FF Chapter 37

“I’m at Muhyeok’s place right now.”

[So that’s why no one was home. Well, at least you’re with him. That’s a relief.]

A familiar male voice could be heard from the phone. The deep tone sounded like Seo Eungyeom’s uncle.

“Are you outside? Are you with your uncle?”

[Yeah. Hold on a second.]

Then, it wasn’t Seo Eungyeom who spoke next, but Yoo Sunho, his uncle.

[Yeonwoo, I heard the call. Are you okay?]

“Hello, sir. Yes, I’m fine. Thank you for worrying about me.”

Taking over the phone, Yoo Sunho continued.

[Actually, Eungyeom has been really worried since yesterday. He even went to your house and looked around everywhere, almost missed the hotel check-in time. But it’s a relief that you’re okay.]

Ji Yeonwoo remembered that his uncle had come to the flower shop.

“Is there a special occasion? I heard you stopped by the shop.”

As soon as he asked, he recalled that his uncle always came to buy flowers around this time of year for a special anniversary.

[It’s nothing big. Just take care of yourself, and we can talk about the rest later.]

His uncle seemed eager to end the call quickly. He could hear Seo Eungyeom muttering something beside him, but it was hard to make out the words. If it was indeed an anniversary, keeping him on the phone any longer would have been impolite.

“Please tell Eungyeom not to worry too much. I’ll see you later.”

With a smile, Ji Yeonwoo accepted the urgency in his uncle’s tone. His fast speech, unlike his usual self, hinted at what the situation might be.

The cracked phone screen flickered before going black. Staring at it, a sudden thought slipped out of Ji Yeonwoo’s mouth.

“They still get along so well. I’m jealous.”

“What are you jealous of?”

Startled, Ji Yeonwoo looked up to find Choi Muhyeok already in the room, dressed in more comfortable clothes. He placed the medicine and water he had brought on the bedside table and sat on the bed, lifting Ji Yeonwoo effortlessly by the waist and settling him on his lap, their bodies touching.

“Was that Seo Eungyeom on the phone?”

“Yeah, I think he was really worried because he couldn’t reach me.”

“But what were you jealous of?”

His damp hair still clung to his forehead, and as he touched it, their eyes met. Ji Yeonwoo sighed deeply, closing his lips for a moment before speaking.

“Just… seeing how Eungyeom and his uncle are still so close, just like they were four years ago. It’s nice to see, but I guess it made me a little envious too.”

Saying it out loud felt strange, and Ji Yeonwoo smiled bitterly. It wasn’t just pure envy; there was an uncomfortable feeling nestled in his chest—a mix of admiration and something more complicated.

“It’s just because Eungyeom is lucky. His bright and easygoing personality makes him shine even more.”

“What’s there to be jealous about? You’re not alone anymore.”

Choi Muhyeok’s words were casual, as if he didn’t see why this should matter.

“Don’t be jealous. From now on, you’re going to shine brighter than Seo Eungyeom.”

Seeing this side of Choi Muhyeok—someone who seemed like he wouldn’t even bother with something so trivial—focus on such small things was endearing.

Everything felt like a dream. When Ji Yeonwoo had lost his pheromones, it seemed like the world was nothing but despair, but now everything before him was glowing pink.

If he hadn’t met Choi Muhyeok, he never would have experienced these feelings.

This only made his longing to regain his pheromones stronger. In order to stand proudly before his family, recovering and returning his pheromones to their normal state was his top priority.

But negative thoughts didn’t linger. Ji Yeonwoo believed that, just like every other time with Choi Muhyeok, the outcome would be good.

With a small smile, Ji Yeonwoo cupped Choi Muhyeok’s face with both hands and kissed him first. He kissed softly, their lips brushing as his gaze caught sight of the medicine and water.

“Wait, I should take the medicine first.”

When Ji Yeonwoo tried to get down, Choi Muhyeok wrapped one arm around his waist to keep him in place and reached for the packet of medicine with the other. After tearing it open, he handed it to Ji Yeonwoo, who hesitated as he noticed Choi Muhyeok watching him closely.

Puzzled, Ji Yeonwoo tilted his head as he took the pill, reaching for the water. But before he could grab it, Choi Muhyeok took the cup himself and drank from it instead.

“Muhyeok, what are you—mmph!”

Without hesitation, Choi Muhyeok cupped Ji Yeonwoo’s face with both hands and kissed him, letting the water trickle from his mouth to Ji Yeonwoo’s. Slowly, the water and pill made their way down his throat, a little spilling down the sides of their lips.

After a gentle kiss, Choi Muhyeok pulled away, even lightly sucking the water from Ji Yeonwoo’s lips.

Ji Yeonwoo quickly covered his mouth with the back of his hand, his face turning bright red. Even though he knew exactly why his face was heating up, Choi Muhyeok feigned innocence.

“Your face is red. Are you still feeling the effects of that cold?”

Ji Yeonwoo, who had been glaring at him, played along with the teasing.

“Well then, I guess I can’t kiss you anymore.”

Choi Muhyeok laughed silently.

“What if Ji Yeonwoo ends up giving his cold to Muhyeok?”

But Choi Muhyeok wasn’t one to back down.

“Colds are supposed to be passed on to others for a faster recovery.”

His hand, which had been caressing Ji Yeonwoo’s cheek, slid down his back, wrapping around his waist and pulling him even closer. As he leisurely grasped Ji Yeonwoo’s entire bottom in one large hand, a playful smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“If I take it, all the better.”

The hand holding Ji Yeonwoo’s bottom slipped inside the bathrobe, pressing against his freshly showered, supple skin. Ji Yeonwoo chuckled lazily and shook his head.

It was a clear sign of surrender.

˖ ❀ ⋆｡˚

Bright light seeped through Ji Yeonwoo’s closed eyelids. Instinctively, he moved toward a spot where the sunlight didn’t reach. A large hand approached from somewhere, gently covering one side of his face.

“…I said no, I’m not doing it….”

Choi Muhyeok’s voice, vibrating softly in his ear, carried a hint of tension, contrasting with the gentle hand caressing his cheek. Who was he talking to that made him so angry? Ji Yeonwoo’s groggy mind wondered as he remained half-asleep, but Choi Muhyeok’s voice soon broke through again.

“Please explain it properly to your family. Haa, this wasn’t my decision from the start.”

His voice grew louder as his hand pressed slightly harder against Ji Yeonwoo’s cheek. Was it Choi Minhyuk or Park Jincheol on the phone? But it was odd that he was being so polite, addressing them formally.

‘Ah, could it be a call from home? Don’t tell me, again…’

The thought flashed through Ji Yeonwoo’s mind, making his body suddenly sink as if he were being pulled down. He shuddered, unknowingly reaching out his hand.

“If you had consulted me first, I would’ve….”

Just as his emotional words hung in the air, his voice abruptly cut off. At the same time, he caught Ji Yeonwoo’s hand. A deep breath escaped Ji Yeonwoo, feeling his pulse racing as if he had just jumped off a cliff.

Choi Muhyeok gripped Ji Yeonwoo’s hand a little tighter. Squinting slightly, Ji Yeonwoo barely opened his eyes, his blurred vision revealing the outline of Choi Muhyeok’s bare chest and abs.

“…Let’s discuss this later. This isn’t a conversation we should be having first thing in the morning. I’ll visit you soon to talk it over. Yes. Yes.”

Ending the call, Choi Muhyeok’s hand, which had been softly brushing Ji Yeonwoo’s cheek, moved deeper. Ji Yeonwoo snuggled closer to the warmth of his body, resting his forehead on Choi Muhyeok’s thick thigh. He hastily finished the call, tossing his phone onto the bed, then wrapped himself around Ji Yeonwoo.

“Did I wake you?”

The gaze Choi Muhyeok leveled at Ji Yeonwoo from above, resting on his elbow against the sheets, was sweet like sugar. Ji Yeonwoo shook his head.

“No, I was about to get up… Ahem.”

His voice came out hoarse and cracked at the end. Surprised, he covered his mouth with his hand, eyes wide, which made Choi Muhyeok laugh softly.

“You can sleep a little longer. It’s not even 8 o’clock yet.”

“What about you, Muhyeok?”

“I need to shower and get to work.”

Hearing that he needed to get up for work left Ji Yeonwoo feeling a little disappointed. Perhaps his feelings showed on his face, because Choi Muhyeok glanced at the clock on the wall nearby.

“It’s 7:52, so I do have a little time.”

Dragging out his words, Choi Muhyeok raised an eyebrow as he looked down at Ji Yeonwoo, still lying beneath him.

“Shall we stay like this for another 10 minutes?”

It wasn’t really a question that required Ji Yeonwoo’s permission. With a grin, Ji Yeonwoo pulled him close by the neck and hugged him tightly. The warmth of Choi Muhyeok’s bare chest pressed against his, and the sound of a heartbeat—whether it was Choi Muhyeok’s or Ji Yeonwoo’s, he couldn’t tell—echoed between them. Ji Yeonwoo hugged him even tighter, burying his face into his shoulder.

There were so many things Ji Yeonwoo wanted to say, but he decided to keep them inside. He didn’t need to force a response from Choi Muhyeok anymore because he trusted he would handle it all well.

Choi Muhyeok lingered for about 15 more minutes before reluctantly getting up. After a few drowsy kisses on the bed, it took Ji Yeonwoo quite some time to finally get up as well.

The first thing he did after deciding to stay at Choi Muhyeok’s house was to take care of Flower Fiancé.

Given the nature of the flower shop, it couldn’t just close up like other businesses. If plants weren’t regularly given sunlight and water, they withered away quickly. Since he couldn’t run the shop at the moment, the best thing was to dispose of the remaining flowers and plants and restock when the time came.

But since he had already left the shop unattended for several days, the state of things inside was probably just as he expected.

He had no choice but to urgently contact the flower farm’s owner and ask for help. He begged him to save whatever could still be salvaged, and the owner kindly agreed.

After tidying up Flower Fiancé, which he had spent two years treating like his own body, Ji Yeonwoo fully moved into Choi Muhyeok’s house.

Once he settled into Choi Muhyeok’s home, Ji Yeonwoo’s life resembled that of a lazy grasshopper. Choi Muhyeok protected him within the walls of his home, ensuring Ji Yeonwoo didn’t have to lift a finger. Ji Yeonwoo obediently followed his lead.

Household chores and meals were handled daily by the housekeeper, who was meticulous with her work and an excellent cook, so there was nothing left for Ji Yeonwoo to do. His routine consisted of seeing Choi Muhyeok off to work in the morning, lounging on the sofa, gathering laundry into a basket, and folding clothes fresh from the dryer with the housekeeper while chatting.

Ji Yeonwoo had just returned from tidying up the closet and gathering laundry. On his way out of the walk-in closet, he noticed a black cardigan draped over the showcase. It was the cashmere cardigan that Choi Muhyeok often wore. He must have intended to put it in the basket but forgot in his rush to leave for work.

Picking it up, Ji Yeonwoo ran his hand over the soft texture of the cashmere.

‘This knit probably carries Muhyeok’s pheromones too, right?’

Holding the cardigan, he pressed it against his face. All he could smell was Choi Muhyeok’s familiar scent.

A mix of longing and disappointment stirred within him. He hadn’t expected to crave pheromones this much in his life, but the longer he spent close to Choi Muhyeok, the more he missed how things used to be.

Since bringing Ji Yeonwoo into his home, Choi Muhyeok hadn’t laid a finger on him. A few days ago, while kissing him, his hand had slipped inside Ji Yeonwoo’s bathrobe, and for a moment, Ji Yeonwoo had gotten his hopes up—but that was all. Hugging and kissing were the extent of their intimacy. Ji Yeonwoo couldn’t tell exactly what Choi Muhyeok’s intentions were, but it felt like he was deliberately holding back, perhaps waiting for Ji Yeonwoo to fully recover before they could proceed further.

“Where should I stay, Muhyeok?”

They had a conversation like this the day he was discharged from the hospital and came to his house.

“Where do you want to stay? Are you planning to sleep in another room?”

“You’ve been living alone. It would be uncomfortable for you to be with me.”

“Who says it’s uncomfortable? I won’t touch you for a while, but sharing a room is absolutely non-negotiable.”

He said this firmly and added, “Who knows? If we stay close together, maybe the pheromone deficiency in Yeonwoo will be naturally cured by the pheromones of a dominant alpha?”

Ji Yeonwoo, recalling Choi Muhyeok’s joking words, let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping.

“Whatever I do, it might help with the healing or not. But doing nothing… it might as well not work.”

His lips pouted slightly as he mumbled. Just because he lacked pheromones didn’t mean he had no sexual desire. He understood well that it was due to Choi Muhyeok’s thoughtful concern, but still, he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

With lingering regrets, Ji Yeonwoo, who had been holding onto Muhyeok’s cardigan for no reason, opened the door to the dressing room.

— Beep, beep beep.

At that moment, he heard the sound of a password being entered at the front door. Just as he was about to close the door, Ji Yeonwoo froze and stared at the entrance. The front door creaked open, and the housekeeper entered, struggling with heavy bags in both hands.

“Yeonwoo, you’re up early.”

“Hello. Please hand that over here.”

Ji Yeonwoo bent down to greet her and approached. He noticed the bags she had momentarily put down to close the door and picked them up for her, but she stopped him.

“Oh, it’s alright.”

Ji Yeonwoo flashed a friendly smile and insisted on taking the bags from the housekeeper’s hands. As she walked into the living room with the remaining bags, her gaze lingered on one spot. It took her a moment to realize that Ji Yeonwoo was holding Choi Muhyeok’s cardigan along with the shopping basket.

“Oh! This? This is Muhyeok’s knit. I must have forgotten to put it in the laundry. So I was going to set it aside to wash, ha, haha….”

Without the housekeeper saying anything, Ji Yeonwoo felt a twinge of guilt for burying his face in Choi Muhyeok’s cardigan earlier. The housekeeper, looking at Ji Yeonwoo with a smile that seemed to say, “What’s with the fuss?” laughed softly.

“You really don’t have to help. Anyway, thank you for being considerate. Is there anything you want to eat today?”

Following the housekeeper into the kitchen, Ji Yeonwoo placed the shopping basket on the table.

“You know me. I eat anything.”

“Still, think carefully. The Managing Director called while on his way to work. He said to make sure Yeonwoo gets whatever he wants to eat.”

“Muhyeok did?”

“Yes. He said not to worry about the ingredient costs, so take your time thinking and let me know.”

Ji Yeonwoo’s hand, which had been pulling out the food ingredients from the basket one by one, suddenly froze.

Lately, Choi Muhyeok had been so busy that it felt overwhelming. He had been spending more time working in the study after coming home. Most of it was likely company-related work, but there were probably matters related to Lee Hyunjun as well. Knowing that Choi Muhyeok had taken the time to call the housekeeper directly during such a busy period made Ji Yeonwoo feel infinitely grateful and guilty.

Was it really alright for him to do nothing and just stay still?

While he couldn’t help with the company work, he wondered if there might be something he could do regarding Lee Hyunjun.

“Do you like soup? Like bone soup?”

Lost in thought, Ji Yeonwoo paused and looked up at the housekeeper’s question.

“I do like bone soup. But it requires a lot of time and care….”

Before he could finish, the housekeeper placed two well-packaged packs of bones on the island table and brought over a large container from somewhere.

“This is oxtail. I’ll boil it and freeze it, so you can take it out and eat whenever you’re not feeling up to it. Bone soup is the best when your body is weak.”

With familiar dexterity, she opened the packs, placed the oxtail into the container, and filled it with water. She mentioned that leaving it to soak for 2 to 3 hours would help remove the blood for a clearer broth.

“Don’t think about helping; just go rest. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

As Ji Yeonwoo stood by the island table, wondering if there was anything he could do to help, the housekeeper noticed and urged him to go out instead of lingering there. Reluctantly, Ji Yeonwoo was pushed out into the living room and sat down on the sofa, turning on the television.

On the screen, a news special was reporting on the human rights violations faced by omegas by alphas. Although the number of alphas accounted for about 10% of the total population, most crimes occurring within that group were at a dangerous level due to their direct impact on life. The problem was that most alphas were from the powerful elite class in society, so their crimes were not well-known to the world.

There were similar people around Ji Yeonwoo. Lee Hyunjun was one of them. Purchasing pheromone enhancers without a prescription was illegal, yet Lee Hyunjun exploited the loophole in the law to smuggle drugs for his own selfish needs. And the consequences fell entirely on Ji Yeonwoo.

“I really shouldn’t have let Lee Hyunjun go that day.”

Missing the opportunity to catch Lee Hyunjun, who had secretly entered his home, left a lingering regret. Although Choi Muhyeok had nearly beaten him to death, it wasn’t enough to quell his anger.