PSS Ch 9

The cafeteria in the library was, as expected, unlikely to sell things like umbrellas. Since the library was located inside a park, even the closest convenience store was quite a long walk away.

I let out a small sigh as I looked outside through the large window that filled one entire side of the library. It had already been over a week since I started coming to the library. At least on weekdays, with the library as an excuse, I could go out and avoid running into Managing Director Jang Taejin, which gave me a breather. Weekends, however, were a different story. If I was summoned to his bedroom on Saturday morning, there was no escape until Monday morning. Seeing him go to work on time even after such vigorous activity made me wonder if he was some kind of monster. Were all dominant alphas like that? It was enough to give me prejudices against dominant alphas, which I hadn’t even had before.

I pushed myself off the window and returned to my seat. As usual, the library was empty today. Except for a man sitting far away, tapping on his laptop keyboard, it felt like I had the whole place to myself. I pulled out the chair that I had pushed under the desk and sat down. As I took out my unfinished workbook and began reading the passages, a strange thought suddenly occurred to me. How did Managing Director Jang Taejin know that I was studying? I don’t think I ever gave any indication that I was studying in that house…….

Come to think of it, I’d never studied anywhere but in my room. I hadn’t told anyone I was studying, nor had I ever shown myself doing so. So how on earth did Managing Director Jang Taejin know that I was studying?

The sudden sound of a chair scraping pulled me out of my long reverie. The place was so quiet that even small sounds were amplified. I came to my senses and looked around, realizing that the man sitting in the distance had left. In the middle of winter, on a weekday early morning, the library’s occupants were always just that man and me. Now that he was gone, I was left alone.

“…….”

It seemed like it was time for me to pack up and leave, too. Sure enough, the weather was getting gloomier. It would be troublesome if it started to snow. I didn’t have the courage to walk up that steep hill in the snow.

I packed my things and headed down to the first floor. By the time I reached the exit, it had already begun to snow. The snowflakes weren’t heavy yet, but it seemed only a matter of time. I hurried my steps. I was just about to put my key card in the return box next to the exit.

“Student, wait a moment.”

The staff member who issued the key cards rushed out of the office.

“Yes?”

“Take this. You can’t go out like that in this cold weather.”

I reflexively accepted the umbrella he offered. The elderly library staff member smiled kindly at me.

“Thank you…….”

“Don’t mention it. You always work so hard. You seem like a diligent student, are you by any chance preparing to retake the college entrance exam?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. Work hard.”

It wasn’t exactly for the college entrance exam, but I replied that way because explaining my situation was too much of a hassle. The staff member who gave me the umbrella returned to his office, and I stared blankly at the umbrella for a moment before resuming my walk. I walked down the snowy street under the umbrella. The weather was so atrocious that the cars on the road crawled like snails.

After waiting for a long time, I finally got on the local bus. I got off at the bus stop near my house and climbed the steep hill. The wind blew so fiercely that even with the umbrella, I was covered in snow. As soon as I got home, I soaked myself in hot water.

After showering, I started shivering. I guessed it was because I’d been exposed to the cold wind while wet with snow. I was about to ask the housekeeper to get me some medicine, but even that felt like too much effort, so I just closed my eyes. It was barely past noon, yet I drifted off to sleep.

I opened my eyes again when I felt the housekeeper’s hand shaking me awake.

“Mr. Jaegyeong. Mr. Jaegyeong. Wake up.”

Could Managing Director Jang Taejin be home already? It seemed too early for him to be back…….

“What is it, housekeeper?”

“Secretary Yeo called. He asked why you weren’t answering your phone.”

“Oh……. I was asleep and didn’t hear it. I’ll call him back.”

“Alright. It seemed like he had something urgent to tell you.”

“Yes.”

I barely managed to lift my heavy head and sit up. For some reason, the housekeeper didn’t leave the room but kept looking at me.

“Are you sick? Why are you sweating so much…….”

Now that she mentioned it, my whole body was damp. I must have been sweating profusely in my sleep, which explained why I felt unwell.

“No, I’m just a little tired.”

“Oh dear. You’re already so skinny and don’t look well, where have you been going so diligently these days? Stay home for a bit.”

The housekeeper’s words felt like my mother’s nagging, and I chuckled.

“It’s stifling to stay home all the time.”

“Still, go out when the weather gets better. The slope of this downhill road is quite steep, isn’t it? What if you slip and hurt your foot?”

“Yes, I understand. I will.”

My goodness. So weak. The housekeeper clicked her tongue until the moment she left the room. I continued to laugh for a while after she left, then finally got out of bed. I looked around for my phone, rummaging through the pocket of the padded jacket I had been wearing. The phone’s background screen showed three missed calls from Yeo Kyungmin. I dragged the missed call notification and called him right away.

—Yes, Mr. Jaegyeong.

“I heard you called?”

—Yes. Is something wrong? Why didn’t you answer the phone?

“I was asleep.”

—From now on, please make sure to keep your phone next to you while you sleep. It’s problematic when I can’t reach you like this.

“Yes, I will.”

He was being quite fussy just because I didn’t answer the phone. I suddenly wondered how these people would react if I were to disappear.

—I’ll be there in 30 minutes.

“What? What do you mean…….”

—Get ready to go out. I’ll pick you up.

“Go out? Where to?”

—The Managing Director asked to have dinner with you.

“Ah…….”

—Alright? Be ready.

The call ended abruptly. I stared blankly at the darkened phone screen, lost in thought. Dinner all of a sudden? Aside from when we were intimate, we’d never eaten together in this house. I wondered why he’d suddenly ask me to have dinner with him.

Yeo Kyungmin arrived at the house exactly 30 minutes later. I washed my sweat-drenched body and changed my clothes. As I came out to the living room, Yeo Kyungmin scanned me from head to toe as if evaluating my outfit. He looked quite perplexed seeing me in my usual comfortable hoodie and jeans.

“I don’t think this outfit will do.”

“……Does what I wear matter for dinner?”

“Depending on the occasion, yes.”

Yeo Kyungmin glanced at his wristwatch and made a troubled expression.

“Oh dear…… It’ll be too late if we go shopping now.”

It seemed that time was quite tight.

“Ah, right. The clothes, Mr. Jaegyeong, the clothes you wore to the interview. You still have those, right?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Those would be perfect.”

I silently changed into the suit as he instructed. There were quite a few upscale restaurants that required formal attire, so that must be why he asked me to wear a suit. Wasn’t Epicure, where I used to work, the same?

Yeo Kyungmin nodded with a satisfied look as he saw me in the suit. I followed him outside and got into the waiting car. Thanks to the weather, even though it was still early evening, we drove through the darkened city streets towards the downtown area.

“This is…….”

The place we arrived at was, surprisingly, very familiar to me.

“It’s the place where you used to work, Mr. Jaegyeong.”

“Why did we come here all of a sudden?”

“The Managing Director is quite fond of the food here.”

“…….”

“Please go in. The Managing Director hates waiting.”

It was an implied rebuke for being late to our appointment because I hadn’t answered the phone. I bowed my head slightly to Yeo Kyungmin and entered Epicure. The manager, whom I met at the entrance, greeted me warmly after a long time.

“Mr. Jaegyeong, it’s been a while.”

“Hello, Manager.”

“How have you been? You look well.”

“Is that…… so?”

“The Managing Director has already arrived and is waiting. I’ll show you the way.”

It felt strange to be guided by my former boss to the VIP room. Why did he want to meet here of all places? It wasn’t as if Epicure was the only restaurant that served delicious and high-quality food; there were plenty of other options. It was suspicious that he brought me here specifically.

“Managing Director, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong is here.”

The manager announced at the door. He kindly opened the door for me. I greeted the manager with an awkward smile and went inside. Managing Director Jang Taejin was sitting alone at a large table. Even after hearing that I had arrived, he didn’t even turn his head but continued to stare at his phone.

I gave up on trying to greet him and quietly sat across from him. He hadn’t looked at me even once during that time. I didn’t know if he had urgent business or if he was sulking because I was late.

“We’ll prepare the amuse-bouche.”

The server opened the door and entered. Only after the plates were placed on the table did Managing Director Jang Taejin put down his phone. Our eyes met as he naturally raised his head. He looked at me with his usual impassive expression. The server placed the dishes in front of Managing Director Jang Taejin and me, then stood next to him and explained,

“This is langoustine and caviar, and tuna tartare. The small dish here is sardine on top of mango. The order is from left to right, finishing with the sardine on mango.”

After finishing the explanation, the server bowed and left the room. Once again, we were alone, and an awkward atmosphere settled in. Managing Director Jang Taejin looked away from me and picked up the fork next to his plate. With a slow and elegant motion, he placed the fork on the food.

“Eat.”

He said as he cut the langoustine topped with caviar with his fork. I also picked up my fork. Despite his cold demeanor, I didn’t apologize for being late. I didn’t think being a little late warranted such a frosty attitude.

After we finished the first course, the server came and cleared the table. The second course was a crab appetizer. Managing Director Jang Taejin didn’t say anything in particular. It was the same even after several courses, until the main dish of lamb arrived. Finally, he spoke when the dessert, olive oil purée, and apple and thyme tea, were placed on the table.

“Was the meal alright?”

“Yes, it was delicious.”

“I’m glad.”

It wasn’t just a polite remark. The course was entirely new to me. The dishes were different from when I worked here. It seemed like the course composition had changed seasonally, which was nice because I could enjoy dishes I hadn’t tasted while working here.

“I asked you here because I wanted to talk to you after such a long time, Mr. Jaegyeong. And to have a meal together while we’re at it.”

“……Talk?”

“Yes. I have something I’d like to ask you.”

I stared at him with wide eyes. He took a sip of the tea served with the dessert and slowly placed it back on the table. I was tense, not knowing what he was going to ask, and waited for him to speak again. As I’d uneasily anticipated, he brought up something completely unexpected.

“Are you seeing any alphas?”

I was so taken aback by the question that I couldn’t even answer. Seeing an alpha? I wasn’t seeing anyone, and if I were, I wouldn’t have entered Managing Director Jang Taejin’s house in the first place.

“What do you mean? What do you mean by seeing an alpha all of a sudden?”

“There’s a friend you seem to call frequently.”

I stared at him blankly for a moment. A friend I frequently call…… Nam Gichul suddenly came to mind. He was the only alpha I had contacted before and after entering Managing Director Jang Taejin’s house.

“……Did you track my call logs?”

I asked him accusingly, openly expressing my displeasure. Managing Director Jang Taejin was unfazed by my sharp tone. As usual, he seemed relaxed. He lowered his eyes languidly and spoke in a tone devoid of emotion.

“I paid a lot of money, I have to keep an eye on things.”

He admitted to tracking my call logs without a hint of hesitation. He spoke as if it were the most natural thing, openly treating me like an object. Did he think he could treat me like this, which was why he was being so rude? Just how much did he look down on me?

“That’s too much. Isn’t this my private life?”

He simply ignored my protesting voice. Instead of answering, he asked an irrelevant question.

“Why do you think I brought you into my house, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong?”

“What do you mean all of a sudden?”

“I asked, why do you think I brought you, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong, into my house.”

“Because you wanted to do as you pleased, I suppose. To call me and do it whenever you felt like it.”

“Do you think it’s just that?”

He stared intently at my face, flushed red with anger. He looked directly into my eyes as he spoke, as if to imprint something important on me.

“I hate the idea of putting it in a hole that’s been with other alphas. Because I don’t know what you might be doing while you’re out there.”

It would have been miserable enough even if he hadn’t said that much…… As payment for selling my body to him, I was constantly branded as a promiscuous omega. No matter how much time passed, I couldn’t get used to this treatment. I’m not such a cheap omega to be humiliated like this.

“We’re not involved. He’s just a friend. Someone you don’t need to worry about or track their call logs for.”

My meager mind couldn’t grasp the current situation. Even if I were seeing someone else, it was separate from our contract. I wasn’t his lover. We were strictly bound by mutual interest. Yet he was acting as if he were my boyfriend. He asked about the alpha I frequently called and remained suspicious even after I told him we weren’t involved.

“A friend…… Does that alpha think so too?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“It seems like an excessive amount of consideration for just a friend.”

He was being sarcastic about my work at Epicure. Even though it was something a friend would willingly do.

“Can’t a friend offer that much consideration?”

“Are you naive, or are you pretending to be?”

“…….”

“Do you really think there are restaurants that pay that level of salary to first-time employees?”

He knew about my bank statements as well as my call logs. Just how far was he monitoring me? It was truly chilling.

“Do you know what kind of animals alphas are?”

Managing Director Jang Taejin tilted his head slightly. His eyes still looked languid, but also somewhat serious. I glared at him, struggling to suppress the anger that kept threatening to erupt. His lips, curled into a smirk, broke the long silence.

“Even now, as I sit here having dinner with you, I’m going crazy wanting you.”

His eloquent lips emphasized each word. His gaze, now sharp, pierced through me.

“I want to rip your clothes off right now and lay you down on this table.”

His desire burned within his eyes. A rough, merciless craving devoured me whole.

“…….”

I hid behind silence, cowardly escaping his gaze. I was afraid of him. I was terrified of his eyes, which looked as if they would pounce on me and devour me at any moment. I knew that everything he said was true, that he was capable of anything, so I couldn’t just ignore his words.

“I’m saying that just being in the same space as you, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong, is driving me crazy.”

He looked away from me. His eyes returned to their usual languid state as he indifferently picked up his teacup.

“Do you understand? This is the kind of animal an alpha is.”

He drank the tea silently. Even though his gaze was no longer on me, my hands were still trembling. I was frozen, unable to respond. The heated air pressed down on me, suffocating me.

“Oh, come to think of it, there was that alpha bastard who was hitting on you here before, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong.”

Just then, there was a knock.

“Come in.”

Managing Director Jang Taejin said without asking who it was. The door opened and a man entered. I recognized the man at once and lost my words.

“Tae, Taejin!”

It was the alpha, the only son of Jaewon Group’s chairman. The same scoundrel who had not only hit on me but also laid his hands on me.

“Thank you so much for meeting me. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for your call? Thank you so much, Taejin. Thank you.”

Was it because of the merger? He was desperately clinging to Managing Director Jang Taejin. My mind was in complete turmoil as I watched them. Did he bring me to Epicure for this? To show me the alpha who had harassed me?

“Taejin, Jang Taejin. I was wrong. I, I don’t know what I did wrong. Just, I was wrong about everything. So please, just save my family. I’m begging you. Huh? Please, just save us.”

He stood next to Managing Director Jang Taejin, who showed no reaction, and pleaded pathetically, wringing his hands. It was so unsettling because it looked exactly like me when I had to beg Managing Director Jang Taejin.

“Mr. Lim Jaegyeong.”

Managing Director Jang Taejin, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke. Looking at me, sitting across from him, not at the alpha desperately wringing his hands next to him.

“What should we do?”

I had no idea what he was trying to say. I could only stare at him blankly.

“The son of a bitch who was drooling over you in heat, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong, is standing before you, begging.”

“…….”

“What would you do with that alpha, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong?”

I didn’t know who he was referring to. If he meant the dog in heat for me, that applied to Managing Director Jang Taejin as well. At that moment, I imagined Managing Director Jang Taejin begging me. It was an undeniably thrilling image. So thrilling that I completely forgot the fear I’d felt just moments ago from his sharp gaze.

“I’d make him kneel before me.”

I blurted out what came to mind.

“I’d make him crawl on all fours and lick my feet.”

Dopamine surged through my body.

“Are you sure that would be enough? Wouldn’t it be more satisfying to tear him to shreds?”

I didn’t answer. A faint smile appeared on Managing Director Jang Taejin’s lips. He turned his gaze to the alpha who was begging him and gestured, as if asking if he’d heard what I’d just said.

The man looked back and forth between Managing Director Jang Taejin and me with a shocked expression. I watched the proud alpha’s face contort pathetically. But he had no other choice. Just like me when I spread my legs for Managing Director Jang Taejin.

⋆.˚🦋₊ ⊹

The city streets at night, bathed in darkness, shimmered brilliantly even in the quiet. The neon signs lining the streets flaunted their presence, overwhelming the stillness of the darkness. I sat in the back seat of the car with Managing Director Jang Taejin, staring blankly outside. I was lost in thought, chasing the afterimages created by the long trails of light.

The alpha, the only son of Jaewon Group’s chairman, eventually crawled to me and licked my shoes. At that moment, I felt a thrill I had never experienced before in my life. I hadn’t known I had such a cruel side. Seeing him prostrate on the floor, licking my shoes like a dog, filled my heart with exhilaration.

Yet, at the same time, I shuddered with fear of Managing Director Jang Taejin. He was a man who could manipulate anything to his will. What I had suspected was because of me turned out to be true. He had destroyed Jaewon Industries because of me and made the proud son of that family kneel before me. What would he do next? What else would he sacrifice to get what he wanted?

“How far were you planning to go?”

I asked casually, looking out the window.

“What are you referring to?”

“Jaewon. You destroyed them.”

He wasn’t looking at me either. We conversed while completely ignoring each other.

“I’m a businessman. I don’t do things that will put me at a loss. I would have done it even if it wasn’t someone related to you, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong.”

“You’re not denying that you did it because of me.”

“Did you think otherwise?”

I didn’t ask him anything else. I didn’t ask why he went through all this trouble for me, what his reasons were. I was afraid to hear his answer. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to handle it if any sweet words came out of his mouth, so I didn’t want to hear it.

I couldn’t figure out what kind of person he was. The same man who constantly humiliated me and treated me like dirt had severely punished the alpha who had harassed me. Which side was the real him? Which was closer to his true self: the dirty lips that mocked me or the man who wouldn’t hesitate to do cruel things for me?

“We’ve arrived.”

While I was lost in silent contemplation, the car arrived at Managing Director Jang Taejin’s mansion. The driver opened the door, and I got out first. I entered the house with Managing Director Jang Taejin. It was unusual, and I could clearly see the surprise in the eyes of the employees who greeted us.

“Let’s sleep in my room tonight.”

I was about to offer a casual greeting, but Managing Director Jang Taejin spoke first. Without replying, I followed him to the second floor. As soon as we entered the room, he pushed me against the door. I slowly closed my eyes, feeling him roughly kiss my lips.

He sucked on my lower lip intensely and then moved on to kiss my cheeks and neck. He buried his nose in my neck, inhaling my scent, then returned to my lips, parting them and pushing his tongue inside. Our tongues danced and intertwined, entwining, sucking, and licking.

He slipped his hand inside my jacket and teased my nipple over my shirt. The nipple, toyed with by his touch, grew stiff and erect.

“…….”

Suddenly, he pulled away, ceasing his ravenous sucking on my tongue. His hand also stopped playing with my nipple, so I opened my eyes slightly, feeling puzzled. He was looking down at me, frowning. With a face full of displeasure, he asked accusingly,

“Are you sick?”

I blinked, feeling a little dazed.

“You’re burning up, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong. Do you have a cold?”

“Ah……”

Now that he mentioned it, I had been shivering when I came home earlier. I thought it was just my frozen body thawing out, but maybe I was actually sick.

“Ah…ah?”

He echoed my words as if dumbfounded, then raised his large hand and placed it on my forehead. His hand felt cool against my skin, like a cold compress.

“This is insane.”

His expression was grave. He seemed furious, having realized the state of my health, which I hadn’t even been aware of myself.

“Just how reckless can you be? Your forehead is burning up. Why didn’t you say anything when you were in this state?”

“I didn’t… know I was sick.”

“Is that supposed to be an excuse?”

“I’m sorry.”

He seemed even more dumbfounded by my answer. But no matter what he said, I couldn’t focus. I just wanted to rest. I wanted to quickly give him what he wanted and go back to my room and lie down.

“……Just do it.”

“What?”

“Just do it quickly.”

“…….”

“Don’t you want to do it now, Managing Director? So don’t mind me and just do it.”

Managing Director Jang Taejin looked utterly flabbergasted. His eyes on me were sharp. I didn’t even know what I had done wrong, but he was scolding me.

“Mr. Lim Jaegyeong. You seem to be mistaken.”

He suddenly scooped me up into his arms. My eyes widened in surprise at his unexpected action.

“I’m more of a romantic than you think, so I can’t fuck someone who’s sick.”

“……What?”

He gently placed me on his bed. After carefully laying me down, he placed a brief kiss on my forehead.

“Rest for a bit. I’ll get you some medicine.”

⋆.˚🦋₊ ⊹

In the morning, the doctor came. He appeared with Yeo Kyungmin, placed his medical bag on the side table, pulled a chair up to the bedside, and sat down.

“Open your mouth and say ‘ah’.”

I didn’t know if he’d come for a regular checkup or because he’d heard I was sick. It could have been both. But considering Managing Director Jang Taejin’s actions, staying by my side all night, I suspected it was the latter. Otherwise, there was no reason for him to come so early in the morning.

“That’s good. Your throat is a little swollen, but it’s not severe. I’ll take your temperature again.”

I obediently presented my ear as he instructed. He inserted the thermometer into my ear canal, waited for a moment, and then took it out when it beeped.

“Normal. I heard you were quite ill yesterday, but you’re in remarkably good condition.”

As I’d thought, he came this early because I was sick.

“It seems the measures taken were effective, seeing as your fever went down so quickly.”

I vaguely recalled bits and pieces of last night. After giving me medicine, Managing Director Jang Taejin left me alone. Even while undressing me and wiping my body with a wet towel, he hadn’t given me a single lustful glance.

I drifted off to sleep, drowsy from the medicine. Sometimes, when I opened my eyes, I saw him placing a cool towel on my forehead or checking my temperature with his hand. I couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality. I wondered if his attentiveness was an illusion because there was no reason for him to spend the night nursing me back to health.

“I’ll prescribe some medicine for bronchitis. You don’t have to take it if you feel better.”

“Is it okay for me to go out?”

“If you’re feeling well enough.”

“I’m not so sick that I can’t move.”

“Then it should be fine.”

The doctor’s clear answer brightened my face. I didn’t want to neglect my studies because of gloomy weather or my health. To get into the university and major I wanted, it was important to study consistently every day and maintain my study habits.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

The doctor packed his bag after he was finished. I headed to the entrance with Yeo Kyungmin to see him out. As soon as the doctor was gone, Yeo Kyungmin turned to me.

“That’s a relief!”

“Indeed.”

“The Managing Director was very worried. He said he didn’t sleep a wink last night.”

“What a great romantic.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

I turned away, leaving him flustered. I went to my room to get ready to go out, but Yeo Kyungmin followed me as if he had something else to say.

“Do you have something else to tell me?”

“Not exactly…… but you need to come with me somewhere.”

“Where? Is the Managing Director looking for me again?”

“No, it’s not that.”

Yeo Kyungmin smiled gently but still wouldn’t tell me where we were going.

“Dress comfortably. I’ll be waiting outside.”

As if I had no choice in the matter, Yeo Kyungmin informed me and left the room. I stared at the door in disbelief for a moment, then resigned myself and changed my clothes. I put on a hoodie under a thick padded jacket and slipped into my jeans. The same outfit Yeo Kyungmin had rejected just yesterday. He told me to dress comfortably, so it should be fine. I confidently headed to the living room.

“You’re dressed warmly.”

“I have a cold.”

“Good choice.”

Yeo Kyungmin led me to the car and headed to an unknown destination. The car stopped in the Gangnam district and dropped me off on a busy street.

“This is……”

Yeo Kyungmin and I had arrived at an imported car dealership for a well-known brand. Confused as to why he had brought me here, I looked at him questioningly.

“Let’s go in.”

“Wait a minute.”

I grabbed his arm as he started towards the entrance.

“Why are we here?”

“It’s a car dealership, so we’re here to look at cars?”

“……Cars?”

“Yes. So let’s go in. The wind is cold. It’s terrible for someone with a cold.”

I felt uneasy. Suddenly being at a car dealership, and Yeo Kyungmin’s constant smiling. He looked like he was hiding something, which made me even more anxious.

“Welcome.”

The employee greeted us kindly. It was only natural, since he was a salesperson. I involuntarily cringed under the bright lights of the showroom.

“I’ve been informed by the Managing Director. Please come this way.”

I cautiously followed Yeo Kyungmin, who was following the employee. It was my first time in a place like this, and I couldn’t get used to seeing so many expensive cars.

“Take a look around. If there’s a car you’d like to test drive, please let me know.”

Following the employee’s guidance, Yeo Kyungmin spoke.

“Mr. Jaegyeong, do you see any cars you like?”

If I saw any cars I liked? It would be faster to find cars I didn’t like in this luxury car dealership. But even if that’s how I felt, I didn’t actually want to choose a car. Anyone could see that this was a ploy to give me a car as a gift. The watch I received before was still tucked away in my desk drawer, and I wanted to refuse a car even more.

“Excuse me for a moment, Secretary Yeo.”

As I looked at the employee with a pleading expression, he tactfully excused himself.

“What are you doing? A car?”

“The Managing Director asked me to find a car for you, Mr. Jaegyeong.”

“I don’t need a car. I just turned twenty, what am I supposed to do with a car?”

“…….”

“So, no thank you. I’ll be going now.”

“Just a moment, Mr. Jaegyeong.”

Yeo Kyungmin spoke to me in a very businesslike manner as I refused.

“If you don’t see any cars you like, we can go to a different dealership.”

“It’s not that I don’t like any of the cars, it’s that I don’t need a car.”

“That’s problematic. The Managing Director specifically instructed me to buy you a car.”

“That’s his opinion.”

“If you’re going to be this difficult, I’ll just choose and purchase one myself.”

“I’m telling you, there’s no need.”

“I’m just following orders. If you really want to refuse, tell the Managing Director yourself.”

2:00 AM. After parting ways with Yeo Kyungmin, I stopped by the library and returned home, staying up late. Yeo Kyungmin, shaking his head and saying he had no authority to decide, had ultimately chosen and purchased a car at the dealership. I could only watch the whole process in stunned silence. The car wouldn’t be delivered for a few days. I planned to change Managing Director Jang Taejin’s mind before the car arrived at the house.

“Ah……”

A small commotion broke the stillness of the garden outside the window. Managing Director Jang Taejin had arrived. I got up from my seat. By the time I went outside, he was already entering the house. Gulp. I swallowed nervously and strode towards him.

“…….”

Managing Director Jang Taejin seemed quite surprised to see me. But he quickly composed himself and looked at me with his usual impassive expression.

“What are you doing up so late when you’re sick?”

He spoke as if scolding me. It seemed he was still concerned about my illness.

“I’m feeling much better. The doctor came this morning.”

“I’m glad. Even so, I’d prefer you not to come out to greet me this late. I believe I’ve mentioned this before?”

I suddenly wondered if his previous comment about not needing to greet him, made on the day I first arrived, had been in consideration of his own late arrivals.

“I was waiting because I have something to tell you.”

Managing Director Jang Taejin stared at me with a puzzled look. I had never asked to speak to him before. That must have been what surprised him.

“Let’s go up to my room.”

I followed him to the second floor. My heart pounded as I walked with him to his bedroom. Refusing his kindness was more difficult than I thought. I always felt small in front of him, as vulnerable as a herbivore being watched by a predator.

“Have a seat.”

He gestured towards the table with his chin, then loosened his tie and went into the dressing room. Sitting in the chair at the table, my gaze naturally followed him to the dressing room. The arched entrance had no door. Thanks to this, I could see him undressing through the large mirror on one wall of the dressing room. The shirt that concealed his toned body fell to the floor with a thud. The muscles of his broad chest rippled as he removed his clothes. He put on a robe, leaving only his underwear on, revealing his well-built physique. And as always, he came out of the dressing room without tying the robe.

“Alcohol.”

He glanced at my face, then frowned slightly.

“I can’t do this.”

He sat down in the chair opposite me, empty-handed, as if he had no other choice.

“Tell me.”

Seeing him lift his chin as if inviting me to speak, I felt breathless. I clenched my hands, which were resting on my lap, and lifted my head to face him.

“I can’t accept the car you’re offering.”

Managing Director Jang Taejin showed no particular reaction. As if he’d expected this since I’d asked to speak to him, he maintained his usual impassive expression.

“Why not?”

“It’s too much. It’s not appropriate for someone my age.”

“There are people who drive much nicer cars at your age.”

“Regardless, it’s not appropriate for me.”

Managing Director Jang Taejin leaned back in his chair and tapped his temple with the hand resting on the armrest. If I had to interpret his expression, it was one of ‘how do I deal with this troublesome thing?’ His gaze was sharp, but I didn’t flinch. I didn’t want to be forced to accept a car beyond my means and please him.

“Isn’t that why you came here?”

His unexpected words made me frown.

“What?”

“Didn’t you want to sell yourself to me at a high price?”

“…….”

“You should take everything you can get from me. That’s why you came here, isn’t it, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong?”

He wasn’t wrong. I had thought that if I had to sell myself, I wanted to get my full worth. But I’d already received enough compensation from him. I didn’t want anything more.

“I believe I’ve received sufficient compensation from you, Managing Director. There’s no need for you to give me anything more.”

Managing Director Jang Taejin fell silent for a moment at my firm stance. I hoped he would give up on the car. I didn’t want to argue with him any longer. Just sitting face to face with him was draining my energy.

“You’re really not listening.”

His demeanor suddenly changed. He completely abandoned his relatively businesslike tone and started speaking to me as if I were a child.

“Why did you have to catch a cold and make me worry?”

“It’s not like I wanted to get sick.”

“That’s what happens when you walk around in this cold weather. If you want to go to the library, ask for a ride.”

“The library isn’t that far, there’s no need for that.”

“Then why did you catch a cold if it’s not that far?”

After some back and forth, he said with a serious face,

“I couldn’t fuck you that day because you were sick.”

Ah…… I involuntarily sighed. So that was why he was so insistent on giving me a car.

Realizing his true intentions, I finally shut my mouth. Managing Director Jang Taejin also returned to his usual demeanor.

“I don’t want a situation where I can’t fuck you when I want to because you’re sick, Mr. Lim Jaegyeong. So just take the car without complaining.”

In other words, he was telling me to obediently use the car he gave me so I wouldn’t catch a cold and he wouldn’t be prevented from having sex with me.

“I’m sorry, but even if you say that, I still don’t want it. I’ll manage my own health, so please just take it back.”

“If you hate it that much, then take the car I’ve been driving. You can’t walk around anyway.”

Frustrated by his persistence despite my repeated refusals, I shouted without thinking,

“I don’t even have a license!”

Silence fell. Both of us, I, who had shouted in anger, and Managing Director Jang Taejin, who was looking at me, were flustered and stared at each other. Only the ticking of the clock was audible in the quiet. After a long while, Managing Director Jang Taejin finally spoke again.

“……Tell Secretary Yeo to look into driving schools tomorrow.”