Chapter 31: SUB Entertainment Contract Renewal
by Gideon“I won’t do it again. Please don’t look at me with such a scary expression… Tell me what I can do to make it up to you.”
He couldn’t control his expression.
Fidgeting restlessly, he stood before Cha Jubin, completely at a loss for what to do.
“Let’s go somewhere quiet and talk. Please?”
“You knew, didn’t you? That I…”
I didn’t want to use the word ‘pheromone’ to describe you.
“…am weak.”
“I knew. I’m so sorry. I was reckless. I was just trying to help you, and I went too far. I admit it. I’ll do whatever it takes until you’re not angry anymore.”
Clenching his hands tightly, he pleaded with a nervous expression, looking like a child being scolded by an adult.
“Don’t look at me like you’ll never see me again…”
Why do I feel like I can see Do Zion’s ears flattened against his head and his long tail drooping? The thought was so ridiculous it made Jubin want to laugh.
Maybe it’s because he’s dressed in all black today, he wondered.
But when he thought about it, he was the one who’d created this embarrassing situation. It was his fault for letting Do Zion’s pheromones get to him so easily. After all, Na Hyeon-mo—another Omega—hadn’t reacted to them at all.
He should have taken precautions sooner…
It wasn’t fair to blame Do Zion for everything.
Jubin let out a deep sigh and pressed a hand to his forehead.
“Ugh, don’t ever do that again.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
If anyone else had crossed the line like that—with such an overstep, such a tasteless joke—I would have cut them off immediately. But when it was him, I found myself letting it slide once, twice, maybe even three times.
“Let’s go. I’m going home.”
The most frustrating part was how easily I forgave him at the critical moment.
“Did you take a taxi here? Let’s share one. I have to pass your place anyway.”
I knew he was only offering to ride with me because he felt guilty.
“Fine. Whatever.”
I know, I thought, and yet I’m letting it slide again.
We walked back toward the hotel and slipped into the back seat of a taxi together.
The ride was silent. The driver wasn’t the chatty type who would ask where we were going or if we were celebrities, which only made the silence more heavy.
Jubin stared blankly at the weather forecast on his phone. The recent predictions had all been wrong. He wondered if this one would be any more accurate.
“Sunbae.”
He broke the silence, his fingers tentatively brushing against Jubin’s. The way he looked at him, checking to see if Jubin’s anger had faded, was as pitiful as a large, abandoned black animal.
For some reason, Jubin always found it hard to stay composed around Do Zion.
Sighing softly, Jubin decided to be the one to break the tension. “I’m renewing my contract next week.”
It was his own way of extending an olive branch.
Zion immediately shifted his posture, turning his entire body toward Jubin. “When next week?”
“Tuesday. I’ll probably be going to the agency building with CEO Moon.”
“What time?”
“2 PM.”
“Can I come see you?” Zion asked cautiously.
“If you have time.”
“I’ll be there.”
His unwavering answer made Jubin feel the tenderness Zion held for him.
Today was the day I was meeting with CEO Park Ji-bun of SUB Entertainment to renew my contract.
I had no idea what terms they’d offer, but I planned to push for a deal as close to MOON Entertainment’s terms as possible.
I arrived well ahead of our scheduled time.
Do Zion-sunbae, where are you?
It was a message from Zion, who had just arrived.
I’m at the main entrance.
Come to the cafe on the second floor.
SUB Entertainment was notorious for its tight security. Because so many fans camped out just to catch a glimpse of Zion, he rarely visited the agency for safety reasons.
Today was an exception.
When I reached the second floor, the rich, nutty aroma of freshly roasted beans and the soft scent of coffee mingled with a deep, sweet pheromone. My body naturally leaned toward the source of the scent.
“Sunbae.”
The owner of the scent smiled and raised his hand.
He was sitting at a table by the window in the back. The scent of his pheromones and his warm smile drew my steps toward him.
Though I wanted to go straight to him, I gave a light wave in greeting and ordered my drink at the counter first.
After getting my coffee, I walked over.
“Was the traffic bad?”
The tension bled out of me as he welcomed me with his signature easygoing, calm smile. I’d been secretly worrying about facing CEO Park Ji-bun.
“Nah, it wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
“What did you order?”
“An iced americano.”
Zion looked slightly surprised. “Not a cold brew?”
“Yeah, I think an iced americano is better today.”
I’d been on edge since yesterday, stressing over the upcoming contract. Too much caffeine would make it impossible to stay calm.
A warm breeze brushed past me, and I realized the window next to Zion was open.
Seeing as all the other windows were shut, it was obvious Zion had opened this one on purpose.
As if reading Jubin’s mind, Zion asked as he took a sip of his coffee, “Is it too hot? Should I close it?”
Such small gestures of consideration had always been Jubin’s burden to bear. Others might see his attentiveness and call him considerate or kindhearted, but Jubin knew it was closer to a selfish need for his own comfort.
With Zion, that suffocating tension eased. He didn’t have to walk on eggshells, because he felt safe with him.
“No, it’s fine.”
A safe comma, a moment to catch my breath.
It was ironic. Zion’s pheromones were the most dangerous thing in the world, yet Jubin felt safe with him.
The buzzer vibrated, signaling their coffee was ready. Just as Jubin started to stand, Zion was already on his feet.
“I’ll go get it.”
As he brushed past, a slightly stronger scent of his pheromones wafted over me.
The tips of his ears seemed a little red as he walked away. Am I just imagining it? I wondered, my gaze fixed on him.
He seemed to be on friendly terms with the barista, exchanging casual small talk as they met eyes.
His handsome face was just the beginning; his kindness was the real draw.
“…He really is incredibly good-looking.”
Even his walk back with the coffees was so effortless and poised, it looked like a scene from a photoshoot.
“Here, your coffee.”
“Thanks.”
I took the cup from him and took a quick sip. The cool, refreshing body of the drink instantly soothed the thirst brought on by my nerves.
“Say that one more time.”
He made a strange request as he sat down.
“Say what?”
“When you thank me, it feels like I’m being praised by a coach or a director. It’s a great feeling.”
He smiled, clearly pleased.
What a weird thing to get excited about, I thought, playing along with a teasing grin.
“Yeah, yeah. Thanks.”
“Say it again.”
His gaze was so intense, so completely focused on me, that my heart skipped a beat—like I’d just downed a double shot of espresso.
A sudden flush crept up my neck, and I quickly averted my eyes.
“…Thanks.”
My voice trembled slightly as the word escaped me. He seemed satisfied with my answer, taking a sip of his coffee with a smile.
My heart refused to slow down.
I checked the time, a nervous habit. I couldn’t tell if this was anxiety about meeting CEO Park Ji-bun or the thrill of being with Zion.
I knew CEO Moon Woo-jin would be with her, but the pressure was still suffocating. The rumors about CEO Park Ji-bun were legendary—and not in a good way.
“…What’s she like?” I asked.
“Blunt. Calculating. And she’s got a bit of an ego, what with her social standing.”
Exactly the kind of person I wanted to avoid.
“CEO Moon is coming, isn’t he?” he asked, his tone suggesting I had nothing to worry about.
“Yeah, but that only helps so much…”
A sigh escaped me. My chest felt tight, a suffocating pressure building up. In this exact moment, I craved a cigarette.
Temptation and willpower waged a fierce battle in my mind.
My eyes fluttered shut.
“Sunbae.”
He reached into his bag and handed me a bite-sized, sweet brownie.
“Eat these whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed.”
“Brownies? Where did these come from?” I asked, surprised by the rustic yet heartfelt wrapping. “Did you… make these?”
“Want more?” he asked, pulling out a handful more.
“I enjoy baking.”
“You’re really talented.” I marveled at the thought of Zion’s large hands skillfully crafting such delicate desserts.
“They’re a good substitute for cigarettes. I didn’t make them too sweet.”
I smiled, taking a bite of the brownie. Its sweet flavor reminded me so much of his scent that my craving for a cigarette vanished completely.
“I’ll give you all of them. Take them.”
“Thank you.”
It was Do Zion’s magic.
I arrived at the CEO’s office right on time and was greeted by the secretary’s gentle smile.
“Welcome, Mr. Cha Jubin.”
“Hello. I’m here to see CEO Park Ji-bun.”
“Please wait in the lounge for a mo—”
Before the secretary could finish, the office door burst open. A man strode out, his left hand covering his eyes.
It was my disciple, Lee Seo-rim.
“Seo-rim! Lee Seo-rim!”
CEO Moon Woo-jin, who had followed him out, came to a halt right in front of me.
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