Soo-hyun flopped down on the couch with a weary sigh, the soft leather groaning under his weight. He loosened his tie and leaned back, a glass of amber liquor resting idly in his hand. The faint clink of ice echoed in the quiet room as he swirled it absently.
"Can you believe it?" He muttered, his lips curling faintly as he stared at the ceiling. "Two disastrous days in my life. Am I just unlucky lately or what?" His tone wasn't angry, nor sad. It was mocking, drenched in sardonic amusement—as if misfortune had become an old friend that refused to leave his side.
"Some good Alphas they sure are."
Across the room, Dr. Seon stood with her arms crossed, wearing her usual professional poise. Her neatly tied bun and crisp white blouse gave her an air of sharp authority. She exhaled deeply, shaking her head.
"Oh, dear..." she whispered under her breath, her tone equal parts pity and annoyance.
Lowering her arms, she tilted her head slightly. "And I'm guessing you called me here to celebrate another one of your matchmaking failures, am I right?"
Soo-hyun's gaze slid toward her, one brow arching. "Not quite."
She blinked. "No?"
He smirked faintly, taking a sip of his drink before flicking his finger toward the door. "Ms. Do!"
A moment later, his maid appeared—swift, polite, and composed. "Yes, sir?"
"The book," Soo-hyun said, his tone clipped. "The one I asked for earlier."
"Of course, sir." She bowed quickly and disappeared into the other room.
Dr. Seon raised an eyebrow. "A book? You dragged me out of the hospital for some reading time?"
Soo-hyun ignored her.
Moments later, Ms. Do returned, holding a thick volume with a red leather cover, the edges faintly worn by age. She handled it delicately, as though it was something precious.
"Thank you, Ms. Do." Soo-hyun gave a faint smile, one that vanished as quickly as it appeared.
Once she left, Dr. Seon gave a short scoff.
"What's this now? Are you going to read me a bedtime story? Great. And here I thought you actually had something important to discuss, considering you called me in the middle of my rounds."
"Just sit down," Soo-hyun said, the edge in his voice cutting through her sarcasm.
She rolled her eyes, muttering something inaudible under her breath, "How annoying," but obliged nonetheless. She sat on the couch across from him, crossing one leg over the other.
Soo-hyun opened the book slowly, flipping through the crisp pages until he stopped at one section. The soft sound of paper filled the air before he turned the book around and slid toward her across the table.
His finger tapped at a bold title written neatly in the middle of the page:
[Fated Pairs]
Dr. Seon leaned forward slightly, squinting at the words. "Fated... pairs?" Her expression scrunched in confusion. "Wait—is this why you called me?"
Soo-hyun leaned back into the couch, crossing his legs, his face unreadable. "Do you know anything about it?"
She blinked at him, then at the page again, as though confirming if she had heard correctly. After a brief silence, she pressed her fingers to her temples, sighing heavily. "Hold on. You didn't seriously drag me here to ask about something that doesn't exist anymore, did you?"
Soo-hyun's tone dropped, calm but pointed. "Doesn't exist anymore, you say?"
Her eyes flicked up to him, a bit taken aback by his sharpness. "Yes. As far as I know, it never really existed in the first place—at least, not in the way people romanticized it."
That seemed to make him pause. "So," he said slowly, "you're saying it used to exist?"
Dr. Seon exhaled through her nose, considering her words. "Well... the concept did. People used to refer to their mates as fated pairs because of how the Alpha-Omega dynamic worked. It was said that once an Alpha mated or imprinted on an Omega, their bond became.... unbreakable. And vice versa."
She leaned back, her voice softening slightly, as though recalling something old and half-forgotten. "Of course, that was centuries ago—when biology and superstition walked hand in hand. Back then, a Beta pairing with either was considered taboo. They were believed incapable of forming true bonds."
Soo-hyun tapped his finger against his glass. "And yet, Alphas can imprint on Betas."
"Yes," she nodded. "But it's one-sided. A Beta could never return that imprint, not in the same emotional sense. And besides, they don't have any pheromones, which means they could never become official mates. The same applies to Omegas. They can't bond with Betas either, because their physiology prevents them from imprinting."
"Meaning " Soo-hyun murmured, half to a himself, "only Alpha and Omegas could be fated pairs with each other."
Dr. Seon nodded. "That's what people believed. But beliefs change. The fated pairs, I mean." Her gaze grew distant.
In ancient times, people thought fate was the ultimate truth. It decided marriages, status, everything. But then came the royal families—the nobles, the businessmen, who believed more in power and bloodlines than fate. They married for advantage, not for love.
Slowly, the old beliefs faded, until the concept of fated pairs became nothing more than an old wives' tale.
She crossed her arms again, leaning back in her seat. "Nowadays, most people laught at the idea. Fate doesn't pay bills or win elections, some might say. And not only that, Betas in relationship with either Alpha and Omega are not so uncommon."
"But thanks to those novels and comics, the fated pair thing is coming into life once again."
Soo-hyun didn't respond right away. He simply stared at the page—at the words. His expression unreadable but his eyes distant, as though something about that phrase stirred deep within him.
The faint hum of the air conditioner filled the silence between them.
Dr. Seon tilted her head, watching him quietly. "Why the sudden interest, Director Je? You've never been one for old legends."
Soo-hyun's lips parted, but he didn't answer immediately. His thumb brushed against the corner of the book.... thoughtful, almost hesitant.
When he finally spoke, his voice was soft, and calm.
"Let's just say... something happened recently that made me wonder if fate really was just a story after all."
A memory flashed into his mind—the man from earlier, who claimed to be Lee Wooyeon's partner—had said the same exact words that made Soo-hyun thought of it up until now.
He closed the book gently, the faint thud echoing between them.
Soo-hyun placed his glass down with a soft clink on the polished glass table, the faint ring of sound dissipating into the quiet room. The ice inside swirled lazily, melting away under the low amber light that filled his living room.
"How do you know that person is your fated pair?" He murmured, eyes fixed on the dim reflection of the chandelier above. His voice was low, distant, as if he wasn't really asking her, but rather himself.
Dr. Seon blinked, slightly caught off guard. She tilted her head, watching him curiously.
"I mean," he clarified after a pause, leaning forward and resting his forearms in his knees, "how exactly does it work? This so-called fated pair?"
The doctor crossed one leg over the other, thoughtful. "Hmm..." she touched her chin lightly, brows furrowing as she searched her memory. "My grandmother used to tell me storied about that when I was little."
Soo-hyun's gaze flicked to her, listening in silence.
"She said," Dr. Seon continued, her tone softening as she recalled the old tale, "that an Omega and an Alpha would just know the moment they laid eyes on each other—that they were meant to be. It's not something they reason out or question. It just happens. Like their souls recognize something before their minds do."
Soo-hyun frowned slightly. "So, like a love at first sight?"
Dr. Seon chuckled faintly, shaking her head. "Not quite. Love at first sight is fleeting. This one... it's deeper. My grandmother said it's like a force—like two magnets pulling each other closer no matter how much they try to resist. There's a sense of inevitability and connection between two party involved. And then..." she hesitated, her eyes wandering for a moment. "Then an oder would bloom out. A peculiar fragrance that manifests when two fated pairs meet. Only they can sense it. It's only for a brief moment, and then fades—but the memory of it never leaves."
Soo-hyun's brows drew together, his voice barely above a whisper. "An oder...?"
"Yes," she said. "But not the kind humans has on their body or anything. Some said it smelled like the air after rain, fresh, and nostalgic. Others said it felt more an emotion than a smell. Whatever it is, it's what binds them. After that, the Alpha can't find peace until he claims the Omega as his."
"Claims, huh?" Soo-hyun repeated, his tone edged with irony. "Such a possessive word."
"Well, that's how they saw it back then," Dr. Seon replied lightly, shrugging. "Those were different times. The Alpha's instinct was everything."
Soo-hyun leaned back on the couch, silent for a long moment. Hisbgaze was distant, fixed on nothing. "... And you really believe that?" He asked quietly.
Dr. Seon smirked faintly. "Believe? Hardly. I'm a doctor, Director Je. Not a mystic." She shrugged again. "Who knows? Maybe it's all just a metaphor people used to justify strong attraction. I wouldn't know a thing or two about urban legends."
Soo-hyun shot her a flat stare. "You're as useless as ever when it comes to these things."
"Excuse me?" She snapped, standing abruptly. "Well, I apologize, Director Je! I didn't realize you wanted to a lecture on folklore instead of science!"
He didn't respond—just stared at his untouched glass, expression unreadable.,
Dr. Seon groaned, grabbing he bag. "Honestly. If there's nothing else, I'll be going. You owe me one for interrupting my dinner break."
Soo-hyun gave no answer.
With an exasperated huff, she turned on her heel and walked out, her heels clicking sharply against the floor until the sound faded completely down the hall.
Silence returned to the room.
Soo-hyun remained seated, his posture relaxed yet heavy with thought. The faint sound of the city outside seeped through the tall windows. But in his head, only Dr. Seon's words echoed.
"... a magnet pulling them closer..."
He exhaled slowly, leaning back against the couch, eyes tracing the ceiling. His fingers drummed once against his knee, a habit he only did when something was bothering him.
A small, involuntary smile tugged at his lips—more bitter than amused.
"A peculiar oder..." He mumbled again, remembering a faint, unfamiliar scent that lingered faintly just before—one that stirred something strange in him.
The thought made his heart tighten ever so slightly.
He closed his eyes, letting out another breath, softer this time.
"Fated pair, huh..." He muttered to himself, almost scoffing at the absurdity—yet unable to ignore the flicker of unease that came with it.
The ice in his glass had completely melted.
*****
The next morning, the sky was clear, pale sunlight gleaming faintly against the mirrored walls of tall buildings.
Kiyonari opened the car door with his usual precision—every movement practiced, efficient, and wordless. He straightened up, adjusting his tie out of habit, as he waited for his boss.
Soo-hyun approached with his usual composed stride. His black coat swayed lightly with each step, shoes clicking against the marble pavement. But just as he reached the car, he stopped.
Kiyonari blinked, puzzled by the sudden halt.
Soo-hyun's eyes slowly lifted to meet his.
The chauffer flinched at the intensity of that stare—it wasn't his usual sharp, scrutinizing glare that came with irritation or judgment. No, this one was different... almost searching.
"G-Good morning, Director Je," Kiyonari greeted quickly, masking his unease with a polite, professional smile.
But Soo-hyun didn't answer.
He just stood there, eyes fixed on Kiyonari's face, unmoving.
The seconds stretched.
Kiyonari began to sweat under the weight of his superior's gaze. He awkwardly raised a hand to touch his cheek, then his temple, and even slightly brushed his hair aside. "Uh... is there something on my face, sir?"
Still nothing.
Soo-hyun's eyes narrowed slightly—not in annoyance, but as if he were trying to figure out something. His brows drew together, faintly.
For a brief second, he inhaled quietly.
There it was again. That faint scent—something clean, soft, almost electric—that brushed the air between them. It was subtle, and barely there, yet somehow unmistakable. He didn't understand why he noticed it... or why it stirred something strange inside his chest.
He exhaled, sharp and controlled, before muttering, "Let's go."
Kiynari blinked. "Yes, sir."
The younger man quickly rounded to the driver's seat, stealing a glance through the mirror once he got in. Soo-hyun was staring out the window now, his expression unreadable, a hand resting loosely against his chin.
What's with him? Why's he looking at me like he's looking through my soul? Kiyonari thought. Is there really something on my face?
Maybe he didn't like my suit? No, that can't be it... Did I say something wrong today? Or yesterday? Wait, I didn't even talk to him after I left and went home.
He sighed inwardly and started the engine.
The silence between them was thick all the way to the building. Soo-hyun didn't say a word, but his gaze occasionally flickered toward Kiyonari through the corner of his eye—just for a second, before he turned back to the view outside.
When they reached the lobby, both stepped inside the elevator. The soft hum of the motor filled the air as they ascended.
Soo-hyun finally broke the silence. "What's today's agenda?" He asked, voice calm but distant, as though his mind was elsewhere.
Kiyonari immediately pulled out his tablet, scrolling through the day's schedule. "You have the board meeting at ten, followed by lunch with the investment team, and then..." He scrolled a bit further down, "... you have a new matchmaking partner in the evening."
"Another one?" Soo-hyun muttered, his tone edged with irritation.
Kiyonari nodded. "Yes, sir. Tonight's dinner is arranged with Mr. Wang's son."
That made Soo-hyun pause mid-step as the elevator doors opened.
He turned his head slightly. "Mr. Wang... the Executive Vice President of Amber Company?"
"Yes, sir," Kiyonari confirmed, clutching his tablet close.
Soo-hyun hummed lowly, his expression unreadable. "I see."
He said nothing more as he continued walking through the hall. The clicking of his shoes echoed faintly against chatter of employees greeting him as he passed.
Kiyonari followed a few steps behind, still slightly flustered. Whatever that strange moment earlier was, he couldn't shake it off.
Meanwhile, Soo-hyun's thoughts drifted back to that faint scent that lingered briefly in the air between them.
He frowned to himself.
Impossible, he thought.
And yet, even as he entered his office and shut the door behind him, the ghost of that scent refused to fade.