Cozy Obsession

Heemin wanted to take the helm and skillfully steer the yacht, but since he didn’t even have a driver’s license, he quietly watched Yiheon as he operated the boat. He had nothing particular to do, but he was just happy. It felt like true freedom. If the waves hadn’t become rough in the late afternoon, he would have loved to drift on the vast open sea and spend the night on the yacht.“Can we ride the yacht again tomorrow? We’re going to Seoul the day after tomorrow.”“When you were so eager to go home, and now that the time comes, you feel reluctant?”“Yes, I’m sad to go.”“We can always come back and ride again.”But this could be the last trip. From the atmosphere, it didn’t seem like an ending with Yiheon was coming anytime soon. However, he couldn’t be sure that such carefree times would return, as once they headed back to Seoul, he would have to face Kwak Yoonseong.From the moment the ledger was found, everything would change quickly. Yiheon would be even busier with work and the organization, and it might become difficult to even see him, let alone enjoy late-night walks together.Though everything was for Yiheon’s sake, he couldn’t help but feel regret. He wished to stay in this sweet dream for just one or two more days, ignoring the storm ahead. A desire to make more memories before returning to reality kept creeping in.“Since we’re here, why don’t we rest for just one more day? Can’t the boss be a little lazy?”“I need to be diligent if I’m going to support you.”Having no income and only eating food provided by him, Heemin had no argument. All his clothes, shoes, phone, and even the costs of their stay were covered by Yiheon. He wasn’t in a position to complain.Seeing Heemin’s shoulders slump with disappointment, Yiheon reached out and ruffled his hair playfully.“The sea will be rougher tomorrow. If you don’t want to spend the whole day seasick, it’s better to give up.”“We were lucky today. The sea was calm, and the weather was good.”“Maybe it’s because you were here.”That casual remark, without any change in his expression, made Heemin’s cheeks flush. His chest tingled, like someone was painting inside his heart.Is this what it feels like to get excited over even the smallest things when you start to like someone?The sadness and melancholy that had been rising disappeared without a trace. His lips curled up of their own accord. It wasn’t Heemin, but Yiheon, who had the skill to unsettle someone’s emotions without showing a hint of it.As they got out of the car, the doorman, waiting by the entrance, bowed respectfully to Heemin and Yiheon. His polite manner and composed movements were no different from the previous day, but there was a noticeable tension in his stiffened expression.‘…What is this?’The lobby visible through the glass doors looked perfectly ordinary. Guests were bustling around with their luggage, guided by staff, and there didn’t seem to be any unusual signs—like thugs causing a disturbance.Puzzled, Heemin followed Yiheon into the building. As they walked, the fresh and sweet scent of cedarwood and fig filled his senses. He relaxed, thinking the doorman’s expression might have been his imagination, but then a heavy, primal scent of bark and leather enveloped him.For a moment, it felt like his breath was being squeezed. It was as if he had come face-to-face with a predator in the dark. Heemin instinctively realized that the scent was the pheromones of a dominant alpha.“So, you’ve finally arrived.”A man, deeply seated on a sofa in the center of the lobby, stood up when he saw Yiheon. Despite his silver hair, he had a strong build and was nearly as tall as Yiheon. Even betas, who couldn’t sense pheromones, flinched in fear just from seeing him.“…Chairman?”The man was an alpha with an overwhelming presence and sharp authority. He was Chairman Yoon, the head of the Wooshin Group, a character who had never appeared in the original story.“I came down to congratulate you on closing the deal. It must’ve been a tough negotiation, but you handled it well. Very well.”His loud, hearty laughter echoed through the lobby. His imposing presence matched his name, Daeho—meaning “great tiger.” Yiheon, with his own fierce nature, might become someone like him someday, though Yiheon, who wanted to distance himself from Chairman Yoon, would likely hate hearing that comparison.“You should have called ahead. I didn’t expect you to be waiting here. I apologize for returning so late,” Yiheon said, his expression more rigid than usual. Though he was being respectful, there was a coldness, as if he were addressing a complete stranger rather than a relative.“No need to apologize. I just love fishing for surprises,” Chairman Yoon joked, though his words carried more weight than they seemed. For some time now, his gaze had been fixed on Heemin, who stood behind Yiheon. It became clear that he had waited in the busy lobby, not heading upstairs, because of Heemin.“Hello, Chairman. My name is Seo Heemin. It’s an honor to meet you for the first time.”Heemin signaled Yiheon, who had extended an arm to shield him, that it was fine, then bowed deeply to Chairman Yoon. Though his legs shook under the weight of the alpha’s piercing gaze, he managed not to lose consciousness.Having spent the night with Yiheon’s pheromones all over him, and wearing his clothes, Heemin felt as if he had a protective barrier around him. Plus, his physical training had made him somewhat resistant to the alpha’s pheromones.“So, you’re the omega President Cha is keeping,” Chairman Yoon remarked, smiling leisurely as he observed Heemin. Just as Heemin was starting to worry that his polite demeanor had failed to impress, Chairman Yoon made an unexpected proposal.“Let’s have a meal together. Seo Heemin, you join as well.”Instead of dining at a restaurant within the hotel, Chairman Yoon took them to the presidential suite where he was staying. The high ceilings and the fact that the entire floor was his eased the sense of confinement. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to endure long in such a closed space with him.“…Oh? That painting.”As they passed through a long hallway into the dining room, Heemin spotted a painting on the wall that he had recently seen online. It was one of the works of Kim Si-hwan, an artist considered a representative figure of 20th-century Korean art.‘Amazing. That painting is here.’Although practicing drawing directly was important, he also felt that accumulating knowledge was equally essential. So, whenever he had free time, he studied art theory and history. Seeing the paintings that he had only viewed on screens in person was astounding.“Seo Heemin, I hear you paint,” the chairman said suddenly, stopping in front of a painting.“Pardon? Yes, that’s correct!” Heemin’s voice cracked from the tension, and he blushed with embarrassment. The chairman let out a hearty laugh, assuring him not to be scared, as he hadn’t brought him here to intimidate him.“Um, Chairman,” Heemin began cautiously, sneaking a glance at Yiheon, who stood rigidly beside him with an expressionless face.“Yes, Seo Heemin?”“How much do you know about me?”It seemed the chairman had done his research on Seo Heemin before arriving here, likely knowing about his relationship with his cousin, his background, education, career, and even his diagnosis of a split personality. Despite knowing this was an impertinent question, Heemin boldly asked, causing the chairman’s eyes to gleam momentarily, like a child discovering an anthill and deciding whether to stomp on it or observe it.“How much, you ask? Hmm…” The chairman’s leisurely response didn’t reveal much as Heemin waited anxiously.“Perhaps I know that you’re quite fond of snacks?”Snacks? He wondered how the chairman had learned this particular detail. Surely, Yiheon hadn’t mentioned it, so it must have been Dr. Hwang. Realizing Dr. Hwang had likely shared the information, Heemin felt an odd sense of relief wash over him. There was no need to pretend to be the thirty-year-old Seo Heemin anymore.“And how much do you know about me?” the chairman asked, his gaze shifting briefly to Yiheon, who appeared visibly uneasy. Although the chairman seemed warm and jovial, Heemin knew he was no ordinary man. Being insincere or flattering wouldn’t work here, so he answered plainly.“I know you enjoy fishing and have an interest in Korean paintings.”“That much? Well, that’s as much as Dr. Hwang and President Cha here know about me.”The chairman trailed off meaningfully, still eyeing Heemin with an unreadable expression. While Heemin wasn’t sure if his answer was wrong, he finally realized why the chairman had been behaving this way. Smiling brightly, he asked, “Were you upset because I only gave a gift to Dr. Hwang? Would you like one of my paintings as a gift?”Some time ago, Heemin had gifted a box of Kukuxs snacks to Dr. Hwang, assuming he had taken it reluctantly. But now, it seemed clear that Dr. Hwang had boasted about the gift to the chairman, leading to this moment.“You want to give me one of your paintings?” the chairman asked.“Yes, I figured you’d prefer a painting over snacks.”Though the paintings weren’t Heemin’s own work, he thought it would be better to gift the artwork to someone who would appreciate it rather than letting it sit unseen in the studio.“Seo Heemin, stop messing around,” Yiheon muttered, furrowing his brow as he grabbed Heemin’s wrist, but the chairman raised a hand, signaling Yiheon to step back.“Dr. Hwang was right about you being unpredictable,” the chairman chuckled.“Do you prefer snacks over paintings?” Heemin asked hesitantly, worried he had chosen the wrong gift. But the chairman shook his head. “No, I’ll gladly accept it. Pick one you think I’ll like and send it over.”Heemin beamed, “I’ll do my best to raise the value of my work to the level of a master like Kim Si-hwan!”While Heemin’s current skill level was closer to that of a high school student, he responded confidently, making the chairman laugh heartily. Despite being wary of him at first, Heemin found the chairman surprisingly generous.As they moved toward the dining room, Heemin nudged Yiheon, who still looked concerned, and whispered proudly, “I think I did pretty well with the chairman, don’t you?”Yiheon sighed softly and whispered back, “From now on, don’t say a word.”Though a bit hurt by the reprimand, Heemin decided to stay quiet, remembering Yiheon’s plea to avoid causing trouble. However, inside, he couldn’t help but feel misunderstood. Despite his efforts to help Yiheon navigate his complex relationship with the chairman, it seemed his good intentions weren’t fully appreciated.Though not a direct accomplice like Dr. Hwang, could there still be a way to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with him? Ultimately, my goal was to create an environment where Yiheon could live happily and then leave. It seemed wiser to pull people to our side rather than increase the number of enemies.‘I have to leave the best impression I can with this opportunity!’There was no telling when I’d next see Chairman Yoon again. I wasn’t planning to just sit quietly as Yiheon wanted. Heemin quickly moved to pull out the chair where Chairman Yoon would sit.“Please, have a seat, Chairman.”“You’re much quicker on the uptake than President Cha. Thanks.”“Oh, it’s nothing. After being invited for a meal, it’s the least I can do.”Thanks to my sisters’ strict education, I knew how to be polite and courteous to elders. Yiheon, who silently pulled out the chair across from me, furrowed his brow ever so slightly. He clearly disapproved of me ignoring his earlier instructions.“Seo Heemin, are you fine with cutting meat?”“Meat?”“I asked them to bring the finest cuts since we have something to celebrate.”“I’m fine with anything. I eat everything.”Sitting next to Yiheon with a bright smile, I felt him grab my left hand under the table, squeezing it tightly as if to tell me to calm down. I couldn’t help but find his anxiety amusing.At first, I thought we’d just have steak, but dish after dish kept arriving with small, thumb-sized portions of exquisite food. Though the portions seemed small, I began feeling full as I ate more. It was a luxurious meal, filled with ingredients like truffles and caviar that I had never tried before.“Enjoy your conversation. I’ll bring dessert shortly,” said the butler as he wheeled the trolley out of the room. I mimicked Chairman Yoon’s actions, picking up my dinner fork and knife to slice into the steak. The tenderloin was so soft it parted easily along the grain.“Chairman,”Yiheon, who had been quietly eating, suddenly spoke in a low, serious tone. His demeanor was colder than I’d ever seen. I glanced over at him, feeling a chill at how ruthless he appeared.“What’s the matter? Don’t you like the meat?” asked Chairman Yoon.“I plan to take down Shin Seungbeom soon.”Shin Seungbeom.Hearing the unexpected name nearly made me drop my knife. My heart pounded in my chest.“Shin Seungbeom, the one from Bukseong Construction? That brat’s been running wild like a loose cannon. He’s been a thorn in my side for a while now.”While I froze in surprise, Chairman Yoon remained calm, casually taking another bite of his steak.“Yes, that’s him.”Chairman Yoon’s expression darkened, fury and disdain clear in his eyes as he gripped his knife tightly. His previous gentle smile vanished, replaced by a sharp, dangerous look.“Do you have a justifiable reason for this?”Chairman Yoon was someone who knew how to suppress his predatory instincts and wait for the right moment. He wouldn’t allow a preemptive strike unless it was absolutely necessary. I held my breath, waiting for Yiheon’s response.“I’ve uncovered evidence that Shin Seungbeom has been involved in internal corruption with employees from a newly acquired company. They falsified financial statements to supply materials at lower costs in exchange for kickbacks. We’ve suffered hundreds of billions in losses. This is enough grounds to take action.”“Circumstantial evidence won’t cut it. You need solid proof.”“I have it. Solid proof.”Although I had only heard about the existence of the ledgers, I had never actually seen them. Yet Yiheon spoke with absolute confidence, as if he already had them in his possession.He’s trusting me.The fact that he revealed this plan here also meant he was giving me a heads-up, preparing me for what was to come. My heart swelled with a strange sense of pride, realizing he saw me as his partner despite everything.I took a sip of water to calm the excitement and warmth welling up inside me.“And what do you plan to do with that proof?” asked Chairman Yoon.“I’ve heard that the prosecutors are already looking into the Yeoncheong District redevelopment collapse. I plan to meet Prosecutor Lim and hand over some of the evidence. After that, we’ll just sit back and let the investigation proceed.”“Do you think a single investigation will bring Bukseong down? Shin Seungbeom won’t stay still. He’ll start digging to find out who’s behind this.”Chairman Yoon narrowed his eyes, clearly skeptical of Yiheon’s plan.“That’s exactly what I’m aiming for. If Shin Seungbeom breaks the agreement first, it gives us the justification to take him down.”It seemed Yiheon’s strategy was to provoke Shin Seungbeom into acting first, positioning us as the victims in self-defense—a reversal of the original story, where he and his men stormed Bukseong Construction to collect unpaid debts.“Hahaha. That’s classic President Cha for you. I’m looking forward to this. Taking down Shin Seungbeom could shake the entire Bukseong empire.”Chairman Yoon’s face lit up with excitement as he drained his glass of wine. His ambition and vigor made it hard to believe he was over seventy. His laugh, combined with the overwhelming presence of his alpha pheromones, sent a shiver through the air.“I have one request, Chairman,” said Yiheon.“Go ahead. Let’s hear it.”Yiheon met Chairman Yoon’s gaze, his voice calm and measured.“If this plan succeeds, I want you to grant me one thing.”“What do you want?”“I’ll tell you once I’ve seen this through to the end.”Chairman Yoon’s lips curled into a grin at Yiheon’s careful bargaining. He seemed to study Yiheon for a moment, as if trying to read his mind, then shifted his gaze to me, still smiling.“Very well. With a witness here, I’ll promise you that.”