Contract Marriage with Memory Loss on Top - Chapter 9
“This was a department store? No wonder the interior was so spacious… But it’s okay for me to come in too, right?”
Since we only briefly looked around the lobby before heading straight to the elevator, I didn’t think it would be a department store. As the company’s executive director, Ki-won must have access rights, but I started to worry whether it was really alright for me to enter as well. Above all, if it’s a restaurant that opens on a preview business day, it must be a place that company employees use. I was concerned that we might run into employees and it would be awkward for Ki-won.
“What could be wrong with it?”
“But I’m not related to this place…”
“How could my spouse be unrelated to my company?”
At Ki-won’s resolute answer, Yeon-woo’s worries gradually dissipated. Soon the elevator stopped at the top floor and Yeon-woo carefully got off. When I only saw the lobby, I was doubtful, but the upper floors had a clear department store atmosphere.
Perhaps because I set foot in a space that only authorized people could enter, my heart was fluttering for no reason. I felt like I became someone important and it was an odd feeling. Just as my shoulders were naturally tensing up, Yeon-woo stopped at the entrance of the restaurant. It was because Ki-won, who was walking ahead well, turned to look back at him.
“Why?”
“Come here for a sec.”
Is some kind of entry pass needed? Yeon-woo took a big step forward. However, for Ki-won that distance was not enough as he grabbed Yeon-woo’s arm and pulled him. Their bodies that were already close stuck together without any gap in an instant.
‘What if someone sees…!’
Yeon-woo, whose eyes turned rabbit-like, tried to escape from Ki-won’s embrace but failed miserably. It was because Ki-won buried his nose in the nape of Yeon-woo’s neck. Yeon-woo, shrinking at the ticklish breath touching him, called Ki-won in a trembling voice.
“Hyu-hyung…! Suddenly, euk… It tickles!”
Despite Yeon-woo’s desperate plea, Ki-won was persistent.
What if someone sees? Ki-won was an executive whose face was well-known. Yeon-woo was worried that another employee might see this and click their tongue, but unlike his thought, there was no one around.
Hot heat rose to his face. The man’s hair was tickling Yeon-woo’s earlobe. Yeon-woo sharply inhaled and bit his lower lip, and soon after Ki-won voluntarily pulled away.
‘Huh…?’
Even though he escaped from Ki-won’s arms, his lingering scent on the tip of Yeon-woo’s nose did not disappear. It felt like Ki-won was still sticking right next to him. Is it the remnant of his cologne? Yeon-woo slightly tilted his head. It was too vague for that. It wasn’t an artificial scent like perfume. It was faintly permeated so it was ambiguous, but this was like…
“Seems okay now.”
As if he left a marking… Yeon-woo stopped his thought and looked up at Ki-won. He was wondering what on earth this situation was. Yeon-woo’s twitching lips contained countless questions, but could not make any sound.
Ki-won placed his hand on Yeon-woo’s reddened cheek. The flesh under his eyes that was touched by Ki-won’s fingertips trembled.
“You were in heat cycle. Even though you said you took suppressants, it seems like some pheromone scent remained.”
“Then this is…”
“You don’t feel strange or anything, right? It’s my first time trying this on someone too.”
Meaningless sounds flowed out between slightly parted teeth. Yeon-woo, who was hesitating, eventually dropped his eyes to the floor. Yeon-woo, who belatedly realized the meaning, blushed. Yeon-woo, whose eyes reddened to the point of ripening, exhaled a shaky breath.
Ki-won layered his pheromones on Yeon-woo’s body. Perhaps he released a very small amount so the other person wouldn’t get excited, as he said, Yeon-woo didn’t feel strange, but oddly his emotions were floating up. So this is how hyung’s pheromones feel. Yeon-woo took a deep breath to smell the scent permeated in his body.
“Are you upset that I did it without permission?”
“How could I be…”
Although entry was controlled so there weren’t many people, it was a public place. If the remnants of his heat cycle leaked out in a place like this, not only Yeon-woo but also Ki-won could be in trouble.
“I’m rather thankful.”
Alphas were usually sensitive to pheromones. When he buried his nose in the nape of Yeon-woo’s neck where the pheromone gland was located, he must have smelled the lingering scent that wasn’t erased. Yeon-woo fully trusted Ki-won’s words and judgment.
‘I should have endured it even if it was ticklish.’
Looking back, it seemed his reaction was excessive. Yeon-woo let out a deep sigh at the belatedly arriving embarrassment. He didn’t want to act like a fool, but nothing was going his way.
***
The meal with Ki-won was not just satisfying, it was the best. The food he usually prepares is good too, but the tender steak eaten in a place with great ambience was fantastic. Above all, since only the chef and a few staff members existed in the restaurant besides them, a comfortable meal was possible.
‘Did I eat too much?’
Once his stomach was somewhat full, reason returned. Yeon-woo, who drank water to rinse his mouth one last time, sneakily glanced at Ki-won.
Unlike the countless empty plates in front of Yeon-woo, Ki-won’s seat was neat. He seemed to have finished his meal long ago and was leaning his body at an angle, observing Yeon-woo.
‘I hope I didn’t eat like a glutton.’
To put it nicely, he ate heartily. Yeon-woo was retracing the situation from just a few minutes ago and groaning. Since there was never a time he ate mindlessly, he was perplexed at himself.
“Should I order more for you?”
If I eat more here, I think my stomach will burst.
Instead of answering, Yeon-woo shook his head from side to side. There must be a side effect of increased appetite with suppressants. Yeon-woo, who became embarrassed, firmly closed his tightly drawn lips.
“I’m glad you seem to like it.”
Ki-won pointed his chin at the steak that was already on its third plate. Usually, Yeon-woo did not eat more than the appropriate amount. Although he’s not picky with food, he’s the type to quickly put down his chopsticks because of his small appetite.
“I learned for the first time today that I can eat this much.”
Yeon-woo replied while rubbing his bulging stomach.
“Are we going home now?”
“I’m contemplating.”
Yeon-woo tilted his head at the ambiguous answer. You either go home or you don’t, what’s there to contemplate?
“I have free time for once in a long while, so it’s a shame to just go back in.”
Indeed, the Ki-won that Yeon-woo knew was a person so busy that it was surprising he didn’t have chronic fatigue. Even on weekends when he could rest, if he was unlucky, he sometimes went to meetings because of overseas clients. Yeon-woo, with a serious face, nodded his head repeatedly, empathizing with his thoughts.
“Should we go play somewhere?”
“Play? At this hour?”
Regardless of what playful activity he meant, the time was quite ambiguous. It will get even colder once it gets completely dark. Yeon-woo examined the view beyond the window. Although it’s not dark yet, the sun was setting slowly.
‘It would be a bit much to just go back home like this.’
Thanks to Ki-won, he was able to have a fulfilling meal in a place with great atmosphere. Yeon-woo decided to match his opinion as a way of repaying him.
“Okay. But where are we going?”
Even if he said let’s play, Ki-won didn’t seem like the type to suggest anything unusual. Yeon-woo thought of normal places like going for a drive, the movie theater, or a cafe. However, what came out between his teeth was something completely outside of Yeon-woo’s guesses.
“I heard there’s an arcade nearby.”
‘Arcade?’
It wasn’t even close to his expectations. Yeon-woo, who doubted his own ears, eventually narrowed his eyes. It was a place that didn’t suit Ki-won at all.
“You like claw machines, Yeon-woo.”
Yeon-woo almost dropped the glass of water he was holding. Come to think of it, he had told that lie to the man when he urgently needed money.
‘I hope I was managing my expression well.’
Yeon-woo, who wiped his mouth with a tissue, sneakily stroked the muscles around his lips with his fingertips. He should have noticed when Ki-won mentioned the arcade. Only then did Yeon-woo pretend to be excited and gave a forced smile. To the point he was concerned he might get a cramp.
“That’s right…! I like, I like it!”
“I heard the department store also plans to have an arcade.”
“Wow… Is that so?”
He raised the end of his words with all his might, worrying it might sound lifeless. Yeon-woo finely controlled his facial muscles that were about to cramp.
“I want to scout how the nearby arcade looks like, and I want to see you playing the claw machine.”
Ki-won rolled up his sleeve as if checking his wristwatch.
“We have plenty of time. Yeon-woo, you can play the claw machine you like as much as you want.”
I’m doomed. Yeon-woo struggled to twist the corners of his mouth that threatened to droop again.
“You don’t want to?”
The silence must have been long. Yeon-woo waved his hand, trying to act like it was fine.
“No! I’d love to. I was thinking of going back anyway.”
Yeon-woo acted regretful, trying to reinforce that he’s not good at claw machines. Even when he mentioned the part-time job back then, he didn’t say he was good at it, so there was no problem. The only trouble was pretending to look forward to an arcade machine he had no interest in.
He didn’t want to lie to Ki-won, but the situation wasn’t helping him. Yeon-woo’s lips drew an arc half a beat late.
“Then shall we go?”
Ki-won took the lead first and Yeon-woo followed. He would have to act excited when playing the claw machine too. One thing for sure was that he shouldn’t show any signs of boredom.
Perhaps because he had gotten used to being supported by him in the meantime. Lost in thought, Yeon-woo unconsciously grabbed Ki-won’s arm as if embracing it. Only after walking for a while did he realize what he had done.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I was thinking about something else…”
He suddenly worried that Ki-won endured it for his sake even though sticking close must have been uncomfortable. Yeon-woo quickly pulled away from his side. Ki-won looked down at his right arm that became empty in an instant with a dazed gaze.