***
‘…Jiho. Th-there’s someone named Lee Jiho.’
Han Sol’s voice, spoken after a long hesitation, floated through his mind. Every time the unfamiliar name ‘Lee Jiho’ was chewed over, Han Jinheon would stop what he was doing and contort his well-defined eyes. The fact that he liked some guy he didn’t even know was incredibly irritating.
“…Who could it be.”
How old is he, and what does he do for a living? What’s his trait? Which family is he from? But for that to be the case, the name is unfamiliar. If he were in the same circle, he would have heard it at least once, but it felt strongly like he was hearing it for the first time.
Lee Jiho. Lee Jiho. Lee Jiho. He couldn't figure it out even after ransacking his brain. It was just frustrating that there was no way to know.
Han Jinheon didn't give up and focused on finding out his identity. A pen rolled flexibly between his long fingers. Then, it dropped once from between his tattooed fingers. Considering this part of the process, he started spinning the pen again, unaware that his brow was subtly furrowed.
Knock, knock.
The sound of a knock made the pen fall. The alpha, who had put his work aside and was lost in other thoughts, composed his expression and cleared his mind as Song Hyeon-oh entered the office.
Wearing new glasses, he had been in a good mood since the morning, even if it didn't show on the outside. The only difference compared to the ones he used to wear was the size of the lenses, but perhaps because of the feeling of newness, he was strangely positive and optimistic.
That’s why he had cheerfully overcome the hassle of stopping by the mansion to pack his things before coming to the hotel, and he hadn't even asked why the brothers were staying at a hotel.
In Han Jinheon's view, the latter had nothing to do with the glasses. It was more likely that Secretary Song was just being tactful. It seemed he was curious but deliberately not prying. Han Jinheon didn't want to explain last night's events in detail either, so he accepted Secretary Song's silence as a kindness and let it slide.
Secretary Song reported on matters he'd been briefed on right after lunch. His well-polished glasses shone today as well.
“We’ve received a call from the press team. They plan to release the article about the five-billion-won donation around 11 a.m. tomorrow. Additionally, the sponsorship for the underprivileged and the volunteer work you mentioned before will also proceed, but we’ve decided to do this in cooperation with HANQ Electronics.”
“Since it’s something we’re doing to raise the brand’s value, make sure there’s as little trouble as possible. What about the one in Han Sol’s name?”
“Are you referring to the article? We are thinking of releasing it at the beginning of the year, timing it right. There’s a high chance it will be buried if we release our articles at the same time.”
One billion won in an individual’s name. It was an amount that was hard to imagine an individual donating, and a huge sum that couldn't be taken for granted. Some might say it’s pocket change for a chaebol, but that’s what people who don't know Han Sol's situation would say. For a chaebol's son, his entire fortune was a mere twenty million won. Perhaps even that was a lot for him.
In any case, Secretary Song hit the nail on the head without being told. The unspoken wish that Han Sol’s article would receive public attention without being buried.
“What should we do about the year-end party on the 30th? It is scheduled to be held in the banquet hall of the SJ Hotel. They say bringing a partner is optional.”
“It’s a hassle.”
“Didn’t you miss it last year, and the year before, for the same reason? Are you going to be absent this time as well?”
“I’ll be absent this time too. But the reason will have to be a plausible one.”
“This time, I think everyone will understand even if you don't give a reason. For some reason, a rumor is going around that you've become harder to meet since you started living with ‘that’ brother of yours.”
“Me? Even though I’m living with him, haven't I been attending the gatherings I need to? Ah… come to think of it, it was only once.”
Secretary Song nodded, affirming that Han Jinheon had figured it out on his own.
One of the most important things for a businessman was connections. To build those connections, attending gatherings was essential. However, Han Jinheon didn't particularly enjoy mingling with others, except for a select few he had let into his boundaries.
While others were desperate to get inside that boundary, the man himself seemed to have no intention of increasing the number. Nothing had changed whether he was the CEO of a film company or the Executive Director of HANQ Electronics.
It wasn't his place to force him, but judging that he wouldn't listen even if he did, Secretary Song bowed his head. Just as he turned to leave, saying he would think of a reason himself, Han Jinheon stopped him.
“Secretary Song.”
'Could he be saying he’ll attend?' The words that reached Song Hyeon-oh’s ears as he turned back were different from what he expected.
“I need you to investigate someone for me. Nothing too deep, just enough to find out who he is.”
“Investigate? Who would you like me to find out about?”
“Lee Jiho.”
“Lee Jiho? That’s a name I haven't heard before. Is it a man?”
“A man, an alpha, around Han Sol’s age. Look into it. I know you're busy, but I'm asking you this favor.”
“I’m not busy. I just have to pay an expert. I understand the instruction for now. I will try to find out as quickly as possible.”
Secretary Song pushed up the bridge of his glasses and thought vaguely. 'A man, an alpha, and around Han Sol's age. The mention of Han Sol… could it be an alpha male related to him? Don’t tell me Han Sol has caused trouble again.'
After Secretary Song left the office, Han Jinheon was left alone, idly spinning his pen before looking at his phone. 'Come to think of it, the time….' Turning on the screen to check, he called Han Sol without a second thought. If his guess was correct, Han Sol would be on his way to the hospital with Secretary Jung.
- Hello.
Soon, he heard Han Sol's voice on the other end. It was faint and lacked energy overall.
“Are you on your way to the hospital?”
- Yeah…. I’m in the car.
“How are you feeling? You were moaning in pain all night, but you seemed a bit better in the morning, so I was relieved.”
- Were you actually worried?
“That’s a harsh question. Of course, I was worried, that’s why I put ointment on you.”
He was silent, as if at a loss for words. He probably didn't expect the place he was worried about to be the one between his plump butt cheeks. Understanding Han Sol's reaction, Han Jinheon covered his mouth with his other hand and recalled the events of dawn.
Han Jinheon felt a sense of responsibility, knowing that he had been ruthlessly aggressive, unable to control himself rationally. He would probably get used to it quickly since he must have taken it from behind many times, but that would be after a few more times. Han Sol, who had lived a life of abstinence by his side, struggled with the unfamiliarity of their first relations in a long time. As if it were his very first time.
In any case, he had told him that it might hurt last night, so even if he was tired, he should relax in warm water, apply ointment, and then go to sleep. But he didn't listen and went to sleep, only to start groaning in pain. Unable to ignore it and sleep, Han Jinheon couldn't force him to wash, so he brought the ointment and applied it meticulously.
- The place you’re worried about is perfectly fine, so much so that worrying is a waste, but my overall condition is the worst.
“How is it the worst?”
- I think all my muscles are in shock. It feels heavy and hurts whenever I move…. My head, too, it’s throbbing like I have a headache. The back of my neck is all stiff. I think this is because of you, hyung….
He knew the words left unsaid. He probably wanted to say that his body was in this state because of their sex. Wiping his mouth once more, Han Jinheon feigned ignorance.
“Are you trying to say it’s because of me?”
- You can’t say it’s completely unrelated…
“Right. You should have made it so I could be gentle with you.”
- How could I have done that?
“Who knows.”
He ended up answering indifferently.
Han Jinheon knew, even by his own standards, that he was hopeless. He could be gentle if he tried. But as he watched that cute face pinned beneath him, his insides trembled and his movements grew rough. He didn't want to blame Han Sol. But he had brought out his wicked side.
He was so busy looking at his face that he couldn't even kiss him much. He really should have been only moderately cute. From how he bit his fingers well even while in pain, to how he leaked streams after just a single thrust. Han Sol was embarrassed, but it wasn't something to be that embarrassed about.
Hoping Han Sol would break the silence himself, the alpha, who was reminiscing about last night, suddenly had a thought and arched an eyebrow. His gaze, directed toward one side of the office, sharpened.
“Do you have a fever?”
- A fever? I don't think I'm without one. I can feel the heat just by lightly touching my forehead. And my head is throbbing. I think I have a slight fever.
“What about your sense of smell? Can you smell anything?”
- Smell? A smell… I don't know now that you ask so suddenly…. Are you asking in case it's a symptom of manifestation?
That was it. The thought that had suddenly crossed his mind was precisely the pre-manifestation symptoms. Even though Han Sol smelled his pheromones irregularly, looking at that fact alone, didn't it mean that manifestation was near? On top of that, the fact that his body ached and he had a fever corresponded to pre-manifestation symptoms.
The important thing was the sense of smell. If he could smell, he would have to dismiss it as a result of overexertion from yesterday, but if he couldn't, it could be said to be close to manifestation symptoms.
“Yes. We need to keep the possibility open. When you get to the hospital, don’t get the shot right away, go see Dr. Kim first. Let’s have him check your condition before you get it. I’ll contact Dr. Kim’s office.”
- Okay. I’d be grateful if you did…. But do you think it’s that? I was foolishly only thinking about what happened yesterday.
“I’m looking at it with more weight. Symptoms can come on slowly, but they can also come on suddenly. Or, what happened yesterday might have triggered it.”
Holding hands is different from hugging. Hugging is different from kissing, and kissing is different from having sex. They had progressed from simple touching to insertion; how different would the depth and degree be? The sluggishly progressing pace could have suddenly accelerated.
Whatever it was, he seemed to be in pretty bad shape, so seeing Kim Yujin was the priority. 'It would be nice if I could go with him. Maybe I should have just gone with him on a day like today.'
Comments Box