Chapter 26: 26

I went to work wearing thick horn-rimmed glasses and a mask, as well as a padded hat. I had everyone’s attention from the bus stop.

 

The manager was taken aback and instructed me to go to the hospital. I’ve gone to work with bruises before, but this time was especially bad.

 

In the morning, the insides of my cheeks burst and I spit blood, my eyes turned into chestnuts, and my entire face swelled.

 

The doctor just looked at it and noticed how many times I was hit. I couldn’t raise my head because I was embarrassed. I’m not sure why I’m embarrassed.

 

I sat in the waiting room after receiving simple treatment, waiting for my prescription. Even on a weekday morning, there were a lot of people.

 

People who have been to the hospital since the morning due to illness. I’m not sure if it’s okay for me to be here.

 

My brother had been hospitalized for a week. Later, I discovered that the medical personnel had shaken their heads, indicating that my brother would not survive while being transported in an ambulance. My brother, on the other hand, was still alive for another week.

 

I am now twenty-eight years old. I grew up to be older than my brother, but I went to the hospital after being beaten by my ex.

 

Do I deserve to live in the “tomorrow” that my brother was so adamant about?

 

As I sat down and thought about it, a vibration rang out.

 

I received a phone call from Choi Sung-hoon. I was embarrassed by the unexpected call because I had been texting rather than talking at work. Before I could figure out why, my finger was already touching the accept button.

 

“Choi Sung-hoon ssi.”

 

– Seo-yu ssi.

 

Choi Sung-hoon called my name in a somewhat subdued voice.

 

– Sorry for calling during business hours. I just want to hear your voice.

 

“It’s a coincidence. I was hoping to hear your voice as well.”

 

– There’s a lot of noise around. Aren’t you at the office?

 

It was a terrifying question. How did he find out?

 

“I just went out for a little while. It’s close to the office. Choi Sung-hoon, where are you? Are you doing well at work?”

 

I’ll hide the fact that I went to the hospital and was hit. I thought about it all night yesterday and concluded that there was nothing good in telling him about it.

 

– Are you eating something?

 

“No, there’s still a long way to go before lunch. Is Choi Sung-hoon ssi having lunch? The time difference between here and Beijing…”

 

– Your pronunciation is strange unless you’re putting something in your mouth.

 

I realized why he had asked for such a question. It’s because my pronunciation was gradually deteriorating. Because my face was swollen and my teeth were throbbing, so my pronunciation was not good as if I were biting something.

 

“I’m munching on candy. To freshen my breath.”

 

-…Candy.

 

“Yes, Sung-hoon ssi, how is your work going? I’m sure you’re exhausted from your trip abroad.”

 

– Seo-yu ssi.

 

“Yes.”

 

He paused for a beat, as if suppressing something, and then continued.

 

– Is everything alright?

 

“There’s nothing? Nothing happened here, so everything is alright.”

 

– Something you must tell me of. I… something that I need to hear. Is there nothing at all?

 

Choi Sung-hoon’s voice was so low that it was frightening. My heart was pounding.

 

Even though Choi Sung-hoon was in China and had no idea what had happened the day before or where I was, I was terrified. It was a tone that indicated he was already aware.

 

“There is none. Everyday life is like a squirrel wheel. Just… I’d like to see you soon. I want to go to the Picasso exhibition as soon as possible with Choi Sung-hoon ssi. Nothing else.”

 

To be honest, I’m not sure I’ll be able to attend the exhibition on Friday with this face. I thought it would get better soon, but the doctor said the bruise would turn greener the next day.

 

I hope I’ll be fine on Friday. I want to go even if I have to wear sunglasses and a mask. When I meet Choi Sung-hoon, it’s usually in a restaurant or hotel, and we rarely go outside, so I’ll definitely go there and fold my arms and show off that he’s my crush.

 

When I think of going on a date with people’s envious stares and spending time warming each other’s arms, it motivates me to live hard today and for the future.

 

“What about Choi Sung-hoon ssi?”

 

– …It’s the same

 

Choi Sung-hoon answered in a low voice.

 

– Everyday life is like being on a treadmill. Except that right now, all I want to see is your face.

 

The content was sweet, but the voice was a little cold.

 

* * * 

 

The manager suggested leaving early, but because the number of employees had decreased, I refused because I felt bad to rest. My face was throbbing and it was unsightly, but it was not interfering with my work. That’s what I thought, but when I got home from work,  was half-dead.

 

I trembled as I walked down the stairs, knowing that all I had was the strength to get back home. I greeted Ho-in, who was snooping around the lobby. His innocent expression with round eyes turned into “The Scream” drawn by Munch. Ho-in shook off the staff that was holding him and ran out to me, saying only, “Oh my god.”

 

“Is the gangster Alpha…”

 

“No. Absolutely not.”

 

To Ho-in, who had suspicions about Choi Sung-hoon, I assured him that he was not and sent him in.

 

When I left the building, a large black Mercedes stood proudly in the parking lot, and when I passed by, someone got out.

 

I thought he was familiar with short hair and a square face, it turned out to be the gangster-like brother who had previously brought me a lunch box.

 

“…Your face why, why…”

 

Just like Ho-in, the gangster-like brother ran over and said this repeatedly, “Oh my God, what’s going on?”

 

“Tell me that our boss did it.”

 

“No. Absolutely not.”

 

I calmed down the panic-stricken gangster-like brother and we boarded the Mercedes-Benz together. I need to convince him not to tell Choi Sung-hoon.

 

There was already a driver in the Benz. When he said he’d take me home, the car started moving.

 

“Damn, how did your face become like this?”

 

The gangster-like brother lamented with a shocked face. I don’t think I used to use a dialect before, but I could feel the tone of the dialect.

 

He kept asking who made me into this shape, and if I was hit by a thug on my way home, “There won’t be a thug in my neighborhood.” I muttered… Then he pulled out his phone and attempted to take a picture, which I desperately stopped. There was a click sound, but I’m not sure if my face came out.

 

“Don’t send it to Choi Sung-hoon. It’s embarrassing.”

 

“He sent me, so he already knows. He told me to protect your commute in the future.”

 

“I’m so thankful, but why did he send you…”

 

“I know your address, so you gave it to me. You don’t want to have more people who know your company and home address.”

 

I wondered how did Choi Sung-hoon know I was injured. I don’t think it was obvious that I got hurt just by my bad pronunciation. He may have thought I had fallen or hit something, but it was also amazing that he asked to “protect” my commute.

 

I was contemplating whether or not to message Choi Sung-hoon, and then I just turned the screen off.

 

Because it was a narrow alley and a Benz couldn’t enter if there was a parked car, the gangster-like brother was also dropping at the alley’s entrance.

 

On a dark night, through the dim street lights, he didn’t say anything until we got to the front of the housing complex, and then he spoke up when we got to the front door.

 

“I didn’t come here to do this, tsk.”

 

I was sorry at first, but I became angry when he looked at me and kicked his tongue.

 

“Don’t just leave, I’ll tell Choi Sung-hoon. If I went alone, I went alone because I was also uncomfortable.”

 

“… The way you speak changes immediately because your status has improved since then.”

 

“But, why are you talking down to me? Even your boss didn’t speak informally.”

 

“Let’s see, let’s see. Do you want me to make porridge on your face? You’re nothing more than a rag. I guess you forgot about it because you are being loved these days. Yes, by any means, you are a boring male prostitute. Stop chasing him and figure out your place. I couldn’t figure out how the boss could have chosen something like this…”

 

“Are you disrespecting your boss now?”

 

I don’t care about anything else, but I can’t stand it when he dismisses Choi Sung-hoon’s ability to discern himself.

 

I looked up at the gangster-like brother, who was one head taller than me and retorted.

 

“How can a person live on only healthy foods? You can eat instant food. And even if I wanted to stop chasing him, your boss still wants to meet with me. How can I refuse?”

 

“This bastard now…”

 

“Just leave and fuck you. You as a subordinate and I should have known our places. Why are you so upset because the boss wants to play with some recessive Omega? Don’t you trust your boss? Do you think Choi Sung-hoon is a fool to fall for something like me even if I seduce him?”

 

“…”

 

“I’m not going to get tangled up just because Choi Sung-hoon’s interest is getting lower, but will your boss be bothered even if it does get tangled up?” Do you think it’s acceptable to be seduced by someone like me? What is it that you are concerned about? Do you believe I’m attractive enough to seduce you?”

 

I even said something that would make me feel bad about myself. Because of my provocation, the gangster-like brother’s face turned bright red, as if it were on fire. I was afraid I’d be hit because even his neck was red and his veins were bulging, but he didn’t raise his fist.

 

“…What the fuck are you saying…”

 

He seems to be holding back his laughter, but he must be angry, right?

 

“The pronunciation…”

 

He could be holding back his laughter…

 

Of course, because my pronunciation was not perfect, “Is it attractive?” could have sounded like “Charming bag.” If he laughs because of this, I will refer to him as a huge psycho in the future.

 

“It’s difficult to argue with that…”

 

The gangster-like brother stood alone, trembling, and only said that word at the end. I was relieved to know that I wouldn’t be hit.

 

I got a call from Choi Sung-hoon while I was sitting on a massage chair and applying ice packs after I got home and washed up. At this time, we always talk on the phone. Naturally, he asks about my face.

 

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– Who did it?

 

He must have seen my photo, which had been sent by the gangster-like brother. In response to the question of who was responsible for my swollen face-.

 

“A thug passing by…”

 

I had no choice but to answer.

 

– Do you know him?

 

“No, he was just a passing thug.”

 

– Was he waiting for you?

 

“It’s just a thug who passed by…”

 

Choi Sung-hoon’s voice was low in a certain tone, which caused me to get even more chills. When he said this, his cool, low voice became filled with emotion for the first time.

 

– Why did you try to hide it from me?

 

“Rather than trying to hide… It’s nothing to be proud of, rather, it’s something to be ashamed of.”

 

– It’s my first time in a relationship like this, but I know we can’t keep our wounds hidden from each other. You should have informed me, especially if you had been assaulted. Was I not trustworthy?

 

Choi Sung-hoon scolded me.

 

I’m not sure when the relationship began when I had to say that I was hurt when I was hurt. I found it strange that someone who was always charismatic and showed a lot of pressure appeared to be disappointed.

 

“I’m sorry. It’s not a good thing, and just thinking about it makes me sad… So I didn’t say anything about it, but I was wrong…”

 

First and foremost, I apologized to appease him, but Choi Sung-hoon didn’t seem to like the apology.

 

– Seo-yu ssi, it’s not something you should be sorry about. However, please promise not to hide it from now on. You will not be hurt again, and you will not keep anything from me.

 

“Yes, I promise. As much as you want.”

 

Choi Sung-hoon let out a stuffy sigh when he heard the answer, but he probably noticed the suppleness of my response.

 

I told him I didn’t need his subordinate’s bodyguard before hanging up, but Choi Sung-hoon didn’t even pretend to listen. Rather, he advised me to take a short break from the company. I also didn’t even pretend to listen.

 

I shared an uncomfortable commute with the gangster-like brother the next day and the next day.

 

After I started clapping back at him, the gangster-like brother didn’t tell me to get away from his boss. That didn’t mean we got along; we both growled at each other. Despite the fact that the driver was paying attention, there was a lot of arguing.

 

“Today is the last time I see your dog-like face.”

 

“What about tomorrow morning? Do I go to work alone?”

 

“Ah, tomorrow morning…”

 

“What a fool.”

 

“Shit, look at you…”

 

It was like this.

 

He kept saying he was going to hit me, but he never raised his fist. He appears to be afraid that I will report him to his psycho boss. As a result, I was relieved and teased him.

 

Anyway, I thought of it as an uncomfortable mode of transportation rather than a security guard, but I was surprised when the Benz arrived near my house on Thursday night.

 

Park Jin-cheol was standing under the street lamp in front of the house.

 

His hands were tucked inside his coat as if holding something.

 

He smiled coldly as he saw a Benz stop in front of my house.

 

“What’s wrong with that bastard? Do you know him?”

 

I couldn’t answer his question.

 

My heart raced. My hands were shaking and I put them in my pocket.

 

My face was still bruised and black… I’m still puffy, and my pronunciation was sloppy. Park Jin-cheol seems to be fine…

 

Why did he come… Why was he here again?

 

“I’ll get off first, so you stay inside.”

 

Park Jin-cheol, who was about to approach with his eyes raised, saw the gangster-like brother who seemed to advertise ‘I’m a gangster,’ and he stopped and cautiously returned under the street lamp. When he saw the appearance, he was perplexed as to whether he was merely a local.

 

I hid my anxiety and got out of the car.

 

Park Jin-cheol, who had found me, looked me in the eyes.

 

His eyes were shaking a lot.

 

“Do you know each other?”

 

Park Jin-cheol gently turned his head and entered the building opposite the villa as if he were a resident there as soon as the gangster-like brother asked me.

 

I couldn’t even laugh because it was so ridiculous.

 

“You bastard, I asked if you know each other. Are you deaf now?”

 

“I don’t know. I don’t know that person. It must be someone who lives around here.”

 

He was unmistakably acting as a bodyguard.

 

First, I’ll return home and… I should try calling that bastard. Why did he come here?

 

I parted way with the gangster-like brother and went up the stairs. But, strangely, the gangster-like brother who had to return to the Mercedes-Benz was still standing in front of the gate as I ascended the stairs.

 

I called Park Jin-cheol as soon as I entered the house, but he didn’t answer.

 

I moved my gaze to the living room window. I was on the second floor, so I had a good view of the alley and the inside of the villa across the street. I drew the curtain to the side, revealing only my face.

 

Ugh.

 

I made eye contact with the gangster-like brother who was looking up at me at the same time, and then I hid. When I looked outside again after a while, the gangster-like brother had disappeared. He was probably already in the Benz.

 

“…”

 

Strangely, the Benz did not move.

 

Park Jin-cheol, who was hiding in the villa across the street, felt the same way. He was glancing at Benz and he didn’t look so good.

 

The standoff continued for about 10 minutes.

 

Why doesn’t the Benz leave?

 

The phone rang just as I was about to go down again.

 

[Choi Sung-hoon ssi♡] 

 

When I see the name on the screen, the corners of my lips slowly rise, unable to grasp the atmosphere.

 

“Yes, Choi Sng-hoon ssi.”

 

– Seo-yu ssi, have you arrived home?

 

“Just now. What about you, Choi Sung-hoon ssi?

 

– I’m at the hotel. May I ask you a favor?

 

“Sure. What is it?”

 

– Please go to the kitchen now.

 

I went to the kitchen as he said.

 

– Take out a frying pan and place it on the gas stove.

 

“Yes, I did.”

 

– Could you put cooking oil and cook two eggs?

 

I lit the gas stove and poured it with cooking oil. I cracked two eggs and dropped them in the pan. With the tapping sound, the savory smell immediately flowed out.

 

– When you’re done, put it on a plate, take a picture of it, and message it to me.

 

“Okay.”

 

I did what he said.

 

“I just sent you a picture.”

 

– Yes, I got it. It looks delicious and good. Hurry up and eat now.

 

“Eat it? Why? Why did you suddenly need a picture of a fried egg?”

 

– Because I was out of the country, I craved fried eggs. I asked because I thought that if Seo-yu ssi ate it instead of me, my stomach would be full as well.

 

Oh, my.

 

I covered my mouth and smashed the table because it was so cute. I’m going to tell Won-jo about it and share it on every social media platform I’m aware of.

 

Choi Sung-hoon hung up the phone after listening to the sound of me eating fried eggs.

 

I was still fascinated after eating as to how he could be so cute. Such a cute extremely dominant Alpha will be the only one in history. It feels like my fatigue from the day was relieved.

 

Ah.

 

While putting the plate in the dishwashing bin, I remembered what I was doing before talking to Choi Sung-hoon.

 

I hurried to the living room window, and the Benz with the gangster-like brother, as well as Park Jin-cheol, who was leaning in the villa in front, had disappeared.

 

What was it?

 

I called Park Jin-cheol one more time, but he didn’t answer.

 

Why the hell did he come?

 

I had been nervous all night and had tossed and turned all night. Then it was Friday morning.

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