OMS 19

“I’m dying.” Park Dong-sik clutched his aching stomach and rolled around in bed. Such a weak body, getting drunk on just a few drinks. When he finally got up and looked in the bathroom mirror, he was a mess. His hair was tangled as if it had been pulled, yet his face still sparkled.

“At least this face doesn’t swell even after drinking.”

Grumbling to himself, he stripped and entered the shower booth. While washing his hair and face, memories of last night came flooding back. How embarrassing. I must have been crazy. Why did I do that? He was already worried about facing him.

After showering, he went to the dressing room to choose clothes. But despite the abundance of clothes, nothing matched his taste. Proper if you’re being kind, old-fashioned if you’re not. He put on something somewhat acceptable and went to the living room, where there was a commotion outside.

Opening the window, he saw a black car at the main house, and Chairman Kim getting out of the back door. Something was wrong with his condition. He had a cast on one leg and was being helped into a wheelchair brought by the butler.

Employees hurried after him as he headed home. Madam Song fretted beside him, and both Kim Jun-han and Kim Tae-han were there. As he wondered about what happened, he heard someone behind him. Turning around, he saw that it was Kim Yoon-ah.

“You’re up?”

“Yoon-ah. What’s happening out there? What’s wrong with Chairman Kim?”

“You didn’t know? There was an incident yesterday.”

“What?”

“The Chairman fell down the stairs in the early morning.”

“Huh?”

“I heard from an employee that there was oil on the stairs…It seems he slipped on it…”

“…”

“They’ve been checking all the house CCTV footage to find out if someone did it deliberately or if it was an accident, but no evidence yet. The First Madam has been dealing with this since dawn.”

“The old man’s lucky. Falling down those high stairs and only breaking a leg.”

Park Dong-sik’s mocking expression froze.

[Then go kill your father. I’ll like you back.]

Surely not…

“What about breakfast? If you’re not feeling well, should I bring it here?”

Park Dong-sik shook his head without hesitation at Kim Yoon-ah’s question.

“Let’s go to the main house. Father is injured. Shouldn’t I go see him?”

She wanted to see how badly he was hurt and resolve her curiosity. At the main house, employees were busy preparing breakfast. While Butler Yoon gave Park Dong-sik a disapproving look, family members were coming down from the second floor.

“What brings you here so early?”

Park Dong-sik smiled generously at Madam Song’s unwelcoming gaze.

“How could I not worry when Father is injured? It wouldn’t be right for a daughter-in-law to ignore this.”

Kim Ah-ra, who was listening, chimed in.

“Since when did sister-in-law care about Father? How unusual.”

Kid, why don’t you stay out of it? This is adult business. After shooting her a sharp look, Park Dong-sik went to take his seat at the table. The Chairman was apparently eating upstairs, as employees were carrying his food up.

What a shame. He wanted to see his face directly.

While feeling disappointed, she caught Kim Tae-han’s eye across the table. He smiled at her affectionately as usual. Why did it feel so unsettling? Surely he hadn’t actually…?

Breakfast began amid his confusion. Luckily, there was refreshing bean sprout soup with dried pollack, perfect for his hangover. Park Dong-sik asked for red pepper powder, added it to his soup, and drank it straight from the bowl with a satisfied “ahh.”

Madam Song snapped irritably.

“How vulgar, making sounds while eating.”

Ah, is this family’s favorite word? Why do they all take turns calling me vulgar?

“I’m sorry. I had too much to drink yesterday, and my stomach isn’t feeling well. Please understand, Mother.”

When he smiled with crinkled eyes, Madam Song closed her mouth before saying more. After being sick for several days, his once-beautiful face had become pale. Tsk, poor man. All because of that fake monk.

Then Kim Ah-ra suddenly interrupted without warning.

“What were big brother and sister-in-law doing on the balcony yesterday?”

Kuk! A grain of rice caught in his throat. She saw that? Kim Jun-han gave Kim Ah-ra a calm look and told her to just eat up. Everyone else’s eyes turned to Park Dong-sik. Kim Tae-han’s gaze in particular had turned menacing. The atmosphere forced him to explain.

Park Dong-sik swallowed his mouthful of rice and made up an excuse.

“We just…talked.”

“That’s not what I saw. Sister-in-law was straddling brother.”

Ah, damn. Park Dong-sik squeezed his eyes shut while Madam Song exclaimed in shock. 

“Ah-ra, watch your language! People aren’t horses to be straddled!” Scolded, Kim Ah-ra pouted, and Park Dong-sik rolled his eyes to check Kim Jun-han’s reaction.

Say something, man. Don’t just ignore this.

Left with no other choice, Park Dong-sik explained himself.

“It was an accident. I almost fell…that’s what happened when he caught me.”

“I thought you two were having sex.”

“Kim Ah-ra!” Madam Song warned with a finger, and Kim Ah-ra pouted and went back to eating. Park Dong-sik, feeling guilty, drank some water. His eyes met Kim Tae-han’s, and his expression was full of displeasure.

Park Dong-sik mouthed silently: What? Why? What are you going to do about that glare?

As if on cue, Kim Tae-han pushed his chair back.

“I have a morning meeting, so I’ll go first.”

“Eat more.”

“I’m fine. Ah, Sister-in-law. You seem done eating as well. Would you help me pick out some clothes?”

Park Dong-sik stared at him bewildered. What?

“It’s an important meeting. You’ve always had good taste in clothes.”

“Me?”

“Don’t you remember? You used to help pick them out often.”

Park Dong-sik observed Madam Song and Kim Ah-ra’s expressions. They didn’t seem particularly concerned. I see…So Hee-soo even helped pick out Kim Tae-han’s clothes. It wasn’t just physical—was he genuinely in love with Kim Tae-han? He was more loving than expected, liking everyone.

“Come on. Let’s go together.”

Having questions he wanted to ask, Park Dong-sik put down his chopsticks.

“Alright then.”

As he stood up, Kim Jun-han grabbed his arm. Surprised, he looked at him as he pulled firmly. He sat back down bewildered. What’s this? Kim Jun-han put down his chopsticks and stared impassively at Kim Tae-han.

“Sorry. He has prior plans with me.”

Kim Tae-han’s eyes turned cold, but his mouth kept its sly smile.

“That’s harsh. It won’t take long to help pick out some clothes. Right, Sister-in-law?”

Park Dong-sik’s mouth fell open. Kim Jun-han still held her wrist, the spot feeling burning hot. Why is he acting like this? Did touching his dick last night shake him up? This bastard is playing hard to get.

While confused, Kim Tae-han waited like a pitiful puppy while Kim Jun-han watched him coldly. After hesitating, Park Dong-sik gently removed Kim Jun-han’s hand. His handsome brow twitched, but he pretended not to notice.

“I’ll just help pick out clothes and be right back.”

A flash of triumph crossed Kim Tae-han’s eyes. Kim Jun-han must have seen it too, but Park Dong-sik didn’t care about any of that. Solving his curiosity was the priority. During the walk to the separate quarters, Kim Tae-han’s smile never faded. He really was like a child sometimes.

His quarters were full of interesting things. Antiques, vinyl records, movie posters everywhere, small decorations. It felt more lived-in, you could say.

“The dressing room is over there.”

Though the layout was the same, the clothes were different. Unlike Kim Jun-han who preferred suits, Kim Tae-han favored diverse styles. Park Dong-sik held up a boldly patterned shirt against himself.

Amazing. Add a solid gold necklace and a Gucci bag, and it’d be quite a look.

“Do you like that outfit, Sister-in-law?”

“No.”

“It’s too big for you. Should I buy you one?”

“No thanks. I’m going to the department store with Yoon-ah later, so don’t worry about it.”

“The department store? Where?”

“Why? Going to follow? Don’t you have a meeting?”

“The meeting was just an excuse. Didn’t you know when you came?”

Ah. I knew this bastard would do this. But that wasn’t the important thing.

Park Dong-sik carefully probed what he’d been wondering about.

“Hey, Kim Tae-han. About your father…Chairman Kim.”

“Yes?”

“I heard he hurt his leg?”

“Oh, is that all?”

Did you do it? Did you really try to kill him because of what I said? He wanted to ask but couldn’t form the words. It can’t be…It won’t be…Even if he’s crazy, how could he do that to his own father…

“Father almost went to meet his maker. Luckily, it was just his leg. If it had been his neck or back…Ah, I can’t even think about it…”

Kim Tae-han shook his head.

Park Dong-sik felt relieved internally. Yes, it turned out to be just a needless worry.

“That’s a relief, I thought…”

“Hmm?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Haha. What? Did you suspect me? Because of what you said before?”

“No, no. I didn’t suspect anything. Just—”

“I wouldn’t kill so sloppily. I’d do it meticulously.”

Park Dong-sik’s expression froze as Kim Tae-han stepped closer. His height advantage felt threatening. Right now, I’m not Park Dong-sik but Lee Hee-soo. This body couldn’t handle Kim Tae-han.

“What did you just say…?”

He touched Park Dong-sik’s fallen bangs.

“Relax your expression. It was just a joke.”

He grinned as his pheromone scent intensified. Realizing the danger, she tried to leave but was too late. Kim Tae-han grabbed Park Dong-sik and pushed her against the closet. There was a thud, and Park Dong-sik’s head buzzed from the overwhelming pheromones. Her breathing quickened as the heat rose from her toes.