DHG Ch 31

“Those kinds of people don’t genuinely like people like us. They just want to play around because we’re easy to manipulate. They’ll find someone else to actually spend their life with.”

Despite his sharp tone, Daol’s light-colored eyes wavered. His gaze, directed at Heewoo, seemed more hurt than accusatory.

Heewoo swallowed a bitter laugh. Daol distinguished between “those kinds of people” and “people like us.” The former likely referred to those wealthy enough to be Benny’s members, while the latter probably meant people who worked there.

In truth, Heewoo and Daol shared another commonality unknown to Daol: they were both male Omegas.

Daol had once spoken self-deprecatingly about his secondary gender, implying that while it might be something people would want to experience once out of sexual curiosity or for a unique encounter, it made him an outsider, someone not considered for a life partner or marriage.

“Just… don’t end up like me.”

“…….”

“Sorry if I’m overthinking it.”

His dejected murmur felt like a stab to Heewoo’s gut. He couldn’t bring himself to argue that things would be different for him, that it wouldn’t happen to him.

Because Daol’s words were close to the truth.

Heewoo had witnessed countless times how people who frequented Benny treated the servers and attractive staff. They wanted to “experience” people like him but rarely let them into their lives. The owner was likely no different.

“I know what you mean.”

Heewoo replied.

If he recklessly gave in to the owner’s kindness, the difference in their social standing would only lead to him getting hurt. That was Daol’s concern.

Even if it was self-victimization, what could he do? The one with less to lose always had to be more careful.

It was all because of those pheromones. If he hadn’t sensed Jang Seungyung’s refreshing pheromones, which seemed to speak to every nerve ending in his body, he wouldn’t have kissed him. Daol didn’t know about the kiss. He deserved every bit of this advice.

He couldn’t control his feelings, but he should have controlled his actions.

“I know what you’re worried about, hyung.”

Thank you. Heewoo said in a subdued voice. Daol fell silent, looking at Heewoo with a complex expression of guilt and sympathy.

As they shared a moment of mutual understanding, albeit slightly awkward, another visitor entered the kitchen, breaking the somber atmosphere.

“Heewoo, can you help me with something?”

It was Madam Won.

See you later, hyung. Heewoo said goodbye to Daol and followed Madam Won. As they climbed the stairs, Heewoo replayed Daol’s advice in his mind, repeatedly resolving to act rationally, regardless of his feelings for the owner.

But they arrived at the owner’s office. Empty but undeniably luxurious, the space welcomed them.

“Here, this way.”

Madam Won turned on the lights and led Heewoo to one side of the office. It was a pantry, equipped with shelves neatly stocked with high-end tea sets, snacks, teapots, and a small sink for washing up.

“I’d like you to clean the owner’s office from now on.”

Madam Won pointed first to the main office area and then to the pantry.

“Get the cleaning supplies from the manager. Don’t leave them here or in the office; take them with you each time.”

After explaining the precautions, Madam Won handed Heewoo, who remained quiet, a slip of paper with a six-digit number written on it.

“This is the passcode to the office.”

Madam Won was certain the owner was interested in Heewoo.

Her conviction stemmed from last month, when Secretary Hwang started asking detailed questions about Kwon Heewoo. She’d had her suspicions when Jang Seungyung started frequenting Benny and the kitchen for seemingly no reason, but that’s when she became certain of his intentions.

Yesterday’s wallet incident served as further proof. Madam Won suddenly remembered that Lee Daol, who was accumulating penalty points for negligence, had slept in Kwon Heewoo’s room the previous night. The owner’s plan became crystal clear.

He dropped the wallet so Kwon Heewoo would find it. And Lee Daol happened to pick it up instead.

She needed to subtly put Heewoo near the owner. This line of thinking was a natural progression for Madam Won.

“This time, asking you while you’re delivering juice won’t do. You’re the perfect person for this job.”

Even though Kwon Heewoo was a Beta, his appearance alone was convincing enough, no matter who he was paired with. Madam Won took in his strangely beautiful features anew.

“Oh, of course, I’ve already spoken to Head Chef about reducing your workload in the stockroom.”

You’ll do a good job, won’t you? Despite Madam Won’s prompting, Heewoo, with his composed expression, didn’t move.

Madam Won realized then that he might be flustered, even if he wasn’t showing it.

“…Well? Go on.”

“……”

“Go see the manager.”

Madam Won nudged Heewoo’s shoulder with her fingertip. Finally, a quiet “Yes” escaped his lips.

Heewoo returned shortly with cleaning supplies. Madam Won stayed and watched him clean. After about five minutes,

“Good. Just like this from now on.”

Satisfied, Madam Won smiled and left the office.

Barely a minute later, Heewoo opened the door, checked that the hallway was empty, and immediately gathered the cleaning supplies and slipped out of the office.

He didn’t want to run into the owner. From the afternoon until just before opening, or from early evening to midnight, were the times Jang Seungyung frequented Benny the most.

In Heewoo’s experience, the wealthier someone was, the busier they got around the end of the year. Jang Seungyung was no exception. Even though his visits had become less frequent because of it, Heewoo wanted to avoid any chance encounter with the owner.

Seeing him would only stir up his emotions.

Suddenly, he felt a bit overwhelmed. He’d just resolved to be careful with his feelings and actions towards Jang Seungyung, yet cleaning the office meant seeing him more often. He was afraid of losing his composure again.

Okay,

‘Let’s clean in the morning.’

‘Let’s wake up two hours earlier than usual.’

Then there would be no chance of running into Jang Seungyung in his office. If he finished cleaning early, he could study.

From that day on, Heewoo woke up earlier than everyone else to clean the owner’s office.

He made up for the lost sleep by napping during the stockroom organizing time Madam Won had freed up for him. Being out of the kitchen during that time actually reduced the number of times he saw Jang Seungyung. It was a blessing in disguise.

Maintaining this routine until the end of the year brought Heewoo a realization: cleaning the owner’s office was surprisingly rewarding.

It was a silly analogy, but it felt similar to wanting to give Jang Seungyung a chicken drumstick. Meticulously wiping and polishing the space where the man spent his time, Heewoo felt a sense of liberation in expressing his feelings.

In a situation where he had to control both his emotions and actions, it became an outlet, however temporary, for all that he held inside.

Cleaning was the only act through which he could express his feelings for the man without fear of being noticed. As long as it remained a secret, like the energy juice recipe, he could continue indefinitely, pouring his heart out to Jang Seungyung while concealing his true intentions.

It made him happy to imagine the man spending even a short time in the clean space he’d created, feeling comfortable.

Cleaning the owner’s office had become the part of Heewoo’s day he most looked forward to.

Despite his lack of sleep due to his early wake-up time, he was strangely not tired at all. Even on days when he finished work late and went to bed in the morning, his eyes would pop open at 10 a.m. Filled with a peculiar energy, Heewoo would meticulously sweep and wipe every corner of the office and then continue to scrutinize the spotless space, wondering if he could improve it further.

Being able to do something for him feels good.

What else can I do?

After much deliberation, Heewoo decided to turn on the heating in advance for when Jang Seungyung arrived.

To avoid any chance encounters, he used the staff-only staircase to access the office and activate the heater. He didn’t forget to turn on the humidifier either. As the room became warm and humid, so did Heewoo’s heart.

Facing the impeccably clean space, even he was impressed, Heewoo felt like a highly capable person. Someone who could do anything for the person he liked, like the protagonists in dramas. Even if it was a ridiculous delusion, he basked in the momentary euphoria of feeling like that person.

And so, on the last day of the year,

Even as he cleaned up after guests who were drunkenly laughing, popping champagne, celebrating the new year, and endlessly chanting “Happy New Year” like loudspeakers, Heewoo could only think of the owner’s office.

On his way back after finishing the late dishes, he stopped by the owner’s office again to check its condition. He looked around the interior, which felt strangely quiet, perhaps because the man hadn’t visited that day. After making sure there were no areas he’d missed, he carefully locked the door.

Back in his room, as he was getting ready for bed, a sudden, loud banging on the door startled him.

“Who is it?”

He asked, but there was no answer.

Bang. The heavy sound echoed again. The loud noise shook the small room, and Heewoo’s heart along with it.