The mont he heard the gentle voice, the back of Heewon’s neck stiffened. He pressed the tense muscles softly, composing a calm tone.
“Yes, hello.”
— I’m at the Apex headquarters right now. If you have ti, could we et?
“Um... you an ?”
Why was she looking for him and not Kwon Youngjae? Heewon had no particular connection with Hajin. As he mulled this over, Hajin added in her characteristically bright voice.
—I have sothing to ask the secretary. Ah, but I’d like it to be a secret from your boss. Is that okay?
“......”
— It won’t take long. About five to ten minutes? If you’re busy, I can wait. I have plenty of ti.
He seed determined. Though he spoke lightly, mixing in laughter, his will to et Heewon today was clearly conveyed.
Heewon pushed back his chair. He stood up straight from the chair turned sideways and smoothed out his disheveled appearance with his remaining hand.
“Where should I go?”
Hajin was waiting in the underground parking lot on the third basent floor. Coming down, Heewon imdiately noticed a foreign car parked with the hazard lights on.
“Secretary!”
The mont Hajin saw Heewon outside, he raised his arm as if greeting an old friend.
Heewon bowed slightly and imdiately started walking. eting in the underground parking rather than a coffee shop felt rather aningful. What on earth did he want to talk about?
“Get in.”
Hajin opened the rear door. Sensing the cue, Heewon got in, and Hajin quickly sat beside him. After the door slamd shut, the car fell into a deep silence.
There was no driver—just the two of them. Heewon glanced over the empty front seat and swallowed slowly. This place was already becoming uncomfortable.
“Can you finish quickly? I can’t leave my post for long.”
“I know, then since you’re busy, I’ll get straight to the point.”
Hajin twisted his upper body slightly.
“I don’t know if it’s okay to ask this... but it’s sothing I have to clarify because of my personality.”
The introduction was long. Heewon turned his head and stared at the man sitting beside him. Unlike Hajin, who kept smiling the whole ti, Heewon’s expression remained calm and unreadable.
“Are you dating Youngjae hyung?”
Of course, he had to ask that. The question was exactly what Heewon expected, no surprise. Heewon smiled bitterly.
“The Youngjae hyung I know wouldn’t keep an Oga by his side. Of course, Secretary Kim must be very capable... but it’s not a usual situation.”
“......”
“I heard you’ve been with Youngjae hyung for a long ti. That ans you must be very important to him, right?”
Hajin began babbling alone. Despite asking a question, he didn’t seem particularly interested in Heewon’s answer. It seed more important to him to spill what he wanted to say.
Resting his elbow on his crossed legs, Hajin tilted his face slightly and stared intently at Heewon with eyes so clear they felt almost overwhelming.
“I’m seriously considering marrying Youngjae hyung. Honestly, it’s not a bad idea. My parents would welco him with open arms.”
“Executive Director Kwon wouldn’t think that way.”
“Yes, I don’t have romantic feelings either, but our interests align. If I persuade Youngjae hyung, it’ll be settled. He cares about more than he seems. I’m confident.”
“......”
“Since he’s sterile, pheromones barely co out, so living with him won’t be a problem. But I don’t want to break up other couples... I’m very strict about that. So I wanted to ask in advance.”
Heewon exhaled deeply. The breath falling to the bottom sounded like a sigh even to himself. His chest felt tight.
The other person was considering marriage to Kwon Youngjae. There was no particular feeling involved. How much of his private life should he open to soone like that? Normally, he would have answered without hesitation: I’m just a secretary.
“I’m not dating him. We just sleep together.”
But the honest words slipped out. Heewon had to admit it was a response born from emotional impulse rather than rational judgnt.
“Oh.”
Hajin looked slightly surprised.
“I see... So, you’re sex partners?” The small muttered question echoed loudly inside the quiet car.
“No wonder you seed close. I’m just good at reading people’s eyes.”
But as if nothing surprised him, he returned to his lively expression.
“So you’re not dating? Then it’s fine to proceed with the marriage?”
Heewon was montarily speechless and could only stare at the man beside him. Hajin didn’t care about that reaction and kept rattling off his thoughts.
“Hmm... It’s okay to keep this kind of relationship. If it’s just sex partners, it’s just physical, not mixed with sincerity. That part is totally acceptable.”
Hajin acted as if he had already promised marriage to Kwon Youngjae. The tone was really absurd and ridiculous. Heewon unwittingly laughed weakly.
“If you want, you can continue even after marriage. The more capable and handso the Alpha, the more common it is in business circles to have a second. Just keep it discreet. He’s very good at handling that anyway.”
The short word ‘second’ weighed heavily on Heewon’s neck. He was treated as nothing more than that. It was as if cold water was poured on his boiling anger, instantly chilling it. Heewon wiped his stiff mouth with his sweating, clammy hand.
“Lee Hajin.”
At the calm tone, Hajin turned his head. Just as Kwon Youngjae said, he had a childish, innocent face. The peculiar innocence of soone raised with only love in a rich family felt sowhat disgusting.
“That’s a matter for Executive Director Kwon and to discuss. Why should I hear such things from you?”
“Oh... that’s true.”
“As you said, Executive Director Kwon is soone who will handle himself well. I want you to stop interfering in private matters.”
“... Did I upset you?”
“Yes. I’m quite displeased.”
“Sorry... I was too hasty.”
Hajin scratched his cheek lightly. Unable to et Heewon’s eyes, he stared at his knees but kept talking.
“But the Youngjae hyung I know will eventually accept it. So don’t think this is a completely random story. I’m saying this also considering Secretary Kim.”
He bit his lips hard. The cheeks, burning with sha, had lost their redness and returned to their natural color.
“All right, understood. I apologize again for my inappropriate behavior.”
“Can I go now?”
When Hajin nodded, Heewon opened the car door without hesitation and stepped out.
Even after escaping the stuffy car, his tightly blocked chest wouldn’t loosen. The twisting inside made him long desperately for a cigarette he had quit ten years ago.
He imdiately started walking. His refined posture and pace were no different from usual, but a fiery anger was rising in Heewon’s eyes.
If Kwon Youngjae marries, he would end this relationship first. It wasn’t even worth worrying about seconds.
Since that day, Hajin began an aggressive offensive. He frequently called Kwon Youngjae and sotis ca to the company to show his face. Most of the ti, Kwon was too busy, and his visits were in vain.
Today, Hajin showed up at the company again without warning. Luckily, Kwon had a free slot and could see him, but showed clear reluctance.
Leaning his upper body against the sofa at an angle, Kwon was t by Hajin sitting opposite, quickly propping his chin with both hands and leaning his face close. A sweet scent like bubblegum filled the air. Hajin was squeezing out his pheromones with full force.
“What ti do you finish today? Want to have dinner with ? If ti allows, let’s go see an exhibition, too.”
“What are you doing right now?”
“Don’t you see? I’m flirting with hyung.”
Hajin answered shalessly. He was fully exploiting his familiarity with Kwon. Although a difficult man, he was confident Kwon would never push him away, so he boldly threw out flirtations.
“Go away.”
Kwon flicked his chin in annoyance. He was clearly tolerant of many things from Hajin. Even now, he let Hajin freely emit pheromones. Most others would have imdiately reprimanded such behavior.
Knock, knock. Light knocking sounded as Heewon entered the office. He brought tea for the guests. Usually, this would be done by lower staff, but since it was Kwon’s private guest, Heewon handled it himself.
Since Heewon’s arrival, Kwon’s gaze shifted from Hajin to focus solely on his secretary. Even while Heewon quietly placed the teacup down, Kwon’s eyes stayed fixated. However, Secretary Kim seed unaware of the gaze and focused only on the tea setting.
“Hyung, it’s okay if you sll my pheromones now. At this rate, your illness must be almost cured.”
The teacup clattered noticeably. Heewon quickly withdrew his hand and clenched his fingers. When he raised his bent waist, Kwon’s gaze had already returned to the person sitting across from him.
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