Omega Complex Novel (Completed) - Chapter 93

“Oh, right. This is the book I’ll be working on this time, I got it from the publisher. It’s interesting, so take a look.”

The cover of the novel, about 300 pages long, had the title written in an antique script. The author’s name looked somewhat familiar; it was the same as the first novel he had ever translated. As I opened the first page and looked at the table of contents, a calm voice spoke.

“Novels usually don’t come in much during this period. But since the previous translation had a good response, they contacted me again this time.”

“That’s good. Are the checked words ones you don’t know?”

“Yeah, the sentences are fine, but the words are a bit difficult.”

Among various translation jobs, Lee Yoonwoo liked novels the most. His reasons were that they weren’t boring and that he felt proud when he wrote good sentences. I would make time to read the original, and then, after he finished the translation, I would skim through it for comparison.

“Indeed… there are many words I’ve never seen before.”

As I turned the pages one by one, the vibrating pager on the table buzzed loudly. The vibration was so strong that it even skittered across the table. I put down the book and stood up, and Lee Yoonwoo awkwardly stood up too.

“I’ll get it.”

“No, stay seated.”

After seeing that employee earlier, I couldn’t send Lee Yoonwoo. They wouldn’t flirt anymore with me here, but even receiving regretful glances was displeasing. Fortunately, this time a different employee gave us the food, and I returned to my seat with a clear mind.

“Taegyeom, did you finish your meal before coming?”

As expected, Lee Yoonwoo ate the warm sweet potato latte better than the drink with yuzu and lemon. If he had ordered the grapefruit ade, it would surely have ended up like the drink in front of me. He’s thirty years old and still doesn’t know his own preferences that well.

“Yeah, I ate before I came out. I was in the cafeteria when I got your call.”

“Isn’t your lunch break from 12? Did you finish eating that quickly?”

“Just, well.”

A vague answer, like Lee Yoonwoo’s earlier, meant he hadn’t eaten. Lee Yoonwoo seemed to know that too, as he narrowed his eyes and stared at me. I placed the sandwich in front of him and gently began.

“Yoonwoo”

His dark gaze flickered toward me. I wanted to wait until he ate the sandwich, but there wasn’t enough time. Lee Yoonwoo hadn’t even touched the plate, so I had no choice but to speak first.

“What happened at the hospital?”

“…Nothing.”

There was a brief hesitation. The pause was too short to tell what he had gathered during that moment. Lee Yoonwoo picked up the sandwich as if nothing was wrong and took a big bite.

“I told you on the phone. They just said it was a cold.”

I slowly looked at the drink on the table. The drink he ordered was in a disposable cup, but mine came in a mug. It seemed they put a lot of effort into giving me a cup holder.

“I came because I missed you.”

It was quite an affectionate excuse. The guy who lives on coffee ordered a tasteless drink because it ‘looked healthy,’ and after being diagnosed with ‘just a cold,’ he didn’t even have a single bag of medicine. The expression he had when he said, ‘I’m a Beta,’ looked at me silently.

“Didn’t you miss me?”

There was only one reason he acted sly like this: when he was lying to me. But coincidentally, when that lie was for my sake.

“…I always miss you.”

I slowly rested my chin on the table. I didn’t forget to smile prettily, with a face Lee Yoonwoo would like. As I lowered my eyes, he took another bite of the sandwich, looking a little relieved.

“Lee Yoonwoo”

Waiting was not difficult for me. I had waited five years without Lee Yoonwoo, and I had waited my whole life, loving him. But surely, now that he was by my side, I couldn’t bear a secret he couldn’t tell me?

“Come during lunch every day. It’s nice like this.”

“I’ll get fired.”

“I’m a parachute, I won’t get fired.”

“Your aunt would be thrilled.”

The atmosphere instantly softened. From him, whose pheromones had recently deepened, came a scent sweeter than anything. He let out a faint, deflated laugh and looked around.

“But seriously, I might bring my laptop. The atmosphere here is nice, and there aren’t many people.”

“No, go to a different cafe, not here.”

“Why?”

“…The air conditioning here is too strong.”

What exactly did the hospital say? The suspicion that had been lingering for days slowly resurfaced. I was confident in waiting, but I hoped he wouldn’t make me wait too long.

Lee Yoonwoo said he would pick me up after the company dinner. He neither affirmed nor denied my question about whether he had something to tell me. It was the same when I lightly asked him to tell me tonight.

“Alright, everyone worked hard!”

The team leader generously chose beef for the company dinner. Cheers erupted among the team members when she told them to order whatever they wanted without worrying. If I told Lee Yoonwoo, ‘We’re eating beef just like you said,’ he would find it amusing; I could almost see his smiling face in front of my eyes.

“Assistant Manager, your partner is a childhood friend, isn’t he?”

As the drinking party was in full swing, one of the team members playfully asked. Was his name Lee Junseok? He was a man I didn’t like because he kept showing interest in me and was an Omega. He should have backed off when I subtly pushed him away, but I also disliked that he put coffee with his pheromones on my desk every day. Ms. Yeon-ah seemed to know this and let slip the information, and indeed, Ms. Yeon-ah, who was nearby, gave me an apologetic look.

“If you’re childhood friends, since when have you known each other?”

“Kindergarten? Elementary school?”

The topic of conversation quickly shifted to Lee Yoonwoo. I quietly fiddled with my glass, watching the team members each ask a question. It wasn’t difficult to answer, but I didn’t want Lee Yoonwoo to become gossip. So I tried to gloss over it, but Lee Junseok suddenly interjected.

“Oh, come on, he’s uncomfortable, everyone stop.”

His gentle smile was sickening. It was absurd that he brought up the topic first and then tried to subtly back out. Lee Junseok glanced at me and lowered his voice slightly.

“There must be a reason why he’s not talking about it.”

His tone implied that I was reluctant to talk about it. ‘Because not all couples have good relationships…’ The intention he added was also obvious. Only then did I understand why he brought up this topic.

“You’ve been with your partner for a long time, haven’t you?”

Lee Junseok was clearly trying to gauge the relationship between me and Lee Yoonwoo. If I kept silent, he would definitely conclude that we were in a ‘slump.’ Besides being dumbfounded, the look in his eyes, trying to see if he had a chance, was utterly contemptible.

“Well, of course. I thought Ms. Yeon-ah said he was a childhood friend…”

“I’ve known him since birth.”

“…What?”

The fact that I had a partner was well-known since I joined the company. I never intended to hide it, and Lee Yoonwoo’s pheromones were always on me. People were so interested in others’ affairs that they would make all sorts of conjectures just from seeing a ring.

“Our parents were high school classmates, so we’ve known each other since birth.”

They said he was a famous celebrity, or the heir to some chaebol family, or that they thought he was an Omega but he was actually a Beta (Lee Yoonwoo’s pheromones were too easily washed off). Rumors from unknown sources grew more rampant the more I kept silent. I expected them to disappear quickly, like the “parachute” stigma, but it was surprising.

“I just didn’t talk about it because I don’t like being talked about.”

I casually put down my soju glass. I saw Lee Junseok’s face slightly wrinkle. Assistant Manager Yoo, who was across from me, smiled wryly.

“They said he was a chaebol, is that true?”

“Of course not.”

“Then a celebrity?”

“A celebrity…”

I intended to answer casually, but thinking of Lee Yoonwoo made me laugh. A celebrity Lee Yoonwoo, let alone a chaebol. It was a harsh profession for someone so shy.

“He’s not a celebrity either.”

I slowly curved my eyes and fiddled with the couple ring. ‘Taegyeom is really…’ I heard someone mumble. The rest of the sentence wasn’t continued, but I knew I had a doting expression on my face.

“Who confessed first?”

Now even the team leader was showing interest, her eyes sparkling. Of course, I had no intention of giving any more details. Not until Lee Junseok spoke arrogantly.

“Oh, come on, of course the other person did. Is the Assistant Manager the type to confess?”

What on earth is wrong with this guy? It’s annoying enough that he subtly releases pheromones, but it’s even more offensive that he casually disparages our relationship. Especially saying things like ‘Assistant Manager Choi is too good for him’ about Lee Yoonwoo, whom he hasn’t even seen.

“Surely the other person passionately pursued him…”

“I liked him first.”

I resolutely cut off Lee Junseok. I even put on an embarrassed expression, as if deliberately showing off.

“I liked him so much that I couldn’t confess and just watched him.”

Lee Yoonwoo’s courtship, that of Lee Yoonwoo. I didn’t know what Lee Yoonwoo thought, but I was always the one who was anxious. I was the one who fell in love first, who got caught, and who tried to let go because I couldn’t handle it. I even pretended to be drunk and clung to him, and yet, in the midst of all that, he came back having received a confession, didn’t he?

“What kind of person did you like so much? Is he handsome? Or his personality?”

Yeona quickly poured me some soju and asked. Her manner of encouraging me to speak in more detail seemed to be deliberately aimed at Lee Junseok.

“Well, there isn’t just one or two good things about him.”

“What, Taegyeom-ssi, are you bragging right now?”

“Assistant Manager Choi is totally a lovebird.”

Assistant Manager Yu and the team leader exchanged playful jeers. Then they comically wiggled both hands, urging me to drink quickly. No sooner had I caught my breath than another barrage of questions poured out.

“Is it a woman or a man? He’s an Omega, right?”

“Since when did you like him?”

“Yeah, Assistant Manager Choi. Tell us more.”

“Why are you all like this? Like high school students in puberty.”

“Other people’s love lives are always the most fun.”

Amidst the highly elevated atmosphere, Lee Junseok was the only quiet one. Since things had come to this, I thought it might be better to clearly draw a line. The sparkling gazes were burdensome, but there was no malice in any of them.

“It’s a man. And yes, he’s an Omega.”

“Kyah, as expected, an Omega for a dominant Alpha.”

Old memories came flooding back. They were the foolish words I had blurted out, not knowing Lee Yoonwoo was an Omega. If only I had said that one word, “It’s okay if you’re an Omega,” a little sooner, we wouldn’t have gone such a long way around.

“I liked him even before his presentation… I would have liked him even if he were an Alpha, not an Omega.”

“Wow… Is it that much?”

Yeona blinked with a fluttering expression. I remembered hearing that she had a long-term partner and that only comfort remained, not excitement. Perhaps that’s why she asked me if I ever got tired of it.

“Sigh, hearing Assistant Manager Choi’s story makes me want to smoke.”

“Shall we go out for a cigarette?”

After a few questions were exchanged, the team members, including the team leader and Yeona, got up from their seats. Lee Junseok sat there sullenly, but Yeona stubbornly grabbed his arm and dragged him out.

Only after they had all left did Assistant Manager Yu smile broadly, holding up a bottle of soju.

“Being popular is tiring, isn’t it?”

Assistant Manager Yu was the only person who looked at me without prejudice even after I became an assistant manager. Although he carried the title of ‘eternal assistant manager,’ his work was better than most managers. I thought I should subtly ask my mom why he hadn’t been promoted.

“Indeed. I didn’t expect Assistant Manager Yu to understand that.”

“What’s this, I was quite popular in my day too.”

Assistant Manager Yu chuckled and filled my glass himself. I extended my hand to pour for him, but he said he didn’t accept drinks from subordinates. My words, ‘We’re both assistant managers,’ were also ignored.

“You met your lover at lunch earlier, didn’t you?”

“…Yes.”

He let out a soft laugh. Assistant Manager Yu clinked his glass, as if he understood.

“It’s a good time for you two. Is your lover very jealous?”

“Well… I think I’m more jealous.”

“If it were me, I’d be anxious about sending Taegyeom-ssi to work. He’s too handsome.”

Assistant Manager Yu laughed without ulterior motives and pointed towards where Lee Junseok had left. Instead of making excuses, I simply shrugged. I figured Lee Junseok wouldn’t bother me anymore since he didn’t get what he wanted and would probably get an earful from Yeona too.

The company dinner ended at a reasonably early hour. In the meantime, a thoroughly drunk Lee Junseok was being supported by Assistant Manager Yu, unable to keep his balance. The team leader, with an excited face, tried to recruit people for a second round, but when I said I’d head home first, he didn’t try to stop me.

“Go home safely, and see you tomorrow!”

“Yes, I’ll be going.”

I bowed and quickly walked away. I had just received a message from Lee Yoonwoo about five minutes ago saying he had arrived. I was about to call him to ask exactly where he was, when I turned the corner of the alley and saw a familiar back of the head.

“…”

Lee Yoonwoo was standing in the alleyway leading to the main road. His pale nape and straight shoulders persistently drew my gaze. He held his phone to his ear, and a moment later, a buzzing vibration came from my hand.

Instead of answering the call, I slowly approached Lee Yoonwoo from behind. At first, I thought of surprising him, but I quickly changed my mind. I gently hugged his neat back so as not to startle him, and he suddenly turned his head.

“Ah… When did you get here?”

“Just now.”

Lee Yoonwoo’s unique pheromone filled the air. Even in the hot summer air, Lee Yoonwoo maintained a slightly cool body temperature. I kissed his soft hair repeatedly and lowered my head to meet his gaze.

“Why are you out here? It’s hot.”

“I thought if you drank a lot, we could go to the store.”

Lee Yoonwoo, who had been fidgeting in my arms, turned his body towards me. Normally, he wouldn’t meekly cling to me, but it seemed he was being lenient because it was a secluded place. He quietly wrapped his arms around my waist and glanced up at me.

“Why?”

I softly repeated the question and kissed Lee Yoonwoo’s eyes and cheeks. Lee Yoonwoo, who was smiling delightfully, shook his head, saying it was nothing. He was so adorable that I wanted to put him in my mouth and suck on him.

“Did you drink a lot?”

“No.”

I subtly buried my face in Lee Yoonwoo’s nape. The inhaled breath brought with it a strong scent of pheromones. Half of me didn’t want to let him go, and half of me wanted to go home quickly and get drunk on him. As I weighed these two feelings, a small voice whispered to me.

“We should do this at home.”

At those words, I could no longer hold back and pressed my lips against his. When I sucked on his lower lip and bit it with my front teeth, Lee Yoonwoo let out a soft laugh.

The problem was that someone called my name from behind us.

“…Taegyeom-ssi?”

I instinctively turned my head, still holding Lee Yoonwoo. Assistant Manager Yu, Yeona, and Lee Junseok. Those all too familiar faces were standing at the mouth of the alley. Assistant Manager Yu, covering his mouth with an “oops” expression, awkwardly smoothed his lips.

“Ah, well…”

Lee Yoonwoo hurriedly pushed me away. Even though it wasn’t the situation for it, I felt a little regretful about the warmth that had left my arms. I watched him, flustered, and blocked his front.

“Are you three on your way to the second round?”

“Huh? Oh, right. That’s right. We were on our way and saw Taegyeom-ssi.”

Assistant Manager Yu stammered, trying to salvage the situation. I was the one caught in an embarrassing situation, but Assistant Manager Yu seemed more flustered. Assistant Manager Yu cleared his throat and subtly glanced at Lee Yoonwoo behind me.

“Um, that person is…”