Farewell and the Arrival

“Ah… so that’s why you couldn’t tell us?”

“A marriage, Team Leader! No, for someone of marriageable age… it’s fast… but marriage… and with Han Taeseok….”

“Were you dating? I’ve never seen you in a relationship before, Team Leader….”

The staff approached Jaekyung, confused, asking questions.

Jaekyung could only laugh.

“I’m sorry for not being able to spend more time with you all.”

“So you won’t be joining us for the farewell dinner? Today is your last day… and once you join NI Company, we won’t see you anymore.”

“Yeah… we should have a drink… but I’ll probably be very busy with the wedding preparations.”

His one line was enough.

Everyone agreed.

There was a prejudice that the wedding of a chaebol family would be extravagant and full of tasks.

Jaekyung decided to use that assumption to his advantage.

“But you have to stay in touch. At least make time to have a meal…”

Jaekyung held back tears as his team continued speaking, lamenting.

He knew that as an Omega marrying into another family, he would now belong elsewhere.

But so soon… he wanted more time here, with them.

There were things he wanted to do, things he wanted to achieve… but this did not mean he was joining NI Company.

He would be confined to that family, waiting every day for his husband to arrive.

“Haeshin, come—say goodbye.”

A female colleague nudged one of the junior team members forward.

Kwak Haeshin, a new hire from a year ago, recently made full-time with excellent grades, a passionate Alpha.

His large, bear-like frame trembled, and his eyes were glistening.

“Haeshin, why are you crying?”

Jaekyung pulled out a tissue and handed it to him.

Haeshin held it tightly, as if it were precious.

“Team Leader, thank you. Truly… truly thank you.”

“Thank you for following me well.”

“And… and congratulations on your marriage…”

The man’s voice shook violently.

He couldn’t continue speaking, swallowing repeatedly, and finally lowered his head.

“I’m sorry!!”

Suddenly shouting an apology, he ran off.

Everyone watched his retreating figure with pity, clicking their tongues.

“Haeshin… he really liked you, Team Leader.”

One of his colleagues cautiously spoke.

Ah… Jaekyung remembered the glances he occasionally received at work.

He thought it was mere admiration… but it had another meaning.

He didn’t know—and he was lucky not to.

Nothing had started.

He could leave it unresolved here.

Jaekyung smiled bitterly as he packed all his things into boxes.

His work here was done.

There was no place for him anymore.

“Everyone, take care.”

Carrying the box, he said his final goodbyes and left the company.

He didn’t stop his colleagues who had followed, and as he tried to hail a taxi, a black sedan suddenly stopped in front of him.

It was the same model as his father’s car.

Had the driver not left yet?

No, that was impossible.

The driver had taken his father earlier.

“Ah….”

The car door opened, and a tall man stepped out.

All the team members around Jaekyung gasped in admiration.

Jaekyung nearly dropped the box in shock.

Unbelievably, it was Han Taeseok.

He stepped out of the car, smiling at Jaekyung.

Jaekyung froze at that smile, unsure how to respond.

The people behind them began whispering.

“My god, it’s Han Taeseok?”

“Why is he here?”

“Obviously, he’s here to pick up the Team Leader.”

“Oh right. They’re getting married, weren’t they?”

Yes. The two of them were to be married.

Yet, since that decision, he had never shown this side of himself.

The company probably knew, but he had never asked or been told anything.

He had never properly greeted him, yet suddenly he approached with a familiar face, taking the box from Jaekyung.

“That took long enough.”

The sweet, unfamiliar voice made Jaekyung’s heart skip.

Was this really Han Taeseok?

Or someone behind a mask?

Or was this a dream?

He continued to smile at Jaekyung.

Then he glanced backward.

Jaekyung immediately understood the look.

Journalists were visible among the distant pedestrians.

The realization hit Jaekyung like a blow to the back of his head.

Of course.

This is staged.

They knew the wedding announcement would bring reporters, so he came early.

Or maybe he had called the reporters.

Either way, it was a coordinated setup.

He looked back at his eyes.

Even while smiling, they were cold.

The same eyes Jaekyung knew.

He felt foolish for having expected anything.

He smiled.

“Thank you. How did you get here? You must be busy.”

Jaekyung matched Taeseok’s staged kindness with a gentle voice and smile.

His colleagues were all astonished.

Soon, superiors who had heard that Han Taeseok arrived came to observe.

Han Taeseok placed a hand on Jaekyung’s shoulder, gently sliding down his back to pull him closer.

“You’re busy, but today is your last day, so I had to come.”

He greeted everyone who had worked with Jaekyung.

All present awkwardly returned the greeting.

The mood was pleasant.

But Jaekyung felt miserably humiliated.

The touch of his cold hand sent shivers down his spine.

After tapping Jaekyung’s back, he helped him into the car, while the box remained in the rear seat.

He quickly fastened Jaekyung’s seatbelt.

Everyone else exclaimed, “Ohh!” with envy.

“Team Leader! Be happy!!”

“Team Leader! Thank you!!”

Jaekyung held back tears, thanked everyone, and closed the car door.

As the car departed and the gazes disappeared, a cold atmosphere filled the interior.

He felt suffocated and nauseous.

“Stop at the subway station, please.”

Jaekyung couldn’t endure it anymore.

He hadn’t intended to say it, but the tense air made his voice harsh.

“Be patient. We have something to discuss.”

The sweet voice from minutes ago was gone.

The cold reality blocked his movement.

Perhaps he sensed the tension too.

He must be struggling just as much.

But… what did he want to talk about?

“What do you mean, ‘something to discuss’?”

“Let’s talk at the N Department Store parking lot up ahead.”

Not a café, not a restaurant—just a parking lot.

Since N Department Store had no above-ground parking, it must be underground.

Was it really a suitable place for a serious conversation?

No. He shouldn’t think like that.

It wasn’t unreasonable for him to come today.

What was wrong with the performance?

Being born into this family, acting was not unusual.

Both of them were struggling to survive.

Jaekyung regretted speaking coldly.

He had to get along with the man he would marry.

And they needed to reach a point where they could have a conversation.

It’s said, it’s never too late to start, but it’s too early to hesitate.

Jaekyung steadied his mind.

The car entered N Department Store, guided to the VIP B1 parking lot.

They parked naturally in one of the reserved spaces.

Han Taeseok turned off the engine and released the handbrake.

Jaekyung took a deep breath and spoke the lines she had practiced silently.

“Thank you for coming today. I was wondering how to carry the boxes.”

As soon as she finished, he handed her a business card.

“This is Driver Seo, who will assist you from now on. He’ll be in charge of you from tomorrow, once you move from your mother’s care.

From tomorrow, you’ll ride in our family’s car, not the Jaewang Group’s.

The car is ready, and Driver Seo will always be nearby. Call him if you need anything.”

“Yes?”

“Never drive yourself. From now on, act with proper decorum. You’re no longer a mere team leader of Jaewang Group.”

“Ah… understood…”

“I heard you enjoy movies. We built a large theater room in the basement of your new home, so be patient for now.

I won’t stop you from visiting bookstores. Reading is good, and it looks good to others too.

Two bodyguards will accompany you, so always take them. Avoid moving alone whenever possible.”