* * *
Saheon continued immediately.
“I have no intention of interfering in whatever Aunt chooses to do. I don’t need the shares Chairman gave me either. So do whatever you like.”
“…You’re serious?”
CEO Choi couldn’t say she hadn’t harbored some expectations when she brought her nephew back from the U.S.
To be honest, she’d even orchestrated this meeting hoping to persuade him.
She figured that surely, after she’d shown concern for someone so alone, he could at least do that much for her.
She’d even heard hints of this from Director Min recently, but since it hadn’t come from Saheon directly, she hadn’t been able to feel at ease.
“But I do have one condition. Wookyung must not be harmed in any way. No matter what form that harm might take.”
CEO Choi immediately understood her nephew’s intention.
He knew she’d called in Gil Wookyung last time.
He hadn’t asked her to keep it a secret, so she hadn’t.
“So loose-lipped.”
The fact that he went and told her nephew everything made her lower her evaluation of Wookyung.
In that respect, her son’s Omega seemed to be a bit better.
Though of course, that was just a superficial judgment based on limited knowledge of Wookyung, and it wouldn’t affect the actual relationship between the two.
“That condition is perfectly acceptable.”
Yes. In the end, even if she didn’t do anything, it would all work out.
Dating a Beta?
Maybe it was curiosity at first.
But eventually, he’d find the partner truly suited to him.
Even her slow-witted son had managed to date a Dominant Omega.
So before the Chairman found out, things would be cleaned up, and she’d get what she wanted.
As she looked at the greed glittering in his eyes, Saheon turned to Min.
“And about Manager Shin—you should ask him directly first. Keep acting like this, and you’ll regret it, hyung.”
“Regret what?”
Saheon didn’t bother to explain further.
He simply gave him a pitying look.
It seemed Director Min still hadn’t heard the news—Manager Shin was preparing to resign.
Well, Saheon wouldn’t have known either if Wookyung hadn’t told him.
Still, someone who’d dated the guy for fifteen years should’ve noticed.
Then again, if he had that kind of sensitivity, he wouldn’t be here right now pulling this ridiculous stunt.
“I believe that’s all, so I’ll be going.”
He wasn’t close enough to Min to go out of his way to explain.
If anything, for Wookyung’s sake, he wanted to pack Director Min off to some remote island on the other side of the world.
Saheon gave a slight bow and left the president’s office.
“Hey, Director Choi—seriously though. Are you really dating Gil Wookyung?”
As Saheon hurried toward the elevator, his steps were halted by Director Min, who had followed him out.
The topic Director Min brought up was just as annoying.
“So what?”
Saheon snapped, not bothering to hide his irritation.
Director Min wore an amused expression.
He chuckled and patted Saheon’s shoulder.
“Well, sure. I guess that can happen. Just take good care of Gil Wookyung, will you? The kid’s been through a lot.”
“Stay out of it. No—don’t even think about getting involved ever again.”
“Why are you being like this? I meant it out of gratitude, in my own way.”
Still playing around, Director Min’s attitude made Saheon glance at him with cold eyes.
“Min Kyowon, just because Wookyung said he forgot everything doesn’t mean it never happened.”
Saheon would never have known the truth if Woohyun hadn’t let it slip while drunk—why Wookyung had suddenly manifested, why he’d forgotten about that incident, and more importantly, whose fault it all was.
“So don’t you dare speak of him so casually. The only reason I haven’t laid a hand on you yet is because I’m holding myself back.”
Diretor Min flinched and withdrew his hand.
Even more, he instinctively stepped back.
The sudden release of pheromones around him had triggered a primal reaction.
But once he realized what he’d just done, his face twisted in frustration.
“W-what did I even do!”
Trying to put on a brave face, Director Min glared at him.
But Saheon just stared back indifferently.
“Then keep living your life that pathetically.”
Saheon withdrew his pheromones and turned away.
He didn’t want to waste another second on someone who wasn’t even worth confronting anymore.
Wookyung looked up at the clock—it read 6:30.
The office was already deserted.
Everyone had rushed out the moment the workday ended.
What was surprising was that even Choi Siwon from the office hadn’t shown his face and had passed along that he was heading home with the Vice President Choi.
Even the general manager’s desk had been empty ever since he’d returned from the storage room.
Things had been hectic earlier, so there hadn’t been a chance to talk.
“I know about your traits, Wookyung.”
There was no way Wookyung didn’t understand what that meant.
But how? Could it be his brother told him?
That didn’t seem likely.
Despite how playful and lighthearted he often appeared, Woohyun had always been deeply considerate toward him.
‘Even choosing to study phenology…’
He knew his brother had gone abroad for graduate school after college and even became a researcher—all heavily influenced by him.
It was also his brother who had kept a close eye on him ever since he fell seriously ill after a sudden manifestation and began to change.
‘I can’t tell him the truth… but one day, I’ll have to.’
And to do that, he’d need to talk to Saheon first.
But even before that, he would have to come clean about his own traits.
Still, he never imagined Saheon would be the one to bring it up first.
‘Did he slip up and say something without realizing it?’
That seemed more likely, especially considering how Woohyun tended to share all sorts of trivial things about him.
“Let’s check with my brother first.”
He immediately called Woohyun, but the call didn’t go through—only the dial tone rang.
He quickly calculated the time difference with the U.S.
“Guess he’s not up yet.”
It was early there.
And Woohyun, being hypotensive, was always a late riser.
[Me: Hyung, send me a message when you see this.
Me: It’s important. I really need to talk to you, so make sure you get in touch.]
He made sure to emphasize that it was important.
That way, his brother would call back immediately.
Knowing Woohyun, he’d probably return the call the moment he saw a missed one anyway.
As he set down his phone, his gaze landed on a car key lying on the desk.
Saheon must’ve left it there, telling him to rest in the car first.
‘Guess I’ll just have to ask Saheon directly.’
Asking the person himself would lead to fewer misunderstandings.
But before that, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to rest a little in the car.
He’d told Saheon he was fine, but the truth was, he had a slight fever and felt weak.
Wookyung packed up and stood.
While waiting for the elevator, he sent Saheon a text.
[Me: I just left the office.
Me: I’ll wait in the car. How long do you think you’ll be?]
He didn’t expect an immediate reply.
But surprisingly, Saheon responded before the screen could even dim.
[Saheon: I’m on my way now, so please wait just a bit.
Saheon: I left a drink in the glove compartment—you can have it if you want.
Me: What kind of drink?]
What could he have possibly left that he’d say something like that?
Curious, he asked, but Saheon only sent back a smiley emoji.
‘What the heck?’
His curiosity grew.
He started walking faster toward Saheon’s car.
The moment he got in the passenger seat, he opened the glove compartment.
“What… is all this?”
Inside were all sorts of drinks, from pine-flavored to sweet and tangy ones, packed to the brim.
Why on earth had he stocked all this in here?
Bemused, Wookyung picked up a can with pine needles illustrated on it.
The scent reminded him of Saheon’s pheromones, and it somehow felt especially refreshing.
“Yeah, that’s the one.”
Feeling oddly embarrassed, he scratched the back of his neck and popped the can open.
A faint pine aroma wafted out.
Come to think of it, even before opening the can, he could already catch the soft scent inside the car.
It was probably because Saheon had sprayed perfume in here too.
Yet still, he found himself sniffing the air, trying to catch more of it.
Realizing what he was doing, he scratched his cheek and drank half the can.
It wasn’t exactly cold since it had been in the glove box, but it still made him feel more at ease.
He leaned back against the seat, blinking slowly.
‘I shouldn’t be doing this…’
Maybe it was the safety of this enclosed space, but his eyelids grew heavier.
Wookyung tried to stay awake.
But the more he fought it, the heavier his body felt, and even his thoughts began to fade.
Soon, he dozed off.
The crisp pine scent in the air mingled with a faintly sweet and tangy aroma.
* * *
