"Minjae Hurt Breaking"

Minjae (cheerfully):

"Good morning, Mr. Han!"

He greeted Areum with his usual energy and bright smile.

Areum looked up from his desk and returned the smile softly.

Areum:

"Good morning, Min."

Minjae (amazed):

"You're seriously amazing. After all that overtime, you still look fresh."

Areum (lightly):

"Thanks, Min."

Minjae took his seat while Areum scanned through the files in front of him.

Areum (thoughtfully):

"These are the project reports…?"

Minjae (surprised):

"Wait—Mr. Han, are you working on the project report? Isn't that Miss Bin's responsibility?"

Areum paused for a second, then gave a small, tired smile.

Areum:

"Yeah… but CEO Yoon asked me to handle it."

Just then, Miss Bin approached with her usual grace.

Miss Bin:

"Oh, hello Minjae. Hello Mr. Han! Could you hand me the project reports? I need to finish them up."

Areum quickly passed her the documents.

Areum:

"Don't worry, Miss Bin. I've nearly completed them."

Miss Bin (smiling):

"Ah, thank you so much, Mr. Han. You really are a hard worker."

She gave him a grateful look and walked off with the files.

Minjae watched her go, then turned to Areum with slight hesitation in his voice.

Minjae:

"Mr. Han… can we go to dinner tonight? I—I mean, would you like to have dinner together?"

Areum glanced up at him, his expression neutral but not unkind.

Areum:

"Okay. I have time tonight."

Minjae's face immediately lit up, a bright smile spreading across his features.

Minjae (happily):

"Really? Great! Then… it's a date!"

Taekho stepped out of his sleek black car, his expression unreadable as always—cold, composed, and effortlessly handsome. He made his way toward the building entrance, the guards bowing as they quickly opened the door for him.

He entered the lobby, his presence turning heads. The entire staff stood and bowed respectfully, their greetings hushed and formal.

Taekho (calmly, without stopping):

"Mr. Han. Come to my office."

He continued walking without looking back.

Areum blinked in surprise, frozen at his desk. Heads turned toward him—curious stares and murmurs following.

It was the first time CEO Yoon had ever called Areum to his office like that. So directly. So publicly.

Areum hesitated for a moment, then stood up quickly.

Minjae (quietly, concerned):

"Mr. Han… is everything okay?"

Areum (nodding, trying to act normal):

"Yeah. Everything's fine."

He walked swiftly toward the CEO's office, nerves tightening in his chest. He took a moment to gather himself before gently knocking on the door and pushing it open.

Taekho was seated at his desk, eyes fixed on his laptop screen. The room was silent, filled only with the soft hum of the air conditioning and the faint scent of cherry blossoms—his pheromones.

Areum walked in slowly, stopping a few steps from the desk and bowed politely.

Areum (softly):

"Good morning, CEO Yoon."

Taekho looked up at him—his sharp gaze unwavering. Then, without a word, he stood and approached.

Areum stiffened as the Alpha leaned in closer, invading his space.

Taekho took a slow, deliberate breath.

Taekho (lowly):

"Fresh cherry…"

Areum blinked in confusion, taking an instinctive step back.

Taekho (flatly):

"You'll be doing overtime today."

Areum's eyes widened.

Areum:

"CEO Yoon, I've already done overtime all month—"

Taekho's sharp gaze narrowed slightly.

Taekho (cutting him off):

"Do you have a problem?"

Areum hesitated, quickly lowering his head again.

Areum (quietly):

"No, CEO Yoon."

Taekho stepped closer, his voice low and unreadable.

Taekho:

"That's good."

Areum bowed quickly, suppressing the frustration boiling inside him, and left the office in silence.

Once outside, he loosened his tie, letting out a long, shaky breath. His steps took him to the balcony, where the cold wind hit his face like a reminder to stay calm. He inhaled deeply, trying to let go of the tension.

After a few minutes of quiet, he returned to his desk, straightened his shirt, and got back to work. The hours ticked by like usual—meetings, emails, and endless paperwork.

Then—

The glass doors swung open.

Taejon, Taekho's younger brother, strolled inside with all the swagger of a spoiled rich kid. Hands in pockets, designer shades on despite being indoors, and a cocky smile tugging at his lips.

Meanwhile, Minjae was making his way across the room, carefully balancing a tower of files in one hand and a cup of hot coffee in the other.

Fate struck in one clumsy second.

Bump—!

The files slipped from Minjae's arms, scattering across the floor.

The coffee spilled—straight onto Taejon's expensive shirt.

Minjae froze, eyes widening in absolute horror.

Minjae (panicking):

"I-I'm so sorry, sir!"

Taejon looked down at the wet stain on his designer shirt, a flicker of annoyance flashing across his face.

Taejon (annoyed):

"Ahh… you messed up my shirt."

Minjae fumbled to grab his handkerchief, rushing forward in a panic.

Minjae:

"I'll clean it—I'm really sorry!"

But as he reached out, Taejon caught his wrist gently, stopping him.

Taejon (calmly):

"I'll do it myself."

Minjae's face flushed red. He immediately dropped to his knees, scrambling to gather the scattered files and papers with trembling hands.

Taejon surprised him by kneeling down too, helping silently without a word.

Minjae gave one final, apologetic bow.

Minjae (breathless):

"I-I'm truly sorry again!"

Without waiting for a response, he stood and rushed away like he'd just committed a crime, vanishing down the hallway as fast as he could.

The day had finally ended. Office lights began to dim one by one as the staff packed their things and left.

Everyone, except Areum—still at his desk, fingers flying over the keyboard.

Minjae slipped on his coat, happiness glowing on his face. He grabbed his bag and smiled shyly, whispering to himself:

Minjae (softly):

"It almost feels like... a couple going home together."

He walked over to Areum, eyes bright.

Minjae:

"Mr. Han, let's go."

But Areum didn't look up. His expression was tired—almost guilty.

Areum (softly):

"Min... I'm sorry. I've got overtime again tonight. I really can't make it."

Minjae's smile faded in an instant.

Minjae:

"But... Mr. Han, we—"

Areum:

"I'm sorry, Min."

Those few words hit like cold water.

Minjae nodded weakly and walked away, the light in his eyes gone. He left the office and ended up in a dimly lit bar, seated alone, nursing a glass.

He sighed deeply, swirling the drink.

Minjae (murmuring):

"Is Mr. Han free now...? Maybe I should call and ask again... Maybe this time he'll say yes."

He rubbed his forehead and poured himself another shot. His face was flushed red, cheeks warm from alcohol. The bar was buzzing, filled with laughter and loud music—but in his head, there was only Areum.

Then it happened.

He caught the scent of another Alpha nearby.

Strong. Overpowering.

A man sat beside him, flashing a smirk.

Alpha:

"Hey, cutie. You here alone?"

Minjae didn't respond.

He just nodded faintly.

Alpha:

"Perfect. I'll keep you company."

The Alpha reached out, grabbing Minjae's hand.

Minjae tried to pull away.

Minjae (firmly):

"I said no. Leave me alone."

Alpha (grinning):

"You smell good. Like lime and sugar… damn."

He leaned in too close. Minjae turned his face away, disgusted.

Minjae:

"I said stop it."

Before the Alpha could push further—

SLAM.

A hand grabbed the Alpha's collar and yanked him back.

Voice (coldly):

"Who the hell do you think you're touching?"

The Alpha stumbled back. His eyes widened as he looked up at the man standing before him—tall, confident, and absolutely pissed.

Taejon, Taekho's younger brother.

He adjusted his sleeve with a smirk.

Taejon:

"The owner of this place."

"And the man you just laid your filthy hands on?"

Two guards appeared behind him, looming like shadows.

The Alpha's confidence shattered. Without a word, he turned and left in a hurry.

Minjae blinked in disbelief.

Taejon walked over and gently grabbed his wrist.

Taejon:

"Come on. Stand up."

Minjae (resisting):

"I told you… I don't need anyone's company."

Still, Taejon ignored it and led him out, supporting him as Minjae staggered.

Once in the car, Taejon buckled him in.

Taejon (annoyed):

"You really thought drinking alone in a bar like that was a good idea? Especially when you're an Omega?"

Minjae's head lolled slightly, his eyes already glazed.

Taejon:

"Tch… Hey, tell me where you live."

But Minjae was already out cold.

Taejon sighed, rubbing his temples.

Taejon (grumbling):

"Damn it… why the hell am I even helping you?"

After some time...

Inside Taejon's luxury apartment, the air was warm and quiet.

He opened the door and carried Minjae in, laying him gently on the couch.

Minjae murmured something, clinging onto Taejon's coat.

Minjae (sleepily):

"Mr. Han… don't go…"

Taejon (sighing):

"God, why do I care?"

He bent down to pull the blanket over Minjae.

But Minjae suddenly leaned forward—and kissed him.

Taejon stiffened, blinking in surprise.

Minjae (drunk whisper):

"You smell like fresh mint… it's nice."

Taejon looked down at him for a long moment.

Taejon (low):

"You really wanna do this?"

Minjae didn't answer.

He just smiled again, arms tugging Taejon closer.

And Taejon… let himself fall.

He kissed him back.