He was a more likely possibility than Secretary Song. Han Sol had wrapped a muffler around him before and Secretary Jeong acted as Han Sol's chauffeur, meaning they could have time alone in the car. Since he was around the same age as Han Sol, they might have gotten along well.
It was a bit concerning that both Secretary Jeong and Secretary Song were Betas, but Han Sol liked anyone as long as it had that one thing, so their trait wasn't a deciding factor.
Even if he had preferred Alphas and kept them by his side until now, it was only because his environment had been that way. He could have grown to like someone who was currently near him.
"Executive Director? D-do you have something to say to me…."
"No. I'm just looking because you're here."
When I answered indifferently, he bowed his head, saying he was sorry, and then scurried out of the breakroom just as he had come in.
Han Jinheon continued his thoughts while drinking cold water. It could be someone other than these two. With no information, he had to keep his options open and look at the bigger picture.
It obviously wouldn't be the blind date partners Han Sol had made mistakes with. Ah, or could there be some guy he was contacting separately? I'm only restricting his body from going out, not the freedom in his hands.
"Tsk."
Returning to his office, Han Jinheon didn't go back to his desk but headed for the sofa. He leaned back lazily against the cushions, tilted his head back, and clicked his tongue. His mind was still stuck in one place.
Maybe I should make it a condition to delete all the contacts in his phone when we write the agreement.
Han Jinheon was ready to admit it cleanly if anyone asked why he was acting this way. He genuinely didn't like that Han Sol liked someone. He was annoyed and wanted to throw a tantrum, and he wanted to interfere, if only to teach him that this wasn't the right way to behave.
He should just stay quietly by my side and meet a good guy when I introduce one. Why can't he do that one simple thing, and why is he already letting someone into his heart? Why is liking someone so easy?
‘I have someone I like!’
He remembered how Han Sol had grabbed the hem of his clothes, squeezed his eyes shut, and shouted. He had to admit this too, without a doubt. The way he reluctantly spat out that he liked someone was cute, and it made his heart pound. But he quickly grew angry.
Why?
I told you. The fact that he likes someone is unpleasant enough, but he's also hiding who it is.
So, why?
Han Jinheon deliberately ignored the voice from somewhere deep inside him that was chasing the reason and continued his thoughts.
The thought of Han Sol smiling brightly, perking up his ears, and his eyes shining for some other guy he liked made him suddenly annoyed. That wasn't all. The thought of Han Sol acting cute, grabbing clothes, sticking close, and clinging to feel skin on skin was followed by a surge of anger.
And that trivial kiss yesterday. The thought that he would do something like that with another guy made him feel strange, and a hollow laugh escaped him.
The lips that remained after the brief laugh were cold. Even though he was a guy who had already fooled around with plenty of others. Even though it never bothered me before when Han Sol fooled around with someone.
In an instant, a sordid greed to find out who it was, even if it meant doing things Han Sol would hate, and a shameless impulse that he was no blood-related brother, technically a stranger, so what couldn't he do, mixed together and crashed over him like a wave. Inevitable self-loathing arose.
Han Jinheon knew himself. This self-loathing was a defense mechanism for what he was about to do. As he had warned Han Sol, he had no intention of stopping until he found out who it was. It would be okay to not act his age once or twice.
It was a good thing. To manifest safely as an Omega, it was better to receive pheromones meticulously. He himself had not predicted that he would even think this way. Once he had kissed him, he thought it was doable.
“……”
But still. If I do this, am I any different from the Alphas Han Sol used to mess around with?
He muttered, stroking his chin at the question that had stealthily occupied his mind.
"...Yeah. Whatever."
***
As he said in the morning, Han Jinheon came home around three. He was with a man presumed to be Secretary Song and Lawyer Park.
I looked at Lawyer Park. Lawyer Park had his short hair slicked back, but he gave off a warm impression rather than a sharp one. Compared to Han Jinheon, he had less of an Alpha-like feel, so I presumed he was a Beta.
As soon as our eyes met, he grinned widely and extended a chubby hand.
"Han Sol-ssi, it's been a while. Have you been well?"
"Ah, yes. It's been a while…."
I was about to take his hand, but Han Jinheon, seizing the moment I hesitated, snatched away the opportunity for a handshake.
"Lawyer Park Hyungsoo. We're not strangers, there's no need for a handshake, is there?"
"Huh? Ah, haha! I was just so happy to see Han Sol-ssi after so long.... I apologize, Executive Director!"
Park Hyungsoo shrank back but still maintained his affability. Han Jinheon let go of his hand and, saying there was no time to waste, led us to the living room.
Park Hyungsoo, who had awkwardly approached me, didn't ask for a handshake again but stood beside me and chattered on.
"There was a time I saw you more often than my own girlfriend, Han Sol-ssi.... Wow, it's all become a memory in just a few months!"
There was a time he saw me more than his girlfriend? I was bewildered by his friendly attitude and his potentially misleading words. Surely Han Sol hadn't fooled around with Lawyer Park too, right?
"It's not like we met for very good reasons back then. There should be no reason for us to meet often in the future."
"Yes, yes. Of course."
Han Jinheon's sharp gaze, directed at me and lawyer Park, and his reprimand made me realize. There was a reason Han Sol and lawyer Park met often. When Han Sol was causing a lot of trouble, who would he call and meet most often? Of course, it was a lawyer.
Now that I had even remembered Kim Yujin, there was no way I couldn't remember Park Hyungsoo. As a devoted reader of the novel, I was determined to recall him. After wracking my brain, I found a fragment of an episode. In a part about Han Sol that I had only read a little of, there was a scene where Han Sol met a lawyer, saying his situation was fucked. It was undoubtedly Lawyer Park.
Now that I recognized him as a character from the novel and someone in Han Sol's circle, I regretted my lukewarm greeting from earlier.
Han Jinheon and I sat together on the long sofa, while Lawyer Park sat alone. Secretary Song had gone to the kitchen, saying he would make some coffee. I should have been the one to serve them.
"I'll go get something to drink and eat for Secretary Song and us."
I leaned towards Han Jinheon and whispered, though it wasn't quiet enough for Lawyer Park not to hear. Han Jinheon just shifted his eyes from me to the kitchen but didn't answer. Taking his lack of response as a positive sign, I moved my bottom to get up but was caught by Han Jinheon. Just as my hand was about to leave the cushion, this man covered my hand with his.
"Don't get involved, just stay put. Secretary Song can handle it."
"Secretary Song doesn't know where anything is…."
"He can find it and learn on his own."
What kind of nonsense is that? What's the point of him learning the layout of someone else's house?
My hand, trapped between the sofa cushion and Han Jinheon's hand, was an excellent hostage. In the end, I gave up on going to the kitchen and shifted my bottom back next to Han Jinheon. Only then did he remove his hand.
Lawyer Park, alone, cheerfully muttered to himself as he took a stack of papers from his briefcase.
He pulled out about two sheets from among the various papers and placed them neatly in front of us. One was a "Agreement on Promise Fulfillment," and the other was a "Deed of Gift." I looked at the Agreement on Promise Fulfillment first.
[Name: Han Jinheon (hereinafter referred to as 'A') shall gift the building at... Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to Han Sol (hereinafter referred to as 'B') within one month of 'B's manifestation as an Omega.]
I devoured the paragraph at the top with my eyes, then devoured it again. I devoured it so thoroughly that if it were a fish, only bones would be left. I gently placed both hands over my left chest. My modest heart was pounding grandly, trying to escape its vessel.
Perhaps all Omegas and unmanifested individuals would tell me the same thing. Don't miss the chance to become a building owner, especially of a building in Gangnam. Be brave and become an Omega. Live your life to the fullest!
Unlike me, who couldn't control the excitement already piercing my heart, Han Jinheon was indifferent. It was his building that was coming to me, and he was the one who suggested it first, so he could be filled with regret, yet it was amazing how calmly he was looking at it.
Could it be that giving me this building doesn't stir his heart? Maybe it's not a big loss to him. Well, he is a chaebol. The heir to HANQ Group, even if he lives a surprisingly simple life.
Actually, he only talks about living simply; the clothes he wears and the car he drives are enough to make one's jaw drop. Even the watch Han Jinheon casually wears is said to be worth hundreds of millions of won.
Lawyer Park smiled at me as I was lost in my thoughts. Of all the people I'd met since my transmigration, his smile was the most warm and rustic. It was so different from Secretary Song, who had come with him.
"I've written down the basic terms as requested, so you don't need to add anything separately. For the Agreement on Promise Fulfillment, you can start by looking at the section labeled 'The Following'."
[- The Following -
Article 1. 'A' and 'B' shall draft and exchange this agreement upon mutual consent.
Article 2. It is confirmed that the prerequisite for this agreement is 'B's manifestation as an Omega.
Article 3. If 'A' or 'B' fails to comply with the conditions below, the validity of this agreement shall be immediately suspended.
Article 4. Conditions may only be added with the consent of both 'A' and 'B'.]
"For the Agreement on Promise Fulfillment, you two can discuss and let me know what conditions you'd like to write below Article 4."
He pointed to the empty space created below Article 4. I thought it had just been left blank, but it seems this is where we were supposed to write any desired conditions.
As for conditions, there were only two things I wanted. Since changing one's trait is as significant as changing one's gender, I wanted him to be sure to keep his promise of the gift, and if he didn't, I wanted it notarized so I could hold him legally responsible, even if it strained our brotherly relationship.
Han Jinheon added several conditions related to Han Sol's promiscuous private life.
Thanks for the chapter ❤️