By Zephyria 
As the weather grew noticeably colder, apex corporation’s exterior underwent a transformation.
Han Jin-seo’s face was emblazoned largely on the high concrete outer wall. A new commercial, filmed not long ago, was being broadcasted non-stop on a massive display screen. Befitting an actor who sparked the Korean Wave, the front of the company had already become a tourist attraction.
The interior was much the same. The first-floor lobby was entirely wrapped in photos of Han Jin-seo. Everywhere you went, you could only see his face. Moreover, the photos were so well-taken that even the employees were taking souvenir shots with their cell phone cameras. The effect of the new model seemed certain.
Executive Director Kwon Young-je, who happened to be returning from an external appointment, caught sight of this spectacle. He paused for a moment, surveying the changed scenery. A look of displeasure flitted across his bleak face.
Hui-won, standing a step behind, watched Kwon Young-je intently. His averted gaze took in the photos plastered haphazardly everywhere. It looked more like a shopping mall than a pharmaceutical company.
Since Executive Director Kwon detested such a boisterous style, it was only natural that he wouldn’t be pleased with the current atmosphere.
When Executive Director Kwon took the first step, Hui-won followed closely, not wanting to lose him. As they boarded the executive elevator, Kwon Young-je broke the long silence.
“What time is the commercial shoot?”
“Five o’clock.”
“Secretary Kim, do I really have to go?”
Kwon Young-je said it casually, his eyes fixed on the floor indicator. He was not usually one to bring up such things, so he must really not want to go.
Hui-won bit his lip, unsure of how to respond. Kwon Young-je himself knew better than anyone that it was a done deal and couldn’t be changed.
Today, Han Jin-seo’s print ad shoot was scheduled. Since the previously released commercial had already caused such a sensation, the marketing team was trying to capitalize on the trend. They had also created official SNS and YouTube channels and were periodically releasing unreleased videos and photos, and the effect was even greater than expected.
The problem was that the marketing team, riding high on their success, had created a plan that was close to being unreasonable, calling it a strategy. It was to expose Executive Director Kwon Young-je alongside the actor Han Jin-seo. The pretext was to solidify the company’s image by showcasing a young, handsome Dominant Alpha.
Kwon Young-je had naturally rejected the plan at his level, but Chairman had strongly pushed it forward, and that’s how things had turned out. He must be extremely displeased to have to do a shoot he didn’t want to do.
All Hui-won could do right now was to assist Executive Director Kwon from the side so that he could feel a little more at ease. He steeled himself and straightened his back. Fortunately, that was his specialty.
At five o’clock in the afternoon, Executive Director Kwon Young-je appeared precisely on time.
As soon as he entered the studio, he frowned as if he were in trouble. The dimly lit room was filled with all sorts of pheromones.
“The ventilation system is a mess.”
“It’s probably worse because it’s underground.”
The arts field originally tended to have many sentient. Among them, the proportion of Omegas was known to be considerable. Given the nature of the workplace, there was no hesitation in emitting pheromones.
Hui-won carefully gauged the situation. He couldn’t help but worry about Kwon Young-je, whose complexion had turned pale in that short time. His hand reached towards the inside pocket of his jacket.
“Executive Director, I brought your medicine just in case…”
“It’s okay. Let’s just finish this quickly and leave.”
He strode forward with his long legs. Director Park and the marketing team employees, who had arrived at the studio beforehand, spotted Executive Director Kwon and rushed over in a flurry. Formal greetings followed.
Kwon Young-je’s unsettling gaze landed on their faces.
“How long will the shoot take?”
“We expect it to take about two hours.”
“Let’s finish it in an hour.”
No sooner had he turned around than the director came over and bowed deeply. It was only natural to make an impression since the client had arrived.
“Executive Director! Thank you for coming all the way here despite your busy schedule! I’m Kim Hyun, the director in charge of today’s shoot,”
“Director Kim Hyun-seok, wouldn’t it be better to take even one shot quickly instead of wasting time like this?”
He curtly cut off the greeting, and the director wore an awkward smile. He had been told in advance that Executive Director Kwon Young-je was a cold person. Even so, he was sweating profusely.
“We were just reorganizing. Actor Han Jin-seo is currently changing his clothes. Ten minutes… yes, it will probably take about that long.”
“……”
“In the meantime, would you like to take a look at today’s work? It turned out very well this time, and I’m sure you’ll like it too,”
“I’m not interested.”
There was a chill in both his eyes and tone. The marketing team was on pins and needles next to him. They knew that Executive Director Kwon Young-je’s mood was more volatile than ever.
Fortunately, the director seemed to have a knack for pleasing people and skillfully changed the atmosphere.
“Oh, Executive Director, you’re so handsome. Dominant Alpha are different after all. Your aura is extraordinary… Haha, you could shoot the commercial yourself, Executive Director?”
“……”
“No, I… I just meant it as a compliment…”
When a fierce look flew at him, the director scratched the back of his head, wondering if he had made some kind of mistake. Seeing that the atmosphere had frozen, Hui-won stepped forward.
“Executive Director.”
He stood behind Kwon Young-je and gently patted his firm waist. It was a signal to restrain himself, as there were many eyes watching.
Just then, Han Jin-seo, with a string of staff members trailing behind him, entered the studio. As soon as he saw the apex corporation people gathered in a group, he approached with a smiling face.
Han Jin-seo suddenly extended his right hand and asked Kwon Young-je for a handshake.
“Nice to meet you, Executive Director Kwon. I’ve been waiting for you to come for a while.”
Anyone would mistake them for being close. Kwon Young-je stared at the outstretched hand before reluctantly shaking hands with Han Jin-seo.
Meanwhile, the staff hurried to prepare for the shoot. Cups of steaming coffee were handed to the two men, who had moved to a spot where the lighting was set up. The concept was simple: to have a conversation about apex corporation’s pharmaceuticals while drinking coffee together. The sight of two tall Alphas sitting in chairs was a visually pleasing sight at first glance.
A gimbal camera appeared in the spot where the marketing staff had retreated. They were told to have a comfortable conversation without being conscious of the camera.
As if that were possible, with dozens of eyes watching.
Han Jin-seo had a lot of experience with this, so he had a calm expression. He took a sip of the hot coffee and opened his mouth first.
“Do you act at all?”
“Not as much as someone who makes a living doing it.”
“Hmm, you seem to have a talent for it. That’s unexpected.”
Han Jin-seo lightly curled up the corners of his lips. His raised gaze swept over the apex corporation employees surrounding him. Among them was a neighbor who was staring at Kwon Young-je with a nervous expression.
“You two seem to be getting along well. Are you always this close?”
Although he didn’t explicitly say it, it was obvious who Han Jin-seo was referring to. Kwon Young-je chuckled softly, his eyes lowered.
“You’re very interested in personal matters, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I like male Omegas. Especially Omegas who have lovers. It kind of… inspires a sense of challenge.”
One corner of Kwon Young-je’s mouth curled up high. Crazy bastard. He muttered the curse audibly.
“You’re not the type to share your things, are you, Executive Director?”
It wasn’t worth responding to. Kwon Young-je silently swallowed his coffee.
Even though he consistently maintained a perfect indifference, Han Jin-seo smiled as if he didn’t care. He continued the conversation on his own, tapping the end of his leg raised over his knee.
“I can tell just by looking. You don’t seem like you’d eat at the same table with others, and you seem like you hate mixing saliva.”
“Han Jin-seo-ssi seems to have a taste for dirty things.”
Han Jin-seo smiled with his eyes as if agreeing.
The marketing staff watching could only feel mortified. At this rate, there was no point in shooting. All the conversations they were having were unusable.
“Um… I’m sorry, but would it be possible to change the topic of conversation?”
When the employee made the request with great difficulty, Han Jin-seo immediately untied his legs and put on the image of actor Han Jin-seo. The questions and tone of voice he offered were all as wonderful as what he usually showed on broadcast media. Indeed, his acting skills alone were top-notch.
Kwon Young-je responded appropriately to this. His external image was just as false as Han Jin-seo’s. The elegant smile he occasionally wore was captured on camera.
“Thank you for your hard work. We’ll end the shoot here!”
The shoot, which had lasted for about thirty minutes, came to an end. As the surroundings were in disarray due to the cleanup, Han Jin-seo tapped Kwon Young-je on the shoulder. He leaned his face towards the man, who was glaring at him fiercely, and whispered secretly.
“I’m okay with a threesome too. I don’t think it would be bad to roll around with someone like you, Executive Director.”
He threw out the vulgar suggestion and readily stepped back. Although the distance had widened, he had thoroughly smeared Kwon Young-je with his blatant Alpha pheromone in the meantime.
“Are you interested?”
“Han Jin-seo-ssi.”
Kwon Young-je also slowly raised his lowered gaze. The black eyes staring directly at Han Jin-seo were chillingly cold.
“Do you want to end your acting career?”