* * *
“You know, back then, I really couldn’t be bothered with school.”
Director Choi spoke up suddenly as he smoothly sipped his wine.
Wookyung put his fork down and looked over at him, but his gaze was fixed outside the window.
He looked as if he was recalling the past.
“I didn’t really know why I had to go, didn’t know what I was supposed to learn. So I had no motivation, and it was just boring.”
Alphas generally have higher intellectual and physical abilities compared to Betas or Omegas.
Was it three times as much? Or four?
And if he was a dominant Alpha, he’d be far beyond even that.
No wonder the education system designed for ordinary students must have felt mind-numbingly dull.
Wookyung tried to recall Director Choi when he was in High School.
‘Hmm… He did look indifferent and lethargic.’
Vacant eyes.
Unkempt hair.
He might have even looked weak to some.
And not just because he was a Beta.
Of course, violence and extortion are clearly wrong.
But if Wookyung think about it, wasn’t it because Director Choi never reacted to them?
“So, I didn’t really care what people said about me.”
“A loner…?”
Damn.
Wookyung let his thoughts slip out loud again.
His expression didn’t change, but a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.
Wookyung quickly glanced at Director Choi’s reaction.
But instead of being upset, he was smiling, as if he found something amusing.
“Yeah. That’s how it was. Since I didn’t respond no matter what nonsense they spewed, eventually, they started taking my money, picking fights over trivial things, kicking, punching.”
“…Wait, and you just took it?”
And he’s saying all this so casually?
Like it’s no big deal?
It’s almost infuriating to hear.
But whether Director Choi noticed Wookyung’s disbelief or not, he remained unbothered.
Even when he ordered more food to pair with the remaining wine while a waiter cleared the empty plates, his voice was calm.
“I guess you didn’t hear everything earlier. Back then, I was still just a weak Beta.”
“Saying Betas are weak is just a stereotype.”
“I was weak.”
Wookyung pouted.
Either way, he did say something like that earlier—something about how he hadn’t manifested yet.
Wookyung studied Director Choi again.
Even so, he never thought he was the type to just accept being bullied.
Should he ask?
If Wookyung did, he’d definitely explain.
That would bring them closer.
But… should he?
‘No.’
No way. Instead of indulging his curiosity, Wookyung downed the rest of his drink.
It was supposed to be light and fragrant, but right now, it just tasted bitter.
“But then, I met a savior.”
The conversation was still about his past.
And now, his gaze—was it just his imagination, or did it seem a little softer?
“He told me, ‘Doing nothing just because it’s annoying won’t solve anything. It’ll only get worse, so react accordingly.’”
‘Did I say that? It’s been so long that I don’t remember.’
The only vague images that come to mind are of a small figure slumped in a dark alley or zoning out in class.
If anything is clearer, it’s the way he sat in the teacher’s office, looking completely uninterested in the classmates who had bullied him.
“So? Are you curious about me now?”
Trying to stir up interest and draw attention to himself.
Did he really need to?
“You’ve had a rough past, but now you’re an accomplished professional. It’s admirable.”
It sounded like a detached comment, but Wookyung had a feeling he understood the hidden meaning.
‘Your story was interesting, but that’s all. I don’t want to hear any more.’
“Why do you keep pushing me away?”
Director Choi, who had been quietly watching him, suddenly asked.
“You seem determined not to get close to me. Am I imagining things?”
‘No, you’re absolutely right.’
Wookyung want a proper amount of distance.
A superior and a subordinate.
That’s all.
Especially when it’s Director Choi, one of the most high-profile figures in the company?
No, thanks.
Office relationships?
They get people talking too easily.
He had seen it firsthand—with Manager Shin and Director Min.
The moment something happened between them, office chats turned into betting pools, and anonymous forums filled up with gossip.
‘Not that we’re dating or anything.’
What the hell kind of ridiculous thought is that?
Dating?
With who?
‘What am I even thinking?’
Wookyung shook off the absurd idea in disgust.
“Well, if you still need time, I’ll wait.”
Maybe he should’ve turned him down more firmly.
But once again, instead of withdrawing, Director Choi just gave a tolerant smile, leaving room for ambiguity.
They spent the entire evening at the expo, but only managed to cover two halls.
Tomorrow morning, they’d be meeting the design team before finishing our tour of the venue.
“So, where’s our accommodation…?”
“The hotel we visited earlier.”
“…Excuse me?”
That place is five-star.
No way the company would approve something that fancy.
Even for domestic business trips, they barely get three-star or business hotels.
And even those were rare—most of the time, they were places that barely qualified as hotels at all.
And now, for an overseas trip, they’re suddenly booking a luxury hotel?
Impossible.
“I don’t like discomfort, so I booked it separately.”
Well, if he’s paying out of his own pocket, fine.
Wookyung nodded, accepting it as it was.
At the hotel, Wookyung stared blankly at the card key in his hand.
“…We’re staying separately?”
“Wouldn’t that be more comfortable?”
I guess, but usually, people are assigned roommates…
“Of course, if you’d prefer, we could share a room—”
“No, we should rest properly.”
Wookyung rejected the idea immediately.
But look at him—his smirking lips were absolutely mocking him.
“…See you tomorrow.”
Wookyung quickly bowed and turned away.
Striding toward the elevator, Wookyung pressed the button—only to see Director Choi right behind him.
“What are you doing for dinner?”
He pressed a button.
The same floor as mine.
‘…Don’t tell me.’
Suppressing his unease, Wookyung answered as casually as he could.
“I’m tired, so I’ll just eat something light and rest.”
“Alright. Then let’s meet in the lobby at 8:30 tomorrow.”
With that, he didn’t push further.
The elevator stopped.
They walked down the hallway.
And Director was still following him.
Wookyung stopped in front of his room.
He stopped too.
“Good night, Wookyung. I’ll be in this room. If you need anything or get bored, call me.”
Wookyung almost asked how far he planned to follow him.
But then Director Choi gestured toward the door across the hall.
“…Good night, Director.”
Only then did he realize he had misunderstood.
Sure, their rooms were positioned in a way that could be misinterpreted.
But still.
‘Damn. I really thought he was coming into my room.’
What kind of ridiculous assumption was that?
As Wookyung turned away, hurriedly stepping inside, he missed the way Director Choi’s gaze lingered for a moment—watching, amused—before he answered his phone.
“I don’t want to. I have a packed schedule tomorrow, and I don’t feel like coming all the way there just to meet you.”
That was the coldest voice Wookyung had ever heard from him.
‘So he does talk like that sometimes.’
Thinking it was unexpected, Wookyung closed the door and turned around.
Then he let out a long sigh.
“This is too much. Way too much.”
The room was spacious, and the bed was enormous.
Fine, maybe that was expected for him, but even his subordinates got rooms like this?
It really hammered home the fact that he was from a chaebol family.
‘Well, whatever.’
Shaking off the thought quickly, Wookyung started unpacking.
After finishing his shower, he felt a pleasant drowsiness settle over him.
“Should I order room service…?”
He was hungry.
But going out was a hassle.
As he looked around, he spotted a booklet on the table.
Sure enough, it was a menu.
Since this was a five-star hotel, the selection was vast, and so were the prices.
“The steak earlier was really good, though.”
His mind drifted back to lunch.
Despite grumbling about how excessive it was, he had cleared his plate completely.
As he mulled over what to eat, the phone rang.
Wookyung’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What the—?”
Why was the hotel phone ringing all of a sudden?
He stared at it in confusion before quickly pulling himself together and picking up the receiver.
[Yes, hello. I’ve answered the call.]
* * *
