By Zephyria 
I can say with certainty that there are few people as clueless as Director Park.
Executive Director, Executive Director Kwon Young-je! What’s so great that he’s calling out his name so loudly?
When he even calls out his full name, it’s hard to pretend not to hear. Kwon Young-je let out a short sigh, and Hui-won, who was standing next to him, had to carefully read his expression.
His steps turned again towards the group of people. Director Park, who had rushed through the crowd, kept bowing and trying to please Kwon Young-je.
Kwon Young-je scanned Director Park’s face with his usual calm expression. The man’s oily face was full of the ambitious smile unique to those who would give up their liver and gallbladder for success.
“Director Park, why are you being so noisy?”
“Oh, isn’t it because apex corporation’s new face has arrived! Have you heard of actor Han Jin-seo? He’s the most popular these days….”
Director Park rattled off Han Jin-seo’s resume. What dramas he had filmed, how many moviegoers he had recently attracted, and how he had dominated all the major corporate advertisements. He boasted about Han Jin-seo so much that it was hard to tell whether he was an apex corporation employee or someone from Han Jin-seo’s entertainment agency.
Despite his efforts, Kwon Young-je’s reaction was lukewarm, so he thought he had no choice but to bring Han Jin-seo himself. He was planning to introduce the famous actor in person.
“He’s very handsome, isn’t he?”
Director Park proudly presented Han Jin-seo. He was so satisfied that he seemed like his own child.
Kwon Young-je quietly raised his gaze without replying. He knew very well why Director Park was making such a fuss. He had brought in the most valuable and difficult actor to work with these days, so he must have felt an unspeakable sense of accomplishment.
“Um… Director, this person is.”
“Han Jin-seo, please say hello. This is Executive Director Kwon Young-je.”
Only after hearing the introduction did Han Jin-seo let out a short groan, “Ah.” In fact, he was surprised as soon as he saw him. He didn’t expect to run into this person again here.
He doesn’t usually remember people’s faces well, but he remembered Kwon Young-je even after seeing him only once. His first impression was so strong. Anyone would remember a Dominant Alpha who looked like that.
He looked wealthy at first glance, but he never dreamed that he would be the Executive Director of apex corporation. Moreover, Kwon Young-je is the number one successor, isn’t he? He was a bigger figure than expected.
“Nice to meet you. I’m actor Han Jin-seo.”
Han Jin-seo gave a neat smile and greeted him first.
“Kwon Young-je.”
The reply that came back was dry. Usually, people who meet celebrities show how happy they are. It’s amazing to meet someone you’ve only seen on screen, and they tend to approach you familiarly because they feel close to you.
But this man is an exception. He showed no sign of being happy and treated him only professionally. It had been a long time since he had experienced such a rigid reaction.
I don’t know if it’s his personality or if he’s just putting on airs as an Executive Director.
Han Jin-seo thought to himself, while outwardly wearing his signature trustworthy smile. His gaze lingered on Kwon Young-je’s face for a while before shifting to the side. The moment he saw the man standing a step behind him, he wondered, “What’s this?”
Isn’t that the man who lives next door standing there in a neat appearance? Seeing him dressed in a proper suit, it seems that this is his workplace. Han Jin-seo looked back and forth between Kim Hui-won and Kwon Young-je. A subtle light spread in his double-lidded eyes as he tried to deduce their relationship.
This is quite interesting.
Han Jin-seo gave Kwon Young-je his signature eye smile again.
“I didn’t expect to see you here again. We must have a deep connection.”
Of course, that was also meant for the person behind him to hear.
“Is there a connection between people who just brushed past each other? You’re giving it too much meaning.”
Kwon Young-je replied without blinking an eye. His tone was calm, but he was drawing a firm line.
“There’s a similar saying. We bumped shoulders, so isn’t that a connection? Since it’s a personal matter, I’ll stop here.”
Han Jin-seo was also not easy to deal with. He wasn’t intimidated at all by Kwon Young-je’s stiff attitude. It looked like a battle of nerves between Dominant Alphas.
“Okay, as a model, we may see each other often in the future. I look forward to it.”
Kwon Young-je, like an Executive Director, gave a brief word of encouragement. A short handshake was exchanged. Kwon Young-je, who had finished the formal greetings, turned around first and called out, “Secretary Kim,” briefly.
At his call, Hui-won immediately came to his side and stood next to him. The employee ID card hanging around his neck dangled. Secretary to the General manager, Kim Hui-won. The small title and name were clearly read in Han Jin-seo’s eyes.
Hui-won was locking down his pheromone as tightly as if he was obsessed with it. Kwon Young-je was the same. The Dominant Alpha and Dominant Omega in front of him were controlling their pheromones as if they were avoiding each other, but their actions showed that they were anxious to take care of each other. It was a unique relationship to see.
“Then, I’ll be going, as I’m busy.”
“Executive Director, please go in! I’ll visit you later.”
Director Park bowed deeply and escorted Kwon Young-je. The extreme attitude made it clear how influential Kwon Young-je was.
Han Jin-seo watched the two people leave quickly as if they were done with their business, with an interesting look on his face.
“…Ah, Secretary.”
Not a lover?
As he smiled to himself, his manager looked at Han Jin-seo with a puzzled expression. When he asked, “What’s wrong?” Han Jin-seo only shook his head.
***
The elevator is so quiet that you can hear your breath.
Hui-won quietly watched Executive Director Kwon’s expression. Kwon Young-je’s face was reflected as it was on the smooth panel like a mirror. He was only looking up at the floor indicator the whole time. His slightly raised jawline was sharp.
“Have you run into Han Jin-seo again since then?”
When the sudden question came, Hui-won turned his head to the side. His tense body creaked slightly.
“…No. I haven’t.”
“……”
Kwon Young-je also turned his head and looked down at Hui-won nonchalantly. His silent gaze lingered on his face for a long time. It was clear that he intended to find out whether he was lying or not.
He swallowed involuntarily. Hui-won added an explanation without being asked.
“I’ve only run into him a handful of times. He’s originally a neighbor who I barely see….”
The fact that an Omega in heat had mistakenly come to his house, and that he had run into him once after that, were all secrets. He didn’t feel the need to say it, and he knew he wouldn’t hear anything good even if he did. Hui-won chose to lie for his own safety.
“……”
Kwon Young-je continued to stare intently at Hui-won’s face. His gaze was so intense that he wondered if he had been caught lying, so he subtly looked at him. He openly sighed.
“Your atmosphere has changed a lot since you experienced heat.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m telling you this because I don’t think you know how you look to others.”
“……”
“It’s never bad to be careful, so keep that in mind.”
With those words, Kwon Young-je turned his face away. Just in time, the elevator was slowly stopping.
Hui-won groped his face. He couldn’t understand what Kwon Young-je meant at all. No? Nothing has changed? I’m controlling my pheromones well?
“Is the change… good or bad?”
“……”
“Executive Director?”
Despite his desperate call, Kwon Young-je didn’t say a word. His long legs strode out through the open door.
Hui-won got off late, but he couldn’t follow him. He was annoyed with Kwon Young-je and just pounded his frustrated chest.
Hey, how can you make someone curious and then leave!
***
Late at night, Hui-won finally finished his last task of the day.
He watched Kwon Young-je enter the front door, and as the door slammed shut, the tension of the day collapsed.
As he was exchanging simple greetings with the driver and parting ways, a large van passed by him as he was slowly strolling through the quiet neighborhood at night.
He thought it was just a passing car, but the large van that was going ahead stopped for a moment, and then the speed at which it was rolling became noticeably slower. As he was walking without thinking, he was walking side by side with Hui-won before he knew it.
Naturally, his gaze couldn’t help but go to it. Wondering what was going on, he looked up and the window slid down. Han Jin-seo put his arm on the windowsill and stuck out his shiny face.
“Are you off work now?”
Ah… this is too much. Hui-won suppressed the words that were about to burst out and sighed instead.
“Yes.”
“Can I give you a ride? We’re going to the same destination anyway.”
“No.”
Hui-won only let out a short, curt reply. It also meant that he didn’t want to talk anymore. The face facing forward was heavily laden with the fatigue unique to office workers who had just gotten off work.
“Okay, then.”
Han Jin-seo readily backed down without asking twice. The window closed and the black van carrying him left as if it was going its own way again.
Hui-won walked silently and engraved the license plate number on the back of the car in his eyes. He can’t move, and he happens to be living with a guy like that. He rotated his stiff neck once and kicked the well-paved asphalt road with his shoes for no reason.
As he passed through the common entrance, the elevator was stopped with the red light on. When he read the notice attached to the panel, it said that it would be inspected until tomorrow morning due to a breakdown. The only elevator was out of order, especially at this tiring time. It couldn’t be more of a tragedy.
“Am I having a bad day today?”
It was a day when he had a lot of mental stress than usual, so Hui-won was annoyed. But there was no one to vent his anger on, so he just swept his innocent bangs back and turned towards the emergency stairs.
As he opened the door, he heard a sound along with the lighting sensor that flickered on. Hui-won’s eyes widened slightly. He ran into Han Jin-seo, who was walking up from the basement.
He also found Hui-won. He let out a short “Oh,” and then raised one corner of his mouth as if he knew it would happen.
“It looks like I’m going to get some leg exercise for the first time in a while.”
Neighbors who live in the same villa, even on the same floor. There’s no way to avoid going up together.
He thought about avoiding him for a moment, but he wondered why he should be careful of Han Jin-seo. Hui-won sighed softly and stepped inside the emergency exit.