“Hm…”
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Kyo-Shin stared at Shin-Yeon with a suspicious look.
“I’m not lying… I’ve never seen anyone who looks better in a suit than you, Executive Director.”
Avoiding his gaze, Shin-Yeon’s voice trailed off more and more as he spoke. Kyo-Shin lightly brushed his fingertips along the corner of his lips before pulling his hand away.
“That much is true.”
A moment later, the server entered, and the course meal began in earnest.
As they made small talk over the meal, Kyo-Shin smoothly drew information out of Shin-Yeon.
With good food in front of him, Shin-Yeon’s guard gradually dropped, and without realizing it, he let slip his worries about his parents.
Naturally—his family had been thrown into chaos after Kim Shin-Hee ran away.
And Suhan, while not small for a mid-sized company, wasn’t particularly stable beneath the surface.
It had grown more through luck and patchwork decisions than solid structure. Its foundation was weak, and it showed a lack of capable personnel.
If this business engagement didn’t lead to marriage and Kyo-Shin withdrew the investment, there was a high chance Suhan would collapse.
Kyo-Shin, watching the baby kitten earnestly flirting with him in an attempt to prevent that outcome, placed a piece of steak into his mouth.
“Mm.”
“You eat nicely.”
“Aren’t you eating, Executive Director?”
“I am.”
Of course, his real purpose wasn’t the meal—it was reading Kim Shin-Yeon’s intentions while enjoying the view.
Unaware of Kyo-Shin’s dark undercurrent, Shin-Yeon’s eyes lit up.
…This feels like an opportunity.
Picking up a neatly cut piece of steak, Shin-Yeon held it out toward him.
“You should eat too, Executive Director. If you eat well, I think I’ll feel full even if I don’t eat much.”
“That’s not something baby should be saying.”
Seo Kyo-Shin wrapped his large hand around Shin-Yeon’s and pulled it closer, taking the steak into his mouth.
For some reason, Shin-Yeon’s heart jolted.
A face so beautiful it looked like it had stepped out of a painting—paired with a mature, composed aura—was overwhelming.
As Kyo-Shin chewed, he lightly licked the juices from the corner of his lips and looked at him.
“…E-excuse me, may I step out for a moment?”
“Go ahead.”
Face flushed deep red from that unmistakable adult sensuality, Shin-Yeon slipped off his jacket and left the room, heading to the restroom.
“Ha… wow, this atmosphere is seriously suffocating. Adults are so hard…”
There was something about him—an aura that filled the space completely—intimidating, yet strangely sensual.
It was his first time encountering something like this, and he couldn’t quite put it into words. All he knew was that it made his face burn with embarrassment.
After washing his hands and cooling off slightly, Shin-Yeon headed back.
Just as he reached for the door handle—
he heard Kyo-Shin’s voice from inside.
“I should be free after six. It seems the Paris Group must be quite desperate, suggesting a blind date when they know full well I already have a fiancée.”
…A blind date?
Shin-Yeon froze, gripping the door, holding his breath as he listened.
“We’ve already reserved the wedding venue, haven’t we? Of course, nothing is final until the marriage is registered. Hm… If the engagement with Suhan is broken, we’ll withdraw the investment immediately.”
The cold tone made it clear.
Kyo-Shin wasn’t being kind because he’d fallen for his flirting.
He already knew Kim Shin-Hee had run away—and had simply made time to test him.
The realization hit Shin-Yeon like a blow, his body going stiff.
“….”
Still… it’s not like I can ask him not to withdraw the investment just because my brother ran away.
Looking at it calmly, the adults all seemed to know exactly what was going on—and were pretending not to, deceiving each other.
Kim Shin-Hee, you jerk… You just ran away and left this mess behind?
Biting down on his lip, Shin-Yeon stared at the door, then forced himself to steady his expression.
If I change my attitude now, things will only get worse.
If I can marry Seo Kyo-Shin… then at least Suhan won’t collapse immediately.
Of course… that’s only if the proposal works.
Knock knock—
After composing himself, Shin-Yeon knocked and reentered.
Kyo-Shin had just ended his call. They finished the rest of the meal, even dessert, continuing light conversation.
Even as the atmosphere remained warm and pleasant, Shin-Yeon’s mind was racing.
How do I win this man over?
“Shall we get up, then?”
“Yes.”
As Kyo-Shin picked up the freesias and moved to call a staff member, Shin-Yeon approached and held out his jacket.
“I’m not cold anymore.”
Taking it back and slipping it on, Kyo-Shin caught the faint scent of freesias and found his lips curving without realizing.
The faint petulance carried in the young omega’s pheromones was both amusing and rather adorable.
So… he overheard that call.
Narrowing his eyes, Kyo-Shin read the truth in Shin-Yeon’s abruptly halted flirting and his refusal to meet his gaze.
Shin-Yeon had just finished putting on his coat and scarf. After briefly handing him the bouquet, Kyo-Shin slipped on his own coat and murmured,
“Did you know freesias mean ‘wishing you a fresh start’? What kind of person did you think I’d be starting over with when you chose these?”
“My pheromones—ha… no, I mean… there are other good meanings too. If you don’t like them, I’ll take them back.”
Unable to fully hide his hurt, Shin-Yeon bowed first as Kyo-Shin finished paying.
“Thank you for the meal. And for making time for me. Please seriously consider my proposal. I’ll be going now.”
Head lowered, clutching the bouquet to his chest, Shin-Yeon hurried forward—
then broke into a run.
Watching him disappear in an instant, Kyo-Shin accepted his car from the valet and got into the driver’s seat.
“Well… can’t be helped.”
Tapping his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, he pulled out of the restaurant.
Meanwhile, Shin-Yeon, escaping as fast as he could, walked along the freezing street, clutching the bouquet.
“Damn it… I should’ve just held it in. Why did I have to mess things up like that… No… maybe I was just going to get used anyway. Maybe it’s better to give up now.”
The Paris Group was on an entirely different level—Suhan couldn’t even be compared.
“Wasn’t ending up on the streets basically guaranteed from the start?”
No… shouldn’t I at least try until the very end?
Even delaying the withdrawal would help.
Looking down at the bouquet in his arms, Shin-Yeon felt conflicted.
Am I just being childish… clinging to pride without understanding reality?
“…Maybe I should just go on a blind date with someone else too…”
Dragging his feet, he spotted a trash can and stared blankly at the freesias.
“Shouldn’t have bought these…”
As he approached, he lifted the bouquet, about to toss it in—
Thud!
A large hand reached from behind and grabbed his wrist.
Startled, Shin-Yeon whipped his head around.
Seo Kyo-Shin was standing there, looking down at him. His black coat and hair stirred slightly in the wind.
“Let go.”
“That’s mine.”
Kyo-Shin took the bouquet from his hand, then leisurely took in his reddened, tear-filled eyes.
Cupping his pale chin in one hand, he spoke to Shin-Yeon, who looked on the verge of crying.
“Seems like baby’s upset.”
“I’m not a baby. I’m twenty.”
Grabbing at Kyo-Shin’s hand, Shin-Yeon tried to push it away—but it didn’t budge.
“If you’re already twenty, why run away? I even made time for you. We still had plenty of time to ourselves—wouldn’t it be a waste to leave so soon?”
Not a waste at all!
“You said you fell for me and even proposed, and you’re giving up this easily?”
Releasing his chin, Kyo-Shin stepped back.
“Well, if that’s the case, it can’t be helped.”
As he turned, lifting the bouquet to his nose and heading toward his parked car—
a hand grabbed the back of his coat.
He turned.
Shin-Yeon hesitated, then spoke.
“…Buy me a drink.”
“Planning to start with daytime drinking?”
“If you won’t, then I’ll just go.”
He had finally mustered the courage to stop him, only to be met with that cool, teasing tone.
Letting go of his coat, Shin-Yeon turned away.
Grab!
But his wrist was caught again—and in one swift motion, he was pulled into Kyo-Shin’s arms like a paper doll.
“…?”
His face pressed against his chest, Shin-Yeon looked up.
Kyo-Shin’s expression had turned subtly cold.
“I never said I wouldn’t.”
“…I don’t want to drink with you. You’re just going to buy me alcohol and then dump me, right? I can tell!”
Just from that look, it’s obvious!
“Hah.”
“Like I’d let myself get dumped!”
At Shin-Yeon’s preemptive, bristling outrage, Kyo-Shin let out an incredulous laugh.
For now, he opened the rear door of the car and guided him inside. He would’ve preferred the passenger seat, but the road side made the back seat safer.
“This is a road—I can’t park long. If we stay here any longer, I’ll get a fine.”
…Okay, fines are crossing the line.
Sitting properly in the back seat, Shin-Yeon spoke firmly before the door closed.
“…I-I’m only getting in because of the fine.”
Thud.
Getting into the driver’s seat, Kyo-Shin glanced through the rearview mirror at Shin-Yeon wiping his eyes, then started the car.
So, I’ve successfully captured the runaway baby kitten.
Now… what should I do with him?
His fingers brushed the steering wheel as a sharp smile curved his lips.