Marriage Mate: 40

“Yes…?”

“Since today is Wednesday, if we have close contact for about 3 to 4 days starting today, by Saturday, it should look pretty natural.”

Yu-young, who was left speechless and staring at him in disbelief, heard Do-won speak nonchalantly.

“We can’t do it anywhere. We should move to a different place. I think it’d be better at my place. What do you think, Assistant Han?”

“Ah… yes. I think your place would be better, too.” Yu-young spoke calmly, but his face began to slowly flush red.

“Then let’s go first. Once we’re ready, come to my apartment. Or I can go to yours.”

“…I’ll go.” Yu-young quickly answered, not wanting to be the one suggesting his own place. Though he wasn’t the type to keep a filthy home, inviting his boss over without preparation was quite a burden.

Do-won nodded and stood up. As they walked to the company’s underground parking lot, Yu-young couldn’t say a word. Maybe because he knew clearly what they had to do tonight, he felt incredibly embarrassed to look at Do-won’s face.

“See you at my place.”

“…Yes.”

They exchanged greetings and each got into their cars. While driving, Yu-young couldn’t shake the feeling of being in a dream. Not for just one day, but for several days, he would have to engage in physical contact with him.

Surprisingly, the strongest emotion Yu-young was feeling inside wasn’t rejection m. It was a wave of anxiety that felt unfamiliar yet overwhelming. The kiss they shared at the hotel a few days ago had been a spur-of-the-moment act, with no mental preparation. Before it happened, Yu-young had managed to stay calm.

But today, Do-won had directly told him, “For a convincing lie, we need to kiss, so prepare yourself.” 

Actually, thinking about it now, it was almost exactly what he had said… Yu-young subtly turned the steering wheel and let out a soft groan as the feelings inside him churned.

“Ugh… Han Yu-young, what the hell am I doing…” 

His mind flashed back to the moment when he had grabbed Do-won’s arm at the hotel, as he rejected his proposal. Of course, even if he went back, the outcome would probably be the same, but at that time, he never imagined he’d be doing this with him.

He had recklessly gone along with things to avoid the middle school classmate whose name he couldn’t even remember. 

But now, he was about to kiss his team leader every day. This situation, though strange, wasn’t as confusing as his own emotions. A few days ago, if someone had told him to kiss Do-won every day, he probably would’ve bitten his tongue. He had a deep aversion to Do-won and all Alphas.

Yet now, what filled Yu-young’s heart was nothing but nervousness. The feelings he had when he kissed Do-won in the hotel a few days ago rushed back, vivid as ever. The sensations, both stimulating and comfortable, soft yet intense, were a jumble that had tormented him for days.

Sigh… I don’t know. It’s already spilled over. I’ll just do my best. 

He told himself. After all, this would end by Saturday. Yu-young sighed quietly as he opened the door.

Even though he wasn’t doing this out of any particular desire, he couldn’t go to Do-won’s house looking like that. 

After entering the bathroom, he washed himself thoroughly and dried his hair. He hesitated about what to wear but settled on comfortable loungewear since it was a private matter after work.

When Yu-young opened the front door and stood in front of Do-won’s apartment, he took a few deep breaths. His finger trembled as he reached for the doorbell.

Calm down, calm down… He told himself. It’s just a quick kiss. It’s not like my tongue’s going to fall off. It wasn’t like he was going to do something worse, like marking each other; it was just a brief kiss.

Yu-young tried to think boldly as he waited for Do-won to open the door. After a brief moment, Do-won opened the door and welcomed him in.

“Come in.”

“…Excuse me.” Yu-young stepped cautiously inside, trying to steady his pounding heart. It was already his second time here. Technically, this was the first time he was entering with his mind clear.

The house was as immaculately clean as it had been last time. As soon as he stepped inside, the familiar scent of pheromones surrounded him, filling his lungs deeply.

Yu-young took a deep breath, trying not to let it show. The pheromones… they’re really strong.

This was the first time he was so openly exposed to Do-won’s pheromones. It seemed like Do-won had considered him, though, as the living room windows were already wide open.

“If the pheromones bother you, Assistant Han, we can move to a different spot.”

“No… I’m fine.”

“Then please have a seat.”

Do-won, still with slightly damp hair as if he had just showered, walked toward the kitchen. His usually neatly combed hair now fell loosely over his forehead, and he, too, was wearing comfortable clothes.

Yu-young tried to calm his pounding heart as he sat on the couch as instructed. Feeling his palms getting sweaty, he subtly wiped his hands on his pants, avoiding Do-won’s gaze.

“You seem a little tense.”

“…I’m not tense.”

Yu-young didn’t like how relaxed Do-won seemed. He pouted and refuted, causing Do-won to raise smile. Heading toward the kitchen, Do-won pulled out a bottle of wine from the fridge.

“Would you like a glass of wine?”

“…Well, I’m not tense, but… if you offer, I’d be happy to drink.”

The wine he showed was from a brand that Yu-young quite liked. After nodding, Do-won went back into the kitchen and came out holding two empty wine glasses in one hand, and a platter with three or four types of cheese in the other.

Yu-young felt incredibly awkward sitting across from Do-won with the wine and snacks on the coffee table between them. Unable to endure the brief silence any longer, Yu-young finally awkwardly spoke up.

“Um, Team Leader… I’m really… sorry, but could we listen to some music or something?”

“Why? Are you uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Yu-young awkwardly laughed, unable to deny Do-won’s pointed remark. Even he thought it wasn’t the kind of request one would make when visiting a boss’s house, but still… since they were here for something somewhat personal, this much should be fine, right?

Do-won chuckled softly, but thankfully stood up and started the music. Jazz with rich sound began to play from the speakers near the bookshelf.

However, the atmosphere seemed to be growing even more uncomfortable and awkward. On the table, there was wine and soothing music, creating a mood that clearly resembled a cozy, intimate date between lovers. Just as Do-won was about to sit back down, Yu-young quickly called out to him.

“Uh… Team Leader…! I’m really, really sorry, but…!”

“What now? Should I light some incense?”

Yu-young, who was about to say, If you don’t mind, quickly waved his hand in refusal.

“Sorry to bother you, but… could you maybe dim the lights a bit? It’s too bright…”

“What’s wrong with that? What exactly are you planning to do in the dark?”

Yu-young wasn’t sure whether he was joking, but from the laughter in his tone, he guessed he was. He had never seen someone joke so seriously before.

“No, it’s not that… It’s just… your face is too bright,” Yu-young explained, his voice trailing off. Do-won tilted his head slightly, his face showing signs of irritation.

“What? Is there a problem if you can see my face clearly?”

“…Well, no…”

Did I say something too direct? I didn’t mean anything bad. Yu-young hesitated, but before he could say anything more, Do-won simply got up and turned off the lights.

In an instant, the room was engulfed in darkness. Yu-young squinted his eyes, frowning at the sudden shift. The large silhouette of Do-won, now slightly illuminated by the dim light from the big windows, emerged with vague outlines.

Yu-young gasped and held his breath for a moment. The atmosphere became dense all of a sudden, and he felt suffocated. With his vision limited, the scent of his pheromones and the tense atmosphere became overwhelming. There was no reason for him to suddenly be angry, yet it felt as though the air had been tightly pulled.

In the darkness, Yu-young could see Do-won move slowly. His tall figure came closer and sat next to him.

“Well, let’s start without the lights. Since you don’t want to see my face.”

“No, it’s not that I don’t want to…”

“Can we start?”

Do-won’s tone, which cut off Yu-young’s trailing words, was more stern than usual. His face, faintly visible in the dim light, looked similarly stiff. Yu-young had no idea what had suddenly caused him to be so upset.

Seeing his expression made Yu-young feel a bit rebellious. What? Do you think I can’t do it if you ask like that? After a brief hesitation, Yu-young boldly nodded.

“…Yes. Let’s do it.”

As soon as Yu-young spoke, a large hand wrapped around the back of his neck. At the same time, soft lips pressed against his.