Youngjae Kwon kept his eyes fixed on the tablet. Though others might have seen his expression as indifferent, Heewon noticed the slightest lift at the corner of his mouth.
“Not bad.”
Hearing that definite approval, Heewon felt no more hesitation. He returned to his seat and recalled a few restaurants that Kwon usually favored. Without delay, he gripped the steering wheel. The sedan carrying them smoothly turned and picked up speed.
The Italian restaurant nad “Lunacera” was one they had frequented before. Perhaps because it was past peak hours, the interior was fairly quiet. Thinking the calm was a welco change, Heewon headed to the table they were shown.
“The nu has changed a lot.”
“Yes, it was renewed for our tenth anniversary.”
Youngjae roughly skimd the matte-coated nu and then looked up at Heewon sitting opposite. Secretary Kim seed uncertain, unfamiliar with the new offerings.
“What will you have?”
“...I’m not sure.”
“Order the basil pesto. You like that.”
Heewon nodded quietly. Thankfully, so signature dishes remained. Hopefully, the taste hadn’t changed. If it had, the restaurant would be rcilessly dropped from his favorites list.
anwhile, the waiting staff watched the two with a bright smile.
When serving guests, it was habitual for staff to guess the nature of relationships. These two—young n in their early thirties, both in suits—gave off an aura of professionalism.
Usually, it would be a business relation, but judging from their conversation and how well one knew the other’s tastes, it didn’t seem so stiff.
Most notably, they were an alpha and an oga. The naturally mingled pheromones confird the staff’s suspicion.
Confidently pointing at the nu, the staff said,
“Couples usually order the romantic course. It includes appetizers, soup, main, and dessert. Couples often choose one pasta and one steak to share. A glass of champagne is served to each couple at the couple’s table.”
“.......”
“.......”
Both n’s gazes imdiately shifted to the staff mber.
Youngjae’s expression was calm but sharp, while Kim Heewon looked bewildered, almost speechless.
“Sorry, but we’re not a couple.”
Youngjae snapped the nu shut, and only then did the staff realize their mistake, clearly embarrassed.
“I-I’m sorry. That was a serious faux pas...”
“That’s actually a nice set. We’ll have that then. For the mains, basil pesto pasta and Alfredo fettuccine, and no champagne, please.”
Youngjae ordered the recomnded course to save the staff further embarrassnt. He even smiled briefly at the staff’s repeated apologies. Of course, it was purely business, but it looked nice either way.
“How long will you keep spacing out?”
After the staff left, Youngjae chided Heewon’s dazed deanor in a brusque tone.
“The gentleman just ntioned ‘couple’ three tis while explaining the nu.”
“I guess we looked like a couple.”
“Where do you see that?”
Youngjae silently raised a glass to his lips. While taking a sip of water, his gaze remained fixed on Heewon’s face. Setting the glass down elegantly, he threw a cutting remark.
“Still haven’t accepted that you’re an oga?”
“Does an alpha and oga being together always an they’re dating?”
“At least in a place like this, misunderstandings can happen.”
Heewon smiled ruefully. Good tis were gone. So many things to watch out for.
“From now on, I guess I’ll have to just bring you lunchboxes.”
“I told you, these misunderstandings will happen all the ti. Didn’t you get what I ant by ‘be confident’?”
It wasn’t just the place. Youngjae instructed Heewon to let his pheromones loose when alone together, and Heewon obeyed. Over ti, Youngjae had grown sowhat accustod to Heewon’s pheromones, but independently, the mingling of their natural scents caused misunderstandings.
“Because of pheromones, right?”
As expected, Heewon quickly identified the cause. Youngjae nodded slightly in confirmation.
“Probably best to avoid it during work hours.”
“That’s one of my duties. Actively help get used to oga pheromones. It’s in the contract.”
“If that’s the case, better do it at ho after work... No, that’s wrong. Forget I said anything.”
Heewon caught himself and waved his hand, realizing it sounded even more awkward.
Just then, freshly baked bread and appetizers were served. Heewon took a reasonable portion on his plate and quietly began to eat.
How on earth do we look like a couple? Sitting silently eating their own als, it was no more than two strangers forced to share a table.
Ti passed quietly, and dessert arrived. Youngjae never touched sweets, so he only drank coffee. The tiramisu cake was left to Heewon.
Lunacera’s tiramisu was famous. The espresso-soaked sponge layers and stacked mascarpone cream cheese ford an exquisite harmony.
As Heewon ate with a small fork, he felt a sharp gaze and looked up. Their eyes t Youngjae’s, who was watching him while drinking coffee. Heewon coughed awkwardly, causing so of the fine cocoa powder atop the cake to scatter beyond the plate.
Worried he was overindulging, he quickly washed away the remaining sweetness with coffee. Fortunately, Youngjae spoke calmly as if it were nothing.
“We’re about to wrap up the matter concerning Kim Seonyul from the research R&D team.”
Ah, the one who caused a fuss threatening to sue for defamation... Heewon easily recalled the researcher’s face.
Despite Youngho Kwon egging her on behind the scenes, how could she dare threaten Youngjae? He quietly clicked his tongue at Ms. Kim Seonyul’s boldness.
“What will you do?”
“I’m planning to send a settlent through lawyers this week.”
“The full three thousand?”
“I’m responsible for the mistake, so I must bear proper responsibility.”
Since that incident, it seed Youngjae no longer issued special instructions regarding pheromones of oga employees. Given the company’s nature, oga employees were quite nurous, so contact was unavoidable, but they just endured it.
Youngjae’s neurosis hadn’t suddenly disappeared overnight. He was only sowhat better than before but still suffered headaches and negative reactions.
His patience was remarkable—almost extre. That’s what it takes to succeed.
Heewon thought this as he finished his coffee. Still, he felt he should stand by Executive Director Kwon.
“Three thousand °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° is a bit excessive.”
“So people got three billion.”
He nearly spat out his coffee. What a petty guy... And he hasn’t even gotten it yet. Heewon smoothed his sharp eyes and smiled, answering.
“Mrs. Lim doesn’t know about the building transfer, right?”
“Oh, that. Don’t ever ntion it.”
Youngjae tilted his head. His usual coldness filled his face as he looked down at Heewon.
“I told Mr. Park to keep his mouth shut, but it’s being handled top secret.”
“She’ll find out eventually.”
Still, since a chunk of the property was being handed over, it couldn’t remain a perfect secret. Heard Mrs. Lim was as thorough as Youngjae, hiring a dozen capable tax accountants every spring to check the family’s financial status.
“Dragging it out is beneficial. If she finds out, she’ll really keep Secretary Kim at ho. Who’d give a complete stranger a building without going crazy? She might think it’s a marriage proposal.”
“.......”
Hearing that sent chills down Heewon’s spine and made the hair on his arms stand up. He knew Youngjae wasn’t joking.
“I won’t accept it. The building... just keep it, Executive Director.”
Heewon’s refusal made Youngjae laugh out loud—an uncommon sound.
Of course, his request was denied.
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