PO 30

Lee Doyoung threw the umbrella to the ground as soon as the car that had dropped him off disappeared from sight. That wasn’t enough, so he kicked the umbrella and he stomped on it until it was ruined.

He pulled out his phone and he called somewhere, and as soon as the call connected he yelled.

“Hey. Where are you? I told you to come early and wait.” While Lee Doyoung grumbled in an annoyed tone, a sedan sped from the end of the alley and it screeched to a halt in front of him.

Lee Doyoung got into the passenger seat, and he shook his rain-soaked hair. The man at the wheel lowered the speaker volume, and he asked.

“Where should we go?”

“Go wherever you want.”

“Ah, fuck. Every time your heat comes you act prickly like this. Why do your eyes look fine today, not red? Are you okay?”

“Shut up and just drive.”

Lee Doyoung shouted in irritation. He had gone to the Pheromone Center late at night and he had gotten a high-dosage suppressant injection, so of course the symptoms had settled.

When he dumped Woojeong on Yoon Hyunjun at the whiskey bar and he went out alone with Han Jaegang, Lee Doyoung had been full of excitement.

Although he wasn’t naturally fragrant, Lee Doyoung was also an omega. When the heat cycle started, dense pheromones flowed out.

There weren’t many alphas who could stay composed in front of an omega in heat. Even if he was a dominant alpha, Han Jaegang was still only an alpha with instincts.

“It looks like a heat cycle. Am I right?”

“……Yes.”

“Let’s go together for now.”

The fact that he first suggested going together and confirmed whether it was a heat cycle was clearly a positive sign. Lee Doyoung was thrilled at the thought that he could spend the night with him, and he had a hard time controlling his face.

It didn’t take long for him to realize something was wrong. There were many hotels nearby where they could stay. But Han Jaegang closed his eyes without saying anything, and his secretary just kept driving the car.

Lee Doyoung briefly hoped that maybe he would take him to the Snow Reflection Residence, but Han Jaegang’s car entered the entrance of Hansae Medical Center.

“Jaegang-ssi. Why here……”

“It looks like you passed the stage where suppressants you take can solve it. Don’t make yourself suffer, and let’s deal with it at the Pheromone Center.”

As soon as his words ended, the secretary made a phone call and reported that they would arrive soon.

The situation was so absurd that Lee Doyoung barely managed to swallow down the irritation boiling up inside him.

If he was going to make him solve the heat with medicine, then why did he drag him out at all? But he couldn’t openly say that he actually wanted to ease his heat through sex with him, after being brought here by Han Jaegang.

Han Jaegang, as if he had no idea of Lee Doyoung’s real intention, guided him to the Pheromone Center.

Although it was late at night when all general consultations had ended, there was no inconvenience in using the hospital. That was because a small number of employees who had been notified in advance were waiting and they greeted Han Jaegang.

“Get treated and come out.”

Han Jaegang saw Lee Doyoung off in front of the consultation room. The words asking him to come in with him rose up to the tip of his tongue, but bothering him would do no good.

“I’ll come out soon.”

An elderly doctor carefully examined Lee Doyoung’s condition. The treatment was so attentive that while he lay on the bed and received the suppressant injection, he felt a little less irritated.

While the medicine mixed into the IV entered his body, the signs of the heat cycle gradually began to subside. Lee Doyoung felt his body grow comfortable, and he exhaled in relief.

This wasn’t the solution Lee Doyoung had wanted. But the fact that Han Jaegang had prepared the medical staff this late at night for his sake left him satisfied.

“Did you receive the treatment?”

Lee Doyoung fell asleep without realizing while the suppressant entered his body, and he hurried out of the room. But Han Jaegang wasn’t in the waiting room, and instead his secretary waited for him.

“Where is Jaegang-ssi?”

“Executive Director had an urgent matter come up suddenly, so he left first.”

“At this hour?”

“Yes. He told me to tell you he was sorry that he couldn’t wait. I will escort you home, so let’s go.”

Normally, he should have caused a big commotion, but he couldn’t show that kind of behavior in front of Han Jaegang’s secretary.

Han Jaegang, who had left without a word, couldn’t even be reached. It was only after arriving in front of his house that Joo Yeongmo connected the call with Han Jaegang.

-How is your body?

“Thanks to you, I feel better. The suppressant must be really effective.”

-The medicine might be a little different. If you rest deeply for half a day, your body will recover completely. I am sorry I couldn’t wait today. You are not upset, right?

“No. Of course not. Did you handle the urgent matter?”

-Yes. Thanks to you. I am glad you are fine. Ah, and the Pheromone Center will contact you soon. Since I remembered, I asked them to, so get a check-up with your family.

Han Jaegang’s attitude was impossible to understand. He looked after unexpected parts like a check-up at the Pheromone Center with meticulous care, but he was always indifferent to Lee Doyoung’s feelings.

“Doyoung-ah. I thought it was about time you would call me, so I took medicine too.”

“What medicine?”

“A rut stimulant.”

The man laughed without noticing Lee Doyoung’s reaction. But because he had dropped everything and rushed over as soon as he was called, Lee Doyoung answered bluntly in return.

“Why did you take something like that?”

“See. You never appreciate my sincerity. I did it all for you. After I take this, a rut starts in about half a day. Look at the heat in my body now.” The man’s claim that he had timed his medication to the unpredictable start of a heat cycle was most likely a lie, but Lee Doyoung didn’t feel bad.

When Lee Doyoung teasingly placed his hand on his center, the man exaggeratedly groaned.

“Hey. That stimulant, does it work well?”

“Do you still not know while you are touching me now?”

“Does it maybe have a version for omegas?”

“Of course. In fact, that probably sells even more. Do you know how many crazy alphas there are?”

“Then get me that medicine.”

“What are you going to do with it?”

“I have a use, that is why I am asking. So stop talking and just get it.” When the man nodded in agreement, Lee Doyoung lifted the corners of his lips and smiled.

It seemed most likely to be nothing more than simple curiosity, but Yoon Hyunjun looked as if he had a different intent toward Woojeong.

Otherwise there was no reason for him to keep trying to pull Woojeong into his gallery, even making flimsy excuses that Woojeong had talent and that he wanted to raise him properly.

Persuaded by his smooth words, Lee Doyoung had given permission without thinking much, but leaving Woojeong to attend his workshop didn’t sit well with him.

While Lee Doyoung wondered if there was no good way, he caught a hint from the man’s words. If the timing matched well, then he could resolve the concern easily without effort.

•••

After finishing his classes, Woojeong, who had stayed shut inside the house all the time, got an unexpected good opportunity. He began working at Yoon Hyunjun’s gallery.

Several days had passed since he started going to work, but he still felt stunned. It was surprising that such a chance had come, but it was even stranger that his mother and his older brother hadn’t opposed and had allowed it.

Woojeong’s desk was temporarily set on the third floor of the gallery. Yoon Hyunjun explained that he could spend a few days on the third floor and adjust to the atmosphere, and then he could move to the workshop.

Besides Woojeong, there was one more employee who had worked at the gallery for a long time. Park Suyoung, who managed the gallery’s affairs, seemed very close to the director.

“Director. You know I am on vacation starting tomorrow, right?”

“Really? I didn’t know.”

“I told you I am going to Europe with my boyfriend. For a week.”

“Then, what about the work during that time?”

“I already handled all the urgent tasks, and for the time being there is nothing special to take care of.”

Even Woojeong, who didn’t know much about social life, felt that their conversation had something a little unusual. Yoon Hyunjun touched his chin and seemed to think briefly, then he nodded right away as if he understood.

He was kind to everyone, and that attitude was no exception with the gallery staff.

“Alright, go and come back. If anything happens, Woojeong-ssi can help me.”

“Yes.”

“Ah. I am going out now, but if Jaegang comes later, tell him I will be a little late.”

Woojeong answered that he understood. Since the two of them had been longtime friends, there was nothing unusual about Han Jaegang stopping by the gallery.

Not long after Yoon Hyunjun left, Park Suyoung also went out for external business. On the quiet third floor of the gallery, only Woojeong remained alone. Woojeong stretched his arms, and he quietly opened a book from his bag.

Although he was diligently going to work, Woojeong still had no real tasks assigned. He only answered the phone when it rang, or helped with small requests when someone asked.

He doubted that extra hands had really been needed, but for Woojeong the gallery was a far more comfortable space than the house. Woojeong used the spare time to resume preparing for the qualification exam he had registered for but had not taken.

As he quietly focused on the workbook, Woojeong yawned softly and adjusted his posture. Maybe it was the spring weather. His body felt languid, and his eyelids grew heavy again and again.

He told himself that he shouldn’t do this at work, but it was tempting to close his eyes for a short time.

Woojeong promised himself that he would only sleep for five minutes, and he lay down and closed his eyes. Without even trying to fall asleep, drowsiness came easily.

“…….”

Woojeong exhaled in comfort as something warmly wrapped around his body. A cautious touch brushed his forehead and cheek, and a familiar scent tickled his nose.

Even as he recognized that someone had come close, he couldn’t open his eyes.

How long had he slept like that? Woojeong woke and he rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. But since the drowsiness had not fully left, he blinked vacantly, and then he suddenly realized that his shoulder felt heavy.

A suit jacket he had never seen was draped over his shoulder. Woojeong held the collar in his hand, and he looked around the gallery.

Someone had entered the gallery that had been empty. A man with combed hair sat quietly with his back to Woojeong, wearing a light striped shirt.

He could only see the man’s back, but there was no need to ask who he was. The scent on the jacket told him who it was.

Although he hadn’t been that deeply asleep, why hadn’t he sensed any presence? Woojeong removed the jacket and carefully folded it.

Although the man must have felt his movement, he didn’t turn around. Until Woojeong came closer, he only looked quietly at his phone.

“You came.”

After a brief hesitation, Woojeong greeted him, and the man lifted his head.

“…….”

His jawline stood out, and his face looked a little thinner than before. Because of the glasses, shadows fell at the corners of his eyes, making him look somewhat tired. He lightly pushed up the frame on the bridge of his nose, and he spoke.

“It has been a long time. Have you been well?”

“Yes. Director Yoon asked me to tell you that he would be a little late.”

“I heard.”

He answered briefly, and he began typing something into the message window on his phone. The way he did that looked exactly like he meant not to be spoken to, so Woojeong draped the jacket over the sofa and bowed his head slightly in greeting.

He sat at his desk and picked up his pen again, but his attention fixed entirely on him, so the words didn’t enter his eyes properly.

Although the two of them were there, the gallery was silent. Woojeong quietly observed the man’s back.

As he stayed like this with no words exchanged, Woojeong finally realized how considerate Han Jaegang had always been to him. Even when they had first met at the Snow Reflection Residence, he hadn’t been as cold as he was now.

To feel hurt by the change was really a foolish thing. Woojeong pressed his face into his palm and closed his eyes.

He couldn’t understand at all what he wanted to do.

“Please give me a glass of water.”

Woojeong jumped up from his seat. He filled a cup at the dispenser and set it on the table, and Han Jaegang gestured to the seat across from him.

“If it is fine, sit for a moment.”

When Woojeong sat opposite, he tore open a packet of medicine he held. Five tablets fell onto his palm.

“Where…are you unwell?”

“There was just a problem.”

Leaving behind an answer Woojeong couldn’t interpret, Han Jaegang swallowed the medicine with the water he gave him.

The way he took the pills looked weary. He furrowed his brows, crushed the empty packet in his hand, and then he looked at Woojeong.

“How about you, Woojeong-ssi. Are you living comfortably?”

Woojeong lowered his head. He intended to say yes, but he couldn’t open his mouth. Even though his worries had disappeared, nothing seemed to have changed.

“You don’t look comfortable. You have an examination booked at the Pheromone Center this weekend, right?”

Thanks to Han Jaegang’s arrangement, Woojeong’s family was to be examined at the Pheromone Center in Hansae Medical Center. His parents had already finished the special check-up for VIPs early, and this weekend Lee Doyoung and Woojeong were scheduled to visit the Center together.

“I know you feel burdened, but after the check-up let us meet briefly. I have something to say.”

“……Yes.”

After hearing Woojeong’s answer, Han Jaegang picked up a memo pad and pen from the table. He quickly wrote something and slid the note to Woojeong.

“It is Secretary Joo’s phone number. After the check-up, contact this number.”

“Oh, you were here?”

Although there were two people, only silence had filled the gallery, but a lively voice now rang out. Yoon Hyunjun was walking quickly toward them. Woojeong hastily snatched the memo from the table and hid it in his hand.

“Why are you so busy?”

“Sorry. I will buy lunch to make up for it, so let’s talk while we eat. Ah. Woojeong-ssi, you haven’t had lunch yet, right? Come with us.”

Woojeong wanted to decline, saying he was fine, but there was no need to say it. Han Jaegang had already stood, taken his jacket, and patted Yoon Hyunjun’s back as he spoke.

“I have something to talk about. Today let’s go together, just the two of us.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Han Jaegang gave Woojeong a short nod as greeting and walked ahead. Caught in the middle, Yoon Hyunjun forced an awkward smile with an embarrassed look.

“…Woojeong-ssi, not today. We will go together next time. Hey, come on, let’s go.”

He asked for Woojeong’s understanding, and he hurried after Han Jaegang. The sound of their footsteps and their voices grew more distant.

Left alone again in the empty gallery, Woojeong unfolded the memo he held. He couldn’t take his eyes off the handwriting for a long time.