CHAPTER 74: SILVER TONGUE

"BABE, I got you a new phone."

Hmm?

Garam had just returned to bed when Song Sihyuk sat next to him and handed him a box of a brand-new phone.

It was the upgraded version of the Ilsung phone that he was using.

Yeah, I prefer Korea’s Ilsung phone over that foreign brand that most young people prefer.

And, upon a closer look...

"Hyung, is this a real Ilsung phone?"

Song Sihyuk looked offended by his question. "Babe, do you really think I would buy you a counterfeit phone?"

"I don’t mean it like that, Hyung," Garam said, laughing softly at the misunderstanding. "I’m a fan of Ilsung phones, but I’m pretty sure I haven’t seen this model yet."

"Ah." Song Sihyuk’s face beamed. "That’s an unreleased model. Ilsung will announce their new collection next week. Kim Heedo just sent me one in advance when I asked him the best Ilsung phone they have at the moment. I only want the best for you, after all."

Aww.

"Who’s Kim Heedo, though?"

"He’s the oldest grandson of Ilsung Group."

"Oh, you’re friends with him?"

"Nah, the kid is a high school student."

"So young."

"Aigooya. Let’s stop talking about Kim Heedo. The kid is an Alpha, so I’m getting jealous."

"Why would you be jealous of a kid?"

"I’ll even get jealous of your phone if you spend too much time on it."

Aigoo.

This is the legendary Alpha obsession.

"Thank you for the new phone, Hyung," Garam said, quickly changing the topic before the Alpha could scold him for his lengthy phone screen time. Then he placed a soft kiss on Song Sihyuk’s face. "I’ll use it well."

Song Sihyuk looked dazed for a moment, and then he smiled while gently grabbing Garam’s face. "That phone has your new number. My number is already saved there."

Oh, right.

Hyung did say that he’d get me a new phone number.

"I made sure your new number wouldn’t be leaked this time," Song Sihyuk said, now showering Garam’s face with kisses. "But only give your number to people you trust. Then tell me right away if you receive a weird text again— scammers or obsessive fans, I’ll hunt them down."

Garam wanted to answer, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Song Sihyuk’s tongue immediately found its way in.

He just closed his eyes, enjoyed the kiss, and savored the scent in the air.

Is it just me, or Sihyuk Hyung’s pheromones are getting stronger and stronger?

***

"BUT, SIR, if we do that, then Lim Garam-ssi’s solo debut will be affected negatively—"

"Myung Hyesu, I’m not paying you to share your opinion that I didn’t ask for."

Finally, silence from the other end of the line.

Song Sihyuk leaned against the railing, watching Lim Garam sleep peacefully on the bed.

He was on the balcony, standing on the spot where he had a clear view of his adorable wife.

So defenseless.

Song Sihyuk was glad that he seemed to have gained Lim Garam’s trust, of course.

"I’ll do as you say, sir. But can I ask a question?"

"Go ahead."

"What’s the point of being Lim Garam-ssi’s sponsor if you don’t want him to succeed?"

"I already helped him and his little Kpop group succeed."

"But Lim Garam-ssi has the potential to go bigger..."

"A chaebol’s wife doesn’t need to be a big celebrity."

"But that’s what Lim Garam-ssi is working hard for, sir— he aims to fly higher."

"Everything Lim Garam needs in on the ground— he doesn’t need to fly higher," Song Sihyuk said, scoffing. "Myung Hyesu, do you want to lose your position? I’m the one who put you where you are right now— I can always send you back to the hellhole you came from. If that happens, how can you protect your wife?"

That wasn’t an empty threat.

Fortunately, Myung Hyesu got it this time.

"I-I’m sorry, sir. I’m just worried about Lim Garam-ssi’s career..."

"It’s my job to worry about my wife. Your job is to shape Lim Garam’s career according to how I want it to be."

"Yes, sir. I understand. I’ll never question your decision again."

"Very well."

Song Sihyuk then ended the call since he had already given Myung Hyesu her new job.

He stayed on the balcony, crossing his arms over his chest— still observing Lim Garam sleeping peacefully on the bed.

I’m sorry, babe— I lied.

"I have no intention of giving up on having a child with you, but I won’t force you to carry my heir either. It has to be your choice if I want this marriage to last," Song Sihyuk whispered to himself. "But you said your priority at the moment is your career, so..."

Fortunately, it was so easy to end an idol’s career.

***

GARAM’S first schedule for his first day of work— after his vacation— was a breakfast meeting with CEO Myung Hyesu and the team that would work with him on his solo debut album.

Yes, it was supposed to be an album.

But...

"Ma’am, this is too sudden," Garam said awkwardly. He didn’t want to appear like a difficult artist to manage, so he would always extend his understanding for the people he worked with. But he felt a bit agitated today because of the huge change in the plan. "I’m supposed to release a full album with twelve songs. Why did it become an EP with only four songs? And the fourth song is just an acapella version of the title track."

Out of all the twelve songs that were supposed to be included on his album, he wrote eight of them alone.

But getting his songs discarded wasn’t the worst part.

"Plus, the song I made, ’Siren,’ is supposed to be the main title track," Garam said, clenching his hands tight. No, he wasn’t feeling violent— he was actually feeling anxious. Digging his nails deep into the palms of his hands helped him relax a little. "But why am I having a double title track now?"

To be fair, having a double title track wasn’t inherently bad.

There were still cons, of course.

Having two title tracks might confuse fans as to which title track they should be promoting more. Or the popularity of the two title tracks might not be equal. One might receive less attention than intended.

Actually, that was what Garam was worried about.

The second title track that the company is pushing is my least favorite song on the album!

He only agreed to include that song because CEO Myung Hyesu said that the producer who wrote that song could help him expand his network in the future.

But why was the company pushing that song to be the second title track now?

"Garam-ssi, I know that you are confused by the sudden change. But I’m sorry— this change is final," CEO Myung Hyesu said, smiling apologetically at Garam. "This is what the company has decided for your solo debut."

Huh?

’The company?’

That just confused him even more.

Garam’s brows furrowed.

Isn’t Sihyuk Hyung the boss here?

***

Please ADD SECRETLY MARRIED TO A CHAEBOL ALPHA to your LIBRARY to be notified when an update is posted. Thank you! :