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Haeun listened attentively as they outlined their proposal. He asked some

pointed questions about the specifics of the partnership, such as the scope of the market expansion, financial projections, and potential risks.

"We're prepared to make a substantial investment," the man said towards the end of the meeting. "But we'd need a clearer understanding of your company's long-term goals and how this partnership aligns with them."

Haeun nodded thoughtfully. "I'll need to review the details and consult with my team before moving forward. We appreciate the opportunity and will get back to you soon with our decision."

The investors thanked him and gathered their materials. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Yoon. We look forward to your response."

As they left, Eunja approached him with a sympathetic smile. "Everything sorted, boss?"

"Yeah, for now," Haeun replied, his expression showing a mix of relief and exhaustion. "Can you make sure everything is set for tomorrow's schedule?"

"Of course," Eunja said. "Good luck with the dinner. I hope it goes better than expected."

"Thanks," Haeun said, offering a tired smile.

Haeun arrived at the restaurant shortly after 7:00 p.m. The evening air was cool, providing a welcome contrast to the rush and stress of his day. The restaurant was an upscale, with elegant décor and a calming atmosphere that seemed to soften the edge of his day's tensions.

As he entered, the hostess greeted him warmly and led him to his reserved table. He was just getting comfortable when he heard the sound of the restaurant's entrance again. He glanced up, expecting to see another guest arriving. To his surprise, he saw Cheon Yeongsoo walking in.

Haeun's eyes widened in disbelief. Yeongsoo—someone he had not expected to see tonight—was making his way toward him with a confident stride. The realization hit Haeun like a jolt. He was the alpha his mother had arranged for him to meet.

Yeongsoo approached with a polite smile. "Yoon Haeun? It's good to see you."

Haeun stood up, his expression a mix of surprise and discomfort. "Cheon Yeongsoo… I didn't expect you."

Yeongsoo's smile didn't waver. "I can imagine. I had no idea this was arranged by your mother until I got the call. I hope you don't mind."

Haeun took a deep breath, trying to mask his unease. "Please, have a seat."

As Yeongsoo settled into his chair, Haeun couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. He had always found Yeongsoo's smug demeanor and his business practices overbearing. The fact that he was now sitting across from him as part of an arranged dinner was disconcerting.

The waiter arrived to take their orders, and Haeun selected a light meal, his mind racing as he tried to process the situation. Yeongsoo ordered the same, his choice seeming almost too perfectly matched to Haeun's.

Once the waiter left, the silence between them was palpable. Yeongsoo seemed to be at ease, but Haeun struggled to hide his irritation. "So, how have you been?" Yeongsoo asked, his tone polite but with an undercurrent of boredom.

"Busy," Haeun replied curtly. "I've been handling a lot of projects lately."

Yeongsoo nodded, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "I heard your company has been doing well. I've been following your recent developments."

Haeun raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback by the unexpected interest. "Oh? And here I thought you'd be too busy with your own ventures to notice."

Yeongsoo chuckled softly. "I try to stay informed about key players in the industry. It's always good to know who's making waves. Besides it's my brother who runs the company not me, I play a completely different role in the family."

As Haeun and Yeongsoo continued their awkward conversation, another alpha passed by their table. The moment his pheromones hit the air, Haeun felt it like a punch to his gut.

His stomach churned, and his head grew light. He gripped the table as nausea rolled through him, panic rising fast. He hated this—how his body reacted to other alphas, leaving him feeling sick and weak. His vision blurred as he tried to steady his breath.

But then, something changed.

He felt warmth—like a comforting embrace he hadn't expected. It was a wave of calming pheromones, but these didn't make him sick. They felt… right. Safe. He looked up in surprise and found himself staring at Yeongsoo.

"It looked like you were having a hard time," Yeongsoo said softly, his voice steady.

Haeun blinked, still feeling the strange sense of calm wash over him. "Those pheromones… do they belong to you? Why do they feel like home?"

"Maybe because I'm letting you in," Yeongsoo answered, his eyes steady on Haeun.

Haeun's heart raced at the response. His eyes widened as he pushed himself up from his chair and moved closer to Yeongsoo. Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around him, pressing his face into Yeongsoo's chest. "Your pheromones… I like them," Haeun whispered. "Give me more."

Yeongsoo bit his lips as he looked away from Haeun's red face, he was releasing way too much pheromones.

He quickly tapped the bell, signalling the waiter to their table and paid the bill.

Luckily the waiter was a beta so he didn't feel anything it.

"Mr Yoon can you walk?"

"Mhm.."

Haeun raised his head up, his dazed eyes staring at Yeongsoo blankly.

"Fuck! You gotta be kidding me.."

Yeongsoo angrily stood up, carrying Haeun over his shoulders as he walked back to his car.

Today of all days, he was stuck with an omega during his rut.

"So hot, Yeongsoo…where are we going?"

"…"

"Your apartment obviously, tell me your address?"

Haeun immediately shook his head, he liked this pheromone, he wanted more of it, he wanted to be around them all day every day.

"Please let me stay with you, I need more of your pheromones so please just let me have it just for today."

Yeongsoo clenched his jaw as he maneuvered Haeun into the passenger seat of his car. Haeun was clearly in the throes of his heat, his flushed face and half-lidded eyes showed just how deeply his pheromones were affecting him. Yeongsoo cursed under his breath.