* * *
Wookyung left early in the morning for his parents’ house.
Originally, his parents were supposed to meet them directly at the venue with his brother, who had returned from overseas two days ago.
But last night, Gil Woohyun had taken a fall on the stairs and sprained his ankle, ending up in a soft cast and unable to drive.
The family offered to take a taxi, but Wookyung volunteered to come pick them up—using Saheon’s car, no less.
That morning, he and Saheon had a bit of a back-and-forth.
When Wookyung said he’d go pick up his parents, Saheon offered to send a driver.
When Wookyung refused, Saheon told him to at least take his car.
Wookyung had wanted to turn that down too, but under that steady gaze, he ended up giving in.
After all, he didn’t own a car, so he’d just intended to use his parents’ vehicle.
“Sorry, Wookyung.”
Gil Woohyun scratched the back of his head awkwardly as he waited at the entrance.
“It’s nothing. But are you sure you’re okay? You can stay home if it’s too uncomfortable.”
The cast looked stiff and unwieldy, so Wookyung voiced his concern.
But Woohyun shook his head firmly.
“No way. This is our formal introduction to Saheon’s family. I came back to Korea for this—I have to go.”
“Well… okay then.”
If he insisted, Wookyung wasn’t going to stop him.
Just then, their parents came out of the house.
Wookyung quickly opened the back door and waited for them to get in.
“We shouldn’t have made you come all the way out here. We could’ve taken a taxi.”
“It’s fine. It’s more convenient this way since I’m going too.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Han Seokyung gently patted the back of Wookyung’s hand as she got into the car.
Gil Taejin gave his shoulder a reassuring tap before sitting next to his omega.
Woohyun took the front passenger seat.
“Where’s Saheon’s family meeting us?”
About 15 minutes into the drive, Han Seokyung asked.
“They just left. They’ll probably arrive a little earlier than us.”
“We should hurry, then.”
Their location was farther, and the traffic wasn’t great either.
They were doing their best, but knowing they’d be arriving later than the other family seemed to bother his omega father.
“It’s okay. As long as we’re on time.”
He checked that no cars were in the adjacent lane, signaled, and changed lanes smoothly.
“Still, it’s better to get there first, if we can. Who exactly is coming from his side again?”
“Chairwoman Choi and CEO Choi… I mean, his eldest aunt.”
That’s what Wookyung had been told yesterday.
He had thought it’d just be Chairwoman Choi, but apparently the CEO had insisted on coming too.
“Your CEO is his aunt, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that works out. Good chance to say hello.”
‘If only.’
Wookyung wasn’t so sure.
He didn’t even know if she was coming with good intentions.
Still, he kept his doubts to himself.
“What do you mean, ‘say hello’…”
“Well, she knows you work for the company, right? You’ll be seeing each other often, so it wouldn’t hurt to make a good impression.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. She already knows I’m on the same team as Saheon.”
‘Knows, huh?’
She’d even called him in directly to warn him to stop seeing Saheon.
But of course, he couldn’t say that to his parents.
Wookyung held his tongue.
“Well, I suppose that’s true. I guess I’m just being nosy.”
“Dad, come on. Wookyung’s the real deal. Even without Saheon, I’m sure the CEO would’ve recognized his talent.”
Gil Woohyun smoothly jumped into the conversation and began listing Wookyung’s strengths.
Han Seokyung’s face brightened.
“Isn’t that right?”
“Absolutely. He might seem indifferent sometimes, but he was the first among his peers to be promoted to assistant manager. I bet he’ll be a manager, then a senior manager, and then department head in no time.”
‘We’ll see about that.’
Wookyung wasn’t sure how long he’d even stay at this company.
With Manager Min being transferred overseas and Manager Shin quitting, the planning team’s atmosphere had become unstable.
Originally, once Manager Shin got promoted, the vacant position was most likely going to be Wookyung’s.
But the problem arose when someone from another planning team was transferred over instead—because Wookyung was part of the TF team.
“And they said CEO Choi personally gave the order, right?”
When Assistant Manager Kim told him the news, Wookyung had thought, ‘Of course, CEO Choi wouldn’t just sit back and do nothing.’
“Saheon was always planning to quit at some point anyway.”
Maybe he was planning to tie up loose ends himself around the same time.
Of course, whether that guess was correct or not would only become clear once he clashed with the new manager.
Either way, it wasn’t something worth worrying about now, so Wookyung pushed the thought aside and gave his older brother a grateful glance.
Gil Woohyun grinned and playfully tapped Wookyung’s arm.
With Woohyun and Han Seokyung leading the conversation, they talked about various things as they drove for another 10 minutes, eventually arriving at the meeting place without issue.
“Why don’t you all head in first? I’ll join you right after I park.”
There was some distance between the restaurant entrance and the parking lot, so Wookyung dropped his family off near the entrance first.
Fortunately, he found an empty spot quickly.
As soon as he turned off the ignition, he checked his phone and saw a message from Saheon that had come in three minutes ago:
Saheon: We just got here.
Saheon: Grandmother said to tell you not to rush—take your time.
Saheon: Drive safe, and don’t hurry.
The thoughtful message, clearly meant to ease any pressure, brought a small smile to Wookyung’s lips.
Lately, he’d found himself smiling more than usual.
It was probably because he’d realized—there was someone who saw him fully, and that had lifted a burden off his heart.
Me: Just parked.
Me: My parents and Woohyun-hyung are waiting at the entrance.
Saheon: We just ran into them.
The reply came almost instantly, making Wookyung raise his head quickly.
He spotted a group of people chatting at the restaurant entrance.
The man standing half a head taller than even his tall alpha father was, of course, Saheon.
The moment he confirmed it, Wookyung opened the car door without hesitation.
Striding over, he saw Saheon turn around as if he’d been paying attention the whole time.
Seeing that gentle curve of his lips, the tension Wookyung had felt just moments ago eased noticeably.
“Wookyung.”
A tender voice.
And a body moving toward him without hesitation.
Wookyung, too, willingly widened his steps to meet him.
“What are you doing out here? What about the others?”
“I saw your father and Woohyun-hyung getting out of the car, so I came out. But actually, Grandmother spotted you first and told me to go.”
“Thanks. I should go thank the Chairwoman in person too.”
As Wookyung calmly responded, Saheon reached out and gently brushed his chilled cheek, naturally taking his hand.
Then the two of them walked into the restaurant together with Wookyung’s family.
Inside was quiet.
That was because HK had rented the entire place for the day.
Since there were no staff guiding them, Wookyung walked alongside Saheon, letting go of the last traces of lingering tension.
‘Or so he thought.’
When they reached the door, his fingertips stiffened slightly.
He was rarely this nervous or under this much pressure.
Noticing it, Saheon playfully shook the hand he was holding.
“Shall we go in?”
He winked, then opened the door.
Thanks to that, Wookyung felt a bit lighter.
“Hello! Please, have a seat over here.”
Chairwoman Choi rose from his seat to greet them warmly.
Hearing that voice, Wookyung followed behind his family into the room.
The meeting proceeded in a cheerful and easygoing atmosphere from start to finish.
“So then, shall we have the ceremony in early July, after the expo wraps up?”
“If you’re okay with it, how about using H Hotel? It’s affiliated with our group.”
“If you’re taking care of the arrangements, we’re only grateful.”
Chairwoman Choi and Han Seokyung exchanged ideas, and both seemed pleased, their satisfied smiles never leaving their faces.
“Since the two of them agreed to handle the ceremony and jewelry costs, the rest—what each family needs to prepare—can be managed separately.”
“That sounds good. The kids are so reliable; we barely have to worry.”
Even the wedding details flowed so smoothly it was as if everything had been prearranged, leaving Wookyung a bit dumbfounded.
His own parents had clearly stated from the start that all decisions would be left to the couple, so that was expected.
But it was surprising that even Chairwoman Choi seemed willing to trust and delegate to them.
“So what are your plans for after the wedding?”
It was then that CEO Choi, who had been silently observing until now, suddenly spoke up.
She looked at Saheon, but Wookyung felt like the question was directed at him.
“We haven’t discussed that part yet.”
Saheon answered calmly.
Looking somewhat concerned, CEO Choi followed up, this time directing her gaze clearly at Wookyung.
“Really? Well, you’ll have to start thinking about it soon. You’re planning to wrap up here and return to the U.S. after the wedding, right? Then naturally, Mr. Gil Wookyung will go with you—won’t he?”
* * *
