By Zephyria 
Early in the morning, Butler Do climbed the stairs and headed to the second floor. When he knocked on the bedroom door, Seo Yi-kyung came out.
“He arrived a moment ago and is currently downstairs.”
Today was the day of Seo Yi-kyung’s regular check-up. Because of this, Seo Yi-kyung had been waiting on the second floor for the attending physician to arrive.
As Seo Yi-kyung appeared on the first floor, the physician spotted him and bowed in greeting.
“The child’s health condition is good.”
Leaning his back against the headboard of the bed, Seo Yi-kyung listened intently to the physician’s words. The room was filled with the sound of a heart beating at regular intervals.
“Are you experiencing any dizziness or difficulty sleeping? I was told that you are continuing to suffer from morning sickness.”
Instead of answering, Seo Yi-kyung nodded. Some days, he would fall into a deep sleep as soon as he laid down his exhausted body, while on other days, he would toss and turn, unable to sleep.
The physician then turned around and recited a list of foods that would be beneficial for Seo Yi-kyung to eat before bed to Butler Do. Having listened to everything, Butler Do replied with a troubled expression.
“I have been providing those, but his food intake is so small that…”
Butler Do’s voice trailed off, his face full of worry. Even though he couldn’t finish his sentence, the physician spoke as if he understood completely.
“He was already on the frail side, and with the morning sickness on top of that, he likely lacks the energy to eat.”
The physician did not forget to give a warning and advice to Seo Yi-kyung as well.
“You must refrain from any activities that put a strain on your body, and although it may be difficult to eat, you must try your best to maintain a good diet.”
* * *
“I will convey that to Director Han as well.”
Secretary Park finished the call and slid the phone into his inner pocket. He then immediately returned to the Director’s Office.
Secretary Park approached Han Seung-jae, who was sitting on the sofa. The dress shirt draped over his broad shoulders shifted, and the classic cufflinks fastened to his sleeves moved. Han Seung-jae’s gaze as he flipped through the documents was scathing.
“This is a renewable energy source that can be used continuously, no matter how much is consumed.”
The man sitting opposite Han Seung-jae spoke incessantly, saying only what he wanted to say. This was causing Han Seung-jae to frown. It seemed that securing an investment from this was now out of the question.
Secretary Park spoke calmly.
“I believe we have heard sufficient explanation regarding the research proposal for the business. We will contact you at a later date.”
The man’s lips fluttered several times as if he had more to say. The glasses he was wearing became crooked. Nevertheless, Secretary Park escorted him out and closed the door.
Han Seung-jae gave a slight flick to the document he was looking at. Secretary Park took the document and gripped it in his hand. Han Seung-jae stood up and headed toward the desk. Secretary Park followed behind him.
“I received word that the check-up was completed a moment ago.”
As Han Seung-jae sat at the desk, Secretary Park stood facing him.
“How is his condition?”
Though Han Seung-jae’s eyes remained cold as he asked, they seemed slightly softer than before.
“He is experiencing morning sickness.”
“I am already aware of that. And?”
Cutting Secretary Park off cleanly, Han Seung-jae took the stack of approval documents on the desk and opened them. In that brief moment, Secretary Park quickly finished his thought and spoke.
“It is a baby boy.”
Han Seung-jae, who was about to sign, finally looked up. Secretary Park added with a solemn gaze.
“Director Im Jeong-yun will visit the house this afternoon with the painting.”
“A boy.”
For some reason, Han Seung-jae seemed to be repeating Secretary Park’s words to himself. After a short silence, Secretary Park asked.
“And shouldn’t we also inform President Han?”
The ‘President Han’ Secretary Park referred to was Han Seung-jae’s father. Just that thought seemed to make Han Seung-jae feel unpleasant again as he muttered.
“Is it necessary for me to step forward and tell him?”
Even if Han Seung-jae didn’t say anything, his father was the kind of person who would find a way to discover the check-up results regardless. If only to satisfy his curiosity about whether the child Seo Yi-kyung was carrying had a high probability of manifesting as an Alpha.
Moreover, he might already know by now that it was a boy.
* * *
A line of cars stopped in front of a town house located in Seongbuk-dong. Director Im Jeong-yun stepped out of the car she had arrived in. After ringing the bell, she walked through the garden with the laborers who were carrying the painting.
“He is currently in the painting studio.”
Having visited once before, Im Jeong-yun walked leisurely, following Butler Do. She gave a bright smile toward Min Ra-hyeon, who was sitting on the sofa.
“Hello. I see you here.”
Min Ra-hyeon, who was drinking coffee, looked bewildered. Soon after, the laborers carrying the painting passed before his eyes.
“Young Master, a guest has arrived.”
Butler Do knocked and then opened the door to the painting studio. Jin Seon-yu, who had been painting, looked back. The brush in his hand pointed downward. Seo Yi-kyung also rose from his chair.
“I see you were painting.”
Director Im Jeong-yun treated Seo Yi-kyung with a bright, eye-smiling expression.
Seo Yi-kyung stared at her blankly for a moment. He had heard that someone was coming to the house, but he had assumed it was the attending physician who had visited in the morning.
However, the painting he had seen at the Art Atelier Museum was now being hung prominently on the studio wall. Jin Seon-yu also stared at the painting with wide eyes.
“…”
Suddenly, Seo Yi-kyung noticed Min Ra-hyeon standing in front of the open studio. Min Ra-hyeon, who had also been looking at the large painting being hung on the wall, looked at Seo Yi-kyung as if sensing his gaze.
“I only heard from Secretary Park that someone was coming, so I wasn’t aware.”
Seo Yi-kyung turned his gaze to Butler Do, who was speaking in flustered tones. Hearing Butler Do’s words, Im Jeong-yun smiled broadly.
“When I told them that you saw this painting that day, they asked me to bring it so they could see it in person.”
The person who said they wanted to see it in person would have been Han Seung-jae. Seo Yi-kyung looked back at the studio entrance once more. However, Min Ra-hyeon, who had been standing by the open door, had already disappeared.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Butler Do, having managed to regain his composure, stepped forward to see Director Im Jeong-yun out.
The studio, which had been crowded with people for a moment, rapidly became quiet. Jin Seon-yu, still holding the brush in one hand, looked at the painting on the wall as if possessed before finally snapping back to his senses. He turned his gaze toward Seo Yi-kyung standing beside him and spoke.
“I can’t believe this ended up hanging here.”
Jin Seon-yu could not hide his admiration. He had gone to the museum with Seo Yi-kyung to see the painting, and because he knew exactly what the value of this painting was, he felt even more so.
Then, noticing that Seo Yi-kyung’s face, unlike his own, was sunken as he looked at the painting, he approached the canvas with his brush and took his position. From the outside, the couple looked harmonious and as if they were getting along well. However, it was possible that only the two of them knew the exact nature of their relationship.
“Yi-kyung.”
Seo Yi-kyung, who had been looking at the painting on the wall, looked back. Because Jin Seon-yu was standing facing the canvas, his face was not visible. Thus, it was impossible to tell what expression he was making.
“I’ll paint this for you since you asked me to, but…”
Despite that, Jin Seon-yu’s voice sounded warm.
“To be honest, I’ve never dated anyone, so I don’t really know. Still, once you give this painting away and have nowhere to go, come to my house.”
Step, step. Seo Yi-kyung moved.
“What if I actually believe those words, move in, and never leave?”
He approached Jin Seon-yu and stood beside him. Jin Seon-yu lightly massaged Seo Yi-kyung’s shoulder while looking at him. Seeing Seo Yi-kyung smiling, Jin Seon-yu let out a small chuckle in return.
“Well, then you’ll just spend the rest of your life traveling and playing with me.”
Jin Seon-yu vigorously brought the brush to the canvas once again.
* * *
Inside the fast-moving car, Han Seung-jae moved his fingertips while looking down at a tablet PC. He was leaving work earlier than usual.
Ever since he heard from Secretary Park that the painting had arrived at his home, he couldn’t suppress the impulse to know what expression Seo Yi-kyung was wearing while looking at it, and so he left the office.
“We have arrived.”
As Han Seung-jae stepped out of the car, he handed the tablet PC to Secretary Park. Secretary Park received the tablet and bowed.
“I will come to pick you up tomorrow.”
“Alright. You may go.”
In winter, the sun set quickly. Han Seung-jae crossed through the garden, which was softly lit by lights that seemed to brighten the darkness. As he entered the house, a warmth lingered, unlike the outside.
“Director Han, you’ve arrived.”
Butler Do hurriedly came out to greet him.
“How would you like to handle dinner?”
“Prepare it. With some alcohol to accompany it.”
Since he had arrived in time for dinner for once, it wouldn’t be bad to have a drink with Seo Yi-kyung.
“More importantly, is he on the second floor right now?”
As Butler Do took the coat Han Seung-jae had removed with both hands, he answered.
“No. He is currently in the painting studio.”
“That’s perfect.”
Min Ra-hyeon, who spotted him, approached. However, Han Seung-jae continued walking without giving Min Ra-hyeon a single glance.
Eventually, Han Seung-jae grabbed the doorknob of the painting studio and opened the door.