* * *

In the farthest restroom from the meeting room, I checked each stall to make sure no one was there and locked the door.

“What the hell do you mean by an embargo?”

“It’s just that—only the CEO and I know. But we have to resolve something first to even begin handling it.”

Running his hand irritably through his hair, he shrugged off his jacket.

“Resolve something’? What are you talking about?”

“It means we have to throw bait to the other side first. If we drop a big enough bomb, yours might get buried. The embargo’s still in place, so there’s a chance it could slip by.”

“If there’s an embargo, shouldn’t someone from our side have negotiated something in exchange?”

“Looks like someone did… and they’re reveling in it.”

That damn CEO Han.

He was openly targeting us.

I set aside my questions about how he’d learned of this and ripped off my suffocating tie.

“How did they steal the model? Didn’t we already have a contract?”

“During the location scouting and model selection, they apparently arranged a double contract. Han’s side has already settled damages and locked them in entirely.”

“A double contract? That’s career suicide in this industry. No good can come of it.”

“I don’t know the details of how the deal broke down, but judging by the extent of the damage control, it looks like CEO Han pulled a lot of strings. Anyway, if you want to bury this, you need to act now. I looked for places we could put out something by tomorrow, but the best options are a portal site banner, radio ads, airport displays, or outdoor screens in Gwanghwamun or COEX. There’s no chance of getting it on a broadcast channel. It’s already too late.”

Watching Kim Hoyeon sigh as he scratched the back of his head, I took a deep breath.

To cover up one thing, I’d need something just as big.

The weight of choice always seemed heavier than I could bear.

I glanced at Kim Hoyeon and finally asked.

“So, if we’re going to make a big move anyway, you’re saying we should go head-to-head with CEO Han, with the Chairman backing us?”

“That would be the ideal scenario.”

“Damn, this is really a mess…”

I clenched and unclenched my fist, trying to get my thoughts in order, then tossed the jacket I’d been holding toward the sink.

I needed to stay calm.

I had to make the best, most strategic choice.

“So, what’s the plan?”

“We’ve contacted a model agency and are trying to get someone well-known. Depending on the meeting’s outcome, we’ll book them. Since we can’t go on location, we’ll have to shoot and edit everything within eight hours. I’m not sure if we can pull it off… Honestly, I have my doubts.”

“Are we sticking with the original concept?”

“There’s no time to change it. It’s way too tight.”

I grabbed the jacket I’d thrown aside, opened the restroom door, and headed back to the meeting room.

I caught a glimpse of Hoyeon’s anxious, uncomfortable expression and asked,

“What happens if this doesn’t work out?”

“You really need to ask? Damn it, CEO Han would take it all.”

Still, it didn’t seem right for Doha to take the full blame… I licked my dry lips as I walked alongside Hoyeon, suddenly realizing something.

I still hadn’t managed to quit this job.

At this rate, maybe it was fate telling me to stay buried in Reed Construction.

How was I supposed to face Doha with these mixed feelings…?

I walked into the meeting room, my mind swirling with worries.

As soon as I crossed the heavy door, Doha’s familiar voice reached me.

I quickly lifted my head and blinked.

“…Then let’s execute right away. No need to waste any time.”

The weight of everyone’s sudden stares nearly suffocated me.

Clutching my jacket tightly, I forced an awkward smile at the people filling the room.

Why is everyone looking at me so intensely?

---

Title: And Who Exactly Are You to Be Standing on My Commute Route?

Damn, I forgot to take a picture. I was so distracted by the guy standing outside the company on the main road, I almost showed up late.

If it weren’t for my clueless team leader calling about some stupid file, I would’ve etched that face into my memory, taken a mental snapshot, and walked off into the sunset together.

But no, stupid team leader with his own clueless face had to ruin everything.

KimchiStew – Since you were already late, you should have just taken the picture with confidence.

↳ Exit1Hapjeong – Exactly, you were blessed to have seen that.

↳ TellMeToStudy – So random. Priorities, right? It’s just a person; no need to be late for that.

↳ LoveYayong – Get back to work!

MyNameIsLouisX – Hey, I know where you’re talking about, near XX station? Damn, the guy looked so good.

↳ Exit1Hapjeong – Yes! White outfit and veil. Killer waistline.

SpeakFreely – Wow, I saw him at XX Intersection! Almost made me late today. Thought he came to propose in that black suit.

↳ Where’sThePic – Show us the pic already!

↳ SpeakFreely – Look at the one posted above~ Your eyes will thank you.

↳ GrammarCorrector – His face probably beats most idols, even through the veil. Just perfect.

↳ AlwaysLoveSu – Stop, that’s my guy you’re talking about.

BerryStickyRice – LOL, anyone see the top picture? Covered but still so hot.

↳ StraightenYourBack – Apparently, it’s an underwear ad. That body can sell anything.

WorkplaceRomanceStaysInTheOffice – Didn’t he cover his face out of insecurity? But that jawline was sharp.

WorldTourIsCheaperThanMarriage – Zoom in. That’s not a face that needs hiding.

---

“Wow, you’re popular. There are so many posts, and the video is getting lots of views too.”

Kim Hoyeon showed me his phone as I lay sprawled out, exhausted.

The comments were ridiculous, with people saying things like how I looked like a celebrity.

Objectively, I don’t even compare to Doha’s past partners.

This reaction must be because I wasn’t showing much.

I fiddled with the veil covering half my face, trying to remember just how many places I’d gone to today.

I’d been all over Seoul, hitting every spot with outdoor ad displays, wearing a backless white suit or a sleek black one that matched the campaign’s theme.

I was basically a walking billboard, dressed like someone about to walk down the aisle.

I handed my phone back to Hoyeon, my shoulders heavy with fatigue.

Seeing my exhaustion, he handed me an oversized cardigan that fell past my thighs.

“Here, put this on.”

Mumbling a quick thanks, I glanced at the oddly silent Hoyeon.

After hesitating, he finally spoke with a sigh.

“When did you become an Omega?”

I’d known this question would come someday, though I’d avoided it, never settling on an answer.

I toyed with the hem of the cardigan before slipping it on slowly.

“It’s been a while.”

“Why didn’t you say anything? We’ve known each other for eight years.”

With workplace relationships, isn’t it better to keep a certain distance?

I lowered my gaze, picking at my sleeves.

“I couldn’t afford to quit.”

“….”

“I don’t even know how the news got out. But either way, I wasn’t planning on telling anyone. Not until the end, at least, until I couldn’t hold out any longer.”

“Why? We would’ve understood.”

What wishful thinking. “Understand,” he says.

The world’s view of Omegas had only recently begun to shift, and even then, male Omegas were still stigmatized.

I just chuckled at Hoyeon’s naïve words.

There was no need to explain feelings or situations he wouldn’t understand.

“I didn’t get the chance. It just… turned out this way.”

“…Alright. I get it.”

Thankfully, the embargoed article was pulled.

In the current atmosphere, it wouldn’t have garnered much attention anyway.

Thank goodness it didn’t drop in the morning.

I leaned back in the car seat, exhausted, untying the lace bracelet on my wrist.

“How’s the response?”

“Pretty good. The public always loves a fresh face. Want to check out the ad?”

Since I’d barely registered anything during the shoot, this was my first time seeing the final cut.

I took the tablet Hoyeon handed me and pressed play.

A man holding a bouquet of purple hydrangeas appeared in profile, surrounded by a scattering of colorful balloons—red, blue, yellow, white, and every color in between.

His eyes weren’t clearly visible, but the gentle smile on his lips and the faint blush on his cheeks hinted at a strange sense of anticipation.

Behind him stretched a clear blue sky and a rugged cliffside.

As the bouquet lowered, the camera angle followed.

His sharply tailored black suit looked almost like a wedding outfit.

As the model took a step forward, the camera panned slowly, capturing his back as he moved.

Holding the bouquet, he seemed to be walking forward, only to pause and glance back. In that moment, light fell softly from above, and the backdrop shifted.

Now, he was in a hotel room.

Turning to face the camera, the expansive cityscape shimmered through the large window behind him.

A layered white skirt with delicate lace trailed down, thin enough to hint at the figure beneath—a subtly suggestive allure that stirred up all kinds of thoughts.

* * *