In these areas, sales have been declining—not drastically, but certainly noticeably. We need to take action, especially with winter approaching, and sales usually dip even further during that season. A man was saying.
Jaehan listened intently as the men continued their discussion at the meeting.
Magdalena, as usual, entered with coffees for everyone but placed a sweet treat beside Jaehan's. He looked at it for a moment but carried on reviewing documents and listening to the conversation.
"If you invest this much, it should be sufficient to offset the downturn."
"I think that's a viable option because people tend to reduce their purchases in winter, plus with the holidays coming up, many use that time to travel."
"It would be best if we focused our efforts at that time to avoid headaches. Sales are just starting to slow down, so if we manage them now, everything will be easier. The data is clear, with fluctuations beginning last week."
"Alright, we'll have to do that. It's not the first time we've gone through this," spoke the Alpha. "So we shouldn't worry or anticipate events that might never happen."
They continued their meeting on the topics that had been called for. After three hours, Jaehan was left more than exhausted with a stiff neck.
He returned to his office, loosened his tie for a breath, and sat down to check his emails when he saw Magdalena come in with more paperwork.
"Sir, I need you to sign these documents, please, and then I'll take them to the notary."
He read the documents carefully to understand their content.
"You look very tired. Would you like me to bring you some pain relief?"
"No thank you, I'm fine."
"But you don't look well, sir. Let me give you a massage to help you feel better."
She moved swiftly behind him as he signed the ten pages. She began massaging his broad shoulders gently. Noticing his tension, Jaehan felt the weight lift from his shoulders as she moved up to his neck, massaging there too.
"Feeling better?" she asked, bringing her face close to his ear. "People say I'm very good at massages. Your spouse should be more thoughtful and take care of you."
At those words, Jaehan moved to distance himself.
"Magdalena, I'm going to ask that you just stick to your job duties and leave, please."
After she left, he sighed and ran his hands through his hair out of headache. This used to bother him before, but now it was incessant, nearly every day. Tired of everything, he still had places to be, so he left the office to grab his things and step into the waiting car.
He stared out the window, his phone vibrating with a message—a photo sent by Saije. He didn't know how to respond and remained silent.
Knowing he had a meeting to attend, one that his mother would be at, he wished to head home instead.
He sighed and asked the driver to speed up, contemplating whether to reply to Saije's message, guessing perhaps Saije was waiting for one and probably not far off. The Omega eyed the phone but assumed Jaehan might be in a meeting and didn't want to press.
And so the day went quickly until evening arrived.
"Today, young Jaehan allowed me to leave early," whispered Anna, catching Saije's glance, for there were still two hours to go.
"Early? Why?"
"I have a birthday party to attend," she announced with a smile.
"Oh..."
"When is your birthday?"
"Next month," he replied, hesitating before asking. "When is Jaehan's birthday?"
Anna looked thoughtful then surprised.
"I had forgotten."
"Has it passed?" Saije asked, attentively.
"No, not yet, but it's tomorrow."
That left him in silence. He swallowed and watched her leave. He never thought about birthday gifts. He'd occasionally given something to his parents, but it had been years since he'd given anyone a gift, and he pondered what to give the Alpha. He realized he knew nothing about him. He always saw him wearing a watch, reading newspapers, and donning turtleneck sweaters—all of which seemed dull and boring to him.
Reflecting for a moment, he heard the voices of men always around the house. He wanted to retreat to his room but noticed Jaehan's meal on the table, worried that Rex, who was always entering, might eat it.
He stood still but at the first chance locked the door from the inside for more security. He peeked out the window to see them leave and then went to his room. He wanted to stay awake, but he was sleepy and tired from preparing the food.
When Jaehan arrived, he saw the door again locked from the inside. He didn't understand why Saije did that but just used his key. Looking around and seeing no sign of Saije, he didn't want to imagine another escape. If it happened again, he thought he might shoot himself. Spotting the untouched meal but exhausted, he decided to shower and then stopped outside Saije's room, debating whether to knock. But he just opened the door.
And there he was.
Saije was sleeping peacefully on his bed, clutching a jacket while curled up in a fetal position—a sight that accelerated Jaehan's heartbeat.
The bed was large, and Saije was right in the middle, gripping the jacket tightly as he slept.
After a few moments, Jaehan closed the door and clenched his fists.
In the morning, Saije saw him go to work as usual and went down to the kitchen. He stood there wanting to do something in gratitude for Jaehan risking his life to bring him back, knowing it was his own fault for throwing a tantrum. Unfamiliar with cake recipes, he found one online involving chocolate, nuts, and raspberry sauce.
Not knowing Jaehan's age, he chose to simply add a "happy birthday" decoration. Anna enthusiastically helped him, as she'd always made a birthday cake for him without fail.
"He always just comes home, he doesn't like to celebrate much, so he won't go to his parents' place or anywhere else," she said as they finished the cake.
"His parents don't come here either?"
She shook her head.
"When there's a celebration, they always go to a house in the countryside, but he seldom attends. He used to go more often, but after certain events, he stopped."
Saije assumed the 'before and after' involved Jaehan's sister.
"Great!"
"It's the most beautiful cake," stated Anna with a smile.
"Thank you so much."
"He will, no doubt, love it."
Feeling happy, Saije saw Anna off as she wished him luck. He waited, feeling nervous, as time passed and Jaehan didn't arrive.
Standing to look out the window, no car lights were visible. As winter was near, darkness fell earlier.
By eleven at night, considering calling Jaehan as he never arrived past eight at the latest, he dialed his number. After a few rings, a woman answered.
"Hello," she said, and he paused.
Unsure of what to say, he verified the number, which was correct.
"Where's Jaehan?"
"Oh, he's sleeping. Who is this?"
A sharp pain squeezed his chest. Assuming a woman answering meant she was with Jaehan, and his number wasn't saved, it hurt immensely.
"Nobody," he replied, and the call ended.
"What's the matter?" Jaehan asked as he entered his office.
"Nothing, just tidying up a bit. I picked up your phone to avoid dropping it. Did you resolve the issue?"
"Yes, the security cameras are being reviewed. The culprits have been identified, and we're searching for them. The items taken aren't crucial, but we need them back."
"Don't worry, sir; everything will work out. Does your face still hurt?" she inquired about the trouble caused at the company by the thieves.
"It's just a punch. I have to get home; it's very late," he said, thinking about Saije.
Magdalena watched him walk out and followed with a gift package.
"Sir, wait," she called.
He turned to see her holding the package.
"Happy birthday," she said with a smile. "Today had its troubles, but I hope for better days ahead, surrounded by the right people."
She seemed kind as always, so he just accepted it.
"Thank you, Magdalena."
"My pleasure. Safe travels home."
Jaehan hurried off, driven home swiftly. He entered to find stillness, assuming Saije was asleep. With nothing amiss, he left his belongings on the table, seeking water after a draining day spent discussing with police officers, yearning only for rest.
Grabbing only his briefcase and phone, he left the unimportant gift package and headed to bed.
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