FF Chapter 43

“At first, I was drawn to Ji Yeonwoo because of the way he spoke about marigolds; it seemed like there was a depth to his story. Then, as we continued talking, I found myself captivated by how he wasn’t easily swayed by my words, yet still subtly drawn in. And when I learned about Lee Hyunjun, I just felt this urge to protect him.”

“….”

“These are the reasons I came up with. But if you need a more detailed explanation, I’ll think about it more.”

“….”

“Do you need more of a reason?”

“No, no, that’s enough.”

Ji Yeonwoo waved his hands in a flustered manner.

“It’s just, I’ve been curious. As you know, I can’t emit or sense pheromones, so I kept wondering why you’d be interested in me.”

“You’ve thought about that?”

“Yes. I think I kept wanting reassurance, confirmation of why you’re by my side.”

Choi Muhyeok leaned closer, meeting Ji Yeonwoo’s gaze.

“Not everyone with secondary traits is enslaved to pheromones. Just as you weren’t drawn to me for my pheromones.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“So, doesn’t that mean we’re drawn to each other beyond just pheromones?”

“Oh…”

“So, you don’t need to feel any pressure about the test results. I won’t be the one to let you go.”

At that moment, a sense of relief washed over Ji Yeonwoo. Since leaving the doctor’s office, thoughts had been swirling in his mind, stirred up by the doctor’s words.

Honestly, he had never seriously thought about pregnancy. As a dominant omega who was also male and now dealing with pheromone deficiency, he had assumed that pregnancy wasn’t possible.

However, since the doctor had mentioned pregnancy, even if just in passing, wasn’t that a hint that there might be even a 1% chance? After all, even with pheromone deficiency, he still experienced heat cycles sporadically, so pregnancy might not be entirely out of the question.

Watching as a neatly deboned grilled fish was placed on his bowl, Ji Yeonwoo looked up.

He then watched Choi Muhyeok, who had given up on eating his own meal to debone the fish for him, and a thought crossed his mind.

Does Choi Muhyeok want children too?

Will a child, one who resembles us both, come into our lives one day?

˖ ❀ ⋆｡˚

Taking a sip of his iced Americano, Choi Muhyeok turned slightly to look at the passenger seat. Ji Yeonwoo, wrapped in the jacket Muhyeok had given him, was fast asleep.

After a day packed with tests, Ji Yeonwoo was visibly exhausted by the end. His energy levels had dropped to the point that it was evident he hadn’t eaten enough.

Even at the Korean restaurant where Muhyeok had taken him to ensure he ate well, Ji Yeonwoo had been nodding off. Despite being on the brink of dozing off, he had eaten his portion of rice and the side dishes Muhyeok had prepared, which he found endearing.

After holding out for as long as he could, Ji Yeonwoo finally succumbed to sleep in the car on the way home. Though the heater was on, he was curled up against the chill of the spring evening. Taking advantage of a red light, Muhyeok removed his jacket and covered him.

Ji Yeonwoo slept soundly all the way home, not stirring even when Muhyeok called, “Yeonwoo, we’re home.”

He calculated the situation. They were parked in the garage, and with only the elevator ride to go, he was tempted to let Yeonwoo sleep a little longer. A couple of hours in the car wouldn’t hurt, and it seemed worse to wake him from such a peaceful sleep.

Choi Muhyeok decided to wait until Ji Yeonwoo woke up on his own. He checked the fuel level, relieved to see it was still sufficient. Then, looking for any other ways to make him comfortable, he turned the heater up a bit more.

With his seat reclined, Muhyeok tilted his head to observe Ji Yeonwoo, who was still sleeping deeply, his breaths barely audible. This felt familiar; he had experienced a similar moment before.

The memory came back to him—how he had waited over two hours for Ji Yeonwoo to wake up on the day they’d officially started dating.

The season had changed since then. It had been the early winter chill back then, but now they were in late spring.

He recalled how Ji Yeonwoo had looked that day.

Pale as could be, from sleepless nights, he had fallen into a deep sleep with his eyes shut tight. Now, however, his cheeks were a healthy peachy color, and his lips looked even more vibrant than before.

Seeing how Yeonwoo’s health had improved while staying by his side, Muhyeok couldn’t help but smile as he quietly watched him sleep.

“Sleep well, tempting me like this,” he murmured to himself, leaning toward the passenger seat.

He didn’t usually have a habit of waking a sleeping person, but he couldn’t ignore how uncomfortable Yeonwoo looked.

Should he wake him? How?

Calling out might not do the trick, and shaking him might startle him.

With his elbow on the steering wheel, Muhyeok leaned toward the passenger seat. He slipped his arm beneath Ji Yeonwoo’s head, gently cradling him, and pressed a soft kiss to his closed eyelids.

His lips brushed down to Ji Yeonwoo’s mouth, where he lightly bit and kissed his lower lip, tasting it like a child savoring candy. At the unexpected touch, Ji Yeonwoo’s body shivered.

Drawing back, Choi Muhyeok smiled at the frown that now creased Ji Yeonwoo’s once peaceful expression.

“Yeonwoo, how long are you planning to sleep?”

As a soft voice murmured, Ji Yeonwoo’s eyes fluttered open, still dazed. The dim lights of the underground parking lot seemed blinding, so he could only squint one eye open and glance around.

“…Huh?”

A brief sound escaped him as he finally realized they’d arrived home.

“When did we get here?”

His voice came out hoarse, making him self-conscious as he closed his mouth, glancing around. Choi Muhyeok, after glancing at his watch, simply shrugged without speaking. Ji Yeonwoo blinked, suddenly aware that this scene felt oddly familiar.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“This scene feels familiar. Like I’ve experienced it before.”

“…You didn’t forget?”

“Of course not. How could I forget that day?”

“I’m glad you remember.”

“You didn’t let me sleep for two hours again, did you?”

Choi Muhyeok remained silent, causing Ji Yeonwoo to feel slightly apologetic.

“You could have woken me. We’re right by home anyway.”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t. We’re so close, you might as well keep resting.”

“Oh.”

Choi Muhyeok leaned over and gave Ji Yeonwoo a quick kiss on his slightly parted lips before returning to his seat. After shutting off the car, he got out, walked around to the passenger side, and opened the door. Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his white shirt and navy tie held securely with a pin, he leaned down to meet Ji Yeonwoo’s gaze.

“Shall we head up now?”

With a slight smile, Ji Yeonwoo nodded, looking up at him.

After carefully laying Ji Yeonwoo on the bed, Choi Muhyeok gently kissed him, maintaining their connection. Ji Yeonwoo was accustomed to his tender habit of pressing soft kisses on his lips without letting their teeth clash. Wrapping his arms around Choi Muhyeok’s neck, they continued kissing, eventually slowing down with a series of small, tender pecks.

Their eyes met, Ji Yeonwoo’s gaze shimmering softly.

“Thank you so much for today,” Ji Yeonwoo began. “Honestly, today was one of the toughest days for me. Not just physically but emotionally.”

“What made it so hard?”

“The anxiety. I kept worrying… what if the results hadn’t improved, or worse, if they’d gotten worse?”

“…”

“But then, as I listened to what you said during dinner, all those worries seemed to lift, like fog clearing.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“…I’m glad.”

Ji Yeonwoo hesitated as if he had more to say, but he didn’t continue.

“Do you have more to say?”

Staring into his eyes, Ji Yeonwoo shook his head slightly. “Later. I’ll tell you once more time has passed.”

Choi Muhyeok nodded quietly, gently kissing Ji Yeonwoo’s eyelids and cheeks. Ji Yeonwoo scrunched up his face slightly with a smile, not pulling away as he wrapped his arms around Choi Muhyeok’s neck, pressing his forehead to his. Every moment felt dreamlike.

“Let’s go wash up,” Choi Muhyeok said, lifting Ji Yeonwoo up. Feeling his body lifted into the air, Ji Yeonwoo tightened his arms around Choi Muhyeok’s neck instinctively.

˖ ❀ ⋆｡˚

As he walked through the spacious lobby, the staff turned their attention to Choi Muhyeok. As usual, his hair was slicked back, his three-piece black suit impeccable with a neatly secured tie pin. Heading towards the elevator, he acknowledged the staff’s greetings with a slight nod.

Though his expression was as composed as ever, those who knew him well sensed a subtle difference.

“Doesn’t the Managing Director seem happier today?”

“Yeah, you noticed too, huh? I heard rumors he has a partner now. Lucky person, whoever they are.”

Hearing their murmurs, Choi Muhyeok briefly glanced back. Normally, he would’ve disapproved of such speculation, but today, he let it slide.

He stepped into the elevator, pressed the button for the 10th floor, and leaned back, pulling out his phone. The “1” indicator beside his message to Ji Yeonwoo hadn’t disappeared. He pictured Ji Yeonwoo still sound asleep when he’d left. Maybe they should’ve taken it easier last night. The night had started innocently but turned more intense, leaving Ji Yeonwoo passed out from exhaustion.

Just as he thought he might suggest jogging together someday, the elevator chimed, signaling their arrival on the 10th floor.

As he entered his office, he noticed an unusual scene. The staff, who typically worked behind their desks, were all gathered near the entrance. Instinctively, he felt that something out of the ordinary had occurred.

“Is something going on?”

One of the more experienced assistants approached him, speaking in a low voice. “Managing Director, the Chairman has arrived.”

Choi Muhyeok’s expression shifted. Though brief, his face hardened as he processed this unexpected visit.

“At this hour?”

“Yes, about ten minutes ago.”

His good mood took an immediate nosedive.

The assistant, lowering her voice further, briefed him on what happened before he’d arrived.

“We informed him that you hadn’t arrived yet, but he insisted on waiting, so we had no choice. I apologize.”

Choi Muhyeok, aware that his staff knew of his strained relationship with Chairman Choi, nodded.

“I understand. You may return to your duties.”

After dismissing the staff, he paused by the door to gather his thoughts.

The real question was, what could have brought Chairman Choi here so suddenly?

The Sunwoo Trading Company, where Choi Muhyeok works, operates separately from the Sunwoo Group, even located in a different building, so they rarely cross paths unless there’s a particular reason to meet. Knowing his father isn’t the type to randomly show up just to see his grown son, the sudden appearance of Chairman Choi felt even more peculiar.

Ji Yeonwoo’s face briefly flashed through his mind. It was a gut instinct, almost animal-like. Although Chairman Choi hadn’t shared any words with his secretaries and hadn’t given Choi Muhyeok any prior hint, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Chairman Choi’s purpose for coming today was related to Ji Yeonwoo.

Narrowing his eyes at the door, Choi Muhyeok pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek thoughtfully.

Assuming his hunch was correct, he began to rethink his approach. In a way, he was relieved. This was an issue he would eventually have to confront anyway, and he had already planned to visit the family estate after the test results were out to discuss things. He had chosen a week later for the discussion so he could tailor his message based on the results—while his decision to marry Ji Yeonwoo was firm, the approach and persuasion tactics would differ accordingly.

With things moving up, facing it head-on didn’t seem like a bad plan. Although it threw off his timing, it didn’t change the outcome he aimed for.

After organizing a few strategies in his mind, Choi Muhyeok opened the door to the Managing Director’s office.

Inside, the sofas formed a U-shape around the desk, with Chairman Choi seated at the center. In a neat gray suit, with his white hair combed back, Chairman Choi was a distinguished middle-aged man, sipping tea that his secretary had brought him.

As he walked over and bowed beside Chairman Choi, who remained seated, the Chairman didn’t even glance at him.

Unfazed by this familiar coldness, Choi Muhyeok adjusted his suit and took a seat beside him.

“You could have at least given me a heads-up,” he said.

Chairman Choi quietly set down his white teacup with gold trim.

“I was curious about the company, so I thought I’d drop by.”

In his deep voice, Chairman Choi continued, turning to look at Choi Muhyeok.

“I’ve been hearing that Director Choi has become quite busy lately and has been somewhat negligent in his duties.”

At this, Choi Muhyeok gave a small scoff.

“I didn’t expect you, Chairman, to be influenced by rumors.”

“Are you saying it’s nonsense?”

“Of course. If I’d been negligent in managing the company, the revenue wouldn’t have risen to its current level.”

Chairman Choi observed him, his gaze steady, unperturbed.

“All the evidence is in the documents. I thought you’d already reviewed them, but I see we have different thoughts on the matter.”

Meeting Chairman Choi’s gaze directly, Choi Muhyeok continued.

“Please tell me the real reason you’re here. Surely, you didn’t come all this way just to see my face.”

A tense silence fell. Chairman Choi and Choi Muhyeok locked eyes, neither looking away, as if engaging in a silent battle of wills.

A strange unease began to stir within him. He was certain the reason wasn’t about negligence or sales management, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was.

“Could it really be about Ji Yeonwoo?”

Chairman Choi had once mentioned something in passing, and he wasn’t entirely unaware of Ji Yeonwoo’s existence, so there’d be no reason to be so roundabout if that were the case. Yet the Chairman’s reluctance to address it directly was unsettling.

“Muhyeok.”

A sudden intensity filled Choi Muhyeok’s gaze. He could hardly believe his ears. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard his father call him by his name.

The first thought that surfaced wasn’t curiosity but caution.