Chapter 69: Daebin
Seoha’s POV
"Sir" Daeshin’s entire demeanor changes as he smiles at Taesan, bowing deeply and keeping his hands in front of him...a well-mannered monster.
"Daddy, elevator" Sooin says.
The young girl is blissfully oblivious to the tension in the hall; Taesan’s dark eyes are fixed on Daeshin, and Daeshin has a pure expression on his face, something that seems so honest that I almost want to pity him again.
"I was just- er- Seoha-ssi is an acquaintance of mine" he stutters politely.
"Senior Seoha" Taesan says and Daeshin’s head snaps towards me, I immediately avoid his eyes, keeping my hand on Sooin’s head to keep her still while she whines for the elevator.
"Senior Seoha? Sir...he’s an omega and" Daeshin starts to explain his thoughts on me being called senior, and Taesan sighs.
The simple noise is louder than it should be, exaggerated and meant to pass a message...shut up.
"Senior Seoha, I look forward to working with you...sir" my former alpha finally says with forced enthusiasm, plastering a fake smile on his face.
Taesan nods once and comes closer to us, tapping his cane to the floor with each step he takes, he gets closer, but I don’t smell him.
Disturbed by his lack of scent, my eyes scan for his scent gland, and I find it covered by a scent patch.
"Get in the elevator" he says to me and Sooin runs in first, still bouncing around with the sudden burst of energy, "Daebin" the mountain-like alpha calls.
"My name is D-Daeshin sir" Daeshin corrects and Taesan silences him with a glare.
"Meet with your superior in three hours’ time" he says and gets into the elevator next to his daughter, while I stand there frozen, like a person stuck between their past and their future.
Taesan breaks me out of it by beckoning, and I get into the elevator with him and Sooin without looking at Daeshin.
The space feels oddly safe as Sooin starts to chatter and Taesan answers her in small hums and nods, they are in their own world and I’m in mine, just privileged to stand nearby.
"I’ll teach you everything you need to know about Mountain Atelier" Taesan says to me and Sooin giggles, "dad, Mountain Atelier has like your name! Taesannie" she says and her father chuckles.
"They are copying my name, aren’t they?" he asks and Sooin nods, "dad is the only big mountain" she says and hugs his side.
"And you are my only Sooin" he says, ruffling her hair and she jumps away, "dad! Don’t ruin my hair, daddy made it" she says with a stern look.
"Sorry princess, you are too cute" he says and she hugs him.
"Take her to Yuki and return to me in the office" Taesan says when the door opens, "yes sir" I say and wait for him to step out first, but he doesn’t.
"Go" Taesan says in a small voice and steps further back into the elevator, the act confuses me...why wouldn’t he come with us?
"Daddy let’s go!" Sooin says and I hold her small hand to take her with me to Yuki’s office.
"Dad never comes with me" she says when we are out of earshot and I look back; the alpha has stepped out of the office and is already going his own way.
"No dad...he wants to come with us, but he has to work" I lie to her and she pout, "it’s okay, I have you, right daddy?" she says and I nod, "you have me and your dad" I tell the pup.
"Is that my baby rabbit?" Yuki gasps as we open the door of her office and Sooin runs to hug her, "it’s me! Aunty Yuki, it’s me!" she squeals.
"Aish, I told you to call me unnie" Yuki says with a funny tone, shaking her head slowly and Sooin giggles, "you’re not unnie! You’re auntie"
"She likes calling me old" the young woman says to me and rolls her eyes.
"Taesan-ssi asked me to bring her to you" I say and she nods at me, "okay, I’ll take good care of the rabbit" she responds and Sooin whines about not being a rabbit.
Sooin’s little voice tugs on my heart and I fall even more in love with her. I heard her cry last night and this morning, and now she’s smiling...I would do anything to keep that smile.
"Daddy, kiss" Sooin demands and I lean in to kiss her round cheek.
"See you later" I say and leave them.
I return to the office and find Kang Taesan with his head down and resting on his arm, he stays like that as I walk in, not seeming to notice my arrival.
"Sir" I call softly and he sits up, "give me a minute, I need a smoke" he murmurs and I don’t move.
"Smoking is bad" I say and he gives me his signature flat look, his eyes look tired, "have I ever asked your opinion?" he asks and I shake my head.
"Then shut the fuck up" he says and pulls out his cigarette, he keeps his eyes on me as he places it between his lips.
"Smoking indoors is bad" I say stubbornly, tempted to snatch it from him, and instead of responding he sighs and drops the cigarette on his table.
"Happy?" he asks, and I almost purr with pride as he leans back in his seat.
"I heard what Sooin said" he informs me and my omega whines for him.
No wonder, it would hurt to hear your own pup say you never go with her, "I’m sure you have your reasons..." I say and he gets up from his seat.
"Too many of them, I won’t let her watch me end up like my parents" he says and I open my mouth to ask what he means but change my mind, one page at a time...
He feels like a man who carries too much.
"It would make you feel better to share..." I say and he comes to stand in front of me, this is a posture we are getting too familiar with.
It used to be terrifying for me, but now it feels like...it should always be this way...me and him.
"Don’t let that bastard talk down on you ever again" he says and his voice dips lower, "look up" he commands and I obey.
His word is my command.
"Don’t let anyone talk down on you ever again. You go against me...you should do worse to them" he says and leans in, pressing a kiss on my parted lips.
My breath catches in my throat as he holds his lips against mine for a few seconds, he brings his hand up to my lower back to hold me closer, and I melt against him.
The kiss is unexpected, but I love it a little too much.
He pulls away slowly, his eyes stay fixed on my lips for a second before he runs his thumb over my bottom lip lightly...it feels more intimate than the kiss itself.
"Get your notepad and pen, we work from now" he says and nods towards the table where a notepad and pen are sitting.
My name is on it: Head Designer Shin Seoha