Jung Heeyeon fidgeted with a can of beer. The cool sensation of the condensation droplets felt refreshing, as if the raindrops pouring outside had somehow gathered in his hands. The can he’d started drinking from when he made his call was now almost empty.
“He should be arriving soon.”
Lee Haejin muttered, checking the time. Four bottles of soju were neatly arranged on the table, yet his expression remained perfectly calm. Lee Haejin, wearing the same face as when he’d first met Jung Heeyeon earlier, mentally calculated the time. There was a high chance a bloody scene had occurred, and it was certain that Director Yeon would clean up because of Jung Heeyeon. It had been about an hour since the call ended, so it was about time for Director Yeon to arrive.
Hearing this, Jung Heeyeon thought, So the director’s on his way, and took another sip of beer. He wasn’t usually fond of carbonated drinks, but thinking of it as lemon-flavored alcohol made it taste sweeter.
“Speak of the devil.”
Lee Haejin said, standing up as faint footsteps approached. At the same time, the sliding door opened silently. As expected, Director Yeon entered the room. After giving Lee Haejin a brief glance, Director Yeon walked straight toward Jung Heeyeon.
“Ah, Director.”
Jung Heeyeon said, staring up at the man blankly before offering a belated smile. He tried to stand, but his small frame wobbled as though he might collapse.
“Heeyeon.”
Jung Heeyeon furrowed his brows, unsure why his body wasn’t listening to him. His mind felt hazy, as if clouded by alcohol, but he wasn’t completely intoxicated. Still, his legs refused to cooperate.
“Did you enjoy the dinner?”
Director Yeon asked gently, steadying Jung Heeyeon’s swaying body with one arm.
“Yes, it was delicious.”
“Hmmm, is that so?”
And then, Director Yeon easily lifted him into his arms. The omega’s steps seemed unstable, it was likely safer to carry him than risk him falling. Given his already weak ankles, it was clear he’d trip if left to walk.
“Oh…”
Startled by the sudden elevation, Jung Heeyeon blinked. Reflexively, he grabbed onto Director Yeon’s arm, which made the latter chuckle softly.
“Director, please put me down.”
“Do you feel uncomfortable?”
Jung Heeyeon assessed his situation. He wasn’t uncomfortable. Director Yeon’s hold was so steady that even though his feet weren’t touching the ground, he felt completely at ease. Perhaps it was because the one holding him was Director Yeon. Clinging tightly to the man’s neck, Jung Heeyeon shook his head.
“No.”
“You can’t even walk properly.”
With that, Director Yeon gave Lee Haejin a brief nod before turning away. His movements were so light and fluid that it was hard to believe he was carrying an adult. Lee Haejin watched the scene with a bewildered expression before reluctantly nodding in return.
“I can walk… I’m not drunk.”
“Hmmm, you’re not drunk?”
“No. And being carried like this… isn’t it something only done with children?”
Jung Heeyeon mumbled, recalling the rare occasions when he’d seen people carried on the street. They were always children, their legs dangling as they clung to adults. He’d never seen a grown man like himself being carried.
“People who’ve been drinking are allowed to be carried.”
Oh, I see. Reassured that it was alright to be carried, Jung Heeyeon rested his chin on Director Yeon’s shoulder without further resistance. As Director Yeon turned toward the exit, Jung Heeyeon found himself facing Lee Haejin. Their eyes met, and Lee Haejin gave him a faint smile and a small wave.
“See you soon.”
“Yes, goodbye.”
Jung Heeyeon replied, waving back. Lee Haejin hesitated before waving in return, his expression slightly complicated.
The rain outside was still pouring heavily. The sound, which had seemed pleasant and atmospheric indoors, now felt wild and relentless. At the entrance, Kim Chulwoo stood waiting with a large umbrella. When his superior emerged carrying an omega in his arms, Kim Chulwoo froze momentarily, his arm stiff with surprise.
But that was only brief, he quickly composed himself, rushing over to shield them with the umbrella. Jung Heeyeon’s legs swung idly as he gazed at the building as it receded into the distance. The sound of rain drumming on the umbrella was oddly comforting. He rubbed his face against Director Yeon’s shoulder, prompting a low chuckle to escape the man above him.
It was only then that Jung Heeyeon began to wonder if this was what being drunk felt like. Perhaps it was the sensation of being lifted, making him slightly dizzy. Each step Director Yeon took made Jung Heeyeon’s hand, still clasped around his neck, sway gently. When he accidentally moved his arm, his fingertips brushed against Director Yeon’s hair.
“Director, your hair is so soft.”
Lifting his chin from Director Yeon’s broad shoulder, Jung Heeyeon looked up at him. Being in his arms, they were so to each other.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard that.”
At the unexpected compliment, Director Yeon let out a soft chuckle and continued walking. There wasn’t anyone who would have touched his hair enough to notice its texture, much less call it soft. He found it amusing that someone so soft himself was calling someone else soft.
“I’m being for real.”
Jung Heeyeon mumbled as he rested his face against Director Yeon’s shoulder. When he was first lifted, the sudden height shift had startled him, but now it felt surprisingly very comfortable. The warmth of the other person’s body and the soothing sound of the rain made him feel like he could fall asleep.
Still holding him, Director Yeon climbed into the car. As a result, Jung Heeyeon ended up sitting on Director Yeon’s lap.
“Director.”
“Yeah?”
Jung Heeyeon wriggled a little, trying to reposition himself to sit on the side, but then hesitated before speaking.
“Is it okay for me to stay like this?”
“Do you want me to keep holding you?”
“Yes.”
Director Yeon only smiled in response. Was it a difficult request? Since there wasn’t a clear refusal, Jung Heeyeon decided to stay put.
“That was the first time I’ve spoken to you on the phone, Director.”
Jung Heeyeon said, his slightly slurred words spilling from his lips. Hearing Director Yeon’s voice over the phone earlier had been a first. They were always together, so there was never a need to call.
“Yeah, it’s a first.”
“Your voice sounds so pretty on the phone, too.”
“Hmmm, is that so?”
Director Yeon smiled faintly as he stroked Jung Heeyeon’s hair. The phone call had come after he’d finished dealing with Lee Yootae, leaving a scene of chaos in his wake. Suppressing the violent tendencies typical of an alpha and masking the euphoria from seeing blood had required significant effort, but it seemed his composure had held.
Now, however, he was facing a different challenge. When he got into the car, he’d expected the omega in his arms to squirm away, as the omega didn’t usually enjoy being treated like a baby. But contrary to his expectations, Jung Heeyeon remained seated on his lap. While Director Yeon was pleased with how Jung Heeyeon stayed put, the situation was undeniably uncomfortable for him on a physiological level.
Oblivious to Director Yeon’s discomfort, Jung Heeyeon let out a slow breath, his head nodding sleepily as he nestled closer. Good thing he took suppressants, Director Yeon thought. Reaching out, he gently pulled Jung Heeyeon’s pale cheek closer until the omega leaned fully against him. Soft hair, untouched by the rain, brushed against Director Yeon’s chin.
“Heeyeon.”
Hearing his name, Jung Heeyeon opened his eyes groggily, his lashes fluttering.
“Did you drink alcohol?”
The question was casual, and Jung Heeyeon hesitated before parting his lips. Earlier, Lee Haejin had handed him a can of beer, saying it didn’t really count as alcohol. But alcohol was alcohol, no matter how low the alcohol content. Though he did hesitate before taking it, he had accepted the cooled can, enticed by the mention of a lemon flavor. Now, regret welled up—he should’ve asked Director Yeon first.
“…Yes.”
Director Yeon looked down at Jung Heeyeon’s innocent expression and stroked his hair. He hadn’t intended to stop Jung Heeyeon from drinking alcohol. If he had, he wouldn’t have let a cigarette smoke from his lips in the first place. He wasn’t actually upset by the flushed cheeks or slurred words that hinted at the mild intoxication. In fact, it was amusing how he drank something that could barely be called alcohol and then blinked sleepily.
What got on his nerves wasn’t the alcohol—it was the person he had been drinking with.
“I must have made our Heeyeon feel upset somehow.”
“Pardon?”
Startled by the unexpected question, Jung Heeyeon looked up, his head tilting slightly. He could feel Director Yeon’s arm tightening around his waist, applying just enough pressure to be reassuring.
Become a member in my ko-fi to get early releases!
Make me feel happy and supported by leaving a comment!
![I Mistook the Paranoid Gong for a Shou [Book Transmigration]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WhatsApp-Image-2024-09-12-at-01.24.02_47d1acd0.jpg "I Mistook the Paranoid Gong for a Shou [Book Transmigration]")