Chapter 7
Time passed quickly as he focused on something. Eunsol headed to the venue where the gathering was being held with Kim Myungjun, who had come to pick him up.
“Do you have a favorite song by any chance?”
“The song that’s playing now is fine.”
“Then I’ll turn up the audio volume a bit.”
Eunsol was sitting in the back seat, and Kim Myungjun was in the passenger seat. Eunsol turned his head towards the car window at Kim Myungjun’s gaze, which was checking on him through the room mirror. It was a silent indication that he didn’t want to continue the conversation any longer.
Fortunately, Kim Myungjun was a quick-witted person who had served Hyun-oh for a long time. He didn’t attempt any unnecessary conversation until they reached their destination.
Eunsol knew that his behavior might seem rude, but he was too preoccupied with the thoughts swirling in his head to engage in conversation.
Outside the car window, large snowflakes were falling, turning the world white. The time also coincided with the evening rush hour, so the car couldn’t pick up much speed.
‘I heard the gathering starts at 7 o’clock…’
Checking the time on the watch around his wrist, it was already 6:50. He wasn’t very familiar with the geography, but at this rate, he was sure to be late for the appointment.
“Please don’t worry too much. I’ve already informed the Director that you might be a bit late due to traffic conditions. It’s my fault for not predicting the traffic congestion caused by the worsening weather.”
Finally, Kim Myungjun spoke as Eunsol anxiously bit his lip. But even with his words, Eunsol couldn’t relax his tension.
“If I get off and walk… would that be okay?”
“No. It’s dangerous.”
Eunsol hadn’t thought it would be possible either. He just wanted to find a solution somehow because the time was slipping away helplessly.
The venue for the gathering was the Gaia Hotel. It was the most luxurious line among the hotels affiliated with the TH Group. Located in the center of Seoul, it was a place where various events were held throughout the year.
By the time the car finally stopped in front of the Gaia Hotel, it was already past 7:30.
Eunsol followed Kim Myungjun into the lobby. It seemed like various parties were being held today as groups of men and women dressed in splendid clothes were scattered throughout the lobby.
Kim Myungjun’s face was quite famous among the people in this world. As Hyun-oh’s right-hand man, who assisted him closely, his face was known here and there.
Consequently, some of the gazes in the lobby turned to Eunsol. The eyes of those who had heard the news that Hyun-oh had registered his marriage without a wedding ceremony sparkled with curiosity.
“Please don’t draw attention and come this way.”
Kim Myungjun also sensed the strangely flowing atmosphere in the lobby. Worried that something unpleasant might happen to Eunsol, he quickened his pace.
Kim Myungjun headed straight to the Gloria Hall where the gathering was taking place.
“I can only go in up to here. If you go further inside, you’ll find the Director.”
Eunsol stepped inside through the door that Kim Myungjun opened for him. The hall had an antique atmosphere as if the salon of an early 20th-century Western European aristocratic family had been moved there.
There was no time to appreciate the Art Nouveau-style interior. Eunsol stopped breathing as five pairs of eyes pierced towards him.
“The guest we’ve been waiting for has arrived. Come here, Mr. Eunsol.”
The one who welcomed the stiffened Eunsol with a bright smile was a woman with impressive brown short hair. Information about her flashed through Eunsol’s mind. She was the esteemed daughter of a famous family in the political world. Since they were people Hyun-oh met privately, each of them had a remarkable background.
“Ah, hello…”
Eunsol bit the tender flesh inside his cheek. He stuttered, unable to even greet properly.
Heat rose faintly from his nape. Even without looking in the mirror, he could feel it. His face was turning red unsightly.
“Come sit here. We haven’t been here long either.”
On the surface, it seemed like a welcoming atmosphere. But Eunsol noticed that the woman’s gaze, which smoothly scanned him from head to toe, was essentially cold.
She was by no means favorable towards him. Eunsol was more familiar with such malice than kindness. It was an emotion he had faced every day since childhood. Even if she had a smile on her lips, it was easy to sense the malice as her eyes were coldly sunken.
“Yes. Being 30 minutes late is nothing. Hyun-oh, why aren’t you saying anything?”
The neatly dressed man sitting at the table also spoke up. It was a remark that subtly pointed out Eunsol’s 30-minute delay.
Eunsol felt the heat on his cheeks intensify. With hesitant steps, he went to sit in the only empty seat.
“…I’m here.”
“Thank you for coming.”
The only response to his whispered words was a brief greeting. Hyun-oh glanced at Eunsol and then started swirling the wine glass he held in his hand. He seemed like someone uninterested in the peculiar atmosphere flowing in the room.
“Won’t you introduce us? Mr. Eunsol, it’s your first time at our gathering today.”
A man with a gentle impression drew Hyun-oh’s attention. Eunsol learned that he was the president of Yujin Construction.
Currently, Yujin Construction was in a fierce competition with TH Construction for the selection of a construction company for a redevelopment area in Seoul. He had named the company after himself, using the influence of his parents.
“Or maybe you’re not interested enough to introduce us. After all, it’s a marriage of necessity, isn’t it?”
The man sitting next to Yujin, who had spoken, was his partner. Eunsol knew he was an omega not from the contents of the documents but through his body. A sharp omega pheromone was emanating as if warning Eunsol.
He was skilled at controlling his pheromones. That meant his grade was higher than Eunsol’s. In fact, Eunsol’s grade was rather rare in this world.
In social circles, it was common to speak in a roundabout way. In that sense, his words were quite straightforward.
“I wish you would show respect to my partner. He is the one who represents me when I’m not around.”
The atmosphere changed when Hyun-oh, who had been silently swirling his wine glass, finally opened his lips, which had been stiff in a straight line.
A deep bass spread richly through the hall. Like the inner scent of red wine flowing from the wine glass that continued to draw circles.
It was a warning. Enough to silence those who had been trying to provoke Eunsol.
“Ah, I didn’t mean it that way. Mr. Eunsol, if I hurt your feelings, I apologize. I’m sorry.”
“…It’s okay.”
Yujin’s partner quickly apologized to Eunsol. Yujin silently brought the wine glass in front of him to his lips. His stiffly hardened lips were slightly hidden by the wine glass.
“Have a drink. We’ll introduce ourselves one by one slowly.”
“Thank you.”
Eunsol realized that the person who had just spoken to him was the only one sending a kind gaze. The tension that had stiffened his fingertips eased a little as he made eye contact with him.
He was Ryu Jeong-woo, the director of the Hanul Art Museum, one of the top art museums in Korea, and a famous art collector.
His wavy hair, close to a bob cut, naturally flowed down, highlighting his delicate features.
“The alcohol content might be a bit high, so if you taste it and feel it’s not to your liking, quietly tell me. I’ll give you a champagne type.”
The following words were as small as only Eunsol could hear. Eunsol lightly nodded as he even winked one eye after finishing his words.
Eunsol sipped his wine and glanced at Hyun-oh. His already striking appearance was even more pronounced as he wore a black suit with a bluish tint and a shirt of the same color.
For a different reason than when he was flustered, Eunsol’s cheeks turned red.
“Mr. Eunsol, you’re twenty years old, right?”
Ryu Jeong-woo, who had been looking at Eunsol with a pleased expression, offered finger food in front of Eunsol. They were all enjoying wine simply as they had already eaten.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“You and I are exactly four years apart. They say a four-year age difference doesn’t even check compatibility.”
Eunsol blinked his big eyes, not knowing what Ryu Jeong-woo meant. He didn’t think it was said with sexual intent. However, both Eunsol and Ryu Jeong-woo were married. Ryu Jeong-woo’s words were open to misunderstanding.
“Of course, as friends.”
Ryu Jeong-woo added as if he had read Eunsol’s complicated mind. Only then did Eunsol also smile faintly following Ryu Jeong-woo.
“But are you two really not going to have a wedding ceremony? Even if you live together, shouldn’t you have a wedding ceremony?”
After Hyun-oh made a remark that seemed to protect Eunsol, no one directly attempted to converse with Eunsol except for Ryu Jeong-woo.
Even the brief self-introductions were done under Ryu Jeong-woo’s lead. Each time, Eunsol hoped his voice wouldn’t tremble as he greeted.
Instead, they chatted with their partners sitting next to them or shared their recent news. As they emptied their wine glasses two or three times, one of the party, who was slightly tipsy, brought up the topic that everyone had been hushing.
“Just registering the marriage and living together is too old-fashioned.”
Eunsol looked at the man’s face and immediately recalled the information recorded in the data Kim Myungjun had provided.
‘A person who constantly picks fights with Mr. Hyun-oh.’
It wasn’t exactly as Eunsol recalled, but if the lengthy information was summarized, that’s what it was.
“That’s between the two of us. It’s none of your business to interfere.”
With those words, Hyun-oh stood up, grabbing Eunsol’s wrist.
“I’ll have to leave first today. There’s work at the company. Since I’ve shown my face, is that enough?”
“Yeah, sure… You’re the busiest with company work here. Go quickly.”
The one who said that was the person who hadn’t said a word until now. He was particularly attentive to Hyun-oh, so he only sent a brief glance towards Eunsol.
“Mr. Eunsol, I’ll contact you separately. It was nice meeting you today.”
As Eunsol was being led out of the hall by Hyun-oh, Ryu Jeong-woo stood up from his seat and waved his right hand towards Eunsol. Ryu Jeong-woo’s partner seemed indifferent, bringing a new bottle of wine.
“Goodbye.”
Eunsol bowed his waist towards Ryu Jeong-woo in greeting. It was a return for the only person who had treated him kindly in the suffocating time. Fortunately, Hyun-oh didn’t stop Eunsol from greeting.
“Director, are you going straight to the company?”
“Prepare the car.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Kim Myungjun greeted the two coming out of the hall. Besides Kim Myungjun, there were many people waiting. All of them were dressed in neat suits.
“Mr. Lee Eunsol, you go home first. I have work at the company, so I’ll be late. Don’t wait up and go to sleep.”
“…Yes.”
At the moment he heard Hyun-oh’s words, Eunsol wanted to ask him if he was very busy with work. But instead of asking back, he nodded with a small smile.
“Just follow the driver.”
A man who had driven the car when they came here walked out from behind Kim Myungjun. He was a man with sporadic white hair in his hair.
“Come this way.”
Even as he followed the driver, Eunsol couldn’t take his eyes off Hyun-oh, who was walking in the opposite direction.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
