By Zephyria 
The moment he heard that gentle voice, the back of his neck threatened to stiffen. Hui-won massaged his rigid neck and forced out a calm voice.
“Yes, hello.”
– I’m at the Apex headquarters right now. If you have time, could I meet you?
“Me… you mean?”
Why was he looking for him, not Kwon Young-je? He had no particular connection with Lee Ha-jin. As he was pondering this, Lee Ha-jin added in his characteristically cheerful voice.
– I have something to ask you, Secretary. Ah, and I’d like you to keep it a secret from Hyung. Is that okay?
“……”
– It won’t take long. About five to ten minutes? If you’re busy now, I’ll wait. I’m free, so I have plenty of time.
He seemed quite determined. Though he spoke lightly with a laugh, his clear intention to meet Hui-won today was unmistakable.
Hui-won pushed his desk back. He stood up abruptly from the swiveled chair and smoothed his disheveled appearance with his remaining hand.
“Where should I go?”
Lee Ha-jin was waiting in the B3 parking lot. When Hui-won went down, he spotted a foreign car with its hazard lights on, idling conspicuously.
“Secretary!”
As soon as Ha-jin, who was waiting outside, saw Hui-won, he raised his arm high. As if greeting someone he was genuinely happy to see.
Hui-won gave a slight bow and then walked straight over. It was quite meaningful that they were meeting in an underground parking lot instead of a cafe. Just what did he want to talk about?
“Get in.”
Lee Ha-jin opened the rear door. Hui-won slid inside, and Ha-jin quickly sat down beside him. Thud. With the sound of the closing door, a heavy silence settled inside the car.
There was no driver, leaving just the two of them. Hui-won scanned the empty front seats and slowly swallowed. This space was already starting to feel uncomfortable.
“Can we finish this quickly? I can’t leave my post for long.”
“I know. Since you’re busy, I’ll get straight to the point, okay?”
Lee Ha-jin tilted his upper body slightly.
“I’m not sure if I should ask this… but given my nature, I have to clarify it.”
The preamble was long. Hui-won turned his head and stared at the man sitting beside him. Unlike Lee Ha-jin, who wore a constant smile, Hui-won’s expression was unreadably calm.
“Are you… dating Young-je Hyung?”
As expected, he knew that’s what he would ask. The question was exactly as predicted, not deviating an inch. Hui-won smiled bitterly.
“The Young-je Hyung I know isn’t the type to keep an Omega by his side. Of course, it must be because Secretary Kim is that good at his job… but still, it’s not a typical situation.”
“……”
“I heard you’ve been with Young-je Hyung for a long time. That must mean you’re an important person to him, right?”
Lee Ha-jin began chattering on his own. For someone asking a question, he didn’t seem very interested in Hui-won’s answer. It seemed more important for him to spill what he wanted to say.
Lee Ha-jin rested his cheek on his hand, elbow propped on his crossed knee. He stared intently at Hui-won, his gaze uncomfortably clear.
“I’m seriously considering marrying Young-je Hyung. Honestly, it’s not a bad idea. My parents would welcome him with open arms.”
“Executive Director Kwon likely has no such intention.”
“Yeah, I don’t have romantic feelings either, but our interests align. As for Young-je Hyung, I just need to persuade him. He cares about me more than he lets on. I’m confident.”
“……”
“Anyway, since I’m a low-grade, I hardly produce any pheromones, so living with Hyung shouldn’t be a problem. But I’d rather not break up someone else’s couple… I’m quite thorough about that part. So I wanted to ask in advance.”
Hui-won let out a long breath. The exhale that sank to the floor sounded like a sigh even to his own ears. That’s how stifled he felt.
The other party was even considering marriage with Kwon Young-je. He didn’t seem to harbor any particular feelings either. How much of his private life should he disclose to such a person? Normally, he wouldn’t have hesitated to answer: I’m just his secretary.
“We’re not dating, we just sleep together.”
But the honest words spilled out. Hui-won had to admit it. This answer stemmed more from emotional impulse than rational judgment.
“Ah.”
Lee Ha-jin also seemed slightly surprised.
I see… So, you’re sex partners? Even his muttered whisper was loud in the quiet car.
“No wonder you seemed close. I told you I have a good eye for these things?”
But as if he was never surprised, he returned to his lively expression.
“So, you’re not dating? Then there should be no problem with proceeding with the marriage?”
Hui-won was momentarily speechless and could only stare blankly at the person beside him. Lee Ha-jin paid no attention to that reaction and just kept reciting his own thoughts.
“Hmm… You can keep your relationship as it is now. Since it’s just a sexual partnership, at best it’s physical release, not mixed with genuine feelings. I can tolerate that sort of thing just fine.”
Lee Ha-jin was already acting as if he had a marriage promise with Kwon Young-je. It sounded so absurd and ridiculous. Hui-won found himself laughing weakly without realizing it.
“If you wish, you can even continue after the marriage. Capable, handsome Alphas keeping a second is common in business circles, right? As long as you’re discreet and avoid rumors. And Hyung is very good at that sort of thing anyway.”
Second. The short word pressed down heavily on the back of Hui-won’s neck. So that’s all he was considered to be. As if cold water had been poured over his head, his boiling heart cooled and hardened. Hui-won rubbed his stiffened lips with his sweaty, damp hands.
“Mr. Lee Ha-jin.”
At the calm tone, Ha-jin turned his head. It was the immature, innocent face Kwon Young-je had described. The unique purity of someone raised with nothing but love in a wealthy family felt somewhat nauseating.
“That is a matter for me and the Executive Director to discuss. Why should I have to hear this from you, Mr. Lee Ha-jin?”
“Ah… that’s true, but.”
“As you said, Executive Director Kwon Young-je is someone who knows how to handle himself. I’d prefer you not to involve yourself further in private matters.”
“…Did I upset you?”
“Yes. I find it quite unpleasant.”
“I’m sorry…. I was too hasty.”
Lee Ha-jin scratched his cheek slightly. Unable to meet Hui-won’s eyes, he kept his gaze fixed around his own knees but continued with what he had to say.
“But the Young-je Hyung I know will eventually agree. So please don’t think this is too abrupt. I’m saying this out of consideration for you too, Secretary Kim.”
He chewed on his lip. The cheeks flushed with shame had lost their redness and returned to their natural color.
“I understand for now. I apologize again for my inappropriate words and actions.”
“May I go now?”
As Lee Ha-jin nodded, Hui-won opened the car door without delay and got out.
Even after escaping the stifling car, the tightness in his chest wouldn’t ease. His insides churned so much he desperately craved a cigarette, something he hadn’t touched in ten years.
He immediately started walking. His refined posture and pace were no different from usual, but a fiery anger was rising in Hui-won’s eyes.
If Kwon Young-je were to get married, he would be the one to end this relationship first. A second wasn’t even worth worrying about.
***
After that day, Lee Ha-jin began an active offensive. He frequently called Kwon Young-je, and sometimes even showed up at the company. Most of the time, Kwon Young-je was too busy, so he left empty-handed.
Today, Lee Ha-jin had come to the company on a whim. Luckily, it was during a gap in the schedule, so they could meet, but Kwon Young-je didn’t seem pleased.
As Kwon Young-je leaned his upper body back against the sofa, Lee Ha-jin, sitting opposite, quickly propped his chin on both hands and leaned his face closer. A sweet, bubblegum-like scent wafted from somewhere. Lee Ha-jin was exerting his pheromones with all his might.
“What time do you finish today? Want to have dinner with me? If the timing works, let’s go see an exhibition too.”
“What are you doing right now?”
“Can’t you tell? I’m trying to seduce you, Hyung.”
Lee Ha-jin answered shamelessly instead. He was making full use of his friendship with Kwon Young-je. Confident that this difficult man would never reject him outright, he boldly threw out advances without fear.
“Go away.”
Kwon Young-je moved only the tip of his chin, as if annoyed. It was true he tolerated a lot from Lee Ha-jin. Even now, he was letting Ha-jin freely emit his pheromones. Anyone else would have undoubtedly been scolded without a second thought.
Knock, knock. A light knock sounded, and Hui-won entered the office. He had brought tea for the guest. Doing this himself instead of having a subordinate do it was because the guest was Kwon Young-je’s personal acquaintance.
After he entered, Kwon Young-je’s gaze shifted from Lee Ha-jin and landed solely on his secretary. He persistently watched until Hui-won placed the teacup down with an indifferent expression. But Secretary Kim focused only on setting the teacup, as if completely unaware of the gaze.
“Hyung, you’re fine with my pheromones right now, aren’t you? Doesn’t that mean you’re almost fully recovered?”
The teacup clattered noticeably. Hui-won quickly withdrew his hand and curled his fingers into a fist. As he straightened his bent back, Kwon Young-je’s gaze had already returned to the person sitting across from him.