* * *
What the hell was this guy? A stalker?
How was he chatting so warmly with Wookyung’s dad?
Wookyung stood frozen, unable to comprehend the situation.
“Wookyung!”
If Han Seokyung hadn’t called his name, he might have remained a stone statue forever.
“Aah…”
He almost called him Dad out of habit but flinched at the last second.
Director Choi was looking at him with an incredibly burdensome gaze.
Well, it would be a little weird for a grown man to call his father “Dad” in front of others.
But it wasn’t just that.
Somehow, calling him “Dad” in front of Director Choi felt like a weird hit to his pride—a completely unnecessary one.
“Father,” he said, keeping a straight face.
Thinking he was joking, Han Seokyung laughed heartily.
“Huh? Haha, what’s with you? Why are you suddenly calling me that? Is it because you’re happy to see me after a long time? Just call me Dad like you always do.”
No, that wasn’t it. He really didn’t need to say that out loud.
Director Choi’s lips twitched. Just pick one—was he going to laugh or not?
“Uncle, is this the younger brother of Woohyun, the one you mentioned last time?”
Director Choi asked, acting far too familiar.
Wait, what did he just say?
That name sounded familiar…
Had he heard that wrong?
Why was Director Choi talking as if he not only knew his Omega dad but also Woohyun?
While Wookyung was drowning in confusion, the two of them continued chatting like old friends.
“That’s right. Wookyung, say hello. This is… should I say Woohyun’s junior? Or an acquaintance?”
“Since we went to the same school, junior is fine,” Director Choi clarified, his tone weirdly friendly.
Han Seokyung tilted his head in thought before nodding.
“Ah, I see. Then, your brother’s junior, Choi Saheon.”
His expression softened as he sent the younger man a warm look.
“Saheon, this is Woohyun’s younger brother and my second son, Wookyung.”
Why was his dad even introducing him so kindly?
Could someone please explain what was going on?
Wookyung turned to his Omega dad with an urgent, pleading look, hoping he’d notice his distress.
“I didn’t know Assistant Manager Wookyung was Woohyun’s younger brother,” Director Choi said, cutting through the tension as he extended his hand toward Wookyung with a smile.
What was he supposed to do with that?
“Hm? You two already know each other?”
As expected, Han Seokyung reacted with curiosity.
“Yes, we’re on the same team,” Director Choi answered immediately.
Wookyung’s eyes darkened with discontent.
He had no intention of revealing his work relationships to his Omega dad, yet Director Choi had done it so effortlessly.
“Oh wow! What a coincidence. Woohyun was worried about whether you’d be able to adjust well, but this is a relief!” Han Seokyung smiled in genuine relief, making Wookyung want to cry.
Why was this happening?
Of course, his dad didn’t know what his first meeting with Director Choi had been like.
But still, Director Choi did know.
So why was he grinning like this, as if this were all great news?
“Then, uncle, I’ll get going now. Next time, I’ll treat you to a meal, so please don’t refuse.”
“I’ll buy, so call me anytime. I was happy to hear you were in Korea, and now that we’ve met like this, I’d love to catch up. Next time, we can bring Wookyung along too, right?”
No, no.
They could meet alone.
There was no need to drag him into this.
“Of course,” Director Choi answered without hesitation, ignoring Wookyung’s desperate, silent plea.
Why did they have to meet outside of work too?
Couldn’t they just stick to seeing each other in the office?
I mean, an Employee is not even supposed to eat with his boss!
Why did it feel like he kept getting tangled up in things he didn’t want?
“Assistant Manager Wookyung, take your time and enjoy a good meal.”
Acting like a generous boss, Director Choi spoke with a tone full of fake kindness.
“…Yes,” Wookyung answered shortly, though he grumbled internally.
The later he returned, the later he’d have to stay at work.
No thanks.
One awkward overtime session with his boss was more than enough for a lifetime.
“Let’s go, Dad.”
“Yeah.”
Since he’d been caught anyway, Wookyung just called him Dad as usual.
He thought he saw Director Choi smirk behind him, but he ignored it.
Lately, he kept finding himself in these kinds of situations.
And he kept pretending not to notice.
“What about sashimi rice bowls?”
“Anything’s fine.”
Since it was lunchtime, Wookyung chose a slightly pricey Japanese restaurant, knowing that the more popular places would be crowded with office workers.
Thanks to that, they were seated immediately, and since he had already decided what to order, the food arrived quickly.
“So… how does Director Choi know my brother?” he asked, waiting until his dad had eaten at least half of his food before bringing up the biggest question on his mind.
“They met by chance while walking in a park. That area doesn’t have many East Asians, so they were happy to meet another Korean and struck up a conversation.”
Apparently, they later discovered that they had attended the same graduate school, which naturally led to them becoming friends.
“You know how friendly your brother is,” Han Seokyung added.
“Yeah, but… why didn’t I know about this?” Wookyung questioned, still feeling out of the loop.
“Because you used university as an excuse to move out. Did you ever give us time to share things like this?” his dad replied, playfully smacking his hand.
“Every time I called, you said you were busy. Every time I asked you to come down for the weekend, you never did. Even now, you made me come all the way here instead of visiting yourself.”
“…I’m sorry,” Wookyung mumbled. It was his fault. No excuses.
“Anyway, that’s all. I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad. It’s just good to see you today.”
“But seriously, why did you come?” he asked, sensing there was more to the visit.
“Oh, that.” Only then did Han Seokyung remember the main reason.
“I wanted to ask you to look after Saheon. He left Korea when he was young, so I thought you could help him adjust.”
“Hm?” Wookyung froze.
No, nothing… Just a moment of panic about why he kept getting tangled up with his boss.
This kind of thing only happened to main characters. Shoo. No.
He wouldn’t jinx himself. Shoo, shoo.
“So, that was your reason for coming today?”
“Yeah.”
Han Seokyung smiles brightly.
That expression is exactly like Gil Woo-hyun’s.
“You could’ve just told me that over the phone.”
“I wanted to see your face, too. And how could I say something like this over the phone? It’s the kind of thing you should ask while sharing a nice meal.”
In this regard, his omega father is somewhat old-fashioned.
He believes that even between parents and children, requests should not be made carelessly.
Specifically, when a parent asks a child for a favor.
“Anyway, since you two are on the same team, be good to him. He’s lived abroad for a long time, so adjusting won’t be easy.”
Doesn’t seem like he’s struggling at all, though…
“He seems to be doing just fine.”
Didn’t he manage to navigate the complicated morning subway commute on his first day?
That even led to some unnecessary trouble.
“Don’t be so cold. Eat together, have drinks together.”
What do you do when your own parent encourages personal meetings with your boss?
Han Seokyung, who met his alpha father during university, got married before graduating, and has since been working on small personal projects, doesn’t quite understand the life of a corporate employee.
“Okay.”
Of course, Wookyung wasn’t heartless enough to say anything cruel to someone so affectionate.
“Good. You’re the same age, so you could be friends.”
“Hmm….”
He couldn’t bring himself to say “yes” to that.
“Wookyung, you’re so reserved. If you were even half as sociable as your brother, it’d be nice. You haven’t changed a bit. I thought maybe… after regaining your mem—no, never mind.”
Han Seokyung cut himself off, realizing his slip.
“Forget it. No matter what, I love you just as you are. Nothing will change that.”
Really… He was lucky to have such warm parents.
There was a slight pang of guilt about the misunderstanding regarding his supposed memory loss, but he chose to ignore it.
There was nothing else he could do.
The situation should’ve ended when the main couple of this story got their happy ending, yet it kept dragging on.
There was no other option.
The only thing to do was to make sure he didn’t regret the present moment.
“Me too.”
“Hehe… my adorable boy.”
Han Seokyung playfully poked Wookyung’s cheek.
A waiter returned to clear the dishes and brought out sorbet for dessert.
The refreshing scent of orange was quite pleasant.
‘He wants me to be friends with Director Choi?’
Even thinking about it again, it was a ridiculous suggestion.
Clicking his tongue internally, he took a spoonful of the sorbet.
The sweet and tangy flavor spread in his mouth, slightly lifting his mood.
Then, a thought crossed his mind.
‘What has my brother been telling Director Choi about me?’
* * *
