* * *
“Couldn’t you have woken me up when we arrived…?”
“You were sleeping so well. Besides, you’re not that important, so making you wait was fine.”
“Please, don’t say such socially inept things so carelessly… anywhere, for that matter.”
What kind of company CEO spoke so lightly?
Sure, he hadn’t pulled this kind of stunt in front of business partners, but who’s to say he wouldn’t eventually?
As I sighed and worried about the future, I recalled what Doha had said right after we passed the tollgate.
He mentioned meeting someone, didn’t he?
‘We’re just meeting someone briefly. We’ll pass by the valley, and all we have to do is greet them and leave.’
“Can you tell me who we’re meeting?”
“Are we off the clock or not?”
His voice was devoid of any joking tone.
What, did he think I had an on-off switch for formality?
It wasn’t like I could change how I talked that easily, especially after eight years of constantly being on guard.
How could he expect me to flip that overnight? Begrudgingly, I answered.
“If you tell me who it is, I’ll know how not to make a mistake.”
“They’re not all that important, but it’d be bad if they weren’t there.”
Although I felt like his words were complete nonsense, Doha had already stepped out of the car.
When would he finally mature?
A brief worry crossed my mind: if I ever quit, who would lead this man to behave like a proper human being?
Poor future spouse, whoever they might be, would really have their life caught in a web.
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I followed him out of the car.
Cold air brushed against my cheeks.
The fresh scent of the forest enveloped the surroundings, and not far off, the sound of a flowing stream mingled with the summer insects’ chirps, filling the area.
I took a few steps forward, my shoes crunching on the gravel at the roadside.
“Doha.”
“Yeah.”
“Hurry, let’s go. We’ll get bitten by mosquitoes.”
I added that the mountain mosquitoes here were vicious, urging him to move quickly.
Doha exhaled with a deflated laugh.
“Usually, in situations like this, aren’t you supposed to be scared or ask where we are?”
“I might not know where we are, but why should I be scared? You’re here. Now hurry up. These mountain mosquitoes are fierce; once they bite, you’ll be scratching for days.”
Thinking about the mosquitoes attracted by car headlights made my skin crawl.
If there was anything I feared, it was getting bitten.
Ever since I was a kid, mosquitoes had always been drawn to me, and mountain mosquitoes were no different.
Doha finally started walking ahead, urged by my insistence.
I quietly followed behind until he pulled me close, his hand firmly on the back of my neck, making me walk right by his side.
We arrived at a small standalone house at the end of the neatly paved path.
It looked like a cozy mountain cottage straight out of a movie.
I couldn’t help but look around curiously, wondering who owned it, but there was no nameplate anywhere.
Standing in front of the entrance, Doha knocked on the door with me behind him.
It didn’t take long before there was a sign of movement from inside, and the door opened.
A young woman appeared, strikingly graceful and beautiful.
Her long hair was tied up in a ponytail, and her slightly upturned eyes gave off anything but a gentle vibe.
She glanced between me and Doha, then made a knowing gesture with her chin.
“If you’re here, come in.”
Her pleasant voice clashed with her rough way of speaking.
I felt like she resembled someone…
Before I could dwell on it, I followed her inside with Doha.
The interior of the house was oddly barren.
It held only the essential furniture—shelves, a table, a few chairs—suggesting a firm decision not to decorate or personalize the space.
It felt cold and desolate.
The only warmth came from the subtle scent of honeyed cherry blossoms hanging in the air.
I instinctively recognized the scent as her pheromones.
Judging by the delicateness of her features, she was likely an Omega.
Just what kind of relationship did she have with Doha to bring us here?
While I was busy surveying my surroundings, Doha, who had barely stepped past the threshold, shot a glare at the woman and spoke irritably.
“Why did you call me here? We have nothing to discuss face-to-face.”
“I was curious.”
The woman smiled slightly at me.
The cold impression softened like the warmth of her scent, and I nodded and returned her smile.
Seeing this brief exchange, Doha, eager to wrap up the conversation and leave, pressed on.
“Just get to the point. Once this is over, we’re heading back. I came as promised, so let’s finish.”
“I might have birthed you, but who did you inherit that awful temper from? It wasn’t this bad in me. Was it your father who taught you to be such a mess?”
At the word “birthed,” it finally dawned on me: this striking woman was Doha’s mother, staying secluded in a mountain villa.
I’d only ever heard about her, never having seen her at any official events.
Since Doha was a dominant Alpha, I had suspected his mother might be an Omega, but I hadn’t imagined she would have such a personality.
“People weren’t kidding when they said there’s no point in raising kids. They take everything from you and give nothing back. Your birth certificate should have been an apology letter from a condom company.”
“How can you say that to your son?”
“Raising you feels like I gave birth to someone else’s child. They say a husband sides with strangers, but so does a child, apparently.”
She glanced at me and then back at Doha, who, in a subtle movement, positioned himself slightly in front of me to shield me from her.
Why he was trying to hide me after bringing me here himself was beyond me.
I moved in sync with him, keeping close.
“It’s how you raised me, Mother. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving. Once something is given, it’s over, isn’t it? And who exactly walked away and washed their hands of it? Because of you, things have become quite a hassle. You’re aware of that, right?”
“Enough.”
It was a moment of sheer unfilialness.
Without thinking, I nudged Doha’s knee from behind, making him stumble forward.
As he braced himself against the wall, I quickly stepped up, grinning sheepishly and bowing to the woman.
“Madam, correct?”
“…”
“I’m Seonyul, Secretary to CEO Doha Han. The Representative is a bit on edge today from lack of sleep. If there’s anything, please feel free to tell me.”
I pulled out a business card from the holder in my jacket pocket, offering it with a courteous smile.
The woman looked between my card and my face, then burst into laughter—a bright, clear smile that reminded me of Doha.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Ahn Yoongi. Call me Mother, not Madam.”
In a small, plain cup sat a translucent liquid with a rich golden hue, which gave off the aroma of well-crafted whiskey but tasted even better.
Pine pollen wine, made from pine needles and flowers, suited my palate perfectly.
The robust pine flavor filled my mouth, followed by the sweetness of honey and a tangy aftertaste of cornelian cherry.
Yoongi immediately led me to a seat, urging me to drink, and before I knew it, I’d emptied an entire bottle at her pace.
Even though I’d tried to politely refuse, citing work the next day, she kept refilling my glass.
She had effortlessly swept me up in her rhythm, making it clear she was indeed Doha’s mother.
“How did you end up as that punk’s secretary?”
Barely able to think straight from the alcohol, I lifted my head, breathing out the strong scent of liquor.
That punk, secretary—my brain processed the words slowly as I hurried to hold out my glass when I saw her lifting her own.
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am to finally meet a sane person in this messed-up Han family. Really, it’s so nice to meet you.”
“Thank you.”
“Come on, bottoms up. Oh, look at you, drinking so well.”
I downed the drink, savoring the bittersweet aftertaste.
Suddenly, I realized Doha was nowhere to be seen.
I craned my neck, searching, and Yoongi spoke up.
“I sent him to the backyard to pick some chives. It annoyed me how he kept trying to stay close.”
Doha, picking chives with rolled-up sleeves?
I ought to snap a photo and leak it to the press.
[Reed Construction Representative Harvests Homegrown Chives.]
The headline would pair well with a wholesome image, perfect for media play.
Considering Reed Construction’s sponsorship program for rural youth, this was a PR goldmine.
Pleased with the idea, I smiled to myself, only to quickly respond to Yoongi’s expectant gaze.
“I originally worked in the marketing department. I was reassigned to the Secretary Office upon permanent hire… but it’s been good. Over the past eight years, the Representative has taken good care of me. It’s been a fortunate encounter.”
“Isn’t that just misfortune? It’s obvious how you would have been treated for eight years. Do you have any idea how disgusting alpha bastards are? Their obsession and possessiveness are absolutely revolting. If it weren’t for that damn imprint…”
Briefly cursing under her breath, Ahn Yoongi barely managed to calm herself.
She downed her drink and replied, a deep frown forming between her brows.
“Anyway, I raised him carefully so he wouldn’t turn out like that, but somehow he’s grown even gloomier. I thought he was living without a care, but turns out he’s had his entire life mapped out.”
“Haha, well, you know how thorough the Director is.”
Living without a care, my foot. If he’d truly been that aimless, there’s no way Reed Co. would have grown like this.
Even setting aside Han Doha’s personality, his work abilities were exceptional.
Awkwardly, I stopped myself from downing another glass of alcohol.
* * *
Good
Thanks
Like
Like it
Thanks