FF Chapter 45

Ji Yeonwoo, who had been staring intently at Choi Muhyeok as he worked, flinched when their eyes met. The tension in his focused expression softened.

“Or are you feeling unwell? Your face seems a bit flushed.”

Choi Muhyeok set down his tablet and reached out to touch Ji Yeonwoo’s forehead. The warm palm on his skin made Ji Yeonwoo tilt his head slightly as he stared at him, dazed.

“Hmm, it doesn’t feel like you have a fever.”

Choi Muhyeok paused what he was doing and focused on Ji Yeonwoo. Embarrassed, Ji Yeonwoo instinctively looked away, unsure of where to direct his gaze. Being in an unfamiliar place made Choi Muhyeok’s attention feel more overwhelming than usual.

Shifting his eyes, Ji Yeonwoo glanced toward the driver’s seat. He caught eyes with Park Jinchul in the rearview mirror. Feeling self-conscious, he gently took Choi Muhyeok’s hand away from his forehead.

“It’s nothing like that. Do I look sick all the time?”

He let out a faint laugh, the sound light and airy.

“I think I’m just excited about being out with you, Muhyeok.”

“…Is this your first time in Jeju?”

“Yes.”

“How do you like it? I know we haven’t done much yet.”

As Ji Yeonwoo fiddled with the hand resting on his lap, he looked up.

“What’s so different? I don’t really see it.”

“It feels exotic. Even though it’s still Korea, it’s like being in another country. You can even smell the sea in the air. And with you here, how could it not be good?”

The rough hand in his lap moved, intertwining their fingers in a loose hold, contrasting their differing textures and tones.

“Do you like the ocean?”

Ji Yeonwoo chuckled softly.

“I like looking at it.”

“That sounds like you’re saying you don’t like going in the water.”

“I don’t, really. It’s salty, and it makes my hair and skin stiff. Sure, it’s fine after you wash it off, but the feeling isn’t great….”

“I see. So, as long as it’s not the ocean? I’ll keep that in mind.”

Choi Muhyeok ended his sentence with a mysterious note. Ji Yeonwoo tilted his head, puzzled about what exactly he was referring to.

The fingers loosely intertwined tightened, locking firmly together. Choi Muhyeok glanced sideways at him, his handsome face momentarily shadowed as though contemplating something.

Ji Yeonwoo waited quietly, watching him, curious since the suggestion to come on the trip together. When Choi Muhyeok mentioned the sudden business trip, he hadn’t seemed thrilled. Ji Yeonwoo suspected this wasn’t a trip he had wanted to make. Moreover, considering how busy he was—reviewing documents even during the ride—it was clear there was more to this trip than work.

But Ji Yeonwoo could only guess. With Choi Muhyeok’s inner circle limited to people like Park Jinchul or his brother, Choi Minhyuk, there was no way to ask them directly.

Choi Muhyeok’s thumb brushed lightly over the soft back of Ji Yeonwoo’s hand. Then, with his free hand, he reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Ji Yeonwoo’s ear, letting his fingers linger briefly.

“During our two-night, three-day stay in Jeju, you might find it stifling,” Choi Muhyeok said, his voice carrying a hint of regret as he continued to stroke Ji Yeonwoo’s hair.

“Even though you’re here with me, we likely won’t spend much time together.”

“I expected that much. You’ve been busy even during the trip.”

“The schedule is tight, and there are commitments back in Seoul, so we can’t extend the stay either.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about me and focus on work. If I feel cooped up, I’ll just go for a walk or something.”

Ji Yeonwoo smiled, his expression deliberately cheerful. But his effort to appear unfazed only made Choi Muhyeok’s face cloud over. As Ji Yeonwoo studied his expression, he realized he wouldn’t be allowed to leave the hotel on his own.

“Is something wrong?” he finally asked, hesitant.

Choi Muhyeok sighed softly and replied, “I brought you along because I know it might be suffocating and lonely, but being near me is the safest place for you.”

At those words, a face flashed in Ji Yeonwoo’s mind.

“Wait, is Lee Hyunjun threatening me again?”

Seeing his worried expression, Choi Muhyeok’s face softened.

“No, not him. I told you I’d dealt with him, didn’t I?”

“Then… is there another threat I don’t know about?”

Tension crept into Ji Yeonwoo’s posture, his fingers growing cold as anxiety took hold. Noticing, Choi Muhyeok gently loosened their intertwined hands to massage the chill out of Ji Yeonwoo’s fingers.

“This trip was arranged by my father.”

“Chairman Choi?”

“He said an important buyer was coming from Japan, but it felt more like an excuse to separate you from me. I even managed to confirm some evidence to that effect.”

“But I’ve just been at home. How could he have done anything to me there?”

Ji Yeonwoo’s voice wavered as he asked, and Choi Muhyeok’s expression turned bitter.

“If he wanted to, he’d find a way. The house is secure, but that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down.”

“Ah….”

Ji Yeonwoo finally understood why he had been brought along so suddenly. As Choi Muhyeok had said, the safest place for him was at his side.

“Does Chairman Choi dislike me that much?”

Looking dejected, Ji Yeonwoo spoke in a small voice. Choi Muhyeok pulled him into his arms, holding him close.

“Why are you worrying about that? You’re the person I chose. It doesn’t matter what my father thinks.”

“…….”

“I’ll handle everything, so don’t overthink it. Just stay by my side, like you are now. Understand?”

Choi Muhyeok’s soothing words, accompanied by a gentle pat on the back, felt oddly comforting, as though they carried some kind of magic.

After a moment, he released Ji Yeonwoo, resting his hands on his shoulders.

“I’ll take you somewhere better next time. For now, bear with this trip just once, okay?”

“…Okay.”

Ji Yeonwoo nodded gently with a soft smile, deciding not to say anything more. He could feel Choi Muhyeok’s care and concern through his actions, and that was enough.

From the first day they arrived in Jeju, Choi Muhyeok had been handling a grueling schedule. Even before unpacking, he was out working and only returned late at night. Despite the demanding routine, he never neglected to look after Ji Yeonwoo.

While Muhyeok was busy, Yeonwoo spent most of his time alone in the suite. Yet, Muhyeok regularly checked in with calls, asking if he’d eaten or if anything was inconvenient. His attentive concern left no room for Yeonwoo to feel lonely.

Time passed, and the second morning in Jeju dawned. Waking earlier than usual, Yeonwoo realized the bed next to him was already empty. The room was silent, void of any signs of life. Had he already gone out? Sitting idly on the bed, Yeonwoo tried to piece together his thoughts.

He vaguely recalled being pulled into a warm embrace in the early morning hours when Muhyeok quietly slipped into bed. Though Muhyeok’s damp arm suggested he had just showered, the sensation hadn’t been unpleasant. He even planted a few kisses on Yeonwoo’s exposed nape, whispering a soft “Good night” before falling asleep spooning him.

Judging by the faint light filtering in, Muhyeok must have returned just before dawn.

“It’s only 8 a.m. If he’s already showered and left, how much sleep could he have gotten?”

Concerned, Yeonwoo scanned the room and spotted a note on the sofa table.

[Had an early schedule, so I left first. Don’t skip meals. If you need anything, ask Jincheol, and he’ll help. I shouldn’t be too late today.]

Though clearly exhausted and busy, the note contained only words of concern for Yeonwoo. Was he really okay? Pouting slightly, Yeonwoo held the note before heading to the fridge.

It was then.

As he reached for a water bottle, his hand suddenly trembled. The bottle slipped from his grip, tumbling to the floor.

“…What?”

He stared at his quivering hand, bewildered. His grip had inexplicably weakened. Before he could make sense of it, dizziness and chills overwhelmed him, leaving him unsteady on his feet. He reached out to steady himself on the table, but his hands lacked the strength, and he slumped to the floor. Everything happened so quickly.

“Why is this happening…?”

Even as he muttered with a shaky voice, the dizziness grew worse. The floor seemed to undulate beneath him like waves, forcing him to shut his eyes tightly. Soon after, a feverish heat spread through his body.

He needed to call someone—Muhyeok or Jincheol—but his phone wasn’t nearby, and moving felt impossible.

‘What is this? Indigestion?’

But he couldn’t recall eating anything heavy. Would staying still help? Wrapping his arms around himself, Yeonwoo curled up, resolving to seek help if the symptoms worsened.

Thankfully, the strange symptoms subsided after a while. Not only did they vanish as if they’d never occurred, but he also felt unusually refreshed.

The bizarre episode left Yeonwoo shaken. He couldn’t find any explanation for what had just happened. As he stood in a daze, trying to make sense of it, a memory suddenly surfaced.

“Wait…”

A feeling of déjà vu hit him. The symptoms resembled what he’d experienced in the elevator on that fateful day. Weakness, chills, fever—it was eerily similar. The only difference was that Muhyeok had been there to steady him before, whereas now he was entirely alone.

Biting his lip, Yeonwoo scanned the room with anxious eyes.

Piece by piece, the puzzle began to come together. Things he hadn’t noticed or understood before now made sense.

“Could it be… pheromones again, like that day?”

˖ ❀ ⋆｡˚

Later that evening, the sound of a tablet clicking stirred Yeonwoo from sleep. Opening his eyes, he saw Muhyeok beside him, dressed casually and leaning against the headboard while working on his tablet. His damp hair fell loosely over his forehead, and the faint scent of body wash lingered around him.

Half-awake, Yeonwoo picked up his phone. It was already past 9 p.m. Had he slept the whole day? Alarmed, he stared at the time until a warm hand gently touched his forehead.

“You’re awake?”

Setting aside the tablet, Muhyeok gazed down at him. Yeonwoo rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and gave a sleepy smile, unable to shake off the lingering drowsiness.

“You’ve been sleeping more than usual.”

“Yeah, I guess so. Maybe I’m getting lazy without work.”

“Resting is fine. If it were up to me, I’d open a flower shop for you, but now isn’t the time for that.”

“I understand what you mean,” Yeonwoo replied softly.

With a gentle smile, Muhyeok brushed aside Yeonwoo’s bangs, his fingers lingering in his hair. Then, as if captivated, he slid his hand deeper, sweeping his hair back.

Yeonwoo reached out, wrapping his arms around Muhyeok’s neck and pulling him into a tender embrace. Following Yeonwoo’s lead, Muhyeok leaned down, their lips meeting in a warm, soft kiss.

As they kissed, Yeonwoo briefly thought about the morning’s incident. Should he mention it? After a moment of hesitation, he decided against it. The episode had passed quickly, and he didn’t want to burden Muhyeok, who was already busy.

˖ ❀ ⋆｡˚

Back in Seoul, a day had passed since they returned from Jeju. Driving along a familiar road, Muhyeok’s thoughts were elsewhere.

Yeonwoo’s health had been concerning since their trip. Though Yeonwoo dismissed it whenever asked, his hesitation suggested there was something he wasn’t saying. It wasn’t like Yeonwoo to keep things from him, and Muhyeok couldn’t help but worry.

With three days left until Yeonwoo’s scheduled check-up, Muhyeok resolved to take him to another hospital if anything else seemed off.

As he entered a grand estate, the massive iron gates automatically opened, and his car pulled up to a luxurious hanok mansion.

A middle-aged secretary greeted him with a polite bow. “It’s been a while, Managing Director. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

“I’m here to see the Chairman,” Muhyeok replied with a calm smile, though the secretary’s watchful eyes betrayed caution.

Inside, as anticipated, his discussion with the Chairman was far from amicable. Raised voices soon followed until Muhyeok’s stepmother intervened, urging the Chairman to leave the matter to her.

Once the room was quiet, she addressed Muhyeok with a calm yet probing tone.

“Bringing him along to Jeju… I didn’t expect that.”

Muhyeok took a sip of his tea, his gaze unwavering.

“I couldn’t leave him behind, not when there was a risk he might be harmed.”

“So, are you planning to marry him?”

After a string of evasive questions, the true intention finally came out.

“Do I need your permission for that as well?”

Hearing the defensive retort, her stepmother raised the corners of her boldly painted lips in a smile.

“Don’t misunderstand. It was none other than me who persuaded your father, who was furious, to calm down.”

Choi Muhyeok furrowed his brows at her words.

“Do you have any idea how much effort it took to stop him from storming off to Jeju Island in a rage?”

Something about what she said felt off. It sounded like she was taking credit, as if saying, Look how much I’ve done to help you.

“Is my memory faulty? I don’t recall us being close enough to warrant such assistance,” Choi Muhyeok asked, his tone laced with wariness.

His stepmother chuckled softly.

“True. We’re not close. But if you consider the situation carefully, it’s as if we’re on the same boat, isn’t it?”

“What are you implying?” he asked, his expression hardening.

“That boy. A regular middle-class background, divorced from the JT family under disgraceful circumstances as a dominant omega. And on top of that, suffering from pheromone deficiency.”

Hearing Ji Yeonwoo’s personal information spill so easily from her lips, Choi Muhyeok’s face darkened ominously.

“He’s riddled with flaws, but if you’re willing to marry such an insignificant omega as a dominant alpha yourself, wouldn’t that benefit me even more?”

“…….”

“If you marry him, all those matchmaking offers you’ve repeatedly refused will naturally fall to Minhyuk instead. Why would I oppose that?”

Though tensions had risen with the Chairman earlier, it now made sense why she had deliberately orchestrated this moment, separating them to have a private conversation.