When Jaehan arrived, everything was silent. A week had passed since their last altercation and he hadn't crossed paths much with Omega, but now he was in his sight. Jaehan sighed upon seeing him asleep on the couch, dressed in his cat pajamas. He noticed food sitting on the table.
He wasn't sure if Saije had eaten, but he now didn't want to sit down alone with him present. Jaehan observed him peacefully sleeping—small, vulnerable, and sweet—and smiled, thinking that awake, he was a little devil who nearly drove him mad; yet, resting there, he looked adorable. He walked over to the table to uncover the food and found it all looked appetizing.
Deciding to take a shower first, he found, as usual, his bathroom filled with Omega's scent; it permeated every nook and cranny and stirred feelings within him he couldn't quite understand.
Returning, he saw Saije still slumbering but decided not to disturb him, as he seemed far too comfortable. Silently, he began to eat, savoring the flavor and sipping some wine as he elegantly sliced his meat. When he finished, he found himself gazing at Saije a few seconds longer, the clean, almost untouched scent of his pheromones from the other day lingering in his senses. It had been sweet and intense where strength was required for their situation. He'd encountered many Omegas' pheromones—florals, honey, peach, vanilla, among others—but Saije's had felt different.
Passing a hand through his hair, he realized he was entertaining nonsensical thoughts and ascended the stairs with intentions of going to bed. The door to Saije's room was half-open, he paused in the hallway before his curiosity led him to push the door fully open. Everything was neat, except for the flowers in the vase, which had begun to wilt. He reached out to pick a few petals and then turned his gaze towards the bed where his jacket lay neatly folded. He'd completely forgotten it because his week was so swamped. He walked over to check it for a note but found nothing.
Bringing it to his nose, he detected not only his scent but Saije's as well.
"What are you doing here?!" he heard Saije yell.
He turned and hurried back downstairs to see what was happening.
"I told you I don't want you near me!"
He descended because he didn't know who had intruded to cause such a reaction. On arrival, he saw Saije staring at someone fearfully and spotted Rex standing there.
"What's going on?" Jaehan asked, looking at both of them.
Seeing Jaehan, Saije rushed to him without hesitation, feeling relief.
"This fool was almost on top of me! Why do you let him in? I don't want him here!" he shouted.
"I wasn't on top, boss, I was just passing by; I thought no one was around," Rex responded.
Jaehan eyed him, seeing nothing unusual, accustomed as he was to Rex entering the home since he trusted him.
"He's lying!"
"He just comes in sometimes," the Alpha replied, "it's normal because I allow it."
"Well stop allowing it! I don't want him near me!" Saije yelled, recalling how uncomfortably close Rex had been, how his pheromones had tingled his senses.
Understanding, Jaehan asked them to stop shouting, assuming it was one of Saije's tantrums or whims.
Saije glared at him, disliking his tone. They watched him leave with Rex, chatting as if nothing had happened, but it had.
Saije turned to retire to his room, locking it behind him. His heart was in knots, fear prominent. The distrust he felt toward that Alpha was palpable, and he longed for Jaehan to dismiss him. Planning his next move was tough with fear clouding his mind.
He crawled into bed, more exhausted than he realized, not even hearing Jaehan come in. He closed his eyes tight, trying to fall asleep, but the unease lingered. Recalling how the Alpha had smelled and touched him almost brought tears. Without much thought, he clutched Jaehan's jacket, which brought a sense of safety, inhaling its scent until sleep returned.
Awakening later, he heard a female voice below. Sitting up, he recognized it as Jaehan's mother.
"You know it's just five months. I've talked with his parents; all is well. They've worked hard, and we've offered them stability," she said.
Jaehan stayed silent, sipping coffee.
"Time's flown, two months gone. You won't notice when the five months end and he leaves. The news will be difficult, but nothing your mother can't handle."
Still, Jaehan said nothing. She watched for a response, but he remained unusually quiet.
"Jaehan," she said more firmly.
"What?"
"Are you listening to me?"
He was listening, but the idea of Saije leaving made him uneasy. He'd been unruly at first, but things were calmer now, and facing a divorce, even a fake one, tasted bitter.
"Yes."
"Yes?" she pressed, annoyed. "You're not hearing a word. Have you done something with that Omega?"
"What could I have done?"
"I don't know; maybe his heat struck, and you lost control," she speculated, leading him to reflect on the fact that Saije gave no indication of heat, his pheromones only evident due to the drug.
"I'm not sure what you're implying, Mother, but I lack time for this. I must leave shortly; anything else? Any more lectures?"
With a sigh, she crossed her arms.
"This is no lecture, Jaehan, but remember, you are a dominant Alpha, he is an Omega, too adorable for you to leave in peace should he attempt something while in heat."
He processed her words, admitting, "True, he's adorable,"—Saije, midway up the staircase, felt odd overhearing this—"but also petulant and spoiled."
"You need someone different. Having met many Omegas, you could choose any of them to start a family. Our family's issues shouldn't hold you back."
"I don't want a family for now, maybe in ten more years."
"Ten more years?! Jaehan, you're twenty-seven, you can't say 'in ten years.'"
He dismissed her concern.
"I'll book you a table at a restaurant so you can meet one of those Omegas. They come from good families, understand respect, and manners, unlike him with his tantrums."
"No one has caused me embarrassment."
"But look how fervently you defend him! This is unbelievable!" she exclaimed, standing. Jaehan saw her tall and stern, her black hair in a bun.
"You're blowing this out of proportion. Go out somewhere with Dad."
"Hey, young man, don't disrespect me. If I say all this, it's because I care about you. You're the eldest, and your brothers don't chase exasperating Omegas."
"I've never chased any Omega," he clarified calmly as he stood.
Saije, worrying about being spotted, stealthily retreated to his room, missing the rest of their conversation. Swallowing hard, his heart pounded; the things he heard from Jaehan brought a smile he couldn't suppress. He went to shower, hair still damp as he saw Jaehan leave.
Left alone, he stayed chatting with Anna, the kitchen woman.
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