CHAPTER 75: UPS AND DOWNS

"GARAM-SSI, you must be feeling like you’ve been blindsided."

Oh.

Garam didn’t expect that CEO Myung Hyesu would bring that up after his boss invited him to her office.

To be honest, he thought the meeting was over.

He didn’t remember what exactly was discussed, though.

I was out of it the moment they said the big changes in my solo debut.

"If you’re not happy with the changes, then I suggest talking to Song Sihyuk-nim."

Garam flinched when he heard his chaebol husband’s name.

"I know that Song Sihyuk-nim is your sponsor, but I want you to understand one thing, Garam-ssi," CEO Myung Hyesu said carefully. "It’s true that Song Sihyuk-nim bought this company. But that doesn’t mean he’s the sole owner. He can’t run this company on his own, and that’s why he picked me and put me in this position. But I’m not the only one he brought here. This company has other shareholders."

Oh, right.

Of course.

How did I almost forget how a company runs?

"That wasn’t always the case, though," the CEO continued with her explanation. "At the beginning, when the agency was still small and you just had your debut, Song Sihyuk-nim had complete control over the company. But when our company grew with your group, more investors and shareholders came pouring in. That means less influence for Song Sihyuk-nim as well."

Ah, that made sense.

Garam felt ashamed of himself when the realization hit him, though.

I was disappointed because I thought Sihyuk Hyung had let me down without considering the fact that he isn’t the only one who runs this company.

CEO Myung Hyesu obviously saw my reaction and understood why I reacted that way.

And that made him embarrassed because he acted like a total sugar baby just now.

What was I thinking of doing after this? Whine to Sihyuk Hyung?

After that, then what?

Am I expecting Sihyuk Hyung to use his power to get me what I want?

Garam felt incredibly ashamed of himself for having those thoughts.

I mean, I did rely on Sihyuk Hyung heavily at the beginning of my career. But now that I’ve reached this far, asking for his help means I’ve never really grown as an artist. Although it’s Hyung’s duty to provide for me, I still should pull my weight.

"Having said that, we both know that Song Sihyuk-nim could get what you want if he pulls some strings."

Ouch.

Garam’s pride was hurt after hearing that.

Even CEO Myung is expecting me to rely on Sihyuk Hyung again.

He would lie if he said the thought didn’t cross his mind.

But before that...

"Ma’am, may I know why the company decided to change my debut plan?"

"Are you sure you want to hear the reason?"

"Please."

CEO Myung Hyesu heaved a deep sigh before spilling the beans: "Garam-ssi, most of our investors and shareholders don’t have that much faith that you’ll succeed as a solo artist. After all, you’re the least popular member of your group. They wanted to make sure that they wouldn’t lose too much money in case your solo debut failed. Hence, the decision to cut the budget for your album preparations and promotions."

Ouch.

Garam thought he was prepared to hear the truth, but he didn’t expect it would still hurt.

I guess I got so used to Sihyuk Hyung’s support that I forgot not all businessmen will gamble on an artist they don’t see as profitable.

And that exactly what he was— the weakest link among his group.

The only reason I bagged solo endorsements and brand deals recently was because of Sihyuk Hyung.

Oh, god.

Garam suddenly felt so pathetic.

I really am nothing without Sihyuk Hyung.

***

"DAMN, SONG SIHYUK. Your grandfather will be elated if he sees your new chart."

"Is it enough for Grandfather to die from happiness?"

"Yah. Don’t talk like that. Chairman Song is still healthy and strong."

Song Sihyuk just smirked.

Right now, he was in Seong Kyungmin’s office after he got a pheromone check-up.

As its name suggested, the check-up was to check the level of his pheromones. As a Dominant Alpha, it was the kind of test that he couldn’t miss because the amount of dosage he needed for his suppressants depended heavily on his pheromone level.

"Alphas are classified in three categories, depending on their pheromone level," Seong Kyungmin said, his eyes sparkling while showing him the chart on his computer. "Recessive Alphas have C-Grade level of pheromones, regular Alphas are in B-Grade level, and Dominant Alphas are in A-Grade level."

And Song Sihyuk didn’t belong to any of those three categories.

I’m above an average Dominant Alpha, of course.

"Your old chart shows you’re above Dominant Alphas, but your pheromone level is not high enough to reach a new class officially," Seong Kyungmin said, and it was the first time Song Sihyuk had seen the doctor that excited. Well, Seong Kyungmin’s face remained stoic, but his voice was a little higher-pitched than normal. "Look, Sihyuk-ah. Your pheromone level has skyrocketed— just a little bit, and it will hit the roof that will make you an S-Grade Alpha. Do you know what that means? It means you can now be recognized as a Hyper-Dominant Alpha officially."

Pfft.

It was funny how the usually calm and collected Seong Kyungmin was acting this excited.

But Song Sihyuk couldn’t blame the doctor for that reaction.

Hyper-Dominant Alphas are only a myth before— but I’m about to become a living proof that they exist.

"I finally had sex with Lim Garam."

Seong Kyungmin, who was already used to hearing about his patients’ sex lives, remained indifferent. In fact, he even put on his ’professional look’ as if he were ready to talk about serious business now.

And the doctor did.

"I know where you’re trying to get at, Sihyuk-ah. But if having sex is the only reason your pheromone level suddenly spiked, then it would have happened already when you were in high school. That was when you were so sexually active..." Seong Kyungmin trailed off, and then he frowned. "I can’t believe you consistently placed top 1 in the entire school when all you did back then was have sex."

Song Sihyuk just shrugged.

Seong Kyungmin then shook his head as if to remind himself that it wasn’t the right time for that. "Sihyuk-ah, I know I might sound crazy. But I do believe that your pheromone level increased because you were with Lim Garam."

"Good. Tell that to my Grandfather. I need him to accept Lim Garam as my wife."

"Hey, take this seriously."

"I am," Song Sihyuk insisted. "I also think that Lim Garam is the reason why my pheromone level increased."

"Really?"

"I have never felt so attracted to someone before I met the kid. That’s why I did everything I could to keep him with me even though I don’t usually go for people younger than me."

The doctor tilted his head to one side as if thinking hard. "That’s true. You only hooked up with people your age or older. Lim Garam was the only younger person you got interested in."

"Right?"

"It was still creepy of you to go after a high school student back then, though."

"Hey, Lim Garam was months away from being a university student at the time."

"Yeah, but you were already in your mid-twenties. Still creepy."

"Seong Kyungmin, should I commission Mija and make the child curse you to fall in love with a high school student now? You’d be worse than me because you’re already in your early thirties."

"I’d rather kill myself than touch a kid," Seong Kyungmin said nonchalantly before changing the topic. "Anyway, I have a theory as to why your pheromones only increase when you’re with Lim Garam."

"What is it?"

"Lim Garam might be your fated pair."

Pfft.

Song Sihyuk smirked, amused by what the doctor had just said.

"Hey, I’m serious," Seong Kyungmin said when Song Sihyuk just smiled. "According to the myth, Hyper-Dominant Alphas draw their strength from their fated pair. Once they meet their person, they get stronger— and they get stronger because their pheromones increase unusually. It’s corny, yes. But a myth like that wouldn’t have spread if there wasn’t smoke to begin with."

"I didn’t say I don’t believe you."

"Then what was that smirk for?"

"I’m just glad that my grandfather has no reason to reject Lim Garam now."

"Is that the only reason?"

"It’s basically confirmed that Lim Garam is my fated pair— that gives me more reason to keep him by my side," Song Sihyuk said, smiling. "Now I don’t have to hold back when claiming him as mine."

Seong Kyungmin sighed while shaking his head. "Have mercy on the poor kid, you crazy bastard."

***

’SIR, I’ve followed the script you prepared. I explained to Lim Garam-ssi how you don’t have complete power over the company now.’

Heh.

Song Sihyuk felt satisfied after reading Myung Hyesu’s text message.

At least, she has come to her senses.

He was prepared to fire Myung Hyesu as that little entertainment company’s CEO if she dared to question his decision again.

"Sir, should we return to the company?"

Song Sihyuk lifted his head and met Jung Han’s gaze through the rearview mirror. "Yes."

"Understood, sir.’

Song Sihyuk then leaned against the backrest of the backseat and was about to grab his laptop and work.

But his phone rang.

He immediately picked up the call when he saw his adorable wife’s name on the screen.

"Yes, babe?"

"Hyung, can you buy me ice cream on your way home later?"

Aww.

My baby sounds sad.

It looked like Myung Hyesu had followed Song Sihyuk’s instructions well if Lim Garam was already this sad.

Now I just have to comfort my poor wife.

"Alright. What ice cream chain do you want me to buy for you?"

"Huh?"

"You said you wanted ice cream. Give me the brand name that you want, and I’ll buy it for you. Don’t worry. I’m just going to buy you a franchise since I know you don’t like it when I spend too much money on you."

"Hyung, are you crazy? Just buy me a tub of chocolate ice cream!"

Song Sihyuk chuckled. "Lim Garam, when will you start asking me for the expensive stuff? First, a cheese wheel. Now, a tub of ice cream. I’m not working this hard just to buy you cheap things."

"Then book a fancy suite for us tonight."

Oho?

Song Sihyuk smiled, his pheromones acting up out of excitement. "Should I transfer my hotel to your name, Garam-ah?"

"Ah, Hyung, I don’t need a hotel!"

Pfft.

You might need it soon once your idol career is over, Lim Garam.

***

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