DOTH Volume 3 Chapter 10.4

They arrived at a place they’d visited a few months ago. It was the very boutique where Director Yeon had showered him with clothes as a Christmas gift. Jung Heeyeon sat on the same plush, comfortable sofa as before, waiting quietly for someone to arrive. If there was a difference from their last visit, it would be the tray not having macarons, but a strawberry cream cake.

Jung Heeyeon clearly couldn’t decide whether to eat it or not. Seeing that, Director Yeon personally brought a plate over and neatly sliced the cake.

“But we’ll be having our meals soon…”

“You don’t want it? Should I get it taken away?”

Jung Heeyeon hesitated briefly, then accepted the plate. If it had been any other dessert, he might’ve resisted, but this was his favorite cake. It was too captivating to turn it down. As he nibbled on the neatly cut slice his lover had prepared, an employee arrived carrying a large box.

“Apologies for the delay.”

The personal shopper, Choi Yoon, carefully set down the box and opened the case. Watches from the same brand that Director Yeon usually wore were neatly arranged inside.

“Director, the watch you’re wearing is from a line typically made for alphas, so they don’t come in smaller sizes. I selected a few other nice models in a similar price range.”

Choi Yoon cast a quick glance at the omega seated beside the client as he spoke. Since the requested size was noticeably different from the usual, he had guessed it might be a gift for a lover, and his hunch had been right.

“Haha. I had a feeling, and it turns out I was right, you’re the person who came here last time. Personally, I thought a gold buckle would suit him well, so I prepared that… But if it’s not to your liking, I can arrange something else.”

Choi Yoon began introducing each watch, explaining their features one by one. Jung Heeyeon parted his lips, unsure what to say. Not only was he unfamiliar with watches, but to his eyes, they all looked more or less the same.

“Heeyeon, you don’t have anything you like?”

At Director Yeon’s relaxed question, Choi Yoon, seated across from them, flinched slightly. Jung Heeyeon didn’t want to put that person on the spot.

“It’s not that. I just don’t know much about watches. I think it would be best if you choose for me, Director.”

“Aren’t you worried if I pick something weird?”

“Pardon? Director, I would love anything you pick for me… It’s fine.”

As expected, a lighthearted tease was met with a sincere answer. Director Yeon selected a watch. One with a leather strap, not metal. Something that seemed like it would suit Jung Heeyeon.

“Heeyeon. How about that one?”

“It’s pretty. I’ll go with that one.”

Choi Yoon quickly chimed in.

“Ah, as expected of your taste, Director. I agree, this one definitely looks best on your partner.”

After listing off several reasons why it suited him, Choi Yoon stepped away for a moment. Director Yeon gently pulled Jung Heeyeon’s wrist toward him. Though the strap would need to be adjusted later, he intended to fasten it on the omega himself for now.

Jung Heeyeon fidgeted with his fingers as he watched the man bow his head slightly to secure the watch on his wrist. He really ought to get used to doing things like this himself, but since the director kept doing it for him, he feared it might become a bad habit.

“It looks pretty.”

At the soft compliment, Jung Heeyeon turned his wrist slightly. Maybe because the watch came from a line made for omegas, it felt far more stable than when he wore Director Yeon’s watch. His wrist, now wearing the new watch, remained gently cupped in the man’s palm.

“Maybe it’s because you picked something pretty, Director.”

“I wasn’t talking about the watch, I meant you look pretty.”

“Ah… Thank you.”

Anyone else might’ve blushed at such words, but Jung Heeyeon accepted them as if he was used to it. He had never heard such things within the confines of the walls, but hearing them so often from Director Yeon had made being called ‘pretty’ feel completely normal.

As he received the docile reply, Director Yeon slowly rubbed the space between the thin wrist and the band of the watch. His lover still wasn’t well-acquainted with societal norms. His interpersonal circle was limited to the alphas at Jiwoo and Lee Haejin, so naturally, adjusting to common social customs would take time.

A possessive urge to keep the omega locked away in his arms simmered beneath the surface, but Director Yeon had no intention of restricting Jung Heeyeon to such a narrow social life. If Jung Heeyeon wanted more, he was ready to give him anything, that included connections with new people.

It was only because of Chairman Jung that he was protecting him this intensely. Once everything was resolved, he planned to help Jung Heeyeon experience more of the world. As for the alphas, their instincts would make them back off on their own due to his pheromones latched onto Jung Heeyeon.

Until then, simply being cherished like this would be more than enough.

“You’re pretty too, Director.”

Jung Heeyeon fidgeted with his fingers again, conscious of the long fingers slowly rubbing against his wrist.

“Hmmm, I’m pretty, huh?”

The man, well aware that this innocent omega would only say such sweet words to him, tilted his head and smiled.

“Yes.”

“Heeyeon. Since I’m pretty, would you do me a little favor…?”

“Yes? Of course. Director, if it’s your request, I’ll do anything.”

“This watch.”

The alpha’s fingertip gently tapped the watch’s strap.

“I want to place a tracker in it.”

“A tracker? But I’m going to be by your side every single day, Director…”

“Yeah, our Heeyeon should stay right next to this director every day.”

Director Yeon drawled the words out slowly.

“But there are bastards out there desperate to take you away.”

“Ah…”

Jung Heeyeon immediately understood why Director Yeon brought up the idea of a tracker.

“Yes. That’s alright.”

The hand that had tapped the strap finally slipped underneath it. As he lazily stroked the delicate tendon along Jung Heeyeon’s wrist, Director Yeon whispered.

“Good boy.”

Looking into the alpha’s narrowed eyes, Jung Heeyeon held his breath for a moment. The strange feeling he’d gotten when he looked at Director Yeon’s wrist earlier, he finally understood what it was.

***

[Gun Incident in Downtown Seoul at Midnight: Pregnant Woman and Child Present… Will Gun Regulation Spark Controversy?]

On the 3rd, a man in his 30s was hospitalized after an accidental discharge while cleaning his firearm. He is currently receiving specialized treatment at Severance Hospital. A pregnant woman and a young child were reportedly inside the house at the time, but fortunately, no additional injuries were reported.

The police are investigating the circumstances of the incident, citing the victim’s claim that ‘the gun suddenly exploded’.

Under the current “Act on the Safety Management of Firearms, Swords, and Explosives,” licensed civilians are permitted to own firearms. Now, five years after the easing of firearm regulations, attention is turning to whether this recent incident will spark renewed and heated debate over the legalization of firearms.

The firearm in question is reportedly a K&H-produced M88A model. If the investigation confirms a manufacturing defect in the firearm as the cause, the distributor is expected to face significant repercussions. Currently, there is only one firearm distributor operating in South Korea—

“A pregnant woman and a child… They really wrote all sorts of emotions with that headline.”

Director Yeon smirked, tapping the headline lightly with a finger. The article was still under embargo, but it was scheduled to be published the following morning.

“What’s the reporter’s name?”

“Reporter Kim Jaeho.”

The man’s eyebrows arched into a smooth curve. Though the article had the name ‘Yeon Woobeom’ clearly written on it, he didn’t seem to mind at all.

“I should thank Lee Haejin for this.”

“You’re meeting him today, aren’t you? Should I prepare a gift?”

Kim Chulwoo asked casually. His gaze wasn’t on Director Yeon, but on the round crown of a head bent over a tablet nearby. The omega, who was usually expressionless unless in front of his superior, was currently frowning. He seemed to be focused in reading the article.

“No need. He’d probably hate it if it came from me.”

Director Yeon gently pressed between Jung Heeyeon’s brows, smoothing out the frown as he spoke in a leisurely tone.

“He didn’t do it expecting anything in return, since he wants to take down Chairman Jung just as badly as we do.”

“Understood. Should we let the article run as is? Assemblyman Yoo said to contact him if we need any help.”

Before Kim Chulwoo could finish, a wry smile slipped from Director Yeon’s thin lips.

“It’s an article pushed by Sunha Group. What can I possibly do to stop it, right, Secretary Kim?”

That honestly would be simple to do, pressuring those indebted to Director Yeon would do the job. However, Kim Chulwoo shrugged, playing along with his superior’s unfunny sarcasm. The gun incident, Sunha’s involvement, and the article scheduled for tomorrow. All of it had been orchestrated by Director Yeon. And yet here he was, playing the role of a powerless individual going up against a conglomerate. It was absurd.

Make me feel happy and supported by leaving a comment!