82

“Yu-young, you’re all done, right? Let’s go, let’s go!”

“Yes!”

“Ah, okay. Just a second. Let me tidy up a bit.”

As expected, Ju-yeon and Yoon-seok came to his seat as soon as it turned 6 o’clock and started pestering him. Since this week wasn’t particularly busy, with a 1-night, 2-day workshop planned for Friday, it was a relatively light work week. Thanks to Do-won, who dismissed the team as soon as it hit 6, the team members were already heading out of the office and catching the elevator.

“Wow, how long has it been since we had a drink together?”

“Exactly. We’re going all out today!”

“Whoa, whoa. Calm down a bit.”

Though he said that, Yu-young was also glad. After all, the events from yesterday kept replaying in his mind, making it hard to focus all day. On top of that, with an after-work appointment, he had been focused all day to finish his work on time. Now, he wanted to relax, let go, and rest.

Ah, now that he thought about it, when was the Team Leader planning to leave? After hesitating for a moment, Yu-young grabbed his bag and left the office with his colleagues.

‘…I guess he’ll handle it himself.’

Thinking that, Yu-young was about to turn away carelessly when he let out a short sigh and pulled out his phone. Since they were living together, it seemed polite to at least let him know where he was going if he was going to be late. There was no obligation in the contract, but he thought it would be good to at least do that.

[Team Leader, I’m going for a drink with Kim Ju-yeon and Lee Yoon-seok, near the office.]

Yu-young quickly sent the message, then hurriedly put his phone into his pocket so that the two wouldn’t notice. A sigh escaped him.

To be honest, he was relieved that he didn’t have to go home with him. The aftermath of what had happened yesterday still felt overwhelming. And it seemed Do-won felt the same.

When he woke up this morning, he was already worried about how to face him. But when there was no sign of him in the empty house. Going to the kitchen to make breakfast, he found a light meal already prepared on the table. Yu-young blinked in surprise and read the note left beside it.

[I’m heading out first. Eat and leave.]

So he left first because it was awkward to face him. A small, amused smile escaped him. He always seemed so robotic when working, but in moments like these, it was easy to realize he was just a person, like anyone else.

In any case, the food had been made for him, and there was no reason not to eat it. Plus, the sandwich was really delicious. Yu-young finished the meal with gratitude and headed to work.

However, during lunch and even the meeting, Do-won didn’t look at him once. For some reason, this began to make him feel slightly disappointed.

‘…Well, I guess that makes sense.’

It wasn’t like they had kissed a few times or been physically close, but yesterday felt completely different. He had never seen Do-won make that kind of expression before.

Up until then, whenever they kissed to mix pheromones, Do-won’s attitude had been all about restraint and control. Even when their lips met and the pheromones were released, there was hardly any trace of the beast-like instincts typical of an Alpha.

Maybe that’s why. It was easy to let his guard down with him. Of course, sometimes he would approach him with a strange expression, but it was always within a limit that wouldn’t surprise Yu-young.

But yesterday’s Do-won felt like a completely different person. Or rather, it felt like he had gotten to know a little more about his true nature. The instincts hidden beneath his indifferent face, behind the thick walls he built up, were rougher than Yu-young had imagined. They were alive, thrashing around, and they were unmistakably those of an Alpha.

‘But that didn’t make it unpleasant… and that’s the problem.’

Yu-young sighed heavily as he got into the elevator. It wasn’t just his behavior that was unfamiliar. It was also himself—he had felt no desire to reject him when the Alpha approached, kissed him, and pressed his body against his.

He was honestly surprised. The hot, heavy sensation pressing against his thighs and abdomen was still vivid, and throughout the day, Yu-young found himself absentmindedly rubbing his stomach with his hand, only to quickly retract it in shock.

If he hadn’t pushed him away yesterday, he couldn’t even imagine what would have happened after that.

What came to mind then was Do-won’s face, just as surprised as he was. Even he seemed startled by his own actions. Do-won, visibly flustered, pulled away, sighed, and rubbed his face roughly. Seeing that, Yu-young couldn’t help but run to his room.

The confusion from the rising excitement, the doubts about their yet-to-be-established relationship, and the surprise and embarrassment of doing something like that with an Alpha for the first time all mixed together and tortured him throughout the night.

“Yu-young, what are you thinking about like that?”

“That’s right. You’ve been zoning out a lot lately… I’m worried. Is something wrong?”

Hearing Ju-yeon and Yoon-seok’s voices, Yu-young snapped out of his thoughts. The elevator had already arrived at the first floor. Both of them had genuinely worried expressions.

“Oh, no. I’m fine. Just thinking about something…”

“Really, you’ve been acting suspicious lately.”

“Haha, really, it’s nothing. Let’s go, we’ll miss our spot if we’re late.”

“You’re right, you’re right. Let’s go quickly.”

Yu-young smiled and pushed them along. The pub they used to frequent was, as Yu-young had said, so popular that if they went too late, there wouldn’t be any seats. The three of them hurried their steps. It was only a five-minute walk from the company to a back alley, so they quickly arrived. Fortunately, there were still plenty of seats today.

Ju-yeon, sitting with an excited expression, held up three fingers before the menu was even opened. The staff, nodding as if they were familiar, brought over three beers and some puffed rice snacks.

“Drink, drink. I’m feeling good today, so it’s on me!”

“Oh, no. You two have been busy preparing for the workshop lately, so let me treat you today.”

At Yu-young’s words, Ju-yeon immediately clapped.

“Wow, really? Then I should comfort your wallet.”

“Thanks, I’ll drink it gratefully, Assistant Manager!“

“Ah, our cute Yoon-seok, just keep your wallet where it is.”

As they made their orders and chatted loudly, the food arrived. The white seafood soup and sausage stir-fried with vegetables looked delicious on the table. In the meantime, their first beers were already empty.

The freshly brought beer glasses clinked several times in the air. As the food gradually disappeared, their faces flushed just the right amount. Most of the conversation revolved around work, Ju-yeon’s boyfriend, and gossip. Naturally, the subject of the gossip was always Deputy Manager Kim.

“Ugh, don’t even get me started. Yesterday, he even asked me. When am I going to get married to my boyfriend? Like, is he my dad? What’s with him?”

“Exactly. He always crosses the line.”

“Assistant Manager, let me pour you a glass of consolation drink.”

“Okay, okay, let’s try it.”

Meanwhile, a soju bottle quietly appeared on the table. With more rounds of drinks being ordered, the three of them were starting to get tipsy.

Yu-young, while happily joining in, glanced at his watch. It was already past nine o’clock. It wasn’t yet time to go home, but thinking about the one person left at the office, he couldn’t help but worry a bit.

‘I wonder if he’s already gone home. No, he always leaves late… But since this week isn’t so busy, he might be able to leave by now… Well, why do I care about this? Why am I worrying about Choi Do-won leaving work?’

If he kept thinking like that, his mind would be flooded with thoughts of Choi Do-won. To cut off the train of thought, Yu-young quickly brought up a new topic.

“How’s the workshop preparation going? Have you been able to talk to Team 2?”

At Yu-young’s casual question, Ju-yeon answered with a smug expression.

“Ah, don’t even get me started. How well do you think we’ve prepared? It’s going to be a total game-changer.”

“It’s going to be so fun, Assistant Manager!”

Yoon-seok answered with sparkling eyes. Seeing their excited faces, Yu-young felt his own mood lift.

Yeah, when you’re feeling troubled, it’s nice to spend time in a lively, noisy way. Just drink, get a bit tipsy, go home, shower, and go to sleep. Then by tomorrow, he and Do-won should be a little less awkward. Thinking like that, Yu-young raised his glass with more enthusiasm.

“Come on, there’s no time to rest. Let’s cheers.”

“Wow, Yu-young, you’re really going for it today?”

“Here’s to Assistant Manager Han!”

“Hey, Yoon-seok, you only like Yu-young!”

Ju-yeon glared at Yoon-seok while grumbling. Since they were close, they didn’t hesitate to call each other by their names, and seeing Ju-yeon like that made both Yu-young and Yoon-seok burst into laughter.

“Ah, Assistant Manager, why are you like this? You know how much I like you.”

“Like? Yeah right. You always only like Yu-young. Are you sure you don’t like him?”

“Eh?”

Yoon-seok jumped up and waved his hands. Yu-young couldn’t help but laugh, seeing Yoon-seok with a red face, struggling.

“Ah, Ju-yeon, stop saying such nonsense.”

“Well, it’s not that I don’t like him, it’s just… it’s complicated…”

“Wait, that actually makes sense?!”

“Stop teasing him.”

Ju-yeon kept teasing Yoon-seok, still laughing when suddenly, she paused and looked at Yu-young seriously. It was a completely different expression from before, her eyes intense and focused.

“By the way, Yu-young. Is something really going on with you these days?”

“Eh? No, I told you, it’s nothing.”

“No, there’s something suspicious.”

Ju-yeon hummed, before throwing out a direct question.

“Yu-young, are you seeing someone at work?”

“What? Don’t say such nonsense!”

For a moment, Yu-young’s heart dropped. He tried to hide it, but it was impossible to stop his thoughts from flashing back to yesterday. The sensations he’d felt when he was with him came rushing back—Do-won’s scent that had lingered even though he had just showered, his playful tone asking if he looked handsome, and the heat and body warmth that had covered him afterward. The large, soft hand that had naturally found its way to him…

“…What is it, Yu-young?”

“Assistant Manager…?”

Watching Yu-young’s reaction with great interest, both Ju-yeon and Yoon-seok exchanged a glance. Only then did Yu-young realize his face was burning red.