BTBS Ch 10

#010

It was a fact—Kwon Young-jae had zero interest in romance. In the six years Heewon had worked with him, he’d never once seen the man get close to anyone, male or female.

That didn’t mean Kwon Young-jae was actually impotent or anything. Heewon had witnessed his instincts flare up countless times during rut periods. It was just that his desire for achievement far outweighed any sexual desire. There was a reason people called him a workaholic.

And now this man wanted to sponsor an omega? Of course it was shocking.

Either he was seriously pissed off, or he had something else up his sleeve. In any case, Heewon, as his personal secretary, had no choice but to follow orders.

“Please, I’m begging you. Just think it over one more time.”

“Oh, this is so annoying… Look, do I seem like someone who would do sponsorship? Do I seem that desperate?”

“I completely understand how upsetting this must be. If you could just meet with him once and hear him out—”

“Do actors look that easy to you? Keep coming around and I’ll report you for stalking. You see this? I’ve got 112 dialed right now. I’m not joking.”

The actor Kwon had picked was anything but an easy target. The moment he heard the word ‘sponsorship,’ he recoiled in disgust and started snapping at Heewon just for showing his face.

Heewon couldn’t understand why Kwon chose someone like this. If he wanted to have fun with an actor, shouldn’t it at least be someone who needed the money? Seriously, did it have to be this guy?

“I’m sorry. I really am. Please.”

All Heewon could do was apologize and beg. For two straight nights, he stood outside the omega actor’s house, even sleeping in his car. He bowed nonstop. He was sincerely sorry to the man—but he had no choice.

Even now, the rumor that Kwon Young-jae was impotent was spreading like wildfire. If he returned empty-handed, he’d get chewed out for sure, and more than anything, his pride as a secretary wouldn’t allow him to fail.

“Wow… Do you know how intense you are, Mr. Secretary? Who stands in the rain all night like that?”

“Mr. Sun Woojin.”

“Alright, fine. I’ll meet him, just once. I’m not saying I’ll take the sponsor deal, but I’ll meet him because you look so pitiful. I’m kind of curious what kind of guy this is, anyway.”

On the third day, the omega actor finally raised the white flag. He’d been worn down by Heewon, who stood outside through the pouring rain without flinching.

“Thank you. I’ll escort you safely.”

Seeing the secretary, hair soaking wet but still managing a faint smile, Woojin couldn’t help but feel pity. That handsome face didn’t deserve this.

 

 

The first meeting between Kwon Young-jae and Sun Woojin happened in secret.

Contrary to someone making a sponsor proposal, Kwon maintained a stiff, formal attitude the whole time. Heewon, in his role as personal secretary, attended the meeting as well—and learned the true plan.

A one-month contract. Meetings twice a week. They’d be seen entering and exiting hotels, but there’d be no physical intimacy. In public, they’d act like a couple madly in love. The scandal would be staged and released to the press.

It was a full-on showmance. The sponsorship was just a smokescreen, and they needed an actor with good enough skills to pull it off. And the reason it had to be Sun Woojin—

“Kwon Young-ho tried to sponsor you several times, didn’t he?”

—was because Woojin was someone Kwon Young-ho had his eye on. He’d been trying for nearly half a year, but Woojin had seen through Young-ho’s twisted nature early on and kept him at arm’s length.

“This whole family’s a mess. Alphas—ugh, I’ve never liked them.”

“You’re not exactly charming yourself. If it weren’t for Kwon Young-ho, I wouldn’t even be making this proposal.”

It was impressive how cold the air between them stayed despite being an alpha and an omega in the same room. From the very first meeting, Kwon and Woojin didn’t get along.

“You wanted to get rid of Kwon Young-ho, right? We both need something here. Let’s work out a deal.”

“Then I expect to be properly compensated. You know how damaging a scandal can be for an actor, right? If I’m putting my face on the line, I need to get my fair share.”

Amazingly, they found common ground, and the contract was finalized. Heewon brokered the secret sponsorship deal and became the sole witness to this bizarre arrangement.

“All contact will go through Secretary Kim. If you need to reach me, tell him.”

“Perfect. I actually prefer dealing with him anyway.”

For the first time during the meeting, Woojin smiled. He even threw in a wink at Heewon. Being cutesy seemed second nature to him.

“I look forward to working with you, Secretary Kim.”

“Same here.”

Heewon’s polite smile trembled faintly. I’m just doing what I’m told… so why is Executive Director Kwon glaring at me like that? This is so unfair.

 

The fake relationship was going smoothly.

Flower baskets, catered meals, and coffee trucks were delivered almost daily to Woojin’s agency and sets—all personally arranged by Secretary Kim.

He also booked romantic restaurants and occasionally secured hotel rooms. They made a show of being seen together, so naturally, rumors of them dating spread like wildfire. High-definition date photos sealed the deal.

Though it was strictly business, they looked like a sweet, affectionate couple. Kwon flashed elegant, rehearsed smiles in public, and Woojin, as expected of an actor, played the lovestruck omega to perfection.

Of course, once they entered the hotel, they went to separate rooms and only linked arms again on their way out.

Whatever the reality, it was more than enough to make people believe they were together. And just like that, the rumors about Kwon being impotent completely vanished.

“Can you turn off your pheromones? I’m about to throw up.”

“Wow… that was harsh.”

On their way out of a restaurant, Kwon pressed a hand to his mouth with a pained expression, like he genuinely couldn’t stand it anymore. When he started gagging for real, Woojin unlinked their arms and stepped away.

“He’s seriously the worst, isn’t he?”

Heewon only smiled. I agree with you, Mr. Sun Woojin, but I absolutely cannot say that out loud. Please pretend I’m not even here.

“Sir, I think we should cancel the movie plans.”

Kwon really didn’t look well, and Heewon had to prioritize him. He sprayed the air with deodorizer he’d prepared in advance and handed him a bottle of water.

“Let’s do that.”

Kwon drank the water, trying to calm his upset stomach.

“I really wanted to see that movie though…”

“……”

“I even bragged about it on social media already…”

So what? Kwon looked down at Woojin with icy eyes. An omega’s cutesy act didn’t faze him in the slightest.

In response, Woojin tugged at Heewon’s sleeve.

“Secretary Kim, want to go see it with me?”

“Me?”

“Let the Director rest in the car for a bit. Didn’t you rent out the whole theater? No one’ll know who I’m with anyway.”

It was a movie Sun Woojin had really been looking forward to. It had only been screened at overseas film festivals and hadn’t made it to domestic theaters yet, but Kwon Young-jae had gone out of his way to arrange a private screening.

The process hadn’t been easy. The cost alone was one thing, but the secretarial office had spent a full two days just coordinating the arrangements. Even Heewon started feeling it was a bit of a waste to let go of such a rare opportunity.

He stole a glance. When he looked over at Executive Director Kwon, the man scoffed as if in disbelief. The chuckle disappeared quickly, and his thick brows furrowed sharply.

“What are you trying to do?”

“…It wouldn’t be right to let him watch alone, would it?”

“Is Mr. Sun Woojin a child?”

“He’s an omega.”

Omegas, by nature, were beings to be cherished, considered, and protected. Leaving one alone in a dark place was supposedly very dangerous. Even a middle schooler would know that.

“Do as you please.”

Kwon Young-jae spat out his answer coldly and turned around. He snatched the car keys from Heewon’s hand and got into the elevator by himself.

“…Did I just get you scolded for no reason, Secretary Kim?”

“Executive Director Kwon isn’t the type to hold grudges. It’ll be fine.”

“No way, he totally looks like he holds grudges.”

Heewon tried to soothe Woojin. To be honest, when their eyes had met just before the elevator doors closed, it had sent a chill down his spine… but the Kwon Young-jae he knew wouldn’t dwell on things.

 

Two hours and thirty minutes flew by. Since they had the empty theater to themselves, they chatted comfortably while watching the film.

“That was seriously amazing! Thank you so much for watching it with me!”

Sun Woojin couldn’t hide how thrilled he was, constantly reliving the emotional high from earlier. Since it was an art film, it had been a bit dull for Heewon, but seeing Woojin so touched made him feel good, too.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“I actually have a Blu-ray¹ at home from the same director. If you’re interested, I’d love to show it to you. Want to watch it together next time?”

“If there’s a chance, sure.”

Unlike the excited Woojin, Heewon’s attention had been on the parking lot for some time now. The movie had run longer than expected, and the thought of Executive Director Kwon waiting was driving him nuts.

“Secretary Kim, can I call you Heewon hyung? Is that okay?”

“Mr. Sun Woojin, how about we walk just a little faster?”

Talking past each other, they picked up their pace. The sedan parked in the VIP section came into view—and next to it, a tall man leaning against the car.

Heewon hurried ahead. His body bowed instinctively.

“Director, why are you out here?”

“……”

Kwon Young-jae said nothing, just stared down at him in silence. Heewon sharpened his senses, trying to read the man’s mood.

“Get in. We’ll drop off Mr. Sun Woojin, then head back to the office.”

That was all he said before climbing into the back seat. Heewon quickly circled around the vehicle. Just as he sat in the driver’s seat, the passenger door flung open—Woojin took the front seat.

“…You’re sitting in the front?”

“Yes. You don’t like it when I sit in the back. I just want to be comfortable on the way home. That’s okay, right, Executive Director?”

Woojin fastened his seatbelt and asked politely. Heewon glanced into the rearview mirror. Kwon Young-jae, sitting directly behind him, didn’t respond—just kept flipping through his tablet screen.

“…Let’s keep the ride quiet.”

Permission was granted in a flat tone.

Heewon silently sighed and placed his foot on the accelerator. We’re departing now. The moment the words left his mouth, the heavy sedan slid out of the parking lot.

 

The car was filled with Sun Woojin’s chatter.

Kwon Young-jae preferred a quiet ride, so it was rare for anyone to talk this much in the car. Heewon responded to the questions when necessary, all while checking the rear seat through the mirror. Thankfully, Executive Director Kwon didn’t seem particularly bothered.

“The cookies you sent to the set the other day were so pretty, I couldn’t even eat them. I froze them instead. You picked them out, right?”

“Ah… Yes, I did.”

“I’ve never met someone with such great taste. How do you even know all my preferences?”

“Well… they’re all over your social media…”

It was rush hour, and the roads were congested. Constant stop-and-go driving had Heewon on edge. Though he was confident in his skills, he wasn’t quite on a driver’s level, and the thought of making the person in the back seat uncomfortable made him anxious.

To make things worse, Woojin was incredibly sociable. Since earlier, his tone had grown more familiar, and the questions kept coming. His gentle omega voice was pleasant enough, but there was a limit to how much Heewon could respond to.

Just then, the light changed, and as Heewon accelerated—Suddenly, a car from the adjacent lane cut in without warning.

Beeeeeep!

Heewon slammed on the brakes and reached out to shield the passenger. The sudden stop jerked their bodies forward with a violent jolt.

“Executive Director! Are you all right?”

He quickly twisted around to check on Kwon. Fortunately, the man only looked a little startled—otherwise unshaken and perfectly composed.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

He asked again, but Kwon Young-jae didn’t reply. He just kept staring at something.

More precisely—at the omega’s chest where Heewon’s right arm had landed to brace him, and at Woojin’s face, who was clinging to that arm, looking utterly dumbfounded. His cheeks flushed red, lips slightly parted.

His wide eyes were filled with nothing but Secretary Kim. The longer Kwon looked, the deeper his brows furrowed.

This is… seriously annoying.

The calm he had forced on himself started unraveling again.