NLFSD Chapter 33

Chapter 33

To make matters worse, the top three buttons of Seo Taecheon’s shirt were undone, revealing his firm chest in full view.

Oh my god, dear Lord, Buddha, Allah—please.

Jiwoon barely managed to suppress the scream bubbling inside him, clamping a hand over his mouth.

That rustling must have made a sound. Seo Taecheon stirred slightly, as if waking up. Jiwoon held his breath and froze in place. He was afraid that if Seo Taecheon woke up, he might turn his back to him—or worse, move his arm away from beneath Jiwoon’s head.

Just let me stay like this a little longer… please…!

Unfortunately, it seemed the Director had fully woken up.

“Mm…”

“Ah, you’re awake.”

“I heard some noise… How are you feeling?”

Seo Taecheon spoke without loosening his embrace. Jiwoon had expected him to move his arm, but since he didn’t, Jiwoon’s heart pounded even harder.

“I-I’m fine now. I feel refreshed.”

“That’s good to hear… Let’s sleep a little more.”

“Sorry?”

As he said this, Seo Taecheon tightened his arm, pulling Jiwoon closer into his embrace.

W-wait, what is this? Is he doing this in his sleep? Maybe it’s a habit? Like, when he sleeps with a partner? Maybe he thinks I’m one of his past Omegas or something…?!

If that’s the case, it feels a little sad. Or maybe I’m just feeling sore about it…

Jiwoon had spent his entire twenties working part-time jobs and preparing for employment, never once experiencing a relationship. Seo Taecheon was the first Alpha he had ever been this physically close to, the first he’d ever shared a bed with.

BBG must have dated a lot, right? He’s handsome, rich, and even won first place in the popularity vote during that “Love Village” thing—so clearly, he has all the appeal that draws Omegas in. Above all, he had the time and resources to date. He must’ve gone out with several Omegas.

But then… why hasn’t he gotten married?

Among wealthy Alphas and Omegas, it was common to marry earlier than Betas. Wanting to secure superior genes and powerful family backgrounds, parents often pushed their children into the marriage market at a young age, sometimes even arranging engagements in advance.

The Director must’ve been extremely popular in that market. If he had wanted to meet a beautiful and capable Omega, he certainly could have.

So why did he end up entangled with me? Someone who has nothing… Even if it was just a passing incident, we were, if only briefly, connected under the name of “married.”

I don’t get it. It’s all so confusing and complicated.

Before he knew it, Jiwoon had completely forgotten about his thirst. Drowsiness crept back in, and he buried his face into Seo Taecheon’s chest.

The sunlight was too bright, and Jiwoon frowned as he opened his eyes. When he looked at the wall clock, it was already 9 a.m.

“Yawn…”

As he stretched and turned to the side, he found that he was lying alone. He was just a second away from leaving a drool mark on the pillow—he quickly wiped his mouth and sat up. There was no sign of the Director anywhere in the room.

Where’d he go? Did he leave for Seoul without me…?

As Jiwoon looked around in confusion, the bathroom door opened and Seo Taecheon stepped back into the room. With a towel draped over his head, it was clear he had already showered.

“You’re up?”

“Yes.”

“You should wash up too.”

“Okay.”

“Here’s a towel.”

Seo Taecheon handed him a dry towel. As their fingers brushed, Jiwoon was suddenly reminded of the warmth he had felt when they’d slept in each other’s arms the night before—and he flushed with embarrassment.

Wait… after sleeping so intimately together last night, why is he acting so formal now?

Inside the bathroom, Jiwoon leaned against the wall and took a long moment to calm his breathing. It felt like the heat from last night was still clinging to his entire body. He wanted to wash it all away with cold water.

Ugh, this is painful.

The moment you become aware of your feelings, everything becomes so hard. Sob, sob.

Jiwoon let a few tears fall in the shower, overwhelmed by emotion.

When he stepped out after finishing, Seo Taecheon was styling his hair. Outside the wide-open door, the landlady stood in the yard, hands behind her back, watering her flowers.

“Oh, you’re awake.”

“Yes. Did you sleep well?”

“I don’t sleep much in the mornings. More importantly, is your indigestion better now?”

“Yes, I’m fine now.”

As Jiwoon awkwardly scratched the back of his head, the landlady waved her hand in relief.

“That’s good. Your boyfriend asked me to make some rice porridge, so I’m cooking it now. Just wait a little longer.”

“Wait… boyfriend?”

“Yeah. That one, your boyfriend.”

She pointed directly at the person sitting inside the room—Seo Taecheon.

“Uh… uh…”

Sure, to others, it may have looked like they were a couple. But “boyfriend” wasn’t quite right… To be precise, they were a soon-to-be-divorced couple. Not exactly something you could explain easily.

As Jiwoon hesitated, the landlady added,

“Your boyfriend was really worried. Said if it came to it, he was ready to carry you to the hospital.”

“Excuse me?”

“He was practically begging for a needle to prick your hand since there wasn’t any digestive medicine. You’re lucky to have a boyfriend like him.”

“Ah…”

Jiwoon was genuinely surprised. He had no idea the Director had worried about him that much. With his usual indifferent expression, it had been impossible to guess.

Maybe… the Director has feelings for me too?

A small flicker of hope and anticipation rose inside Jiwoon.

When he returned to the room, Seo Taecheon was standing in front of a full-length mirror.

“The landlady is making porridge for us.”

“Yeah. I figured you should still be careful.”

He answered while towel-drying his still-damp hair. Seo Taecheon usually styled his hair in a neat, masculine way, but today—probably because he didn’t have any hair products—his hair hung down naturally.

Jiwoon had seen him like this often at home, but seeing him like this outside their usual environment gave him a fresh impression.

He looks younger. Boyish, even. I didn’t realize I liked this kind of look… someone who’s manly yet has a gentle charm.

“…Thank you for last night. I feel completely better now thanks to your care.”

Jiwoon spoke up awkwardly.

“It’s the least I could do between spouses.”

Seo Taecheon replied casually, and Jiwoon was stunned.

“W-what?”

“Looks like the porridge is done. I’ll go bring it.”

“Ah… okay.”

He turned to see the landlady approaching with a tray. Seo Taecheon rushed out to take the tray from her and brought it back into the room.

“Beef and vegetable porridge. Let it cool a bit before eating.”

“Ah, thank you.”

The finely blended porridge was mild and gentle on the stomach. After just a few spoonfuls, Jiwoon started to feel stronger and more at ease.

After finishing the entire bowl, he downed the accompanying plum tea in one go.

“Drink it slowly. If you get indigestion again, you’re out of luck.”

“I am drinking slowly.”

Seo Taecheon, who had already finished his porridge, rested his chin on his hand and quietly watched Jiwoon sip his tea. Jiwoon pretended not to notice but kept sneaking glances at him.

He even asked the landlady to make porridge for me. That’s no small gesture. And earlier, he said so casually that he’d do that much for his ‘spouse.’

Could he actually… be interested in me?

Jiwoon’s hopes soared even higher.

After breakfast and a bit of rest, the two of them tidied up the room before noon.

They hadn’t done anything particularly intimate under the rose-patterned blankets, but they had fallen asleep in each other’s arms and shared some tender care. So Jiwoon consoled himself—it hadn’t been a total loss.

“We’ll be heading out now.”

“Thanks for the hospitality. I’d love to come again someday.”

Before leaving the guesthouse, they both bowed politely to the landlady.

“Just the thought makes me happy.”

“I mean it. Your food was amazing.”

“Sorry about the indigestion.”

“That was my body acting up—not your food. Your cooking was wonderful. We ate well and had a great rest. Thank you!”

Jiwoon bowed again and stepped out through the gate. Watching the Alpha and Omega disappear down the road, the landlady murmured to herself,

“Any couple that sleeps under my rose-patterned blankets always ends up having a child. I gave you special treatment, Omega boy.”

A local legend of the island guesthouse. Among all the different blankets, those who slept under the rose-patterned one would inevitably return to the island with a child. The landlady, with thirty years of experience, knew this and intentionally gave them that room.

“I hope your wishes come true. Come back with your child someday…”

They may not have consummated anything last night due to the indigestion, but the landlady sent the couple off with a wistful hope that something good would happen soon.

After arriving at the dock and buying their tickets, they found they had some awkward free time.

“What should we do?”

“Let’s take a walk by the beach. A different path from yesterday.”

“Sounds good.”

The autumn seaside, with its gently blowing breeze, was nothing short of peaceful. The place was quiet and sparsely populated, creating a tranquil and leisurely atmosphere.

Breathing in the sea breeze, Jiwoon and Seo Taecheon walked quite a long distance.

“Living somewhere like this might not be so bad.”

“That’s unexpected. I didn’t think you liked islands, Director.”

He’s from Seoul, and apart from a brief study abroad, he’s never really left the city. And he likes rural vibes? That’s a surprise.