* * *
“So, maybe the reason I lost my memory was because of…?”
It seemed likely that the combination of the Omega allergy reaction and the suppressant had caused this outcome.
It wasn’t just from drinking alcohol.
It was the side effect of taking the suppressant and eating oranges that caused me to completely lose my grip on reason.
Ki Taeryu had taken me to the hotel, and there…
I thought I had made that mistake that I’d been dreading.
“Did I really just throw up and that was it? A forced heat cycle hit, and there was an Alpha right next to me? There’s no way nothing happened…”
Especially with an Alpha like him, who makes lewd jokes as easily as breathing?
My mind was in utter chaos.
“That day, our Junhee… after eating those oranges, acted like a dog in heat.”
Ki Taeryu’s suspicious remark only added to Junhee’s growing anxiety.
At the time, I hadn’t noticed any physical changes and had believed his words at face value, but now, everything felt suspicious.
I could only desperately hope that nothing really happened.
“Ah… I’m going crazy.”
At least one thing had become clear.
Ki Taeryu knows that I’m an Omega.
That alone was enough to make my head feel like it was going to explode.
Of all people, I had wished that Ki Taeryu would never know this unsettling truth, even if it meant others might find out.
His family, with their pureblood ideals, always desiring a dominant Omega for their heir.
But it wasn’t Ki Taeryu’s demand that scared me the most.
What terrified me more was that Ki Taeryu’s long-sought condition—”a recessive Omega”—applied to me, and that he knew.
“If I can’t find the right person, I’ll just bring someone who fits. Like Assistant Yoo Junhee, who’s like beta but omega.”
The horrifying memory suddenly came flooding back, making me shudder.
“Get it together, Yoo Junhee.”
Despite the chaotic thoughts swirling in my head, I had to figure out my next steps clearly.
If I get caught up in other people’s desires, I’ll just end up dragged into their storm.
“I just have to do my job.”
Once I find a recessive Omega match for Ki Taeryu, I’ll step away.
Whatever happens to his family after that—whether it falls apart or not—is Ki Taeryu’s responsibility.
I’ll do everything to match the final couple, get promoted, and step away from this managerial work.
For good.
I had no idea how I managed to get through the morning’s schedule.
I had only been away for a day and a half, but the backlog of work was like a mountain.
Just as I finished and started to feel some relief, I was summoned to the CEO’s office.
“Assistant Yoo, did you return safely? Oh my! What happened to your hand? Did you get hurt?”
It was already a huge fuss in the office earlier, and I didn’t want to make things worse.
Especially since Jiyeon, one of my team members, had made such a fuss, which was hardly surprising.
She’d even gotten upset, blaming whoever had overloaded me with tasks, saying that we needed better task delegation.
Other team members also looked at my wrist with sympathetic eyes, adding their comments.
Even the youngest team member couldn’t leave my side, teary-eyed.
“Deputy… If you need anything, feel free to ask me to do it. I really mean it.”
Junhee felt slightly burdened by all the concern and worry from the team.
After that, whenever I tried to move, someone would jump in, copying papers for me or bringing me coffee.
To Junhee, who was used to doing everything alone, this kind of treatment was more uncomfortable than helpful.
After repeating, “I’m fine” like a parrot a hundred times, I finally regained some freedom.
“I just tripped and twisted it a little. It’s not a serious injury, so don’t worry.”
“I’m glad to hear it’s nothing serious. But still, you should always be careful.”
Seeing the CEO’s bright expression, it seemed I wasn’t called for bad news, which was a relief.
“Yes, I’ll be more careful from now on. What did you need to see me for?”
“Oh, it’s nothing major. Word has spread about the seminar you gave, and now other branches are asking when you’ll be visiting them.”
I couldn’t verify how true that was, but it was nice to know my efforts had been helpful.
“According to my schedule, I should be able to make a regional trip next month.”
It was lucky that the branch in Daejeon was nearby, but I’d need more time for the branches in Honam or Yeongnam.
“I know how busy you are, Assistant Yoo. I’ll try to schedule it for next month, so don’t overextend yourself.”
After taking a sip of coffee, the CEO set the cup down with a light smile.
Junhee had a gut feeling that the real reason for the meeting was about to begin.
“By the way, how’s the Director’s case going? Any progress?”
As I hesitated to answer, trying to gauge the hidden meaning behind the question, the CEO continued.
“It’s just that the Director joined quite a while ago. But when I looked through the records, there’s only been one official meeting arranged for him so far?”
“The Director’s conditions are a bit tricky, so I’ve been carefully selecting suitable matches. Rather than tiring him out with multiple meetings, I believe one well-matched meeting would be more successful.”
“Oh, I wasn’t criticizing you, Assistant Yoo. I was just curious because the match was with Member Moon Doyoung, and I found that interesting.”
In all my time at the company, the CEO had never once meddled in the matchmakers’ decisions regarding clients.
The fact that he was doing so now, specifically for Ki Taeryu’s case…
“I assure you, I’ll make sure Director Ki Taeryu’s marriage happens.”
“I trust you, Assistant Yoo. Without a doubt.”
The CEO seemed to be hesitating, as if deciding whether or not to say more.
Was he testing me? Or was it something else?
Maybe it was the lack of sleep, but my brain wasn’t working as sharply as usual.
“Just please remember to… keep your promise, CEO.”
“Promise? Ah, you mean your promotion? You don’t have to worry about that. When have I ever gone back on my word? Once you get promoted, you could focus on staff training, doing seminars now and then. What do you think?”
“Staff training…?”
“Yeah, with all these new branches opening, people are starting to talk about how there’s been a lack of proper oversight. If we did regular training sessions from the head office, I think it would help a lot.”
As long as it wasn’t more one-on-one client management, I was open to anything.
The idea of doing seminars for the branches had actually been pretty decent, and the response was positive.
Maybe that was where I was meant to be.
A stable career path, even if that matchmaking app disappeared tomorrow.
“I think that sounds great.”
“Good! If you have any concerns, feel free to reach out anytime.”
After bowing, Junhee left the CEO’s office.
By the time I reached the elevator, I wiped my face with my left hand and let out a deep sigh.
When I arrived at the entrance of Team 4’s office, it was more lively than usual.
“Oh! Assistant Yoo is here!”
“Deputy, you’re back! This is so delicious. Thank you so much!”
“Sorry?”
The team members were gathered around the table, eating something together.
I hadn’t ordered or sent anything to the office. Confused, I walked closer.
“Wow, I tried this three years ago, and it tastes exactly the same.”
“No wonder this place is called the ‘bakery’s holy ground.’ Every single item tastes amazing.”
I had a sinking feeling.
When I looked at the shopping bag, I realized it was the same bread I had bought with my own hands the day before.
“No way…”
After the incident with Ki Taeryu yesterday, Junhee had barely escaped, practically running away.
The bread that had filled the trunk was a shame to waste, but there was no choice but to consider it a loss.
In fact, Junhee had completely forgotten about it until just now.
‘There’s no way the bread walked in by itself.’
The horrifying possibility crept into his mind, making him feel even worse.
From experience, if nothing else, his terrible premonitions always turned out to be true.
“Assistant, why don’t you sit here and eat with us? Should I cut some for you?”
At some point, the youngest team member had pulled over a chair and shyly placed it next to Junhee.
“…No. I ate yesterday, so you can have a lot.”
He didn’t want to touch bread that might have passed through someone else’s hands.
‘Junhee, are you threatening me?’
That low voice was still ringing in his ears.
Just then, his phone rang.
Junhee checked the caller and stepped into an empty meeting room, closing the door behind him.
“Yes, what’s the matter?”
- Junhee, what on earth did you send me?
Hearing the director’s voice, Junhee’s grip on the phone tightened.
- Last week, you brought so many snacks for the kids, and now this. Where are you getting the money to keep sending things like this?
Junhee’s legs gave out, and he collapsed into the chair in front of him.
“You’re talking about the bread, right?”
- Yes, that famous bread or whatever it’s called.
It was now clear that the bread hadn’t walked itself in, but someone had definitely delivered it.
* * *
