Marriage Mate: 7

“Crazy, crazy, crazy…”

Yuyoung couldn’t hide his appalled expression. What kind of disaster was this? The first blow from deputy manager Kim that morning had already drained him, and the second from his father had been exhausting enough—now, even that bastard was sitting next to him?! This was nothing short of a bolt from the blue.

The man, as if engaging in a staring contest, walked straight toward Yu-young, locking eyes with his completely drained face. Then, without hesitation, he took the seat right next to him and spoke in a detached voice.

“You’re not supposed to stare at people like that. In case you didn’t know, it’s quite rude.”

“Crazy…!”

The man’s smug, know-it-all tone finally broke the chant that had been echoing in Yuyoung’s head. The moment the words left his lips, the man raised an eyebrow.

“I don’t think we’re close enough for such an… intense greeting.”

“That wasn’t a greeting! And why, of all places, did you have to sit next to me…! Haah…”

“If I had known I’d be sitting next to you, I would’ve booked a different table. No—better yet, a different restaurant.”

The man spat out the words in a low, growling voice before turning his gaze away as if he had no further business with Yu-young.

That was it. There was no way he could endure this any longer. This bastard dies today, or I do.

Fuming, Yu-young turned his body fully toward the man.

“Hey. Since yesterday… I’ve been holding back, but you really are just the worst.”

His openly mocking tone cracked the man’s cold, rigid expression ever so slightly. A vein bulged faintly on his forehead as he slowly turned to face Yu-young.

“What did you just say?”

“I said you’re the worst. The. Worst. First time hearing that? Ha, I highly doubt it.”

As soon as he spat out the words, a wave of satisfaction surged through him, as if someone had smeared menthol balm all over his chest. Yuyoung grinned so widely it was almost Joker-esque. Finally, after holding back since yesterday, he’d said what he had wanted to say.

Though the man was now looking at him with undisguised disgust, Yuyoung was too high on endorphins to care. In fact, it only made him feel more exhilarated.

I already have to put up with Deputy manager Kim—why the hell should I have to put up with you too? Who even are you? You’re not my boss.

Basking in the thrill of his victory, Yu-young shot the man a triumphant look. It felt like all his pent-up stress had evaporated in an instant. The man let out a scoff of disbelief.

“Unbelievable. Why do I have to come out for a meal and be subjected to such rude nonsense from you?”

“Unbelievable, huh? Then I guess you’re finally feeling what I felt yesterday. Because that’s exactly how I felt.”

“Haah…”

The man slowly ran a hand through his hair, briefly wiping away his faint smile. For a split second, a sharp glint flickered in his eyes. The intensity was so chilling that even the overly confident Yu-young involuntarily flinched.

Then, the man spoke, his voice dangerously quiet.

“You were the one who couldn’t control your pheromones in a public place. You were the one who buried your face in someone else’s underwear and took a whiff. And yet, you think I should be the one feeling ‘unbelievable’ right now?”

“I wasn’t even in heat yesterday. My pheromone levels weren’t any different from usual—what the hell are you talking about?”

The man’s face remained cold as ice as he met Yu-young’s gaze. At the same time, Yuyoung felt an eerie sensation creep over him. It was the unmistakable pressure of the man’s pheromones beginning to seep into the air.

Luckily, most of the restaurant patrons were betas, blissfully unaware of the tension. But for a dominant omega like Yu-young, it felt like he was being completely engulfed by the alpha’s scent. A shiver ran down his spine. And to make things worse, the man’s expression had hardened entirely as he stared him down.

To be honest… it was terrifying.

But now that things had escalated to this point, there was no backing down. Yuyoung met his glare head-on.

“And do you really think I sniffed that underwear on purpose, knowing it was yours?! I thought it was mine, you—!”

“Ha. What a wonderfully cheap choice of words.”

The man let out a sneer, his lips curling in clear disdain.

“Your standards are truly something else.”

“What the hell did you just say?!”

“Um… excuse me, sir?”

Just as Yu-young was about to explode, a hesitant voice cut in. The restaurant server had approached, his expression laced with concern.

“Is there a problem?”

Realizing they had drawn attention, Yuyoung quickly took in his surroundings. The other customers were still absorbed in their meals and conversations, but the restaurant staff had noticed the rising tension. Several employees were now discreetly watching them.

And yet, the man’s expression remained entirely unfazed. Meanwhile, Yuyoung could feel the heat creeping up his own face.

No. I love this restaurant. I’m not about to get banned because of this asshole.

Thinking fast, Yuyoung forced a bright, mechanical smile and turned to the server.

“Oh, no, nothing’s wrong. I just ran into someone I know, and we got a little… carried away catching up. Sorry about that.”

“You know me? That’s a good one.”

The mocking comment from the side made Yuyoung clench his fists, but he maintained his forced smile. If only I could “accidentally” stomp on his foot right now. Or maybe slice his hand instead of my steak.

The server, still looking slightly unsure, nodded and turned to the man.

“I see. My apologies. Would you like to order now, sir?”

The man skimmed the menu before responding curtly.

“Burrata cheese salad. And the sirloin steak.”

Are you serious? He ordered the exact same thing as me?!

Yuyoung barely stopped himself from cursing out loud. Of course, he couldn’t just yell, “I don’t want to eat the same thing as you! Order something else!”

Ignore him. Just ignore him…

Taking a deep breath, Yu-young tried to calm his irritation. Meanwhile, the man had pulled out a tablet and started scrolling through it.

It wasn’t intentional, but with the tables being so close together, Yu’young couldn’t help but glimpse the screen. It wasn’t a movie or a website—he was clearly working.

Of course. As if the world would stop spinning if he took a break.

Even though it didn’t affect him in any way, the fact that the man was working while waiting for his meal somehow annoyed Yuyoung even more. He found everything about him insufferable—even the way he breathed.

Still, Yuyoung turned away. He had no interest in wasting any more energy on this bastard.

Though… what the hell was up with my pheromones for him to react like that? Maybe I should get checked at the hospital later.

He was definitely not in heat. As a dominant omega, he had a good handle on his cycles.

But… there was a faint feverish ache in his body. Maybe he was coming down with something. That could explain why his pheromones were slightly stronger than usual. Given that the man was a dominant alpha, he probably sensed it more acutely.

Not my problem. I don’t have to care why he’s losing his mind over it.

As Yuyoung grumbled internally, a server approached with a warm smile.

“Here’s some bread to start your meal.”

“Thank you.”

The bread was placed in front of both of them at the same time.

Just looking at it made Yuyoung’s mouth water. Feeling slightly better, he tore off a piece and popped it into his mouth.

Why isn’t he eating? It’s best when it’s hot…

Against his will, Yuyoung stole a glance. Damn it. Why am I paying attention to this guy?

Then, just as he was about to take another bite, he heard it again.

That irritating, deliberate tsk of the tongue.