EDR Ch 16

As I enter the office, I see that Deputy Kang was the first to arrive. Deputy Kang waves his hand at me.

“Good morning!”

I bow my head and sit down. Today, as soon as I get home, I will watch a movie and do nothing else. I really won’t do anything. I’ll even turn off my phone too.

“Did Ha Won-ssi go home with you yesterday?”

Deputy Kang asked. I shake my head. Deputy Kang came close to me as if puzzled.

“Huh? So did Ha Won-ssi go home alone?”

“His cousin picked him up.”

“Ah…”

Deputy Kang went back to his seat, his excitement dissipating. Then he came back.

“What do you think of Ha Won-ssi?”

“He looked healthy.”

“No, what do you think?”

I gently push Deputy Kang’s shoulder.

“I don’t think anything.”

I remember Ha Won’s face. Ha Won is really pretty. He just needs to find a good Alpha and live happily ever after. I’m a Beta. So I must act like a Beta.

Deputy Kang returned to his seat, finally given up.

For some reason, an ordinary morning passes by. I was worried that Director Lee would show up, but he didn’t. It bothers me a little. I feel like I miss the street cat I see every day. Director Lee said we became friends. I guess he’s not coming to say hello to his friend. In the end, he only shows interest in me as a romantic partner. I’m upset for no reason.

I go to the pantry to get a glass of water. Chief Seo and her friends are in the pantry. I go to the water purifier after greeting with my eyes. I overhear the two of them conversing while I’m pouring the water.

“Director Lee, I saw him come with an Omega.”

“Alpha is an Alpha… But the fact that the two of them came together…”

I gulp down the water. I put the paper cup down hard enough to create a loud noise. Both of their gazes are fixed on me.

“We should go back.”

“Yes.”

The two left the pantry. I drink another glass of water.

“Crazy.”

Anyway, love easily attracts attention. I don’t care if I don’t know what everyone else is doing. It’s up to them whether they’re dating or having sex. They are free to live their lives as they like. Of course, Ha Won and Director Lee are cousins. I frowned.

I remember Ha Won getting out of Director Lee’s car. I’m more worried about Ha Won-ssi gaining access to the corporation through a connection. He never claimed to have gotten in that way outright, but we never know.

I just feel sick to my stomach.

When I return to my seat, a new employee is attached to Deputy Kang’s back. It seems that the employee is in charge of the security.

“Then when can I send you the materials?”

“After lunch… 2 o’clock?”

“Deputy Kang, would you like to have lunch with me?”

Deputy Kang, didn’t you want to eat with me today? I glance to the side. Deputy Kang looks embarrassed.

Come to think of it, it’s the Alpha who followed Deputy Kang when he fainted. The new employee placed his hand on Deputy Kang’s shoulder. Deputy Kang looked up as if puzzled. The new employee’s expression darkened. My intuition is telling me Deputy Kang is in trouble. I move the chair toward Deputy Kang.

“Deputy Kang. Isn’t there an anniversary coming up soon? Wedding anniversary?”

“Eh? Me? Ahhh… That’s right, but it’s not a wedding… We’re imprinted, so it’s an imprinted anniversary…”

Deputy Kang’s face blushes. The new employee’s hand moved off of Deputy Kang’s shoulder.

“I think Alphas and Omegas are amazing. The two live together for the rest of their lives after being imprinted. There are only two of them. There are no additional Alphas or Omegas. Just the two of them.”

There is a contradictory example of this exaggeration with Director Lee, but I said it first. The new employee frowned as if he had chewed something sour.

“I suddenly remembered. That imprinting is different. Imprinting.”

Deputy Kang wrinkled his face and then he burst out laughing.

“Yes. I can only think of that person after I imprinted. My heat has also calmed down. I enjoy it a lot more now than I did before I was imprinted.”

Deputy Kang looked up at the new employee and said softly.

“I hope you will meet someone like that as well.”

“Yes… I’ll go back to my seat.”

The new employee looked back at me and walked away. I and Deputy Kang look at the back of the new employee and move our chairs closer.

“Thank you. But it was too obvious.”

“It would’ve been weird to tell him to get lost when we’re in the same office.”

“That’s true.”

Deputy Kang gives me a pat on the shoulder.

“Deputy Kim will also find a good person.”

“I will figure it out.”

“Okay okay.”

Deputy Kang laughed.

I go back to work. I didn’t forget to set up lunch menus with Deputy Kang through messenger. Today is rice noodles.

We decided that today should just be the two of us for lunch. It seems that there is an important meeting in the General Affairs Department. I’m a little worried about how Ha Won is. Will he go with Director Lee today?

They won’t be able to avoid weird rumors if they stay together for a while. It’s only because they’re an Alpha and an Omega that this is the case. The two are cousins, but it would be difficult to even say that they are cousins. Even so, there will be another silver spoon controversy.

I think it will be best to hire a personal bodyguard. The bodyguard should be a Beta. If it’s an Alpha, Ha Won might actually suffer damage, and if it’s an Omega, it would be ignored.

I’m having trouble focusing on my work because I’m thinking about Ha Won and Director Lee. Ha Won is on one side of the seesaw, and Director Lee is on the other. They swing up and down and take control of my mind.

I wonder what will have happened if I were an Alpha or an Omega. Would I have opened my heart to either of them if that was the case?

It isn’t that I don’t really want to fall in love. Nor can I say that I’ve never experienced the sweetness of love. I had a girlfriend when I was in college. We broke up after less than a year, but I really loved her back then. I walked out to meet her after my classes and looked for restaurants in the university district to eat together…

That stability was good. A normal relationship. The same kinds of dates as every other lover. However, I liked the times when each other’s existence itself is special. Maybe I didn’t realize that I’m waiting for the same feelings I had back then.

I want to blend in silently with the society I’ve grown up in. I grew up in a society dominated by Betas. I believe it will continue to be that way in the future. But society is not at all like I had imagined. Maybe it’s because there are so many Alphas in Seoul.

My hands are becoming increasingly sluggish. My shoulders are aching as well. There is still time before the workday is over. I wish I had a visitor. Take a break from work for a moment.

The ominous wish came true easily. The sound of urgent footsteps came from the hallway. A person wearing a large fur coat walks in. It’s difficult to tell whether it’s a woman or a man.

“Excuse me, no outsiders are allowed to enter…”

The security guard is following her. By the way, the security guard is a very gentle person. He will occasionally give me yogurt if I arrive early. If there were a con, it would be that he is too friendly, and he cannot effectively prohibit such visitors.

However, I don’t think the security guard is to blame in this case. A few more men in black uniforms walk in. Unless you are a martial arts master, I don’t think you would be able to stop all of them. I’m not sure who the person is, but they seemed to be an important visitor. I feel I should call Director Lee immediately.

The security guard, who took off his hat, did not know what to do and entered the third floor. People peeked their heads over their partitions. I also shake my head lightly. I’ll be able to take a break from work for a while. It’s an opportunity. I should use this time to rest.

“Hyun-jae-ya. Lee Hyun-jae.”

A sharp voice calls out to Section Chief Lee. Dozens of eyes shift focus to Section Chief Lee. Section Chief Lee got up in surprise.

“Madam.”

“Why didn’t you answer my call?”

“Oh…”

It seems he didn’t know. Section Chief Lee hesitantly grabbed his phone.

“I’m sorry.”

“Are you only able to say ‘I’m sorry’? You always say you’re sorry when you open your mouth.”

The visitor looked around the office while crossing her arms.

“Of course, you wouldn’t pick up my call when you’re in a place full of Betas. You don’t look like an Omega, and you certainly don’t look like a Beta. What a pleasure it is to be you.”

It’s upsetting to hear Betas being talked about like that. I’d like to express my displeasure. Nothing is wrong with Betas. There’s nothing wrong with Omegas, either.

The notice on the messenger flashes incessantly. Unexpectedly, an employee who had been watching got up from his seat. According to the messenger, it appears he is attempting to contact Director Lee.

The atmosphere in the office is gloomy. The guards go back and forth to persuade the visitor.

“No outsiders allowed…”

“Secretary Kim. Take him to the first floor.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Chairman? The messenger is about to explode. I wonder if the reaction for a famous BJ broadcaster would be like this. I don’t know what a person who deserves to be called the chairman is doing here.

In a sharp nerve war, the security guard evaded Secretary Kim’s touch.

“No, it should be the three of you who go down.”

“Go down.”

“No, not me, it’s the outsiders who have to go down…”

The visitor approached Section Chief Lee. Section Chief Lee stood attentively.

“Hyun-jae-ya. Pack your bags and come out. Or should I come to see you personally again?”

“Madam, that is difficult. I am working.”

The visitor snorted.

“They give work to an Omega who couldn’t even imprint properly. This must be a really good company.”

Section Chief Lee turned his head away. And our eyes met.

I’m not a person full of justice. I don’t even have a superpower. I’m a normal Beta. A normal Beta. Knowing that it’s impossible, I telepathically talk to Section Chief Lee.

‘Throw a punch and call the police.’

Section Chief Lee smiled brightly. I clench my fist and lift it up.

‘Your fist is faster than the law.’

Telepathy. Telepathy.

Section Chief Lee looked directly at the visitor’s eyes. And he picked up his phone.

“If you disturb my work, I will call the police. Go down. Hee-tae and I are no longer related.”

“What did you say now?”

“Come down, madam.”

“Lee Hyun-jae!”

I push the chair back a little and then pull myself back to my desk. My conscience was trying to grab me by the collar. Work! You shouldn’t be curious about other people’s private lives!

On the other hand, I slapped the back of my conscience. It’s exciting! Come on, stand up!

I look into the eyes of the employees next to me. Everyone appears to think the same way I do. The necks of everyone are tucked behind them, but their bodies are linked to the desk.

“Now, have you forgotten about the debt you owe us? Think clearly and come out soon.”

“Go down. Or I will call someone.”

Section Chief Lee said in a firm voice. It was tougher than last month’s meeting when he said that the PPT should be recreated. Section Chief Lee picked up his phone without hesitation.

“Security team. This is the 3rd floor Section Chief, Lee Hyun-jae. There are unauthorized outsiders here, so please escort them out.”

“Lee Hyun-jae, you really!”

The visitor moved closer to Section Chief Lee. The onlookers stood up. The atmosphere is serious. The customer clenched her fist. She might hit Section Chief Lee. There’s tension.

There’s no room to breathe. The visitor raised her hand. Section Chief Lee tightly closed his eyes. There’s the sound of chairs being pushed all over the place.

It’s the new Alpha who blocked the visitor’s hand. I and the Beta Chief, who ran late, try to drag the visitor away from Section Chief Lee.

“I have nothing to do with Hee-tae anymore.”

“You… you!”

Secretary Kim and the bodyguard approach this way. Their sharp eyes are visible through the dark sunglasses. I thought I would come to work and watch everything. Each of them grabbed my and the Beta Chief’s wrists.

The Chief and I hold on with all our might. Contrary to how it looked, the visitor had very strong arms. If I didn’t hold her tightly, it seemed that she would run to Section Chief Lee like a bullet.

“How can you do that! We… to you…!”

“Stop it now!”

Section Chief Lee shouted. Tears well up in Section Chief Lee’s eyes. Both the Beta Chief and I are frowning. Secretary Kim’s grip is no joke. It really hurt. I think I’m going to get a bruise.

“Ah, ah, ah, it really hurts, let go.”

“Let go of the chairman first.”

“No, I won’t let someone who wants to hit others go.”

“We can’t let go either.”

Those who receive salaries are not at fault. I decided to hold on a little longer. I don’t think this person is here because he wants to either. The building security guard hung on to the two people.

“Go down, please!”

The bodyguard shut his mouth. The security guard’s hat then falls. His bare crown is wet with sweat and shining. The Chief bowed his head. He seemed to have burst into laughter. I tried to scold him with a wink, but I was laughing, too. I bite my lips. I really can not stop myself from laughing at one point.

It is said that people laugh when they are very stressed. So that’s why the Chief and I both laugh. It’s what the brain tells you to do to keep your mind at ease. Laugh because we need to release some tension. The bodyguards appear to be in a similar situation.

The black suit’s shoulders shook. The bodyguards let out a snort. Their eyes met over the sunglasses. It seems crazy. The crown is no longer an issue. It’s just funny. The top of the head is also a problem. A few strands of hair are blown away by the wind of the hat. It’s making me crazy.

“Mother!”

The visitor quickly turned around. We, who were holding the visitor at the time, also turned around. I see Department Head Seo walking towards us in a hurry.

“Hee-tae!”

“What are you doing here!”

“Look at your Omega! He is talking back to me now…!”

“Leave Hyun-jae alone now.”

Department Head Seo grabbed the guest’s shoulder. It’s like freeze tag. Five adults are clinging to the guests. I make eye contact with the Chief and walk away. The bodyguard released his grip on my wrist. It hurt. When I look at the bodyguard, he is expressionless. The smooth forehead is disgusting.

“Lee Hyun-jae, are you okay?”

“You go home with your mother, Department Head Seo. And I mean what I said last time.”

“Hyun-jae-ya, that’s… Lee Hyun-jae.”

Section Chief Lee made a gesture with his hand. The employees looked around. The security team comes running. The new employee locked his gaze on Department Head Seo and shielded Section Chief Lee from his view.

“Are you aware of what you’ve just said?”

“Get lost.”

“If you’re not going to be nice to me, you shouldn’t even bother me.”

“Lee Hyun-jae. What’s the matter with you?”

“It’s the same for you. I have nothing to do with you.”

Section Chief Lee slumped down to his seat. Following Section Chief Lee’s height, the heads of the onlookers drop.

“Hee-tae, what the hell happened?”

The visitor asked.

“Mother, please be quiet.”

“I will not. I was not such an Omega!”

“Mother and Hyun-jae are different!”

The visitor looked at Department Head Seo as if he had lost his mind. Department Head Seo turned his head.

“We’re the security team. What’s going on? Let’s go down first.”

The guests were then taken away by Department Head Seo and the security team. The crowd divides into two groups. One group is observing the guests, while the other is observing the new employee, who is still standing.

“Section Chief.”

“Sit down.”

“That imprint, it’s incomplete.”

“Sit down.”

“You’re still suppressing your heat cycle. Tell me. Do you like Seo Hee-tae that much?”

“Sit down!”

“You say you’re getting a divorce! That isn’t the expression you make when you are going through a divorce. Why the hell?!”

Section Chief Lee slammed the desk.

“Yes! That’s right! I like him! I love him so much I’m going crazy. I know how trash Hee-tae is. Still, I can’t give up. I love him. From the first time we met until now, I only looked at Hee-tae. Are you satisfied?”

I and the Beta Chief stood by awkwardly before hastily returning to our seats. Deputy Kang pat my shoulder.

“I saw that Deputy Kim was caught by the bodyguard earlier…”

“They are really strong.”

“Look, aren’t you bruised?”

“I think I was bruised. Do you have pain relief patches?”

“There should be some in my drawer…”

The new employee approached Section Chief Lee while Deputy Kang was searching through the drawers.

“I, can’t it be me?”

“Sit down now before I get mad!”

“Hyun-jae hyung!”

“Seo Hee-soo!”

The new employee got out of his seat as if he were running away. Someone stood up and attempted to pursue the new employee. It appeared to be a security guard. The security guard’s face looked gloomy.

“Sit down.”

“Yes.”

The noisy office became as quiet as a cave. The typing on keyboards is all I can hear. Sometimes I think the keyboard sound would have been nicer if we were the PR team…

I could see Section Chief Lee wiping away his tears in the midst of the erratic keyboard sounds. The messenger has gone silent.

None of us can say it’s lunchtime now.