Cozy Obsession-Chapter 35

“We’re going to the department store, boss.”

Since Cha Iheon remained silent, Minseok answered in his place as they walked.

“...Aren’t we going to buy a phone?”

Heemin asked as he slid into the backseat, taking his place beside Iheon. The latter furrowed his brows slightly.

“What are you talking about?”

“I thought you were getting me a phone just to track me. You know, to monitor my location. Isn’t that it?”

“If I wanted to track you, I could just throw a disposable one at you and call it a day. Why the hell would I waste money on some useless gadget? From now on, he’s the one watching you. You won’t be pulling any stunts like last time.”

Iheon motioned toward Minseok, who was sitting in the front passenger seat. At that, Minseok, who had been eavesdropping on the conversation, turned around with a big grin and nodded in greeting.

...This is cruel.

The bigger the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

The sedan left the apartment complex, passing right by the phone store with its ridiculous inflatable air dancer flapping wildly in the wind. Heemin watched it disappear into the distance, unable to hide his frustration.

“...Then, are you finally sending me to the hospital?”

A sudden realization struck him, and he blurted out the question.

He hadn’t even tried to escape like in the novel, so why bother pulling Minseok away from his usual debt-collecting rounds just to have him shadow Heemin? There was only one possible explanation.

“You can’t wear the same clothes every time we go to the hospital.”

Heemin had two sets of clothes that Secretary Jung had bought for him. As long as they were clean, he didn’t care about repeating outfits—but apparently, Iheon did.

So, he was worried about my clothes?

Iheon had always been picky about outfits, even when they were friends. He hated wearing the same thing twice in a row when going out or meeting someone.

Even back then, Heemin thought it was ridiculous—he wasn’t even a celebrity, so what was all the fuss about?

Apparently, thirty-year-old Cha Iheon was no different.

His dressing room was packed with dozens of black suits. At first glance, they all looked the same, but the details varied.

Well... I guess he has a point.

The weather was getting warmer. The thick fabric of his current shirt would soon be too hot to wear.

At home, he could just lounge around in Iheon’s t-shirts and shorts, but he couldn’t exactly show up to the hospital dressed like that.

So he’s doing this for me.

Just like that, the cloud of disappointment that had been hanging over his chest dissipated completely.

Heemin turned to the window with a bright smile, as if he had never been upset at all.

No matter how much he resisted, Iheon was beginning to trust him.

His keyword-switching strategy seemed to be working after all.

“Wow, it’s packed.”

“It’s the weekend, boss.”

The department store was crowded, even in the underground parking lot.

There were security guards stationed everywhere, so the risk of anything happening was low.

Still, Iheon had clearly taken extra precautions. He had wrapped Heemin in his own scent, brought Secretary Jung, and even dragged along Minseok—all to ensure no Alphas got too close.

Even with minimal exposure, they couldn’t completely avoid other people.

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Heemin pulled his sleeves over his hands and covered his nose and mouth.

The deep musk of Iheon’s pheromones.

Rather than feeling overwhelmed, it felt like a protective shield.

The fact that he didn’t find it suffocating anymore was strangely reassuring.

“This is where you get off.”

Following Secretary Jung’s lead, they exited the elevator.

Unlike the bustling floors below, this one was eerily quiet.

The place was so empty that even Heemin, who had nothing to do with retail, felt worried about their business.

He was wondering why this floor was so deserted—until he read the store signs.

Luxury brands.

They had stepped into the land of designer labels.

Iheon barely spared a glance at the display windows before heading straight into a contemporary fashion boutique.

There was zero hesitation in his movements.

“Bring out whatever suits him. As much as possible.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

The employee swiftly scanned the three intimidating men before landing on Heemin—the ‘him’ in question.

They immediately got to work.

Iheon sank into the couch, leaning back like he had no intention of moving for a while.

Heemin, awkwardly standing, eventually took the seat beside him, resigning himself to waiting.

He had never been interested in shopping.

His sisters had always picked out clothes for him.

For birthdays, Iheon had always given him Nike t-shirts, and he just wore those.

He had no real sense of style.

Now, faced with so many options, he had no clue what to pick.

“Here are some new arrivals. You can see how they look on models in this.”

The employee handed a tablet to Iheon, showing him images of fully styled outfits.

Heemin was waiting for him to pick something—but then...

“Try on all of them. One by one.”

“...A-All of them?”

“Yes.”

“This isn’t a fashion show...”

Trying on one outfit was already a hassle, but all of them?

When Heemin hesitated, clearly overwhelmed, Iheon gave him a little push.

“If you do, I’ll buy you whatever food you want.”

“...Seriously?”

“Ddeokbokki, pizza—whatever.”

“Then... let’s stop by the food court! I want cream puffs!”

A few months ago, his second sister had brought home a giant cream puff she had received as a gift from her boss.

The custard filling was so good that he had been shocked such a flavor existed.

Unfortunately, she told him it was only sold at a high-end bakery in a department store.

Now was his chance.

Beaming, Heemin grabbed the clothes and marched off to the fitting room.

It felt like he was working a part-time job again—one he had never done before.

The pay?

One cream puff.

After trying on outfit after outfit, Heemin was exhausted.

No matter what he wore, Iheon didn’t react.

Not even once.

Eventually, Heemin plopped onto the couch.

“I’ll just go with this one.”

He had no energy left.

He just wanted his cream puff.

Iheon, without a word, draped his jacket over Heemin’s shoulders.

A silent approval.

As Heemin stood up, Iheon handed his card to the cashier.

“Charge everything.”

“...All of it?”

Even the ones he didn’t try on?!

Stunned, Heemin turned to him.

“That’s too much! You didn’t dislike any of them?”

“No.”

...Was this why he had been so quiet?

“Add this too.”

Iheon grabbed a black baseball cap and shoved it onto Heemin’s head.

“...I don’t like hats.”

“Shut up and wear it. Don’t get cocky.”

Heemin, adjusting the cap reluctantly, muttered under his breath.

“...A Nike t-shirt would’ve been fine.”