"Why the hell was I so nice yesterday?" As I stomped down the hallway toward my office. Shoot. I let my guard down. I actually let him sit next to me and even—ugh—told him to eat properly. What was I thinking? Now he's probably imagining we're best friends or something. Tch.
I slammed my office door open a little harder than necessary, throwing my bag on the desk with a thud. "Nope. Not happening. I'm going back to being cold and distant. Let him think yesterday was a one-time fluke."
I sat down, trying to drown myself in paperwork, when there was a timid knock.
"Who is it?" I barked, not looking up.
"…It's me," came Woo-jin's soft voice.
Of course it was.
I sighed dramatically. "What do you want? Don't tell me you're here to thank me again for yesterday. I don't need your gratitude."
The door creaked open slowly. Woo-jin peeked in, still looking a little pale but with that stupidly gentle expression that made my chest feel weird.
"I… just wanted to say good morning," he said quietly, stepping in.
"Good morning?" I raised a brow. "That's all?"
He hesitated, like he wanted to say more, but nodded. "Mm."
I clicked my tongue, pretending to be annoyed, even though some part of me felt almost… disappointed? "You came all the way here just for that? Don't you have work?"
Woo-jin flinched at my sharp tone but still gave me a small smile. "I… wanted to see you before I went."
I stared at him for a second longer than I should have, then spun my chair around so I wouldn't have to look at him. "Tch. Whatever. Go before you're late."
I heard him shift his weight, lingering like he wanted me to stop him. I didn't. After a long pause, the door shut softly behind him.
I leaned back in my chair, groaning into my hands. Why does he look at me like that? Like I'm the center of his world or something. Dammit, I shouldn't care. I don't care. Yesterday was a mistake. That's all.
But why did I feel like chasing him…?
Before I knew it.
I was moving fast, but not fast enough. My chest felt tight, a dull ache gnawing at me with every step. Something in the air screamed danger, a chill that had nothing to do with the wind. Streets that should have been empty felt suffocating, like shadows were curling around the walls, watching.
And then I saw him.
Woo-jin.
Pressed against the brick wall, small, trembling. His wrist was trapped in Saebri's grip, the way his fingers clenched at his own sleeve making my stomach twist. That smirk, that predatory gleam in Saebri's eyes—it wasn't just arrogance. It was malice.
My blood boiled before I could even think.
"Let go of him," I said, my voice ice-clicking through the tense silence.
Saebri's smirk widened, slow and deliberate. "Well, well… if it isn't Dae-hyun. Still so cold. Some things never change, huh?"
Does he know me? Now it's not time for a question.
I ground my teeth, fists tightening so hard my knuckles ached. "I said—let go."
Woo-jin's wide, fearful eyes flicked between us, and my chest clenched tighter. His trembling, the way he shrank under Saebri's gaze, made something raw and protective surge inside me—something I wasn't ready to name.
Saebri leaned closer, low and dangerous. "You really don't remember, huh? I thought you'd never forget. How interesting…"
A fleeting memory brushed the edge of my mind, ghostlike and indistinct, but I shoved it away. Doesn't matter. Focus. Protect.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Let go of him," I said, my voice hard, unwavering.
Saebri laughed, sharp, cruel. "You really don't remember anything, do you? So naive. You think this Omega matters? That he's yours?"
My jaw ached from clenching. Rage, pure and hot, surged through me—not at Woo-jin, but at this bastard daring to touch him, to intimidate him.
Then, finally, Saebri released him. Woo-jin collapsed to the ground, trembling, silent tears streaking down his pale cheeks.
My chest tightened. It shouldn't hurt this much. I didn't even know him fully. I didn't remember him. Shouldn't care.
And yet… seeing him like that, vulnerable, fragile… my stomach twisted in a way I couldn't ignore.
"Pathetic," I snapped, crouching in front of him. I forced the words to sound sharp, cruel. "You look ridiculous like this."
He flinched at the harshness, voice cracking: "Please… don't leave me alone with him again."
The words hit me like a blow. My chest burned, my heart thudded. Why did it hurt this much? I barely knew him… and yet, I couldn't walk away.
"Get up," I said, keeping my tone cruel, indifferent. "We're leaving. Now."
"But… what if he comes back?" he whispered, small, trembling.
I looked at him, my chest tightening, heart hammering. "Then I'll deal with him," I said, low, dangerous. Not warmth, not comfort—but a promise.
I grabbed his arm firmly, helping him to his feet. He leaned slightly against me, trusting me entirely, fragile like glass. I hated the way that tiny, unconscious gesture made warmth flare inside my chest.
The wind picked up, tugging at his hair, the street quiet except for the soft sound of our feet against the pavement. His green eyes searched mine, wide and uncertain, silently asking for reassurance I didn't know how to give.
Every step we took away from Saebri, away from danger, felt heavier than the last. I shouldn't feel this. I shouldn't care. And yet, my entire body tightened around the need to protect him.
I didn't cry. I didn't let him see. But inside… it burned.
I didn't say a word as I gripped Woo-jin's wrist, pulling him down the narrow street. Each step I took was measured, careful, but my anger and worry churned under my skin like fire. His small frame stumbled after me, shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
Tch. Pathetic, I muttered under my breath. Not that I actually meant it.
"Hey, keep up," I snapped, though my voice lacked its usual bite. He flinched, and I wanted to kick myself for it.
"Dae-hyun… I…" His voice was barely a whisper, trembling, almost breaking.
I ignored it. His fear was thick in the air, making it hard to focus, hard to breathe. I told myself it wasn't my business, but a part of me clenched, sharp and insistent, at the sight of him so small and fragile.
I shoved the feeling down, focusing instead on my anger—anger at Saebri, at the world, at myself for feeling… anything.
"You're quiet," he murmured after a few blocks. "Usually… you say something mean."
I narrowed my eyes on him. "And you like it?"
"No," he whispered. "I… I just…" His voice faltered, broken and uncertain.
I didn't answer. I kept walking, letting the cold air brush against my face, letting the tension thrumming in my chest stay buried beneath scowls and clipped words.
We reached a quiet alley. He stumbled, almost falling. Reflexively, I caught him, gripping his waist firmly. "Watch it."
"I… I'm sorry," he murmured, small, meek, and it almost broke me. Almost.
Tch. Stop feeling, Dae-hyun.
I straightened him up, scowling. "You're ridiculous. Come on, we're going home."
He followed silently, leaning slightly against me, trusting me in a way I didn't deserve. Every step felt heavy, weighted with a strange ache I couldn't name.
"You… don't hate me?" he asked suddenly, voice hesitant, afraid.
I paused, gripping the back of his neck to make him look at me. "I… don't." Rough, clipped, not warm, not soft—but the truth. I turned my head quickly, hiding the flicker of something warmer I didn't want to admit.
He blinked at me, searching, vulnerable, innocent, and my chest tightened painfully.
The first drops of rain began to fall, soaking through my coat, plastering my hair to my forehead. I didn't care. He didn't move, just stayed quiet, shivering slightly, small and fragile, and I hated the way my chest ached for him.
Finally, I muttered, "Get inside. Don't even think about stepping out alone."
He nodded silently, disappearing inside the building, and I stayed in the rain a moment longer, watching him go.
Why does it feel like I've known him longer than a few months? I thought bitterly. Why does it hurt seeing him like this? I barely remember him… and yet…
I shook my head, scowling, hiding the ache behind it.
I didn't cry. I didn't let him see. But inside… It burned like fire.