Marriage Mate: 4

The first emotion that arose was doubt.

…Was I staring too much?

Yuyoung slowed down the treadmill slightly, tilting his head in confusion. Yeah, that made sense. If someone kept glancing over, it could get annoying. But even so… wasn’t he glaring at me a little too intensely?

No, maybe I was mistaken. The guy had a naturally sharp expression.

Maybe he was just frowning because he was exhausted from running. It wouldn’t be right to misinterpret things and act all sensitive over nothing. Thinking that, Yu-young turned his head again to look at the man, this time just to confirm.

“Tsk.”

But then, as the man briskly walked past him, that single sound struck Yuyoung’s ears with clarity.

As if that weren’t enough, the man openly glared at him.

It wasn’t a mistake. The emotion behind it was unmistakably contempt.

Did he just click his tongue at me…?

Shocked, Yuyoung turned off the treadmill. He needed confirmation. He waited for the machine to fully stop before stepping off. He was about to head toward the man, who was already walking away, when—

“Hello, sir. Shall we begin today’s session?”

“Yes.”

A trainer approached the man, bowing politely. The man, in turn, gave a slight nod. They naturally began chatting as they moved toward the personal training area.

Yu-young stood there, mouth agape, watching the man disappear.

He was so dumbfounded that he wanted to storm over and demand an explanation, but no matter how infuriating the guy was, barging into someone’s training session like a lunatic wasn’t an option.

Is this guy actually insane? Just because I looked at him a little, he has to act like this?

Fuming, Yuyoung flopped onto the leg curl machine. Just a moment ago, he had been feeling light and cheerful, but now, his mood had plummeted into the dirt.

Sure, he had momentarily felt a spark of attraction to the guy’s handsome face and alluring pheromone scent, but he wasn’t foolish enough to keep feeling butterflies for someone who obviously despised him.

What the hell is his problem?

I swear, good-looking guys always act like they’re special.

Clicking his tongue, Yuyoung quickly shoved aside his irritation. No point in wasting energy on a rude jerk. He already had too much on his plate today to add “random gym psycho” to his list of concerns.

Might as well just focus on my workout.

Once he got moving again, his mood lifted. Yuyoung had always been the type to shake off unpleasant situations with ease.

A light 40 minutes of weight training, followed by 40 minutes of cardio.

Food was one of his greatest joys in life, so Yu-young worked out regularly. Ever since he presented as an omega, he had given up on achieving a super muscular physique, but he still aimed to maintain a healthy, toned body.

Simply put, he exercised so he could eat more.

After finishing his strength training, he spent 20 minutes thoroughly stretching out his muscles. As he did, he started craving a massage.

Soft lighting, the soothing scent of aromatherapy, skilled hands pressing into sore muscles… Just picturing it made him smack his lips in anticipation.

But it was too late today—overtime at work had delayed him too much. He’d have to settle for an early night’s rest.

I’ll just get a massage tomorrow and have a nice lunch.

Thinking about his upcoming vacation lifted his spirits again. He had been working so hard lately that he couldn’t even remember the last time he took a day off.

After showering, Yuyoung got into his car. Humming, he happily stepped on the gas.

It felt like his car could float into the sky at any moment.

His vacation was about to begin, and best of all, he wouldn’t have to see the Deputy Manager’s face for four whole days.

Four mornings without having to deal with that jerk? Now that’s what I call a miracle morning.

As he planned out his vacation in his head—massage and lunch tomorrow, but what about the day after?—he arrived at his apartment complex.

The first-floor shopping area of the mixed-use high-rise had several upscale restaurants that rivaled those worth making a special trip for.

Should I have brunch at one of these tomorrow?

No, wait. Since it’s a special occasion, I should go to my favorite neighborhood restaurant instead.

That place was always packed on weekends, but tomorrow was a weekday. It would be peaceful.

Suddenly, he was starving.

Realizing he hadn’t eaten dinner, Yu-young stopped by the sushi place on the first floor to grab a takeout order before heading up to his apartment.

As the elevator rocketed up at a dizzying speed, he peeked into the paper bag.

Inside were soft, glistening sushi pieces. His mouth watered.

You adorable little things… I’m going to devour you in one bite.

Grinning at his dinner, he stepped out as the elevator dinged on his floor.

Come to think of it, someone was moving in next door. Are they done now?

I don’t really care who they are, as long as they’re not noisy.

It was his precious vacation, after all. He didn’t want his sleep disturbed.

Just as he reached for his door handle, he noticed something.

His dry-cleaned suit was neatly hung on his door handle, likely left by the laundry service.

Glancing to the side, he saw that his new neighbor’s door handle also had a suit hanging on it.

It wasn’t just any suit—it was from a brand favored by fashion-conscious collectors.

Huh. Seems like they’ve got good taste.

Muttering to himself, Yuyoung reached for his own suit. But then, he noticed something odd.

Behind the suit, a small plastic bag was hooked onto the handle.

What’s this?

Opening the bag, he found a pair of boxer briefs inside.

They were black, from a brand he often wore.

Why is this here?

I don’t send underwear to the dry cleaners…

Confused, he examined the neatly folded underwear.

I definitely only sent in my suit… Did this get mixed in by accident?

Shrugging, he picked up the briefs.

Oh well, mistakes happen.

Just as he was about to put them back in the bag, he froze.

The underwear smelled insanely good.

Like a curious puppy, he sniffed again.

The scent felt oddly familiar.

Where have I smelled this before…?

Frowning in thought, he absentmindedly unfolded the briefs.

Since one hand was occupied with the sushi bag, it wasn’t easy. He flicked his wrist a few times until the underwear fully opened.

Bringing it close to his nose, he took another sniff.

Weird. Is this really mine? It smells kind of unfamiliar…

A vague memory nagged at him. If only the dry-cleaning scent weren’t so overpowering, he felt like he could figure it out.

He furrowed his brows and inhaled again—deeply.

Then, suddenly, a clear realization struck him.

This is pheromone scent.

An alpha’s scent.

The moment he recognized it, Yuyoung’s eyes widened.

Oh my god. This isn’t mine!

Like he’d been burned, he jerked the underwear away from his nose.

At the same time, a cold, low voice rang in his ears.

“What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

Startled, Yu-young spun around, clutching the underwear in his hands.

A tall man stood in front of him, arms crossed, his piercing gaze locked onto Yu-young like a predator sizing up its prey.

It was him.

The rude guy from the gym.

The man’s sharp features were even more striking up close, but Yuyoung had no time to admire them. His brain was in full panic mode.

Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap.

Realization crashed over him like a tidal wave.

This is his underwear.

And he had just been sniffing it.

Right in front of his apartment.

Under the hallway’s bright lighting.

For anyone to see.

Mortified, Yuyoung’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. He needed to explain himself—immediately—before this man called security on him for being a pervert.

“This—this isn’t what it looks like!” he blurted out, waving the underwear frantically. “I thought it was mine! It was on my door handle, and—!”

The man’s eyes darkened as he took a step closer.

“So, you usually press strangers’ underwear to your nose and take deep breaths?”

His voice was smooth, but there was unmistakable amusement laced with irritation in his tone.

Yuyoung nearly choked.

“I—I wasn’t smelling it like that! I was just—checking the scent—! No, wait, that sounds worse—! I mean, I thought it was mine, so I—!”

He was digging his own grave.

The man let out a slow exhale, pinching the bridge of his nose as if trying to restrain himself from saying something cutting.

“Give it back,” he ordered.

Yuyoung practically threw the underwear at him, his face burning hot enough to fry an egg.

“Here! Take it! It was a mistake!”

The man caught it effortlessly, staring down at the fabric before letting out a small, unreadable chuckle.

“Interesting mistake,” he murmured.

Then, without another word, he turned toward his apartment, sliding the keycard into the lock.

Yuyoung stood frozen, still processing his overwhelming humiliation.

Just before stepping inside, the man glanced back at him.

“Try not to steal my laundry next time.”

The door shut.

Silence filled the hallway.

Yuyoung stood there, stunned, a single thought running through his mind:

I’m never showing my face outside again.