MJ | Chapter 8

On the way home, Mina hummed along to the music. Opening the window, cold air rushed in. Sticking her head out, she saw a strange car parked near the orphanage and craned her neck. It looked expensive.

“Oppa, look.”

“I see it.”

Jungin’s face hardened at the sight of the car. Were the loan sharks back? He parked and hurried inside, where the kids playing in the yard rushed to him.

“Hyung!”

“Jungin oppa!”

After patting the kids’ heads, he saw an unfamiliar man standing by the main room. The man, in a suit and standing at attention like a soldier, turned his gaze to Jungin. He nodded in greeting, and Jungin returned it.

Just then, the sliding door opened, and an unfamiliar man stepped out. Wearing glasses, he was thin and stern-looking. Thankfully, he didn’t seem like a loan shark. The man greeted Jungin politely.

Behind him, Jungin’s mother, Kim Eun-hye, followed. The man said goodbye to her and Jungin before leaving in his car.

“Mom, who were those people?”

Mina asked curiously, and Kim Eun-hye led Jungin into the main room instead of answering. Grandma was napping inside, and on the small kitchen table were teacups from the recent guests.

“What’s going on? Who were they? Did they come for Uncle?”

“They were Grandpa’s guests.”

Strange. Grandpa passed away decades ago.

“Grandpa?”

“Yeah. I don’t know what’s going on either.”

She sat at the table, looking troubled, and drank cold water. She’d worried the visitors were about her brother-in-law’s trouble, but they claimed to be acquaintances of her late father-in-law.

They explained they wanted to repay a debt of gratitude to the late company’s founding chairman, who had been helped by her father-in-law.

Kim Eun-hye was puzzled. She’d never heard such a story in the ten years since she married into the family. Her husband hadn’t either. She’d ask her mother-in-law, but she was lost in her 20s today. And the strangest part…

She looked at Jungin with a confused expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“They asked about you.”

“Me?”

“They wanted to know if you’re an omega.”

Even after saying it, she watched her son’s reaction. Jungin had been thought to be an omega until he was confirmed a beta at eighteen. It’s rare for a beta to be born from an omega and alpha, but Jungin was that case.

He’d lived as an omega for 18 years, only to have it change suddenly, which was hard for him. He visited the hospital repeatedly to confirm it. It felt like the sky was falling.

But the sky didn’t give him time to grieve. Before he could fully accept it, his father died suddenly. Thinking about it still broke Kim Eun-hye’s heart.

“Jungin.”

Her eyes showed pain, but Jungin seemed unfazed.

“Don’t worry. I don’t care about that anymore.”

As he spoke calmly, he thought of Kim Hajun from two days ago. Trying to calm his frustration, he poured cold water, and Grandma appeared at the door. Her eyes were lively, suggesting her mind was clear.

She reached out to Jungin.

“My Jungin, when did you come?”

Lowering himself, he leaned his face on her small shoulder, and she patted his back. I missed you so much, dear. She’d forgotten his recent visit. Jungin cupped her face, smiling.

“I came to see Kim Mija.”

She playfully hit his arm. Don’t tease me, dear. My name’s Kim Okran, not Kim Mija. Remembering her name correctly, she seemed mentally sound. Kim Eun-hye seized the moment to ask about her late father-in-law. Did she know anything? Kim Okran’s wrinkled eyelids furrowed.

“I don’t know.”

“Think carefully.”

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a while, she said she couldn’t remember, and Kim Eun-hye sighed softly. In hindsight, it felt reckless to let strangers claiming to know her late father-in-law into the house.

***

“Beta?”

Chairman Kim’s face hardened at Secretary Yoon’s words. He remembered Ryu Deokgu as an alpha and his wife as an omega. They had two children, both alphas. But they had a beta?

“He was initially deemed an omega but confirmed as a beta during manifestation. It’s rare but not unheard of.”

Chairman Kim reviewed the documents again. They still listed him as an omega.

“Due to family issues, they couldn’t update the records immediately. Most people still think he’s an omega.”

Hmm, Chairman Kim pondered. Turning another page, his eyes widened slightly. Yangil High School graduate? The same school Kim Hajun attended while recovering. Reading Chairman Kim’s expression, Secretary Yoon explained.

“He wasn’t in the same class as Kim Hajun. I’ll ask Housekeeper Seo for details.”

Chairman Kim told him to leave it. Even if they knew each other, as long as they weren’t enemies, it was fine.

“Secretary Yoon.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Where does this person work?”

“He runs a tattoo shop in Itaewon.”

“Tattoo?”

“He does tattooing.”

Hmm. Chairman Kim thought deeply. Not being an omega was unfortunate, but it might be better. Kim Hajun wouldn’t develop feelings for a contract partner anyway.

“Is Hajun’s travel ban in place?”

“Yes.”

He removed his glasses and leaned back. His eyes focused on Ryu Jungin’s photo. A strikingly handsome man. Placed next to Kim Hajun, they made quite a picture. He shifted his gaze to Secretary Yoon.

“Clear my schedule for tomorrow afternoon. I need to see him myself.”

***

“What did Lee Haesoo say?”

“He’s furious. He couldn’t believe the CEO would do that. I barely stopped him from coming over this morning.”

“Great. Let him come. We’ll see who’s at fault.”

Savoring the freshly brewed tea, Hajun sighed lightly. After a night of nightmares, he was exhausted, and dealing with an actor from the morning was annoying. He’d been a headache even before, and recently caused a big issue, losing a role to another agency’s actor.

“Let’s terminate his contract. We have enough reasons, and Lee Haesoo can’t argue.”

“Are you serious?”

“Do I sound like I’m joking?”

Seeing Hajun’s cold demeanor, Dooyoung fell silent. He usually acted carefree but could be as cold as ice at times. He seemed friendly with everyone but subtly drew lines, cutting off those who crossed them.

But today, Kim Hajun’s face looked unusually bad. His eyes were hollow, clearly showing he hadn’t slept.

“Didn’t you sleep well?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Got pissed off by an old man.”

Hajun put down the teacup and stared at it. It was a lie. He could just refuse to marry. He’d done it before. His grandfather was gone, and with his grandmother firmly on his side, his father couldn’t force him.

The real reason for his sleeplessness was different. He had a shitty dream. It had been over a decade, but it felt as vivid as yesterday. He hadn’t dreamt it recently, but seeing that face must have triggered it.

Hajun called the seated Lee Dooyoung.

“Dooyoung.”

“Yes, CEO.”

“This is about my friend.”

“Yes.”

“He ran into an ex on the street. The ex smiled and greeted him first.”

“That happens…”

“They broke up in a shitty way.”

“How?”

Hajun’s eyes darkened before returning to normal.

“That’s not important.”

“Oh.”

“But my friend responded with ‘Who are you?'”

Hearing it, Dooyoung frowned and sighed as if it were his own story. Ahh.

“Isn’t that stupid?”

“Yes.”

“……”

“Is that it?”

Unaware of Hajun’s glare, Dooyoung added thoughtlessly.

“He should’ve greeted them coolly. That would’ve been cooler, right?”

“……”

“That’s really cringy. Not even a kid, saying ‘Who are you?’ Oh, that friend must’ve kicked their blanket in embarrassment.”

“……”

“CEO?”

Hajun frowned deeply.

“Aren’t you busy?”

“What?”

“Do you have time to chat with me here?”

He’d started the conversation, but now he was picking a fight, leaving Dooyoung bewildered. As Dooyoung blinked in confusion, Hajun silently picked up the teacup, went to his desk, and returned with a pile of work, throwing it at Dooyoung. Staring at the files, Dooyoung’s mouth fell open.

“What’s all this?”

“Last year’s sales report. There’s a mistake.”

There couldn’t be. Dooyoung was thorough with work.

“Where’s the mistake?”

“How should I know? You find it.”

As Dooyoung stared in disbelief, Hajun waved him away. Dooyoung gathered the files, feeling baffled. Was it menopause? He couldn’t understand why Hajun was acting this way after talking about a friend.

As he left with the pile of work, Hajun called again. Hey, Lee Dooyoung. His voice was soft, raising expectations, but he said something cryptic.

“Do you think you wouldn’t react the same?”

“What?”

“Do you think you’d be cool if you suddenly met them?”

“……”

“Ah, forget it. Go.”

Watching him turn away like a sulky kid, Dooyoung grimaced. What’s with him, really.