PO 52

Woojeong cut a piece of steak and carefully put it in his mouth. He was tense because he thought she might vomit while eating, but fortunately he managed to swallow without trouble. This time he put a slightly bigger piece of meat into his mouth and he chewed it thoroughly.

It was as if morning sickness had waited until he knew he was pregnant, and it suddenly got worse. His stomach churned all day, and his head ached.

For several days he couldn’t eat properly, then when he finally found food that suited his taste, Woojeong forgot for a moment that Han Jaegang sat in front of him and he focused only on eating.

“Didn’t you eat lunch properly?”

Han Jaegang, who had been watching, moved a piece of untouched steak to Woojeong’s plate. Woojeong had almost emptied his own plate, he gave an awkward smile and reached his fork toward the steak.

It was exactly like Chief Choi had said, that when you have a child you start doing things you normally never did. When the food he craved was in front of him, he couldn’t resist. Woojeong said he was fine when he offered to order another steak, but once a fresh plate was set in front of him his appetite returned. He only felt like he came back to his senses after finishing the very last piece.

“It must have suited your taste.”

“……Yes.”

Woojeong answered shyly and looked down at the shortcake topped with plump apple mango. Han Jaegang raised the corner of his mouth when he noticed that he wanted to eat it.

“Go ahead and eat.”

Woojeong didn’t refuse and picked up the dessert fork. The sweet taste of the cake made him smile.

It was a strange thing. Because of morning sickness he often couldn’t eat anything and vomited the whole day, but whenever he happened to have dinner with Han Jaegang, he sometimes managed to eat well like today.

“Oh, Han Jaegang?”

While Woojeong was absorbed in the dessert, he suddenly turned his head at a strange voice. A man who called Han Jaegang’s name approached their table with a smile. Han Jaegang put down the glass of water he had been drinking and looked at him with a blank face.

“It really is you, Jaegang. What brings you here?”

“Do you think I would have some other business than eating at a restaurant?” Han Jaegang asked back as if the question was pointless. The man, who looked about forty, ignored his answer and showed interest in Woojeong. Woojeong felt uncomfortable with the sticky gaze that scanned him, so he quietly set down his fork.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Han Jaegwan, Jaegang’s cousin.”

“Hello……”

“Have we met somewhere before? I feel like your face looks familiar.”

“Stop saying nonsense and go back to your group.” Even though it was obvious that he wasn’t welcome, the man grinned and spoke again to Han Jaegang.

“Jaegang. I heard you even renovated the Snow Reflection Residence, and they say Jaehee visited not long ago. Ah, right. So that’s who he is.”

As something came to mind, Han Jaegwan clapped his hands and turned toward Woojeong.

“You’re the younger brother of the person Jaegang met on a blind date, right? I heard the rumor late, so my greeting is late. They say you live at the Snow Reflection Residence? I wondered why Jaegang brought someone into the Snow Reflection Residence, and now I see. You’re extremely beautiful. So are the two of you living…?”

“Yes.”

Before the question even ended, Han Jaegang answered. Woojeong felt uneasy about whether he should have said that, but Han Jaegang wiped his mouth with a napkin and set it down as if he had nothing more to say.

“Yes? Wow. Han Jaegang is living with an omega? But why did you ruin the family of the blind date partner more than that? I really wondered about that. Honestly it was your fault, so why did you do that?”

“Stop thinking you can just get everything easily, and if you’re curious then find out yourself.”

“Hey. Does Grandfather know about this too?”

“Go and ask him yourself. We were just about to leave, so if you’re done then go eat.”

Han Jaegang rebuked the arrogant Han Jaegwan with a cold voice and called a staff member. When Han Jaegwan reached out to say he would pay, Han Jaegang brushed his hand away roughly, and Han Jaegwan gave an awkward smile.

“You brat, acting so harsh. Well then, let’s meet again sometime.”

When they left the restaurant, Han Jaegang let Woojeong get into the car first. While he went to the driver’s seat, Woojeong kept replaying the words of the man who claimed to be Han Jaegang’s cousin.

Han Jaegang had never shown it, but Woojeong felt troubled, thinking that he must have had many bothersome things happen to him because of him and his family.

Not long after, he got into the car and placed a packed cake box on Woojeong’s lap. Woojeong took it reflexively and looked at him with startled eyes.

“Eat it at home.”

“…….”

“You had to stop eating because of those pointless words.”

Han Jaegang spoke casually and pulled out his phone to check something. Woojeong, hugging the big cake box and staring out the window, hesitated for a long time before asking him.

“……Isn’t it bad if other people know I’m at the Snow Reflection Residence?”

“People who would know already know. Why? Is there someone you must keep it secret from?”

Han Jaegang couldn’t have missed that he said it out of worry for him and not for himself. When Woojeong silently shook his head, he set down his phone as if that settled it. He moved the cake box from his arms to the back seat and started the engine.

“There’s nothing that you need to worry about, so don’t trouble yourself.”

He advised in a low voice, but Woojeong only nodded and couldn’t say he understood.

“Do you want anything else besides the cake?”

“The cake alone is enough.”

“Tell me if you think of something. We can stop on the way.”

Han Jaegang gently caressed Woojeong’s cheek and then took the wheel. As the car left the parking lot and entered the road, Woojeong silently looked at the passing scenery through the window.

Worry that he couldn’t find a way to speak about always weighed down on Woojeong’s chest.

•••

Woojeong, in pajamas, walked slowly and sat on the edge of the bed. He stared blankly at the checkered rug at his feet and then took a candy out of his pocket.

When he unwrapped it and put it in his mouth, the cool lemon scent spread inside his mouth. Just like Chief Choi had said, candy worked quite well to calm morning sickness.

Woojeong let the candy melt in his mouth and left the room. After they had dinner together and came back, Han Jaegang was again working in his study. Woojeong walked quietly to the study and knocked after hesitating for a moment.

He thought it was strange that there was no sound, then the door suddenly opened.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

Han Jaegang, standing at the door, asked while looking down at Woojeong.

“I can’t sleep. ……Can I sleep in your room, Executive Director?”

When Woojeong stayed beside him, the morning sickness subsided. When he wasn’t there, the room or clothes or the things he often used that carried his pheromones seemed to help somewhat. So whenever he was home, Woojeong stayed around him.

“When I’m not there, you seem to use my room without a problem.”

“……”

“Go rest first. You look tired.”

As if he knew that Woojeong often used his bed, he gestured naturally toward the bedroom. Woojeong turned away from Han Jaegang who went back to his desk and headed to his bedroom.

When he pulled up the blanket on the bed and lay down, he felt the thick pheromones wrap around his whole body.

Woojeong, who was lying silently in the dark room, placed his hand on his lower stomach.

“……”

He recalled the doctor’s words that he had to eat well and sleep well and take care of his health so the baby could grow safely in the womb, and he closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep. The pheromones lingering in the bed wrapped Woojeong warmly and let him sleep comfortably.

Woojeong fell asleep. From some time, he often woke up in the middle of the night.

When he turned in his sleep, Han Jaegang, who was lying right next to him, pulled him close and embraced him.

“……”

Woojeong put his head on Han Jaegang’s arm, he listened to his breathing. The calm breaths sounded peaceful.

He placed his hand carefully on Han Jaegang’s palm who stretched out his arm, and he held it. Even in sleep, Han Jaegang held Woojeong’s hand, and his breathing remained calm.

When Woojeong longed for the warmth of his body, he turned carefully to face him. He lay without moving as if he was in deep sleep.

Woojeong stared quietly at his face, and after hesitating for a long time, he opened his mouth.

“They said…… I’m pregnant.”

His whisper was so small that even if Han Jaegang was awake, he might not hear it. After speaking out the secret he had kept hidden tightly by himself, Woojeong felt tears welling up in his eyes, and he stopped speaking.

The doctor who diagnosed the pregnancy advised him to go to the Pheromone Center for a detailed examination, but Woojeong went instead to a small center near the gallery rather than to his primary doctor.

<The pregnancy of a male omega requires special care. It is not easy to maintain the pregnancy itself. In your case, you must be even more careful.>

The doctor, looking at the test results, continued speaking with a worried face. Woojeong’s anxiety only grew.

The doctor explained repeatedly what Woojeong had to be careful of and urged him to take special caution.

<If the baby’s father is a dominant alpha, the mother is greatly influenced. You are weak, and your sensitivity to your partner is quite high. Though rare, if the mother recognizes the baby as belonging to another alpha, it is very dangerous. Both the mother and the baby could be at risk.>

“But because of me, the baby might not be able to grow properly.”

Woojeong spoke in a voice as small as an ant, and his eyes grew wet.

“……I need your help, Executive Director, but I don’t know how to bring it up.”

He couldn’t even guess how Han Jaegang would react when he heard he was pregnant. He feared he might say that he didn’t want the child.

But it wasn’t something he could delay forever. The words that the baby might be in danger made his heart grow impatient. Now Woojeong had a life he had to protect.

Tomorrow he must say it. He must tell him and consult him. Woojeong leaned his forehead on Han Jaegang’s chest and inhaled his pheromones.

‎

‎

When Woojeong opened his eyes again, the place where Han Jaegang had been was empty. Four in the morning. It was too early for him to be awake and moving.

Woojeong sat up and looked at the slightly open door. At this dawn hour, he heard strange voice, and he wondered who it was.

Woojeong got off the bed and walked silently toward the door. Through the crack of the open door, the living room was brightly lit.

He saw Joo Yeongmo and Kim Junghyun there.

“I will give you the medicine first.”

“If he receives this medicine, does he pass the dangerous stage?”

Han Jaegang was sitting on the sofa with his arm given to Kim Junghyeon. Kim Junghyun, who had been bent forward in front of him, stood up and let out a deep sigh.

“Let’s watch for about ten minutes first. Is the pain severe?”

“……I can endure it.”

“Executive Director, you should lie down.”

Joo Yeongmo tried to support his shoulder and lay him down, but with his hand on his forehead, Han Jaegang pushed him away. Kim Junghyun stopped Joo Yeongmo who tried to help him lie down.

“You don’t have to lie down. Stay in the position that is most comfortable.”

The lowered voice sounded as if they were exchanging a secret. Seeing that a doctor came at this hour, it was clear something happened to Han Jaegang.

Woojeong, who was about to open the door, froze with his hand on the knob because his name came from Joo Yeongmo’s mouth standing beside Han Jaegang.

“Why is this happening suddenly? Since Lee Woojeong entered the Snow Reflection Residence, the director’s condition has been stable. We thought it was thanks to Lee Woojeong’s pheromones, so we were relieved, but why is it happening again?”

“Diseases related to pheromones have too many variables, so it is hard to predict. We need to test to know for sure.”

“But until now, there were no other problems.”

“That is true. Until now, Executive Director had been living exposed naturally to Lee Woojeong’s pheromones, and the symptoms clearly improved.”

Woojeong stood at the door and listened to the conversation. From the flow of the conversation, he could already guess that something was wrong with Han Jaegang’s body. But he couldn’t understand why his name came up in the middle of such a talk.

Kim Junghyun sat at Han Jaegang’s feet and began to question him while looking up.

“Executive Director. If there are things I must know, please tell me everything. The feeling you had is important. Have you felt as if Lee Woojeong’s pheromones have changed recently? Have you ever felt a rejection reaction? Have the previous symptoms appeared again?”

He asked in succession, but he heard no answer from Han Jaegang, and Kim Junghyun let out a long sigh.

“Doctor. Could it be that Lee Woojeong’s pheromones have lost their effect now?”

At Joo Yeongmo’s nervous question as he stood restlessly, Kim Junghyun lifted his tablet and started to check. He showed the tablet to Joo Yeongmo and continued to explain.

“That is not it. If you look here, the figures of this item are maintained well. Until now no drug has ever improved it this much. Until he suddenly complained of pain today, there were no other abnormal findings.”

“Then why is this happening? This will not cause a problem in Executive Director’s heart again, right?”

At the word heart, several memories flashed through Woojeong’s mind. The day Han Jaegang collapsed at the Snow Reflection Residence, the time he met him at the pheromone center while he was hospitalized, and even during the time they lived together, he sometimes made a pained face and put his hand on his chest.

Was it all because of heart disease? But whenever Woojeong asked where it hurt, he always brushed it off, saying it was nothing. Why did he try so hard to hide that he was sick?

“…There was nothing that showed as clearly effective for Executive Director’s illness as Lee Woojeong’s pheromones. That is why I advised to increase the contact no matter what.”

“Yes. That is why Executive Director’s condition was stable until now.”

“That is right. But now that this has happened, we must find another way just in case.”

“What countermeasure could there be?”

Kim Junghyun hesitated to answer for a moment, then opened his mouth with difficulty.

“I once told Executive Director about this before, but there is a method of extracting pheromone components from blood and making them into a drug. If Executive Director begins to show rejection even to Lee Woojeong’s pheromones, then all the effects until now may become meaningless, so it is better to proceed quickly. Of course the consent of the other party is necessary…… but if explained well it might be possible.”

“……Stop saying useless things.”

Then, Han Jaegang, who had been keeping his head down the whole time, leaned back against the sofa. Joo Yeongmo and Kim Junghyun turned toward him and listened quietly, but Woojeong couldn’t hear what he said.

Only then did Woojeong close the door, walk slowly to the bed, and sat down. He sat with his gaze fixed at his feet and clasped his trembling hands. His fingertips felt like ice.

“Haa……”

There were many times Woojeong had wanted to ask Han Jaegang. Why did he help him? Why did he take revenge on his family for him? Why did he keep him by his side? Why did he choose him who had nothing instead of Lee Doyoung……

But he never asked because he didn’t know what answer would come back. Woojeong already held special feelings for Han Jaegang, and perhaps he simply wanted to believe that he felt the same.

If not for that, there was no way to explain the behavior Han Jaegang showed during their time at the Snow Reflection Residence. Woojeong felt comfortable under his care and could be reassured by his protection.

“Because of pheromones……”

Amid the scattered memories, the words Han Jaegang had said rose clearly.

<Right now the cool and fragrant scent from Woojeong-ssi is overflowing…… and because of it I became tormented.>

<Pheromones, release…… quickly.>

<I also got swept up in your pheromones, so I can’t say I had no other feelings.>

If Han Jaegang had been suffering from a severe heart disease and needed Woojeong’s pheromones to suppress or alleviate it……

When he imagined it that way, he could naturally understand why Han Jaegang took interest in someone like him who was worthless, why he helped him for no reason, why he kept him close.

Woojeong pressed his left chest with his palm like Han Jaegang used to do. The thought that Han Jaegang might have kept him near simply because he needed an omega’s pheromones made a dull ache spread deep in his chest.

Then he foolishly laughed. Even though his heart felt as if it was tearing apart, he could do nothing but laugh like an idiot.