The Evolution of Species – Chapter 4.1 – Fox Hunt 2

Author: nicotine

The destination wasn’t really far away.

Before dinnertime, I arrived in Jeonju City. Following the navigation’s directions, I drove for about thirty more minutes and reached my destination.

A picturesque lake unfolded before me. A winding mountain range, resembling the spine of a serpent, encircled the lake, and in front of it lay a plain fragmented like a chessboard.

I drove up a narrow, poorly paved road for about five minutes. As I rounded a large curve to the left, the lake, previously hidden by the ridge, came back into view, and a small villa appeared.

It was an absolutely stunning location. From that spot, the lake would likely be visible from both the first and second floors.

I parked the car about three hundred meters from the villa. There was a small clearing under a thicket full of dead leaves and a gaunt, towering tree, perfect for parking. I left the car there and walked toward the villa.

The villa looked to be about thirty years old, but judging by the condition of the lawn and the trimmed shrubs, it seemed to be reasonably well-maintained.

The security wasn’t particularly tight. A green metal fence surrounded the villa, but it wasn’t very high, and there were no ferocious Doberman Pinschers or Rottweilers prowling about.

The fence was about 1.7 meters tall—not an impossible height to jump over—but since I had come here to talk, I decided to try a peaceful approach first.

I went to the gate. As expected, there was a doorbell. I pressed it. So far, everything was quite peaceful.

The doorbell was surprisingly modern for a thirty-year-old villa. It was equipped with a camera and intercom function, and above it, a high-definition CCTV camera was separately installed. Though there were no Dobermans or Rottweilers, it was clear there was a strong intent to at least clearly identify visitors’ faces.

About a minute later, a slightly hoarse voice, mixed with some static, came through the intercom.

[What’s the matter?]

It was a man’s voice, a bit rough, likely belonging to someone in their thirties or forties, unfiltered by a voice modulator.

“Hello.”

I flashed a bright smile at the CCTV camera.

“I’m here on Federson’s introduction… Is this Choi Yoonseok’s house?”

[No, it’s not.]

The denial came back as smoothly as flowing water.

It was too natural, too calm, too composed.

And that’s how I knew it was a lie.

Let me say again, I was trying to go for a peaceful approach.

“Are you Choi Yoonseok?”

This time, the intercom cut off entirely.

Hmph, fine. I glanced up at the CCTV camera briefly before turning around. I sauntered along the fence, and at a corner where it bent, I hopped over it with ease. Inside, there was dry grass, and no distinct path. It was about fifteen meters to the villa’s outer wall.

I carefully inspected the grassy ground. Instead of footprints, there was a faint trace, as if a long wire had grazed through. A very old-school booby trap. Not lethal enough to take a life, but effective enough to tangle someone’s feet.

“Well, look at that. It is Choi Yoonseok.”

I muttered to myself as I sidestepped half a step.

Carefully avoiding the faintly disturbed soil and grass covering it, I moved forward step by step. Eight meters to the villa’s outer wall, then six, then three… I bent my knees lightly, sprang up, stepped on the first-floor windowsill, and jumped again to grab the second-floor windowsill. Pulling myself up with my elbows, I was on the roof in five seconds. The roof was steeply sloped, with little footing.

I crouched low, practically clinging to the roof, and moved along the edge of the railing. I stopped at a window that seemed to lead to a bedroom or study and peered down.

The house was still quiet inside.

I didn’t know what might be waiting. A knife would be nice. A gun, though—what then?

Hmm. I cleared my throat once.

“I’m really here because Federson sent me!”

I shouted loudly.

“I’m coming in anyway!”

Still, no sound came from inside the house. Well, fine.

I grabbed the roof railing with both hands and flung myself downward. Tensing my core and using the momentum, I kicked the glass window with my foot. A cracking sound followed as the reinforced glass splintered. On my second attempt, I shattered the window and threw myself inside.

As expected, the warm welcome I’d anticipated followed.

A heavy, solid shoulder slammed hard into my chest. A thick arm wrapped around my neck, and a fist came flying toward my cheekbone. I tilted my head to dodge the punch, twisted my body, and grabbed the shoulder of the guy charging at me.

“Guh…!”

He let out a low groan but didn’t falter. He drove his knee toward my abdomen. I smacked the inside of his knee with my forearm, grabbed the arm choking my neck, and threw him down. Thud! He rolled on the floor, using a breakfall technique.

He sprang back up immediately, crouching low and eyeing me warily. The distance between us was now about three meters. His muscles were taut, poised to either charge or flee at the perfect moment.

Precise, trained movements. A soldier, an agent, or maybe both.

“Hey, Choi Yoonseok.”

I flashed a not-so-friendly smile at the Southeast Asian contact.

“Nice house.”

And then I rushed at him.

Choi Yoonseok twisted his body to dodge my charge, trying to grab my collar. I sidestepped slightly, wrapped my arm around his neck, and pulled. As he twisted to escape, his inner knee was exposed. I tapped it lightly with the tip of my foot.

“Argh…!”

Choi Yoonseok’s body collapsed, and I gently pressed my weight onto him, pinning him to the floor.

“Guh, ha, haha, ugh, damn it… I knew it’d come to this… Nothing’s been going my way lately, damn it! Maybe I should hold a ritual or something…”

His heavy mouth finally opened.

“Who the hell are you? What do you want?”

“Hmm. Just call me Yoon for now. Didn’t Federson tell you about me?”

“Damn it! I told that woman I’m not doing it! I’m out, I’m not getting involved! I’d have to be crazy to… damn it, to go back to the Philippines now…!”

Interesting story.

“Oh? What’s going on in the Philippines right now?”

Instead of answering, Choi Yoonseok heaved his shoulders, breathing heavily. Then he let out a wheezing laugh, like air leaking out.

“You’re just some clueless punk, aren’t you? Haha. What’s going on in the Philippines? It’s a total mess. Anyway, I’m not getting involved. Whatever scheme you’re cooking up… you’d better back out too. Stick your nose in without knowing what’s what, and your life’s gonna go to hell.”

Choi Yoonseok rambled on.

Hmm…

I pressed one knee gently into his shoulder.

“Ow! Ah, ouch, ouch, ouch! My shoulder! My shoulder’s gonna pop! Damn it! I said I’m not getting involved!”

“I’m not exactly planning to drag you into this either… But what exactly did Federson tell you? I just want to ask a few things.”

“Hah, haha. I don’t know anything, damn it. I retired from Manila ten years ago!”

“Retirement, huh. Retirement’s nice. My goal’s to retire at thirty-five. Hmm. Let’s see. Former black ops agent?”

“Whatever!”

Choi Yoonseok yelled, complaining about the pain.

What a drama queen. As if he’s never been through worse.

“Anyway, Federson sent me. Don’t you want to wrap this up nicely? Without violence. Peacefully.”

At my friendly suggestion, Choi Yoonseok tilted his head to glance up at me.

“Damn it… Nothing good ever comes from getting tangled up with Omega…”

He grumbled for a moment before lowering his gaze. The tension in his body eased slightly.

“What do you want to know?”

He spat out the words gruffly.

“Let me say again, I’ve been out of the Philippines for a while.”

Well, maybe he has. But would Federson have called him a “Southeast Asian contact” for no reason?

“Alright, fine. It’s good to see you’re willing to talk.”

I slightly loosened my grip on his neck.

“So, what do you say? Want to keep talking like this? I don’t mind…”

“Let me go! Damn it, you’re gonna break my neck!”

Choi Yoonseok started yelling again, and out of respect for Federson, I let him go without shutting his mouth.

Once released, he deliberately clutched his neck and coughed dramatically for a while. What a faker.

After coughing for a bit, he straightened up and slowly backed away from me. I followed him step for step, and he finally stopped when he bumped into the back of a large sofa.

“Ha… damn it. Fine, what do you want to ask?”

He spread his arms as if surrendering, glancing around subtly.

“Well… want to sit? The view here’s amazing… and thanks to you breaking the window, the air’s nice and fresh. By the way, can I bill Federson for that window?”

He babbled on shamelessly.

The sofa didn’t look cheap, but it wasn’t exactly high-end either. No need to refuse a seat, though.

I strode over to the sofa and plopped down on it. Then I got straight to the point.

“I hear there’s a big deal going down in Manila soon. I want to know about it.”

Choi Yoonseok’s face twisted.

“Damn it. I knew it’d be about that.”

Well… looks like Federson pointed me to the right guy.

He glared at me, his eyes sharp. I met his gaze without flinching. A regular guy. A highly trained man. Probably a former black ops agent. For someone who retired ten years ago, his body was still in great shape. His lean, functional muscles weren’t overly bulky, and there wasn’t an ounce of fat on his torso or limbs. If he’d been fully armed, he’d have been a tough opponent. Not that tough, mind you, but not a pushover either.

I gave him a bright smile.

The corner of his mouth twitched.

“Look… let me give you some advice.”

I almost told him that everyone who’s ever given me unsolicited advice—except family and friends—is six feet under, but I held back.

“Get out while you can.”

“I’ll handle that myself.”

“I’m saying this because of your face. You know what happens to guys like you who get mixed up in this stuff, don’t you?”

Choi Yoonseok acted like he knew it all.

“No matter how special you are, you’re not invincible. A bullet or a knife will kill you just the same.”

“Hmm. True. I always try not to forget that.”

“I’ve seen guys like you before. Damn it. You won’t even die cleanly. You know what happens to unlucky Omegas. So back off this deal and tell Federson to stop sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong…”

Yawning, I leaned on the sofa’s armrest and stood up smoothly. Choi Yoonseok shut his mouth.

“Alright. Done with the lecture? Ready for my turn?”

I cracked my neck side to side.

“What’s the deal exactly? Cocaine?”

“Damn it! What’s your deal with Federson?”

“Let’s set a rule. I ask the questions. You answer.”

Rules save time. That’s why I like them.

“Alright. Let me ask again. What’s the deal?”

“…Fine. It’s cocaine.”

“Where from?”

“It was Japanese money. Just under twenty million dollars… but because of something that happened last year, the money’s gone, and only ten kilos of cocaine are left.”

Hmm. This kind of thing happens sometimes. Maybe Interpol got involved, or the money guy got caught in a fight and lost his head, or there was an issue with the goods or the cash, and the deal fell apart. Not common, but not rare either. Especially in Mexico.

“Hmm. Twenty million dollars isn’t exactly a life-changing amount, is it?”

“Well… yeah. Who knows.”

Choi Yoonseok played dumb, though he clearly knew something. I let it slide generously. I wasn’t here for the full story of why the deal went south.

“Alright, fine. So, who owns the drugs now?”

“Don’t know.”

A sharp answer came back.

I expected as much.

I smiled.

“Sure. Everyone says they don’t know at first, but they always end up talking. What do you think? Do we really need to waste time?”

Choi Yoonseok’s shoulders stiffened, and a flicker of tension crossed his face.

“I really don’t know. Even if I did, damn it, you know what’d happen to me if I told you! All I know is… the deal’s happening in Manila, and the drug owner…”

Choi Yoonseok hesitated for a few seconds.

“…is in Korea.”

In Korea?

My mind raced.

Ten kilos of cocaine isn’t exactly a small amount. Twenty million dollars isn’t chump change either. It’s just that I’m too used to Mexico’s scale… Anyway, ten kilos of cocaine. Definitely more appealing than rifle ammo. Especially if you can sell it by the gram. I don’t know how much Kwon Sinwoo’s “grand opening discount promotion” is worth, but… hmm. I decided not to put too much stock in that promotion.

Anyway, Choi Yoonseok knew more than I expected.

“If you don’t know, fine. For Federson’s sake, I’ll let it slide.”

At my words, Choi Yoonseok’s eyebrow twitched. A bead of cold sweat rolled down his temple. Hey, it’s too early to relax…

I gave him a bright smile.

“But I’m thinking… you could probably point me to someone who could connect me to the drug owner, right?”

“You…”

Choi Yoonseok swallowed hard.

“What are you planning?”

“Oh, nothing much.”

Nothing much at all.

“I’m just thinking about buying those drugs myself.”

Choi Yoonseok turned out to be useful. Guys like him, when their life’s on the line, are sharper and quicker than anyone. He connected me with a few contacts (or people who might be contacts).

One, two, three. And then the fourth.

The fourth contact. Meaning the first three were no help.

Anyway, I met the fourth contact (or someone who might be a contact).

The location was a golf course. Of course, it wasn’t a prearranged meeting.

I drove a cart on a stunning 18-hole course carved out of a mountain. Two guys whistled when they saw me.

“Today’s caddy is a looker, huh?”

I smiled brightly, trying to figure out which one was the contact.

Both were burly and muscular. They looked like they worked out, but their bodies weren’t exactly well-balanced. One had a pale face, the other a flushed one, despite not being drunk. The flushed guy’s white Ralph Lauren golf shirt made him look even redder.

“President Park?”

At my question, the pale-faced guy burst out laughing.

“What’s this? All the pretty ones always ask for President Park. Man, he’s just too popular with the caddies.”

Popular… Sounds like a phrase from a 90s Korean drama. Do people still say that? It was my first time hearing it in real life.

“If you’re jealous, get yourself a business card.”

The guy in the white golf shirt sauntered over, slinging an arm around my shoulder.

“By the way, how old are you? You look young. Twenty? Twenty-two? College student? Part-time job?”

So many questions.

I just smiled instead of answering.

A members-only golf club. A sprawling 18-hole course. It was 4 p.m. Playing golf while watching the sunset, followed by dinner, a few drinks, and some girls to grope.

Perfect. Perfect because no one would suspect anything if they went off the grid for a couple of hours or half a day.

A little later, I drove the golf cart with the pale-faced guy and the white Ralph Lauren shirt toward a secluded corner of the course.

I tied up the unconscious pale-faced guy in the cart and dragged out President Park.

“What, what the hell! Who are you? What do you want!”

He freaked out as I ripped the duct tape off his mouth.

I lightly slapped his cheek to calm him down, and he settled quickly.

A few questions and answers were exchanged. Not much different from the previous three. He foamed at the mouth, insisting he didn’t know anything, throwing a fit.

One or two people might not know. But four? No way.

Something was off. What was it? What was I missing…?

I twirled my jackknife between my fingers, lost in thought. President Park’s eyes followed the blade, spinning nervously.

After a moment, I spoke.

“Alright. Let’s change the question. Heard anything about arms deals in Manila recently?”

“Ar-arms?”

“Yeah.”

I kindly elaborated.

“You know, ammo, rifles, that sort of thing. Not for hunting. In bulk.”

“Haha… I don’t know anything about that… Never heard of such a thing.”

He shook his head frantically, his bloodshot eyes wild.

“What kind of crazy bastard would do an arms deal of that scale in the Philippines? Southeast Asia isn’t even that big a market for that… Unless it’s a military deal…”

…A military deal?

A gut feeling flashed through my mind. It wasn’t a good one.

I quickly stood up.

I taped President Park’s mouth shut again with duct tape and shoved him back into the cart. Then, looking into his eyes, I smiled.

“You know why I’m letting you go unharmed, right?”

President Park nodded frantically, like a madman.

The law is far, but my fists are close. Especially mine.

“If we meet again and it’s not so pleasant, it probably won’t end like this.”

I deliberately snapped the blade of my jackknife back into place with a loud click. President Park’s eyes bulged as if they might pop, the whites gleaming like he was about to faint.

I stood up before he actually passed out.

I left the golf course. Moving lightly, I got into my car and casually drove past the parking lot’s already-destroyed CCTV cameras.

That bad feeling nagged at me the entire drive. Even after checking into a 60,000-won-a-night no-tell motel, the feeling didn’t go away. It lingered even as I showered, washing off sweat and blood.

Lying on a cheap mattress with creaking springs, I stared at the ceiling. My face faintly reflected in the harsh, cheap lighting.

Hmm… What did I miss? No matter how much I racked my brain, nothing came to mind. But I trusted my instincts. They’d saved my life at least three hundred times.

I shifted my train of thought.

I recalled Choi Yoonseok’s warning to stay out of this.

Maybe I should’ve pressed him harder. Well, for Federson’s sake, not to the point of permanent damage… just appropriately… an interrogation that wouldn’t leave lasting injuries… I thought about the eighteen effective interrogation techniques that could make a prisoner talk in seventeen seconds, then dropped it.

I rolled over on the mattress, tucking the pillow under my stomach and lying face-down. I looked at my phone. I checked my email, skimming through a few messages, deleting two that were obviously from Edmundo without reading them. The rest were job offers or something like it, but I left them unread.

I stared at the blank screen for a moment.

It had been a week of motel life already.

Not that I hated it…

But it couldn’t compare to a stunning penthouse with a view of Seoul’s skyscrapers, the river flowing between them, and the mountain ridges connecting like clouds.

That’s when it happened. Like something out of a movie, my phone screen lit up with an incoming call. An eleven-digit number, not saved but familiar. Kwon Sinwoo.

I hesitated briefly. Not for long.

This wasn’t the kind of call that required worrying about being traced.

I hit the accept button, switched it to speakerphone, and placed the phone beside the pillow. Tilting my body sideways toward the phone, I whispered softly at the black call screen.

“Hey.”

I could feel his breathing through the phone.

[Hakyung.]

His low, calm voice.

That voice reminded me of his pheromones. His skin’s scent too. The rich smell of sweat and metal, pheromones, strong cologne…

[What were you doing?]

He asked in a tickling tone.

“Talking. With you.”

A small laugh came back. It sent a shiver through me. I shifted my position, lying flat on my back, staring at the ceiling.

[Still not done with your business?]

Kwon Sinwoo whispered, almost teasingly.

[When are you coming back?]

“Soon.”

I stifled a laugh as I answered.

[Is there anything I can help with?]

“Hmm, well…”

I was in the middle of helping with Kwon Sinwoo’s deal, so if he helped me back, wouldn’t that make things weird? I deftly changed the subject.

“By the way… how’s your deal going? Is it going well?”

[Yes.]

He replied seductively, dragging out the word slightly.

[It’s proceeding without a hitch.]

“Without a hitch? Really?”

Honestly, it was a bit hard to believe.

Kwon Sinwoo chuckled softly.

[Yes. No need to worry.]

His voice dropped lower. A deep, resonant tone, like it was echoing in a cave, contrasted with a soft, whispering murmur.

[So come back soon…]

My lower abdomen tingled. I wanted to touch his face right then. The perfect brow of an Alpha, the elegant eyebrow bone, the flawless cheekbones and temples. And all of it, that golden ratio, contorted in the pleasure of sex…

I let out a low breath.

“I want to kiss you.”

Right now.

“On your stomach…”

[Don’t tease.]

Kwon Sinwoo cut me off. His voice was sticky.

[I’m holding back.]

“Yeah. Phone sex isn’t my thing anyway.”

[That kind of talk…]

Kwon Sinwoo paused.

[You shouldn’t say so carelessly.]

“Why not?”

Taking advantage of his silence, I pulled the pillow down, hugged it with both arms, and turned back toward the phone.

“Want me to give you the address?”

[No need.]

Kwon Sinwoo brushed it off, then made a very proper suggestion.

[How about dinner together this weekend?]

“At a restaurant?”

[If that’s what you want…]

I finally burst out laughing. Hugging the pillow, I laughed for a while, then wiped a tear from the corner of my eye with my fingertip.

“You were thinking dirty thoughts, weren’t you?”

Instead of an answer, a low sound—half groan, half laugh—came through the phone. I could vividly picture the shy, beautiful smile on his face.

I pressed my lips close to the phone and whispered.

“Alright…”

I wanted to kiss him.

“But this time, let’s cook together.”

My lips finally touched the phone screen. Of course, it was nowhere near a real kiss.

After ending the call, I stared at the ceiling again, locking eyes with my reflection in the cheap lampshade. My mind was racing.

About a minute later, I ended the staring contest and sprang up.

Alright. Forget it.

I had to trust my instincts. The ones that had saved my life countless times.

And once I’d made that decision, there was no need to stay in this cheap motel room. Goodbye to the creaky mattress, the tacky lamp, the flimsy bathtub. I’d head straight to the parking lot, start the car, floor the accelerator, and race back to the beautiful penthouse overlooking the city that never sleeps. Then I’d collapse onto the proper Alpha waiting for me and sleep.

I grabbed my clothes. Stretching my fingers, I pulled on my gloves and quickly ran through my thoughts.

I needed another way to approach the “deal.” A way to help Kwon Sinwoo, and ultimately, myself.

What price had the platform offered for ten kilos of cocaine? How attractive was the deal? Could I come up with something even more enticing? Not diamonds or nuclear warheads. Something easy to liquidate, divisible for sale, and a bit less risky… Something lighter than cocaine… What about marijuana?

I mentally listed dealers who could supply that much marijuana on short notice. And those with the means to get it to the Philippines… A few names came to mind.

Wouldn’t it be faster to just connect Kwon Sinwoo to them?

No one would expect a Mexican drug dealer to be linked to a Korean arms dealer, and just as cocaine is easier than rifle ammo, marijuana is easier than cocaine. The only issue was getting that amount of marijuana…

As I reached for the motel door handle, I froze.

The sound of someone else’s breathing came from the other side of the door. The smell of tension. I quickly counted. Two, three, five…

Without hesitation, I turned toward the window.

This motel was a rundown, thirty-year-old four-story building, but I’d chosen it for one main reason: the window. Unlike modern buildings with restricted windows, this cheap, outdated motel had old-fashioned windows that opened wide.

I gently pulled back the curtain and looked outside.

A quiet, dark lot came into view. Cold air seeped through the thin glass. The area was surrounded by low hills, with no buildings suitable for a sniper. My room was on the second floor. A tall magnolia tree growing up to the window made a ground-level sniper shot nearly impossible.

I flung the window open.

A gust of wind slapped my cheeks.

At the same time, a loud crash came as the door was smashed open. The sound of combat boots, guns being drawn, all mingled with the night air.

I leaped out the window.

Thud. A slight, heavy impact hit my knees as I landed, immediately throwing myself against the building wall. The parking lot entrance was just eight meters away on the opposite side. Should I head there or make a break for the hills? I debated for a split second, but my instincts moved first.

I reflexively twisted my body and rolled to the side.

A faint whip sound followed. A sound I knew all too well. The muffled click of a silenced pistol’s trigger and piston.

A bullet grazed past my neck. A burning pain flared, and the next moment, I stood and sprinted in the opposite direction. Or tried to.

“Whoops. Missed.”

A cheerful voice, out of place in the situation.

“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I was aiming for your shoulder.”

I pressed one hand tightly against my bleeding neck and slowly turned toward the voice.

“Well, looks like it’s just a scratch. You okay?”

He casually waved the pistol in his hand. A Glock 17. One shot fired, so sixteen rounds left in a standard magazine. The distance between us was about six meters. If I could get five more meters away, at night, his accuracy would be terrible… My thoughts stopped there.

“Don’t bother with pointless ideas.”

He grinned.

“You think I came alone?”

Of course not.

There were five more at the window I’d jumped from, and probably about that many behind this guy with the gun.

Instead of retreating, I stood straight and looked at the man in front of me.

Tall. No excess fat, perfect posture. A polished Alpha. Dressed in a perfectly tailored three-piece suit with a thin coat, he looked like he belonged in a luxury hotel lounge, not the front yard of a rundown no-tell motel.

His light-colored eyes—gray, maybe—gleamed sharply in the dark, and his expression was full of ease. He was smiling, but it wasn’t genuine. A mask-like face, impossible to read.

He tilted his head slightly, pulling the corner of his mouth into a faint smile.

“I hear you’ve been looking for me?”

And in that moment, I realized the source of my bad feeling.

This Alpha.

The owner of the ten kilos of cocaine in Manila.

“I was trying to ignore it, you know. I’ve been busy lately. I’m out of this kind of business.”

He shrugged.

“But, well, you’ve caused quite a stir. A very loud one, huh?”

His tone suggested amusement. But he wasn’t actually amused.

“So I thought I’d hear you out. Why are you looking for me?”

He smiled faintly. Of course, it wasn’t a real smile.

This wasn’t just some idiot.

The reason the previous four contacts—or potential contacts—had screamed ignorance until the end, foaming at the mouth, was this Alpha. He was the source of their fear, a dictator ruling them with something more terrifying than violence.

I know guys like this. Power players, used to the game. To this man, the world was divided into winners and losers, his smiles and anger just tools for victory, every action a product of precise calculation.

Naturally, we didn’t get along.

I deliberately stood at an angle, looking up at him from below.

“Good timing. You’re out of this business? I was just about to back out myself.”

‘So let’s both walk away quietly. We won’t have to see each other again.’

…As if that would work.

“Oh, you were about to back out?”

The Alpha narrowed his eyes, repeating my words. That mask-like smile. A face hard to read. Annoying as hell.

He held the gun, but his limbs were relaxed, his grip not particularly precise. Yet, his menace didn’t diminish in the slightest. Even without the real pros likely lurking behind him.

I decided not to move rashly.

Provoking this Alpha too much wasn’t a great idea. Not that he’d be easily provoked. (Though I’m pretty good at provoking Alphas when I want to.)

I spoke carefully.

“I was originally going to talk business with you.”

“And?”

“I changed my mind.”

“Oh?”

He shrugged mockingly.

“Changed your mind? Why’s that?”

Reason one: This Alpha is annoying. Reason two: This Alpha is a jerk. Reason three: This Alpha is annoying, a jerk, and dangerous, so I can’t trust him at all.

Of course, I didn’t say all that.

“Because it’d be a losing deal for me.”

I answered a bit less honestly, but it wasn’t entirely a lie.

I could say with certainty: This Alpha wasn’t someone to do business with. I didn’t want to, either. He was a born hustler. Any deal with him would leave me in the red.

I even doubted he’d actually sell the drugs to the platform, and if he did, it wouldn’t be a favorable deal for them.

“Haha…”

He laughed, as if amused.

I squinted one eye. Something about that laugh felt off.

He lowered the gun, spreading his arms slightly, and said in a cheerful tone.

“Not a complete idiot, are you?”

“Hmm. I was holding back out of politeness, but since you said it first, I guess I can throw it back at you?”

“Oh, ho.”

The Alpha smiled, as if he’d heard something fascinating.

“Well, anyway, fine. If I had more time, I’d ask why you made that call, but unfortunately, I don’t.”

He glanced at his wrist, as if checking the time.

“And honestly, it doesn’t matter. I wasn’t going to do business with you anyway.”

Quarterback vibes. Ugh, so annoying.

“A shady rat with dangerous backing is too risky as a business partner… Well, actually, there’s a bigger reason.”

His voice lowered.

“I was asked a favor.”

“…A favor?”

I looked straight into his eyes. The Alpha didn’t avoid my gaze, just smiled faintly. His unshaken expression wasn’t much different from before. A poker bluff? But I didn’t have to ponder long.

A low vibration and noise came from nearby. The rumble of 21-inch tires rolling on the ground, the sound of a heavy engine moving a massive chassis. Soon, headlights pierced the darkness, flooding toward us. The Alpha’s face was briefly illuminated, then shadowed again. For a moment, his face looked expressionless under the light, but as the shadows returned, only his smile remained.

A limousine with a heavy hood stopped about seven meters from us. The engine growled as it caught its breath, and the driver stepped out.

A familiar face. A woman, expressionless, wearing black leather gloves. An Alpha. As I racked my brain to recall where I’d seen her, she walked to the other side of the car and opened the back door. A spotless dress shoe stepped out first. Then, even in the middle of the night, a perfectly pressed suit pant leg, revealing the flawless outline of a kneecap. I knew that form and texture better than what I could see. Kwon Sinwoo.

He’d been “asked a favor.” The words flashed through my mind.

In that moment, the Alpha in front of me turned slightly toward Kwon Sinwoo and spoke.

“Well, look at that. Isn’t that Executive Kwon?”

His arms were slightly spread, as if welcoming a dear guest, and his voice was cheerful, but the sarcasm beneath his expression was now unmistakably sharp.

For a moment, I almost mistook it for the Alpha losing his composure, but no.

It was a deliberate display of displeasure.

“I’ll make sure to send him back nicely. Unlike some people, I don’t make promises and then stab folks in the back.”

He slipped one hand into his pocket, speaking in a slick, oily manner. It was an unfriendly gesture, signaling he had no intention of shaking hands, and his cheerful voice carried an unhidden edge.

But Kwon Sinwoo, stepping out of the car, merely responded with a low, “Is that so?” and nothing more.

The driver stood holding the car door, still waiting behind him. Tension flowed between these Alphas.

I knew this kind of tension all too well. The calm before the storm, right before a shootout.

“By the way, you arrived at quite the perfect time. Almost as if you were watching?”

At that, Kwon Sinwoo lifted his quiet eyes to meet his gaze. Unlike the Alpha standing between us, Kwon Sinwoo didn’t resort to snide, biting remarks. He remained, as always, courteous.

“Just lucky. The timing worked out.”

A calm voice.

My gaze was instinctively drawn to that voice. I looked at him, but he wasn’t looking at me.

His eyes were fixed unwaveringly on the Alpha in front of me.

And for now, the distance between Kwon Sinwoo and me was still greater than the distance between me and this annoying quarterback.

Then Kwon Sinwoo’s dry voice cut through the space between us.

“President Seo.”

Kwon Sinwoo’s silhouette, standing under the dim shadow of the headlights, was composed of smooth, flowing lines. The crisp collar of his wrinkle-free dress shirt, the belt buckle glinting in the light, the tie neatly folded and tucked into his breast pocket.

By the way, “President Seo.” I stored the name in my mind.

“Thank you for honoring my request.”

The polite gratitude was met with an impolite sneer.

“No big deal. A favor like this is nothing between us.”

As he spoke, President Seo turned slightly toward me, spreading one arm.

“Take him.”

I had more than a few complaints, but let’s list them: First, I’m not a middle schooler being summoned to the principal’s office. Not anymore. Second, President Seo isn’t the principal. Third, Kwon Sinwoo isn’t my mom, either. So, the attitude of these two Alphas was entirely inappropriate.

Therefore, I decided to adopt an equally inappropriate attitude.

Like a rebellious middle schooler, I crossed my arms, stood at an angle, and clamped my mouth shut. Then I glared at both of them with a deeply dissatisfied look.

When I didn’t budge, Kwon Sinwoo moved first. Neither slow nor fast, he approached me at his usual steady pace.

Standing before me, Kwon Sinwoo’s gaze fell on me. His eyes brushed past my face, landing on the still-bleeding scratch on my neck. He silently looked at it for a moment before slowly pulling out a handkerchief and pressing it against my neck.

“Let’s go. There’s a first-aid kit in the car.”

He whispered quietly.

His voice didn’t carry its usual teasing lilt.

Well… I’m not dumb enough to throw a fit here, demanding to know who this Alpha is, what their deal is, how he found me, or what this “favor” is about.

Kwon Sinwoo was still waiting for me.

I finally dropped the “rebellious middle schooler” act and took a step toward him.

Kwon Sinwoo motioned for the driver to step aside and held the car door himself. He let me get in first. I climbed into the car obediently. He closed the door himself.

I waited for fifteen seconds.

The driver opened the opposite door, and Kwon Sinwoo got in. At the same moment, I grabbed his tie. He was pulled toward me. I heard the driver gasp from behind, but I ignored it.

“What’s your deal with him?”

At that moment, the driver hurriedly shut the door.

Kwon Sinwoo reached out and pressed a button on the console. With a faint sound, a partition rose, separating the front and back seats.

I patiently waited until the partition was fully up.

“Now answer.”

“We’re acquaintances.”

Kwon Sinwoo answered without hesitation. Not exactly a satisfying response.

“Acquaintances come in many flavors. You and I are acquaintances. Me and your secretary are acquaintances. There’s knowing someone’s face, knowing their body, knowing their family, knowing them from golfing, knowing them by pointing guns at each other’s foreheads, friends, lovers, forbidden relationships…”

“…Business acquaintances.”

Kwon Sinwoo answered quickly. Alright, so it’s not some weird relationship.

“Partners?”

“Formerly.”

And then Kwon Sinwoo made a slightly reluctant expression. His brow furrowed subtly, his elegant eyebrows drawing closer together.

“What’s this favor?”

“I asked him not to harm you.”

“Me?”

Surprised, my voice came out a bit odd. It sounded closer to “Mwe?” than “Me?” Luckily, Kwon Sinwoo didn’t seem to notice.

“Since you’re in Korea chasing the platform, I figured you’d eventually cross paths with President Seo. But I didn’t expect you to…”

He trailed off, lips closing.

“…President Seo is a dangerous man. Why did you try to do business with him?”

He looked up at me as he asked. His neatly folded tie, secured with a tie pin in his shirt pocket, was now crumpled in my grip, his upper body leaning toward me, practically half-draped over my thighs. He braced himself with both arms on the seat on either side of my waist, his body slightly raised, but if his arms tilted even a little, he’d collapse into my lap.

Not many Omegas could dodge an Alpha’s question in a situation like this.

“I was trying to help you.”

“Help me?”

He tilted his head slightly, repeating my words.

“Yeah. We’re partners, aren’t we?”

As I said this, I pointed at myself with the hand not holding his tie, then at the tip of his nose. Kwon Sinwoo’s eyes followed my fingertip.

“Well… and you’ve got this side to you that’s not very arms-dealer-like. Innocent, you could say…”

Kwon Sinwoo just looked at me without responding.

I stared back at him.

After a few seconds of that odd staring contest, Kwon Sinwoo spoke.

“I knew President Seo was the one trying to sell drugs to the platform. He… has a bit of a grudge against me.”

A grudge?

I recalled the Alpha standing in the dark. A dictator wearing a cheerful mask, ruling people through fear. Holding a grudge against someone like that wouldn’t be a small matter. Maybe I should’ve taken him out, no matter the cost…

As if reading my mind, Kwon Sinwoo continued.

“It’s fine. We’ve reconciled to some extent.”

“Hmm… What does ‘to some extent’ even mean?”

Some kind of Korean expression I don’t know?

Kwon Sinwoo laughed. Since his face was so close, the smile hit harder than usual.

“It means it’s not a grudge deep enough to commit murder.”

Or rather, it was a grudge deep enough for murder, but after much effort, it had been reduced to something less.

“Got it. So, to sum it up: You and that guy had a serious grudge, but you reconciled enough that it’s not worth killing each other over. Still, he’s not reconciled enough to share info about the platform while selling them drugs, but he’s reconciled enough to honor your request not to kill me?”

Kwon Sinwoo nodded.

A very complicated level of reconciliation.

“I’m just glad I got here in time. President Seo said he wouldn’t harm you, but you never know.”

“Why? Wasn’t he supposed to keep his promise?”

“The platform was never my target. I was planning to raid the drug deal between the platform and President Seo. The rifle ammo was a cover, and if President Seo had known…”

“Oh.”

So he was planning to double-cross the platform deal. That “somewhat reconciled” grudge was about to get deeper.

Anyway, if Kwon Sinwoo’s telling the truth, doesn’t that mean my meddling screwed up his plan?

But instead of blaming me, he asked,

“I’m not as nice as you think. Are you disappointed?”

Hmm…

That’s exactly what makes him innocent, but whatever, it was fine.

“I was a bit surprised. But you handled your business well, so why would I be disappointed? If anything, didn’t I mess up your plan? Aren’t you disappointed in me?”

“No.”

Kwon Sinwoo answered without hesitation.

A low sigh escaped him. His arms shifted slightly, bringing his face closer. I could hear his quiet breathing and even his heartbeat now.

“How could I be disappointed in you when you were trying to help me? It’s my fault for not being upfront…”

His voice was as soft as a sigh. I could feel his body heat through the gaps in his shirt buttons. My heart started beating faster, too.

“There’s something about you that makes my heart race. Wanna kiss?”

In the dim back seat of the limousine, I saw his cheeks flush.

That’s a yes, right?

With all the blinds up, Seoul’s nightlife poured through the front window. The glowing skyscrapers reflected on the Han River’s surface, looking like a shimmering cluster of stars. Instead of stars, streetlights, car headlights, and the city’s building lights flowed slowly along the river, casting over the bed. Not actual stars, but it felt like a pretty special planetarium.

My sweat-soaked body was nearly dry now, covered not by blankets but by the Alpha’s thick muscles and warm skin.

It would’ve been nice to open a window for some air, but I was already plenty satisfied.

“Next time, let’s go somewhere we can open the windows.”

As I spoke, the Alpha holding me from behind with his arms and legs made a sound—neither an answer nor a question. I wriggled around, shifting in his arms to face him. As we came face-to-face, Kwon Sinwoo’s hand covered my back, gently stroking it. His fingers trailing down my spine tickled.

“Somewhere we can see real stars.”

I continued.

“I think it’d be nice to see them with you.”

Instead of stars, I looked into his eyes. His glossy black irises shone like satellites. He met my gaze tenderly.

“Alright.”

He whispered.

“How about a yacht? You can see the stars better at sea. Though the weather would need to warm up a bit…”

“As long as it’s not for marlin fishing, I’m in.”

Kwon Sinwoo’s eyes crinkled as if holding back a laugh.

“There are no marlins in Korea…”

“Then I’m in.”

I pressed my fingertip against his twitching lips, trying to hold back a smile. His soft lips brushed my finger. I felt his tongue under my nail. A ticklish shiver raced from my fingertip to the back of my neck.

Kwon Sinwoo’s lips, still lightly biting my finger, moved slightly. They slowly traced along my finger joints toward my palm. It tickled.

“July would be nice. If the weather’s good, we could lie on the deck and look at the stars. It wouldn’t be too hot…”

“I don’t mind the heat, so hotter is fine.”

At my reply, Kwon Sinwoo buried his lips in my palm and looked up at me. His gaze seemed to ask something.

“What?”

I asked first, and he pulled his lips from my hand, instead lacing his fingers tightly with mine.

“Is that because you grew up in Mexico?”

I chuckled softly at the question.

A very interesting question.

“Mexico’s not hot. Well, I mean, not where I grew up. Mexico’s big. Places like Cancún are hot.”

“What was it like where you grew up?”

“Cool at night, warm during the day, lots of rain. Hmm… They say it’s because it’s a highland area.”

I racked my brain, trying to recall geography lessons from elementary school. Unfortunately, all I could remember was “highland climate.” I didn’t even know what that was in Korean.

“It’s cold in winter, but not as cold as here, obviously…”

I stopped mid-sentence.

I looked up at Kwon Sinwoo.

His pretty black eyes blinked as if asking, “What?”

But now wasn’t the time to get swept up in those pretty eyes and kiss.

“So… when did you figure out I’m from Mexico? From the start? Before you made me tacos, or after?”

Instead of answering, Kwon Sinwoo gave an embarrassed smile.

Hmm. Alright. There are no real secrets in this world, and if someone wants to dig, there’s nothing they can’t find out. A secretive Alpha is charming, so I’ll let it slide.

“Fine. Just don’t go spreading it around.”

“I wouldn’t.”

Kwon Sinwoo answered meekly.

I planted a quick kiss on his compliant cheek.

“Ever been to Mexico? Puebla, Guanajuato, Cancún, Tulum…”

“No.”

“You should go sometime. Cancún’s good for a first visit. It’s safer, you don’t need to speak Spanish, and it’s crawling with tourists. Mostly Americans, though. If my mom had settled in Cancún, she might’ve met a rich American…”

“Your mom?”

Surprisingly, Kwon Sinwoo showed interest.

“Yeah, my mom. What? Of course I have a mom.”

An obvious fact, but like everyone else, Yoon Hakyung has a mom.

Kwon Sinwoo hesitated slightly before asking.

“Is she doing well?”

I couldn’t hold back a laugh. I could guess why he hesitated.

“She’s doing great. Didn’t meet a rich American, though.”

Only then did Kwon Sinwoo’s face relax a bit. He tightened his grip on our interlaced hands, pulling me toward him, and I let myself be pulled. His lips brushed the back of my hand briefly before pulling away. It tickled.

“How old were you when you were there?”

“Since I was really young. Did you know?”

I lowered my voice slightly.

“I’m actually more comfortable with Spanish than Korean.”

“…Really? I had no idea.”

Kwon Sinwoo answered a bit awkwardly.

I grinned.

“That’s what everyone says.”

“Everyone?”

“Yeah, everyone. My friends.”

“All friends in Mexico?”

“Most of them.”

“Even the ones who called you ‘Pie’?”

I looked up at Kwon Sinwoo, surprised he remembered that. His face was calm, lips naturally closed, his straight brow and mouth so plain he didn’t seem like the type to pry into my childhood.

“You’re more curious about me than I thought. I didn’t peg you for the chatty, social type.”

Kwon Sinwoo’s jaw tensed, the veins in his thick neck standing out. He looked down at me with quiet eyes.

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

I stroked his tense jaw as I replied.

“What are you curious about? Ask away.”

“…If I ask too much, it might put you in a tough spot…”

Kwon Sinwoo said slowly.

“I’ll ask gradually.”

“Alright. We’ve got time until we catch the platform, anyway.”

We still had time. At least enough for Kwon Sinwoo to ask about the things he’s curious about.

He was quiet for a moment. Then he spoke again.