EDR Ch 25

Since Ha Won wasn’t around, Director Lim seemed bored. Director Lim, who had used the documents as an excuse, stayed by our side to chat.

“He said he couldn’t come because he had an urgent family business. No, if that is the case then tell me in advance. Maybe something big is going on?”

I’m holding my breath.

“Well, I don’t know.”

“Ah, but you know what, Deputy Kim?”

Director Lim violently shakes my chair. I entered the numbers into the computer while wobbling. And asked dryly,

“What?”

“Deputy Kim’s rumors spread all over the General Affairs department?”

“My rumors?”

“Hahahahah!”

Director Lim smiled brightly. She seems to have regained her energy. When I look back at Director Lim, I see her playful face.

“An Alpha from the customer management team! The one who came to pick up Ha Won last time. It was just a rumor!”

I tilted my head. Deputy Kang tapped my chair.

“That day, that day. You wanted to take Ha Won home because of the stalker. In the end, you said that Won-ssi was picked up by his cousin on that day.”

“Ah, that day.”

There was something like that. The stalker became a problem from then on, and the incident occurred. I was getting antsy thinking about the weak Ha Won at the time. I was concerned about what the stalker would do at the time. I never imagined Ha Won would beat up a stalker and then go to the police station.

“However, they said that a powerful Alpha came to pick him up, but after hearing more about it, it turned out that it was Deputy Kim! Hahahahahaha!”

Director Lim simultaneously shakes Kang’s and my chair. Deputy Kang’s head swayed back and forth. Then Deputy Kang says,

“I mistook Deputy Kim for an Alpha for a day or two. At first, I thought he was Alpha as well. I found out when we got closer.”

“But what’s really great is that we have one heck of a tiger manager; he has a really cranky personality, but he has been an angel since Deputy Kim came. I went on a blind date with some Omegas from the General Affairs department over the weekend, and he went there as well. Also, did you know that he’s been wanting to do my job? He was always asking if I was going to the third floor.”

Deputy Kang smiled and gave a high-five to Director Lim. The sound of Director Lim’s laughter hit my ears without mercy.

“What are you going to do about this? You’ve become such a bad guy! Hahahahaha!”

Then Director Lee shouted from afar.

“Director Lim, aren’t you busy? Do you want me to share my work with you?”

“I’m going! I’m going!”

Director Lim shook our chairs once more before leaving. Deputy Kang turned to face me.

“So, I saw it all earlier. You were talking with Director Lee in the elevator. What did you talk about?”

“We didn’t talk much. Just greetings.”

“At first, you didn’t even greet him, but now you do?”

He pulled out my chair. Deputy Kang put his arm on my chair.

“Actually, Director Lee has changed a lot. He’s changed since he started chasing after Joo-hyuk-ssi.”

“What do you mean?”

I leaned back. Deputy Kang smiled and sat close to the computer.

“I won’t tell you. Let’s just think about the lunch menu. I’m the happiest when I think about lunch.”

I returned my gaze to the monitor. The numbers seem to mock me. On a gray screen, several banners are stacked. That’s how much my heart expanded. A small part of my heart is tingling. I’m always worried. I thought I had to maintain my composure. But the more I did, the more my heart fluttered.

Come to think of it, I forgot to look at the Hawaii photos today.

***

I was also worried about Ha Won. I put up with Director Lim’s teasing and found Ha Won’s phone number. Ha Won stated that he was still at the Samseong-dong police station. Things appeared to be getting better, as he said he already called a lawyer. He said he should be able to leave by lunchtime. It gave Ha Won’s bodyguards a chance to see the stalker’s face. I’m not sure if I should say it went well or that it was fortunate.

I say something impulsive.

“Would you like to have lunch with me?”

– Isn’t the time a little tight?

“No, I will go. It’s quick to get to Samseong-dong.”

– Deputy Kim, I’m fine…

“Wait. I’ll be there.”

When I see Ha Won, I can’t help but think of Kim Joo-young. Ha Won is probably the same kind of existence to Director Lee. A naive but lovable younger brother. For some reason, I felt the same way. I may be more concerned because Ha Won is an Omega. My gorilla is a Beta, but that was it anyway. My gorilla is a Beta, but…

Lunchtime may be tight no matter how close Samseong-dong is. First, I’ll need to get permission from Section Chief Lee. Section Chief Lee had a relatively small section, so he tended to schedule a leisurely lunch break. He’s a good person.

“Deputy Kang, have you seen Section Chief Lee?”

“He was sitting at his desk until now, where did he go? Maybe he went to the bathroom? Section Chief Lee didn’t even come down today.”

“Is that so…”

I went to the equipment room while waiting for Section Chief Lee, who was not at his desk. If no one is there, I can look in the bathroom, then the equipment room, and finally the pantry.

Upon entering the equipment room, I see two employees looking at each other awkwardly. One man is holding a falling basket, while the other is trapped in his arms. Their faces are so close that they seem to be about to kiss.

It happens all the time. Nobody considers repairing the sloppy shelves in the equipment room. The company’s operating expenses will undoubtedly go to the company’s dinner expenses. They don’t know if they lack the funds to repair the shelves because no one works properly in the first place. The company better not go bankrupt before I leave.

“Ah, I… this… !”

“It’s fine!”

I shut the door to the equipment room, leaving the two reddish faces behind me. Those two are definitely not dating.

Is it because of Department Head Seo that Section Chief Lee is absent? As I walked down the hallway leading to Department Head Seo’s office, I heard Section Chief Lee’s voice. And the new employee Seo Hee-soo’s voice.

“Hyung, why aren’t you eating with me these days?”

“I’m busy. Just go.”

“It’s not like you even eat at home either. I heard everything from the helper.”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Today’s lunch, come with me. You should eat in front of me.”

“Seo Hee-soo, are you really going to be like this?”

It’s a difficult situation to intervene. I took a seat on the bench at the end of the hall a little ways away from the two of them. Unintentionally, the water purifier covered my body perfectly. I shook my head and turned to face them. I’ll just go out and tell them I’ll be a little late for lunch.

Section Chief Lee’s complexion appears pale even from a distance. I assumed he was being caught trying to use the bathroom. The new employee doesn’t seem to notice. I’ll have to quickly inform my business and send Section Chief Lee to the bathroom. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease that affects office workers. Only when the boss is healthy, the subordinates will go to work.

“Did you think you could hide it?”

Seo Hee-soo lowered his voice. His voice sounds so much like Department Head Seo’s that it gives me goosebumps. The atmosphere, as well. Section Chief Lee took a step back.

“What, you right now, pheromone, uh…”

“How long are you going to hide it?”

“Seo Hee-soo, you…”

Section Chief Lee stumbled out of his chair. My conscience applied the petition. ‘Shouldn’t I be helping?’ My reasoning has been rejected. ‘Let each of us be responsible for our own privacy.’ My conscience shouted, ‘Section Chief Lee is about to pass out!’ My reasoning shut down my conscience’s mouth. ‘Don’t make a fuss about the subject you’re eavesdropping on.’

I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I did. I sat back down.

“Why have your pheromones changed so much, are you an idiot?”

“I never release my pheromone outside…!”

I didn’t know that. Alphas and Omegas seemed to release pheromones on occasion without realizing it. It happened more frequently than it seems. ‘Whose pheromone is this?’ is the most frequently heard phrase in offices, buses, and markets. Pheromones should be considered out of the realm of control at this point. It can also be adjusted in case of emergency, which is an extra service.

“You are going through a divorce. What are you going to do?”

Seo Hee-soo sighed, and then he grabbed Section Chief Lee’s wrist. Section Chief Lee shook his head helplessly. How long do I have to wait?

Section Chief Lee said cautiously.

“Don’t tell Hee-tae.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?”

Seo Hee-soo approached Section Chief Lee closely. Time is running out. I have to get up now. I’ll take a look and go for lunch. As I got up from my seat, I saw Department Head Seo in the distance. I bowed my head and turned around.

“This child is not Hee-tae’s.”

I occupied the middle of the hallway and blocked Department Head Seo from entering. My conscience and reasoning went hand in hand. This must be prevented. I don’t know what I just heard, but this seems a little off. This had to be stopped. Department Head Seo is just around the corner. It’s like facing Goliath. I don’t even have a stone sling.

“Hello, Department Head Seo.”

“Yes, Deputy Kim.”

If I saw Department Head Seo going forward, I moved toward him. It felt like a tap dance. The back of my neck is cold. A child? A baby? A child?

Department Head Seo got irritated and pushed me aside. He slipped away. I again blocked Department Head Seo’s way again. It’s crazy. Department Head Seo’s face is frowning without mercy.

“Deputy Kim, what are you doing?”

“Department Head Seo, there is something I want to tell you.”

The thing I want to tell you the most is that your wife is pregnant, but nothing will come out of my mouth. The second thing I want to say is my simple wish to resign.

“What is it?”

Department Head Seo looked down at me with the greatest contempt. His eyes are darker than the night sky. I’m really scared. It’s an Alpha’s intimidation. The pheromone didn’t kill me. However, there’s something about Alpha’s unique size and arrogant expression. And even then, I’m trying to hide Section Chief Lee, even though I had never been asked to do it. The guilt for meddling in other people’s affairs and heroism mixed together. Where did things go wrong? Arm-bar. I wish I could run away to Hawaii for knocking someone down with an arm bar.

I came up with the most reasonable answer.

“Can I go out for a while during that lunch break? I have an important appointment, so I may be 40 minutes late. I’m sorry.”

Department Head Seo’s eyebrows loosened slightly. My back was drenched in a cold sweat. All my attention is focused on the back. Could it be that Department Head Seo already discovered Section Chief Lee? I hope he does not grab him by the collar and ask, ‘Whose kid is it?’ as soon as he finds out. Please return home and fight. This is not something that can be solved by fighting for an hour in front of a water purifier.

“Go ahead. I will inform Section Chief Lee.”

Department Head Seo’s expression softened suddenly. It’s a fascinating change. Department Head Seo smiles softly as if the film frame had been replaced. I didn’t usually notice, but Department Head Seo with a smile on his face was quite handsome. Though, it makes no difference to me whether or not my boss is handsome. Department Head Seo tapped my shoulder. I smiled awkwardly. The corners of my lips twitched without mercy.

“Go ahead.”

“Yes.”

I took a step back and turned around quickly. Section Chief Lee and Seo Hee-soo were already gone. I took a deep breath. I moistened my lips. I feel like my lifespan has been shortened.