* * *
Early winter had settled in over Chicago, and it didn’t feel all that different from Korea.
Fallen leaves blanketed the ground, people were bundled up in heavy coats, and a chilly wind blew.
Patrick, the buyer helping them with the expo schedule, had mentioned that it had snowed two days ago.
Said the wind was so strong he thought he’d blow away.
Despite his broad forehead and tendency to exaggerate, Patrick was well-prepared, good at managing conversations, and apparently the one Saheon had personally contacted.
Sure enough, from airport pickup to arranging meetings with expo contacts, Patrick had handled everything smoothly.
“Ugh…”
The only problem was that Wookyung still hadn’t recovered from his cold.
So he told Saheon he’d go back to the hotel first.
But as soon as he stepped outside, the icy air made his shoulders tremble.
It was early winter—he figured a full padded coat wasn’t necessary and wore only a long beige cashmere coat.
Clearly, that wasn’t enough.
Just then, a familiar scent and warm weight settled over his shoulders—Saheon had draped his own coat over him.
“You okay?”
Wookyung had just seen him speaking with an expo rep.
When did he catch up?
He moved to shrug off the coat, surprised he’d followed.
But before that, a hand gently caught his wrist, and a cool back of the hand touched his forehead.
“Still feeling sick?”
“No. I think I just dressed too light. I was thinking of dropping by a mall to grab something warmer.”
He’d been planning to get a down vest or thick cardigan to wear under the coat.
They’d barely been in Chicago for a day—if he got really sick, it’d be a mess.
“I think you still have a fever. Go back and rest. I’ll go shopping with you later. Or I’ll have a shopper come.”
Seriously, sometimes Saheon tossed out those bougie lines like they were nothing.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll rest as soon as I get back. You go handle your meetings.”
“Wait here. I’ll call a cab.”
Wookyung didn’t refuse that and nodded.
Saheon then asked Patrick, who was still talking to the expo staff, to call a taxi.
Wookyung crinkled his nose in embarrassment—he felt bad causing trouble for others.
If he’d known this would happen, he would’ve just gone on his own.
Not that Saheon would’ve let him.
[I’ll go back to the hotel, so don’t worry and get your work done.]
When the taxi arrived, Patrick winked, as if saying, ‘Leave it to me.’
With his deep double eyelids and distinctly Latin features, he came off more suave than trustworthy.
Still, he wasn’t wrong.
They’d come straight from the airport to the convention, and neither of them had even seen the hotel yet.
“Go ahead.”
Seeing Saheon hesitate, Wookyung stepped in.
He figured having someone—anyone—accompany him would be better than going alone, especially in his condition.
“Will you be okay?”
But Saheon clearly wasn’t comfortable with the arrangement.
‘What’s he overreacting for?’
It’s just because he didn’t dress warm enough—not worth all this worry.
“I’ll be fine.”
“If anything comes up, call me right away.”
There’s nothing that could happen.
Instead of replying, Wookyung lightly tapped Saheon’s arm.
Saheon’s gaze instantly flicked down to the spot.
Caught that tiny twitch at the corner of his lips.
Wookyung gave a faint smile in return.
The taxi pulled up.
Patrick opened the back door and gestured with an exaggerated wink.
His playful gesture lifted Wookyung’s mood a little.
“See you later.”
He lightly squeezed Saheon’s arm one more time before letting go.
“Yeah, should I call while you’re on your way?”
“I’ll call once I get there.”
‘What’s he talking about? He has work. And I’m not even going alone—I’m with our business partner.’
Was he trying to announce to everyone that they were dating or what?
Wookyung gave him a don’t be ridiculous kind of look.
Saheon shrugged and backed off obediently—but judging by the regret in his eyes, he’d meant every word.
Honestly, he should scold him for being careless.
But instead, all Wookyung felt was this weird flutter in his chest.
That was its own kind of problem, too.
I awkwardly waved my hand and got into the taxi.
Naturally, I assumed Patrick would sit in the front passenger seat, but he got in right next to me.
Thanks to that, I missed my chance to say goodbye to Saheon one more time.
I guess he felt the same.
It wasn’t long after the car started moving that a message came in.
[Director Saheon: Why is Patrick sitting next to you?
Director Saheon: Tell him to move to the front seat.]
After reading it, Wookyung made a baffled expression.
[Me: What are you talking about.
Me: How am I supposed to tell him to switch seats in a moving car?
Me: Focus on your work, Director.]
Turns out what Saheon had been worried about earlier wasn’t my health, but the fact that Patrick was sitting beside me.
It’s just a 20-minute ride—what’s the big deal?
[Director Saheon: He may be enthusiastic, but he’s still an alpha. Wouldn’t it bother you having him so close?]
“Ah…”
Wookyung let that slip out without thinking as he read the message.
[Why? Gil, are you feeling unwell?]
Hearing that, Patrick, who had been staring at his phone, turned toward me.
Gil was the name I gave him, but with his native accent, it sounded overly slick, like he was buttering it up.
Maybe it’s because he says “Gil” like “Giiil―” instead of just “Gil.”
[A little. I think I’ll be fine once I rest.]
I was going to say it’s nothing, but then I remembered Saheon had asked for a taxi and mentioned me, so I changed my mind.
[I thought so.]
Patrick’s eyes seemed to glint for a second.
The way he dragged out the syllables between “thought” and “so” sounded extra smooth.
[I was wondering where that sweet scent was coming from. Gil, maybe you’re going into heat?]
[…What did you say?]
No way he means that kind of heat… right?
[I didn’t really notice when we were outside. But sitting this close, I can catch a faint whiff.]
He leaned his upper body closer and sniffed.
Wookyung instantly felt chills down his neck and under his chin and raised his hand to block him.
Patrick immediately straightened up and smiled innocently, as if to say he didn’t mean anything by it.
[So you were an omega. I was a bit confused. But then again, these days omegas who feel like betas are pretty popular. That scent is really sweet—like a candy made of quince and plum.]
What the hell kind of scent is that?
[You must be mistaken. It’s probably that.]
Wookyung, clearly uninterested, pointed with his chin at a small bottle fixed to the dashboard.
Patrick looked over at it—it was an air freshener, half-used.
[Hmm, pheromones are different from stuff like that. I just meant it smells nice, so you don’t have to be so on guard.]
Patrick even waved his hands to emphasize how harmless he was.
[I may look like this, but I’m not some shameless alpha who messes with people who’re taken. And besides, it seems like you and Mr. Choi are pretty close, right? That makes it even more off-limits.]
Wookyung watched him rattle on, even dragging Saheon into it, and just nodded slightly to acknowledge him.
Still, what he said kept lingering in his mind.
‘No way… really?’
He wanted to bring his sleeve up to his nose and check.
But doing that would seem way too self-conscious, especially with someone right next to him.
Instead, he kept his eyes glued to his phone.
Normally, Saheon would’ve messaged without needing a reminder—why was he so quiet today?
I know he’s busy, but it makes me sulky for no reason.
Patrick must’ve been just as uncomfortable, fiddling with different videos and playing them one after another.
Thankfully, the taxi soon pulled up in front of the hotel listed on the navigation.
After Patrick got out, Wookyung followed right behind him.
“…Haa.”
Maybe it was the awkwardness, but the cool air actually felt refreshing.
He took a breath and gave a brief goodbye to Patrick.
Since the taxi didn’t leave, it looked like Patrick was heading straight back.
[Take care, Patrick. I’ll see you tomorrow.]
[Sure thing. You too, Gil.]
Patrick turned to leave, then paused as if he’d remembered something.
“Ah,” he said, turning his head slightly back.
[That earlier thing was a real mistake, really. So let’s keep that a secret from Mr. Choi, yeah? Shhh!]
He even pressed a finger to his lips.
Wookyung nodded halfheartedly. What was he so worried about?
It’s not like they’d be seeing each other often anyway.
‘Well, I guess he needs to stay on good terms while he’s here.’
After all, they’re business partners.
With that thought, Wookyung only turned around once the car carrying Patrick was completely out of sight.
Then, recalling what Patrick had said, he raised his arm and brought it close to his nose.
Was it just his imagination?
He could faintly pick up a sweet scent from his wrist.
* * *
