* * *
As the end of the workday approached, Yoo Junhee stared anxiously at his monitor.
On his 27-inch screen was Ki Taeryu’s profile, while his secondary monitor displayed a list of Omega members from the dating app, I-eum.
In his trembling hand was an old phone with the matching app open.
- ♥…-1%
-
♥…0%
-
♥…0%
-
♥…0%
-
♥…1%
“What the hell is a negative percentage? Is the app broken, or is Ki Taeryu the crazy one?”
Junhee, who had met Ki Taeryu several times, leaned more towards the latter. He had meticulously filled out every field in Ki Taeryu’s profile, but…
“Maybe the app isn’t broken, and he’s just too insane to match with anyone.”
Junhee let out a deep, weary sigh. Still, there was a glimmer of hope.
The numbers had changed. Previously, everyone had been at 0%, but now, there was someone at 1%. That was something.
…He didn’t even want to imagine what would happen if he accidentally matched Ki Taeryu with the -1% person.
“Oh? Assistant Yoo Junhee! Is this the VVIP you’re in charge of?”
Junhee, startled, quickly covered his phone and looked up, not realizing someone had approached him.
Luckily, Jiyeon’s gaze was fixed on Ki Taeryu’s profile picture on the monitor.
“Wow, I’ve only seen him on the news, but seeing him here is amazing. Does he really look like this in person? You’ve met him, right? What’s he like?”
It seemed that after having dinner with President Lee, the rumor had spread throughout the company, leaving nothing more to hide.
“…Yeah, he’s pretty much like that.”
Having been burned by Ki Taeryu several times, Junhee didn’t even want to offer empty compliments about him.
Just thinking about his face left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Recalling the various unreasonable and unfair clauses in the contract, he felt a strong urge to go and grab that alpha by the collar.
Especially the last clause.
[If any of the above conditions are not satisfactorily met, ‘Party B’ must compensate ‘Party A’ as per ‘Party A’s discretion.]
In reality, Junhee had little choice from the beginning.
‘If things don’t work out, I’ll just have to run away in three months.’
At least he had a grace period for now.
Thinking back, it was clear that Ki Taeryu had intended this from the start.
That’s why he hadn’t reported directly to President Lee and had prepared a contract to enslave Junhee.
‘They say committing murder once spares you three moments of patience.’
Unfortunately, as an ordinary citizen, Junhee didn’t have the guts or ability to kill anyone.
Honestly, he didn’t even think he could beat Ki Taeryu’s assistant in a fight, let alone Ki Taeryu himself.
“If you manage to get that guy married, they should give you more than just wedding rice cakes—maybe even a car, right?”
“I wouldn’t expect anything like that. I just want…”
He only wished that Ki Taeryu would meet someone perfect for him, delete that recording, and disappear from Junhee’s life for good.
“But a guy like that must have really high standards, right? Still, since you’re so good at your job, I’m sure we’ll hear about a successful match soon!”
“Ah, Jiyeon.”
“Yes?”
“One of your clients is a fervent Omega, right?”
“What? Oh, yes. You mean Kim Yihyun? He’s a great guy, but unfortunately, he’s having trouble finding matches due to his requirements.”
Junhee recalled Kim Yihyun, whom he had just checked on the profile screen.
He imagined putting Ki Taeryu’s face next to him.
The sharpness of Ki Taeryu, like the fangs of a predator, seemed to soften a bit.
With a 1% chance, Junhee spoke with the mindset of rolling the dice one last time.
“Let’s set up a meeting between the two of them.”
The location was the same as before, but this time, Junhee arrived ten minutes early.
Another difference was that instead of holding Ki Taeryu’s profile, he was now holding Kim Yihyun’s.
“Please, come in.”
Following the assistant’s guidance, Junhee was finally able to enter Ki Taeryu’s office at precisely the scheduled time.
As soon as he stepped inside, he saw Ki Taeryu’s broad back.
When Junhee greeted him, Ki Taeryu turned towards him.
“Have you eaten?”
Though his speech was still curt, Junhee preferred it that way.
“Not yet.”
“Perfect. Let’s talk over dinner.”
“…Yes.”
It was almost like an order, but as ‘Party B,’ Junhee had no choice but to comply.
He had barely arrived when they moved to another location.
As before, he climbed into the car with a driver and headed somewhere unknown.
He had no idea where they were going.
Sitting in the backseat with Ki Taeryu was uncomfortable, but at least he wasn’t being bombarded with questions.
By the time Junhee had finished gazing out at the darkening scenery, they had arrived at their destination.
He followed Ki Taeryu into a luxury hotel operated by Taesan Group. Junhee had never set foot in a place like this in his entire life.
Even staying at a business hotel for a work trip or seminar felt like a burden.
If it weren’t for the company’s support, he would have ended up at some cheap motel.
“Don’t just stand there like a bumpkin.”
“…”
Junhee reluctantly followed the obnoxious alpha into the hotel.
Staff immediately swarmed around Ki Taeryu, but he dismissed them with a wave—an unceremonious gesture, as if he were shooing away a bothersome fly.
It took two elevator rides before they finally arrived at a large door.
Junhee stepped inside, biting her lip slightly, fearing she might accidentally let out a gasp of admiration.
Passing through an entrance that was several times larger than the living room of his two-room apartment, Junhee found himself in an expansive space with a high ceiling.
A dining table, large enough to seat at least ten people, caught his eye near the window.
Only then did he realize where they were.
“Is this the lounge?” he asked.
“It’s my room,” Ki Taeryu replied curtly as he loosened his tie.
Junhee, standing behind him, blushed slightly.
As much as he hated to admit it, he was indeed a country bumpkin. Just as the embarrassment that had flushed his ears started to subside, another question bubbled up.
“Are you planning to have a meal here?”
Hearing the hint of caution in his voice, Ki Taeryu stopped halfway through removing his blazer and turned to face him.
“Or should we head to the crowded hotel lounge, play the recording of Assistant Yoo Junhee’s voice, and stamp the contract there?” he asked with a hint of sarcasm.
“This seems like the most appropriate place,” he quickly replied, though the thought of running away in three months crept into his mind.
Awkwardly, Junhee walked past Ki Taeryu to the dining table. On the way, he noticed a long corridor leading to several other rooms.
“…And this is just a private room?” he thought.
It was far more luxurious, spacious, and, most of all, extravagant than any business hotel he had stayed in.
While Junhee pulled out the documents he had prepared, Ki Taeryu took off his jacket, removed his watch, and approached him.
Startled by his sudden closeness, Junhee turned around, his heart skipping a beat as his breath brushed his ear.
“This isn’t the contract I gave you,” he said.
“Oh, this is the profile. The contract is right here,” he stammered, hurriedly retrieving it.
Feeling uncomfortable with his proximity, he quickly moved to the other side of the table, pretending not to notice the faint sound of his chuckle.
“You’ve reviewed the contract, I assume.”
“Yes, I have,” he confirmed, though it was essentially a modern-day slavery contract. Still, under the premise that Ki Taeryu would find a match, Junhee could regain his freedom.
Though he felt guilty about offering someone up as a sacrifice to Ki Taeryu, there was no other choice. Every path seemed like a dead end.
“Any objections?”
He hesitated, but in a last-ditch effort, he carefully voiced his request.
“Would it be possible to extend the term just a bit longer…?”
“How long?”
Surprised that he hadn’t outright rejected him, a rare glimmer of hope lit up his face.
“I’ll do my best to help you find a match within three months, but could we extend it to six months in the contract, just in case…?”
“Planning to run away after six months?”
“W-what?”
Junhee’s hopeful expression crumbled, like a raccoon trying to wash away cotton candy in water.
Ki Taeryu, noticing his trembling pupils, twisted his lips into a smirk.
“Oh, no. I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t dare,” he babbled, his true feelings slipping out in his flustered state.
Ki Taeryu, who had been resting his chin on his arm on the table, leaned closer to his side.
His pheromones hit him full force.
“Shall I tell you what happens if you try to run away?”
* * *
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