Marriage Mate: 3

Yu-Young, who had trudged out, let out a long sigh from his chest and slumped heavily onto the car’s steering wheel. It had been such a long day.

I really want to quit my job right now. But… I don’t want to get married. Muttering these contradictory thoughts, Yu-Young struggled with himself.

Is enduring all of this at work really what I wanted all along?

With a gloomy expression, Yu-Young started the car and stepped on the accelerator. Wouldn’t living a comfortable life, loved by my alpha, as my father suggests, be happier than living like a servant to Deputy Manager Kim —writing reports and making coffee?

No, no.

But then Yu-Young shook his head.

It wasn’t that Yu-Young had never met anyone before. He, too, had gone on dates a few times, unable to resist his father’s pressure. However, each time, his impression of the alphas he met was always the same, like it was stamped on a factory line.

They were arrogantly proud, acting superior.

Even though the men who came to these meetings were from families of similar standing, they acted like they were on a much higher level than Yu-Young.

From the very first meeting, their usual question was, “So, you’ll quit your job once you get married, right?” Some even asked how many children Yu-Young planned to have. Some people even sniffed around, as if fascinated by Yu-Young’s rare omega pheromones, asking if he could release more of them.

“Haha, it’s really amazing to meet a dominant omega. I’ve never seen one before.”

“Ah, yes.”

“So your pheromones are really… high-class? Can you release more? I need to test how well we match.”

“Mr. Jeong-hoon. What exactly are you…?”

“…What? What did you say?”

“How dare you ask me to release my pheromones? Do you know that’s sexual harassment?”

After enduring this kind of nonsense repeatedly, Yu-Young had had enough. After meeting so many similar, unpleasant men, he made a firm resolution.

He would never marry an alpha.

They were shallow, seeing omegas not as people, but simply as vessels to bear children. This was the conclusion Yu-Young had reached after encountering alphas.

I’ll never marry just to bear his child or be some quiet doll of an omega. This decision only grew firmer with each passing day.

Moreover, Yu-Young found that living alone was more freeing and pleasant. Dating was a hassle.

Even without marriage, once a relationship deepened, alphas, driven by their need to dominate, would inevitably try to control and manipulate him according to their desires.

But Yu-Young was already exhausted from trying to please Deputy Manager Kim. Why should he put up with someone else’s preferences and whims while dating, when he could simply enjoy his own time?

During his free time, Yu-Young just wanted to relax and pursue hobbies.

Sipping cocktails at a stylish bar, working out to maintain his body, seeking out delicious and atmospheric restaurants, and looking through photo albums before bed—these were the activities Yu-Young truly enjoyed.

“Ugh, this stress is killing me.”

Anyway, from tomorrow, he’d be on vacation. If you count the weekend, he’d have a full four days off. Normally, it was hard to take such a long leave. Originally, Yu-Young had only requested the next day off, but his department head generously told him to take the weekend as well.

His shoulders involuntarily lifted in a dance-like motion. With a wide smile, Yu-Young parked his car in front of the fitness club.

The fitness club he now went to was nothing compared to the one he used to attend back when he lived with his parents. The place where the staff, dressed in suits, would rush to valet his car was far beyond what he could afford now. Even the membership fee was about the same as his current salary.

But that didn’t matter. The place he went to now was still luxurious enough for an office worker.

After changing into workout clothes, Yu-Young slowly began to stretch. He’d been staring at a monitor all day, so his neck needed some serious attention. He stretched his shoulders, spine, wrists, and ankles carefully. As he stepped onto the treadmill, trying to work up a light sweat, a new scent filled the air.

What is that smell?

Yu-Young’s eyes widened. It was clearly a pheromone scent. It seemed restrained, but how could such a strong scent still escape?

Slowly, he turned his head. A man he hadn’t seen before was running lightly on a treadmill in the distance.

The man’s neck, glistening with beads of sweat, was both beautiful and imposing. His biceps were so well-defined, they looked like something out of a Greek myth, even under his short-sleeve workout shirt.

Even without lifting his soaked shirt, it was clear his upper body muscles were perfectly sculpted. The man, with an intense gaze, was looking straight ahead as he ran.

An indifferent expression nevertheless his face beautiful. His eyes and sharp nose complemented each other perfectly, and his slightly parted lips and sharp jawline made it impossible not to stare. Overall, he had an edgy, almost nervous look, but he was undeniably handsome.

Yu-Young’s mouth fell open.

Holy shit, he’s so good-looking.

God, after such a shitty day, is this my reward? If so, thank you so much… Yu-Young grinned and started the treadmill.

Like anyone, Yu-Young appreciated beauty—whether in landscapes, objects, or food.

And that’s why he enjoyed admiring beautiful people. After all, he worked hard to keep himself fit and beautiful. So, when life felt rough or exhausting, he’d cheer himself up by looking at celebrities’ well-maintained faces.

But that was where it ended. He was content just observing from afar.

He didn’t want to get deeply involved with anyone. Deep emotions often led to clingy, needy behavior. Eventually, even a handsome face would become tiresome.

That’s why the appearance of the man in the gym felt a little refreshing. He didn’t intend to do anything with him directly, but after a long day of staring at Deputy Manager Kim’s greasy face and a screen full of complicated numbers, Yu-Young was just happy to have a little visual distraction.

Looking at something beautiful really was a form of healing… he smiled contentedly as he started jogging slowly.

Ha… ha.

There weren’t many people around, so Yu-Young could faintly hear the man’s breath beside him. Before long, the man had increased his pace to an almost dangerous speed.

Despite his incredible speed, the man didn’t seem out of breath at all. His leg muscles, hitting the treadmill with a rhythmic precision, looked like sculptures from ancient Greek mythology. The slight exhalations from his slightly parted lips even sounded sexy.

Damn… I’m losing my mind. Trying to stifle his smile, Yu-Young fought the urge to grin like a fool. He didn’t want to be thrown out for acting suspicious.

Enjoying the view of the handsome man, along with the dopamine from his workout, Yu-Young increased the treadmill speed and began running energetically.

And then, with a sudden click, the man turned off the treadmill.

“…?”

Yu-Young, who had been sneakily glancing at the man, was a bit surprised. The man, now stepping off the treadmill, glared at him with an irritated expression.

What?