"I Slept with My Boss"

Areum wiped his sweaty palms against his slacks, swallowing hard.

> "I should've taken more suppressants. My heat is getting worse. It feels like I'm dying… and I still have to stay in this damn office doing overtime."

He exhaled shakily, pressing a hand to his burning forehead.

> "I hate this heat cycle. I hate this body. And I hate that cold Alpha boss who thinks he can control everything with just a glance."

Areum clenched his jaw.

> "What a weird guy… always giving orders like a machine. Doesn't he realize I'm barely holding myself together?"

He squeezed his eyes shut, head pounding.

Should I run?

God… my head...

Areum rubbed his temples, trying to chase away the burn spreading down his neck and spine.

His fingers trembled above the keyboard.

> "I hate this. I hate being born an Omega. I freaking hate—"

"Mr. Han, are you okay?"

The sudden voice snapped him back to reality.

Areum flinched and looked up.

It was Minjae, his gentle co-worker.

Minjae tilted his head with concern. "Your face is completely red…"

Areum forced a strained smile. "Oh… yeah. I'm fine. Just tired."

Minjae, also an Omega, had no idea Areum was hiding his own identity.

In fact, he believed Areum was an Alpha—and sometimes acted a little too impressed.

"It's already so late," Minjae added. "Have you finished the reports?"

"Not yet."

"Want me to help?"

Areum shook his head quickly. "No, it's okay. You should go home."

Minjae hesitated, then nodded politely. "Alright… see you tomorrow then."

"Bye…"

The office fell silent again as the door clicked shut.

Areum leaned back in his chair, shoulders sagging.

> "I need to finish this work and get out of here fast. I can't even apply for heat leave because everyone thinks I'm an Alpha…"

He stood up, wobbling slightly as a wave of heat crawled up his spine.

His scent was starting to slip—faint, but distinct.

He gulped down cold water, desperate to cool the fire burning in his chest.

His reflection in the office glass looked flushed and unwell.

> "Why didn't the suppressants work today?"

He touched his cheeks, heart hammering.

> "Is it stress? Am I too worn out? I need to wash my face…"

He stumbled to the restroom.

But as the door creaked open—he froze.

Inside, standing at the sink, was none other than Yoon Taekho, his icy, commanding boss.

A dominant Alpha.

Areum's breath caught.

No. Not now.

He couldn't be near an Alpha—not like this.

The air shifted. Taekho's scent—cool cherry blossoms after rain—wrapped around him like silk.

> "Why… why does he smell so good?"

Areum took a step back—then slipped.

"Ah—!"

But before he could hit the floor, strong arms caught him.

Taekho moved without hesitation.

Now Areum found himself trembling in the arms of the very Alpha he feared. His scent leaked uncontrollably, his heat spiraling out of control.

> "His pheromones… they're so strong… Why do I feel… dizzy…?"

Taekho's breath ghosted near his ear.

"You smell like rain and cherry..." he murmured. "So sweet."

A pause.

"…Mr. Han. You're an Omega."

Areum's heart dropped.

His secret—exposed.

---

The early light streamed gently through sheer curtains.

Areum stirred beneath unfamiliar sheets, a strange warmth lingering in his limbs.

He smiled faintly, half-asleep.

> "Why… do I feel so good? It's the first time I've woken up feeling this fresh…"

Then his eyes opened.

The smile vanished.

"…Wait. Where am I?"

He sat up fast.

He was naked under the blanket.

Clothes were scattered—his shirt, pants… and Taekho's suit jacket.

His stomach twisted.

And then—flashes of the night before slammed into him.

> Their bodies. Their lips. That heat. His surrender.

His mistake.

"No…" he whispered, voice cracking. "No, no, no…"

> "I kissed him. I let him touch me. I clung to him like I needed him. What the hell did I do?"

His face flushed with panic.

> "I can't let him see me. Not like this."

He scrambled, grabbing his clothes, pulling them on with trembling hands.

Without looking back, he slipped out of the penthouse—

fleeing as if he had committed a crime.

---

The bathroom door creaked open.

Taekho stepped out, dressed in a loosely tied white bathrobe.

His damp black hair clung to his forehead, drops sliding down his collarbone.

He glanced toward the bed.

Empty.

Clothes—gone.

A long silence followed.

Taekho stared at the space Areum had left behind.

Then, coldly:

"…He ran?"

Areum stepped inside his apartment and shut the door with a shaky hand. The sound of the lock clicking echoed through the silence.

His chest rose and fell rapidly. Embarrassment swelled in his throat.

He kicked off his shoes and rushed toward the bathroom, avoiding his reflection in the hallway mirror—until he couldn't anymore.

He stopped.

Slowly, his eyes met his own reflection.

His hair was a mess.

His lips looked swollen.

And worst of all—his neck and shoulders were littered with faint bite marks and red bruises.

The evidence of everything he did.

He shut his eyes tightly, swallowing the lump in his throat.

> "What the hell did I do…?"

He peeled off his clothes in silence, dropping them carelessly to the floor.

The moment he lowered himself into the warm bathtub, the heat of the water only seemed to amplify the regret simmering inside him.

He hugged his knees and rested his forehead against them.

His voice was no louder than a whisper.

> "I slept with my boss…"

His fingers curled tightly.

> "I slept with Yoon Taekho… during heat."

The shame weighed heavily on him.

He didn't know what would happen next.

But for now, in the quiet warmth of his bathroom, Areum could only sit there—

soaking in the guilt.