If You Want Me - Episode 127

<Episode 127>

“Is that so? I had no idea.”

“Yeah. I’m telling you now because it’s okay, but at that time, there was a confidentiality clause that I had to hide the fact that I was being sponsored by S Department Store.”

“I see there are things like that too…”

Seo-won muttered to himself while nodding.

But what’s the reason a department store’s sponsorship of talent shouldn’t be revealed? It’s a good thing, so it seems like it would improve the company’s image… He was curious, but he figured the company had its own reasons for it.

Anyhow, to think that Do-gyeom’s company was the one sponsoring him. Seo-won knew that Do-gyeom’s company provided a lot of support to competent individuals, but he never dreamed that would include Yuncheol.

“Anyway, since I also wanted to study abroad, it was a stroke of luck. Even now, I still find it really amazing. When I submitted my resume to try to get a job at S Department Store, I was eliminated from the document screening, but suddenly they liked me and sponsored me.”

As Yuncheol continued talking, he narrowed his eyes and looked at the void. As if the memory of that day was still vivid, his eyes were filled with flickering emotions. If left alone, it seemed like he would write a whole autobiography about how he had overcome his difficult situation.

As his eyes were becoming moist, Do-gyeom opened his mouth.

“Such coincidences do happen.”

As if he had no particular interest in the touching story. It was a dry voice that shattered the mood.

To someone who didn’t know him, Do-gyeom gave a very cold impression, and speaking and expressing himself like that, he even seemed indifferent.

At that, Yuncheol seemed a bit awkward and wiped his eyes that were becoming moist.

“Ahem, anyway… I’m going to be joining the overseas support team at S Department Store soon. I came to Hawaii to rest a bit before starting, but I never dreamed I would meet the CEO like this. Same with you, Seo-won.”

He revealed that he would soon be joining S Department Store, then carefully made a suggestion while looking at Seo-won and Do-gyeom.

“Um… Since meeting like this is also fate, how about having a drink together in the evening if you have time? I think Seo-won and I will have a lot to catch up on since we haven’t seen each other for a long time. I’d like to have a conversation with the CEO too.”

It seemed he felt it was a shame to end with just greeting each other like this while passing by.

A drink… At Yuncheol’s suggestion, Seo-won couldn’t readily answer and looked at Do-gyeom’s reaction.

Seo-won was once very close with Yuncheol, and it had been several years since they met, so he was happy and wanted to talk more. If possible, he wanted to candidly share what had happened while tilting glasses over a drink.

However, Do-gyeom’s opinion was more important to Seo-won. It’s not like they ran into each other while passing by in Korea, but in the middle of their honeymoon. Knowing how much Do-gyeom had been looking forward to the wedding and honeymoon, having dinner with a complete stranger… Wouldn’t he dislike it?

He should follow Do-gyeom’s opinion. As Seo-won looked up at Do-gyeom and waited for his answer, Do-gyeom frowned one eyebrow as if troubled and smiled slightly.

“I’m sorry, but we’re on our honeymoon.”

“…Ah!”

“It’s Seo-won’s first time coming to Hawaii, so I already made reservations for dinner at a nice place… It’s difficult to change the number of people. Let’s do it next time if there’s a chance.”

Do-gyeom adjusted his hold on Do-ha, emphasizing the child in his arms. Do-ha was obediently held in Do-gyeom’s arms, looking at Yuncheol with sparkling black eyes. They were eyes full of a child’s unique curiosity.

Yuncheol unknowingly made eye contact with Do-ha, then awkwardly scratched his cheek as if realizing belatedly.

“I didn’t think it was a honeymoon. I was about to interfere without reading the situation.”

“It may have been hard to think that way since there’s a child.”

Do-gyeom said generously as if he understood. But he didn’t go out of his way to deny that it was an interference.

It clearly showed in Seo-won’s eyes that while appearing kind, Do-gyeom was erecting an invisible wall.

He understood not wanting their intimate time to be disturbed, but it seemed like he disliked Yuncheol much more than just for that reason. Yuncheol didn’t seem to have done anything particularly annoying in his speech or actions, so why?

As Seo-won was thinking it strange, Do-gyeom made a closing remark.

“I hope fate allows us to meet again next time.”

“Enjoy your honeymoon.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

After exchanging formal greetings, Yuncheol turned around as if not to interfere any further.

It seemed he would leave like that, but before taking a step, Yuncheol turned his body again as if he remembered something. Yuncheol held out his cell phone with a face that seemed to have forgotten something important.

“Right. Seo-won, can you give me your number again? I lost it when my cell phone broke before.”

“Ah, yes. Give me your number too.”

Seo-won took the cell phone from Yuncheol and passed his own to him.

As they exchanged cell phones like that and turned on the messenger, Yuncheol was updated as a new friend. Yuncheol’s profile picture was a photo of himself alone.

“Then I’ll contact you next time. Let’s have a drink together if there’s a chance. Take care.”

“You take care too, sunbae.”

“Okay.”

Unfortunately, the meeting ended there.

He thought their connection would be cut off after that time, but they ended up meeting in Hawaii. If it’s fate, they’ll probably have a chance to keep in touch or meet again next time.

Seo-won looked at Yuncheol’s back as he left, and only when he disappeared from sight did he look at Do-gyeom. Do-gyeom still had a displeased face as if something bothered him.

He watched Yuncheol with a sharp gaze for a moment, then relaxed his expression as if nothing happened and asked Seo-won,

“It’s time for lunch, shall we get up now?”

Do-gyeom naturally changed the subject. It was almost lunchtime… But asking that right after meeting Yuncheol felt a bit unnatural in timing. It felt like someone who urgently wanted to leave this place.

Is it just a feeling? As Seo-won thought for a moment, Do-gyeom asked again when there was no response from him.

“I think we should get up now so we don’t miss the reservation time. Aren’t you hungry?”

“…No. I’m hungry. Let’s go.”

Seo-won looked at Do-gyeom and awkwardly nodded his head.

He felt something was a bit strange, but he probably wouldn’t meet Yuncheol for a while anyway. Saying let’s have a drink next time, that’s something people say out of courtesy.

Thinking that, Seo-won packed up the beach towel they had spread on the beach and walked together with Do-gyeom.

* * *

For lunch, they ate poke, which is a must-try in Hawaii, and played until the sun set. Then they went to the hotel and left Do-ha with Seo-won’s mother for a while.

Seo-won and Do-gyeom enjoyed going around Hawaii here and there with Do-ha, but Seo-won’s mother suggested they should spend some intimate time since it was nominally their honeymoon.

So just the two of them went to a seafood restaurant with a view of Waikiki Beach for an atmospheric dinner. They ordered king crab, which the place was famous for, along with champagne.

They said this was a famous local restaurant. After trying it, he understood why it was renowned. The king crab had plump meat and was seasoned just right. Especially eating it at a prime spot with a view of the ocean made it taste even better.

As Seo-won was diligently eating the delicious and plentiful food, Do-gyeom, who was lightly sipping champagne, looked at Seo-won with satisfaction and asked,

“Is it to your liking?”

“Yes! It’s really delicious. Try some too.”

“I’m already eating well even without you telling me. Shall we make a toast?”

Do-gyeom smiled slyly, saying he was eating well even without being urged. Leisure was evident in his eyes that narrowed into thin lines.

Seeing Do-gyeom’s good mood, Seo-won also felt elated. As they lightly clinked glasses, a refreshing sound of transparent glass colliding rang out.

They ordered the champagne recommended by the restaurant, and it was sweet but had a subtle heavy aftertaste. This kind of alcohol was easy to get drunk on without noticing. Seo-won briefly thought he shouldn’t drink too much, put down his glass, and said to Do-gyeom,

“It was nice being with Do-ha too, but it’s also nice being with just you.”

“Right? It finally feels like we’re really on our honeymoon.”

Do-gyeom nodded in agreement with Seo-won’s sentiment.

Being able to come to such a great place with Do-ha was a huge blessing, but being with a young child, they were busy without being able to take their eyes off him for a moment.

After leaving Do-ha, they gained leisure and Do-gyeom could focus all his attention solely on Seo-won. It felt like they finally regained the honeymoon atmosphere.

As he spoke satisfactorily, Do-gyeom opened his mouth as if he just remembered something.

“Come to think of it, your mother said she’d take care of Do-ha until morning and for us to sleep just the two of us today.”

“What? All of a sudden? She doesn’t have to go that far…”

“She’s taking care of us too, and your mother likes Do-ha so much that she probably wants to sleep together. Do-ha also follows your mother really well, so I think it’ll be fine.”

“That’s true, but…”

After Do-ha was born, Seo-won’s mother practically became a doting grandmother. It seemed she was like that even more because after Seo-won turned out to be a heated omega, she had completely given up hope of seeing a grandchild.

Do-ha also had a quiet and well-behaved personality, so he probably wouldn’t make Seo-won’s mother have too hard of a time… But still, he couldn’t help but worry.

As he was lost in troubling thoughts, Do-gyeom leaned his arms on the table and narrowed the distance between them. As Seo-won looked at him, seeming to say something, Do-gyeom stared at Seo-won’s lips and spoke intimately.

“She may want a honeymoon baby too.”

“What?”

“Want to make our second child today?”