We picked up Jie-Yu fifteen minutes later, but they didn’t let her sit in the backseat, even though it was sooo spacious, and she was forced to go sit in the front.

My plan had backfired and I was once again alone with the Alphas who want to each have half of me. No, I doubt it’s half they want. They probably want the whole of me.

Ngh.

By the time we got home, the continuous silence, eye-to-eye electrifying war, and gripping of my hand had drained me to the point I was no different from a used paper floating in the air.

Should I be glad the war did not suddenly escalate to include me into something intimate and direct?

Yes! Yeah, I should be glad.

Once the car stopped, I was the first to leap out, rushing like a squirrel that needed to hide its acorns. Finally! I’m free! Free, I tell ya! My inner voice triumphed.

But unfortunately, I could not escape. It was all in my head.

Seo-Jun had caught me by the waist and lifted me up, sizing me like I was a kid. His eyes fell on the shirt and he frowned. He definitely did not like the fact that I was wearing Ki-hoon’s shirt, and then in a flash, it was off, fallen to the floor, and I was left bare-chested.

"You...!" My face flushed and I covered up with my panda. "Pervert!"

"Heh, that’s me!" He happily accepted it.

"What do you think you’re doing?" Ki-hoon asked as he got down from the car and Seo-Jun twisted his lips nonchalantly.

"Nothing. Just decided Jo-Pil looks better without a shirt." He said.

"Don’t joke around. What if he catches a cold?" Ki-hoon worried and then picked up the shirt but Seo-Jun did not let him. He threw me over my shoulder like I was a bag of potato... Probably a very light one... And grinned.

"Then I’ll just have to take him in before he catches one." He said and ran inside with me on his shoulder.

I covered my face, humiliated and struck with disbelief. How does everything this guy does manage to shock and embarrass me every single time?

I looked at Jie-Yu, who waved farewell to me and clasped her hands together to pray for my well-being. Help!

Seo-Jun probably planned to hide me inside his room or something, but as soon as he stormed inside the Mansion, he paused in his tracks as he met an unexpected guest.

Ah, no, calling him a guest was too much of an insult. After all, he was one of the masters.

I hadn’t seen who it was that made Seo-Jun stop but as soon as he clicked his tongue and went, "Now I have to deal with this one too," a faint forest scent filled my nose.

I could see the color green so clearly that it reminded me of a certain pair of emerald eyes.

As soon as I realized this, I pushed myself up on Seo-Jun, pressing my hand on his face to look back and then I met them.

The emerald eyes that gave me joy and an inexplicable feeling.

It was Jin-Yeok, seated on the couch with his legs crossed and sipping a cup of tea.

He met my eyes and smiled.

"I waited for quite a while," he said, his voice as smooth and electrifying as I remembered. "But just seeing you doesn’t fill the emptiness I’ve been feeling for the past few days."

I gulped, my body stiffly vibrating to the tone of his voice.

"Jo-Pil," he called, placing the teacup down and reaching out his gloved hand. "Come to me."

I didn’t hesitate, I struggled out of Seo-Jun’s hold and then dashed towards Jin-Yeok like an obedient puppy, falling into his lap like it was the most natural thing to do.

I hooked my arms around his neck and hugged him, taking in the feeling of his body after so long.

I’m the one who sent him on a mission, but I still missed him so much.

"I missed you," I said.

My actions struck all eyes and made them feel dumb, unable to utter a word.

Even Jin-Yeok was taken aback.

"Ah, if it’s like this, then I think the days I spent away were definitely worth it." He said, his voice whispering into my ear and I flinched.

That damn flirty tone. His voice is still so good and makes my toes curl.

"Maybe I should leave for longer more often." He mumbled but I raised my head.

"No, no more!" I said. "You’re done now, right?"

"Hm," he picked up a remote and turned on the TV. I didn’t know what he was trying to show me but as soon as the TV came on, I did.

The news showed an agreement on a petition to stop slave trading, and the government had signed it.

So, as of now, slave trading has been completely abolished in this nation, and is considered an illegal practice.

Seeing it, my eyes widened, and I felt them tear up, but I did not cry. I bit my lip, held it in. It was a good thing. Such a good thing. I was so glad.

"Now, now," Jin-Yeok pinched my chin. "You should be happy, right?"

"I am," I said.

"Then that’s good." He said and held me closer, resting his head on my shoulder and digging his nose into the crook of my neck. "Hah, I don’t know why you’re without a shirt, but I’ll take it as a reward, even though all I smell from you are the Pheromones of other Alphas..." His eyes trailed to those who were just watching, dangerously assessing them.

"Ah, about that..." There was honestly no need to explain since the situation explained itself.

"But this isn’t enough." I heard him mumble.

"What was that?" I asked and he lifted his head just a bit so his eyes could meet mine.

"It’s nothing. It’s just my greed acting up again, it’ll let up." He said but I couldn’t treat it as nothing.

"Do you... Want a reward?" I asked, which of course, he did not expect.

"Why would you give me a reward when I simply fulfilled a promised wish?" He asked and I twisted my lips, feeling not so great about it.

Yes, it was a wish but he did far better than I expected. He even got the government to abolish slaves trading... How could I not reward him?

"Just a kiss." He whispered. "If you give me just a kiss, I will be satisfied with that."

I looked into his eyes boring hungrily into mine.

Just a kiss? Was he sure?

I doubt it would end at just a kiss.

"Then, I’ll give you a special kiss." I said, "But not here. Let’s... Go to my room."

I was going to give him a kiss, alright, but nobody said anything about giving him just one kiss and only on his lips... There was one more place that needed a kiss for holding out for so long.

Jin-Yeok lifted me right away, grinning and showing off to the already pissed Seo-Jun and a narrowed-eyed Ki-hoon.

"Well then, we can have travel stories later." He said. "Jo-Pil and I have some business to take care of."