CH 40

I tried to ignore the person following me. I’m not very angry.

“Kim Joo-hyuk!”

Director Lee grabbed my arm. The sound of suitcases rolling to and from the airport is noisy. Director Lee’s hair is messy. He grabbed my suitcase to stop me in place.

“Director.”

Director Lee caught his breath. I’m about to take the handle of the suitcase, but he grabbed my hand.

“I knew you were going to go like this.”

Director Lee’s voice sounded a bit gloomy and sullen at times. It’s meaningless.

“Director.”

I let go of Director Lee’s hand and pulled on the suitcase. The empty suitcase sounded like a can.

“I told you I wouldn’t wait.”

With Director Lee behind me, I took a quick step forward. Director Lee increased his stride and followed me.

“It’s my fault. Are you angry?”

“There’s nothing to be angry about.”

Director Lee stopped me.

“I’m sorry. Look at me.”

“Why?”

“Is it true about my aunt?”

Director Lee’s expression is extremely serious.

“Yes.”

I brushed off the dust on Director Lee’s clothes.

“I’m serious.”

The day before arriving at the airport, Ha Won’s father, Director Ha Kwang-hwan whom I had met before, called me. ‘Come to Dongwoo Foods headquarters.’ Director Ha’s secretary’s message was simple. For me, who had already left the company, visiting on weekdays was not a problem.

But the reason he called me was pretty important.

When I entered Dongwoo Foods headquarters, the secretary, who had been waiting in advance, led me to the office of Director Ha. Director Ha sat proudly on a luxury wooden chair. The secretary bowed politely and left. Director Ha stood up and held his hand out for a handshake.

“It’s been a while since I last saw you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Director Ha’s expression was different than when we last met. He didn’t smile easily, and his eyes were serious. The middle-aged man who had boasted about his Shih Tzu had disappeared. The office, with its bookshelves full of business management books, revealed Director Ha’s other side.

“Sit down for now. I’m going to speak bluntly. There is no need to talk about this through Si-hyun.”

Director Ha held out a white envelope to me.

“I’ll give it to you in advance.”

I accepted the paper. Director Ha chuckled.

“It’s the interview fee.”

Director Ha’s secretary returned to the office with a thick stack of papers. Director Ha laid out the documents on the table.

“It’s a relief to give you the money first. I forgot to pay the interview fee last time and had to send it. And Secretary Hong nagged me. It’s because I’m old. We have a new secretary. Say hello while you’re here! Oh, this is Kim Soo-hyun. Si-hyun’s friend. Oh right, Si-hyun is a director, right? He is a good-looking person who comes only occasionally. He is tall and broad-shouldered. He’s my nephew. That’s right, he’s not like me. Haha! My wife’s nephew. Su-hyeok-ssi, I heard that you and Si-hyun are dating now, right? Great. These days, you have to work as a couple, you’re going to keep working, right? Yeah, you have to work. What is with the Betas these days that even Omegas have to work so they don’t look bad? Secretary Hong, just give me a glass of water. What would you like to drink, Kim Joo-hyun?”

“A glass of water, please.”

“Why did you ask for water when coming all the way here? This is a food company. Secretary Hong! What is it, ours, you know? The one I put in the fridge, pour some into a cup, okay, thank you. Oh, I’m so proud of Hong, my young secretary. He graduated from college this year. What class are you in? Won was a bit late to graduate because he went to the military…”

Like before, Director Ha told me useless stories for a long time. I worked as a customer service representative. It’s been my job, and probably will always be, to listen to older customers’ stories. Director Ha thought that I was a good listener, so he talked on and on.

“So while I was playing golf, my second son was very angry when he found out I took the dog for a walk. But I brought Doori for a walk because Won told me to. It’s not my fault. So, Secretary Hong is here. Oh my, did you bring this too? Well done, boy. While you’re on your way, get some from the refrigerator and eat it with the secretary team. The development team gave me a new confectionery product. Oh, eat it. I’m not going to eat snacks at this age. Young people should eat it. No, no, I can’t eat it because I have an implant. There is also sugar. I need to check my blood sugar again later. Yeah, go back, and come when I call you later.”

After sending away Secretary Hong, Director Ha talked about Dongwoo Food’s new product for about 12 minutes. He wasn’t even complimenting it. ‘It’s too sweet’, ‘I don’t know the taste of young people these days’, things like this.

Director Ha brought up the main topic after a while.

“Give me your resume. Didn’t you say you resigned? Well done. The company is too small. Go on a trip and take another week off before coming to our HR team. Just in time, we need good talent. Deputy level.”

In other words, it was a parachute offer.

“Did Director Lee recommend this by any chance?”

It’s a good opportunity. I heard that Dongwoo Foods was a large company and the welfare was good. However, I did not want to enter the company below my lover. I sounded full of myself, but so was my heart. I’m still young and youthful. There is enough time to be recognized for my abilities.

However, because the job was not that bad, I corrected my posture.

“No, I heard Si-hyun’s deputy is going to be resigning. So I asked who he was and he said it was Jun-hyuk. So I was like, what’s your name on your resume?”

“I am Kim Joo-hyuk. Kim Joo-hyuk.”

“Jun-hyuk?”

“It’s Joo, Joo. It’s Joo…”

“Oh, are you Joo-hyuk? I’m old and I can’t hear or see properly these days. So, if it’s at the deputy level, then I’ll ask our HR team to hire someone, and I’m going to ask them to schedule the interview.”

I smile at capitalism. I think I can count it as headhunting rather than parachuting?

“Joo-hyuk is not the only one who got the interview. By the way, Joo-hyuk, do you call it qualifications? That’s the best. The job evaluation is good, Si-hyun, I, and Section Chief Lee know that. Section Chief Lee Hyun-jae. And you know that Alpha? Seo, Department Head Seo Han-seong? What was his name again? The tall one. I asked that guy too, but they are very smart. When was the first time I saw them…”

Director Ha talked about Section Chief Lee and Department Head Seo for about 5 minutes. In general, he was smart, diligent, and he looked like he was doing a good job. There was nothing memorable. After going through several more difficulties, Director Ha finally handed me the company brochure.

“Read it while you’re on your trip and we’ll have another meeting later. Think about it calmly.”

“Thank you for this great opportunity.”

“No, I am more grateful. When you go, take some sweets and canned food. I have piled up gift boxes altogether. Would you like some ramen? Are you able to carry it all? Did you come by car? If you don’t have a car, just take a taxi.”

Director Ha started chatting in earnest as if the main topic was over. The family picture on the desk caught my eye. Director Ha asked, pointing to Doori sticking out its tongue in the middle of the picture.

“Kim Joo-hyuk-ssi, do you like dogs?”

This is what I experienced yesterday.

I brush off Director Lee’s shoulder. The dog’s fur was just stuck everywhere.

“Did you roll with that dog on the airport floor earlier?”

“No, it’s not, the dog jumped up on me…”

“The next time a dog gets your attention, I’ll really leave and go away.”

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. This is my fault, really.”

Director Lee wraps my waist with his arm. Kissing my cheek does not make me feel better. If I had known this was going to happen, I would have told you later.

“It was great to hear from my aunt. Thanks for taking Doori’s pup. I will go see it every day.”

“You’re coming to see the dog instead of me?”

I punched Director Lee’s side with my fist. Director Lee said he was in pain and hugged me tighter. The muscles on the sides are also very strong, but why are you exaggerating?

“Of course, I’m going to see Joo-hyuk-ssi.”

“I’ll trust you just this time.”

Director Lee kissed the nape of my neck.

“What if I miss you while you’re on a trip?”

“It’s embarrassing, so go away.”

Director Lee kissed my face with a loud voice. I suppressed my anger. If I knew that this would relieve my anger, I would have made a wiser decision.

“You’re angry?”

“Why would I be angry?”

“I love you.”

“Me too.”

There was plenty of time before my departure, so Director Lee and I went around talking about various topics. We talked about pet supplies, dating, and gifts that I’d like to bring back when I return. Director Lee stated that he did not want a big gift. He said I could collect seashells or banana leaves. Everything I give him is precious, so he’ll frame it or put it in a decorative cabinet. He was discouraged again when I told him not to make silly comments.

In fact, Director Lee was a little bit sulky until yesterday. It’s because I bluntly stated that we weren’t going on the trip together. There was no great reason, but I wanted to enjoy my retirement trip by myself and with my own money. Anyway, that’s how I felt. Director Lee’s reaction wasn’t really good. Traveling alone is dangerous… There was a lot of talkback.

I thought about it and came up with a negotiation proposal that Director Lee would be satisfied with. I decided to come back in time for Director Lee’s vacation, and I also made a reservation for a hotel. For 2 nights and 3 days. Director Lee pretended to be worried but eventually said that was good. I know he didn’t worry. As soon as we talked about the hotel, I saw the director’s dimple deepen into the Earth’s mantle. And yesterday, he was so excited when I said that I was going to take care of one of Doori’s pups as well.

What’s good is good. If Lee Si-hyun likes it, I like it, too. I have a soft side for him.

Before entering the gate, I held Director Lee’s hand tightly. Director Lee kissed me again. I also made sure that no one was looking, and I kissed the side of Director Lee’s neck. Director Lee hugged me like he was sad and didn’t let me go.

“Be sure to take me with you on your next trip.”

“I won’t do duty-free shopping next time.”

“Why? I was having fun.”

“You were the only one who liked it. It’s embarrassing and annoying because you were looking to find a lot of duty-free underwear.”

Director Lee hardened his expression.

“For the most obvious reason.”

Director Lee grabbed my ass with both hands.

“Did you throw away all the panties in the house?”

I yanked Director Lee’s hand off me, but Director Lee quickly grabbed my waist tightly.

“No, why would I throw them all away— I mean, I’ll throw them away. No, I’m just busy… No, relax your expression. It’s my fault. I’ll throw them away. Okay?”

“Did you do something wrong?”

“Yes.”

We kissed lightly. Director Lee put his lips to the nape of my neck and whispered,

“Come back before this disappears.”

“Hyung, take care of the delivery. Because I bought a dog house and a dog chew toy.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, I want to see Wonsik soon.”

“Aren’t you planning on changing the dog’s name?”

“My dog’s name is already Kim Wonsik.”

“Okay.”

“Kim Wonsik.”

“Okay.”

I grabbed Director Lee’s cheek and kissed him passionately. I’m really going now. The Philippines. I was thinking of going to Hawaii, but the Philippines isn’t bad either. The next trip was to go to the Gold Coast, where Director Lee’s villa is located. Then I will go to Hawaii.

“I’ll be back.”

As I entered the gate and looked through my passport, I suddenly remembered that there was something I didn’t say. I hurriedly called Director Lee, who was wandering near me.

“Ah, Director, Director, hyung, Si-hyun hyung, come quickly!”

Director Lee approached me. I grabbed Director Lee’s hand.

“I love you.”

Even if I go on a trip, I won’t change much. Instead, someday I may be a little different. I don’t know. Just do everything slowly. A relationship with my Alpha former boss, a fight with an Omega younger sister, and a life that continues as a Beta.

The world is said to revolve around Alphas and Omegas, but this is untrue. All the people matter. Alpha, Beta, or Omega. No one is better, and no one is expected to have it worse.

We all live in the same space, each of us living an unusual life together. That’s it.

I’m Kim Joo-hyuk, and I’m a Beta.

-End of Exclusive Dating Restriction Zone