By Zephyria 
Kim Hui-won answered with his hands behind his back.
“Yes, it certainly had that nuance.”
It was somewhat embarrassing to say it himself, but it was a fact that Executive Director Kwon Young-je also needed to know. So, along with the envelope of money he had received, he reported every single one of Madam Lim Seo-ran’s eccentric behaviors.
“She also said she’d like it if we got married, if possible.”
“Isn’t she a bit young to be senile?”
Executive Director Kwon Young-je straightened his head, which had been tilted back. Even after hearing the whole story, he maintained an indifferent attitude, as if it were someone else’s business.
While he was opening the money envelope, Hui-won dabbed the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand. He couldn’t shake the belief that Kwon Young-je would offer some kind of solution.
“Why don’t you talk to her directly, Executive Director? It’s better to clear up misunderstandings as soon as possible.”
“Is there really a need to do that?”
The fifty-thousand-won bills peeking out from the envelope’s opening flipped over like the pages of a book. Kwon Young-je played with the money as he spoke.
“I don’t think it’s so bad to be misunderstood.”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t have to listen to annoying nagging, my mother will be comfortable for a while, and Secretary Kim gets a bonus. Isn’t it a win-win for everyone?”
He neatly pushed the protruding money back into the envelope. He slid it to the edge of the desk, as if telling Hui-won to take it back.
“…You’re just going to leave it as it is?”
“Now that we’re always together, misunderstandings like this will happen all the time. Are you going to explain every single time?”
“At least to Madam Lim.”
“Secretary Kim has already made it clear that we don’t have a personal relationship, and my mother is just harboring false hopes on her own. There’s nothing to clear up, so what more is there to say?”
Hui-won had nothing to say in response to his point-by-point rebuttal. Nevertheless, a lingering unease remained in a corner of his mind, preventing him from leaving.
Kwon Young-je, who had been watching, rose from his chair. His tall frame stretched upwards, quickly dominating Hui-won’s view.
He opened Hui-won’s jacket and directly shoved the money envelope into his inner pocket. As the substantial weight increased, his long fingers lightly brushed against the chest of his shirt.
Kwon Young-je flicked the jacket with his index finger and said,
“Don’t worry about things that aren’t your concern, and just do what you’ve been doing.”
It was far from affectionate, but strangely, Kwon Young-je’s words had the power to reassure people. Hui-won nodded slightly. He couldn’t tell if the feeling of security in his chest was thanks to Kwon Young-je or the allowance filling his jacket.
A faint smile appeared. Hui-won neatly closed his open jacket and said,
“Like Madam said, there’s no chance of us falling for each other, right?”
“…Get out if you’re going to talk nonsense.”
He had thrown out the words as a joke, but the other party responded with a face possessed by an evil spirit. Hui-won smiled awkwardly and averted his gaze.
He understood clearly. Regardless of traits, the probability of affection developing between him and Executive Director Kwon approached zero.
That night, a fundraising event was scheduled.
Five minutes before the event started, a black sedan stopped in front of the hotel’s main entrance. A doorman formally opened the rear door. Kwon Young-je stepped out with an indifferent expression.
In a black three-piece suit with his hair swept back, he was clearly a handsome Alpha male. The wealth that peeked through, even though he tried not to show it, drew stinging gazes.
At the same time, Hui-won, who had been in the passenger seat, also got out on his own. Perhaps because of the occasion, he too had put in some effort. He wasn’t as dressed up as Kwon Young-je, but he wore a more expensive suit than usual, and his bangs were neatly swept back, revealing his smooth forehead.
Hui-won took the lead, acting as a guide. He stopped briefly when he reached the banquet hall where the event was being held. From now on, the person who had to step forward was not him, but Executive Director Kwon. As if they had rehearsed it in advance, Kwon Young-je opened the heavy double doors and confidently entered.
Amidst the dazzling lights that sparkled like stars, the fundraising night event began. Champagne glasses were stacked in towers between the fresh flower arrangements and glass sculptures, and people were busy chatting in groups of three or five, each holding a glass of alcohol.
Kim Hui-won watched Kwon Young-je from a position a few steps away. When he moved, he followed, and when he talked to someone, he listened intently with his eyes fixed on the floor. It was the proper demeanor of an executive secretary to act like a shadow, while being keenly aware of every action of the person he served.
Then, someone requested a private meeting with Kwon Young-je. Because it was a topic that needed to be discussed discreetly, it was necessary to move to a separate location.
As it happened, there were several terraces inside the banquet hall, and they could be screened off with curtains, making them perfect for secret conversations. While Executive Director Kwon was talking inside, Hui-won stood guard in front of the curtains like a loyal dog, preventing others from approaching.
Bored with waiting, he looked around the banquet hall. Because it was such a large event, he could easily spot celebrities and other famous people.
Having attended so many parties and events, they all seemed trivial to Hui-won. More than that, the unidentified pheromones mixed in the large space made his nose tingle.
Kwon Young-je must have been experiencing this every time. It wasn’t easy.
He was gradually realizing things these days that he hadn’t known when he was a Beta. The pheromones that had been considered a privilege weren’t always a good thing.
He wondered if he would make a mistake. Because he was constantly suppressing his pheromones, his fatigue was several times greater than when he was a Beta. Hui-won tilted his neck from side to side, releasing the tension that had built up in his body, even if only for a moment.
“Hello.”
Just then, someone stood close to him and greeted Hui-won. Since no one would talk to him, a secretary, Hui-won’s eyes immediately widened. He quickly composed himself and returned the formal greeting.
“Yes, hello.”
The other person was a stranger. Moreover, he looked to be in his mid-twenties. His youthful features made Hui-won wonder about his identity.
He quickly searched his mental database, but he knew nothing about this man. However, judging by the tuxedo he was wearing, he was likely a key figure at this event.
“You’re Secretary Kim Hui-won, right? Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Hyun-shik, the administrator of the Hanbit Medical Foundation.”
“I’m sorry for not recognizing you. I’m Kim Hui-won.”
They shook hands with a formal introduction. Kim Hyun-shik, the administrator… He must be the second son of Chairman Kim Jong-hwan of the Hanbit Medical Foundation. Hui-won paused for a moment. This person is an Alpha.
Pheromones are like a type of body odor. No matter how neatly you control them, traces remain. It was the minimum indication that allowed you to tell whether the other person was an Alpha or an Omega.
“If you’re looking for Executive Director Kwon Young-je, he’s in a meeting right now.”
“He’s busy. I was hoping to take this opportunity to say hello.”
Unlike his regretful tone, there wasn’t a hint of disappointment in the man’s expression. Rather, he seemed genuinely happy as he smiled brightly at Hui-won.
Because he dealt with so many people, Hui-won was quick to catch hidden intentions just by looking at expressions and listening to voices. Was this person really smiling because he was happy, or was it a businesslike attitude, or did he have other ulterior motives? The man was the last case.
Hui-won stood with his hands politely clasped and bowed his head.
“I will be sure to pass on the message to the Executive Director.”
“Then I would appreciate it. You’re a very good secretary. You have great proportions, and you seem trustworthy in many ways.”
“Thank you.”
“I can’t stand people who are prejudiced against Omegas. What kind of era is this? Ability is more important than traits.”
The man chuckled and looked down at Hui-won. He was currently using his pheromones to suppress the Omega in front of him. It wasn’t out of any particular animosity, but simply out of curiosity. He was curious. An Omega secretary. It was a bet he had made with his acquaintances. Could he maintain his composure even in this situation? Of course, he had bet on the “no” side.
“……”
However, Kim Hui-won simply stared at Administrator Kim Hyun-shik, maintaining a calm expression. He didn’t even change his expression; he was no ordinary person.
“Administrator, are you feeling unwell?”
“Huh?”
“Your pheromones are very unstable. You seem to need a rest; why don’t you go and take a break?”
The man burst into a hollow laugh at the sight of him being worried about instead. However, his face turned crimson as he noticed the gazes gathering on him.
“What are you talking about, damn it….”
The administrator muttered to himself with a frustrated tone. He couldn’t control his emotions easily, as befitting his young age. He wiped his flushed face carelessly and left without saying goodbye.
Hui-won straightened his posture. He responded to the people looking at him with a calm smile, turning his gaze as if nothing had happened. He didn’t seem to care at all about what had just happened.
But the hand behind his back was clenched into a tight fist. The violent pheromones of the Alpha made it feel like the lunch he had eaten a while ago was coming back up his throat. He swallowed the rushing nausea and chills, struggling to put on a calm facade and pretend to be at peace.
Hui-won closed his eyes tightly and laughed inwardly.
Living as a sentient, it’s really like being a dog.