FF Chapter 8

“Still, wouldn’t it be better to be honest in order to keep this relationship going?”

“But what if saying that ends the relationship right here?”

In all his life, he had never met someone who made him feel this good. He didn’t want to let them slip away, but even without revealing his last remaining vulnerability, the decision was already in the other person’s hands.

Ji Yeonwoo bit his lip hard enough to almost break the skin and continued.

“I understand if someone like me, with flaws, isn’t to your liking. I don’t get hurt as easily anymore, so feel free to be honest.”

After finishing, Ji Yeonwoo anxiously awaited a response, as if waiting for a terminal diagnosis. But no answer came from Choi Muhyeok, even as time passed.

Ji Yeonwoo glanced up. The moment he felt their eyes meet in the air, Choi Muhyeok tilted his head slightly.

“What if I still want to keep seeing you, Ji Yeonwoo?”

“…What?”

He was startled and his voice came out reflexively.

“Are you saying you still want to see me, even knowing my secret? Why?”

Ji Yeonwoo looked at Choi Muhyeok with wavering eyes, his mind filled with questions.

Choi Muhyeok took a sip of water, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and spoke.

“I don’t understand why you think I’d say something negative. I thought I’ve shown plenty of interest so far.”

“Well…”

“I like the unique aura you have, Ji Yeonwoo. I don’t know if you realize it, but just watching you quietly, you have this incredible presence. Like right now.”

“I’ve… never heard that before.”

It was true. He had never heard such words, and besides, he hadn’t given people much opportunity to observe his contemplative side. Ji Yeonwoo fidgeted with his hands under the table, feeling strangely ticklish.

His emotions were on a roller coaster. When Choi Muhyeok first discovered that he was a scentless omega, anxiety had gripped him. But hearing Choi Muhyeok say that he still wanted to see him, even knowing that, a wave of excitement washed away the anxiety. He was surprised at how simple his feelings could be.

“I hope you won’t think too hard about this. There’s a saying that you can heal from heartbreak with love.”

Ji Yeonwoo, who had been staring at the now-cold food he hadn’t touched, lifted his head. Choi Muhyeok hadn’t eaten much either but had already put down his spoon and didn’t pick it up again.

“I’m not asking for anything grand from you, Ji Yeonwoo. I just want to do the ordinary things—have meals together, share a drink, call when I’m curious, see you when I want to, hold hands, kiss. Those kinds of things.”

“…People usually call that dating.”

His voice trembled as he spoke, trying to keep it steady, and then he heard a low chuckle from across the table.

“Then I’ll take care of the dating part. Ji Yeonwoo, you just go along with it. How does that sound?”

Choi Muhyeok’s eyes widened slightly, as if asking for approval, his face looking striking.

Ji Yeonwoo could only stare blankly at the handsome man’s face.

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First impressions can determine a lot in a short amount of time.

It takes just five seconds to gauge someone’s personality and how well they might match with you.

It had been a long time since someone had caught Choi Muhyeok’s eye within those five seconds.

He still remembered the day he first saw Ji Yeonwoo at Flower Fiancé. The way Ji Yeonwoo approached, wearing a navy shirt, slacks, and a brown apron, had been surprisingly close to his ideal type. He’d even found himself thinking about Ji Yeonwoo’s face during a blind date.

When he first saw Ji Yeonwoo, he thought, What a beautiful smile. He had assumed that someone with such a sunny smile must have an equally bright personality. Despite it being a small flower shop, Ji Yeonwoo approached first-time customers without hesitation, and that was refreshing to see. People like that usually came from affluent backgrounds, and Choi Muhyeok assumed Ji Yeonwoo was the same.

But it didn’t take long after getting to know Ji Yeonwoo to realize that his assumptions were just preconceived notions.

Behind that smiling face, there was a shadow. The way he seemed lost in thought, as if carefully choosing his words, made him appear far more solemn than someone his age should be.

When Ji Yeonwoo had spoken about the meaning of marigolds or when he’d shared his resolve never to date someone who would hurt him again, he had worn the same expression every time.

Choi Muhyeok couldn’t quite gauge what kind of pain had driven Ji Yeonwoo to such a firm resolution. A simple breakup didn’t seem like enough of an explanation.

Could it be connected to losing his pheromones?

There were many possible explanations, but Choi Muhyeok wasn’t in a hurry to find out the truth. He certainly didn’t intend to ask Ji Yeonwoo directly.

He didn’t want to touch on what might be a painful memory for Ji Yeonwoo, especially since he had already unintentionally reopened old wounds several times while purchasing the marigolds.

After paying and stepping outside, Choi Muhyeok spotted Ji Yeonwoo standing under the eaves of a traditional Korean restaurant.

“Ji Yeonwoo, where is your home? It’s far from here, right?”

Choi Muhyeok stopped walking as he asked the question. Ji Yeonwoo blinked as if calculating the distance between the restaurant and his home.

“Get in. I’ll drive you.”

As he spoke, Choi Muhyeok looked up at the sky. The clouds had been dark and heavy since they entered the restaurant, threatening to spill rain at any moment.

“I saw the weather report. There’s rain in the forecast. You wouldn’t want to get caught in the rain, would you?”

Honestly, the weather report was just an excuse. He hadn’t actually checked it, but he’d guessed from the sky’s ominous appearance. He wanted to cut off any chance of Ji Yeonwoo politely declining his offer.

“Then… thank you.”

Fortunately, Ji Yeonwoo didn’t reject his offer. Choi Muhyeok started his car with a remote, and as the lights blinked, signaling the unlock, Ji Yeonwoo opened the passenger door and got in.

As the car, which had been cruising smoothly on a quiet late-night road, began to slow down, the brake lights of the cars ahead turned the entire view red.

“Could there have been an accident? It’s not a time when there should be traffic,” Choi Muhyeok muttered, his brow furrowing.

Ji Yeonwoo, who had been sitting quietly in the passenger seat, lifted his back from the seat for the first time to look ahead. The cars on the road were packed together, showing no signs of moving. What should have been a short 30-minute drive now looked like it might take over an hour.

Choi Muhyeok, tapping the steering wheel with his fingers, turned to glance at Ji Yeonwoo, who was glancing between his phone and the windshield, his movements appearing almost anxious.

“Do you live with your parents?” Choi Muhyeok suddenly asked.

Ji Yeonwoo’s head snapped up.

“I was wondering if you had a curfew,” Choi Muhyeok added with a casual shrug.

“I live alone, but…” Ji Yeonwoo trailed off, fidgeting with his phone in both hands.

“I feel like I’m making you stay out late because of me,” he said quietly.

“Don’t worry about that. I’m free with my time too,” Choi Muhyeok replied smoothly.

“But you have to go to work tomorrow,” Ji Yeonwoo pointed out, showing his phone to Choi Muhyeok.

“I looked it up—there’s a five-car pileup on this road. It’ll probably take some time to clear.”

The article Ji Yeonwoo pulled up confirmed there had been a serious accident on the road ahead, with one fatality and three critically injured. Traffic was expected to be delayed for at least another 30 minutes.

Choi Muhyeok skimmed the article with his eyes and then looked at Ji Yeonwoo. The moment their eyes met, Ji Yeonwoo, who had been leaning towards him, straightened up and placed his phone on his lap.

“Managing Director, just drop me off at the station up ahead. I think that would be best,” Ji Yeonwoo suggested.

“I’m not okay with that,” Choi Muhyeok replied immediately.

The reason he’d lied earlier about rain being in the forecast was just an excuse to spend more time with Ji Yeonwoo. If he’d intended to send him off just because of some traffic, he wouldn’t have made such an effort to come up with that excuse.

However, Ji Yeonwoo’s resolve seemed firm, making it difficult for him to argue. As he contemplated what to do, raindrops began to tap against the windshield.

Tap, tap.

What had started as a few drops soon turned into a heavy downpour. It was a sudden summer shower.

‘I heard there’s rain in the forecast. It’d be a disaster if you got caught in the rain on your way home,’ Choi Muhyeok had lied earlier, but now the rain had come for real. He wondered if even the heavens were on his side.

“How are you planning to go in this weather?” Choi Muhyeok asked.

Ji Yeonwoo looked out at the rain pouring down beyond the windshield, clearly taken aback. Choi Muhyeok rested his chin on his arm, which was propped up on the steering wheel, and studied Ji Yeonwoo’s profile.

“You don’t have an umbrella either, do you?”

“I just feel like I’m being a burden,” Ji Yeonwoo said, his voice trailing off.

His eyes, which seemed to droop like they were weighed down by raindrops, looked so pitiful. His bangs had fallen across his temple and brows, giving him an almost vulnerable appearance.

“I don’t understand why you think you’re being a burden,” Choi Muhyeok said.

“Huh?”

“I mean, are you planning to date me but catch rides from other guys?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

“If there’s no real reason, let’s just keep going. With the traffic like this, turning back won’t be easy.”

Ji Yeonwoo bit his lip and, after a moment’s hesitation, nodded in agreement. He held his phone in both hands, looking awkward and uncertain. Watching him fidget, Choi Muhyeok unbuckled his seatbelt, shrugged off his coat, and handed it to Ji Yeonwoo.

“Can you hold onto this for me?”

“Huh? Oh, sure…”

“If your legs get cold, you can use it as a blanket.”

Caught off guard, Ji Yeonwoo blinked as he took the coat. Only then did he realize the hidden intention behind the gesture. He stared down at the coat for a moment before carefully draping it over himself, ensuring it didn’t touch the floor. The large coat easily covered Ji Yeonwoo’s small frame.

Perhaps it was the warmth of the coat that made him feel so cozy. Ji Yeonwoo stifled a yawn behind his hand and rubbed his eyes with his fingers, trying to stay awake. Choi Muhyeok watched him silently before reaching over to recline the passenger seat.

The sudden movement made Ji Yeonwoo flinch, and he looked at Choi Muhyeok in surprise.

“It’ll take a while to get there. Why don’t you rest for a bit? I’ll wake you when we arrive,” Choi Muhyeok said.

Leaning back against the reclined seat, Ji Yeonwoo gave him a curious look.

“Why are you always trying to make me sleep? I’m not tired at all.”

Despite his words, the sleepiness in his half-lidded eyes and the drowsy tone of his voice gave him away. Choi Muhyeok leaned against the steering wheel, half-turned toward Ji Yeonwoo.

“Are you afraid I’ll try something?”

“…I wouldn’t say that,” Ji Yeonwoo replied, pouting slightly as if genuinely worried. It was so cute that Choi Muhyeok couldn’t help but wonder if Ji Yeonwoo was doing it on purpose. Didn’t he know that acting like that would only make someone want to misbehave?

“Do you really think I’ll believe you when you look half-asleep and say you’re not tired?”

“I swear I’m not…”

His stubborn refusal was amusing, especially since his sleepy expression told a completely different story. Choi Muhyeok chuckled softly, though the laughter soon faded from his lips.

This situation—so ordinary on the surface—felt unusually delicate. He wasn’t entirely sure why, but something about Ji Yeonwoo made him feel extra cautious. Perhaps it was Ji Yeonwoo’s deep-rooted wariness, or maybe it was the fact that, unlike most omegas, he didn’t give off any pheromones, making it harder to read him.

“Managing Director…”

Choi Muhyeok heard the quiet voice calling him and met the gaze he had briefly missed. As he unconsciously relaxed the expression that had been stiff, Ji Yeonwoo had a thoughtful look on his face.

“Don’t worry and just sleep.”

Then, with his fingers, Choi Muhyeok gently brushed back Ji Yeonwoo’s bangs that had been bothering his view the whole time.

“I’m not the type to make a move on someone who’s asleep.”

The sensation of Ji Yeonwoo’s warm scalp against his fingers was comforting. The soft hair tangled between Choi Muhyeok’s fingers, only to fall back into place.

Choi Muhyeok’s gaze lingered on one spot as he continued to brush Ji Yeonwoo’s hair. The coat he had used to cover him had slipped off slightly, likely because Ji Yeonwoo had shifted in his sleep. Choi Muhyeok pulled the coat back up, covering Ji Yeonwoo’s chest once again.

“You look tired. Why didn’t you say you were sleepy?”

“I thought I was fine, but it turns out I wasn’t.”

Choi Muhyeok looked at Ji Yeonwoo as if he didn’t quite understand what he meant.

“I haven’t been sleeping well lately.”

“Why?”

“There’s a call I’ve been waiting for.”

Caught off guard by Ji Yeonwoo’s sudden confession, Choi Muhyeok felt a strange sense of anticipation from those words, which could have carried many meanings.

“Have you been waiting for my call?”

“Yes.”

Ji Yeonwoo clutched the coat with both hands and pulled it up as he spoke. Although his answer had no hesitation, his voice, unlike his words, was drowsy and languid.

“You left me at the convenience store like that and didn’t contact me for a whole week. Managing Director, you were too much.”

Was there some magic tonight making Ji Yeonwoo more honest? He hadn’t had anything to drink, but his emotions were flowing freely. Choi Muhyeok wondered if this might actually be Ji Yeonwoo’s true nature.

Though Ji Yeonwoo’s eyes were heavy with sleep, he couldn’t quite fall asleep. Watching his fidgeting and endearing behavior, Choi Muhyeok felt a sudden urge to tease him.

“Well, about that, I feel like I’ve already given you my answer.”

“Answer? What answer?”

“Didn’t you say you weren’t waiting?”

“Did… did I say that?”

“Oh, are you going to deny it now?”

It was impossible for Ji Yeonwoo not to remember what had happened just a few days ago. His eyes, caught off guard by the fleeting thought, wavered uncertainly.

“Oh, I’m too sleepy for this. I’ll just sleep for a bit, Managing Director.”

After hesitating, Ji Yeonwoo pulled the coat up to cover his face, disappearing underneath it. He was avoiding the conversation, realizing it was no longer in his favor. Choi Muhyeok watched him with an amused expression, finding the sight cute.

A little while later, the faint hum of the engine mixed with the sound of Ji Yeonwoo’s steady breathing filled the car.

Choi Muhyeok gently lowered the coat that had been covering Ji Yeonwoo’s face, thinking it might be uncomfortable. Ji Yeonwoo, who had turned toward him in his sleep, continued to sleep soundly.

Leaning halfway against the steering wheel with his elbow propped on it, Choi Muhyeok stared at the sleeping Ji Yeonwoo, lost in thought.

‘Managing Director, I swore I’d never date someone who would hurt me again.’

Ji Yeonwoo’s words lingered in his mind. He also recalled Ji Yeonwoo’s voice, evasively answering that it was an accident when asked about his pheromone deficiency.

Ji Yeonwoo didn’t seem to have much experience in relationships, but the ones he had seemed to have been with terrible people. If his guess was right, the way Choi Muhyeok had bulldozed forward from the start may have been overwhelming for Ji Yeonwoo.

He needed to take things slowly, but how long he could hold out was uncertain. Choi Muhyeok wasn’t the type to sit idly by when he found someone he liked, and he had never been patient for that long before. Still, Choi Muhyeok wanted to build a good relationship with Ji Yeonwoo, even if it meant enduring everything.

It wasn’t about the pheromones. He simply enjoyed talking to Ji Yeonwoo and spending time together. That was all.

The more he got to know Ji Yeonwoo, the more he felt an urge to protect him. Aside from being an omega, he wasn’t much different from other men, yet Choi Muhyeok couldn’t shake the desire to look after him with every conversation they had.

What was strange was that this attraction didn’t rely on pheromones. Up until now, Choi Muhyeok had only been interested in omegas whose pheromones matched his preferences, making Ji Yeonwoo a uniquely unfamiliar case.

The headlights reflected off the raindrops, casting light over the sleeping Ji Yeonwoo. He lay there, bathed in the light as he slept.

Some time passed.

From somewhere nearby, the sound of ambulance sirens approached. Soon, two ambulances sped by on the shoulder of the road, sirens blaring.

At that moment, Choi Muhyeok straightened his posture, no longer half-turned toward Ji Yeonwoo.

It seemed like the accident had mostly been cleared up.

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Inside the car, with the engine running, Choi Muhyeok checked the fuel gauge. It had been about two hours since he had parked in the ground-level lot of Ji Yeonwoo’s apartment complex. It was already past midnight, approaching the early hours of the morning, yet Ji Yeonwoo slept on, lulled by the sound of the rain.

Choi Muhyeok pressed his index and middle fingers against his eyelids, which felt stiff and tired. More than the exhaustion, what was harder to bear was having to just sit there and watch Ji Yeonwoo sleep.