* * *
Everyone makes mistakes. But if they don’t reflect and correct themselves afterward, they will inevitably have regrets.
From Wookyung’s perspective, the main couple had missed that opportunity and were now struggling because of it. If even one of them had firmly insisted on having an honest conversation, wouldn’t things have turned out differently?
‘If only he looked at him with sincerity, like Saheon does. That’s where Director Min fails.’
Just as Wookyung was, once again, thinking about things in a Saheon-centered way, Manager Shin spoke.
“Thanks, Wookyung. I feel like I’ve finally come to my senses.”
Indeed, his expression looked somewhat refreshed.
“Only now?”
“Yeah, only now.”
That was a relief.
At least now, he recognized the problem and had the will to fix it.
To be honest, it was a bit late.
How many years had he wasted dating an unreliable Alpha in his prime?
The moment CEO Choi interfered and Director Min first started looking at another Omega, Manager Shin should have pushed back hard.
‘But I get it. He was young back then. And at that age, love seemed like the most important thing.’
Fate had shackled him.
Or rather, maybe it was more accurate to call it the constraints of the novel.
‘But the novel is over. So it shouldn’t matter anymore, right?’
It had been a long time since the ending.
If Manager Shin had truly decided to break up, it wasn’t impossible.
“Romance is always the problem…”
Yeah, that was the biggest issue.
Even thinking about it again.
But what had possessed him back then to just nod along so easily?
And what was Saheon planning to do from now on?
More importantly, why was this guy still sitting here?
“Hmm?”
“…Nothing. It’s late. Let’s go.”
For now, he needed to call a taxi for Manager Shin, who looked like he had gotten drunk off soda.
After all, today was a day when relationships were redefined.
It wouldn’t be right to part ways like this, would it?
‘What am I even thinking?’
What had he just said?
It felt like some strange, bizarre words had just passed through his mind.
Shoo, shoo. No, not yet.
“You go ahead. I’ll stay a little longer.”
“Why?”
“…Just.”
Manager Shin subtly averted his gaze.
Wookyung’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t tell me you’re waiting for Director Min’s call?”
“Um…”
The way he trailed off said it all.
“Why? Are you planning to be direct and ask him outright tonight? But judging by his state earlier, he didn’t seem like he was in any condition for a proper conversation.”
“I know. But still…”
How could such a smart, capable Omega always turn into a pushover in romance?
“…Hyung.”
For the first time in a long while, Wookyung called him by the old title he used before they started working together.
“Mm?”
“Just go home. Not tonight.”
“…You think so?”
“Yeah.”
For five years, Wookyung had seen enough of the two to know exactly where to draw the line.
Only then did Manager Shin awkwardly rub his forehead, seeming embarrassed.
Since he still showed no sign of moving, Wookyung quickly opened the taxi app and called for a ride.
It was a busy time for office workers heading home after company dinners, so a waiting vehicle was matched almost immediately.
“You probably think I’m pathetic, don’t you? I know.”
Wookyung was keeping his eyes ahead, waiting for the taxi, when Manager Shin suddenly spoke.
When he didn’t respond and simply looked at him, the man continued.
“But love is like that. You can’t just cut it off in one go. The longer it lasts, the more deeply entangled the emotions become, making it impossible to break free as easily as you’d like.”
Yeah, yeah.
Nothing he needed to hear.
In the past, Wookyung would have dismissed it without hesitation.
But the reason he couldn’t do that now was—
Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt.
As if sensing he was thinking of someone, his phone buzzed violently in his hand.
He checked the caller ID.
It was Saheon.
At that exact moment, a taxi approached, its headlights illuminating the street.
It had to be the one he had called.
“Hyung, get up. The taxi’s here.”
“Huh?”
“Take that and head home.”
“Oh… okay…”
Still holding his phone, Wookyung urged Manager Shin toward the car.
His goal was to get him inside before the call ended.
As he glanced at the approaching license plate, his guess was confirmed.
“Get in.”
He even kindly opened the back door and gestured for him to enter.
Manager Shin, caught off guard, hesitated for a moment before quietly stepping inside.
“Uh… Wookyung.”
“If you were going to thank me, don’t bother.”
This wasn’t the first or second time something like this had happened.
By now, it was just routine. Wookyung answered indifferently and gave Manager Shin a light push forward.
Meanwhile, Saheon still wasn’t hanging up.
The persistent vibrations of his phone were starting to irritate him, an anxious pressure building to answer it.
“Pick up.”
“Yes.”
Even Manager Shin, noticing the continuous buzzing, commented as he got into the car.
But for some reason, Wookyung hesitated.
He didn’t feel comfortable answering in front of him, so he just nodded.
“Wookyung.”
That’s strange.
He hadn’t even pressed the call button yet, so why was he already hearing Saheon’s voice?
“Why aren’t you answering—oh, Manager Shin. Are you heading home?”
Before Wookyung could process his confusion, Saheon had already approached and was speaking.
Noticing Manager Shin inside the taxi, he acknowledged him with a slight nod.
“Yes, I’m on my way now. What about Kyowon?”
“I just sent him off.”
Saheon replied while silencing his own still-ringing phone.
As soon as he did, the phone in Wookyung’s hand also went silent.
Manager Shin glanced between the two of them.
“I appreciate the help today. Sorry for the trouble.”
After a moment of hesitation, he bowed slightly toward Saheon in apology.
“It’s nothing. You must be tired. You should get some rest. And don’t worry about Director Min.”
“He actually let it go that easily?”
“Well.”
That reaction alone was enough for Wookyung to imagine how much trouble Director Min must have caused for Saheon.
He had likely thrown a fit, demanding someone track down Manager Shin immediately.
Even though he wouldn’t have been able to call or text him himself.
Manager Shin was well aware of that too.
That’s why he was looking down at his silent phone with such a bitter smile.
“Go on, Manager.”
“Yeah. I will. You should rest too, Wookyung. And have a good night, Executive Director.”
Still looking somewhat tense, Manager Shin shut the car door.
Soon, the taxi pulled away.
“You worked hard, Wookyung.”
“You too, Saheon. What about the dinner bill?”
Saheon’s sleek black credit card was still in Wookyung’s possession.
He took it out and held it up, prompting a small smile from Saheon as he took it back.
“I used Director Min’s card.”
“Oh, that’s great.”
After all, the guy was the company CEO’s son.
Covering the bill for an employee dinner was the least he could do.
Not to mention, the employees had gone through enough nonsense tonight.
“Shall we head out too?”
Without thinking, Wookyung glanced at the hand extended toward him.
Long fingers, elegant yet strong-looking.
The sleek wristwatch peeking out from beneath the cuff suited him perfectly.
He wrinkled his nose slightly.
The night air carried a faint, crisp scent on the breeze.
But that was it.
No matter how hard he tried, he still couldn’t detect the supposed pheromones that Assistant Manager Oh had mentioned.
If he told Saheon he was only now becoming aware of such things, what kind of expression would he make?
“Wookyung?”
“Let’s go.”
It was a useless thought.
Wookyung pushed it aside and took Saheon’s hand.
He saw the faint curve of Saheon’s lips in response.
Yeah, this was fine.
At least for now.
“But hold on a second.”
Wookyung tugged on Saheon’s hand and started walking somewhere.
Saheon didn’t ask questions—he simply followed.
It didn’t take long to realize they were heading toward a convenience store.
“Hungry?”
“Yeah, sort of.”
Wookyung replied casually as he pushed open the door, still not letting go of Saheon’s hand.
Saheon followed without complaint, his expression softening.
Then, suddenly, Wookyung reached for something in the fridge.
“…Did you drink a lot?”
“No.”
“Then why that?”
“I just thought of it.”
Wookyung answered indifferently as he pulled out a can.
It was the same pine-scented drink they had once exchanged with each other—a cooling refreshment that lingered in their memories.
Holding up two cans, Wookyung turned to Saheon, his eyes sharp yet playful.
Then, with a slight smirk, he muttered:
“They say this smells like your pheromones.”
His teasing gaze curved with amusement.
And at that moment, Saheon couldn’t help but think—
This man before him was utterly, irresistibly lovable.
* * *
