By Zephyria 
==
Beep, beep-beep, beep. After the barcode scanner finished processing the triangle kimbap, bread, beer, cup noodles, and sausage, the man in the hoodie stuffed the items into his front pocket. Holding the cup noodles and the beer can that wouldn’t fit in each hand, the man lingered, hesitating to leave even though his business was done.
“Would you like to eat with me?”
“Excuse me?”
“I bought enough for us to eat together.”
“…Ah, I’m fine.”
For about a month now, the man had stopped by the convenience store every single day without fail, staring intently as if he had something to say. A few days ago, he started striking up conversations. Are you a minor? Until what time do you work? If I wait, can we talk for a bit? While one shouldn’t judge a person by a few words, the sudden question about whether he was a minor gave Eun-won an inexplicable chill, and he couldn’t help but be on guard from then on.
Looking up at the man from behind the counter, Eun-won couldn’t hide his troubled expression as he repeatedly declined the man standing before him.
“Then let’s just share a can of beer.”
“…Uh, I’m in the middle of working.”
“What if I wait until you’re finished?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Despite the rejection, the man remained, staring at him with a face that felt somehow frightening. As Eun-won instinctively stepped back, the sound of the convenience store door opening echoed. That melody, which he heard dozens of times a day and usually felt nothing toward, now felt incredibly welcome.
“Welcome.”
The person who entered the store was wearing a suit. While that wasn’t unusual, Eun-won felt that this person hadn’t come to buy anything. And just as he suspected, the man walked straight up to the counter.
The man glanced at Eun-won, then turned his head to look down at the man in the hoodie who still hadn’t left. His gaze seemed to ask if he had any further business there. Sensing the look, the man in the hoodie quickly fled the store as if escaping. Only then did the man look back at Eun-won and bow politely.
“Hello, Young Master.”
“…What?”
“The Madam is waiting for you.”
“…I don’t know what you mean by….”
Flustered by the sudden greeting and the words that were difficult to process all at once, Eun-won waited for the man to continue.
“Chairman Seo Jun-hyeok sent me.”
The moment he heard that name, Eun-won’s lips, which had been lightly closed, parted. It was a name that had never truly accepted him as family, yet it remained the name of his father to Eun-won. Even though six years had passed since he last saw him.
Six years ago, he had met his father—who had only just discovered his existence—and his father’s wife exactly once. And that was the end. The only words he received were that a child born and raised in secret, especially an omega, could not be acknowledged and was not needed. After that, there was no further contact. Eun-won had tried his best to live while forgetting the memories of that day.
“…Why me….”
Why did they suddenly want to see him? They could have just continued living as strangers, as they were now… Why on earth?
“The Madam will explain. Please come with me.”
“…Now?”
“Yes. I will escort you immediately.”
“…Uh, I’m working right now, so I can’t just leave my post.”
“Permission has already been granted.”
Eun-won’s lips just quirked in confusion, not understanding what kind of permission had been granted how, when his phone vibrated. Eun-won checked the phone inside his convenience store uniform vest. It was a message from the store owner.
[Owner: I heard everything]
[Owner: Hurry and go]
[Owner: I’ll be there soon]
[Owner: Don’t lock the door]
[Owner: The neighbor agreed to watch the place]
Dumbfounded, he looked up to find the man in the suit bowing slightly, offering to escort him again.
“…Can I change my clothes first?”
“Yes. Please do.”
Leaving the counter, Eun-won quickly entered the small locker room inside the storage area and closed the door. The Madam—the woman he had seen only once six years ago, just like his father, and who had obviously looked at him with distaste—was waiting for him.
“…….”
Why… why does she want to meet me? Why so suddenly…? Did she just find out that my mother passed away…? No, even so, is there any reason to seek me out…?
After taking off his uniform and grabbing the backpack he had brought straight from school, he stepped outside to find the man—who looked like either a bodyguard or an employee—still standing there. Feeling awkward and burdened by the man’s excessively polite and formal demeanor, Eun-won followed him.
“I will take you to the main residence in Baekdam-dong.”
A large black car was waiting in front of the convenience store. Eun-won gave a light nod to the man who opened the rear door and announced the destination, then climbed inside. His heart, fluttering with confusion and shock, wouldn’t settle, beating fast—thump, thump.
The destination, which took about 40 minutes to reach, was a very unfamiliar place. This was especially true since he had never been to the house of the man he called father, even six years ago.
The staff member standing at the entrance recognized the car and immediately cleared the way. The car drove through the main gate and stopped in front of another entrance.
As soon as the car stopped, a woman there opened the door. Stepping out while awkwardly glancing around, Eun-won hugged his backpack tighter against his chest.
“Hello, Young Master. It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am the butler, Kang Min-young. You may call me Butler Kang.”
“…Ah, hello. I’m Seo Eun-won.”
“I am so glad you’ve come, Young Master Eun-won. I will show you inside. The Madam is waiting for you.”
“…Ah…. Yes….”
“I will take your bag.”
“Ah…. No. It’s okay….”
Seeing Eun-won refuse because he felt he couldn’t be without his bag, Butler Kang smiled and guided him toward the garden.
Beyond the second entrance inside the main gate lay a garden. The well-maintained garden looked like a famous botanical garden. Despite it being night, the lighting was bright and sparkling; it was so vast that it seemed it would take at least 30 minutes to walk through it all.
After walking a short distance along the path crossing the garden, he finally arrived at the place that could be called a ‘home.’ Eun-won followed Butler Kang inside.
“Eun-won, is that you?”
As soon as he entered the foyer, a face that could not be called familiar, yet could not be called a complete stranger, approached him, calling his name with great warmth. Due to the dissonance, Eun-won could do nothing but stare at the approaching Madam.
“Oh my, you’re still as beautiful as ever. I’m so glad to see you.”
Despite six years having passed, the Madam hadn’t changed a bit, as if time had bypassed her. No, she almost looked younger than before. He had heard she was a famous actress before her marriage, and seeing her up close, it finally felt real.
“……Hello.”
“You must have been surprised by the sudden contact, right? I’m sorry, I should have come myself, but something came up. I’m glad it’s not too late. It wouldn’t make sense for me to be late when my son is coming home. Let’s go inside.”
…Son? It was strange enough that she had called him suddenly, but the way she welcomed him so affectionately and referred to him as her son left him even more speechless. Eun-won could do nothing but follow the Madam as she gently patted his back and led him into the house.
“If it’s before dinner time, would you like to eat first? I’ll have them prepare it immediately.”
“Ah… no. I’m fine. I’ve already had dinner.”
“Is that so? Then let’s talk over tea and dessert. Butler Kang, please bring out what was prepared. Ah, Eun-won, sit here.”
With a smile, the Madam directed Eun-won to sit on the sofa and sat right next to him, rather than opposite. Eun-won now found it difficult to even breathe properly.
“How is university? Is there anything difficult?”
“…No.”
“I heard you’re working at a convenience store. When did you start that job?”
“…I did it throughout high school… I quit for a while, and it’s been about three months since I started again.”
Uncomfortable questions continued. He only had to answer truthfully, yet the words didn’t flow easily. As if giving Eun-won a moment to breathe, Butler Kang arrived with tea and desserts and explained their taste, ingredients, and aroma.
“Thank you, Butler Kang. Please leave us alone for about an hour. I want to talk comfortably.”
“Yes, Madam.”
After seeing Butler Kang bow politely and leave the drawing room, the Madam picked up a piece of pie and placed it on Eun-won’s plate.
“I’m sorry for not looking after you all this time. I heard you went through a hard time three years ago.”
“…….”
“I don’t know if you know, but we also had a tragedy two years ago.”