DOTH Volume 3 Chapter 8.7

Kim Jiwon paused for a moment, observing Jung Heeyeon’s expression. He seemed to understand this explanation.

“Right now, the Director’s alpha pheromones are masking yours, so there’s no need to worry. Until you learn to control them yourself, getting masked by his pheromones will be enough to keep them in check. As for stopping the suppressants, it’s because continuing to take them could put too much strain on your body, Heeyeon-ssi. Normally, suppressants don’t cause much harm, but in your case, the repeated injections you had might have weakened your system.”

After the long explanation, it wasn’t Jung Heeyeon who responded to that—rather, it was Director Yeon.

“So you’re saying he shouldn’t use suppressants, even during heat?”

At the voice coming from behind him, Jung Heeyeon tilted his head back slightly. He was met with the sight of Director Yeon’s furrowed brows and a face hardened with displeasure, as if something wasn’t to his liking.

“That’s correct. During heat, directly absorbing an alpha’s pheromones is the best option. It’s not certain yet, but it seems like his cycle is once every two months, so there’s still some time before the next one. Heeyeon-ssi, you mentioned you’ve been getting injections every two months, right?”

“Yes.”

“There’s a chance your cycle could shift… but if it does, the Director will probably be the first to notice. Just in case, it would be good to get regular checkups.”

Kim Jiwon was about to wrap up his explanation when he suddenly let out a short exclamation.

“Oh, this is just a precaution, but you should also be careful about pheromone shock.”

“Pheromone shock?”

At those words, Director Yeon’s expression darkened, and Kim Jiwon instinctively took a step back. His chair rolled slightly backward with a quiet creak. Meanwhile, only Jung Heeyeon, oblivious to the tense atmosphere, remained sitting with a calm expression.

“What is pheromone shock?”

The innocent question helped Kim Jiwon steady his pounding heart. Director Yeon’s cold demeanor wasn’t exactly surprising, but he realized he had grown too accustomed to the facade of kindness the man had been showing lately. Since Jung Heeyeon had started spending more time around him, the moments when Director Yeon acted warmly had also increased.

He was amazed himself that he had forgotten about the man’s true nature.

“In simple terms, it’s a reaction of rejecting another person’s pheromones…”

Kim Jiwon pulled his chair forward again, working his brain to find the easiest way to explain.

“You’re not imprinted on Director Yeon, but since his pheromones were the first you were exposed to and you’re still constantly exposed to them, your body might start recognizing that only his pheromones are ‘safe’.”

“Yes.”

“In that state, if another trait carrier floods you with their pheromones, your body could reject them, leading to pheromone shock. In rare cases, it can even damage your pheromone glands.”

Director Yeon, who had been listening in silence, curled his lips into a smirk.

“As long as he stays close to me like this, there’s no problem, right?”

“Well, that’s true. Pheromone shock isn’t exactly something that happens commonly, after all. I just mentioned it because Heeyeon-ssi’s condition isn’t typical, so it’s better to be cautious.”

Director Yeon didn’t take Kim Jiwon’s warning lightly. Since Chairman Jung was starting to make his move, there was no harm in being careful.

“Sir.”

With a knock, the office door opened, and Kim Chulwoo stepped inside. After glancing briefly at Jung Heeyeon, he focused on Director Yeon. The meaning behind that look wasn’t difficult to grasp. Instead of responding to Kim Chulwoo, Director Yeon called out to the man standing behind him.

“Team Leader Shim Soocheon, do you have time?”

–

Jung Heeyeon fell into deep contemplation.

“This is really good, I swear.”

The photo of a drink at Shim Soocheon’s fingertip had the words Mint Chocolate Frappuccino written in small print beneath it.

“Team Leader, I’ll just have a strawberry latte.”

“Just trust me this once.”

“I tried it before. It tasted like toothpaste.”

“Eh, no way.”

Shim Soocheon chuckled as he leaned in slightly, subtly positioning himself to block Jung Heeyeon from being observed from outside. It seemed that someone from Sunha had placed a tail on the omega, yet detecting that level of presence was hardly difficult. There was a reason why he, the highest-paid specialist in Jiwoo, had turned down all other assignments to stay by Jung Heeyeon’s side.

“I’m serious. It tasted like toothpaste.”

“Alright, alright. One strawberry latte for Heeyeon-ssi, then. I’ll get an Americano.”

“…Why aren’t you drinking the drink you suggested, Team Leader?”

“A working man needs coffee.”

Until their drinks were ready, Shim Soocheon remained on high alert. Being near the company, the chances of anything happening were low, but no matter how easygoing he seemed, he was meticulous when it came to his job.

As they stepped outside with their drinks, a voice came through his earpiece.

– Team Leader, we caught them.

He had lost count of how many times they had rounded up small fry by now. Tilting his head slightly downward, he saw Jung Heeyeon sipping his strawberry latte, his face looking as innocent as ever. Noticing the gaze, Jung Heeyeon soon met his eyes.

“Team Leader, do you want some?”

Jung Heeyeon held out his strawberry latte, his question pure and unassuming. Shim Soocheon smiled as he replied.

“Oh, no, I’m good. If Director Yeon finds out, he’ll kill me.”

Jung Heeyeon withdrew the strawberry latte after receiving an immediate refusal. He didn’t quite understand what Team Leader Shim Soocheon meant by “Director Yeon would kill me,” but he was certain it was a rejection. Sipping his drink through the straw, he furrowed his brows slightly. The team leaders had been acting strangely these past few days. It seemed that the chairman had returned to Korea.

As he reached the director’s room, Kim Chulwoo happened to be stepping out. Jung Heeyeon fidgeted with the takeaway cup in his hand and cautiously asked,

“Secretary Kim Chulwoo, may I go in?”

Kim Chulwoo, only noticing him then, gave a nod.

“Yes.”

He even opened the door for him. Jung Heeyeon sounded out his gratitude as he stepped inside. For once, Director Yeon was not at his desk but seated on the sofa in the meeting area. The lingering air of conversation with Kim Chulwoo from just now was still evident.

“Director.”

The man, who had been leaning against the armrest with his elbow propped up and his head resting on his hand, slowly straightened his posture. His previously cold expression melted into a warm smile.

“Come here.”

Director Yeon tapped his thigh lightly as he spoke. Jung Heeyeon hesitated, wondering if it would be better to sit beside him, but when the man’s hand tapped his own thigh again, the omega settled onto it. He thought he was being childish for doing so, but being held by Director Yeon still felt nice.

“Our Heeyeon always eats things similar to himself.”

Director Yeon’s gaze landed on the strawberry latte. The pink-tinged milk was wrapped in pale fingers, the nails at the tips resembling the very same color.

“It’s delicious. Do you want some, Director?”

A man who wouldn’t even spare a glance at something, no matter how much someone begged him to try it, unhesitatingly placed his lips on the straw that Jung Heeyeon offered.

“It’s delicious, right?”

“Mm, it’s sweet.”

Director Yeon curled his lips into a smirk as he looked down at the omega in his arms. The sweetness lingered on his tongue.

“Director.”

“Yeah, Heeyeon?”

“Has Chairman Jung arrived in Korea?”

At the unexpected question, his straight eyebrows furrowed slightly. There was no way anyone from Jiwoo had let information slip.

He had no intention of telling Jung Heeyeon, but he also had no intention to lie. So, Director Yeon admitted it without hesitation.

“How did you know?”

“It seemed like it was about time for him to be here. He said before that he would come when I became an adult. And lately, whenever I go out, the team leaders are always with me.”

“Was it that obvious?”

Director Yeon chuckled and pulled him in a little closer. He had thought that by playing it smoothly, Jung Heeyeon wouldn’t notice, but his ability to read the atmosphere was sharper than expected.

“Heeyeon, are you worried?”

“No, I’m not.”

The firm answer made the man’s eyes narrow slightly.

“I have you, Director.”

The fingers wrapped around his small frame twitched slightly.

‘I’m here, no one will be able to lay a hand on you.’

Director Yeon figured they must have been thinking of the same moment.

***

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