FF Chapter 7

He knew that Ji Yeonwoo wasn’t the type to frequent places like this. Lee Hyunjun quickly scanned the surroundings and noticed that a spot across from Ji Yeonwoo had been set for someone.

As his attention was entirely drawn to the scene, Choi Muhyeok, who had stepped out briefly to take a call, returned to his seat. Watching them exchange a few words and sit facing each other, Lee Hyunjun furrowed his brows.

“Did he get a boyfriend?”

The atmosphere between them seemed different from just two acquaintances. Seeing how well the man across from Ji Yeonwoo fit with him twisted something inside Lee Hyunjun.

The female omega, who had been about to enter the room, noticed that Lee Hyunjun was still standing there and approached with a frown.

“What are you doing? Your father is waiting.”

As the female omega glared and tugged his arm, Lee Hyunjun snapped out of it and followed her lead.

“Yeah, I’m coming.”

As he walked toward the room, he glanced back over his shoulder like someone full of regret, still watching Ji Yeonwoo. He tilted his head, puzzled. But it didn’t last long. Once the door to the room opened, Lee Hyunjun quickly changed his expression as if putting on a mask. “I hope you’ve been well, Father,” he said politely, bowing as he stepped inside.

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Two days after their first date, Choi Muhyeok and Ji Yeonwoo had scheduled their second dinner together. On their previous date, they had seen a movie and then had a late dinner, during which Ji Yeonwoo didn’t get to eat much. Maybe that bothered Choi Muhyeok because this time he made a reservation at a different place, not at the hotel lounge.

Ji Yeonwoo had never planned on simply going along with Choi Muhyeok’s intentions, but strangely, the more they talked, the more the atmosphere seemed to naturally flow in a positive direction. It was as if the more walls Ji Yeonwoo built, the more Choi Muhyeok’s gentle words and actions tore them down.

This time, Choi Muhyeok had reserved a high-end traditional Korean restaurant. From the entrance, the artificial landscaping was so luxurious that it made Ji Yeonwoo feel small. After mentioning Choi Muhyeok’s name at the entrance, the manager guided them to their seats.

After leading them through winding, narrow paths, the manager stopped in front of a sliding door at the back. He knocked politely and opened the hanji door, revealing Choi Muhyeok, who had arrived earlier and was now turning toward them.

“I’ve brought your guest, Director,” the manager said courteously. Choi Muhyeok nodded slightly in acknowledgment and took out a tip from his wallet.

“Thank you. Please prepare the food I usually have,” he instructed.

The manager’s eyes lit up as he accepted the 100,000-won bill with both hands. He knew better than anyone what it meant to receive a tip before the food even arrived.

“Yes, I’ll prepare it right away.”

After the manager left, Ji Yeonwoo took off his coat and hung it on the rack before sitting down across from Choi Muhyeok.

Even though Ji Yeonwoo’s marriage had been more of a façade, it was to a wealthy family, one that took pride in flaunting their status. Before Ji Yeonwoo developed a pheromone deficiency, being a rare dominant omega had made him yet another thing for them to boast about.

Pushing away the fleeting memories of the past, Ji Yeonwoo turned his gaze to the window. The room that Choi Muhyeok had reserved offered a perfect view of the restaurant’s artificial landscape, which included an elegant, snow-covered waterfall. Ji Yeonwoo imagined that in the summer, the snow would melt, transforming the scene into a flowing waterfall.

“Was it difficult to find your way here?” Choi Muhyeok’s voice broke Ji Yeonwoo’s train of thought.

Ji Yeonwoo turned to face him. “I was worried I might get lost since it’s not by the main road.”

“Thanks to your clear directions, I found it easily.”

“That’s a relief.”

Choi Muhyeok smiled gently. Ji Yeonwoo, mesmerized by his expression, felt his heart grow uneasy.

As someone who already tended to overthink, the pain he had gone through had only made him more cautious. If Ji Yeonwoo had been like most omegas, he might have just enjoyed the situation. But having been badly burned before, he couldn’t accept the kindness Choi Muhyeok showed at face value.

Just like on their first date, Ji Yeonwoo kept questioning Choi Muhyeok’s motives. Why was he being so kind? What did he really want? Even though Choi Muhyeok was putting in effort, giving out 100,000-won tips, Ji Yeonwoo couldn’t shake the thought that once Choi Muhyeok found out he was a pheromone-deficient, divorced omega, he might cut ties without hesitation.

Having already been hurt once, Ji Yeonwoo didn’t want to go through it again. He couldn’t help but wonder how this ambiguous relationship would end.

“Director…” Ji Yeonwoo began but paused, turning toward the door. Outside, the sound of a cart being wheeled and a knock could be heard. The door opened quietly, and the cart with their food was brought in. As appetizers were placed on the table, Ji Yeonwoo lifted his gaze.

He flinched slightly when his eyes met Choi Muhyeok’s. Sitting straight, Choi Muhyeok was looking at him with unwavering intensity. Ji Yeonwoo could feel the strong desire in his gaze. Despite hearing that Choi Muhyeok had recently been on a blind date, he couldn’t understand why they were spending this time together now.

Once the server left and the door closed with a soft click, Ji Yeonwoo could no longer hold back.

“How did your blind date go?”

Choi Muhyeok, who had been taking a sip of water, froze with the ceramic cup still in his hand. Noticing his gaze sharpen once again, Ji Yeonwoo lowered his eyes to the steaming porridge in front of him.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on purpose,” Ji Yeonwoo mumbled, worried he might come off as nosy.

“Nowadays, the call quality is so good that you can hear everything happening next to you.”

After finishing his rambling explanation, Ji Yeonwoo glanced at Choi Muhyeok, who seemed puzzled, as if asking, “Do you really not know?”

Feeling embarrassed, Ji Yeonwoo didn’t know how to react.

Without blinking, Choi Muhyeok set down the cup and finally spoke.

“Well, I guess I’m the only one who would bring flowers that symbolize farewell to a blind date.”

Ji Yeonwoo, who had expected a different answer, was taken aback.

“Sorry, what?”

“The day I bought the marigolds, I told you. I gave them as a gift to mean, ‘get hurt.'”

“…!”

Ji Yeonwoo blinked rapidly, trying to recall the conversation. What came to mind first was Choi Muhyeok’s indifferent attitude when he bought the marigolds. He didn’t know what color or scent the other person liked or even their preferences, yet he had casually picked out the flowers. That memory stuck with Ji Yeonwoo, leaving a strong impression.

“Oh, so…”

Ji Yeonwoo let out a soft exclamation as they remembered how Choi Muhyeok had immediately changed his mind and requested the marigolds after learning their meaning. Only now did Ji Yeonwoo realize the sequence of events had been different from what they had imagined.

Instead of going far away and meeting someone new, had Choi Muhyeok given marigolds to the person he was supposed to meet, which had resulted in the long trip afterward?

It never occurred to Ji Yeonwoo that Choi Muhyeok might have actually brought marigolds to the person he was supposed to meet.

“It wasn’t a meeting I wanted,” Choi Muhyeok added.

“Oh…”

“The trip I took afterward was just an extension of that.”

“I didn’t even think about that.”

“Is your curiosity satisfied now?”

“…Yes.”

Embarrassed, Ji Yeonwoo nodded, their face flushing slightly. Choi Muhyeok smiled faintly, a rare sight.

“Let’s eat first. The food’s getting cold.”

“Yes.”

As they finished the appetizers, a server came in to clear the plates and brought the next course, placing it carefully on the table. The table was soon filled with beautifully arranged dishes.

The food was excellent, both in taste and presentation. Normally, Ji Yeonwoo would have eaten heartily, but nerves made it difficult to swallow. They picked at their rice with their chopsticks, as if counting each grain, until Choi Muhyeok placed some fish on top of their rice.

“Is the food not to your liking?”

“No, it’s delicious.”

“Then why aren’t you eating? Is the setting uncomfortable? Should we move somewhere else?”

“No, that’s not necessary.”

Ji Yeonwoo reluctantly took a bite of the rice and fish Choi Muhyeok had served. Choi Muhyeok watched them closely, his gaze so piercing that Ji Yeonwoo felt as though all their inner thoughts might be laid bare.

There were so many questions Ji Yeonwoo wanted to ask.

“Why are you being so kind to me? What do I mean to you? Even if this is some kind of affection, could you really accept all my flaws?”

But those words never made it past their lips. As Ji Yeonwoo hesitated, unable to speak, Choi Muhyeok, after finishing his drink, broke the silence.

“Shall I speak first if it’s too difficult for you?”

Ji Yeonwoo met his gaze, remaining silent as Choi Muhyeok leaned back against the chair, relaxing his posture.

“There’s something I’ve been curious about.”

“What is it…?”

“From the first time we met, I noticed something missing in you.”

Ji Yeonwoo’s eyes widened in surprise.

“For instance, your pheromones.”

“…!”

“You’re an omega, aren’t you?”

Ji Yeonwoo’s face showed a brief flash of surprise and embarrassment. While they hadn’t expected him not to know, they didn’t think he’d bring it up so openly.

“That seems like a question you should’ve asked when we first met or when you came back.”

“Asking about someone’s secondary gender on a first meeting felt impolite.”

“That’s no different now. If I’d been a beta, or already had a partner, I would’ve been offended.”

Choi Muhyeok smiled softly, but Ji Yeonwoo couldn’t read the meaning behind it, which only made them frown.

“Even if that had been the case, I don’t think it would’ve mattered much.”

“What do you mean?”

“Whether current or past, any partner who’d give marigolds to say goodbye can’t be a good person.”

“…!”

“And if you felt relieved after receiving those marigolds, you probably don’t have any lingering feelings for them.”

Despite the sharpness of his words, Choi Muhyeok remained calm and unaffected, as if Ji Yeonwoo was the only one rattled by the conversation.

The more Ji Yeonwoo reflected on Choi Muhyeok’s calm demeanor, the more self-conscious and embarrassed they felt, their face flushing deeply.

“Then that means you’re not a good person either, since you gave marigolds to the person you were supposed to meet,” Ji Yeonwoo blurted out.

Startled by their own words, Ji Yeonwoo realized they had spoken too harshly. However, it was too late to take them back.

They carefully observed Choi Muhyeok’s reaction. He remained composed, his face unchanged, making it impossible to read his thoughts.

Choi Muhyeok, who had been maintaining direct eye contact, slowly closed his eyes and was the first to look away. A soft, low sound escaped his closed lips along with a long breath. It seemed like he was carefully contemplating what Ji Yeonwoo had said.

“Ji Yeonwoo is right. A person who hurts others isn’t a good person.”

A faint, bitter smile spread across Choi Muhyeok’s lips, as if some thought had crossed his mind.

“But is this conclusion also based on experience?”

Since being discovered as an omega, Ji Yeonwoo’s rapidly beating heart had shown no signs of calming down. It wasn’t excitement, but pure anxiety. Brief moments that he had tried hard to forget flashed through his mind.

A bedroom bathed in red light, the suffocating scent of an alpha’s pheromones, and one person, Hyunjun, descending upon Ji Yeonwoo, who lay sprawled on the bed.

Anxiety welled up in Ji Yeonwoo’s lowered eyes, making them tremble and flinch.

“Managing Director, I…”

Ji Yeonwoo’s face muscles quivered slightly as he stopped speaking. His fingers began to feel cold, starting from the tips, a habitual reaction when he was nervous. He gripped his tingling fingers with his other hand.

“I promised myself I would never date someone who hurts me again.”

There was only one thing Ji Yeonwoo could say to someone who readily admitted that they weren’t a good person.

To be honest, it was hard for Ji Yeonwoo to harbor feelings for anyone. He didn’t want to be narrow-minded or petty. He didn’t want to spend his days thinking about just one person, feeling like he couldn’t live without them, only to face the pain of loss when it ended.

The pain of a breakup had locked Ji Yeonwoo in a fortress of steel.

“Ah, I see. It was based on experience.”

Choi Muhyeok muttered as if talking to himself. The surroundings were so quiet that Ji Yeonwoo, who had heard it, opened his mouth to say something but quickly closed it.

People who have been hurt once tend to become more passive. They don’t want to repeat the pain of a breakup. One heartbreak in this lifetime was more than enough.

“Then the answer is clear. I just need to make sure I don’t hurt you, right?”

Choi Muhyeok shrugged his shoulders as he looked at Ji Yeonwoo, as if to say, “How hard can that be?”

Seeing that, Ji Yeonwoo felt even more confused. That languid smile made him feel as though the thick walls around his heart were slowly crumbling. It had been that way since the first time they met. Unlike other alphas, who hid their flaws and only showed their best sides, Choi Muhyeok easily admitted to both his good and bad sides as if they were all part of who he was.

Choi Muhyeok, who had been silently maintaining eye contact, changed the subject.

“But it seems you’re not curious about my designation, Ji Yeonwoo. You haven’t asked.”

“I already know.”

“You do?”

“Yes. You’re an alpha, aren’t you?”

Choi Muhyeok let out a small laugh.

“Am I just an alpha, though?”

Hearing this confident response once again, Ji Yeonwoo’s eyes widened. Could he be a dominant alpha? Although he hadn’t sensed any pheromones, he had vaguely suspected it. With his towering physical stature, handsome face, and high social standing, it was a possibility.

After a quick glance at Choi Muhyeok, Ji Yeonwoo’s eyes trembled.

“But it’s strange. How did you know?”

“What?”

“You can’t sense pheromones, right?”

“…!”

Ji Yeonwoo took a sharp breath, his lips slightly parted.

As blood rushed to his head, he felt dizzy. Even without a mirror, Ji Yeonwoo knew his face was turning pale. He didn’t feel upset about the unethical test Choi Muhyeok had put him through; rather, he realized that there was now nothing left to rely on in this relationship.

Everything was over. No alpha, especially not a dominant alpha, would want to continue a relationship with an omega who had lost the ability to sense and emit pheromones. He couldn’t imagine someone as high-ranking as Choi Muhyeok finding that acceptable.

With a hollow smile, Ji Yeonwoo finally voiced the words that had been lingering inside him.

“You’re right. I’m an omega, but I don’t have pheromones.”

He felt there was no point in hiding it anymore.

“To be more precise, it’s not that I don’t have them—I lost them.”

Choi Muhyeok’s typically relaxed eyes flashed with interest.

“Was it congenital?”

“No, it wasn’t.”

Ji Yeonwoo hurriedly explained.

“There was… an accident.”

The more he tried to explain, the more awkward it sounded. It wasn’t like he had broken an arm or leg, so it was difficult to connect the accident with losing his pheromones. He regretted not just saying it was congenital when Choi Muhyeok asked. But there was no taking back what he had already said.

“For people like us, pheromones can be both a hindrance and a powerful weapon. But having lost mine, I’m nothing more than a flawed omega.”

“I’m curious as to why you’re revealing such a personal secret.”

“…”

“You could have denied it.”

“It’s no longer a secret if someone’s figured it out.”

Ji Yeonwoo had, through conversation, revealed all of his secrets to Choi Muhyeok—the fact that he was a dominant omega, that he had lost his pheromones, and that he couldn’t sense pheromones. Now, only one secret remained, his greatest weakness.