“...You shouldn’t be doing this here.”

I swallowed dryly without meaning to. I had the distinct feeling that if I let my guard down even a little, he’d devour me. Kwon Yido narrowed his eyes in a smile at my words, then spoke softly.

“Why not?”

He was clearly refusing to create any distance. Every time he spoke, his lips brushed mine, and I tensed my lower abdomen reflexively. Even if I tried not to be aware of his pheromones and body heat, they seeped through inescapably.

“...”

Ah, I think I might—

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I pushed Kwon Yido away with one hand. Somewhat surprisingly, he backed off without resistance. My lips still tingled, but I forced my voice into a steady tone as if nothing had happened.

“You’re not asking because you don’t know.”

In the car he gave me today, what on earth was this supposed to be? A kiss might pass as something romantic, but anything beyond that—my reason couldn’t permit it. If he’d taken just a few seconds longer, that reason might’ve been overridden entirely.

“I was asking because I didn’t know... Is there a reason it’s not allowed?”

Kwon Yido asked again, still perfectly composed. He really looked like he didn’t see the problem, and I found myself responding in a bewildered tone without thinking.

“Doing something like this in a new car, seriously?”

“So if it weren’t a new car, it would’ve been fine?”

“...”

My lips clamped shut. The thought that it might’ve been fine had genuinely crossed my mind for a split second. I awkwardly turned my gaze straight ahead, and Kwon Yido’s stare clung to me with quiet persistence. I had a feeling that if I said another word, I’d fall right into his rhythm.

“...The night view is pretty.”

So I threw that out, but even to my ears, the change of subject was painfully awkward. Still, Kwon Yido let out a soft chuckle as if he’d let it slide just this once. Leaning squarely back into the passenger seat, he replied in a low voice.

“It is. It’s beautiful.”

His tone was pleasant. Pleasant enough to lift my mood just by listening.

“...”

I quietly took in the scenery before me. Beneath the long expanse of the bridge, the wide river shimmered faintly under the city lights.

It was beautiful—so beautiful, it felt like it filled my chest to the brim, even if that was a bit of an exaggeration. The streetlamps twinkling down the road looked like stars in the night sky. It wasn’t like I’d never seen a night view before. I’d seen far better ones from far better places.

Still, this was a place I’d always wanted to visit since college. Every summer, my classmates used to go to the Han River to eat chicken and drink beer. No one ever asked me to join, so I never went. Not that it would’ve mattered—Father wouldn’t have liked me going out anyway.

“How did you know about this place?”

Kwon Yido and the Han River. I couldn’t imagine a more mismatched pair. Kwon Yido seemed like the kind of person who would admire the scenery from the top floor of Myeongseong Hotel, not someone who’d sit in a car by the water.

“I don’t know. It just happened.”

He clearly had no intention of going into detail. Maybe someone had shown it to him before. That thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t press. After a brief pause, Kwon Yido spoke again, slowly.

“There’s a Seonho Group /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ foundation anniversary coming up soon.”

Now that he mentioned it, that always happened around this time of year. A commemorative event held to celebrate the founding of Seonho Group. Related affiliates would also host various customer appreciation events. Until now, Father had always attended those events alone.

“As always, but this time, we’re planning something bigger. We’re inviting people from other companies for networking. Naturally, we’ll be sending invitations all around. Haesin will be among them.”

Hearing “Haesin” come from his lips felt oddly unfamiliar. Maybe it was because I’d been actively avoiding the thought—it hit me as especially foreign. I lowered my gaze without a word, and he added in a quiet voice.

“That means you’ll have to attend too, Jung Sejin-ssi.”

“...”

All the things I’d been ignoring came rushing back. What had happened with Father, the duties I had to fulfill, the engagement that wasn’t over, and the relationship between the two of us.

“Seonho’s side is blocking the press.”

That’s what Father had said. That Kwon Yido hadn’t disclosed our engagement. That he hadn’t paid the price of the contract and had been ignoring all contact. Yet when I said I’d try to negotiate directly, Father seemed displeased.

“...There’s something I’d like to ask.”

I began, turning to face Kwon Yido. He tilted his head slightly and looked at me out of the corner of his eye. Even in the dim light, his dark irises were sharply visible.

“I heard that you haven’t disclosed our engagement.”

If I attended the anniversary event, there’d be people I couldn’t avoid. His family, and others desperate to latch onto Seonho Group. Whether I was seen as his fiancé or something else—it was important to clarify.

“May I ask why?”

Kwon Yido stared at me for a moment, lips sealed. His unwavering gaze was very much like him. Under the shadow cast by his high nose, his well-shaped lips slowly parted.

“Are you asking that as my fiancé, or as the eldest son of Haesin Group?”

“...”

For a moment, I had no words. After all, the only reason I was his fiancé was because I was Haesin Group’s heir. If the latter didn’t exist, we wouldn’t be sitting in this car together.

“...Is there a difference?”

“There is.”

He answered firmly and let out a small laugh. Then, in a tone as if handling a child, he added kindly,

“If it’s the latter, I have no obligation to disclose anything.”

He wasn’t wrong. Once an omega was in his possession, it was entirely up to him what he did with them. Still, hearing that made me feel strange.

“You’re not exactly obligated to hide it either, are you?”

What even was this feeling? Like a tiny thorn stuck in my throat. The elation I’d felt earlier gradually faded, replaced by a chilly hollow in my chest. It was such a sudden shift that even I couldn’t make sense of it. Kwon Yido lifted the corner of his lips faintly.

“Now that sounds like you’re asking as the former.”

His tone was oddly satisfied. As if he liked seeing me visibly displeased.

“Do you want it to be known that we’re engaged?”

I needed a moment to think before answering that. Publicizing our engagement might benefit Haesin, but it would definitely be a hassle for me. Whether I went to the anniversary event as his fiancé or not would make a world of difference.

“I prefer whatever’s more comfortable for you, Kwon Yido-ssi.”

I offered the safest possible answer, but his eyes narrowed. This time, he didn’t seem pleased. After a moment of silence, he nodded like it didn’t really matter.

“I’d prefer for you not to be uncomfortable, Jung Sejin-ssi.”

“...”

“There are already going to be enough people bothering you just because you’re no longer the Division Head. If they find out you’re my fiancé, it’ll be even more annoying. You’re not the type who enjoys attention, are you?”

He was right. I wanted to be as quiet and unnoticeable as possible. I hadn’t looked it up, but I was sure there were already all sorts of rumors just from me stepping down. I’d probably be asked about it directly by plenty of people, too.

“There’s no rush to reveal the engagement. It can wait until you’re free from all that.”

“...Are you saying that for my sake?”

“Well, I didn’t mean it that nicely.”

Kwon Yido let out a short laugh, calling it too generous of a framing. His lowered eyes and calm tone came off as vaguely self-mocking.

“It’s just my own selfishness.”

He’d said something similar before—also in a car, side by side.

“I don’t like investing in uncertain things.”

I didn’t fully understand, but it felt like he was afraid. That someone like Kwon Yido—who lacked nothing—could feel that way, was unexpected.

He quickly wiped that expression off his face and glanced sideways at me.

“Well... I suppose that’s an answer.”

“...”

“Do you need a more detailed explanation?”

I slowly shook my head. If this was his decision, I had no choice. At the anniversary, I’d likely keep my distance and pretend not to know him. Father would complain, but he couldn’t override me.

“Then I should probably go to your family home the day before.”

That would make it easier to meet his expectations. Since it was a formal event with many important guests, I’d also need to dress and groom properly. Should I contact Mr. Kim? As I thought about it, Kwon Yido cut in decisively. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“There’s no need for that.”

“...Excuse me?”

“I’ll prepare everything. Just leave from my place.”

It wasn’t a suggestion—it was a command. His tone carried its usual firmness, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.

“No one will know where you left from anyway.”

He wasn’t wrong. People might care about my watch or my car, but not where I departed from. Arriving separately from his family wouldn’t be seen as that strange.

“If you don’t want to go, you can just say so.”

“...”

“You have no obligations, Jung Sejin-ssi. Just take what you’re entitled to.”

It was a sweet sentiment. Not having to attend a headache of an event—just imagining it was tempting. But Kwon Yido wasn’t in any position to hand me that kind of permission.

“Your fiancé might be able to get away with that, but the eldest son of Haesin Group can’t.”

“...”

“I appreciate the sentiment, though.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. Even so, he didn’t seem to have a rebuttal. He merely twisted his lips slightly and let out a soft breath, then turned his gaze back forward.

“...Fine, then.”

The city lights scattering across the river were reflected in his eyes. In the silence that settled around us, Kwon Yido said nothing more. I stared at his face for a long while before slowly moving my lips.

“There were lights installed in the greenhouse.”

He glanced at me. The way his pupils shifted looked strangely surreal.

“Once you’re a bit less busy...”

“...”

“Maybe we could have tea there.”

It was an idle comment, but I meant it. I had those lights installed for him. I hoped this peace would last a little longer. Once the anniversary event was over, and if Kwon Yido had time, it might be nice to spend it together.

“...That would be nice.”

But his ambiguous answer didn’t sound like a yes. I furrowed my brow slightly at the nuance, and he abruptly turned to me and asked,

“Is there anything you want to do, Jung Sejin-ssi?”

“Something I want to do?”

A different question this time—after asking what I wanted to have, now what I wanted to do. I couldn’t follow his train of thought, and a small chuckle slipped out.

“Well... success?”

“Don’t lie.”

Kwon Yido playfully frowned. It was a teasing expression.

“A hobby, maybe... horseback riding, racing, yachting—you can even try sailing if you want. Just tell me what it is.”

“...Hmm.”

This was even harder than picking a material thing. Everything he listed was something Minjae did, and I’d never once thought it looked fun.

While I stayed silent, Kwon Yido softened his voice.

“I told you last time, remember? I’m not trying to keep you locked up.”

He’d said that once before when lending me his car. I’d been looking at the open road when I recalled those words. He said it in a gentle tone.

“You can go out whenever you want.”

“...”

I knew he didn’t mean it in a bad way. But still, it poked at my conscience.

“...You always ask difficult things.”

Even if he opened the door, I couldn’t step out. Without the title of Division Head, I had no excuse or reason to go anywhere. All I did was stay home, read books, or walk around the garden.

“Will you give me another week this time?”

I asked with a faint smile, and Kwon Yido’s expression grew subtle. He narrowed his eyes and tapped his fingers on his thigh. After thinking for a moment, he asked slowly,

“What about making perfume?”

“...Perfume?”

It was an unfamiliar but not completely new word. Kwon Yido met my eyes and nodded.

“You said you wanted to be a perfumer.”

“...”

“I thought maybe you could try something like it.”

I didn’t answer right away. It was a trivial reason, but as soon as he said it, the thought that sounds fun genuinely occurred to me. Maybe he noticed my hesitation, because he smiled knowingly.

“I guess that was the right answer.”

He really was perceptive. I wasn’t usually someone whose face gave things away.

“If you want to do it, then you should.”

But I didn’t get a chance to ask how he was going to make that happen. Kwon Yido checked the time while fastening his seatbelt, and frowned slightly. Then, he abruptly ended the conversation.

“It’s late. Let’s head back.”

“...”

I swallowed the words that had risen up to my throat. And I etched the night view into my eyes, knowing we’d soon part from it. It was still breathtakingly beautiful, yet in that short time, it had become oddly familiar. It was my first time here, but it felt like being reunited with something I’d missed for a long time.

***

The days passed quickly. Kwon Yido was still busy, and the number of times I saw his face dwindled sharply. As always, I spent my days without much to do, occasionally staring at the lit study from a distance. The sleepless nights continued, but thankfully, I didn’t have any nightmares—so it was bearable.

The marks he’d left on me had almost completely faded. The swelling on my cheek was gone, and the inside of my mouth had healed perfectly. It was as if that day had been a dream, with not a single trace of it left in the present.

Throughout that long stretch of time, I received no contact from home whatsoever. The Seonho Group anniversary event was scheduled for Friday, yet no one had informed me of it. Whether they assumed Kwon Yido would tell me, or simply decided I wasn’t worth informing anymore—either way, it was an irresponsible move.

“Security detail... is that what you mean?”

And then, on the day of the anniversary event itself. As usual, Lee Taeseong followed me into the greenhouse and relayed various details about today’s schedule. For example: that Kwon Yido had prepared the outfit I would wear; that the car and driver were ready, along with a full security team. And that he himself was the bodyguard assigned to me.

“Yes. There’ll be a few others, but I’ll be handling close protection.”

“Wow. Close protection, huh...”

When I’d attended events as Division Head, it was always Mr. Kim who accompanied me. He’d been doing so since I was a child, so having someone shadowing me never felt intrusive. But now, with Lee Taeseong in that role, it felt oddly unfamiliar.

“You’re working hard.”

You're really being dragged around everywhere, huh. You can’t even serve the boss you respected and now you’re stuck doing things like this. That’s what I meant, but Lee Taeseong’s expression shifted subtly.

“...It’s nothing.”

The words came out slowly, strangely awkward. Normally, there would’ve been a trace of annoyance behind his blank face. But now that I looked, he didn’t seem particularly irritated.

“Do you get special pay for this?”

“...”

It was a half-joking remark, but Lee Taeseong shut his mouth tightly. The man really had no talent for hiding things. The silence that followed was as good as confirmation, and I couldn’t help but let out a small, empty laugh.

“Must be a great benefits package.”