DOTH Volume 3 Chapter 9.1

Tap. A faint but distinct noise settled into the still air. Beneath the long fingers pressing it down, the paper held a few printed photographs. Another tap. The man idly moved his fingers, his gaze sweeping indifferently over the images. The subject captured in them was none other than Director Yeon himself. Short, neatly trimmed nails, long fingers, and large hands with visible veins flexed fluidly, mirroring the man’s habitual motions.

Tap. The sound of paper shifting once again echoed through the hushed space.

Despite watching the situation unfold exactly as planned, Director Yeon remained expressionless, his thoughts running calculations in the background. After a few minutes of silent assessment, his gaze drifted toward the sofa in the meeting area, some distance from his desk. A faint warmth tugged at the corner of his otherwise cool lips, and then, he rose up lazily.

Director Yeon approached the sofa, where Jung Heeyeon was nodding off. The warm winter sunlight streamed through the glass walls, a golden glow over the small figure curled up beneath it. He looked like a small puppy, dozing in a sunlit patch.

Jung Heeyeon had barely slept the night before due to his nightmares. Now, as the afternoon stretched on, drowsiness had caught up with him. Director Yeon reached out his hand, lightly brushing against the sun-warmed strands of hair. The gentle heat wrapped around his otherwise cool fingertips.

Still, Jung Heeyeon did not wake. Deep in sleep, his breath was soft and slow, a faint sigh escaping between slightly parted lips. Resting his cheek against his palm, the slight pressure caused his plump cheek to puff up. Director Yeon, who had been carefully tousling the young man’s hair just enough not to wake him, eventually gave in and pressed down on the slightly raised cheek. Just like when they first met, it was soft and squishy.

Only then did Jung Heeyeon stir, his eyelashes fluttering open, as if finally sensing another’s touch.

“Heeyeon.”

Director Yeon called his name with a quiet laugh. Bathed in sunlight, fresh from sleep, the omega seemed to exude the scent of morning sunshine, though, of course, that was impossible. His scent was buried under the heavy weight of the alpha’s pheromones.

“Are you still sleepy?”

Jung Heeyeon let out a faint smile, his eyes barely open. He wasn’t entirely sure when he had dozed off, but the lingering haze in his mind was oddly pleasant. The warmth of the sun on his skin, the sight of the man before him the moment he woke up, and the gentle voice calling his name—all of it felt inexplicably good. Despite the nightmares that had disrupted his sleep at dawn, it felt as if he had dreamed of something akin to sunlight just moments ago.

A large, rough hand trailed up his jawline, slowly making its way toward his slightly puffy cheek. As it settled against his face, Jung Heeyeon instinctively leaned into the warmth of the man’s palm, rubbing against it.

“You’re like a puppy.” 

Director Yeon muttered, pressing his thumb into the soft flesh. The way the innocent face nuzzled into his hand was undeniably reminiscent of one. It was nothing more than an idle comment, but Jung Heeyeon furrowed his brows slightly.

“That’s a bad word.”

His tone was surprisingly firm.

“A bad word?”

“Yes. The team leaders always curse at each other, calling each other ‘son of a bitch’ all the time. Doctor Kim Jiwon said it’s a bad word and told me not to listen to them.”

Among the rough-mouthed Alphas, that wouldn’t even count as a real curse. Director Yeon, realizing once again that the environment surrounding him was ill-suited for Jung Heeyeon’s upbringing, spoke up leisurely.

“Saying that someone looks like a puppy isn’t an insult, Heeyeon. It’s a curse word if you add ‘son of a—’ to it.”

Oh, I see. Jung Heeyeon blinked, momentarily confused, but if Director Yeon said so, it must be true. He wasn’t entirely sure of the fine distinction between ‘puppy’ and ‘son of a bitch,’ but at least he had learned another nuance of commonly used language today.

“If you’re still sleepy, lie down and sleep.”

Jung Heeyeon shook his head slightly. He was already awake, and if he slept now, he’d struggle to sleep properly later tonight.

“Then, shall we go out for a bit?”

Director Yeon’s suggestion was unexpected.

“Director, aren’t you busy?”

“I always have time for you, baby.”

Director Yeon stated matter-of-factly, fully aware that Jung Heeyeon knew just how packed his schedule was.

Mere moments ago, he had been reviewing photos of him taken at the port in Busan. Kang Seoui had somehow managed to secure the images and sent them over. Director Yeon had made a point of visiting in broad daylight, ensuring that those photos would leak straight into Sunna and Chairman Jung’s hands.

If Jung Heeyeon had been captured in the photos as well, it would have been concerning. Fortunately however, only images of him entering the container had been selected. Jung Heeyeon’s face wasn’t exposed in any of the photos. This meant that the photos delivered to Sunha wouldn’t provoke Director Yeon’s displeasure—just as he had intended.

Their next moves were predictable. Soon, the media would be flooded with articles bearing sensationalist headlines like ‘Illegal Firearms Deal Caught on Camera’. He had long since prepared for the PR battle, but Sumna and Chairman Jung’s inevitable action meant things would only get busier from here on out.

Chairman Jung would undoubtedly seize this opportunity to shake up Jiwoo, using the chaos as a cover to take Jung Heeyeon away.

How ridiculous. The man curled his lips into a faint, sardonic smile.

“Director.”

A soft voice pulled his gaze away from his thoughts.

“Can we go out for coffee?”

Jung Heeyeon hesitated, glancing at the sunlight streaming through the window. Would it really be okay to take up Director Yeon’s time? Still, after a moment’s contemplation, he cautiously parted his lips to speak.

“Yeah. We can.”

As if the cold expression from earlier had never been there, Director Yeon let out a brief chuckle and leaned down. Soft lips met his. The warmth of sunlight clung to the fullness of them.

—

They stopped by a small, private café near the company. Director Yeon smirked as he watched Jung Heeyeon, deep in thought, deliberating over the menu. He found it amusing—after all, they came here almost every day, and by now, the omega must have tried nearly every drink on the menu. Yet, he still couldn’t seem to settle on a favorite.

Kim Chulwoo’s nagging voice echoed in his mind, telling him to hurry back. But rather than rushing him, Director Yeon simply waited, patient as ever.

“I want to have an Americano.” 

Jung Heeyeon finally declared, looking unusually resolute. Director Yeon let out a quiet chuckle at the unexpected drink choice.

“But you hate it because it’s bitter.”

“I don’t like it, but that doesn’t mean I hate it… I just want to drink the same thing as you,Director.”

“Alright.”

Director Yeon proceeded to ask for one less shot in Jung Heeyeon’s coffee. Then, his gaze shifted—Jung Heeyeon was staring at the dessert showcase.

“Heeyeon, do you want to eat something?”

“Pardon? Ah, I already had a snack earlier.”

Jung Heeyeon fidgeted with his fingers as he answered. He did want to eat one, but since he’d already eaten once today, he figured he shouldn’t have more. The team leaders and other employees often brought him snacks, and he had promised Director Yeon to limit himself to just one per day.

“What you had wasn’t something I gave, though.”

“Does that mean I can have more if it’s from you, Director?”

“Yeah.”

Without hesitation, Director Yeon ordered the dessert Jung Heeyeon had been eyeing. He had no intention of stopping him if he wanted to eat something. The only reason he’d set a limit to the snacks was to keep the Jiwoo alphas in check, not to control Jung Heeyeon. It was adorable how earnestly the omega followed the promise, so he hadn’t bothered correcting him—until now.

He made a conscious effort to let Jung Heeyeon do whatever he wanted. However, sex was an exception. Because if Jung Heeyeon indulged too much in that, he’d end up crying. It was better not to start at all.

“Then, I’ll have it. Thank you.”

As expected, the omega replied back obediently.

“You’re not even asking why it’s okay if I’m the one giving it to you.”

“Pardon? Yes. You’re an exception to everything when it comes to me, so it’s fine.”

Jung Heeyeon answered seriously, completely unaware that Director Yeon had been teasing him.

“I only have pecks with you, Director. I only have kisses with you too…”

The café was nearly empty. Even the staff at the cashier had stepped away to prepare the drinks. Still, Jung Heeyeon leaned up on his toes, whispering into Director Yeon’s ear. His voice tickled.

“And I only have sex with you, Director.”

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