EDR Ch 6

After the meal, I played rock paper scissors with Deputy Kang to clean up. I lost, but I honestly admitted it. I need to get out of this uncomfortable situation as soon as possible. I’ll have to clean the bowls and go to the pantry on my own.

“Then Deputy Kim, return the bowls downstairs. You should do it as soon as possible.”

Deputy Kang tapped my shoulder and ran away quickly.

“You’re such a bully.”

Department Head Lim laughed as I mumbled. Department Head Lim pats Employee Ha’s shoulder after packing the lunch box.

“We’ll go down too!”

Ha Won shakes his head.

“I will go with Deputy Kim. I want to drink coffee. Shall I buy you a cup as well, Department Head Lim?”

“Of course, thank you! I was going to brush my teeth, but I’ll do it later. I’ll go down first. I guess the two of you are getting close now.”

Department Head Lim waved his hand and left the conference room. In a space that smelled of jjajangmyeon, a plastic bag and Ha Won are the only things left with me. I want the bag containing the bowls of jjajangmyeon to be a significant impediment. But such a thing does not exist.

“Aren’t you going down?”

“Oh, yes.”

The rustling of plastic bags is as loud as drilling in a construction site.

This situation is making me uncomfortable. No, I just have to put up with it. When I’m full, the world appears to be beautiful. Could it be that I live to eat?

The only reason I can survive my corporate life is because of lunch. No, it is the power of the corporate card. The pleasure of paying for lunch with a corporate card keeps me alive.

I go down to the first floor wielding a plastic bag containing the bowls of jjajangmyeon. Ha Won followed me around like a shadow. As we stepped out across the marble-shaded lobby, we were greeted by cool air and lukewarm sunlight.

“Ha Won-ssi, you are going to the cafe, right? I’ll wait for the delivery man here and you can go.”

As I nod, Ha Won waved his hand.

“No, it’s okay. Let’s wait together.”

Why? I don’t want to. Go back.

I’m screaming inside my head. I have to get Ha Won to the cafe! Avoid the awkward atmosphere! But my mouth, which had been trained in social skills, resisted.

“Ah, would you like to wait with me?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s wait.”

“Yes.”

“…”

“…”

I knew this would happen. We’re so uncomfortably stiff, like clay structures hardening in the sun. Then Ha Won spoke up.

“You should put down the bowls, aren’t they heavy?”

They aren’t as heavy as this atmosphere.

“No, it’s just…”

Shall I put it down?

It felt like time had stopped for us. The office workers returning from lunch are scurrying around like fish, and we are the only ones at a standstill.

Phone, let’s take a look at my phone.

All of my friends, who usually invite me out to drink, are deafeningly quiet. The messenger is empty. Am I being bullied? Perhaps I’m standing here to return the bowls because I’m an outcast. Perhaps Deputy Kang wishes to torment me?

No. I have my ignorance of making fists to blame whenever I played rock paper scissors.

After being silent for a while, Ha Won finally spoke again.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”

“Yes?”

“What I said in the bathroom… about the pheromones.”

“Oh, but that’s fine. Because you misunderstood.”

“I still don’t think I’m wrong. It’s not wrong. However, I later regretted saying that. I must have been impolite to Deputy Kim by saying that. I’m sorry.”

If you don’t want to apologize, then don’t.

“Oh, it’s okay. Never mind. Because…”

“No. It’s my fault. I’m sorry. Actually, I guess this is what numbness feels like. I have an innate difficulty controlling my pheromone. Therefore… To put it another way, I have more pheromones than other people.”

“It must be difficult.”

I’m not very interested.

“That’s why I’m more sensitive. I’m a little obsessive about controlling pheromones. I’m sorry.”

Ha Won’s eyelashes gleamed red in the sunlight as he smiled shyly. He’s beautiful. He is so beautiful that every time I see him, it feels like the first time. Even his round eyes look special. I mutter, possessed by his face.

“It’s okay.”

“I was a little surprised to see that you weren’t like that at all earlier. You were really good at controlling your pheromones. How come your pheromones were like that in the morning?”

Ha Won appeared to be lost in thought, his face flushed. Come to think of it, it was said that the pheromone emitted by Director Lee was an estrus pheromone. I’m not sure what that is, but I have a feeling it’s a little perverted.

I have no intention of getting acquainted with Ha Won, but the misunderstanding had to be resolved. Ha Won may still think I’m an Alpha.

“That wasn’t my pheromone to begin with, and I…”

“Oh, there’s the jjajangmyeon delivery motorcycle.”

Ha Won’s fingers were pointing forward. When I looked up, I saw a motorcycle that was as well-tuned as the Korean flag. It had a blue Chinese restaurant box on the back.

“That’s right, but I’m a Beta.”

But Ha Won was already walking forward.

“Hurry!”

Ha Won waved his arm. I made up my mind and approached the motorcycle. Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Let him know I’m a Beta.

The delivery man parked his motorcycle on the grass and removed his helmet. He had a very handsome face, and he was most likely hired because of it at the time of the interview.

“Bowls.”

Yep, it is clear that he was hired only because of his face.

When I held out the bowls, the delivery man raised one corner of his mouth and smirked. Looking closely, there are piercings on his eyebrows.

The delivery man, who put the bowls in the back, smiled as he looked at Ha Won. It’s a playful smile.

“Are you an Alpha? Is this Omega your lover?”

“What?”

I’m dumbfounded by the nonsense. Dozens of question marks popped up in my head. Ha Won crossed his arms and responded back.

“Then you must be an Omega? You’re exuding pheromones around.”

The delivery man leans in close to me. I take a step back. The delivery man presses his finger against my chest. His fingers were thin, beautiful, and strong. I think he’ll be good at stone flicking.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“You’re so calm. Or are you holding it in right now? When I get off work today…”

“Let’s go in.”

He then pushed Ha Won’s shoulders and left. I glance around and see the delivery man looking at me and shouting something. When I turned around, he was wearing a helmet and mounting his motorcycle.

Ha Won looked at me, then at the front, before speaking.

“A pheromone like that… Deputy Kim, are you not going to do anything? It’s great that you’re calm, but…”

There must be something else about Alphas and Omegas that I don’t know about. I can’t even tell if the delivery man was an Alpha or an Omega. I don’t know if he was trying to provoke me or seduce me. He seemed to be trying to seduce me…

I lower my gaze to Ha Won. His beautiful face and ears have been dyed red. Maybe he was trying to start a fight because the delivery guy mistook Ha Won for my lover. That seemed more likely. He even asked me a moment ago if I was an Alpha.

I don’t understand. How can you know if I’m an Alpha, Beta, or Omega? What makes someone look like an Alpha and what makes someone look like an Omega? Everyone looks like a normal person to me.

“Won-ssi, do I look like an Alpha?”

As if angry, Ha Won, who was leading the way, turned his head.

“You’re self-conscious. You completely look like a Beta!”

He is right, but it’s kind of embarrassing. It sounded like an insult. What kind of person is Kim Joo-hyuk? He looks like Kim Joo-hyuk. Very like Kim Joo-hyuk…

“You’re not as pretty as Omegas or as powerful as Alphas.”

I never said that. Ha Won, who was staring at me, bit his lip and turned around.

“But I’m a Beta.”

“You want to joke now? Really… Deputy Kim is such a strange person.”

Ha Won, who burst out laughing, looked up at me as if he couldn’t stop me. My brows crease. Where in the world is the problem? Why am I… Well…

Ha Won pushed my chin with his finger.

“That’s okay. Would you like to go buy coffee with me?”

I nod because I don’t have anything else to do. Ha Won’s slightly curly hair shook in the wind.

Ha Won’s fingertips touched my chin. Ha Won steps look light. After chasing his back with my eyes, I follow him and walk lightly.

Why did you have to hit someone with your finger? What a personality…