DOTH Volume 3 Chapter 11.3

“Heeyeon.”

When Director Yeon gently cupped Jung Heeyeon’s cheek, those round eyes lifted to meet his.

“If things go fast, I’ll be out the day after tomorrow. So don’t worry too much.”

Only then did Jung Heeyeon realize he was clutching the hem of Director Yeon’s suit jacket. What the Director was doing was, in essence, business. He should be showing a calm and mature front, but that was easier said than done.

“I’ll have Shim Soocheon looking after you, so stay at home. Everyone gets a break while I’m gone anyway.”

“Yes.”

“I’d prefer it if you stayed home as much as possible.”

The hand cradling his cheek gently brushed over his eyelashes. Jung Heeyeon slowly blinked, then offered a soft, pale smile. He was the one worrying over Director Yeon, yet it seemed like Director Yeon was the one far more concerned about himself.

“Please don’t worry about me. I’ll stay home with Team Leader Shim.”

“I’m afraid someone might try to steal you away.”

“Pardon? No one’s going to steal me.”

The absurdity of the remark made Jung Heeyeon scrunch his nose. Who would want to steal a mere omega?

“Kim Chulwoo will drop off the cards and the paperwork for your assets tomorrow. Make sure you get them.”

“Yes.”

His obedient reply earned a soft chuckle. Tilting his head slightly, Director Yeon smiled with his eyes.

“Heeyeon, should I take this off?”

“Pardon?”

The sudden, contextless question made Jung Heeyeon blink in surprise.

“My suit. Should I leave it with you?”

As if he’d caught on to what Jung Heeyeon was imagining, Director Yeon asked gently, a hint of laughter in his voice. Realizing what he actually meant, Jung Heeyeon parted his lips, flustered. At home, he often wore Director Yeon’s cardigans like his own clothes, but asking for his suit jacket too felt oddly embarrassing.

“…Director. I don’t have weird preferences, really.”

He’d heard that craving an alpha’s pheromones was natural, but still, he couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

“It’s because my Heeyeon here treats my clothes like a security blanket.”

Leisurely rising to his feet, Director Yeon began undoing the buttons on his jacket. Under Director Yeon’s unrelenting gaze, Jung Heeyeon felt a strange, fluttery sensation creep in, making his fingers fidget nervously. Click. Click. With each button undone, the fitted vest beneath came into view, pressed snugly against the taut shirt that outlined the man’s frame.

“But it’s cold outside… If you give this to me, what about you, Director?”

“It’s fine, Kim Chulwoo has extras.”

Draping the suit jacket over Jung Heeyeon’s shoulders, Director Yeon smiled loosely. Tailored perfectly for a dominant alpha, the jacket nearly swallowed the omega’s small frame. Leaning down, the man pressed a kiss to his soft eyelid and whispered.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Jung Heeyeon nodded quietly. The gentle curve of Director Yeon’s smiling eyes made him feel more at ease. 

“Please take care.”

Wrapped in the jacket, Jung Heeyeon could still feel the man’s warmth and pheromones lingering like an embrace.

***

Jung Heeyeon rubbed his eyelashes and slowly sat up. His eyes stung a little from not getting a wink of sleep the entire night.

“I didn’t know I wouldn’t be able to sleep…”

He murmured to himself, his voice hoarse from disuse as he sat on the edge of the bed. Instead of stepping up from the bed, he just sat there blankly, letting yesterday’s events drift through his mind.

Right after the detectives had barged in and left the office with Director Yeon, soon, the reporters had cleared out like the receding tide, and Jung Heeyeon used the opportunity to sneak back home. He was still worried about Director Yeon, but all things considered, it hadn’t been a terrible day.

Shim Soocheon had shared stories about Director Yeon he’d never heard before, then Kim Jiwon had brought over dinner—spicy, stimulating dishes—and Sulgi. The warm, soft bundle of puppy that curled up in his arms and licked his hands had helped lift his spirits.

Later that evening, he even received a call from Director Yeon. It was through a new phone, registered in his name and delivered by Kim Chulwoo. The man’s voice had been as affectionate and relaxed as ever, and that alone had eased some of his anxiety.

Right up until he’d showered and crawled into bed, he thought he’d fall asleep easily. He was far more used to sleeping alone anyway. But then, even after he closed his eyes and tried to calm his breath, sleep wouldn’t come. Without the man who used to hold him, the spacious bed felt cold and empty.

He had never feared loneliness before, but it suddenly terrified him. He knew Director Yeon wasn’t in any trouble and this separation would only last a few days, but knowing that didn’t make it any easier to deal with how he felt.

“I can’t make him worry…”

Muttering to himself as if to soothe his own heart, Jung Heeyeon climbed out of bed and stared absently out the window. Even if he wasn’t okay, he had to pretend to be. If he let his sadness show, it might upset the director.

After washing up, he found Shim Soocheon sleeping on the couch in the living room. Why was he sleeping here, not using the guest room? Jung Heeyeon wondered, frowning slightly. As if sensing his stare, Shim Soocheon’s eyelids fluttered open.

“Yaaaawn. Heeyeon-ssi, did you sleep well?”

“Yes.”

Jung Heeyeon nodded as he watched Shim Soocheon yawn widely. The man seemed still half-asleep, scratching his head with his eyes shut. At least this way, he probably wouldn’t notice that Jung Heeyeon was lying about having slept.

“Wow, I haven’t slept until late like this in forever.”

“Team Leader, why are you sleeping here? There’s a guest room…”

“Guest room? Ah, that room…”

Shim Soocheon sat up and roughly tried to smooth his bedhead.

“Didn’t you use that room before?”

“Pardon? Yes, I did.”

Jung Heeyeon answered honestly, and Shim Soocheon let out an awkward laugh, pulling out his phone. If a certain someone found out he’d slept in the same bed Jung Heeyeon used to, things might get really ugly. Dominant alphas had a tendency to get irrationally possessive over the smallest things—when they say jump, you jump. It was best for him to tread carefully.

“I’m fine on the couch. What do you want for breakfast? The director told me to make sure you eat well.”

Shim Soocheon scrolled through a food delivery app as he spoke. A quick glance at Jung Heeyeon revealed the slight redness in his eyes. His voice had sounded subdued, too. The omega definitely hadn’t slept well, despite claiming otherwise.

If the director found out about this, he’d blow a fuse, Shim Soocheon thought, clicking his tongue.

“I’m not really hungry…”

“Really? The director is going to be worried.”

At the mention of Director Yeon, Jung Heeyeon hesitated briefly before shuffling over to sit beside him.

“What does it have?”

“Not a ton of options at this early hour… But pick something you feel like eating. If it’s not available for delivery now, we can order it later for lunch or dinner.”

“Then, I’ll have soft tofu stew.”

“Got it.”

Shim Soocheon smoothly placed the order, then disappeared into the bathroom. Jung Heeyeon stared blankly after his, then turned his phone on and off, over and over. He knew there was a lot one could do with a palm-sized device, but right now, nothing held his interest.

Some time had passed, and the doorbell rang.

“Ah. The food’s here.”

As Jung Heeyeon started heading for the door, Shim Soocheon suddenly darted out and blocked his way. Judging by the damp hair and hurried movements, he hadn’t even had time to dry off properly.

“Heeyeon-ssi, can you help prepare the table? I’ll go get it.”

I could’ve done it… Jung Heeyeon thought, puzzled by Shim Soocheon’s urgency, but he nodded obediently and made his way to the kitchen.

When he opened the fridge, he saw the side dishes Director Yeon had made. He moved quickly, plating the food just as Shim Soocheon came back.

“Wow, the director made all this?”

“Pardon? Yes.”

“He’s indeed a great cook. But he never does this for anyone else, you know.”

Shim Soocheon said it with a playful tone, like he was tattling, as he placed the soft tofu stew on the table.

“Enjoy your food.”

“Yes, enjoy your food too, Team Leader.”

Even though he had no appetite, Jung Heeyeon picked up his spoon. As he looked down at the bubbling stew, he was reminded of the soft tofu stew that Director Yeon used to make for him. The memory left him feeling a little down, but he kept his spirits up and forced himself to eat.

That afternoon, Kim Chulwoo came by. He brought a brief update about Director Yeon along with a stack of documents. Among them was a card engraved with Jung Heeyeon’s name. Sitting around doing nothing would only make him dwell on thoughts of the director, so Jung Heeyeon started flipping through the documents Kim Chulwoo had delivered.

As part of his education, Jung Heeyeon had been directly managing some stocks and real estate, so he had a rough idea of the scale of his assets. But once he actually looked through the documents, he realized there was far more registered under his name than he’d expected. It was because Chairman Jung, in preparing for his escape abroad, had transferred all of his assets into Jung Heeyeon’s name.

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