The Evolution of Species Chapter 4.3 - Fox Hunt 2

“I’m going to book a hospital appointment.”

“Hospital?”

I stopped sipping my coffee and looked at him.

What? A scene from a Korean drama flashed through my mind.

Is this the moment he confesses to some hidden terminal illness?

“Obstetrics.”

?

“Since we knotted between March 31st and April 1st, a blood test should tell us if you’re pregnant by now.”

He caressed the back of my hand, whispering sweetly.

Hmm…

I clicked my tongue, grabbed the hand of this naive Alpha who thought one knotting would lead to pregnancy, squeezed it, and let go.

“Baby… pregnancy doesn’t happen that easily.”

Omegas are fundamentally prone to infertility.

Thinking about the Herculean efforts my parents went through to have me brings tears to my eyes.

Exercise, quitting smoking and drinking, strict diet control, taking supplements, using sperm motility enhancers or ovulation inducers, and even after a year or two of struggle, it doesn’t happen.

But despite my explanation, Kwon Sinwoo just smiled gently.

“We should check anyway. Even if it’s not pregnancy, there could be other tests. Prenatal exams, for instance…”

He trailed off, then smiled at me again.

“If it’s alright with you, I’ll book the hospital. How about the day after tomorrow?”

At that moment, I recalled Kwon Jaewoo, the idiot, badgering me with his question: ‘Hey, you’re not, like, seriously dating Sinwoo hyung, are you?’ Hmm. Sorry to the idiot, but it feels like I’m not the one being serious here.

I brought the mug to my lips, glancing up at Kwon Sinwoo with just my eyes. When our gazes met, he grinned brightly. His pretty black eyes sparkled.

“What if I’m pregnant?”

Another K—drama scene played in my head…

Kwon Sinwoo looked straight into my eyes with a tender expression.

“What would you like to do, Hakyung?”

“Haven’t thought about it.”

Family planning came after retirement planning. For reference, my retirement plan is to retire at thirty-four in a fancy Caribbean villa with a golf course and pool. Of course, having a handsome, naive Alpha there wouldn’t hurt…

I slipped my finger between the buttons of Kwon Sinwoo’s shirt and slid it downward. One button caught on my finger, the gap widening to reveal a glimpse inside. The firm, bare body of an Alpha. Kwon Sinwoo gave an embarrassed smile.

“You know… I saw in a Korean drama…”

“Yes.”

“In situations like this, your mom shows up…”

“Yes.”

“And offers me, like, ten million pesos to break up with you and get rid of the baby.”

“Would you take it?”

Kwon Sinwoo asked, his eyes crinkling with amusement. I shrugged.

“Depends on her sincerity?”

“Did they take it in the drama you watched?”

Did they take it…? Or not?

I couldn’t quite remember.

“They took it.”

I said offhandedly. Of course they would. Ten million pesos, right?

At that, the corners of Kwon Sinwoo’s eyebrows drooped sadly.

“Don’t do that…”

His hand, covering mine, tightened faintly.

“Don’t take it.”

He whispered pleadingly again, and I burst out laughing.

“Idiot. Ten million pesos wouldn’t move me.”

I pressed my forehead to his, giving it a playful tap, then pulled back. I slurped the slightly cooled coffee. Suddenly, he grabbed my mug from across, slowly pulling it with force. I looked up at him.

“What? Want a sip?”

“No. Give me something else right now.”

?

Before I could ask what he meant, he took the mug from me and leaned his body gently over mine, pressing down. His chest pushed me back, and my upper body fell onto the mattress.

He stretched out his arm, setting the mug on the bedside console with a loud clack, a bit roughly. The mug teetered precariously at the edge. He didn’t care.

Hovering over me, he lowered his head and nibbled my earlobe.

“Can I suck your nipples?”

“Ugh…”

Pervert… I’m not sure if the word came out or not. Kwon Sinwoo chuckled softly. His fingers popped the buttons of my pajamas—pop, pop. His large hand seemed to slide slowly into the open front, but the gentle movement was a lie as he roughly gripped my chest. At the same time, he leaned down and kissed me.

After Kwon Sinwoo left, I lay on the sofa and slept for another hour. Hunger woke me. My stomach was screaming for food. I flung off the blanket I’d been wrapped in and stood up. I stretched my limbs a couple of times and headed to the kitchen. I recalled Kwon Sinwoo urging me to eat and not skip meals before he left. He’d said something else… Was there food in the fridge, or not…?

I was about to open the fridge.

From a distance, a buzzing—brrr, brrr—came from my phone. I turned around. I dashed to the living room. My phone was vibrating alone under the sofa. I bent down and picked it up. Unknown number.

Without hesitation, I tapped the answer button.

“Yes, you’ve reached me.”

Quick and polite phone etiquette is a pro’s basics.

A second of hesitation came from the other side.

[Um…]

Then, contrary to the unfamiliar number, a familiar voice.

Exactly the voice I’d been expecting.

I grinned.

“Hey! Been doing alright?”

The only computer expert I know in Korea answered.

[Yeah. How’ve you been, Hakyung?]

Still a slightly dazed voice.

I first met this computer expert in Colombia. I helped him get a passport… and assisted with a few other things. I usually don’t take jobs involving live cargo, but this client was very cooperative and capable in some ways, making it a pretty enjoyable process.

He got married earlier this year, and I was invited to the wedding but sadly couldn’t go.

“I’ve been good. Sorry again for missing the wedding. How was it? You’re in Korea now, right? Seoul?”

[Yeah, Seoul.]

Youngjin Lee continued in a slightly clearer voice.

[The wedding… it’s fine. It was good.]

“Glad to hear. The photos looked like you were having a blast.”

I recalled the shaky, water-splashed, blurry yacht wedding photos. Honestly, they were too blurry to make out faces, but they looked fun anyway.

Hearing more about the wedding or even married life would be nice, but work came first. I got straight to the point.

“By the way, calling me means you’re up for a job, right?”

[Let me hear about it…]

Youngjin added, in a sharp, deliberate tone.

[Nothing too time-consuming. No business trips.]

“Oh, right. Newlywed life.”

I’m not shameless enough to ask a friend, married just over two months, for a job requiring long-distance international travel. I’ve got some consideration for newlyweds, you know.

“It’s a simple job. Probably? I think?”

[What kind?]

“There’s a deal coming up in Manila soon.”

I didn’t waste time and cut to the chase.

“Cocaine. Japanese-backed funds. Just under twenty million dollars. Probably around ten kilograms.”

[Hmm…]

Youngjin trailed off hesitantly over the phone.

“Sound tough?”

[No.]

A confident reply came back. I smiled silently. This computer expert is capable. A pro in a different field from me. I’ve always had a knack for spotting talent.

“I’m counting on you. I’ll pay generously, don’t worry.”

I deliberately raised my voice, keeping it bright.

“Per hour, ten thousand pesos—uh, five hundred dollars. U.S. dollars.”

A sharp intake of breath came from the other side. I continued, unfazed.

“Of course, a success bonus is separate. One hundred percent of the paid amount, after completion. How’s that?”

About thirty seconds passed before a reply came.

[…You don’t have to pay. It’s not even hard.]

No, no. That won’t do. A pro works for pay. Free labor? Unacceptable. I was about to launch into a speech when Youngjin spoke first.

[But weren’t you on vacation, Hakyung?]

“I was.”

[Then what’s this?]

“It’s a job.”

I smiled brightly.

“I ended up taking a job.”

As I said, the client’s dead, but the job’s not over. I decide how it ends.

After some time, Youngjin finally answered.

[Got it.]

Yes!

[What do I need to find?]

“Drugs.”

I answered with a smile.

“I want to know the drugs’ location.”

Thinking about it now, it’s probably Kwon Youngwoo protecting the platform. That’s why Kwon Sinwoo’s had trouble finding them. The “chaebol chairman” must’ve been a hurdle too.

So Kwon Sinwoo chose a different approach. If he couldn’t find the platform, he’d lure them out. Fox hunting. He blocked their cash flow and waited for them to show themselves.

And then, a variable. Seo showed up. With ten kilograms of cocaine. Now, it only feels intentional. Why else would someone sell drugs to the platform when it’s obvious Kwon Sinwoo’s after them? In Mexico, they’d be trading hitmen and bullets, like Edmundo and Camargo’s idiots.

For reference, Kwon Sinwoo and Seo’s relationship is reconciled enough for Seo to honor a request not to kill me, but not enough to share the platform’s location—a complicated, delicate dynamic. To me, it just sounds like a fancy way of saying they’re one step away from shooting each other in the skull.

“Fuck, man, where’d you learn your table manners?”

The under-evolved Australopithecus interrupted my deep thoughts.

“You get food delivered, set out, and I don’t even expect a thank you, but eating while staring at your phone with someone right here—what country’s manners are those, huh?”

Kwon Jaewoo, the idiot, was making a scene. I let out a long sigh. “Why the sigh now! Fuck! Do I ruin your appetite or what?” As expected, his tantrum kicked in.

It’d been just thirty minutes since Kwon Jaewoo barged in with his so-called lunch delivery. The food was welcome, but he wasn’t. If he’s playing delivery guy, shouldn’t he drop the food and leave?

“You didn’t even pay for it anyway.”

Obvious fact.

All the food was neatly packed in lidded porcelain containers, the dishes high-end and color-coordinated, wrapped in cotton bags and placed in an icebox to keep warm. Just arranging the containers on the table created a spread like something from a fancy Korean tasting menu.

No way an Australopithecus ordered such a refined lunch.

When I politely pointed that out, the idiot got even more furious.

“Hey! Do you know how heavy this was to carry all the way here?! And Manager Jang! Asking who this is for! Why the sudden lunch order! If Sinwoo hyung’s meeting someone! You have no idea how much I suffered and died covering for that!”

He had a fit. It was intense. I quickly bowed my head and shoveled rice into my mouth. My dad once said, when a crazy horse is rampaging, just let it be.

Dad’s advice was spot-on. Five minutes later, Kwon Jaewoo started calming down. He huffed and glared at me.

“You. When are you breaking up with Sinwoo hyung?”

He’s not bringing up that money envelope from before, is he?

“And what the hell do you even do?”

At his second question, I instinctively stopped spooning food. I looked up and met his gaze. He snorted angrily.

“What! Why!”

“No…”

I shook my head.

“Just wondering why you’re suddenly curious about that.”

“Of course I am!”

Kwon Jaewoo exploded with the energy to flip the table. Though, since it’s real marble, it wouldn’t flip easily like in a Korean drama. He seemed to realize that, huffing for a while before blurting out,

“What school did you go to?”

Out of nowhere.

“Why do you care what school I went to?”

At my retort, he grinned like he’d gained the upper hand.

“Too embarrassed to say what school you went to?”

?

“So, your job now… ugh, forget it. Why am I asking a jobless guy? Hey, you at least graduated high school, right?”

A sudden background check, huh… I stared at Kwon Jaewoo. His face turned red, and he started stammering.

“Wh-what, what! Why! What! Why!”

Losing language skills, he repeated “what” and “why” dozens of times. I cut in at the right moment, interrupting the umpteenth “what” and “why.”

“You’re not discriminating based on education, are you?”

“Wh-what? What? No!”

He screeched.

“Who’s discriminating based on education, man, it’s a normal question, why’re you twisting it like that? Fuck, that’s not what I meant…”

He shriveled up.

Hah. I’m used to the Korean drama-style interrogation pattern—education, job, parents’ well-being, grandparents, distant relatives’ friends.

I shrugged at the shriveled Kwon Jaewoo.

“Whatever, you’re at the same company as Kwon Sinwoo, right?”

“…Why.”

Like a scolded puppy, he slumped his broad shoulders and mumbled grumpily. His head was turned away, but his eyes kept sneaking glances at me. I don’t know what misconception he had, but he clearly had a big one about my education. Not my problem, though.

I picked up a piece of crispy grilled flounder with my chopsticks and asked again.

“Something going on at the company? He’s been busy since the day before yesterday.”

“Sinwoo hyung?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s probably busy. He took a whole week off.”

He spat out, still grumpy.

“Oh?”

Then the fun of the past week flashed through my mind. Roller coasters, lions, a talking parrot, a beautiful coastal road, a luxury spa, a horror movie.

“It was a vacation.”

At my belated realization, Kwon Jaewoo dropped his jaw in disbelief.

“Of course it was a vacation. You think Sinwoo hyung’s jobless like you?”

He pointed his chopsticks at me and launched into a speech.

“Taking a week off in this busy season is unprecedented for Sinwoo hyung.”

I quickly grabbed my smartphone and typed “unprecedented” into the search bar.

“You listening? Sinwoo hyung’s never taken more than three days off before. Oh, and those three days included a weekend.”

Kwon Jaewoo, the idiot, shrugged proudly. What’s a guy loafing around delivering lunch and eating in front of me during work hours got to be proud of about Kwon Sinwoo’s vacation?

And I voiced that question honestly.

“So why are you so free?”

The idiot’s face turned beet red in an instant.

“I-I’m still learning the ropes, so…”

“If you’re learning, shouldn’t you be busier?”

“W-Well, I’m going to study abroad next year anyway…”

He rambled on about his uninteresting future plans. Getting an MBA in the U.S., studying English and math to prepare, blah blah…

I sincerely advised him.

“Drop it. It’s a waste of money.”

The idiot threw a fit.

As the date changed and it neared late night, close to dawn, I heard the quiet sound of a door opening. A faint rustle, the soft sound of slippers brushing the floor. With my eyes closed, I felt those footsteps approaching. Soon, the bed sank with a heavy weight as an Alpha climbed in.

The cool scent of the outside air. The faint smell of sweat mixed with faded cologne, the Alpha’s body odor. I took a deep breath, filling my chest.

Pushing the blanket aside, I lightly wrapped an arm around Kwon Sinwoo’s shoulder as he lay beside me, pulling him closer. He followed willingly. I kissed his slightly rough cheek, chilled from the cold air, and glanced at the time. It was 1 a.m.

Noticing my gaze, Kwon Sinwoo spoke first.

“I woke you. Sorry.”

“Well, that’s fine, but…”

I clung to his shoulder, simultaneously pushing him onto his back and climbing on top. The Alpha, obediently pinned beneath me, looked up. I felt his gaze touch my forehead as I studied him, confirming. He hadn’t even changed yet. His shirt was barely wrinkled, and his tie still tightly knotted around his neck. I slipped a finger into the tie’s loop and tugged. As it loosened, I saw the muscles in his neck move.

“You said you were busy? That’s what Kwon Jaewoo, the idiot, told me.”

“A little.”

He lowered his eyelashes slightly, answering quietly.

He didn’t deny it, so he must really be busy.

Well, unlike me, this man probably has a lot on his plate besides chasing the platform. After all, he’s got to sell weapons to maintain this penthouse, fancy cars, watches, and jewelry.

Then Kwon Sinwoo reached out, gently stroking my elbow, and spoke.

“But I took leave the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, actually.”

“Aren’t you busy?”

“I booked the hospital.”

He chuckled softly, cupping the back of my head and pulling me down. As I leaned in, caught off guard, he planted a loud kiss on the corner of my mouth.

I looked down at him, unimpressed.

“You’re coming with me?”

His reaction was unexpectedly strong. Kwon Sinwoo’s lips stiffened, and he blinked rapidly, his eyelashes fluttering.

“You were going to go alone?”

He asked, sounding flustered.

I pushed against his shoulders, lifting myself up.

“I was, if you were busy.”

“I’m not busy.”

He flipped his earlier words like a pancake.

I laughed, and he propped himself up on his elbows, wrapping both arms around my waist and pulling me tightly against him. I ended up sprawled on top, pressed close. In that position, Kwon Sinwoo whispered in my ear.

“Sending you alone for something like that? No way.”

That’s usually how it goes.

Instead of replying, I tilted my head slightly and spoke.

“I’m hungry. Wanna eat something?”

The tension in Kwon Sinwoo’s arms melted away. He looked at me. His long, narrow black eyes seemed to smile in the dark—or maybe not. After a moment, he answered.

“Yes. Alright.”

The next day, Kwon Sinwoo left before 7 a.m. for a breakfast meeting.

A pre-7 a.m. departure was enough to prove he was busy, but on top of that, just before leaving, he told me,

“I’ll be a bit late today. I had to move some things up for tomorrow’s leave.”

“Later than 1 a.m. ‘a bit’ late?”

I teased, and he thought seriously before answering.

“Probably around the same. I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

So I gave up teasing him.

Well, even without Kwon Sinwoo, this spacious penthouse isn’t boring. My favorite thing is soaking in the bathtub, watching Korean dramas while sipping champagne or tequila. But somehow, I’d drunk all the liquor, and the wine cellar was empty.

I stood in front of the empty cellar, lost in thought.

Lying on the sofa with a Cobb salad and beer wouldn’t be bad either.

Shall I go buy some beer?

With that decision, I threw on a hoodie and headed for the door. Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I checked the number and answered immediately.

“Hey. Faster than I expected. You didn’t already find it, did you? What’s up?”

I’d considered three possibilities.

First, Youngjin Lee backing out, saying he can’t do the job now.

Second, him saying it’s harder than expected and asking for a higher fee.

Third, unlikely but possible, he’d already finished the job.

This call was the third.

[I found places where the drugs might be. Two, I think.]

Youngjin’s voice was a bit faster than usual. It wasn’t obvious, but he seemed a little excited. Either my offered payment really impressed him, or he was thrilled to have real work after a while. Either way, good news.

“Already?”

He hesitated at my question.

[Already? It’s been nineteen hours.]

Oh. A computer engineer who counts time in hours, minutes, and seconds.

[Is the schedule inconvenient?]

“No, no. The faster, the better. Just surprised it was so quick.”

I shoved my feet into my shoes, pulling up the heels with my fingertips, and continued.

“Anyway. Two places?”

[I’ll send the addresses to your email.]

“Thanks.”

I opened the front door and stepped out.

“I’ll pay the success bonus after confirming. Cool?”

[You really don’t have to pay…]

Nonsense. Instead of launching into a speech about a pro’s mindset, I just ignored it.

“Then I’ll contact you from Manila. Take care. If I come back to Seoul, let’s meet up.”

I tossed an invisible wink over the phone and ended the call.

I left the penthouse and took the elevator.

I strolled through the gleaming marble-tiled lobby.

Seoul’s weather had turned mild. The sky was blue, and a ticklish breeze blew. It was the best weather since I’d arrived in Korea. Perfect for a flight, too.

I stopped by the subway station’s luggage locker to retrieve my bag. Inside was a passport wrapped in paper and plastic, along with a cash card under the same name. Thanks to Kwon Youngwoo stealing my stuff, this was my last passport. Wishing he’d one day take a bullet to the back of his head, I carefully tucked the passport into the bag’s inner pocket.

An hour later, I was on an airport bus, checking flight schedules. Incheon to Manila. Four hours, fifteen minutes. Closer than I thought, with plenty of commercial flights.

I arrived at the airport.

I loaded about 2.5 million won onto the cash card and exchanged 1 million won into Philippine pesos. Then I went to the airline counter I’d researched and bought a ticket to Manila. There were two hours and seventeen minutes until takeoff. Perfect for a meal in the duty-free area.

I went to a Korean restaurant and had a kimchi jjigae set meal. Not a bad last Korean meal.

I brushed my teeth, stretched, and boarding announcements started.

I sat, waiting for the long economy-class line to shrink.

[Mike Jang, passenger Mike Jang, please come to the counter…]

I listened to the announcement for a moment.

On its third repeat, I stood up.

As I approached the counter, a flight attendant with a kind smile asked,

“Are you Mike Jang?”

“Yes.”

I answered in English on purpose.

Her expression didn’t change as she switched to English, still smiling.

“Due to an overbooking issue in economy, we’re upgrading your seat. Please come to this gate.”

Accepting unexpected luck at face value is for amateurs. I tilted my head slightly.

“Oh, I’m fine. Give it to someone else. A pregnant woman… or someone with a disability.”

She smiled brightly and replied,

“Per our policy, seat upgrades can’t be transferred. And fortunately, there are no pregnant passengers or passengers with disabilities on this Manila flight.”

That made it even more suspicious.

I followed her anyway.

It got weirder. She led me not to the business-class gate but to first class. A two-tier upgrade from economy to first class? Never heard of it. The gate was empty, and two attendants in stiff uniforms bowed 70 degrees toward me with identical bright smiles.

“Welcome. Enjoy your flight.”

Well, let’s see if it’s enjoyable…

The first-class cabin was quiet, empty. The aisle was carpeted so plushly that footsteps were silent, and the seats were widely spaced.

I walked slowly down the aisle and stopped.

I’d thought the unexpected upgrade was odd, but…

“Why are you here?”

Kwon Sinwoo, sitting deep in a long seat, answered with a smile.

“I’d like to ask you the same, Hakyung. Why are you here?”

Instead of answering, I looked him over.

No matter how I looked, he didn’t seem like someone about to fly for four hours. His crisp dress shirt and tie knotted tightly to his throat made him look like he’d just started the workday. A gray suit jacket, presumably his, hung neatly on a hanger by his seat. His expression was calm, his softly curved lips composed, and his black eyes showed no trace of fatigue or any other emotion.

“Hmm.”

I gazed down at the Alpha filling the spacious first-class seat, then shook my chin slightly.

“I’m working.”

I hopped onto the seat next to him.

“You?”

As I asked Kwon Sinwoo, I gestured for the attendant. One waiting like a shadow at the aisle’s end hurried over, kneeling.

“How can I assist you?”

“Orange juice, please. No ice.”

“Yes. One moment, sir.”

The attendant retreated.

“You said you were busy?”

Kwon Sinwoo didn’t answer, just turned his head toward me. His slanted gaze studied me.

“You won’t listen if I try to stop you, will you?”

My question got an odd one in return. I didn’t answer, just stared at him. After a moment, he let out a short sigh and leaned slightly toward me.

“I’ll assign a few people to you.”

He whispered.

“What people?”

“People to help you with your work.”

“I prefer working alone.”

“Didn’t you take Jaewoo around?”

“He’s more like a sidekick.”

He laughed softly at my reply, a gentle “haha.”

A brief silence settled.

At its end, he spoke again.

“I don’t want you to be in danger.”

“I’m not in danger.”

“Of course you won’t be.”

He smiled gently.

The attendant returned, placing a glass in front of me and pouring orange juice. It was 100% fresh-squeezed with pulp, served in a real glass.

“If you need anything else, please call.”

She bowed politely and left. Soon, cabin announcements began. The seatbelt sign lit up. I looked at Kwon Sinwoo. He turned to me, our eyes meeting. His eyes crinkled deeply into a smile. While I froze at that smile, he stood and approached. Kneeling on one knee in the aisle, he gently wrapped his hands around my waist and fastened my seatbelt, as courteously as an attendant.

I looked down at his crown. Two neat parts sat quietly in his black hair. I pressed a finger to the middle. He looked up. He glanced between my hand and face, then smiled broadly, his straight front teeth just visible.

[Our flight will soon take off. For safety, please remain seated…]

The cabin announcements continued.

Kwon Sinwoo casually returned to his seat and buckled his seatbelt.

I frowned, leaning slightly across the aisle.

“You’re not coming with me, are you?”

“Just to the airport.”

“To the airport?”

“I’ll see you off at the airport.”

He said the absurd thing so nonchalantly.

I shut my mouth.

If he’s willing to waste eight hours round-trip in the air, he must have a lot of time.

The plane taxied along the guideway and soon took off. A slight shake, a heavy pull of gravity, a brief muffling in my ears, and an overwhelming wave of sleepiness hit. I stretched my legs, let my arms drop, and fell asleep.

When I woke, we were in Manila.

Kwon Sinwoo was gently whispering to wake me. Honestly, it felt more like a lullaby than an attempt to rouse me.

“Tired? Can you get up? Should I carry you?”

I stood before he could actually lift me.

The plane was silent, having landed long ago.

We exited to Manila airport. Before immigration, Kwon Sinwoo stopped at the transfer gate. His familiar secretary, standing between the gate and lounge, started toward him. Kwon Sinwoo raised a hand to make him wait, then looked down at me. I looked up at him.

His pretty black eyes gleamed, and his composed face held a calm, affectionate smile. I tilted my head slightly and asked,

“Not gonna ask what I’m doing?”

He blinked a couple of times at my question. I gazed at the shadows under his dark eyelashes. After a brief silence, he spoke.

“After immigration, pick up your luggage first. I packed some of your clothes and a few other things.”

The tension in me dissolved.

I laughed, a bit incredulous.

He must’ve taken my laugh some way, as he whispered in a tender, sweet voice.

“Did you eat properly? Not just ramen or fast food, right?”

“I ate well. My last supper in Korea. Kimchi jjigae set.”

He laughed.

“Manager Jang makes great kimchi jjigae… I’ll have to ask him next time.”

I briefly wondered where I’d heard “Manager Jang.” It clicked soon enough. Kwon Jaewoo. Something about covering for Manager Jang, yak yak yak.

“If you ate at the airport, it was probably lackluster. After immigration, eat something proper. I should’ve woken you earlier to eat.”

As he muttered to himself, I wondered if I’d told him I ate kimchi jjigae at the airport.

Noticing my silence, he looked down at me. His eyes were kind. He reached out, gently stroking from my forehead to my temple.

“Have you booked a place to stay in Manila?”

“Hmm…”

I answered half-heartedly, and he lightly took my hand, continuing.

“There are a few good places. A bit far from the airport but quiet. Not in the heart of the tourist district, but close to the sea.”

Anyone would think I was going sightseeing.

I wondered if he was slipping in code, so I memorized each word and watched his lips, but it didn’t seem like it.

No talk of the deal, drugs, or the platform.

Kwon Sinwoo squeezed my hand a bit tighter, studying my face.

“What’s wrong? Tired? You don’t get airsick, do you?”

I shook my head once and looked up at him.

“So, what about you now?”

“I’m heading back to Korea.”

He smiled gently.

“Unfortunately, I can only see you off as far as the airport.”

Then he whispered, as if sharing a secret.

“I’ll come pick you up when you return.”

Ugh. When I made a face, he laughed heartily, a long “hahaha.”

Ignoring the stares of others, he bent down and planted a sudden kiss on my forehead.

“Eat first.”

“Got it.”

I was already starting to feel hungry.

As I turned to leave, he grabbed my hand again, reluctantly. I glanced back and forth between his hand holding mine and his eyes. Kwon Sinwoo toyed with the back of my hand before slowly letting go.

“Don’t drink.”

“What?”

“We haven’t done the test yet.”

He answered calmly.

“We’ll have to reschedule the hospital.”

“Do that.”

I laughed as I replied.

The goodbye took a while. In the end, Kwon Sinwoo wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my forehead and cheeks three times in a row.

“Is this okay?”

“What?”

“Kwon Jaewoo was saying, Korean chaebols, you know. Like aristocrats or something. What if your private life ends up in some tabloid?”

“I’m on good terms with reporters.”

Then he added quietly, as if sharing another secret.

“And with broadcasters too. So don’t worry. Your face won’t show up anywhere.”

Hmm.

Well, that was a relief.

I finally parted ways with him.

I passed through immigration. Nothing unusual.

Of course, it wasn’t completely over.

I was about to bypass the baggage claim when someone shouted my name.

“Hey! Hey! Yoon! Yoon Hakyung!”

A loud, grating voice… ominous.

“Fuck, are you deaf? Answer when someone calls you!”

A hulking Australopithecus, panting and holding two large Boston bags, spoke to me in bear language.

“Sinwoo hyung said this is your stuff… How long are you staying that you packed so light? Don’t Omegas usually fill a 32-inch suitcase to the brim for a two-night, three-day trip?”

Good grief. It was Kwon Jaewoo, the idiot.

The breeze was muggy, the sunlight stung, and the sky was blindingly blue. The air smelled salty, and the damp humidity made every skin fold sticky. Phew. I thought of the dry Andean highland winds. A hot espresso in the cool morning air. Doing work this far away for this long was a first, and I decided I wouldn’t do it again.

Kwon Jaewoo, the idiot, strode ahead. He headed straight for the hotel limousine stand without hesitation, past the bustling tourists, taxis, and vans to a quieter spot. In front of a conspicuous black limousine stood a dark-skinned man in a white short-sleeved dress shirt and light beige slacks, nervously tapping his foot. Spotting Kwon Jaewoo, he rushed over.

“Young master, you’re here!”

Young maaaster?

He snatched the bags from Kwon Jaewoo.

“Please get in. It’s hot, isn’t it? Haha.”

Struggling with both bags in one hand, he opened the limousine door with the other. A blast of air-conditioned coolness poured out. Kwon Jaewoo, standing in front, naturally turned to me.

“Hey, get in first.”

He looked at me with a proud glint in his eyes.

Unbelievable.

Ignoring his gaze, I brushed past him and climbed into the limousine. The cool air slipped into my sleeves and collar, instantly drying my sweat. Kwon Jaewoo climbed in from the other side, grumbling.

“Geez, you don’t even appreciate it when I’m considerate. No gratitude.”

I flipped him the middle finger. He returned it, as if it were routine now.

The limousine started immediately.

After about thirty minutes, the sea came into view. The emerald water was distinctly different from the Caribbean or Mexican coast—shinier, shallower, a stunning turquoise. The limousine cruised along the coastal road. About three kilometers away, between the sea and a rounded ridge, a white resort building rose. That must be our destination. And I was right.

The limousine entered the resort grounds.

The grounds were adorned with grass and tropical trees, and a beautiful golf course stretched along the distant ridge. Through towering tropical trees, I glimpsed a white-sand beach, with small yachts and surfboards floating on the water.

Normally, I wouldn’t be impressed (Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta beaches feel bigger and grander), but after Korea’s chilly March, the blazing sun and blue sea felt refreshingly welcome.

The resort was classic tropical style. High ceilings, swaying palms and monstera plants, staff with flower leis or blooms in their hair smiling as they moved about, and large rattan and bamboo furniture scattered around.

Kwon Jaewoo, the idiot, walked ahead with an oddly practiced ease.

There was no tedious check-in process.

The dark-skinned man who brought us here carried the bags and led us to our lodging.

It was a spacious standalone building by the sea. It had five rooms and, instead of a kitchen, a long island bar in a vast living area. The living area had a full wall of windows that could be completely opened, with white curtains fluttering in front. Across from it was an infinity pool, and beyond the pool was the sea. A few rocks away, you could dive right in.

It was a nice place.

A nice place, but…

Why am I here with Kwon Jaewoo, the idiot?

What is Kwon Sinwoo thinking?

And if I tried to go anywhere, Kwon Jaewoo glared and stuck to me like glue. I don’t know what Kwon Sinwoo told him, but he wasn’t acting like a sidekick—he was a full-on jailer.

“Hey, hey. If you’re getting in the pool, shower first.”

He even spouted nonsense like that.

Resisting the urge to deck him five times, I grabbed my bag and went to a room. Behind me, he threw a fit.

“Hey! That’s my room!”

I ignored him.

The bedroom had a balcony overlooking the sea and a bathroom with a large tub. I tossed my bag onto the king-size bed and jumped on. The springs were bouncy. Kwon Sinwoo’s bed might be better… I pushed the pointless thought aside and opened the bag.

Inside were my neatly folded pajamas. The ones Kwon Sinwoo bought me. And some summer clothes—linen shirts, comfortable pants. At the bottom, I found three or four pill bottles, each with neatly printed labels. Folic acid, after breakfast, two tablets once daily. Magnesium and zinc, after breakfast, one tablet once daily…

At the same time, Kwon Jaewoo’s shouting came from outside.

“Hey! Sinwoo hyung said to take your supplements! You’re not a kid, does he have to spoon-feed you that too?”

What is this guy’s deal?

Did he come to a foreign land four and a half hours by plane just to nag about my supplements?

I stared between the pill bottles and pajamas. Then I thought of Kwon Sinwoo’s kind eyes, pretty hands, and persistent lips urging me to take vitamins.

…

My mom always said never to get involved with obsessive Alphas…

For now, I tossed the pill bottles aside and got up. I changed clothes. No need to cling to a thick hoodie suited for 21°C here.

I left the room.

Two staff members were setting food on a long rattan table. Meanwhile, Kwon Jaewoo had changed into a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, and sunglasses, lounging on a sunbed by the infinity pool, obnoxiously slurping a cocktail through a straw. He looked like a dimwitted American.

I clicked my tongue and approached the table. The staff met my eyes, smiling brightly and greeting me. I nodded back and scanned the table. A barbecue spread of vegetables, meat, sausages, and corn, plus colorful tropical fruits. I snatched a slice of neatly cut papaya and ate it.

Then I pulled a sunbed closer to the table and sat.

I picked up a peeled mangosteen.

The staff set down bottles of various drinks, bowed, and left. As their footsteps faded and the door closed, only the crashing waves and Kwon Jaewoo’s gross slurping remained.

I tuned it out as best I could, took out my phone with a meditative mindset, and checked Youngjin’s email. Two addresses, both near the port. One was a container yard, the other a private warehouse. Both plausible places to stash drugs.

Just as I was about to sink into thought, Kwon Jaewoo, sprawled on his sunbed, slid his sunglasses down and eyed me.

“Don’t get any dumb ideas, got it?”

And he barked.

“Sinwoo hyung told me to keep you in line, and even if he didn’t, I’m not letting you run wild.”

Woof… woof woof woof… the barking continued.

“There are our people all over Manila right now, so even if you try something, catching you’s nothing. Got it?”

He pushed his sunglasses back up with one hand and let out a smug snort.

“What chance does someone like you have to come to a place like this? Just think you lucked out with a rich guy and stay put, stay put… argh!”

Fed up with his barking, I hurled the mangosteen. Thwack! A satisfying sound rang out. Kwon Jaewoo clutched his forehead, screaming pitifully.

Why have I been putting up with his yapping?

The question hit me, and my body moved.

I sprang up, vaulting over the table in one leap, reaching out. My fingers caught the fluttering curtain. I gripped it tight. Riiip—the curtain tore as I launched myself onto Kwon Jaewoo’s chest. My foot stomped his ribs, and he gasped, “Urk!” Still on his chest, I shoved the curtain into his mouth.

“Mmph! Mmmphphph!”

I grabbed his shoulders, rolled him onto the floor, and pinned him from behind.

He flopped like a blue marlin.

Of course, I was stronger.

After a minute and a half of grappling, I had him pinned to the floor, his limbs tightly bound with the curtain.

“Mmph! Mph! Mphphph! Mph!”

I yanked the sunglasses off his face. Shock, horror, disbelief—his mouth and eyes were wide open. An unbearable face. Tsk. I put on his sunglasses and rummaged through his phone and wallet, carelessly tossed by the sunbed.

The phone was locked with facial recognition, but I grabbed his jaw, said “Cheese,” and it unlocked. While I was at it, I snapped a selfie. Only I was smiling, of course.

Let’s see…

There were message logs. One from Kwon Sinwoo, nothing special. [Take care of Hakyung ^^] or something.

I tossed the phone into the pool. Kwon Jaewoo’s eyes widened.

“Mmmphphph! Mphph!”

He desperately tried to say something. Probably not a thank you—more like “You bastard.”

I ignored him and checked the wallet. A few cards and some cash. Not much.

“Tch. Carry more cash.”

“Mmphphph, mph! Mphphphph!”

Translation: Sorry, I’ll carry cash next time.

Good to know.

“I’ll use it well.”

Come to think of it, Kwon Jaewoo’s been donating cash to me a lot… That made me think I shouldn’t leave him out in this scorching sun. Heatstroke could kill him. Sure, he’s an Alpha, so he wouldn’t die from this, but still… I grabbed his arm, slung it over my shoulder, and hoisted him up with a heave. He thrashed like a marlin in its final struggle.

“Want me to carry you like a princess instead?”

That shut him up.

I tossed him onto a bed with the air conditioning on and left.

This private seafront suite was far from other buildings, which worked out well. I walked toward the golf course. A resort shuttle cart passed by, and when I waved with a smile, the driver smiled back and drove on.

Near the golf course, I found a small single-story building labeled [Facility]. The door was locked, but a few hard pulls opened it. They’d need to fix that lock. Inside were lawnmowers, drills, and saws. I found a crowbar. Hmm. As versatile as a Swiss Army knife. I grabbed a wire saw and the crowbar, stuffing them into my bag.

This time, I took a cart instead of walking. My back was soaked with sweat, so the air-conditioned breeze was welcome.

At the lobby, a very friendly staff member called a taxi. They asked my age and if I had a partner, but I was used to it, so I let it slide.

“Where to?”

I told the cheerful taxi driver the port’s name.

“Not a tourist, huh? Nothing for tourists to see there.”

I nodded at his know-it-all tone.

“Yeah. I’m here for work.”

“Business?”

“Yup.”

“Aha. You’re Korean, right?”

“Guess.”

“Come on, you’re Korean.”

My joking skills must be top-notch because the driver burst into hearty laughter. For the record, only my family and friends laugh at my jokes.

It took about an hour. Pretty far. The taxi wove through Manila’s downtown, got caught in traffic with two- and four-wheelers, then hit a wide eight-lane highway. Shabby houses mixed with tropical rainforest lined the road. I felt a bit of familiarity.

The taxi finally reached the destination—a wide open area leading to the passenger terminal. A few vans and two-wheelers were scattered about, with sparse foot traffic.

I paid in cash and got out.

The air smelled of sea and fish. The breeze was humid and heavy.

I scanned my surroundings. A mid-sized passenger ship floated on the water, likely a coastal cruise based on its size. Far across from the terminal building, I saw a towering container crane moving up and down. The low horn of a bulk carrier sounded repeatedly. The roar of a massive ship’s engine, the blare of cargo truck horns, the sharp prow slicing through water—all the sounds mingled.

I pulled out my phone and checked the email again. Two addresses. One for a container yard, one for a private warehouse. Where were the drugs?

Checking both wasn’t a simple matter. If the first was a bust, there might not be a chance for the second.

In times like this, instinct is all you can trust.

I shrugged once, turned, and started walking the opposite way.

I headed toward where hundreds of container cranes loomed like buildings. My pace quickened. The sun was tilting toward the sea. I dodged people and cargo trucks, entering a narrow path. Eventually, it wasn’t even a path.

Thirty minutes later, I reached the container yard. The sun teetered on the edge of tightly stacked containers. I checked the time. Sunset was near. Good news. Shadows would help more than sunlight for what I was about to do.

I double-checked the container number Youngjin gave me. TCNU9156324…

As I searched for the container, I mulled over Kwon Jaewoo’s words. “Our people” all over Manila? There were things to sort out. First, defining “our people.” And “people”… Kwon Sinwoo said he’d raid the platform’s drug deal, so were these people for that, or something else?

My real dad said not to trust people blindly. My stepdad said business is trust. So I blend both, running a flexible trust system based on the situation.

For now, it’s safer to question everything.

The sun had fully set, and I found the container.

A 20-foot reddish-brown container sat on the second tier between others. I looked up. There was a lock. Not too heavy-duty to break.

I set my bag down to pull out the wire saw and crowbar.

The dim sunset cast a long shadow toward me.

Then footsteps.

“What’s this guy doing? Hey! What’re you up to?”

Fast, harsh English curses, and the familiar sound of a fingernail flicking a pistol trigger.

I slowly raised both hands and stood.

Three men approached, silhouetted against the sunset. Only the one in the back held a gun. He gripped it confidently, but his stance was sloppy, clearly not a pro. The two in front were different. Two bear-sized Alphas, empty-handed but moving with the distinct posture of trained fighters.

The gunman shrieked in a high-pitched voice.

“Grab that guy!”

Surprisingly, in Korean.

Before I could react, the two charged.

I waited calmly, hands raised, until they were close enough… Three, two, one! I kicked my bag hard. Whoosh! The heavy bag, loaded with a steel crowbar and wire saw, hurtled toward their faces.

The front guy swatted it away. Clang! A painful sound rang out, followed by a groan, “Ugh!” Even an Omega’s tough bones struggle against a crowbar. My body moved faster than my thoughts. I was already airborne, slamming my knee into the nearest guy’s gut. Thud! A solid hit. He staggered with a “Kuh!” but didn’t go down. His strong arms clamped around my chest, lifting me. My body spun a couple of times in the air. As my vision whirled, I was slammed into the concrete ground.