced with a situation he couldn’t handle on his own. Who would have thought the alpha would appear before him now? And to think he had reached out first.
Se-jin moistened his lips as he looked at Tae-geon. He could feel everyone in the lounge side-eyeing the alpha next to him. They must find him desirable too. A thrill ran through his lower abdomen at the sense of superiority.
Feeling unnecessarily elated, Se-jin pressed his body close to Tae-geon as if they were lovers. The alpha didn’t shy away from the blatant contact. Instead, he flashed a subtle smile as if understanding Se-jin’s intention and slightly released his pheromones. Se-jin let out a gasp in response.
Tae-geon handed his business card to the omega who was looking at him with eyes full of lust. Se-jin shifted his gaze to the card he received. It was an unfamiliar corporation. He checked the alpha’s name.
[Kim Jun-hyeok]
Se-jin furrowed his brow at the somehow familiar name and scrutinized the business card for a long time. Tae-geon took it back and slipped it into Se-jin’s jacket pocket. Then he leaned his upper body closer to Se-jin. Se-jin’s ear perked up sensitively as he felt the alpha’s breath.
