The Weight of the Day

“Tired.”

The first thing Jaekyung said after getting into the car.

Seo, the driver assigned by Han Taeseok, remained silent, simply driving.

Looking at his phone, there were no calls or messages.

At least on KakaoTalk, his former team members sent photos from the press conference and encouraged him.

Jaekyung sent a quick thank-you and was about to put his phone away when a message arrived.

• I heard it went well. Good job.

A message from a man he hadn’t expected.

Feeling his tired body come alive again, he blinked at the message.

He couldn’t believe the text.

Should he reply…?

He probably should.

He couldn’t ignore it.

He held onto his phone, thinking carefully before cautiously typing a line.

• Thank you. Director Han, you worked hard today as well. Please rest.

After pressing send, he regretted it.

He could have written a bit more, said something better—!

He wouldn’t grow close to him over this, but he thought it only natural to return kindness with kindness.

He waited five minutes, hoping for a reply, but none came.

His energy rapidly depleted, and his body slumped into the seat, yet he continued staring at the message.

He hoped next time he could greet him differently.

But, as always, expectations regarding Han Taeseok were promptly crushed.

He saw him again on the day of the wedding.

◆

“It’s just body aches.”

Hearing this from the professor, Jaekyung felt deep relief.

He had worried about something wrong with his body, but it was okay.

“I’ll give you an injection and a three-day prescription. Eat and take it after meals.”

“Thank you.”

“Any other pains or discomfort?”

“No.”

The professor asked questions while typing on the monitor.

Jaekyung glanced at the screen.

Most of it was medical jargon, but the Omega symbol and the preceding minus sign were recognizable.

It meant he was still a recessive Omega…

Even after five years of hormone injections, he remained a recessive Omega.

“Thank you.”

“Take care of your body. If anything happens, contact me immediately. Understood?”

“Yes. Ah, professor, please keep my visit a secret from my father.”

The professor sighed deeply.

Knowing the family, he understood what Jaekyung meant and nodded.

Jaekyung thanked him again and left, going to a nearby pharmacy to fill the prescription.

“Please wait a moment.”

While waiting, he looked around the pharmacy.

Thanks to the injection, his condition improved significantly.

He couldn’t sit still, trying to make up for days of inactivity.

The door jingled as a customer entered, and Jaekyung glanced over, startled.

“Ah…”

The visitor looked equally surprised.

“Mr. Jaekyung.”

He appeared to be in his early forties, older than Jaekyung, yet always greeted him politely.

“No need for that now, Secretary Oh.”

Oh Seunghwan…

Han’s secretary, who had assisted him since childhood.

Han relied on and trusted him more than his own family.

But why was he here?

Jaekyung knew Han’s residence wasn’t nearby, nor was the headquarters.

His appearance here was outside his usual range.

He rarely left Han’s side except when sleeping.

That meant…

“Is Director Han outside?”

“Ah… yes, he’s waiting in the car.”

Through the pharmacy window, he saw a familiar black sedan with flashing hazard lights across the intersection.

“I’ve come to pick up Director Ji.”

So she was still at the hospital.

It made sense—two years ago, she had severely injured her leg at a national event and often needed assistance afterward.

Jaekyung considered his luck, bumping into them like this.

“Are you unwell?”

He waved his arm quickly.

“No. I’m fine.”

“Then you wouldn’t come here otherwise.”

“Well… yes. Haha. I just felt some cold body aches.

Ah, but Secretary Oh, why did you come here and leave Director Han?”

“I came to buy a fatigue recovery supplement. Age can’t be ignored anymore.”

“Take care of your health. Eat plenty of supplements.”

“Yes, you too, Mr. Jaekyung.”

Han Taeseok went to his study, and Jaekyung, hugging a pillow on the sofa, recalled how Secretary Oh occasionally spoke to him.

Unable to talk to anyone all day, it had been refreshing to have someone notice him.

Time truly heals.

Now he could recall those memories without strain.

Perhaps, after more time, the events of five years could become memories.

Some were worth remembering.

“Mr. Jaekyung, your medicine is ready.”

He eagerly received the prescription and put it in his bag.

“I’ll be leaving now. Ah, and… please keep this a secret from Director Han, about what I saw.”

“Understood.”

Jaekyung thanked the pharmacist and quickly left the pharmacy.

Seeing the sedan again, closer this time, he flinched.

He needed to cross the street to catch the bus, but he lacked the courage.

He hailed the nearest taxi, gave the destination, and leaned back comfortably.

Glancing back, the car was gone.

A dream?

No.

Nothing existed between him and that man to inspire such dreams.

His heart stirred for no reason.

He stared out the window, trying to distract himself with passing people.

◆

The wedding, meant to display the grandeur of two leading Korean corporations, was naturally large and luxurious.

An outdoor ceremony took place at a traditional Hanok hotel in Incheon, operated by NI Company.

Floral tributes from the president, foreign clients, top domestic companies, and various vendors lined the path, creating a literal flower path for the guests.

Members of the NI and Jaewang families busily greeted guests.

Their subordinates helped guide the attendees.

This time, media access was also permitted, and numerous reporters and camera crews were present, creating a noisy, festive atmosphere.

The bride, Jaekyung, sat in the waiting room, staring blankly into the mirror.

She had been awake since 4 AM, showered, massaged, and had hair and makeup done.

Wearing the white ceremonial dress chosen by NI and a pink flower on her chest, the day had finally arrived.

The wedding…

Yet, amusingly, the groom had not yet arrived.

The waiting room was shared by both Omega and Alpha guests, waiting together for the ceremony.

“Am I getting married alone?”

It would be funny, she thought aloud, chuckling.

He had not contacted her once since the press conference.

A week passed, then ten days, and gradually she gave up hope.

A month went by, and she thought the wedding had fallen through—but it hadn’t.

“Jaekyung.”

She spoke to her reflection in the mirror.

“Why are you like this?”

If she wanted to run, now was the time.

Tears welled up.

The visible future tore at her heart.

Then the door opened, and Han Taeseok entered.

She sprang up, surprised, but he did not look at her.

He followed his aides, changed into ceremonial attire, fixed his hair and makeup.

In ten minutes, he was ready.

He glanced at Jaekyung in the mirror, nodded, asked his secretary about the schedule, and left.

“Hello, Mr. Jaekyung.”

“Ah, hello…”

The man who had just guided him out returned to greet Jaekyung.

“I am Oh Seunghwan, Director Han’s secretary. From today, I will be assisting you as well.”

Ah, he was his secretary.

“Ah, I look forward to working with you.”

“The ceremony will begin in ten minutes. You should prepare. I’ll let people in, so check everything again.”

“Yes, understood.”

“I’ll also explain the flow of the wedding.”

Secretary Oh handed Jaekyung an A4 sheet.

It was the wedding cue sheet.

She realized he had also managed the press conference.

Like someone starting a performance, he explained the schedule and her tasks.

It was so complex, it was hard to tell if it was a wedding or a show.

“If you have questions during the ceremony, just look at me, and I’ll help.”

“…Can I ask Director Han instead?”

Surely asking someone nearby was faster than signaling someone far away.

“You may ask him. But he will be busy with guests, so call on me when possible.”

In short, don’t bother him.

Understood, Jaekyung nodded.

“Any other questions?”

“…Will we go on a honeymoon? I haven’t heard anything.”

“No. Director Han is too busy to take leave.

After the ceremony, you will be taken to the house prepared in Cheongdam.”

Was that fortunate? Unfortunate?

She didn’t even feel disappointed, likely because she had expected nothing.

She smiled bitterly, slowly getting accustomed to their ways.