DHG Ch 2

“I heard they replaced the nameplate on the president’s office.”

On a rainy afternoon in September, Heewoo, down in the main hall, listened to the kitchen staff gossiping. It had been a week since he’d been released from his virtual house arrest in the employee quarters.

“Jang is a common last name, but they say Jang Seungyung looks just like Chairman Jang Chunbae when he was younger. He also strangely resembles Managing Director Jang Jooshin. If the rumors are true, they’d be brothers.”

The head chef spoke. If the rumors were true, it would be a bolt from the blue for Jang Jooshin. A complete stranger had suddenly appeared, vying for his position as successor.

Perhaps due to Jang Seungyung’s suspicious arrival, Geumsan, already experiencing internal strife after acquiring a well-known company, had long been divided into two factions.

“So, what happens to our establishment?”

“What do you mean? It becomes part of Jang Seungyung’s… I mean, the new president’s domain.”

“Is Managing Director Jang Jooshin really that powerless? Kim Jinhwan still handled the dirty work for him, didn’t he?”

Chef Park complained. Kim Jinhwan, a true gangster who had managed several clubs and entertainment establishments, had become a sacrificial lamb in the power struggle between the Geumsan brothers.

“They’re just going to hand it over like this? To the new young president? I heard he’s not even thirty yet.”

Chef Park lowered his voice. Twenty-eight? Twenty-nine? He mentioned Jang Seungyung’s age, which he’d vaguely heard.

Heewoo, who was within earshot of their conversation due to his position, rubbed his neck. He was suddenly reminded of the day he was dragged into the president’s office. The smell of sweat, the Alpha pheromones, the man who sneered at him in the midst of that bizarre, frenzied atmosphere – it was all as vivid as yesterday.

He hadn’t been able to shake off a fever for the past few days. Recalling the man’s jovial yet undeniably cruel expression brought on a cold sweat.

If he actually encountered Jang Seungyung, he wouldn’t dare mention his age. Heewoo swallowed the words he couldn’t utter.

“If Managing Director Jang was powerless, he wouldn’t have been able to get Kim Jinhwan out. And this is just a rumor, but I heard Chairman Jang and Managing Director Jang weren’t on good terms to begin with.”

“Oh? Why?”

“Actually… Shh, here comes the manager.”

A group of people entered the hall. The head chef and Chef Park quickly separated. Cutting through the noisy chatter, the manager, holding a file, grabbed the microphone.

“The staff meeting will now begin.”

Dozens of employees lined up in the hall. The aftermath of the late-August raid had left gaps in their ranks. The manager introduced a woman in a long dress.

“This is the new acting president.”

It was Madam Won. A Beta woman adorned with light lipstick and a pearl necklace, she was the establishment’s so-called “grand madam.” She held the same position under Kim Jinhwan and now under the new owner. “I guess it’s true that Madam Won betrayed Kim Jinhwan,” Chef Park whispered dramatically.

“First, I want to talk about the reopening schedule.”

Madam Won announced.

“We will start accepting guests again the day after tomorrow evening.”

The two-week interior renovation was complete. There was no trace of the blood that had covered the floors and walls. The staff members who remembered the hellish scene exchanged subtle glances.

Heewoo figured the pest control company that had come in with the interior decorators must have done a good job. He hadn’t seen any insect carcasses or scurrying rat tails lately.

The staff, hiding their thoughts, listened attentively to Madam Won’s explanation.

“Of course, we won’t be accepting everyone. We will also reduce the number of tables. We could actually reopen tomorrow, but we’re being considerate.”

Everyone had expected as much. The establishment had always operated on a reservation basis, and after the recent incident, they would have to be even more selective about their clientele. What if one of Kim Jinhwan’s men snuck in with a knife? “If I were Madam Won, I would have fled the country,” Chef Park whispered, shuddering.

“Salaries will remain the same.”

The announcements continued, largely as expected. The most crucial information for the indebted employees, including Heewoo, came last.

“The transfer of debts has been completed. You will now repay your debts to the new president.”

There’s no need to go directly to the new president. Just as before, discuss any debt-related matters through me. Madam Won finished her explanation and put down the microphone. It was a brief and straightforward announcement.

“Dismissed! Back to work, everyone!”

The manager waved his arms dismissively. Madam Won departed as casually as ever, as if nothing untoward had happened. Her nonchalant attitude drew various glances, but Heewoo paid them no mind. He followed the kitchen staff towards the back of the establishment.

“Let’s get ready properly since we’re reopening soon!”

The head chef, holding a kitchen knife for the first time in two weeks, exclaimed with a slightly excited voice. Heewoo also took out the key to the pantry. He was usually in charge of checking, transporting, and disposing of ingredients in the kitchen.

He had to work even harder now. Heewoo recalled the debt Madam Won had mentioned.

Two hundred and two million won.

The remaining amount of the debt he had been paying off since his third year of middle school, and now the debt he had to repay to the new owner. The sum, which had once only grown despite him working sixteen hours a day, felt different this time. Probably because the creditor had changed.

Over the past week, all sorts of rumors had circulated about the new creditor, Jang Seungyung. From him being a Dominant Alpha to him soon being appointed as an executive director at Geumsan headquarters. Heewoo unconsciously raised his hand and touched his neck. The wound from where Jang Seungyung had ripped off his necklace was still scabbing over.

Although his necklace had been taken and he’d heard unpleasant words, his impression of Jang Seungyung wasn’t entirely negative. After all, thanks to that man, he had escaped Kim Jinhwan.

Escape, or rather, isolation from Kim Jinhwan.

He had truly escaped.

He couldn’t believe it.

“…This can’t all be a dream, can it?”

Kim Jinhwan, who had lost his business and suffered serious injuries, would be preoccupied. He certainly wouldn’t have time to think about a sex toy like him.

Since it was their first reopening in a while, he needed to move quickly to minimize mistakes. Although he wasn’t feeling well, he forced himself to walk briskly towards the pantry.

His heart, at least, felt a little lighter.

✮⋆˙

“Shouldn’t you be resting?”

Heewoo had just finished checking the supplies and was moving them into the kitchen. He stumbled, his chest tight even after such minimal exertion, and the head chef noticed.

“Now that I look, your face is quite bruised. Go rest if you’re not feeling well.”

Heewoo steadied his wavering vision. He headed towards the stainless steel prep table and said,

“I’m fine.”

The head chef was the only person in this kitchen of a dozen employees who checked on him. He used to exchange brief greetings with the other kitchen staff, but after Kim Jinhwan brutally beat and fired a cook who had been particularly friendly to Heewoo, he had become invisible.

“By the way, did you take the GED? Wasn’t it in August?”

Heewoo, who was taking out vegetables, paused at the head chef’s casual question.

“No, I couldn’t.”

The raid had happened a few days before the exam. He had been confined ever since, making it impossible to take the test.

Heewoo curved his chapped lips into what was supposed to be a smile. It looked more like a grimace, and the head chef carefully spoke.

“Oh dear…. Are you alright?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t worry. You can take it next time. You’re smart, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I hear studying for the CSAT is much harder. You’ll pass the GED easily as long as you take it.”

Heewoo lowered his head and began preparing the washed apples. The head chef, whose younger sibling was a senior in high school this year, often showed interest in Heewoo’s GED progress. Heewoo also sometimes found it strange that he was only a year older than the head chef’s sibling, who was attending high school.

Only the sounds of running water and chopping filled the quiet kitchen. Then, two people entered.

It was the Kang twins. Fraternal twins, one an Alpha manager, the other an Omega escort.

“Hey, middle school dropout.”

The Alpha twin, Manager Kang, with his characteristically muscular physique, sneered. Heewoo’s lips tightened slightly at their appearance.

‘He’s, he’s Kim Jinhwan’s lover!’

He remembered the voice that had betrayed him in that strange, frenzied atmosphere two weeks ago.

“Two vitamin juices. Make them tasty.”

Manager Kang dropped two 10,000 won bills on the floor. Heewoo wiped his wet hands and picked up the money, a familiar routine.

Making and selling juice from ingredients bought with their own money was another part of his job, as indebted employees weren’t allowed to freely leave the premises. He put on a mask and gloves and took out the ingredients. Manager Kang, leaning his elbow on the counter, spoke to him.

“Did you fail the GED again?”

He must have overheard the conversation with the head chef. Heewoo almost frowned. Not because of the childish taunt, but because of Manager Kang’s pheromones. Unrefined Alpha pheromones, much like his owner’s fiery temper, washed over him harshly.