Different thoughts were spinning in his head: "Am I sure I'm not sleeping? Yes, it can't be." Jihong picked up the phone. And if he had been so curious, he could have clarified who the guest was, but he had no desire to ask and replied, "Okay, I'll come down now. Thank you."

Jihong quickly stood up, hanging up the phone. Leaving the office, he didn't even think to wait for the elevator and just went down the stairs. When he reached the first floor, he realized that everything was true. His ominous premonition was not in vain.

In front of the information desk was Jaekyung, wearing a baseball cap and hood in the middle of summer, trying not to attract attention, but it was useless. People recognize him at first sight because of his height and physique. The people in the lobby couldn't help but look at each other and whisper to each other, Jaekyung's disguise was completely useless. This building housed not only sports agencies, but also entertainment and advertising companies. So naturally, the moment people saw him, they all thought at once, "Oh, oh? Is it him?"

Addressing him by name is like inviting others to greet him and take a picture with a fuss. Jihon had to quietly approach and ask, "What brings you here?"

"I need to talk to you," Jaekyung replied sharply, seemingly not listening to Jihon's own words. He felt a little annoyed, but kept his composure.

"If it's a contract, you should meet directly with the CEO, not ...

"No, with you, hyung

This time, Jaekyung cut him off again in mid-sentence. And then, as if demanding, he added, "I would be very grateful if we could get to the office faster."

"Yes, he must be busy. And he wants everything to be as simple as possible," Jihong thought, justifying Jaekyung's behavior.

"Then would you like to go to the nearest café?" This is the place we usually use for business meetings, and it's quiet and less crowded.

"I don't have time to go there. Jaekyung replied bluntly, "Just find any place where it's just the two of us. Even the bathroom will work while no one is around."

Jaekyung's words indicated that he hadn't come here to discuss the contract. Jihong wanted to suggest that he just go back. But he couldn't ignore the one who had made the effort to come all the way here. However, discussing business in the bathroom was out of the question. Eventually, Jihong turned around and made the following suggestion, "Then please come through."

Jihong decided to use the conference room on the fourth floor. He was sure that the hall would be empty at that hour, and he didn't need permission to use it for 10 minutes. Jihon quickly pressed the up button. When the elevator arrived on the first floor, he looked into the eyes of the person inside.

"Huh?" Hyung!

In the elevator was Song Young-ho. He is a fencer who turned 25 this year and is the leading star of Spoin. His talent was evident from an early age, as he made the national team as a high school student. Moreover, due to his tall stature and beauty, the media nicknamed him "The Handsome Swordsman". And the shape of his saber caused Spoin employees to half-jokingly call him "the prince".

"Yeonho, it's been a long time.

During the Asian Games last year, Jihong was assigned to the support team and had the opportunity to interact with him. Song Young-ho was two years younger and called Jihon Hyun and treated him in a friendly manner instead of addressing him by his position. From then on, every time Song Young-ho met Jihon in the company, he kept calling him hyung. Although Jihong corrected him several times to use a formal speech, he eventually gave in, allowing Song Young-ho to address him as he pleased.

"Do you want to go to the fourth floor? Not the third?" asked Jihon, noticing that the button of the fourth floor was already lit. Song Young-ho explained that he was here to hand over some documents to the General Affairs Department.

"By the way, hyung, did you know that I won the President's Cup individual championship not so long ago?"

— Of course. Who do you think wrote this press release?

"Oh, as expected

Song Young-ho gave a thumbs up and Jihong smirked before asking the next question, "Are you really going to make the team for next year's Olympics?"

— Of course. Even if you add up all the ratings of the International Fencing Federation, I am still number one.

"Congratulations." You did a great job

Jihon praised him, patting the back of his head. Song Youngho smiled proudly but continued to look at Jaekyung standing next to him. He looked a little worried. It seemed that Song Young-ho was trying to find out if it was really Kwon Jaekyung. In the end, Jihong himself became worried that Song Young-ho might suddenly talk to him, but fortunately, they arrived on the fourth floor. When the elevator door opened, Jihong got out first and said goodbye: "Take care of yourself, Yeonho. See you later."

"Good. I'll run into the PR department!

Song Youngho waved his hand enthusiastically, and Jihong replied, "Yes," before heading in the opposite direction.

Jaekyung plodded silently beside him. After passing through the HR office, they reached a conference room conveniently located nearby. Jihong opened the door, checking to see if anyone was inside, and invited Jaekyung, "Come in."

He entered the conference room first, and Jihong followed.

"People probably won't come here.

Jihon turned on the light by pressing the switch and suddenly heard a click behind him. Surprised, he turned around and saw Jaekyung locking the door. He slowly approached Jihon. And Jihon looked at him, leaning his back against the wall.

"I'm here to ask you something," Jaekyung said from right in front of him.

"Do you want to—"

"Hyung, are you a beta?"

Jihong doubted what he had heard for a moment.

"Hey...", he was so discouraged that he said it unconsciously. Did Jaekyung come all this way just to ask this?

"Jaekyung-ah," Jihong forced a smile as he called his name. He smiled not because he wanted to, but because he was speechless.

"Are you a beta?"

He pinned Jihon against the wall with the same impassive expression on his face as before.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you interested in this?"

"Just answer quickly." Hyung, you're an omega, aren't you?

Jaekyung changed the wording, and in the same second, the smile disappeared from Jihong's face.

"You're an Omega, aren't you?" he repeated again. Yes, it was in the form of a question, but it was actually a statement.

«... You understand that this is sexual harassment?, - Jihong replied calmly. - Don't ask people about such things. Otherwise, you can be sued."

"When was the last time you changed the chip?"

"Did you even hear what I said?"

In the end, Jihong clicked his tongue in frustration: "And why are you so presumptuous, why did you even think that?"

"It smells like that

Jaekyung's sudden remark took him by surprise. He paused and looked at him. "I'm telling the truth," Jaekyung added curtly as their eyes met. His colorless voice and expressionless face made it even harder for Jihon to guess his intentions.

"What do you mean when you say it smells like that?"

Jihon asked, trying to remain calm. Jaekyung looked at him and, soon turning away, added, "Yes, it's your smell, hyung. A little unusual and herbal."

"Jaekyung-ah

"I've barely felt it since you trained at the sports center.

His words made Jihon's body feel weak. If he had let his guard down, he would have collided with it at any moment, so he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He wanted to say something, but he couldn't think of anything. And the thoughts in my head were literally a blank slate. This is not just a shock from what is happening, but also a deep disappointment. He was so annoyed that he even felt miserable. He genuinely rooted for Jaekyong because of the shared past. Although he didn't expect Jaekyung to feel the same way, he had no idea that the guy would show such hostility towards him. No, it didn't matter what Jaekyung thought of him. Jihong was simply upset by the way he expressed his thoughts. He believed that Jaekyung was not the type to hurt others. Yes, he always seemed indifferent, but Jihong didn't think he was short-tempered or a person with a complicated personality. He thought that Jaekyong's indifference was far better than interfering in the affairs of others. Hearing this in the hotel, Jihong simply decided not to pay attention. He explained that Jaekyung had been in a lot of pain in the past. Jihong hoped that Jaekyung's words would ease his heart, so he tried to take the blame by putting an end to everything. However.....

"Do you like bullying people so much? Jihon asked calmly, crossing his arms over his chest. A condescending smile could have been better, but he didn't want to put in so much effort. "You're done talking, aren't you?"

Jihong straightened up and in an attempt to leave the conference room, Jaekyung grabbed him.

— Какого черта. Отпусти!

Surprised, Jihong tried to push his hand away, but the guy tightened his grip. The hand that had fallen easily as soon as Jihon had shaken it off ten years ago was now gripping his wrist tightly.

Jihon winced in pain and bit his lip without making a sound. It was a matter of pride for him to hide his own discomfort. Jaekyung looked at him silently, saying in an angry voice, "It's up to you to decide whether to believe me or not, but if it's been more than three years since you changed the chip, then you should see a doctor, hyung. My sensitivity to pheromones is probably at its lowest level right now because of the drugs, but if I can smell you, it's really bad."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jaekyung reached for a handkerchief from Jihon's shirt pocket and threw it to the floor. Letting go of his wrist, he immediately opened the door of the conference room and walked out.