Reasonable Loss - 45

“Haa…”

Eunsoo sighed deeply, leaning his back against the cold wall. His mind was tangled. Unexpected news in an unexpected situation left his heart unsettled.

I didn’t expect Dokwon to have such a past. After hearing about his old history, I understood why he asked me if I was an omega as soon as he woke up, why he frowned at the smell, and why he mocked me by asking if I wanted money.

Eunsoo slowly closed his eyes. It had been an excessively tiring day for both body and mind. And now, having to wash up and go out again as soon as he got home felt disheartening.

At that moment, the alarm announcing the arrival of the subway blared loudly in the station. Eunsoo winced in pain.

* * *

Eunsoo caught a cold. It was a natural consequence after wandering the streets with a weak body, sweating, and leaving it to dry in the cold wind.

Despite that, Eunsoo dragged himself to work. Society wasn’t forgiving enough to allow sick leave just for a cold. It wouldn’t be good to fall ill again so soon after a vacation.

It would have been nice if he could take medicine. But being pregnant, he couldn’t just take any medication. There was no time to visit an obstetrician either. He just hoped to get better quickly by diligently eating three meals a day.

Even at lunchtime, he didn’t use the company cafeteria with the team but went alone to a porridge shop near the office and finished a whole bowl. There was no appetite, but he had to eat. For the baby inside him.

Eunsoo managed to live busily while feeling weak. And soon, the weekend approached.

He had agreed to meet Dokwon at a Korean traditional restaurant. The place was private, quiet, not burdensome for digestion, and offered good nutrition for a pregnant Eunsoo.

Well, aside from that, the food was good, and it was a place Eunsoo and Dokwon often visited. Probably Secretary Jung had suggested it.

When Dokwon sent a message like a business appointment,

[Cheongdam-dong Harimjeong.
Saturday the 17th.
12 PM.
Reservation under Seo Dokwon.]

Eunsoo remembered the early days of their relationship and smiled briefly.

Eunsoo came out wearing a soft shirt layered with a thick sweatshirt. He arrived at the restaurant around 11:40. Taking the subway had become a habit, so leaving early was a routine. Unlike with a car, unpredictable events frequently happened.

In fact, even without that, Dokwon always arrived 15 minutes early, so Eunsoo adjusted to ‘Dokwon time’.

Five minutes passed. Fifteen minutes before the appointment, Dokwon had not arrived.

Eunsoo wore a bitter smile. It seemed Dokwon at thirty had no concept of ‘Dokwon time’.

Dokwon appeared exactly three minutes before noon. His hair was only half styled, and he wore a burgundy knit sweater and black suit pants, which looked very good on him.

“You came early.”

Dokwon said as he sat across from Eunsoo. He didn’t even look at Eunsoo and tried to press the call button. Eunsoo quickly spoke up.

“I’ve already placed the order.”

“……”

Dokwon’s eyebrows frowned as if he was displeased. It seemed he didn’t like that the order had been placed without asking him. It was understandable. Dokwon had a very picky palate and many foods he didn’t like.

However, Eunsoo was well aware of Dokwon’s tastes. They had met every day for two years and had often eaten three meals a day together, so it was strange not to know.

Moreover, this place was somewhere they visited several times a month. Eunsoo had even become familiar with the owner. Just by greeting with a smile, the order was completed. He also heard that seasonal ingredients were in, which Dokwon would like.

“You don’t need to worry. You’ll like it.”

“……Have I been here before?”

“Yes. You’ve come often. It’s not far from the company, and the food is good.”