By Zephyria Seo Gyu-won’s wake was prepared, but there were no guests at the funeral hall. This was because Seo Jeong-won hadn’t informed anyone of his passing. In truth, there wasn’t really anyone to contact. The contacts saved on his phone were barely ten or so. Even then, most were related to the flower shop, and Kang Da-hyun was the only one with whom he had a personal connection.
“…It’s supposed to be noisy.”
Seo Jeong-won muttered quietly. Seo Gyu-won’s wake had no food, no guests. Only Kwon Tae-hee staunchly guarded the spot on one side of the dining area. He seemed busy, but Seo Jeong-won couldn’t understand why he kept staying with him. He had told him several times that he was fine if he was worried about him being alone at the wake, but Kwon Tae-hee didn’t even pretend to listen.
Seo Jeong-won, having quietly withdrawn his gaze, looked again at Seo Gyu-won’s portrait. Because he didn’t have any photos taken, he had printed a large version of his ID photo, making Seo Gyu-won look much younger than Seo Jeong-won was now.
“…Haa.”
At the sound of a shallow sigh, Kwon Tae-hee’s eyes turned to Seo Jeong-won. Only his profile was visible as he looked up at the photo, but his features were definitely sharper than they had been a few days ago. His cheeks were pale, almost sickly, and his lips, which had once been a soft rose color, were chapped and white.
He didn’t even seem to have any tears left, just red, bloodshot eyes staring at Seo Gyu-won’s photo. The mourning clothes, which seemed to swallow his thin frame, made Seo Jeong-won look even more pathetic.
Why did he look so pitiful? It was impossible to take his eyes off him. For three days, Kwon Tae-hee had been by Seo Jeong-won’s side, taking care of him while also handling his piled-up work. Whenever he had a spare moment, he made a list so that Seo Jeong-won could choose how to proceed with the remaining funeral arrangements.
“Ha.”
It was definitely not a leisurely situation, but since he couldn’t leave Seo Jeong-won alone, he had no choice but to endure the inconvenience. It was then, as Kwon Tae-hee was running a hand through his hair in frustration, that a tall figure caught his eye. Chief Jung had come to the wake, even at this late hour. He awkwardly held a white envelope, placed it in the unattended donation box, and then approached Seo Jeong-won.
Even with the presence of someone, Seo Jeong-won’s gaze didn’t return. Chief Jung, realizing that he couldn’t exchange bows with Seo Jeong-won, finished his condolences with a floral tribute and incense offering.
“I’m late. I’m sorry.”
Chief Jung went straight to the table where Kwon Tae-hee was sitting and handed him the prepared document envelope. Kwon Tae-hee nodded lightly and checked the documents one by one. There were no significant changes from the data he had been constantly receiving, and his brow furrowed involuntarily.
“The construction cost reduction isn’t significant. Even if I were a member of the union, if the construction cost was only 100 million won less than Guwon Corporation, it wouldn’t really resonate with me. The union members proposed a project cost of 1.5 trillion won. Would Chief Jung be happy with a reduction of 100 million won?”
“I will re-establish the promotional strategy with a focus on more appealing proposals.”
“What about us bearing the construction cost increase due to price fluctuations before construction starts?”
“That would be a very… groundbreaking condition. Disputes between the union and the construction company often arise due to construction cost increases, so if we bear the increase as Executive Director said, there would be no reason for the union to not choose us.”
Kwon Tae-hee nodded and pressed his fingers to his temples. With the selection of the construction company approaching and Seo Gyu-won’s funeral overlapping, he was spending busy days without even having time to close his eyes.
“Everyone else will be as sleepless as I am with the selection coming up, so Chief Jung, please make sure they eat well.”
“Yes, I will schedule a breakfast meeting when you return next week. And there are a few more items that need your confirmation.”
Chief Jung, not missing the opportunity, placed the tablet in front of Kwon Tae-hee. These were things that he couldn’t handle on his own, so Kwon Tae-hee’s approval was absolutely necessary.
“You’ve brought a lot of work.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“It’s not Chief Jung’s fault.”
Kwon Tae-hee smiled briefly and lightly touched the tablet. He carefully read the reports and signed them one by one. Chief Jung sat quietly and opened his mouth when the approvals were nearing completion.
“More than that, where will Seo Gyu-won be buried…”
“It hasn’t been decided yet. As you can see, Seo Jeong-won is not in a state to confirm anything.”
Kwon Tae-hee answered, handing over the tablet with the final signature. His gaze was fixed on Seo Jeong-won, who was curled up in a ball.
“Oh, and book an appointment with an Omega specialist obstetrician.”
“May I ask what that is for?”
“He’s pregnant.”
“…Yes?”
Seo Jeong-won was overworking himself without even knowing that a baby was growing in his belly. That was why Kwon Tae-hee couldn’t leave his side even more. The probability of miscarriage is high in the case of first pregnancy, what if something happens when he is not by his side.
“Is Song Hae-seop pregnant?”
Chief Jung naturally understood that Song Hae-seop was pregnant. Although they had ended their relationship, that was the original purpose, and he was an Omega. For a brief moment, he even thought it was a relief. Even though it wasn’t his place to judge, seeing Seo Jeong-won withering away, he thought it would be better to end his relationship with Kwon Tae-hee as soon as possible. Even he, who was completely unrelated, couldn’t just stand by and watch Seo Jeong-won.
“No, Jeong-won is.”
“Yes? Why, no, isn’t he a Beta?”
“He’s an Omega. He didn’t tell me he had manifested, and he spent his first Heat with me. I thought it would be difficult for him to get pregnant because his traits seem to be more recessive than recessive, but it’s a relief.”
“Th, that… I see. Yes, that’s a relief. Does Seo Jeong-won know about this?”
Light chestnut eyes stared intently at Chief Jung. Why would he ask that? Would it change anything whether he knew or not? He was going to have his child, and they would get married anyway.
“He’ll find out soon.”
“Ah…, then the shock must be great. Really… how could this happen.”
Chief Jung muttered as if he was truly sorry. His Hyung’s death and pregnancy at the same time. It was like a series of bombs exploding one after another without even having time to recover from the shock. He absolutely shouldn’t know what kind of relationship Seo Gyu-won and Kwon Tae-hee had. If he found out, how much more… He remembered the simple life of Seo Jeong-won, whom he had learned about while investigating him, who had no one to rely on.
¸.•¨•¸.•¨•¸.•¨•¸
It was before heading to the crematorium. Kwon Tae-hee was trying to help the staggering Seo Jeong-won into the car when he saw a truck speeding towards them as if it was going to cause an accident, and he hugged his thin body protectively. Screech— At the same time as the sound of tires screeching, a familiar face jumped out of the stopped truck.
“Hey! Seo Jeong-won! Crazy, it’s true. It’s true! You crazy bastard!”
Seo Jeong-won, who had been listlessly looking at the ground, finally raised his head at the familiar voice. Kang Da-hyun was standing there, dressed in an ill-fitting black suit, panting. His eyes were red and swollen, as if he had been crying.
“Ah.”
“You… you crazy bastard, huh? Huh? Is that all you have to say?”
“…How did you come?”
“How small is this town, how could the rumor not spread that you’re here doing this? Mrs. Lee’s daughter, who comes to pick apples, works in the administrative office here, you bastard. You… what’s wrong with you? Huh?”
Kang Da-hyun rubbed his eyes roughly. Even as he came here, he didn’t really believe it. If his Hyung had died, he would have sent out a notice. No matter how out of it he was, if he had even prepared a wake, he would have notified him, even if it was late. Thinking that, he finally faced Seo Jeong-won in front of the funeral hall. He was just upset rather than feeling empty. He looked so pathetic holding the portrait.
“Fucking…”
It only seemed that his face had become so small that it would disappear at any moment. He was so pale, almost white, that if you put a piece of paper next to him, you wouldn’t be able to tell what was paper and what was Seo Jeong-won.
“You crazy bastard…”
Seo Jeong-won broke free from Kwon Tae-hee’s arms and approached Kang Da-hyun. Then, lightly patting his shoulder as he cried his heart out in place of him, who could no longer cry, he sighed.
“Thank you for coming. I’m sorry I didn’t contact you… I was too out of it.”
“Jeong-won. Jeong-won, you…”
“I’m not okay. But… nothing changes even if I’m not okay. I’ll contact you soon. Thank you for coming.”
Kang Da-hyun looked down at the pale hand that was weakly holding him and sobbed again. Just by looking at him, Seo Jeong-won’s condition was too bad. He wondered if he had eaten anything at all, and even his breath was weak. Seeing the hearse flashing its emergency lights, it seemed like they were going to the crematorium now, but could he endure it in that state?
“I’ll go with—”
Before he could finish speaking, Seo Jeong-won shook his head. He smiled weakly and opened his mouth.
“What for? You must be busy.”
“…”
“Just go. I have to go too. Goodbye.”
As Seo Jeong-won turned around, Kwon Tae-hee, as if he had been waiting, put him in the passenger seat. Before going around the hood of the car to get into the driver’s seat, he stared intently at Kang Da-hyun.
“What, what if you see me?”
Kang Da-hyun mumbled, rubbing his eyes roughly with his sleeve. He just felt sorry and pitiful for Seo Jeong-won, and tears came out. Where is there a guy who holds a funeral like that? Kang Da-hyun sobbed loudly, kicking the ground with his shoes.