By Zephyria 
The Hyokwang Group’s 70th anniversary celebration also served as the inauguration ceremony for the next Chairman, and was held on an unprecedented scale.
Hundreds of people gathered in the large hall. Prominent figures from home and abroad were invited, and everywhere you looked, there were guests with wealth and fame.
Kwon Young-je was also on the guest list and attended the banquet hall. Dressed in a black suit, he swept his hair back, looking more dashing than usual.
Kwon Young-je’s appearance and luxurious demeanor were noticeable even from afar. Without taking any special action, people flocked to him. Originally, such events were no different from social gatherings. The fact that so many people sought him out in such a place meant that Kwon Young-je’s stock was high.
Kim Hui-won assisted Kwon Young-je from a reasonable distance. He moved like a shadow, but his eyes reacted quickly to his every move. A secretary should never stand out. Especially at such official events, he should never step forward before being called.
Even in the midst of countless greetings and conversations, Kwon Young-je did not lose his characteristic composure. The superior charm of a Dominant Alpha was melted into his refined attitude and restrained demeanor.
How could anyone not pay attention? Hui-won had to control his unusually turbulent heart as he secretly stole glances at his boss’s face.
“Young-je Hyung.”
Taking advantage of a brief lull, someone called out to Kwon Young-je in a friendly voice. His handsome face turned to the side, and the moment he confirmed the other person’s face, a look of surprise crossed Kwon Young-je’s expression.
“Lee Ha-jin?”
As a man with a youthful impression approached with a bright smile, Kwon Young-je readily opened his arms. The two hugged each other without being conscious of other people’s eyes.
Lee Ha-jin? It was the first time Hui-won had heard the name. But he could tell that he had a special relationship with Kwon Young-je.
The genuine smile on his face, the affectionate skinship, and Kwon Young-je’s appearance, which was rare at official events, could not help but surprise Hui-won as well.
“Hyung, how have you been? It’s been a long time.”
Lee Ha-jin grinned, revealing his even teeth. Kwon Young-je still had an unbelievable expression on his face.
“What’s going on? When did you come to Korea?”
“A week ago. I’ve completely returned.”
“I had no idea.”
“I was deliberately hiding it. Seeing Hyung’s face, I think I surprised you properly.”
A server holding a tray approached at the right time and offered wine. The two stood by the secluded wall, each holding a glass of champagne. They intended to continue the unfinished story in a place where other people’s eyes could not reach.
“Actually, I manifested a while ago. I’m an Omega.”
Kwon Young-je paused for a moment at the short confession.
“That’s even more surprising.”
He tried to answer as if nothing was wrong, but his back, which had been leaning against the wall, straightened up. He hid his discomfort by taking a sip of champagne.
Lee Ha-jin frowned. He was also one of those who knew Kwon Young-je’s neurosis.
“Fortunately, it’s recessive. Without the help of medicine, pheromones don’t come out. Unless I reveal it first, everyone thinks I’m a Beta.”
“When exactly?”
“It’s been about a year. Haa, thanks to that, I wandered around a bit. Omega manifestation at this age? It’s ridiculous, to be honest.”
Kwon Young-je’s gaze naturally passed Lee Ha-jin and went to his secretary. Kim Hui-won was sure to be listening to the conversation as well. But even so, his expression was calm without a single disturbance. He was a person who was good at hiding his emotions.
“It’s not funny at all.”
Kwon Young-je curtly dismissed it. The gaze that had touched Hui-won’s face soon fell away.
“Yeah, then that’s a relief…”
Lee Ha-jin just smiled brightly, not knowing the situation. He completely twisted his upper body and looked at the man standing next to him.
“Hyung, you seem to have changed a lot since I last saw you. You’ve become cooler? So you’re an Executive Director now?”
“Are you already flirting because you’ve become an Omega?”
“Will you fall for it if I flirt?”
Kwon Young-je replaced his answer with a snort. Suddenly, Hui-won came into Lee Ha-jin’s eyes. Who on earth was the man standing in a neat posture? He was just staring at Kwon Young-je, and it was strange to see him keeping his distance.
Seeing Ha-jin like that, Kwon Young-je also turned his gaze. With a slight nod, Hui-won, who had been stuck like a fixture, naturally approached.
“Introduce yourself, my secretary.”
“Ah, I see! Hello. I’m Lee Ha-jin. Kwon Young-je’s close younger brother.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Hui-won.”
After the introductions, an awkward silence fell for a moment. But even that didn’t last long. It was because Ha-jin was recognized here and there even though he was hiding in the corner. Lee Ha-jin lightly patted Kwon Young-je’s shoulder, saying he would go and greet his acquaintances.
“Hyung, see you next time. I’ll contact you.”
“Ha-jin-ah.”
Kwon Young-je called his name softly. He warned Ha-jin, who had turned around, in a low voice.
“Be careful.”
At that, Ha-jin made a circle with his finger and smiled. He seemed satisfied that Kwon Young-je, who was still taking care of him, was still indifferent but unchanged. Before long, he mingled into the complex crowd.
As soon as Lee Ha-jin disappeared from sight, Hui-won carefully stood next to him. He couldn’t resist his curiosity even though it wasn’t his place to step in.
“You seem very close.”
“We’ve known each other since we were young. We also studied together in the United States. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him… I didn’t know he had manifested in the meantime.”
“Are you okay? Are you uncomfortable?”
“I’m okay.”
Kwon Young-je answered as if it was nothing, drinking the remaining champagne. In fact, Lee Ha-jin had almost no pheromones. As he said, unless he revealed it himself, it was impossible to realize that he was an Omega.
Hui-won nodded quietly. If Kwon Young-je was okay, he didn’t have to worry about it.
But why did he feel so uneasy? He felt strangely suffocated and had to check the area around his tie once. A long, empty breath escaped.
After that, he was able to hear Kwon Young-je’s explanation about Lee Ha-jin.
He was 27 years old, his family had a close relationship, and they were both born as only children and lived like brothers. He was raised like a precious son as the child of a construction company, so he was a little immature. That’s why Kwon Young-je took care of him so much.
As the event was coming to an end, he ran into Lim Seo-ran in the process of moving places. She was talking with Lee Ha-jin. Her usual picky appearance was gone, and her smiling face was quite unfamiliar.
“Executive Director Kwon, did you say hello to Ha-jin? It’s been a long time since the two of you have seen each other, right? I was so happy too.”
She greeted the two in an elegant voice. Kwon Young-je consistently showed a cold gaze.
“I did.”
Even after hearing the callous answer, Lim’s smile showed no signs of disappearing. She warmly stroked Ha-jin’s back as if he were her own child.
“Oh my goodness, our Ha-jin manifested as an Omega.”
“Auntie… I told you it’s recessive.”
“What if it’s recessive? What’s the big deal when you’re so pretty! It’s all the same. Dividing traits into classes is useless. Don’t be discouraged. Okay?”
Lim looked at Lee Ha-jin with affectionate eyes. It was as if honey was dripping from her eyes at how much she loved him.
“So, are you here in Korea for good?”
“Yes. Now I have to work and earn money too.”
“Are you going to join your father’s company?”
“I’m going to. I’m taking classes hard now.”
“How admirable, Auntie should buy you a suit.”
The friendly conversation continued like a flowing stream. From the titles to the eyes, they were almost like a family.
Hui-won was standing alone, one step away from them. He felt like an invisible line was drawn in front of his feet. Of course. That was originally the position of an attendant.
“If you’re not busy, would you like to have lunch together tomorrow? How about at Auntie’s house after a long time?”
“I’d love to.”
Lee Ha-jin answered with a bright smile. His smile was so carefree and refreshing. He could feel at once that people who grew up well at home had that kind of feeling.
“Executive Director Kwon, can you take Ha-jin home?”
Lee Ha-jin waved his hand, saying it was okay, but unexpectedly, Kwon Young-je answered that he would. There was no reason to refuse.
After the event, Lee Ha-jin joined the car that was parked in front of the lobby. He sat in the seat next to Kwon Young-je as if he was used to it and pulled the seat belt.
“Do you have a separate place to stay?”
“No, I can just go to my parents’ house.”
Ordinary conversations went back and forth. Kwon Young-je immediately took out his cell phone and said to Hui-won, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
“Secretary Kim, check the address.”
“Yes, Executive Director.”
Hui-won entered the address he received via message into the car navigation system. After that, he straightened his back and looked straight ahead.
The atmosphere was clearly divided based on the seat. Laughter and conversation continued in the back, while those sitting in the front remained silent with expressionless faces.
Both he and the driver were like NPCs in a game. Beings that move according to predetermined settings. It was clear that the main characters were the people sitting in the back. They couldn’t join the conversation unless they spoke first.
“Wow, but the smell is so good. Is this Hyung’s pheromone?”
“You say it’s recessive, but you smell pheromones like a ghost.”
“No, but there’s a really good smell. It’s like bergamot, but a little sweet? That’s strange. Why does it smell like Omega pheromones are mixed in?”
Lee Ha-jin was no ordinary bloodhound. He quickly recognized the pheromones of the two people in the car. However, he didn’t seem to realize that the subtle sweet smell was Hui-won’s.
That was because both of them always locked their pheromones tightly at external events. It was difficult to detect pheromones unless they were close. Lee Ha-jin lowered his head and sniffed Kwon Young-je’s neck.
Knowing it was a joke, Kwon Young-je lightly pushed Ha-jin’s head away instead of scolding him.
“Let me smell it a little! Will it wear out?”
“Don’t do anything useless.”
“I’m really smelling Kwon Young-je’s pheromones. But it suits Hyung well. I’m saying this sincerely.”
No matter how much they bickered, a friendly atmosphere was felt in the conversation they shared. Hui-won glanced at the auxiliary mirror attached to the front. He could see Kwon Young-je’s face faintly smiling.
Why did he feel like his stomach was upset even though he hadn’t eaten dinner? He slightly pulled down the stuffy tie knot as the schedule was over. Nevertheless, the feeling of constriction in his throat did not disappear easily.