PIA 103

“I bet the buffet food will be really delicious. I can guarantee that much at least.”

Jeong Hee-seo coaxed, as if trying to lure a reluctant child with promises of treats. Ji-an stared at him blankly for a moment while finishing a glass of water.

“……”

Ji-an had been wondering how to bring up attending the engagement party. It was clear that Jeong Hee-seo knew the outline of all relationships due to the office building acquisition. So Ji-an thought that no matter how plausibly he phrased it, he would find it strange.

Ji-an was hesitant to mention that Seo Ji-hyuk still harbored messy emotional remnants towards him, and that he needed to show his face to settle things. The relationship was already unbalanced as it was. He wanted to show only his best side in front of the exceptionally cool Jeong Hee-seo.

“If it’s uncomfortable for you, Ji-an, you don’t have to go.”

Jeong Hee-seo must have noticed that Ji-an knew he was aware of everything. Yet he was proposing this first so that Ji-an wouldn’t have to bare his innermost thoughts and bring up difficult topics in front of him.

How many steps ahead was Jeong Hee-seo planning to be this considerate?

Ji-an wrinkled his nose slightly and muttered, “Thank you, hyung-nim…”

“Sure, let’s dress up nicely together.”

Had he also seen through Ji-an’s petty competitiveness? Ji-an glanced up at him, feeling slightly taken aback, only to see Hee-seo widening his eyes innocently, as if asking why Ji-an found that surprising.

“Why are you smiling? I’m serious. Jeong Han-joo should feel a little jealous.”

Revised impression: Jeong Hee-seo’s desire to attend the engagement party was also tinged with a bit of personal interest.

But was it overthinking on Ji-an’s part to believe that even this was something he brought up deliberately to make him feel more comfortable? It was hard to say.

* * *

“…Ugh, Jeong Hee-seo’s scent.”

Ji-an flinched, his shoulders jumping, as he turned around to face the voice. The boutique shop employees around him went about their tasks quietly, though Ji-an had the strange feeling they might be stifling laughter.

Ji-an pressed the back of his cool hand to his flushed cheeks. Jeong Hee-young approached, rubbing her nose, and whispered as she leaned in close.

“Is Hee-seo in rut or something?”

“No, he’s not.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“But how come it’s this strong?”

“What do you mean strong? Hyung’s pheromones are really nice. No perfume can compare.”

“Ah, of course they are… to you, at least. Ugh, yuck.”

She harshly criticized her younger brother’s pheromones, wrinkling her face in disgust.

There was a time when Ji-an had worried about Jeong Hee-seo’s rut too. While Ji-an instinctively knew that his heat cycle wouldn’t return during pregnancy,  it wasn’t until a doctor explained that an Alpha’s rut would also stop during this time that Ji-an fully understood the situation.

‘Well, of course, he’s the father of the child.’

The doctor spoke casually to the two wide-eyed people, as if asking something obvious. Moreover, it was then that they first learned that an Alpha’s pheromones pour out like this to protect the Omega and child.

It was no wonder Jeong Hee-young found it strange. Plus, knowing that all her mischievous comments were just jokes, Ji-an didn’t feel the urge to strongly deny them. He simply kept smiling and deflecting.

“When is Hee-seo coming? Why isn’t he answering my calls? Did he block me?”

“He’s probably busy, but I’m sure he’s reading all your messages.”

“Really? …Manager Min! Is light pink too much for Ji-an?”

She quickly dropped the topic of Hee-seo and turned her attention to the designer, flipping through a stack of fabric swatches.

Jeong Hee-seo had been serious about getting clothes made for the engagement party. Following his instructions, Ji-an arrived at the designer’s boutique at the appointed time to find Jeong Hee-young waiting for him.

She closed the emotional distance with Ji-an even faster than Jeong Hee-seo had.

As soon as Ji-an told her to speak comfortably, she started acting like an older sister. Jeong Hee-yeong’s already outgoing personality seemed to shine even brighter once she declared Ji-an her new little brother.

Jeong Hee-young was still as unpredictable as when she had shown up unannounced at Ji-an’s home. But now, perhaps because Ji-an also wanted to become close with her, the feeling was quite different from that time when he had been nervous and scared.

Fortunately, Jeong Hee-young’s thoughts were not different from Ji-an’s, and a rather pleasant atmosphere flowed between the two.

“Is this design too flashy?”

“With your long limbs and beautiful figure, it would look amazing, but if a guest’s outfit is too flashy, you’ll get criticized.”

Jeong Hee-young stamped her feet, holding a catalog. She looked like she was enjoying playing dress-up, and the designer standing beside her wasn’t much different.

“Standing next to General Manager Jeong, you’ll definitely attract attention. It’ll be worth making the clothes.”

The designer, despite her bold makeup and strong first impression, seemed to take a liking to Ji-an, becoming unusually warm and friendly. She stepped closer and took over from her assistant, who had been measuring Ji-an’s body. Her hands moved swiftly across the paper as she jotted down his measurements.

“How about we go with… three designs? It’s too much of a waste to dress you in just one.”

“I agree. It’ll be nice to take pictures when the clothes are done too.”

“Ji-an, you’ll let me handle your wedding attire in the future, right?”

“Oh wow, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you this eager. But I guess it’s a given. There’s no one else who can cater to Jeong Hee-seo’s picky taste.”

Jeong Hee-young took charge and sorted out everything as if it were her own business. Ji-an could understand why Jeong Hee-seo had sent her. Though a bit fussy, Jeong Hee-young was meticulous and attentive enough to earn Jeong Hee-seo’s trust.

“Is hyung-nim really that picky?”

After the designer went inside muttering something, Ji-an asked Jeong Hee-young. He hadn’t particularly felt that way himself, so he was curious.

“Oh yes, you have no idea. He’s so sensitive about everything that touches his body or goes into his mouth.”

She waved her hand dramatically as if the thought of it exhausted her, shaking her head in exasperation. Ji-an could only tilt his head in confusion.

Jeong Hee-young picked up a cookie from the guest table and wiggled her fingers while eating.

“Have you ever seen him eat something like this?”

“Um…”

He had seen it, but the atmosphere suggested he shouldn’t say so. Ji-an wisely chose to listen silently.

“He won’t even touch something his grandmother made if it doesn’t suit his taste. He doesn’t even pretend to eat it out of politeness. As for clothes? Don’t even get me started. Have you seen his closet? Of course you have. He handpicks everything, down to the fabric and seamstress. He’s a total perfectionist. A freak, I tell you.”

But that’s not true. It doesn’t seem true. Ji-an suppressed the urge to voice his opposition to this scathing criticism that only an older sister could make. Instead, he decided to change the subject.

“Noona, um… If I go to Han-joo’s engagement party, I’ll probably see Grandmother, right?”

“Of course you would.”

“Well, what do you think about me visiting and greeting her separately before the engagement party?”

In fact, this was the first thing Ji-an wanted to ask as soon as he met Jeong Hee-young. He had been waiting for a chance to bring it up.

Myeong Hyun-sook, whom Ji-an had been avoiding out of fear.

But the situation had changed 180 degrees, and things were no longer unfolding as Seo Ji-hyuk had written. Moreover, Ji-an was no longer the character who used and ruined Jeong Hee-seo, whom she cherished.

‘Grandma’s getting old and doesn’t have much patience anymore. It would be nice if you could bring the baby to visit too.’

Ji-an recalled the first time he met Myeong Hyun-sook.

He had consistently shown an attitude of avoiding Myeong Hyun-sook to Jeong Hee-seo from the beginning. This was in line with his fierce rejection of marrying him. So now, before telling Jeong Hee-seo his true feelings, he wanted to meet Myeong Hyun-sook first.

More precisely, he wanted to show Jeong Hee-seo that he was meeting Myeong Hyun-sook.

“Ah, I heard she’s curious about me, and I thought it might not be bad to meet her quietly first.”

Ji-an said, lowering his gaze without realizing it, feeling a bit unsure of himself in the face of someone as perfect as Jeong Hee-seo. If Grandmother is busy, it can’t be helped… Ji-an trailed off as he was about to add another mumbling excuse in a shrinking voice, Jeong Hee-young grabbed Ji-an’s hand.

“That’s very, very welcome. Baby, do you know how much Grandmother wants to see you?”

Baby… Ji-an made a wry face as both his hands were held. Jeong Hee-young smiled brightly.

“When shall we set the appointment?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Just as Ji-an was trying to gauge a date,

“What appointment?”

Jeong Hee-seo, who had just entered the boutique, chimed in.