Around eight, Jihyun's eyes fluttered open. His head throbbed as if drums were pounding inside his skull. Groaning, he sat up in bed and clutched his messy hair.
"Did I drink too much?" he muttered.
As His gaze shifted. On the other side of the bed lay a tie.
Taewon's tie.
"Huh? Why is his tie here?"
Jihyun blinked at it, then cautiously picked it up.
And Dropped it on bed again. As, he stood and staggered toward the bathroom.
After shower,
As he dried his damp hair with a towel, he leaned toward the mirror. That was when he noticed it.
Something dark on his skin.
He leaned closer, eyes widening in horror.
"A hickey?!"
His fingers brushed the mark, trembling.
"Wait, what exactly happened yesterday?
I was drunk, that's all I remember, So does this mean Taewon took advantage of me?"
"Cause his tie...wait"
His chest tightened, as fragments of memory crept back, his panic grew worse. His own voice, pleading.
His own hands pulling Taewon closer. Shameless words.
"Ahhhhhhh!" He slapped both hands over his face.
"Wait. I did that?!"
He groaned loudly, collapsing against the sink.
"What did I do? Why? Why, Han Jihyun?
I act like I'm hard to get , and then
I...ugh! I'm the biggest fool alive in the entire universe!"
He tugged harshly at his hair.
"Think, think, THINK! What do I do now?!"
Wild ideas popped into his head.
"Should I drug him? No, no, he'll still remember.
Should I blame him? No,knowing him, he'll just kiss me again, or worse, ignore me completely!"
His eyes darted around frantically.
"What if I run away? But abroad for whole life? That needs alot of money still I don't have enough. Then...wait
what if I kill him? No, he's stronger than me. He'll choke me first!"
Throwing his towel onto the sink, Jihyun wailed, "I'm going crazy!"
He stomped back into the bedroom, collapsed onto the bed, and hugged a pillow with a pout.
"How am I supposed to divorce this man when fate
nonono wait, not fate but me by own keeps making things worse for myself?!"
Then, a spark of inspiration lit his eyes.
"Wait. If I can't erase his memory, I'll erase mine! Yes! I'll just pretend nothing happened. If I act clueless, he can't bring it up either!"
Springing to his feet, he puffed his chest proudly.
"I'm a genius. Brilliant. Perfect!"
Kicking the bed's edge like a knight swearing an oath, he declared,
"This was the LAST mistake I'll ever make! Never again!"
With determination plastered across his face, Jihyun marched downstairs.
At the dining table, Taewon sat calmly, sipping coffee. Hana stood beside him, neatly folding his tie.
"Sir, here," she said, handing it over.
Jihyun froze. His mind replayed last night
the tie wrapped around his fingers, pulling Taewon close, his lips pressed against.
"Ahhh,Control yourself, Jihyun. Nothing happened. You don't remember anything!"
"Good morning, sir," Hana greeted him kindly.
Jihyun forced a stiff smile. "M-Morning."
Hana disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Taewon scrolling through his phone. His face was unreadable, but his ears they were red. His pulse ticked faster every time he felt Jihyun's glance.
Soon Hana returned, carrying dishes.
"Your breakfast, sir."
Jihyun frowned.
"What's this? Porridge, steamed egg, boiled fish? I don't eat this kind of stuff in the morning."
Hana bowed slightly.
"Sir said you should eat something soft."
Jihyun's head snapped toward Taewon.
Taewon cleared his throat, stood, and adjusted his watch.
"I'm leaving for the office."
Without another glance, he strode out.
Hana chased after him with his coat,
"Sir,your coat "
while Jihyun buried his burning face in his hands.
When Hana returned, she placed the porridge in front of him.
"Here, sir. It's good for you. Last night, you"
"I don't remember anything from last night! I was drunk!" Jihyun cut her off sharply.
"Yes, I know," Hana said gently.
"Sir told me that's why I should prepare something light for you. It'll help you sober up."
"He said that?"
"Yes, sir."
Heat spread across Jihyun's cheeks again. Wordlessly, he grabbed the spoon and began eating.
(Kang Group)
Employees along the hallway bowed politely.
"Good morning, Director Taewon "
"Morning," Taewon replied, not breaking his stride until he reached his office.
He barely sat when the door opened. Harin entered with a file pressed against her chest.
"Hello," she greeted casually.
"Hi," Taewon said, his tone steady.
She sat opposite him and spread out documents. He skimmed them briefly.
"How's the work with Lite Company?"
Harin sighed.
"The same. Erin keeps blocking us at every point. She won't miss any chance to push us down."
"Then ignore her," Taewon said calmly. "Ninety percent of our deals are with Lite Company itself, not her. Focus there."
"Yes," she murmured, sliding over a weekly report.
After a pause, she asked,
"Did Uncle tell you today's the confirmation day for the Seoul–America Project 1?"
"Yes."
"Uncle thinks the chances are low,"
she admitted softly.
"It will be successful. Don't worry,"
he said firmly.
She smiled faintly at his certainty.
"If it goes through, Kang Group secures a strong foothold. But the bigger benefit goes to Han Group. Mr. Han can finally expand in America."
"Yes."
Harin tilted her head.
"What's wrong? You seem distant."
"I'm just tired."
Before she could say more, an employee knocked.
"Miss Harin, you're being called."
She stood, giving Taewon one last look before leaving.
Leaning back in his chair, Taewon loosened his tie.
"Jisoo, bring me coffee. And if Taehyun comes, send him in."
"Yes, sir."
Minutes later, the door burst open dramatically. Taehyun strolled in, carrying a tray.
"Mr. Taewon, your coffee,"
he announced theatrically.
Taewon gave him a flat look. "Thanks."
"Sir, if you need anything else, I'll wait outside at your service"
"Sit down," Taewon ordered.
"Don't irritate me."
Taehyun grinned and plopped onto a chair. "So, why'd you call me? I came to Korea to find a spouse, not play your coffee boy."
"Stop exaggerating. Answer me seriously."
"Fine, fine." Taehyun leaned forward. "What's up?"
Taewon's voice dropped low.
"Do you still believe what that doctor said? That I might turn into an Enigma?"
Taehyun's smile faltered.
"I do. If you could jump from a normal Alpha to S-class at twelve, why not Enigma now?"
"I can't control myself anymore,"
Taewon admitted quietly.
"My heartbeat, my pheromones
especially around Jihyun.
Last night I don't even know why I didn't hold back."
Taehyun blinked, then smirked slowly.
"So you only feel this way around Jihyun? Not other Omegas like Harin, or Employees?"
"Only him."
Taehyun turned his head, cheeks heating despite the grin tugging at his lips.
Cold S-class Alpha Kang Taewon, sounding like a lovestruck fool why's he so cute right now like a pookie,
"Taehyun," Taewon warned, catching his expression.
"Nothing, nothing!" Taehyun raised both hands.
"But what if this isn't just desire?
What if you're actually falling for him?"
Taewon's eyes lowered. He didn't deny it. "But I can't. You know the situation. I feel bad for him."
"It's not wrong to like him," Taehyun said firmly.
"You're not the one deceiving him. Your dad is. So, Don't blame yourself."
Taewon clenched his fists.
"The closer I get, the more he runs. I keep everything locked up, but now I don't want to let him go. I want him to be mine. There are things in him I really like. I can see something in him, i wanted whole life"
Taehyun sighed.
"When I asked before, you said you'd let him go if he wanted. But now your answer is different. You're already in too deep. Confess. Make him feel it."
As Taewon was about to reply "I...i"
Just then, Taewon's computer chimed. An email.
He clicked it. His eyes narrowed.
"It's from the Seoul–America Project 1."
Taehyun rushed to his side. Together, they opened it.
One bold line glared at them in red.
Rejected.
Taehyun froze. "What? How's this possible?"
Taewon stared at the screen, his jaw tightening. For the first time that morning, his composure cracked.