#58
Han Jinheon knew why Han Sol was acting so clumsily and avoiding him. The cause for every action that kid had shown since morning boiled down to a single thing: the fact that he’d taken his pants off yesterday.
The way he reacted to the peck like it was his first time and how he was worse at kissing than expected were things he could now overlook. But to think he would avoid sharing a meal just because he touched his d**k. He couldn't understand why he was acting so innocent.
Left alone, Han Jinheon placed both arms on the dining table. He idly waved the jam knife he was holding with a leisurely pace and glanced behind him. He had run out in such a hurry, and yet there he was, standing behind the archway connecting the kitchen and the hallway.
The moment the pale face watching him came into view, he picked up a piece of toast, spread jam on it, and began to eat. If he didn't distract himself with eating, he felt like he would break into a foolish grin. Dammit, he didn't know where it went wrong, but there was no end to his cuteness.
Then, Han Jinheon stood up, returned with a small plate, and placed it beside him. He portioned out a slice of toast and half a sausage onto the plate and mumbled loudly enough for the person outside to hear.
“You need to take your morning medicine. If I have to tell you one more time, I'll force you to eat it, so you should know that."
He could feel a presence approaching without even looking. The sound of slippers dragging on the floor, stopping, then dragging and stopping again, echoed in the quiet space. Han Jinheon tightened his lips and pushed out the chair next to him, making it easier to sit.
***
Today, he was heading not to the HANQ Construction headquarters but to the new city development site.
It wasn't close, so the journey took some time. For someone who didn't particularly like being in a car, it could be tiring and tedious. However, Han Jinheon was the type to use his time like gold or distract himself with other things, so during the ride, he quickly skimmed through new proposals related to his business.
The rather troublesome part was that he would see Han Sol's face when he looked at the paper, and he'd see Han Sol's face when he looked at the tablet screen.
“……”
To relieve his stiff neck from maintaining one posture, he lifted his head and cast his gaze out the window. He thought that watching the ever-changing scenery would lessen the thoughts of that damn face, but he was mistaken.
The window was filled with that pale face. Pretty, pitiful, and these days, busy looking cute—a series of those faces flashed by, ultimately stopping on the s**y face that had been so responsive to his touch yesterday.
'Where on earth did he learn to do something like burying his face in someone's chest and shaking his head? Seeing that, any Alpha wouldn't be able to resist and would fall for it. Has Kim Gyuyeong never seen that alluring side of him? Then again, when Han Sol liked that b*stard, he was often full of malice.'
Han Jinheon even recalled his own ere**ion from last night. He had been hard from the exact moment Han Sol clung to him in his arms, and he had to go to the attached bathroom to take care of it himself.
'Instead of doing it so pathetically, maybe I should have tried rubbing it on Han Sol’s d**k.' The regret turned into mere dissatisfaction, but that was all. Taking off his pants was enough. He had no intention of taking off his own pants in front of Han Sol. As he had said before, he didn't bring him to the mansion to s*ck his d**k.
His attempt to switch his thoughts to another topic ended in failure.
'Other Alphas must have seen him like that long ago. They must have put their d**ks against his. Was that all? They probably f**ked him enthusiastically. He gets that turned on just from a h**djob, what would happen if they thrust hard?'
'And who the hell was he thinking of to get so turned on by my hand?'
“F**k…”
He wasn't one to swear often, but he couldn't hold it back now, driven by the increasingly vulgar thoughts. The Alpha, who muttered a curse through his clenched lips, raised a hand and pressed firmly on his temple. His thoughts had gone too far since the morning.
Secretary Song subtly turned his head to glance at the back. If he hadn't misheard, he definitely swore. It would be strange to mishear in this small space, and Han Jinheon was not a man who swore for no reason.
'It's better to ask than not to.' As soon as he thought so, he asked, his eyes behind his glasses shining with caution.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“No.”
Han Jinheon, who had taken his hand from his temple, answered indifferently, telling him not to worry about it. Secretary Song replied with a flat “Understood,” but the driver, who had relaxed for a moment, straightened his spine.
***
The site, where large-scale construction was scheduled to begin in earnest, was neatly leveled. Han Jinheon, who was observing the site that spread out like a vast plain in all directions, brushed off the dust that had unknowingly settled on his sleeve.
The housing division team leader and employees, who had arrived early and were waiting for the Executive Director, joined them. With excited faces, they laid out a point-by-point explanation.
'I don't need to be thinking about the burden I carry even here. I'm not keeping Han Sol around to be disturbed during work. This isn't why I'm trying to turn Han Sol into an Omega either.'
The site he soon arrived at gave a strong sense of openness with its unobstructed view. Han Jinheon looked out as if to embrace the wide, flat land. When he should have been thinking only of the apartment complex that would be built here, with no time to spare, he suddenly thought of Han Sol being happy after receiving the building in the future and snorted. 'Does he like buildings that much?'
'Dammit. I told myself not to think about him while working, and I'm thinking about him again.'
Throughout his life, Han Jinheon had never been interested in construction, nor had he shown any curiosity. It wasn't just construction; nothing could draw his interest or curiosity. If there was anything that had tempted him to consider as a profession, it was film.
That business that allowed him to begin his relationship with Cha Seonmin. Ryu Seonhwa was the starting point for that. He led RSH Films for her, who loved movies, but now he was learning the business to become a proper heir.
If someone were to ask why he chose construction among so many affiliates, he could only give one answer, no matter how perfunctory it might sound. It was Han Dongsik’s proposal. Chairman Han had instructed him to get HANQ Construction, which was still lacking in standing compared to other construction companies, on the right track, and Han Jinheon was diligently racking up achievements.
Living like this, he did genuinely want to get his hands on the HANQ Group. If only to see the final years of the father who abandoned his mother. If only to learn from the negative example of Lee Geumyeong, who constantly created tension by coveting his position.
And if only for the future of the young one he had become responsible for.
“As you know from the news these days, there is a lot of talk about shoddy construction. At times like these, you must pay thorough attention to construction and supervision. This is the first apartment complex being built under the company's name, so you must do everything possible to ensure it’s perfect.”
At the Executive Director's words, the team leader nodded in affirmation. He and the other employees also answered with sharp discipline, their eyes sparkling.
While it wasn't true for other affiliates of the HANQ Group, the employees in the construction division showed exceptional company loyalty. It was a strange phenomenon that had been mentioned once or twice in online workplace communities, and the presence of the Alpha named Han Jinheon was a huge reason.
The Alpha was not only skilled in everything he touched, but he also had outstanding leadership skills, knowing how to command many people. His mere presence overflowed with charisma, making him a great role model. Above all, he was a precious and rare Alpha. An Alpha who was not only capable but also handsome had become the ship's captain, so they had no choice but to follow without complaint.
Noticing that everyone else was shrinking from the cold winter wind, Han Jinheon tactfully started walking. Just because he didn't feel the cold didn't mean he thought others wouldn't. If anything, he was more sensitive to it because of Han Sol.
Secretary Song kept pace beside the long-striding Alpha without any sign of difficulty. He didn't fall behind the Alpha's long legs at all and even casually struck up a conversation.
“Please accompany the Chairman on the next inspection. He expressed a desire to join you, Executive Director."
“To whom, to you, Secretary Song?”
“Yes. He contacted me.”
“It seems he did that because I'm not easy to get a hold of.”
“You are aware of it, Executive Director."
“I’m intentionally ignoring him, so of course I know. Don't worry too much about it. It’s enough to just pretend to listen to what the Chairman says.”
'If you actually try to listen, there’s no end to it.' He tried to end the conversation about Chairman Han, but Secretary Song did not accept it. For him, this was the groundwork for the main topic.
“He also asked me about Han Sol-ssi.”
“What did he say?”
“He asked how Han Sol-ssi is doing under you… and also about his hospital visits.”
“It seems his patience is wearing thin. If he's so curious, he could just contact Sol directly. It must have been a hassle for you, Secretary Song.”
“Not at all.”
“So, what did you tell him?”
“I honestly answered that I know nothing. Just because Han Sol-ssi is under you doesn't mean we contact each other separately or have private meetings.”
He stated his honest answer honestly. Han Jinheon thought, 'That’s just like Song Hyeon-o,' and chuckled.
He quite liked Song Hyeon-o’s impartial and business-like nature, which he had observed since their university days. Not just towards him, but towards anyone, even Han Dongsik, the head of the HANQ Group—his trust grew whenever he saw him treat everyone the same.
Others would ask Han Jinheon how he could be such a block of wood, but Han Jinheon saw Secretary Song that way instead. He was an even bigger block of wood, on the level of a stone Buddha.
“Still, I did tell him that you two are getting along well. As a father of a family before being the Chairman of HANQ, I hoped he would be reassured that the brothers are getting by without any trouble.”
“Good job. What was his reaction?”
“It’s what you would expect. He seemed to think I was lying. He clicked his tongue.”
“Right. That's what I expected, so it's not surprising. The Chairman isn't the type to easily believe others' words. He doesn't even believe me, his own son.”
“In that respect, it seems you and the Chairman are exactly alike, Executive Director. In fact, you also listen to others' words but don't trust them easily, do you?”
Han Jinheon's eyebrows twitched slightly as if he’d been hit where it hurts. Then, while walking and looking straight ahead, he recalled the last meeting he had with Han Dongsik.
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