The steady tapping of keys accompanied by soft instrumental music flowed through his headphones. The soft yellow glow from the desk lamp illuminated the laptop screen, where an incomplete PowerPoint slide awaited further editing. Ann's pale face, tired from lack of sleep, was visible in that gentle light.
He rested his chin on his hand, scrolling through fonts with a glazed expression. Suddenly, the screen lit up—Kai was calling.
Ann paused for a moment before answering the call.
"Hey Ann, whatcha doin'?"
Kai's voice was clear and energetic, carrying warmth and familiarity. Ann smiled softly, leaning back in his chair, "I'm working on an assignment. Why are you calling so late?"
"The power went out back home, and the heater isn't working. It's freezing! And I'm turning into a snowman that cannot sleep! Nina's here too. We're heading to the city soon, but... Nina insisted on not telling you the date so you'd be surprised ~."
"Ah, so you're accomplices."
"You guessed it," Kai laughed. "Felix and I are super excited to see you; it's been ages, and we miss you so so much! Felix says he can't wait to show off his new look. It's so scary that anyone has an eye on you will run away! I'm so looking forward to it."
Ann chuckled, relaxing slightly, "Really? Now you make me curious."
Suddenly, Kai's voice turned serious, "By the way, has anyone been bothering you lately?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, has anyone been hitting on you? You know, you've had trouble with weirdos before. You're an Omega, you know? The type that's easy to attract unwanted attention? Has anyone troubled you lately?"
Ann hesitated briefly, averting his eyes as if Kai could see him through the screen. Quietly, he answered, "No… nobody."
He lied to Kai not because he wanted to hide something, but because he wasn't sure what his situation with Robert was exactly. Just a few encounters, an unexpected confession, and a discreetly delivered bouquet—everything felt like a dream he couldn't yet define.
And telling Kai about it... felt a bit embarrassing.
"That's good!" Kai replied. "I'll let Felix know, or he'll worry like hell. He's always scared that you'll be taken by some dumbhead. And then you'll be far away from us forever... ever...and ever.. Huh~"
Before Ann could respond, Nina's loud shout interrupted from Kai's end, "Kai! Don't turn on that heater! It's leaking electricity!"
"Huh?!"
Sounds of fumbling ensued. Kai quickly ended the call.
Ann stared at the now-dark screen, chuckling lightly. He closed his eyes, resting his head against the chair. Another night passed by.
The next morning, Ann was late, again.
He hurriedly buttoned his shirt while running out the door, hair still damp, phone carelessly dangling from his pocket. Just thinking about Milena's stern face made him shiver.
Bursting into the café, Ann bent over, panting: "I'm sorry, Milena. I'm late—"
Before he could finish, a familiar voice cried out:
"ANNNNN! ANN, LITTLE BIG BROTHER—!!"
Someone rushed toward him like a bullet. Ann barely had time to react before being wrapped tightly in an unexpected hug.
"Kai?!"
"Surprised!!!"
Kai Yuong, whose Ann's caller from the previous night, and Milena's younger brother. A young Alpha, tall with a bright face and mischievous brown eyes. Short brown hair, oversized hoodie, sports pants—he looked like he's ready for a basketball game.
Kai had been close to Ann since birth. Despite being two years younger, Kai never maintained any distance, always openly affectionate.
Perhaps this was why Kai never respected the boundaries between an Alpha like himself and an Omega like Ann. In excitement, Kai's pheromones burst out, enveloping Ann in a fresh scent of orange mixed with cinnamon, familiar yet overwhelming.
"Let... me... go…!" Ann blushed, struggling.
"Nope! Haven't hugged you in… forever! Let me kiss you——"
"Knock it off!" Nina appeared from behind, throwing a bag of snacks at Kai's head and shouting, "Ann, let me save you from this dumbhead!"
Nina Yuong, a Beta female, Milena's younger sister, and Kai's older sister, is only one year younger than Ann. Quick-witted and lively, always radiating positivity. Ann regarded Nina as a beloved younger sister who often teased him but also acted as a mediator whenever Kai got too excited.
In some ways, Nina is very delicate.
Just a few second later, Nina separated Kai from Ann. She pulled a small deodorizing spray from her pocket, spraying lightly over Ann, then directly onto Kai's face as a warning of his stupid act.
Only when the scent dispersed did Ann recover.
"Kai? Why'd you arrive so early? You guys said 'soon' but that doesn't really mean today?" Ann asked.
"Nina dragged me out at 11 PM to catch the bus. See how miserable I am?" Kai said, pretending misery convincingly.
"Keep whining, and I'll take back my snacks that you ate yesterday… from your stomach!" Nina threatened, raising her hand jokingly.
"Nooo! Not even I puke it all out for you! It's mine! All mine!!"
Kai swiftly hid behind Ann, but Nina still didn't want to forgive Kai, chasing him around Ann, making Ann laugh hard.
"Are you done yet?" a familiar stern voice interrupted.
Milena stepped out from behind the counter, high heels clicking rhythmically. Black pencil skirt, grey blazer, plan documents in hand—every bit the cold, authoritative, like a CEO.
She gazed sternly at the trio, clearly disapproving of their playful chaos. She seems very angry about them.
Caught red-handed, the trio paled. Kai especially shrank back, pressing against Ann, trembling.
"Yes, big sis…"
Seeing their frightened expressions, Milena suddenly laughed, "I'm kidding. Since you're all here today, relax~ You guys can be chill today."
The trio paused, then simultaneously exclaimed in relief: "You scared us to death!"
Laughter filled the air.
…Clack.
Suddenly, the café door opened. Someone entered.
Ann froze.
He instantly recognized that figure. Tall, lean, broad-shouldered. Short black hair. Red short-sleeved shirt, black trousers, stern expression, deep sharp eyes behind black square-framed glasses.
And those unmistakable amber eyes.
It was Robert.