* * *

“Wow, this is a rare sight. You don’t usually drink on weekdays.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m quitting.”

I’d probably get an earful for leaving without any handover, but who cared?

I flipped the meat on the grill and downed a cup of beer in one go.

“Are you sure you’re okay drinking like that?”

“Do you think I’m lightweight? I won’t drop dead from a cup of beer.”

“…Well, you are a lightweight, technically…”

She wasn’t wrong.

When I first started, my nickname was “Alex”—short for “alcoholic waste.”

People might think it sounds like a fancy name, but it was anything but.

I could hold my liquor much better now, though, after following Doha to numerous social gatherings.

“Why are you bringing up ancient history? Just recently, I even…”

That bastard Han Doha.

Why is he involved in every single moment of my life?

I grumbled, slicing the almost-ready pork belly with slight irritation.

“Whatever. I’m just going to drink tonight. Drink and be damned.”

“Are you really going to quit your job? What about your debts?”

“They’re on a zero-interest plan now. Otherwise, I’d have to sell an organ. Lucky for me, my organs might actually get to see the world.”

I muttered wryly, smashing the pork down on the grill as I silenced my incessantly ringing phone.

I tossed it onto the table, guessing it was that damn Doha calling, and returned to grilling.

“Hey, about your store selling out.”

“Yeah?”

“Was that Doha’s doing, too?”

She asked casually, but I could sense her unease.

If I couldn’t even trust my only friend, I wouldn’t know what to do anymore.

Silently flipping the meat, I looked at Chiyeon and sneered.

“I knew it. And give me that if you’re going to flip the meat like that.”

“…Huh?”

She snatched the tongs from my hand with a sigh, carefully selecting the best pieces and setting them on my plate.

Not one, but two pieces.

Now that’s real love.

I felt touched, but Chiyeon’s next words twisted my face into a scowl.

“I mean, I did get an offer, but my store isn’t tied up with his side of things.”

“Didn’t your factory burn down?”

“It did, but they’re rebuilding it, so yeah, that part’s true.”

“…So, that’s why you couldn’t sell any stock?”

“Right. I’m a proper bum now.”

She shrugged and placed two perfectly cooked pieces of pork on my plate.

If this wasn’t true love, what was?

Touched, I listened to her next words, which turned my expression sour.

“I did sell all the stock photos and items to that guy, though. Technically, the factory fire was the reason for the sold-out sign. I just offloaded a headache.”

“Hey.”

“And I scored big at the auction.”

“Hey!”

“Yul-ah.”

Placing four pieces of pork on her plate, Chiyeon picked up some green onions and onions with her chopsticks, continuing as if it were nothing.

“I could tell just from watching on the sidelines. How could you not see it?”

“See what? That jerk is… yes, he’s an absolute asshole. I know that better than anyone, so you don’t have to remind me…”

“Not that. Why are you so dense?”

“…”

“He looks at you like he’s head over heels in love. How could you not notice?”

He looks at me with that lovestruck expression?

My mind flashed to that relaxed, happy face of his during the vacation.

No way, it can’t be. I poured soju into my beer glass, downing it all, and answered irritably.

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Oh, please. Even I could see it after meeting him once. You’re the one who doesn’t trust people, but still—this?”

“It’s not possible.”

As I repeated it, Chiyeon let out a scoff.

“Why? Because you lied about being a model?”

Doha already knew everything.

He stayed silent, pretending not to know, holding onto this truth to use it against me if needed.

Why? Did he actually like me?

What reason could there possibly be?

I was just a debt-ridden, second-rate Omega, and he was a millionaire—no, a billionaire.

To him, I was a worthless card, something with no use at all.

“You’re a smart guy. You’re sharp most of the time—why not now?”

“…”

“If you did something wrong, apologize. You know how simple that is.”

“…Chiyeon. He’s a billionaire. If I disappear, that’s the end of it. And I’m resigning tomorrow. I’ve already handed in my resignation.”

In a world where people deal in selling bloodlines at high prices, I knew all too well the pressure of arranged marriages that poured in every day.

I understand how fleeting emotions can be.

Given time, feelings will fade, and out of sight will mean out of mind.

No one really dies without another person; eventually, the absence becomes tolerable, and soon, those intense emotions will seem as if they never existed at all.

“He was just toying with me. My eight years of service as his secretary must have held some value, so he just let it slide. But once I quit and he finds a new secretary… he’ll forget everything.”

As if trying to brush it off, I poured soju into my beer glass, then took a firm grip on it.

Cha Chiyeon adjusted the heat on the grill, stacked lettuce and perilla leaves, and wrapped meat in a bundle.

“Yul-ah, that boss of yours is a nightmare. He’s had you on a nonstop work cycle, running you ragged like it’s nothing.”

“…”

“Then why did he keep you around for eight years? The secretaries before you didn’t last six months. Why you? Just because you’re excellent at your job? Sure, you’re smart and competent, but do you really think that’s enough for a boss like him to tolerate everything? If I were him, I would’ve fired you. Just cut you off, clean and quick. People at the top don’t hesitate to tear down the people below them, keep them on edge, and attack them personally when they feel like it.”

“…”

“Your résumé states clearly that you don’t have any parents. Do you know how many old-fashioned bosses would make snide comments just about that? And you’re an omega? They’re supposed to overlook that? If it were me, I wouldn’t. Why would they put up with you? Just for being good at your job? Look around. There are plenty of people as competent as you. Being a college graduate from Korea doesn’t guarantee any special treatment either.”

The smell of alcohol thickened as he spoke, and I found myself rubbing my face, unsure of what to say.

“All I’m saying is, just talk to him. He’s a chaebol; he likes you. Just take the money and leave him high and dry. Just take it and go, got it?”

“…Taking the money and leaving doesn’t exactly promise a bright future, does it?”

“Which is why I’m saying at least talk to him. Properly. No one can read minds.”

Cha Chiyeon handed me a fresh soju glass from the waiter.

“Drink with this instead. Guzzling beer like that is only going to wreck your stomach. And you already down antacids like water.”

That’s right, the antacids.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t taken any recently.

Frantically searching my pocket, I realized I hadn’t even noticed they’d been missing.

What was once essential had slipped away after just a few months.

“Damn it…”

I was about to lift my glass again when my phone buzzed.

I could’ve sworn I set it to silent, so I glanced over to see who was calling.

It was Kim Hoyeon, a work colleague recently transferred to the TF team.

Somehow the ringer had been switched on, so I picked up.

“Where the hell have you been? I’ve called you so many times!”

“…I was drinking. What’s up?”

“The company’s in chaos. We’re done for. I’m on my way to the office now.”

So what if the company was falling apart?

At this point, I felt no attachment to it.

I was raising my glass again when his next words froze me.

“Han, that damn director, stole our model and already has everything lined up for tomorrow’s release. The booking is set. They want you at the office right now!”

He was talking about ads going live on TV and in the newspapers tomorrow, meaning all reservations were already in place.

Usually, these things were booked months in advance, so for it to be happening now meant this was carefully planned.

Han, that damn director.

Although it surprised me he stole our model, I felt detached since I’d already decided to quit.

If it hadn’t been for Hoyeon’s next question, I might have spent the night drinking without a care.

“And… are you really an omega?”

Omega.

That word hit harder than any spell, and I stood up immediately, telling Cha Chiyeon I’d talk to him later as I rushed outside.

The shock snapped me out of my tipsy haze.

“Who the hell spread that rumor?”

Standing by the roadside, I raised my trembling hand to hail a taxi, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

“Your name’s all over the tabloids. I heard it from a friend in the press—there’s an embargo until tomorrow. Just get to the office, and let’s handle it.”

I was about to meet Doha’s face sooner than expected.

That bastard Han.

---

I never thought life would go smoothly, but this was the most blindsiding moment yet.

Roller coasters seemed tame compared to this.

I rushed to the company and headed straight to the TF team’s floor.

When I opened the thick meeting room door, I saw a room filled with people.

Inside were Doha, the entire TF team, Assistant Manager Lee from the Secretary’s Office, the heads of Marketing and Advertising, and the Integration Department manager.

I caught my breath and said, “So the ad airs tomorrow.”

There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but I bit my tongue, unsure who knew what, and instead quickly found Hoyeon, took him by the wrist, bowed to the others, and led him out of the meeting room.

“I’ll get the details from Deputy Kim first. Please carry on without me; I’ll join as soon as I can. Apologies for the delay.”

* * *