* * *
“Move.”
The doorman didn’t even get a chance to protest or apologize.
At Cha Wooseok’s subtle nod, the doorman quickly scurried away like he was fleeing.
Watching this, Koh Hajin quietly shook off the arm resting on his shoulder.
First, he’d been rudely shoved away, and now this man was suddenly acting all kind and considerate?
The abrupt shift in Cha Wooseok’s demeanor was downright baffling.
“…Well, I’ll be going now.”
“Can’t tell if you’re fearless or just utterly clueless.”
“Pardon?”
“Rude too, more than you look. Seems like there’s a lot you’re lacking.”
Cha Wooseok, spitting out words laced with irritation, slid into the back seat of the black sedan that had just pulled up in front of the hotel.
“Get in.”
Koh Hajin’s mind raced.
He had no idea what nonsense this guy was spouting, but one thing was clear: his relationship with Cha Wooseok might not end with this brief encounter.
If this man was telling him to get in the car, even while his clothes were still damp from the water earlier, there was definitely something more to this.
“I’m fine.”
He’d gone as far as to pour water on the guy’s head to make it clear he was pissed.
Climbing into his car now would be ridiculous.
Forcing his voice to be as detached as possible, Hajin firmly refused.
Deep down, though, he was praying Wooseok would insist just one more time.
“Does it look like I’m making a suggestion?”
So this is what people mean by “eyes that could burn.”
The furrow of Wooseok’s brow and the irritation flickering in his eyes were enough to make Hajin rethink his plan to play hard-to-get.
Refusing again might land him not in the back seat, but the trunk.
Shoving aside his hesitation, Hajin quickly decided to get into the car.
Why on earth were this guy’s eyes so terrifying…?
“…Thank you.”
“You’re shameless. You threw water at me, and now you’re climbing into my car.”
Wooseok was annoyed, though he wasn’t sure at what.
When Hajin had dumped water on him earlier, he’d been too startled to process anything else.
But as time passed, irritation bubbled up, compelling him to chase Hajin all the way to the lobby.
“You told me to get in…?”
“Do you always just hop into any car that stops for you?”
And then there was the Omega, chatting with someone else in the lobby just minutes earlier.
If Wooseok hadn’t stepped in, would Hajin have given the guy his number?
He couldn’t say for sure, but Hajin definitely didn’t seem like the type to say no easily.
Maybe he’d have given more than just his number.
That thought made Wooseok’s irritation boil over again, but for a completely different reason.
“P-please drop me off at the nearest bus stop…”
And yet, this stubborn streak.
Hajin was clearly scared—his trembling gave it away—but he still responded with defiance in his voice, like he was trying to prove a point.
“Fine, then. Do as you please. You heard him, didn’t you? Stop at the nearest bus stop.”
“Yes, sir.”
If Hajin had just apologized for the water incident, Wooseok would have driven him home.
After all, Wooseok himself had said some trashy things earlier.
He wasn’t about to get into a physical scuffle with someone so small he could win with a single finger.
Even though Hajin wasn’t the person Wooseok had been looking for, he didn’t feel comfortable leaving an Omega alone late at night.
Even if it wasn’t outright dangerous, who knew what might happen?
Especially with a face like that, wandering around on a deserted road—it wouldn’t be surprising if trouble found him.
But Hajin’s irritating attitude sparked something petty in Wooseok.
“Secretary Kim, that serial killer hasn’t been caught yet, right?”
“You mean the Omega Killer? Not yet, as far as I know.”
Even as he casually chatted with Secretary Kim, who was driving, Wooseok’s attention was entirely on the Omega beside him.
Hajin was practically glued to the car door, his discomfort obvious as his fingers twitched nervously on his lap. It was exactly the reaction Wooseok had wanted.
“Must be a big deal. What’s the count now, over ten?”
“Twelve victims so far. Another body was found behind that tunnel yesterday.”
Secretary Kim’s emotionless report made it sound even scarier.
The prank was juvenile, but it seemed to be working.
By the time the car stopped at a bus stop just a few hundred meters from the tunnel, Hajin was frozen, clutching one hand with the other, too scared to move.
“Not getting out? We’re here.”
“…I-I’m supposed to get out…here?”
Perfect. The bus stop was eerily close to the tunnel where last night’s Omega victim had been discovered.
The hotel itself was tucked away in a quiet mountain area, so anyone heading back to the city had to pass through the tunnel.
No cars were in sight; the only sound was the quiet hum of their car’s engine.
“You said you wanted to be dropped off.”
Wooseok’s irritation vanished, replaced by satisfaction as he watched Hajin tremble in fear.
Strangely, he felt a perverse enjoyment in teasing the Omega like this.
“Get out.”
Hajin’s eyes filled with tears at the final jab.
His fingers fidgeted again, almost as if begging, ‘Please, can’t you just take me home?’
“What are you doing?”
By now, Wooseok was sure Hajin would finally break and apologize.
It made sense—who would want to walk through a dark, rainy night in this state?
But instead, Hajin’s lips quivered, and then…
“…I’m leaving.”
And with that, Hajin opened the car door and stepped out.
“Shall we go, sir?”
“What? …Oh…yeah.”
Wooseok felt like he’d been hit twice. Hard.
As the car drove away, Hajin stood there, dumbfounded.
There was no one to talk to, but the sheer absurdity of the situation left him speechless.
Who the hell puts a bus stop in the middle of a mountain?
And how could someone just drop off an Omega here, right near where another Omega’s body had been found?
That guy must be insane.
Watching the taillights disappear into the tunnel, Hajin wanted nothing more than to light a cigarette.
But just in case Wooseok came back, he kept his face set in a pitiful expression and waited.
Soon, though, the car was gone without a trace.
“Ha, fuck… That crazy bastard.”
Rummaging through his bag, Hajin pulled out a cigarette he’d stashed in his cardholder.
He lit it, inhaling deeply and exhaling a long stream of smoke into the dark sky.
No matter how much smoke he let out, though, the anger bottled up inside refused to dissipate.
“…Goddamn it, seriously. What a psycho.”
This is the most humiliating failure of my life.
Not only is it the first time I’ve failed to even approach my target, but it’s also the first time I’ve been rejected by the same man twice.
When he appeared in the lobby earlier, I thought my outdated trick of pouring water over his head had worked.
Clichés are clichés for a reason—they usually work.
I had worked hard for this. For months, I meticulously set the stage, leaving no room for failure.
I even researched all of Cha Wooseok’s past scandals to pinpoint his preferences, so I was confident.
After all, I’m no slouch in the looks department, either.
“That bastard… he could’ve at least taken me downstairs.”
The sting of failure was almost unbearable, and I couldn’t bring myself to accept the situation.
I sat there smoking until the cigarette burned down to the filter, still searching for an answer.
I needed to decide: Should I let this opportunity slip away or find another way?
Was there still a chance, or was I clinging to false hope when everything was already over?
The anxiety made my mouth go dry.
“You’re a bit old for an omega, aren’t you? I usually don’t date anyone over twenty-five.”
“Yes, well… I studied for a long time, so here we are.”
I swallowed the urge to retort, ‘You’re pretty small for an alpha yourself.’
I couldn’t afford to ruin the identity I’d carefully crafted for months because of some jerk like this.
No matter how tempting it was to snap back, I had enough patience to keep my composure and not destroy the image I’d built with just one reckless comment.
“Still, you’ve got the looks, so I guess you’re worth keeping around.”
The man leaned back arrogantly, his words even more condescending.
His tone was like someone appraising merchandise in a store, as if he were selecting a decoration for his house.
It was a distinct alpha arrogance I was unfortunately all too familiar with, yet could never get used to.
“Thank you for thinking so highly of me.”
The man seemed satisfied, seeing me blush slightly and bow my head meekly.
Meeting the omega rumored among marriageable alphas wasn’t bad at all in his eyes.
Obedient, good-looking—it wasn’t just a joke anymore; he was seriously considering marrying me. Love was a separate matter, of course.
“Damn it, calling me ‘good-looking’ like that. What the hell is ‘good-looking’ supposed to mean?”
My good mood shattered when a voice from the next table pierced through.
“Who the hell… Oh, Wooseok?”
“Oh, it’s you? I thought it was just some low-class thug ruining the atmosphere.”
It was Cha Wooseok. The man’s face paled as he recognized him.
Just a few months ago, at another gathering, he’d mouthed off to Wooseok and ended up getting beaten senseless.
Of course, he couldn’t protest—it was obvious.
Wooseok’s strength and background ensured that.
Instead, he had to kneel and apologize with his face bruised and bloody.
It was the most humiliating moment of his life.
“I’m sorry, Wooseok. I should’ve greeted you first. Didn’t notice you there. So, what brings you here?”
“We’re not close enough for greetings. Just move.”
Cha Wooseok left his table and walked over to mine, plopping down in the seat the other man had just vacated.
His tone was technically polite, but his actions were nothing short of commanding.
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Take the girl at my table home on your way out.”
Even as Wooseok barked orders, his gaze remained locked on me, piercing and unyielding.
There wasn’t even an attempt to hide his displeasure.
“Y-yeah. Have a good time, then. Let’s catch up for a meal sometime…”
The omega woman who had accompanied Wooseok muttered her complaints as she walked off, but Wooseok was like a statue, glaring intently at me.
After a long pause, his scowling face broke into words, his tone sharp and biting.
“Koh Hajin, can’t you go a single day without a man?”
* * *
