MW 21

“Hmm. Do you think you can do a good job? It would be a problem for us too if you quit after a week or two saying it’s too hard.”

At his part-time job interview, Yijae was met with a gaze that scanned him over with narrowed eyes. He nodded his head vigorously as if to say he could do it well.

“If you just trust me with the work, I can do everything really well. Please believe me.”

“You’re a Beta, right? An Alpha wouldn’t be doing a part-time job, and Omegas are a pain with their monthly heat cycles and all that.”

At those words, Yijae’s conscience pricked him, but he just kept nodding his head awkwardly with his lips pressed firmly together. The manager, who had been scanning the resume Yijae had filled out, asked him.

“You have no part-time work experience at all? Is it because you’re only 20?”

“Yes, yes….”

“Then can you start working right away, from today? We have a wedding ceremony this afternoon and we’re short on staff.”

“Ye-Yes, I can!”

Although the lack of experience was a bit concerning, with wedding ceremonies flooding in without a single empty time slot on weekends, every single pair of hands was precious. The manager placed the resume on one side of the table and opened his mouth.

“Your looks are a perfect fit for the banquet hall. Hmm, for now, I’ll see how you work this month and then decide whether to move you or not, so work hard.”

“Thank you!”

It had only been a few hours since his procedure, so his body felt heavy and exhausted, but Yijae was not in a position to be picky. It was because he was spending more money than he had expected while attending school. From textbook fees and department dues to the transportation costs he needed right away.

Chairman Goo had given him a card to use when needed, but he was well aware that it would all come back to him as his own debt.

Hadn’t the chairman, when Yijae previously said he couldn’t live like this anymore, handed him a file detailing the amount of money spent on his mother’s hospital bills, demanding repayment by saying it was all a debt? That was why Yijae decided to start saving money, even if it was just little by little, from now on.

Yijae put on the clothes the manager handed him and changed his shoes, then moved to the 4th-floor hall as he was instructed.

“Hello.”

“Ah, are you new? Your name is… Mr. Seo Yijae?”

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw people who looked incredibly busy. A woman who introduced herself as the manager pointed to one side as she briefly explained the tasks he had to do.

“That side over there is divided into sections A, B, C, and D. Mr. Seo Yijae, you’ll mainly be in charge of sections A and B. Put the empty plates on the cart and take them to the kitchen, and when the guests have finished eating and left, wipe the table clean and then set up just three things: paper cups, napkins, and table mats. Did you get all that?”

“Ah, yes!”

The sounds of people talking and moving, and the clattering of plates all mixed together, making it impossible to think straight. Yijae’s eyes widened to avoid making any mistakes as he approached the section she had pointed to.

“Thank you.”

Without even time to wipe the food off his hands, he continued the work of stacking three or four heavy plates on one hand and moving them to the cart. Just as his wrist was starting to ache as if it would break, the manager approached and spoke to Yijae.

“Yijae, we’re short-staffed in section D. Hurry over and help them out.”

“Yes, Manager.”

Letting out a small sigh inwardly, he looked at the tables that were a mess after a large group had just left and quickened his pace. As Yijae was clearing away food and empty dishes and setting the tables to welcome the next wave of guests, he was startled by a sudden hand on his butt and whipped his head around.

“Just as I thought. It really is you, pretty boy?”

“Ah, ah….”

Yijae barely managed to stay on his feet, putting strength into his legs to keep from collapsing right there. How could he ever forget this man? He was the Alpha he had run into at the school’s main gate a few months ago. The person who had ripped his clothes and threatened him with his face buried in the nape of his neck.

“Hic….”

His body began to tremble on its own, and his breath caught in his throat. Clang, the plate in Yijae’s hand fell and rolled on the floor. He could feel people’s gazes gathering in one place upon hearing the sound.

No, if this happens on the first day….

The hall manager approached Yijae, whose face had turned deathly pale, and asked.

“Yijae, are you okay? You were doing so well, why all of a sudden…. Oh, Yoonchan, you’re here?”

“Yeah, sis. I heard you were busy today, so I came to help out. I think this guy’s arms gave out. I’ll finish cleaning up here. You can go check on the other areas!”

The man, who spoke familiarly with the manager while putting on a friendly face, was apparently named Yoonchan.

“Ah, could you do that? I was so busy, so thank you, Yoonchan.”

“Aw, it’s nothing.”

Is this man a staff member here too? The way he laughed and joked with the manager seemed extremely close. Yijae felt goosebumps from the man’s hand on his waist, but he could only squeeze his eyes shut, unable to push him away.

The man lowered his head towards Yijae’s face and whispered softly in his ear.

“As far as I know, they don’t hire Omegas here.”

Yijae’s body stiffened at his voice, and he lifted his trembling eyelids to look at Yoonchan. Meeting Yijae’s eyes, he curved his lips into a smirk and continued.

“Why are you leaking your Omega scent all over the place here?”

“D-Don’t….”

To Yijae, who was looking around with a face full of fear that someone might see, Yoonchan pulled his waist in with even more force and whispered.

“If you don’t want to get fired, quietly follow me after we finish. Got it?”

The tone was clearly a threat, and Yijae had no choice but to nod. Only then did Yoonchan let him go with a satisfied look and speak out as if for others to hear, feigning concern, “Are you okay?”

“What are you doing, not smiling.”

He gripped Yijae’s arm tightly, still wearing that good-natured expression. Yijae forced his trembling lips into a smile, swallowing down the tears that threatened to burst forth.

“You did very well, even though it was your first day. Here, today’s pay. By any chance, can you come in tomorrow too?”

Yijae looked down at the envelope in his hand. Among all the places he had looked into, this one had the highest hourly wage. The thought of Yoonchan made him want to work just for today and run away, but seeing the money in his hand made even that difficult. When asked if he could come tomorrow, Yijae ended up giving a small, reluctant nod.

“Great. Mr. Seo Yijae, just work here a little longer to get used to it, and it won’t be too hard once you move to the wedding hall.”

The manager, worried the part-timer might run away, didn’t spare any words of encouragement and waved with a bright smile.

‘Should I run away? Should I just pretend I don’t know and go home?’

That thought never left Yijae’s mind the entire time he was in the locker room changing his clothes. His fingers kept fumbling with the shirt buttons, and just as he finally managed to take off the shirt and was about to change into the sweatshirt he had come in,

Slam, the door opened and Yoonchan came inside. Spotting Yijae changing, he raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth.

“What’s this, were you already getting undressed for me to take you?”

Yijae’s heart sank at Yoonchan’s playful tone as he approached. He hurriedly put on the sweatshirt and backed away, but Yoonchan was faster in reaching him. In an instant, Yoonchan snatched his wrist, his eyes gleaming as he spoke.

“Back then, I was in so much fucking pain I wanted to kill you. But seeing you like this, I feel like I’m starting to soften up… I guess being pretty is the best, huh? Have you been well?”

“D-Don’t touch me!”

When Yijae pushed Yoonchan and shouted, his expression crumpled, and he immediately raised his other hand and said threateningly.

“Who said anything about eating you up? Fucking nagging and making a fuss.”

Yijae grew afraid of what he might do, seeing him spew profanities with a vicious face. The memory of that day resurfaced, and his vision went white.

“How could an Omega even think of getting a part-time job? Besides, I think your pheromones are leaking. Did no one say anything?”

“Heuk….”

“Ah, why are you crying already when I haven’t even done anything? But you really look just like him. Anyone would think you’re twins.”

He grabbed Yijae’s chin and examined his face from side to side, narrowing his eyes as if finding the resemblance to Dohae strange. As Yoonchan stared, his red lips came into view. Last time, he had been too flustered by the force of the sudden bite on his arm to properly finish the job, but it was different now.

He might be a recessive, but he was still an Alpha; there was no way he would be overpowered by a small Omega like this again. Heh, with a smirk, he slipped his hand inside Yijae’s sweatshirt.

He heard a soft gasp, hiik, and the smooth skin touched Yoonchan’s fingertips. Because of his slender frame, he could feel the sharp protrusion of his bones, but the sensation that wrapped around his fingers was good.

Just as Yoonchan, breathing with increasing excitement, was about to start moving his hand in earnest, the cell phone in his pants pocket vibrated, snapping him back to reality.

“Ah, fuck! Who is it at a time like this!”

Grinding his teeth, he pulled his head away and took out his phone irritably to look at the screen. His brow furrowed into a deep frown, but upon seeing the name displayed as ‘Moneybags,’ he let out a long sigh.

“Hello.”

—Hey, Kim Yoonchan. Get to Hidden right now.

“I’m at work right now.”

—Ah! Like you do that much. I’ll give you a big one, so hurry up and get over here. Fuck, I’m about to die because of Oh Seokmin.

Assholes. Mouthing the word, he then replied that he understood and hung up the phone.

“Wow, pretty boy, you sure are lucky. Hey, put your number in.”

Yoonchan handed his phone to Yijae and urged him on as he stared down at the hesitant hand.

“Aren’t you gonna hurry up? Should I go tell the manager right now?”

“N-No….”

Clenching his fists, Yijae took Yoonchan’s phone and slowly typed in his number. After calling it to confirm that it was Yijae’s number, Yoonchan finally smiled in satisfaction and put his phone away.

“I’m busy today, so let’s meet tomorrow or next week, okay? Answer my calls right away. Got it?”

He didn’t know why he had to, but for now, Yijae nodded just to escape the current moment. Yoonchan gave Yijae’s cheek a small pinch, then turned and left the locker room. Only then did Yijae collapse to the floor, trying to calm his racing heart.

He had no memory of how he got home after that; his mind was a complete blank. As soon as he reached his room, he locked the door, sat in a corner hugging his knees, and closed his eyes, clutching at his wildly beating heart.

“I don’t think I can. If I go back there….”

After finally coming to his senses, Yijae realized what he had almost been subjected to. He moved his trembling fingers to type a text message.

I’m sorry, but due to personal reasons, I don’t think I can come in starting tomorrow. I’m truly sorry.