Omega Complex Novel (Completed) - Chapter 92

Outer Story 2. Marriage

No sooner had the rainy season ended than the scorching heat arrived. As the space filled with the sound of rain was covered by the cicadas’ cries, the company began to turn on the air conditioning. If Lee Yoonwoo had been here, he would have been constantly wearing a coat, complaining about the cold. At home, I couldn’t turn on the air conditioner, but embracing his cool body temperature felt as if the heat completely vanished.

“Assistant Manager Choi, you look like you’re in a photoshoot just by standing there.”

Ms. Yeon-ah said in a light tone to me, who was blankly holding a paper cup to my mouth. I slowly turned my head, and she shrugged her shoulders, a cigarette in her hand.

“I’d be tempted if I didn’t have a boyfriend.”

It was a short break before work began. I drank coffee, and Ms. Yeon-ah and Assistant Manager Yoo smoked amicably. I shrugged at the unwelcome compliment, and Assistant Manager Yoo waved his hand dismissively.

“Oh, come on, Taegyeom is married.”

“What? Really?”

Assistant Manager Yoo winked at me, as if asking me to play along. I saw Ms. Yeon-ah’s eyes widen, as she hadn’t seen his gesture. I smiled slyly and slightly raised the hand holding the paper cup.

“You must not have seen the ring.”

The ring on my left ring finger sparkled in the sunlight. It was what Lee Yoonwoo had put on my finger five years ago, on his birthday.

“Wow, Assistant Manager Choi, you were a married man?”

Ms. Yeon-ah looked at the ring with a shocked expression. It wasn’t jealousy or anything like that, just pure surprise. If I left it like this, the rumor ‘Assistant Manager Choi Taegyeom is married’ would spread throughout the company. It was quite tempting, but since it wasn’t true, it only made my stomach ache.

“…Just kidding, it’s just a couple ring.”

I crumpled the empty paper cup. Ms. Yeon-ah put the cigarette in her mouth with a slightly deflated expression. She kept glancing at the ring, seeming to have many questions.

“How long have you been together?”

As expected, he asked me with curious eyes. I’d thought it since I first saw him, but he seemed like a mix of Jeon Rae-hyun and Park Sungjae, half and half.

“I’ve known him since birth, and we’ve been together for about five years now.”

“Wow, childhood friends?”

Assistant Manager Yoo also showed interest, pretending not to. He was someone who respected privacy and had never asked directly, but he seemed quite curious nonetheless. When I replied, ‘That’s right,’ Ms. Yeon-ah asked again.

“If you’ve known each other that long, don’t you get tired of each other?”

‘Tired of each other,’ huh. Lee Yoonwoo filled my mind. Even after all this time, his still neat face, black hair and eyes, and his seemingly dry yet affectionate words and actions.

“…I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of him.”

Just thinking about him made my heart flutter. My mouth tingled as if pheromones were about to flow out. It didn’t matter that Ms. Yeon-ah and Assistant Manager Yoo were staring with wide, blank eyes. I put my hands in my pockets and pulled up the corners of my mouth pleasantly.

“It’s just… I like him so much it interferes with my daily life.”

What kind of reaction would Lee Yoonwoo have if I gave him this? A hard ring case was felt in my pocket.

It had already been five years since I started living with Lee Yoonwoo. In that time, we had turned thirty and transformed from university students into working professionals. The five-year gap between him and me had also disappeared without a trace.

Lee Yoonwoo entered graduate school immediately after graduation. His grades were good, but he hadn’t decided on a suitable career path, so he was “kidnapped” by a professor. Contrary to my initial worries, he worked as a teaching assistant and even obtained a couple of translation certifications.

On the other hand, I joined a company as soon as I became a senior. Unable to resist the professor’s pressure, I submitted my resume and went for an interview, and luckily, I received an acceptance notice. The company wasn’t small, and the salary was decent, but for me, it wasn’t exactly welcome news.

‘You got into Aunt’s company?’

It was the company where my mother was the CEO. My grandmother had built it up when she was young, establishing its position, and over time, she passed it down to my mother. My mother had warned me that if I acted incompetently, she wouldn’t pass it on, no matter that I was her child, precisely because it was a company she had nurtured with care.

But to join as an intern…

My university life with Lee Yoonwoo and the stigma of being a “parachute” after joining the company. After much deliberation, when I was about to decide not to go, Lee Yoonwoo spoke maturely.

‘It’s a good opportunity.’

‘…’

‘You should try as much as you can.’

Perhaps because of our promise to live together, or perhaps because of the relief that it wasn’t an unfamiliar company, he wasn’t anxious like Park Sungjae was when Kim Min-jung got a job. Instead, seeing him happier than me made me feel both relieved and a little disappointed.

“Assistant Manager Choi, about yesterday’s meeting…”

Anyway, I joined the company and was branded a “parachute.” The same surname, similar appearance. Even getting promoted to assistant manager so quickly at a young age. But fortunately, those who had been subtly flattering me gradually drifted away when I showed no particular reaction.

“…he said. Could you do me a favor?”

Well, now those rumors were almost unheard of. After a few conversations, people dropped their prejudices about me and ended the rumors, saying, ‘There’s no way the CEO has such an old son.’ They would faint if they knew my mother was actually close to sixty.

“Oh, right. And.”

The team leader, having finished delivering instructions, tapped my desk. I was just about to call Lee Yoonwoo to ask if he had gone to the hospital. I put down my phone and turned my head, and he smiled, showing his teeth.

“You didn’t forget today, did you?”

The team leader was a female Alpha with a cheerful impression. She processed work quickly, was straightforward, and had excellent social skills. Most of the credit for this project’s successful completion went to her.

“…Today?”

I asked back naturally, without showing my surprise. Today? A sense of unease crept in. Whether he knew my feelings or not, he answered casually.

“We decided to have a company dinner to celebrate the project’s completion. You didn’t forget, did you?”

It felt like I’d been hit in the back of the head. The calendar I subtly checked clearly had ‘Company Dinner’ written on it.

“No, of course I remember.”

Why wouldn’t I? I had completely forgotten.

“I’ve lost track of the days lately, so I got a little confused.”

I was so caught up in the joy of the project’s completion that I hadn’t thought of it. I had thought of leaving work on the dot, but not going to a company dinner, and I had thought of having dinner with Lee Yoonwoo, but not clinking glasses with colleagues.

“Well, you have been incredibly busy lately.”

The team leader laughed heartily without any further nagging. Then, saying ‘See you later,’ she turned her back without hesitation. Seeing her go to other team members one by one, it seemed she had noticed I’d forgotten.

“Haa…”

I said I’d go home early.

I let out a small sigh, picked up my phone, and stood up. I had to call Lee Yoonwoo and tell him not to wait and to eat dinner. My plans to cook him delicious food and to spend a leisurely time together were instantly ruined.

He didn’t seem to be feeling well, and now I had to be late even on a day like this. My stomach ached with guilt.

—Hello?

He answered the phone before it even finished ringing. It was as if he had been waiting for my call. My gloomy mood lifted a little as soon as I heard his low voice. Of course, it sank again at the thought of not being able to see him in person.

“Yeah, Yoonwoo, did you go to the hospital?”

First and foremost, Lee Yoonwoo’s condition was more important than the reason for my call. For a few days now, he had been listless, couldn’t eat well, and was subtly more prone to fussing before sleep. He said it felt like a mild cold, but that didn’t stop me from worrying.

—Uh… Yeah, I went.

“What did the hospital say?”

—Just, well…

His hesitant reply seemed suspicious. If it were just a simple cold, he would have contacted me earlier, and the fact that he hadn’t contacted me until I called was also strange.

—I’ll tell you when you get home.

I leaned against the wall and quietly shut my mouth. Thoughts that had occasionally surfaced were slowly growing in size. From ‘No way’ to ‘What if?’

“…Uh, Yoonwoo, I’m sorry, but.”

I knew the possibility was low, but it wasn’t impossible. We had been at it for two straight days without condoms, so of course, I had to be suspicious. Lee Yoonwoo didn’t seem to have thought of it, but as much as he was recessive, I was dominant.

“I forgot I have a company dinner today, so I’ll probably be a bit late.”

Is he pregnant?

I didn’t hastily voice the thought that had reached my throat. It was because I was afraid I might hurt Lee Yoonwoo if I brought up the topic so easily. His expression when he said it would be difficult to get pregnant was still vivid in my mind, and I didn’t want to see that face again.

“I’m sorry, I said I’d come home early.”

Even as I apologized, my mind was troubled. Lee Yoonwoo wasn’t the type to be upset by something so trivial, but I kept feeling ashamed. Of course, Lee Yoonwoo chuckled with a gentle voice.

—There’s nothing to be sorry about. It’s a company dinner, what can you do? You have to go.

But was it just my imagination, or did I sense a hint of disappointment? His voice also seemed lower. Lee Yoonwoo asked if he was having it with his team members as if he was truly fine, but the atmosphere was different from usual.

“…Uh, the team leader said she’s treating us.”

—That’s good. Tell them to eat beef.

I heard a soft laugh. His tone quickly returned to its usual neatness. It was Lee Yoonwoo’s unique voice, which always made me feel good just listening to it.

“Lee Yoonwoo”

I was called Lee Yoonwoo. I hoped he was pregnant, but if not, there was only one reason for his hesitation.

“The hospital didn’t say anything special, did they?”

Lee Yoonwoo was the type who never showed when he was sick. He would usually just endure any pain, and he would even refrain from speaking, thinking he was not causing worry. He didn’t know that it only made me worry more, and he would endure to the absolute limit.

—They just said it was a cold.

He replied in a rather light tone. Even with his casual words, my tension didn’t ease at all. He must have sensed that too, as he added, as if he couldn’t help it.

—I was just kidding about you coming early. I missed you.

The words ‘I missed you’ made my mouth sweet. I had seen him this morning, but I wanted to hug Lee Yoonwoo right now. I didn’t even smoke, but I felt like I understood why people struggled with withdrawal symptoms.

“…I’ll go as fast as I can.”

—An assistant manager thinking of skipping a company dinner, the world’s getting better.

Lee Yoonwoo chuckled, saying something that only Section Chief Min, known for being old-fashioned, would say. Even though he pretended not to, he seemed happy that I said I’d go quickly. Lee Yoonwoo, who had been silently lost in thought, then subtly opened his mouth.

—Want to meet briefly during lunch?

Lee Yoonwoo came to the company around my lunch break. When I saw the message about a nearby cafe and got up from my seat, several gazes followed me.

“I’ll be leaving first.”

More than half of my food was left, but I had no intention of making Lee Yoonwoo wait. If he, who rarely came to the company, had come all this way, it must be something serious. I hoped it was nothing, but the chances of that were probably close to zero.

First, I stopped by the office to grab my jacket and headed out of the company. The cafe where Lee Yoonwoo was located was right across the crosswalk in front of the building. I squinted my eyes in the glaring sunlight, and I saw a familiar figure sitting on the cafe terrace.

“Why aren’t you drinking coffee for once?”

Lee Yoonwoo slowly turned his head from reading an English book. The wooden terrace was high enough that our eyes met when I looked up. He blinked his eyes, looking surprised, and placed the highlighter he was holding on the table.

“Why did you come so early? I told you to eat first.”

On the table beyond the railing, there was a bright yellow ade instead of coffee. It must be lemon or something else. It was a rather harsh menu for him, who didn’t like sour things, carbonation, or even cold things.

“I had to come quickly. You were waiting.”

Is he still not feeling well? His face, which I checked with that thought, fortunately showed no signs of illness. His cheeks were a bit flushed, but that was probably just from the sunlight. Since he wouldn’t bother with sunscreen, his pale face must have tanned reddish.

“Let’s go inside.”

Instead of sitting opposite him, I picked up Lee Yoonwoo’s drink. The weather was so hot that the cup holder was damp from the ice floating in the drink. Of all things, the sun was directly overhead, so even the parasol on the terrace couldn’t provide shade.

Lee Yoonwoo hesitated for a moment, then, as I draped the jacket I’d brought over his shoulders, he gathered his book and stood up.

“Welcome.”

Clink— A cool blast of air flowed through the open door. The air conditioner was turned up so high it gave me goosebumps. No wonder he was sitting outside. I lightly clicked my tongue, and Lee Yoonwoo let out a soft laugh.

“…Ah, what would you like?”

The employee subtly stiffened their expression as we approached. It was a reaction I wouldn’t normally care about, but the way their gaze lingered on Lee Yoonwoo felt oddly unpleasant. Lee Yoonwoo, on the other hand, was looking at the decorations on the counter as if uninterested.

“What do you want to drink?”

I put my arm around Lee Yoonwoo’s shoulder with the hand not holding the drink. As I stroked his cheek, making sure the couple ring was visible, a look of dismay crossed the employee’s face. As expected, bad omens are never wrong.

“Me?”

“Of course, you.”

Is he a Beta?

Now that I looked closely, something was written on the outside of the cup holder with a ballpoint pen. It was too small for Lee Yoonwoo, who was usually unobservant, to notice.

If the employee was a Beta, and thus couldn’t sense the pheromones on Lee Yoonwoo, then I quickly understood the situation.

“This.”

I subtly covered the writing with my palm and handed it to Lee Yoonwoo. The drink, with half the ice melted, still looked full, like a new one.

“Are you going to keep drinking this?”

“…I’ll have a grapefruit ade, please.”

A faint light appeared in the employee’s eyes at my awkward smile. I immediately blocked Lee Yoonwoo’s front and looked at the employee. Their lost gaze was quite something to behold.

“Not that, give me a sweet potato latte. A warm one. And you, did you eat?”

“I ate roughly.”

Meaning he didn’t eat.

“And one egg sandwich, please. We’ll eat here.”

“…One warm sweet potato latte and one egg sandwich, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The employee took my card with an awkward face. They were so flustered that they even stammered, ‘Receipt, no, do you have a point card?’ When I replied that I didn’t have a point card and didn’t need a receipt, they handed me a vibrating pager with an embarrassed expression.

“We’ll let you know with the pager.”

“Thank you.”

I gave a light bow and turned my back without lingering. Lee Yoonwoo gave me a questioning look as I immediately took out the cup holder and crumpled it. I naturally put on a new cup holder and feigned an innocent expression.

“The cup got wet from the condensation.”

“It was a bit hot today… But why did you ask me what I wanted if you were just going to order whatever you wanted anyway?”

“Who told you to pick grapefruit, something you don’t even drink?”

It was a relief that Lee Yoonwoo was insensitive. Even if I tried to flirt like this, he would never notice. Maybe if I wrote it on the receipt, he would read it. But then again, he didn’t even take receipts, so it was useless.

“You can’t even drink cold things.”

I sat Lee Yoonwoo in a spot where the air conditioner’s breeze wouldn’t reach him as much as possible. He was rarely susceptible to colds, but a strong air conditioner in mid-summer was an exception. How surprised I was when he fainted right in front of me in his third year of high school. I felt like the sky would collapse if something like that happened.

“You should order a new drink too. That one’s going to taste bad with the melted ice.”

“It doesn’t really matter.”

My throat kept feeling parched, so I removed the straw and gulped down the drink. As Lee Yoonwoo said, the drink was very bland. The carbonation was gone, and the fruit flavor was clumsy. It was sour at first but astringent at the end, so it didn’t seem to be just lemon.

“What is this?”

“Lemon… what was it, Yuzu lemon?”

“You ordered something tasteless.”

“…I guess it looked healthy.”

His embarrassed expression tickled my chest. This is why everyone, both this guy and that guy, sets their sights on him. While I felt relieved that Lee Yoonwoo was oblivious, I was also furious at the thought of how many similar incidents there must have been. Alphas or Omegas would sense my pheromones and give up, but the proportion of Betas in the world is overwhelmingly high. I couldn’t write my name on him, so what on earth was I supposed to do with this guy?

“That book? A translation?”