* * *
It was a rare Friday when he got off work just past 7 PM.
Wookyung headed to the supermarket near his house.
While the housekeeper took care of groceries and side dishes, he preferred to buy snacks and instant meals himself whenever he had a craving.
Today, he was in the mood for a cold beer and a frozen pizza.
Just as he was pushing his cart past the shelves—
Bzzz. Bzzz.
His phone, tucked in his pants pocket, buzzed insistently.
When he checked, it was a call from Han Seokyung.
“Yes, Dad?”
— Wookyung, are you off work?
“I am. I just stopped by the supermarket near home.”
— The supermarket? Are you out of something? You should’ve just told me, and I’d have sent it over.
The way he spoke, as if wondering why he would bother going to the store himself, made Wookyung chuckle.
It reminded him of how, even when his parents visited department stores, his Alpha dad was the one who pushed the cart and handled the shopping.
“I just came to buy some beer and snacks. Thought of it on my way home.”
— That’s heavy, though. These days, you could just get it delivered.
“It’s fine. I’m browsing around while I’m at it. But why did you call?”
As he spoke, he casually grabbed a bag of potato chips and tossed it into the cart.
— Do we need a reason to call each other?
Of course not.
But considering they barely talked once a month, it wasn’t exactly an everyday occurrence.
And if anything, those rare calls usually came from his Omega dad, not his Alpha one.
Recently, though, the calls had been more frequent.
And the topic that always came up… well, that was the real issue.
— I just wanted to check in since you’re always so busy. And I was curious about Saheon too.
As expected, his instincts were right.
“He’s keeping busy.”
— Is he eating well? Does he seem tired at work?
Honestly?
He had never really paid attention to that kind of thing.
More importantly, they weren’t close enough for him to care about Saheon’s personal affairs.
Besides, maybe it was because he was an Alpha, but even when they both worked late, Saheon always looked perfectly fine.
To the point that it was kind of unfair.
‘I heard he gets to the office earlier than even Assistant Manager Pyeon, who’s known for being the first to arrive.’
That meant he was either coming in at dawn or not sleeping at all.
And yet, he still seemed perfectly fine.
Maybe that’s why people kept going on about Alphas being superior.
Still, he knew what would happen if he answered too honestly, so he just nodded along and continued pushing his cart.
His eyes scanned the fully stocked beer fridge.
Even if he couldn’t drink all six cans right away, he’d finish them eventually.
Should he go for this one?
But then, over there, they had a four-pack deal for 10,000 won, which seemed like a good option too.
— I heard from Woohyun that Saheon is incredibly competent. He said he gets a lot of help from him in his research too. He even said Saheon would be a great support for you.
As he was reaching for a six-pack, Wookyung flinched at the comment.
It immediately reminded him of what Director Choi had said a few days ago.
Or rather, how his project, which he thought was doomed to be forgotten, had been revived thanks to him.
It had been a huge help.
Even though the project had to change direction, the team’s response had been surprisingly positive.
That very day, Wookyung had finished revising the proposal and submitted it to Director Choi before leaving work.
“I’ve been getting a lot of help in many ways too.”
He had no reason to deny it, so he answered smoothly as he added the beer to his cart.
Now, he just needed to pick a frozen pizza.
— He really is a great guy. That’s why, Wookyung, you should take care of him.
“He has his whole family in Korea. He’ll be fine.”
He responded indifferently while scanning the frozen pizza section.
His expression was just as nonchalant as his words.
After all, it wasn’t like Saheon was alone.
His aunt had brought him into the company, and his grandfather, Chairman Choi, adored him.
What was there to worry about?
Maybe sensing his lack of concern, Han Seokyung immediately countered.
— His CEO aunt may be looking out for him, but that’s not the same as having his parents or siblings around. And let’s be honest, he hadn’t even seen those relatives since he was fifteen. Do you really think they’ll treat him warmly?
His Omega dad had always been a little excessively affectionate.
But he hadn’t expected him to care this much about Director Choi’s personal affairs.
“Really?”
Finding it somewhat surprising but not particularly interesting, Wookyung casually replied as he picked a new shrimp pizza.
Even as he headed toward the checkout, the conversation continued.
It had now shifted to family matters, but frankly, Wookyung didn’t find that topic very interesting either.
“Dad, I’m about to check out. I’m going to hang up now.”
He stopped in front of the self-checkout machine.
— Alright. Oh, and when you get a chance, try asking Saheon if he’d like to come over for dinner.
“Hmm…”
It wasn’t an easy thing to promise, so he hesitated.
But when his father pressed again, he had no choice but to say he’d try.
Would Director Choi even accept?
That fleeting thought passed through his mind.
But at the same time, he figured—considering all the help he had received—maybe inviting him over for dinner once wouldn’t be so bad.
“My dad and brother want it so badly…”
Without realizing it, his thoughts had started to shift, just a little.
“Assistant Manager Wookyung, are you available for a business trip on Thursday and Friday?”
“Ah… If it’s for the Shanghai event, then yes.”
He quickly scanned the desk calendar before answering.
The schedule Director Choi mentioned was something he had already noted since joining the TF team.
There were many international expos, but Shanghai’s was one of the largest in Asia, making it a must-attend event.
“Good. Assistant Managers Sun, Lee, and Oh will be attending separately the next day, so you’ll come with me.”
While the other three were going as the second team, why did he have to go with the director?
Wookyung had a brief moment of doubt but assumed it was just a decision made from a planner’s perspective.
He nodded.
“Understood.”
Just as he finished the conversation with Director Choi and was rubbing his stiff neck—
“Assistant Manager.”
He heard Choi Siwon calling him.
“Yes, Choi Siwon?”
“Here, take this.”
Out of nowhere, a fatigue relief drink was shoved in front of him.
He stared at it, wondering what was going on, when Choi Siwon met his gaze and spoke.
“You’ve been looking tired lately.”
“Ah… But shouldn’t you be the one drinking this instead?”
He almost said it but kept quiet.
This guy didn’t look any different from usual either.
His gaze naturally shifted to Director Choi.
As expected, the man looked as sharp and flawless as always.
Wookyung recalled his own reflection in the mirror that morning—the exhaustion written all over his face—and sighed internally.
Was he really in such bad shape that even Choi Siwon felt the need to look after him?
“Thanks, I’ll drink it.”
Well, he should at least take care of himself like this.
Otherwise, he’d soon have dark circles hanging down to his chin.
He accepted the drink without refusing, feeling an impending sense of doom.
As he patted Choi Siwon on the shoulder and was about to sit down, he suddenly felt a gaze on the back of his head.
When he turned around, sure enough, Director Choi was staring at him.
He looks fine, though. Is he saying he’s tired too?
Wookyung shook the bottle of the fatigue relief drink as if asking if the man wanted some.
Apparently not—Director Choi immediately averted his gaze.
‘What the hell?’
Then why was he staring?
He was briefly curious but brushed it off.
It wasn’t the first time they’d locked eyes like this lately.
At first, he found it odd, but by now, it happened so often that he had just accepted it.
His thoughts gradually faded as he focused on work again—
Or at least, that was the plan, until a sudden messenger notification pulled him back.
[Assistant Manager Kim: Assistant Manager Gil! Assistant Manager Gil!
Me: What?
Assistant Manager Kim: Help me out, please.
Assistant Manager Kim: It’s urgent. ㅜㅜ
Me: What is it?
Assistant Manager Kim: Can we talk in person for a sec?]
Wookyung glanced at Director Choi.
The man was on a call, completely unaware.
After replying that he’d be right there, Wookyung left the office.
Despite the urgency in Assistant Manager Kim’s messages, the request turned out to be nothing major.
He just wanted permission to use part of a proposal Wookyung had drafted two years ago.
“Why even ask? Just use it.”
This wasn’t the first time.
Recently, old projects of his had been popping up more often.
He found it amusing but allowed it without a second thought.
“Do you know how mad Manager Shin was? He knew it was your idea and called out the people trying to take credit.”
“Well, Manager Shin is thorough about that stuff. But I really don’t mind, so go ahead and use it.”
“Thanks! Seriously, thanks!”
With a quick pat on Kim’s arm as a show of support, Wookyung returned to his desk.
Director Choi was gone.
Did someone upstairs call him?
As he sat down, his eyes landed on the fatigue relief drink Choi Siwon had given him.
His thoughts then drifted to the pine-scented drink he had once given to Director Choi.
‘Did he drink it?’
For some reason, that kind of scent suited him.
It wasn’t because he seemed cold and untouchable like a lone, noble pine tree—
Just… something about his aura, or maybe…
‘Ugh, what the hell am I thinking?’
Startled by his own unconscious thoughts, Wookyung quickly shook his head.
He was definitely overworked.
He needed to wrap up quickly.
* * *
