Chapter 5: An Unwanted Rejection

After a hearty meal left his stomach full and his throbbing headache finally subsided, Do-ha leaned back in his chair, a sense of ease washing over him. He had nothing pressing to do, so his mind, as he stared blankly out the window, became utterly consumed by Tae-jun.

Just an accidental glance across the office was enough to make his heart flutter, and Tae-jun was the kind of person who made him take a deep breath before entering the team leader’s office. He was cold, aloof, and focused solely on his work.

Yet, a sudden thought struck Do-ha: the way Tae-jun had offered him so much meat earlier, the look in his eyes, and the nonchalant gesture of deboning the meat for him—it all felt like an expression of affection.

As the car left the bustling city and entered the quiet suburbs, a peaceful river came into view. Without realizing it, Do-ha’s lips parted.

“Team Leader, will you date me?”

His brain, still not entirely sober, impulsively blurted out his raw, unbridled true feelings, bypassing all reason.

“No.”

Do-ha blinked, startled by the answer that came almost simultaneously with his question. He couldn’t even comprehend what he’d just said, let alone the swift, real-time rejection that followed.

“Why not? Why?”

Do-ha snapped, frustrated by Tae-jun’s cold composure as he drove without even a sidelong glance. He didn’t know what Tae-jun thought of him, but Do-ha was popular among both Betas and Alphas.

He was used to being the one who chose and rejected, so being rejected himself was something he couldn’t easily accept.

“I just don’t want to. Seo Do-ha, you’re not my type… Ah, never mind.”

Though Tae-jun had mumbled something in the middle, Do-ha, having been rejected once more, averted his gaze to the window, lost in an awkward silence and embarrassment.

‘Not my type, of all reasons? Then what kind of person was that one he called out so longingly? Is that person really his lover? He had a lover. But why isn’t there a ring on his finger?’

A sudden surge of emotion welled up, and Do-ha bit down hard on his lip. Even if he wasn’t completely sober, the more he realized the enormity of what he’d just done, the hotter his face became.

“I apologize.”

Regardless of the circumstances, he was the one who had created the uncomfortable atmosphere. Do-ha broke the silence, speaking first. Since he couldn’t take back the words he’d uttered, he had to at least try to salvage the situation.

“It’s not that I dislike you, Do-ha. It’s just that I don’t engage in office romances. Let’s end this conversation now. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”

Tae-jun’s deep sigh pierced Do-ha’s chest. Hearing a reply that offered both hope and despair, Do-ha felt a sting in his eyes and turned his gaze back to the window.

‘What on earth was I thinking, bringing that up? Sometimes my imagination runs wild, making me mistakenly think he might like me. I even felt it when he gave me meat just now, but that wasn’t it. Not doing office romances means he doesn’t have a lover right now, doesn’t it?’

Annoyed by the jumble of complicated thoughts, Do-ha squeezed his eyes shut.

****

As the car stopped at a traffic light, Tae-jun carefully adjusted the passenger seat’s recline. With a full stomach, it was the perfect time for a nap.

Do-ha, who had unexpectedly dropped such a bombshell, was fast asleep. Whether he was in a deep slumber or not, his uncontrolled pheromones wafted through the car, filling it with a sweet peach scent.

It was a fragrance so sweet that merely smelling it conjured images of its taste. Tae-jun, inhaling the steady, calming scent as if Do-ha were having a peaceful dream, subtly covered his nose and mouth with one hand.

‘So, this is what Jin’s pheromones were like. So sweet and tempting, making one want to bite into them. Was that why?’ Do-ha’s impulsive nature, his love for galbi-tang—he had so many similarities to Jin.

On the mornings after Jin had drunk too much, the entire house would be filled with the aroma of simmering galbi-tang, and Jin, who only picked out the meat, was often scolded by the madam. Gazing at Do-ha’s slightly parted lips in his deep sleep, Tae-jun found the words Do-ha had uttered earlier echoing in his ears.

Did Do-ha know the full implications of what he’d said? Tae-jun knew all too well from his past the consequences of acting recklessly, without discretion, driven solely by emotion.

Knowing that Do-ha hadn’t spoken lightly, Tae-jun felt he needed to maintain his resolve. Do-ha was a stubborn, one-track mind when he set his heart on something. Tae-jun knew he had to set clear boundaries, yet he felt a wave of self-loathing for childishly envying the person Do-ha had been with yesterday.

“This time, just have a normal, blessed, happy love like everyone else. Don’t look at someone like me. I’ll remember everything. I won’t forget, so you forget it all. Everything that’s not worth remembering.”

Even as he spoke these words silently, he longed to reach out and touch Do-ha. His gently closed eyes, the dense fringe of his eyelashes. His fair, slender body, younger than his peers, yet with pleasantly plump cheeks that Tae-jun wanted to press. His slightly parted lips. He wanted to freely explore those sweet, moist lips.

“You’ve turned my world upside down, and yet you sleep so soundly, Do-ha. It makes me want to wake you.”

He wanted to push Do-ha away, to see him live a life of recognition, yet a part of him also wished to keep Do-ha in a place only he could see. What would happen if he accepted Do-ha’s proposal?

He would have Do-ha, explore him as much as he desired, and dedicate everything to him. But then what? What after that?

Tae-jun’s hand moved as he gazed at Do-ha’s innocent sleeping face. Just as his fingertip was about to brush against those red lips, the blare of a horn from behind, signaling the changing light, made Tae-jun withdraw his hand, still unreached.

“I truly like you.”

“……”

“I said I like you.”

“……”

Do-ha blinked his heavy eyes several times. As he watched the trees rush past outside the window, the same words echoed in his ears. It was the shy confession of a boy, perhaps around puberty, not quite an adult, reverberating in the air.

There was no reply from the other party, yet the boy’s heart swelled with more joy than ever before. And Do-ha’s own heart beat faster than usual.

“It seems the navigation isn’t picking up well. Could you check the directions on your phone?”

“Just a moment.”

Do-ha quickly replied, blaming his own cruelly dull mind. He quickly gathered himself and opened the map app on his phone. Like the boy in his dream, he himself had confessed just a few hours ago.

He had been rejected instantly, but strangely, his heart didn’t ache, nor did he find it awkward or difficult to look at Tae-jun. Instead, he had comfortably taken a long nap, leaving his boss to drive peacefully.

“Left at the fork ahead. It’s after the next right turn.”

Do-ha placed his phone, with the map app open, in a position where Tae-jun could easily see it. He then took the water bottle offered to him and gulped it down.

“By the way, Team Leader.”

“Yes.”

“Are you really not going to date me?”

“No, I am not.”

****

“Just go home.”

Do-ha mumbled under his breath as he walked past Hyun-woo, who was standing in front of the mixed-use building. Being rejected twice in one day, and so swiftly, was harder than he had imagined. How could someone refuse outright without even listening properly to the end?

Despite the unreserved rejection, Tae-jun’s work at the three client sites had been impeccable. Neither during the meetings nor in the car on the way back had he done anything to make Do-ha feel uncomfortable. Of course, there had been no mention of the confession whatsoever.

“Let’s go get some galbi-tang.”

Do-ha slightly furrowed his brow at Hyun-woo’s suggestion. Why was everyone obsessed with galbi-tang today?

“No. I’m tired, just go.”

“You like galbi-tang for a hangover, though.”

Do-ha, who was about to enter his home, stopped at Hyun-woo’s words as he followed him.

“Let’s have some spicy galbi-jjim then.”

He couldn’t eat galbi-tang for dinner after having it for lunch, so Do-ha turned around and headed to a nearby galbi-jjim restaurant. Amusingly, he had fallen asleep again on the way back, so he wasn’t short on sleep. If he went straight home, he’d probably just stew over Tae-jun’s rejecting face.

Since he couldn’t drink alcohol two days in a row, Do-ha gulped down a refreshing cider before the spicy galbi-jjim arrived. He then cast a quick, serious glance at Hyun-woo across the table.

“Is your team leader a woman?”

What kind of absurd new nonsense was this? Do-ha merely shook his head at the question. He was already troubled enough because of the team leader; why bring him up now?

“What about that phone call this morning?”

“A new team leader came, and it’s an extension of work, or something? You know, even if you mess up the promotion exam, you can become a regular employee with a team leader’s recommendation letter.”

Do-ha picked at the salad served as a side dish, answering indifferently.

“Do you think that makes sense?”

“I think it makes absolutely no sense, but as a subordinate, you just have to do as you’re told. What an insufferable guy.”

As soon as the spicy galbi-jjim arrived, Hyun-woo picked up scissors and tongs to debone the ribs. Watching him, Do-ha felt a bitter pang. He suddenly remembered Tae-jun, who had given him so much deboned galbi-tang meat earlier today.

“That’s just how corporate life is.”

Do-ha listened to Hyun-woo’s reply, picking up a piece of meat cut perfectly for eating. The spicy kick on his tongue traveled down his throat, seemingly warming him to his core.

“Exactly. Is being Ivy League enough? Huh? Is being tall and handsome enough?”

Hyun-woo was still deboning the meat, but Do-ha only picked out the tender pieces to eat.

“Really?”

“Yeah. Female employees line up just to get a glimpse of the team leader’s face, and he’s rich too. I heard he’s a dominant Alpha? Wow, has the world always been so full of Alphas and Omegas?”

The luxury sedan he had ridden in today came to mind. Do-ha aggressively speared a potato, heavily soaked in sauce, with his chopsticks, transferred it to his rice bowl, and enthusiastically mixed it in.

“A dominant Alpha?”

“The manager said so. Definitely an Alpha, and seems like a dominant one. We don’t know for sure.”

“And the two of you went out for work today?”

“Phew, this is spicy.”

Do-ha vaguely nodded, then accepted the water glass Hyun-woo offered and drained it in one go. He then pulled out some well-seasoned glass noodles and transferred them to his rice bowl.

“Eat slowly. Is someone going to steal it?”

“Hey, hey, you eat too. Do you think I’m eating it all? Anyway, I’m so incredibly annoyed.”

‘If someone gets a confession, shouldn’t they at least say they’ll think about it? Couldn’t the rejection be a bit softer, like ‘I’m sorry,’ or something? To brush it off without a second’s hesitation. It just makes the person who confessed feel so embarrassed. What? He doesn’t do office romances? So, is he subtly telling me to quit my job?’

Do-ha slurped down the glass noodles. When the spiciness hit him all at once, he looked up at the ceiling, exhaling with a ‘hoo-hoo’ sound.

“Then quit your internship.”

“Are you crazy? Why would I quit my internship! Don’t you know my dream is to be a normal office worker? Is there anywhere I can get hired formally with my grades?”

“Our company.”

“This damn world. Damn bourgeoisie. Are you bragging that your dad is a corporate owner?”

“Whether it’s a parachute hire or whatever, isn’t the point just to get hired?”

Hyun-woo shrugged, as if he didn’t want to hear any more, as Do-ha picked up a piece of rice cake from the galbi-jjim and used it to cover his mouth.

“Ugh, at least I feel a little better after cursing at you.”

Do-ha leaned back in his chair, patted his stomach, and looked down at his cleanly emptied rice bowl. No matter how the day had gone, eating delicious food had significantly improved his slightly gloomy mood.

“Want to go to Gapyeong this weekend?”

“It’s cold.”

Do-ha watched Hyun-woo slowly eat. Come to think of it, Hyun-woo was a pretty good guy. He accepted Do-ha’s personality well, was handsome, and was a kind Alpha who was good at taking care of people. But what good was it? He felt nothing when they were together.

“Are you not seeing anyone these days?”

Hyun-woo was a kind and considerate friend, but he had a flaw: he couldn’t stay with one person for long.

“I guess not. It’s almost the end of the year.”

Do-ha pouted at Hyun-woo’s indifferent reply, spoken as if he were talking about someone else.

“You can date anyone if you just set your mind to it. I’m the problem.”

“Alright, since you brought it up, let me ask. Why don’t you date? Or, are you dating someone without my knowing?”

Hyun-woo’s question hit home. Do-ha merely tapped the empty cup in front of him with his fingertip. He had received a fair number of confessions, but he hadn’t found anyone he connected with.

The real problem was having a one-night stand with someone he fell for at first sight, and then that person becoming his team leader.

“I’m waiting for my fated partner.”

Do-ha sighed deeply.

“Don’t look far. They might be close by.”

“Enough. I’ll pay today.”

Do-ha had expected to be told he was talking nonsense, but Hyun-woo’s serious reply embarrassed him. Seeing that Hyun-woo had finished eating, Do-ha picked up the bill and stood up.

‘I’m not looking far. I’ve already found him, but the problem is I got rejected.’

“If you don’t have plans this weekend, we’re going to Gapyeong.”

After seeing off Hyun-woo’s car, who was still harping on about Gapyeong, Do-ha pulled his collar tighter against the biting cold of the approaching winter.