RACA 46

“What the hell? Why is he leaving without saying anything. Right, Jongjong?“

Meow.

The cat, now practically Eunsol’s, rubbed his whole body against his legs and meowed. As a result, fur stuck all over Eunsol’s pants and top, but he didn’t mind much.

“But his reaction to reading the book is just about his own education… Even if he has no memory, that seems a bit off.”

He just accepted it and followed along without complaint every time Eunsol suggested going to the movies, but reading was apparently a different matter altogether.

Then, as Jaebeom blurted out in surprise, maybe tackling classical music is the way to go.

At the very moment Eunsol was formulating a new plan, Jaebeom was facing off with Bulgom in the study.

“Repeat what you said to me before.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

Caught off guard by the sudden summons and demand, Bulgom didn’t immediately understand and just stared at his hyung-nim.

Jaebeom furrowed his brows, recalling the conversation they had shared.

“You know how Lee Eunsol’s been acting toward me lately? You said there must be a reason for it.”

“Ah… you mean that?”

Only then did Bulgom understand the the question, puzzled as to why Jaebeom suddenly wondered about it.

‘Did something progress after their argument?’

After suggesting they rewrite the contract, the two gradually closed the distance between them, exuding a subtle chemistry. Bulgom watched their progress with satisfaction.

‘That’s how affection grows, through all the bickering and squabbling.’

People usually say that sort of thing applies to friends or colleagues, but isn’t it similar for married couples too?

He isn’t married, so he wouldn’t know for sure, but watching those two, it seemed like that was true too. Bulgom casually shared that thought with Kwak Sang, and though he seemed troubled by something, he nodded in agreement on that point.

“It’s just my opinion, but I’m sure sister-in-law has feelings for the CEO. Otherwise, why would he be acting so affectionate?”

“You’re saying he has feelings for me?”

“I guess so?”

“Make sure of it.”

Whatever it was, Jaebeom, who liked things precise, urged him on, and Bulgom tensed his neck to answer.

“Absolutely!”

Seeing Eunsol, who takes charge of preparing Jaebeom’s favorite meals every day, tidying his room, and even searching online to find more ways to do things for him, it’s impossible not to be confused.

“Does that mean he likes me?”

Watching the process of affection gradually transform into another emotion, Bulgom calmly nodded his head.

As the saying goes, the arm bends inward.¹ In his view, the CEO, who seemed to lack nothing, needed affection most of all. So Bulgom cheered him on fervently.

“Hmm…”

The corners of Jaebeom’s mouth curved up. His face clearly showed he was in a good mood, making even Bulgom feel proud.

“If you just do a little better, Madam will like you even more.”

Taking advantage of the moment, Bulgom subtly encouraged Jaebeom, hoping the two would progress further.

“Why should I do that?”

The response was harsh again. But Bulgom wasn’t fooled by Jaebeom’s attitude anymore.

‘Anyway, our CEO is really… If you like him, just say so.’

He shows just as much interest in the other person as Eunsol does, but he always has to say things in such a mean way.

‘He’ll regret it later.’

Bulgom, who had unconsciously thought that, was startled and shook his head vigorously. Words become seeds; you mustn’t even imagine bad things.

How could his hyung-nim possibly be rejected or turned down by anyone?

Quickly dismissing the negative thought, Bulgom furrowed his brow and spoke in earnest.

“Isn’t sister-in-law just staying at home? He’s not meeting anyone, and as his belly grows bigger, moving around will become more difficult. I looked into it, and as the pregnancy progresses, hormonal and pheromone imbalances can cause severe mood swings and heightened sensitivity.”

“So what?”

With a softer expression than before, Jaebeom tilted his chin, urging him to say more.

“So imagine how touched he would be if the CEO took such meticulous care of him. People naturally seek someone to lean on when they’re emotionally struggling.”

Bulgom chattered away as if he were some kind of psychologist. The truth was, he knew this stuff because of the conversation he’d just had with Kwak Sang.

Unaware of the circumstances, Jaebeom gave him a look that said, “Not bad.”

“When did you come up with all this?”

“Oh, well… just… watching the two of you all this time made me think about all sorts of things.”

He swear, this was sincere. Ever since he started seeing Eunsol in a positive light, Bulgom had been hoping the two would genuinely grow closer.

“Yeah, I’ll think about that part myself.”

When Jaebeom gave a somewhat affirmative reply, Bulgom smiled proudly. Lately, he felt quite good about fulfilling his role.

‘So Eunsol is interested in me, huh?’

Now completely convinced of that possibility, Jaebeom stroked his chin.

Well, it wasn’t a bad feeling.

After all, he was an Omega who is bearing his child.

He didn’t plan to go as far as Bulgom suggested, but he figured he could easily manage to make someone who liked him feel reasonably pleased.

Jaebeom was completely oblivious to the future unfolding before him, lost in that arrogant certainty.

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‘That’s strange.’

Eunsol, who had been watching the mukbang program , tilted his head and turned his face. Then, he noticed Pyo Jaebeom staring at him and flinched.

‘Why is he staring at me so intensely?’

Actually, this wasn’t the first time Pyo Jaebeom had been staring at him. For some reason, he’d been like this since last night.

“Do you have something to say?”

There was a reason for asking with a skeptical look.

“What? Me to you? No? I don’t have any?”

Yeah, just as he expected. Honestly, he don’t get why he has to be so sullen even when he says just one word.

Seeing Eunsol’s forehead wrinkle, Pyo Jaebeom became even more brazen.

“What about you? Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Oh? Hmm, what is it? Tell me. I’ll listen first and then decide.”

Watching him speak arrogantly as if he naturally held the upper hand, Eunsol asked in a puzzled tone.

“Aren’t you going to work today?”

“Huh?”

“It’s almost 10 o’clock on Monday morning, and you’re still at home.”

Eunsol took his phone to show the time as he asked, and Pyo Jaebeom’s brows furrowed.

Watching his eye corners twitch as if he was displeased, Eunsol felt his mood lighten a bit.

‘He always acts like he’s the boss.’

Sure, he’s got the upper hand right now. But that doesn’t mean he has to treat him like dirt every single moment. It really pisses him off.

“Why, do you want me to go?”

“It’s not really my call. But isn’t there something the CEO needs to handle at the bank?”

Eunsol’s attitude, as if whether Jaebeom went to work or not was none of his concern, made Jaebeom raise his eyebrows in annoyance again. He’d been acting irritable since earlier, but Eunsol couldn’t figure out why at all.

“Ah. So you’re complaining because I always leave you alone? Should I take you with me?”

The word “complaining” startled Eunsol, but the offer to come along piqued his interest.

“Huh? Where?”

He couldn’t be talking about the bank? Eunsol shook his head vigorously, thinking the hypothesis he’d just come up with made absolutely no sense.

Maybe he took that as a refusal, Pyo Jaebeom asked again.

“Where else would it be but where I work?”

“Why would I go there?”

What on earth is he saying now?

Meowww.

Eunsol answered without hiding his bewilderment, just as the sound of a cat’s cry echoed from somewhere.

Eunsol’s head turned toward the source of the sound. Pyo Jaebeom frowned slightly, clearly displeased that Eunsol had looked away from him.

“Come to think of it, where did that kid go?”

Eunsol, who had been so engrossed in the mukbang that he’d lost track of the cat, suddenly looked around.

Come to think of it, Jongjong hadn’t been seen since breakfast. He’d assumed he’d be right beside him.

Meow. Meow-meow. Meow.

The cat’s cries grew more intense, so he decided to put other thoughts aside for later and quickly got up from his seat. To celebrate getting his phone, Eunsol looked up various things about Maine Coons. He read that Maine Coons, being large cats, had a laid-back personality and tended to behave quite gracefully.

That’s why they supposedly don’t make a fuss over minor things. Hearing Jongjong cry like that, searching for him, meant something serious was wrong.

“Where are you going?”

“Jongjong is looking for me.”

“He’s just playing.”

“What are you doing?”

Following Eunsol, who had already started moving, Pyo Jaebeom trailed behind him.

Meow. Meow. Meow!

Even then, the cat continued to meowing.

1. Meaning people are naturally biased toward their own side, like family, close ones, or someone they’re loyal to. ↩︎