The day passed quietly.
Too quietly.
Dinner time came,
Yet the residence felt heavier than usual.
Haru sat at the dining table, her small feet swinging lightly as she ate.
But instead of focusing on her food, her eyes kept drifting toward Haneul.
Again and again.
Haneul sat across from her, chopsticks in hand, one elbow resting on the table, his cheek leaning against his palm.
He sighed softly, picking at his food without really eating.
His gaze was unfocused.
Lost.
Bora walked out from the hallway, already wearing her coat, bag slung over her shoulder.
"Haneul, I'm leaving,"
She said casually.
There was no response.
She paused.
Her eyes shifted to Haru, who was staring at Haneul with quiet concern, then back to Haneul himself.
"Haneul-ah,"
Bora called again, stepping closer.
Still nothing.
She reached out and lightly touched his arm.
"Oh,"
Haneul blinked and looked up, startled.
He straightened slightly.
"You're going?"
"Yes,"
Bora replied.
"But are you okay? You seem off."
Haneul forced a small smile.
"Oh, yes. I'm fine."
Bora studied his face carefully.
"If you're not feeling well, I can stay,"
She offered.
Haneul shook his head quickly.
"No, really. I'm fine. You can go."
"Are you sure?"
She asked again.
He nodded, smiling a little wider.
"Yes, yes. I'm fine."
Bora glanced at him one last time, unconvinced, then waved at Haru.
"I'll come early tomorrow,"
She said while heading toward the door.
"If anything happens, just call me."
Haneul nodded.
After the door closed,
The silence returned.
He looked back at Haru and smiled gently.
Haru tilted her head, her brows knitting together.
She stared at him for a long moment before speaking in a small, worried voice.
"Umma sick?"
Haneul's smile faltered for a second.
"Oh..... no, no,"
He said quickly, leaning closer to her.
"I'm fine."
He hesitated, then added softly,
"I was just thinking about your da..."
He stopped when Haru's eyes widened with curiosity.
"about you,"
He corrected smoothly, smiling.
"I was thinking about what we should do tomorrow since your dad forgot the way home."
Haru blinked.
"I was thinking,"
Haneul continued lightly
"what game Umma and Haru should play."
Haru's face brightened instantly.
Haneul glanced at her plate and laughed softly.
"Oh waaa, you ate everything."
Haru nodded proudly.
"Good girl,"
He praised.
"Now you'll grow well and you won't get sick."
Haru narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
Haneul frowned in confusion.
She pointed at his plate.
It was still almost full.
"Umma will sick."
Haneul froze for a moment then smiled sheepishly.
"Oh. I forgot."
He picked up his chopsticks again.
"I'll eat now."
As,
He ate slowly, forcing himself to finish.
(That evening passed)
And Taekyun still didn't come home.
(The next morning)
After Haru left for school, the residence felt emptier than ever.
Haneul sat alone on the couch, staring at nothing.
Bora appeared again, keys in hand.
"Haneul, do you want to go outside?"
She asked,
"I'm going with the driver to get groceries."
Haneul looked up.
"When is Taekyun coming back?"
He asked quietly.
Bora smiled teasingly.
"What's wrong?
You can't even wait now?"
Haneul's lips curved downward.
He gave her a sad, pouty look.
"Why is he taking so long?"
Bora studied him carefully.
"Sir is in Itaewon right now.
Whenever he goes there,
He usually takes a few days."
She added lightly,
"But he said he might be back by evening. Maybe today."
Haneul's eyes filled.
Tears slid down his cheeks silently.
Bora's expression changed instantly.
She sat beside him.
"Hey,"
She said softly.
"What's wrong with you?
You weren't like this before.
Why are you acting like this now?"
Haneul leaned forward and hugged her suddenly.
Bora stiffened.
A sharp wave of Haneul's pheromones hit her strong, unstable, overwhelming.
It felt like a punch to her stomach.
Haneul whispered, his voice trembling,
"Doesn't he know we get attached easily?"
Bora slowly pulled back, putting a little distance between them, concern clear in her eyes.
"What do you mean, Haneul?"
She asked carefully.
"What doesn't sir know?"
Haneul wiped his tears.
"In Eunoia,"
He said quietly,
"people don't get intimate easily.
But when an Omega does he has to be with that person at least two minutes every day."
He swallowed.
"I haven't seen him for three days.
I'm getting nervous."
Bora blinked.
"You mean a bite mark?"
Haneul shook his head.
"It's not just that.
Even spending one night together can cause this kind of attraction.
That's why people from Eunoia are careful."
Bora stared at him, then suddenly laughed.
"So that's why you've been acting like this since morning?"
Haneul looked at her with watery eyes, lips trembling.
"You're laughing at me?"
Bora stood up quickly.
"Okay, okay sorry, sorry."
She sighed.
"I'll call sir again later.
For now, get up.
The driver is waiting."
She grabbed his hand and pulled him up.
"Come with me.
Learn grocery shopping in advance.
If something happens and I'm not around, you should know what to do."
Haneul didn't resist.
He followed her.
Meanwhile, in Itaewon.
Taekyun stepped out of the meeting room.
Sweat clung to the back of his neck.
His body felt hot,
Too hot.
His breathing slowed deliberately as he called Lihan.
Lihan arrived quickly and escorted him back to the hotel room.
Taekyun sat on the bed, loosened his tie, and took his suppressant with water Lihan handed him.
"Sir,"
Lihan said carefully,
"in this case, I think we should hurry back."
Taekyun shook his head.
"My rut is coming,"
He said calmly.
"If I leave now, it'll get worse."
He leaned back slightly.
"I'll stay here for three days.
You go back and handle the office."
Lihan hesitated, then nodded.
"I'll be back by evening,"
He said.
"No,"
Taekyun replied.
"Stay there. Look after everything and inform me."
He stood and walked toward the bathroom.
"Tell the hotel staff not to disturb me unless I call."
Lihan nodded.
"I'll buy necessary things for you first."
As Taekyun closed the bathroom door, Lihan spoke again.
"And Haru and Haneul, sir"
"Tell Bora to handle everything in the villa," Taekyun said, shutting the door.
(Back in Seoul)
(Galleria Department store food hall)
Bora showed Haneul everything
vegetables, fruits, kitchen ingredients one by one.
But Haneul kept drifting toward the snack section.
Again and again.
"For Haru,"
He said each time, placing items into the cart.
By the time they finished, staff followed behind them with bags.
People kept staring.
Whispers spread.
"He looks like he's from another world."
"Yeah such a beautiful Omega."
Haneul's breathing quickened.
His heart pounded.
He kept looking around.
As Bora noticed.
"Ignore them,"
She said softly.
"Don't listen."
But without Taekyun beside him, Haneul couldn't calm down.
Bora stopped, gently placed a mask over his face, then pulled the hood of his coat up.
"Look straight,"
She said firmly.
"Don't focus."
Haneul nodded.
But he still felt anxious
too anxious,
As if he had lost something.
The way people stared only made the discomfort crawl deeper into his chest
Only one thought echoed in his mind.
When will I see him again?
When is he coming back?