NLFSD Chapter 105

Chapter 105 – Extra Episode 5

From the early days of marriage, Seo Taecheon had wanted to form a bond mark. Yet he had no certainty that Lee Jiwoon would assent. Even if he pleaded for a lifelong bond at his side, a single “no” from Jiwoon would end the matter. There was also the issue of their pairing: dominant Alpha paired with recessive Omega. A recessive Omega might fail to withstand a dominant Alpha’s pheromones, causing the imprinting to fail. In that case, a second, even third attempt might be required, and that felt like a cruel thing to force.

At least the common wisdom said that imprinting during pregnancy was most effective. It was the period when both were thoroughly acclimated to each other’s pheromones and when sustained reciprocal pheromone interaction occurred.

Even so, he loathed the idea of Jiwoon suffering. He also refused to create a situation where Jiwoon accepted only out of reluctance.

But looking at that back now, his gaze kept drifting to the unmarked, clean nape. If he bit deeply and spread in his pheromones, the imprint would take. If he bit now, it would likely succeed. But without Jiwoon’s consent, he would not mark.

Even with possessiveness boiling over to the point he could barely restrain himself. Should he still endure a while longer?

“What are you thinking about, darling?”

Jiwoon turned to face him, seeking his eyes. A peck of a kiss grew, layered and warm, into something wetter.

“Thinking of Jiwoon.”

A soft laugh slipped between their joined mouths. Resting his head against Taecheon’s chest, Jiwoon murmured, “The food must be completely cold by now. What should we do?”

“We can eat right now, even if it’s late.”

“Shall we then?”

Jiwoon fussed with the apron—wrinkled and ragged by now—trying to set the “concept” again. The sight was absurd and endearing, and Taecheon chuckled.

When they stepped into the kitchen, two hours had passed without notice. The food had hardened and congealed to the point of inedibility.

“What should we do? It’s really gone cold.”

“We can reheat it.”

“Okay. I’ll do it quickly.”

Wearing nothing but that single scrap of fabric, Jiwoon busied himself around the kitchen: bending and straightening, legs parting and closing. Watching from behind, Taecheon’s eyes were blessed and his body punished—spent arousal surged back toward a painful fullness. That aside, everything was perfect.

“Tada. Welcome to Jiwoon’s Bistro.”

“It’s all my favorites—pasta and stew.”

“Yes. I tried to match everything to your tastes. How is it?”

“Excellent.”

Taking a spoon of stew, Taecheon clapped. The genuine delight on his face paid Jiwoon back for every trial in the kitchen.

“Jiwoon, eat too.”

He pulled Jiwoon into his lap by the waist.

“Like this?”

“Yes.”

Embarrassing to sit that way with a bare backside, but not unpleasant. Jiwoon wrapped his arms firmly around Taecheon’s neck. Settling into a stable perch, he could distinctly feel the firm length pressed beneath him.

“It’s so delicious.”

“Truly delicious. Thank you, Jiwoon.”

With every bite, Taecheon praised again and again. To Jiwoon’s own taste, it was merely passable; but Taecheon lauded it tirelessly as though speaking to a head chef at a luxury hotel.

“And this is…?”

“Oh, the flowers. Pretty, right?”

Because the tablecloth was black, he hadn’t noticed at first: a black velvet cloth, a black vase, and in it, lush black roses. Startled, Taecheon looked to Jiwoon, who seemed to say, So what?

“You love black, so I prepared something special.”

“Ah… I see. You’re very thoughtful, Jiwoon.”

“Yes, I am—just a little.”

“How could I not love you?”

He placed a kiss on Jiwoon’s cheek. Once, Jiwoon had made him throw out all his black bathrobes in disgust; now he’d decorated the table in black. Too adorable to bear.

“More beautiful than the flowers is you.”

“Do you mean that?”

“You can see it clearly when you compare.”

He lifted a rose from the vase and held it beside Jiwoon’s face. It wasn’t mere flattery. Against the dark bloom, Jiwoon’s bright complexion and guileless aura were more striking, almost like a nymph of the forest.

Beneath that beautiful face lay a candid, playful, childlike purity, and a soul that had matured too early—something that always pained him to know. Knowing that, there was no flower in the world he could find more beautiful than Jiwoon.

“My Taecheon has excellent taste.”

“So you know.”

They smiled at each other.

They both thought, at the same moment: I’m so glad I married this person. It was, in every sense, a perfect wedding anniversary.

Jiwoon woke a bit late. Perhaps the boisterous festivities of the morning and the lovemaking that stretched into the night had something to do with it—every joint ached.

“You slept in.”

“It’s fine. Let’s take our time and head out.”

“Yes. Give me a moment, love.”

Today they were going to take a drive outdoors. Though they had celebrated the anniversary at home the day before, one event remained—this time, something Taecheon had suggested.

“Shall we visit… that place?”

“Where?”

“The hotel in Bundang. Where we first crossed paths.”

At those words, Jiwoon’s eyes grew dewy. Back when he was still preparing for jobs, he had encountered him at the hotel. A kind stranger who had placed a handkerchief in the hands of a young man bereaved and crying. That nameless person was the man standing beside him now.

“We should go visit the lobby where we met.”

He loved the idea of returning to that memory.

What would the lobby be like? Changed, or the same?

Warm air touched his face through the car window as he looked up at the sky. At their wedding it was chilly mornings and evenings; now the season had ripened to the cusp of summer. Between late-blooming flowers, trees flaunted vivid green leaves—enough to make him hum without thinking.

Driving, Taecheon smiled quietly, listening as Jiwoon sang along to the car stereo. He’d never liked summer much; but this year, the end of spring and the approach of summer felt welcome. It must be because it was joy to pass the seasons with the person beside him—someone who made him look forward to tomorrow. That was Jiwoon.

They took the ring road and merged toward Bundang. Soon, familiar scenery unfolded even to Jiwoon’s eyes. The Bundang hotel, not long opened, remained impeccably kept. Its modern sculpture and exposed concrete main building had even won a design award.

“It’s still so beautiful. Back then it felt incredible—and it looks just the same.”

“Thank you for your kind words, dear customer.”

Play-acting a bow, Taecheon tugged Jiwoon by the hand. When they entered the lobby, the front staff hurried out and lined up.

“Director, we’ve been expecting you.”

“It’s been a while, General Manager.”

The middle-aged GM smiled kindly and led them to the check-in counter. They sat on plush chairs, listened to a bit of hotel pride, and accepted their keys.

“A suite. It’s our best room—please enjoy it to the fullest.”

“Thank you for the thoughtful arrangement, General Manager.”

“Not at all. If there’s any inconvenience, please don’t hesitate.”

“Much appreciated.”

With the GM seeing them off, they rode the elevator. At the top floor, stepping into the corridor, they were greeted by a wide, open view—and unusually broad spacing between doors, which meant enormous suites.

“This room is going to be amazing.”

“Let’s have a look.”

When the door opened, a space as large as an apartment greeted them. First, an expansive sitting room; at the window, automatic curtains drew back to reveal the city’s sunset.

“The sunset is stunning.”

Jiwoon admired it.

“And there’s something else: non-alcoholic champagne.”

“And cake!”

Things Taecheon had requested the hotel prepare in advance. A white cake decorated with vivid orange, yellow, and blue flowers—an edible art piece.

“I’ve never had a two-tier cake before.”

“Actually, neither have I. I’ve only ever sliced them.”

On the cake’s side, candy crumbles spelled “Happy Anniversary.” Grinning, Jiwoon pressed a finger into the cream and dabbed it on the tip of Taecheon’s nose.

“Are you playing games with me?”

“Yes—and you’re too cute when I do.”

Taecheon did not let it pass; he swiped cream and painted Jiwoon’s lips. Tinkling laughter turned, without protest from anyone, into a kiss—teasing, soft, and tasting of cream.

After a long kiss, they sat side by side on the window sofa, sipping champagne. Alcohol-free, but poured into flutes, it felt festive—especially since it carried the fruit notes Jiwoon loved.

“This is wonderful. I’m so glad we came.”

“Is it?”

“Yes. The bed looks enormous and comfortable, the lighting is gentle… It feels ten times the room I stayed in back then.”

“Does it?”

“Yes. Back then I stayed in a deluxe room—splurging with everything I had. I thought, if I’m going to work in hospitality, I should study it… so I saved every won for one night.”

“…”

“And that’s how I came to meet you.”

He clinked his glass to Taecheon’s. The clean ring of crystal filled the room.

“In the end, everything came full circle to happiness. All thanks to you.”

Jiwoon’s smile was guileless as ever. Each time he smiled like that, Taecheon felt both happiness and a sharp ache in his chest. It was a strange emotion—one he cherished.

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