UR Chapter 133

Chapter 133

“Why did you come down alone?”

“B-Beom-ho…”

“I wasn’t planning to announce it like this, but… Samho put an article in the morning paper saying we’re engaged.”

He said it while adjusting the neatly tied knot of his tie. I-bom’s eyes widened in shock.

“A-an engagement article?”

“I’m sorry. They published it without even asking for your opinion. I wasn’t going to announce it this soon. If it feels like too much, I’ll have it taken down immediately.”

An article… just because he’d received a ring. It all felt like things were moving too fast, flowing ahead on their own. Blinking, I-bom stared at Beom-ho’s face. The gleam of sunlight through the glass wall touched the lines of his profile, making him look calm and composed.

The steady gaze in those black eyes soothed his startled heart without the need for words. More than anything he could say, it reassured him—enough to make him certain this man would never harm him.

“Ah… it’s fine. I don’t mind…”

I-bom spoke carefully, giving him a small smile.

* * *

“Good morning~.”

On a day he came to work earlier than usual, Sung-jun walked into the office without a second thought—only to be met with a crowd of employees blocking the entrance.

“Secretary Eun! You’re just getting in?”

“Secretary Sung-jun, did you see the morning news?”

“…What?”

His brow twitched. There were more employees from other departments lingering near the secretary’s office than usual.

Normally, people from other departments hardly ever came near here. It was said that the presence of the CEO and a few others was so overpowering that ordinary employees couldn’t stand it, so they stayed away entirely. Yet now, people who would usually only give him a passing nod were greeting him with eager, sparkling eyes.

Sung-jun eyed them warily, noting that two of them were even holding the morning paper—something he rarely saw.

“The morning news?”

He repeated the words flatly.

His routine before work was to skim the early morning news, then read and clip articles from the morning paper after arriving. That was part of being a secretary who stayed by the CEO’s side at all times.

He thought of the paper waiting at his desk as he shrugged off his coat. What on earth had been published for them to ask him this? Nothing in the early news had required his attention.

“Did the Director really get engaged?”

One of the employees blurted the question out. Turning toward the voice, Sung-jun found their faces bright with curiosity.

“Is it true he’s engaged to a half-beastman? It’s not a false report?”

“They say he’s really good-looking. Have you seen him in person? I heard a rumor he was training to be a celebrity—true?”

“…May I see that paper?”

Ignoring the barrage of questions, he reached for the newspaper in someone’s hands. The pages fluttered open to reveal the headline in bold print: Samho Heir Announces Engagement. Sung-jun blinked rapidly.

Kang, the senior secretary, leaned in and held up his phone for him to read.

[Korea Economic News]

Samho Group’s Director of External Relations, Eun Beom-ho, announced his engagement today. His fiancé is said to be Mr. Kang, a half-beastman. A Samho spokesperson stated that they hope this union will help reduce covert discrimination against half-beastmen and improve the narrow-minded image toward pureblood beastmen. The wedding will be held privately with only family attending. Director Eun Beom-ho is the eldest grandson of Samho Group’s Chairman Eun Kang and the eldest son of Mr. Eun Pyung-hwa.

Related stocks: Samho Group (Today’s hot stock)

Related themes: Wedding / Honeymoon / Anti-Discrimination Support Center / Entertainment

Top comments of the day:

[General Board] So half-beastmen and beastmen can marry after all (803)
[Entertainment] I went to school with Kang I-bom—he was famous for his looks and personality (123)
[Dating/Marriage] Saw his graduation photo—makes sense now (2000)

“Chairman Eun of Samho—that’s our Director’s grandfather, right? I thought he was ultra-conservative, but I guess it’s true he allowed an engagement to a half-beastman? When I saw the article this morning, I thought my eyes were playing tricks. How did he get approval for that? Unless… don’t tell me there’s a baby?”

“Honestly, I didn’t even know half-beastmen existed until now.”

Another employee sitting across from Kang muttered under their breath.

“Everyone.”

Feeling the tightness in his stomach, Sung-jun loosened his tie. He couldn’t help thinking—would it have killed the Director to tell his secretary about the engagement beforehand? What a mess to deal with first thing in the morning.

“Everything else aside—please watch your words in front of the Director. Especially anything that disrespects half-beastmen. He’ll dislike it very much.”

His tone was firm.

* * *

“This house is huge…”

For I-bom, who was used to the cold emptiness of a house without warmth, staring at leaky eaves, this place—filled with gentle heat—felt utterly foreign. Wide-eyed, he sat on a chair beside the first-floor terrace. He’d left home of his own accord, but never imagined this massive place would become his second home.

“I’ll be your family.”

Yesterday, that earnest voice had struck him deep in the heart. The sincerity in it filled him with gratitude and excitement. Hopefully, it wasn’t a dream. If it were, waking up would be so crushingly hopeless that he might faint from the shock. That’s how sweet this dream would be. Carefully, I-bom opened his hand and stared intently at the ring, making sure it truly existed.

“I-bom, there’s a delivery for you.”

“Oh—yes…”

A delivery? He hadn’t ordered anything. Curious, he opened the door with a clatter.

“…Oh.”

The moment the door swung open, a fresh basket of roses was placed into his arms—a lavish arrangement of vivid red blooms, adorned with white baby’s breath and green leaves. The heady scent of fresh roses, out of season, brushed against his nose.

“What is this…?”

He looked at the person handing him the basket in dazed surprise, but it didn’t stop there. One after another, more bouquets came pouring in. As if on cue, lush arrangements were handed to him until he was practically buried in flowers.

Leaning back under the weight of them, I-bom accepted each bouquet, his expression bewildered. Suddenly, he remembered the shower of flowers Beom-ho had once sent to decorate Soo-hyun’s home. Could it be… did Beom-ho send all of these? Flustered, he fished his phone out of his back pocket.

—Yes, I-bom.

The familiar voice landed clearly in his ear the moment he dialed. Hugging the bouquets, I-bom wedged the phone between his ear and shoulder.

“Hello. Did you… send me flowers?”

—Yes. Did you like them?

So it really was all from him?

—I threw away that catnip you brought me. I felt bad about it, and since you seem to like fragrant plants, I sent you roses instead.

“Uh… but there are so many. You only tossed a handful of catnip… and I just picked it up on the way.”

A sharp ache bloomed in his chest. For someone supposedly new to romance, Beom-ho had a way of striking directly at the heart. He always showed his affection to I-bom with unreserved sincerity.

—That’s just how I am. You said it was only a handful, but I could imagine how disappointed you might have felt. Didn’t you like it?

His voice came through the line cautiously, drawing out the end just slightly.

“But…”

—I just want to give you everything you like. If you don’t, I’ll send less next time.

“I… don’t dislike it. But next time… just one flower, please.”

—Why? Why is one enough?

“Because… even if you give me just one, I’ll still know how you feel.”

I-bom answered shyly. He already knew Beom-ho was the type to go all-in, but realizing just how overwhelming that could be—enough to make him physically sway—left him flustered.

—What do I do? Hearing your voice makes me miss you already.

His soft laugh carried over the phone, tickling. That slightly lifted, excited breath brushed against I-bom’s ear, making it grow warm.

—Now I get it. I never understood why employees said they didn’t want to work and just wanted to go home, but… knowing you’re waiting for me makes me not want to work either. I just want to go home.

“Ah…”

—This isn’t a dream, right? When I get home, you’ll be there waiting? If it’s a dream, I think I’ll be too sad to bear it.

“…Yes. I’ll be here.”

—Thank you. I’ll see you at home.

At the gentle whisper in his ear, I-bom buried his face into the flowers and smiled. The lush scent of roses made his heart flutter.