Episode 13

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Noah cursed everyone for taking a step back but could only harden his heart and show a somewhat anxious smile.

"My name will suffice," the man articulated in a confident voice, like an emperor speaking at the top. The look in his black eyes seemed amused and rebellious, as if he were making fun of the boy on purpose. The more experienced noticed this, and they were shocked. Was Leader Barlovento such a careless person as to make fun of a young man?

While doubts only increased in everyone's hearts, Noah choked upon hearing the alpha's words. He couldn't help but look directly at him this time; the impact of the surprise was evident. He saw the other, feeling his heart beating faster.

"How dare I?" he choked out in alarm. This was the Leader of the Barloventos! When had anyone addressed him by his first name directly? Currently, only his grandfather dared to do so.

It is true that in his past life, he himself addressed him by his first name, without fear of possible reprisals. But most of the time, he only had the confidence to call him directly when he was very upset, or wanted to irritate or make fun of the man. Also, whether the two of them liked it or not, they were husbands; calling him "leader" or "boss" would have been a very sad thing, even for an unhappy life like his. And back then, the man didn't object, allowing him to continue, which gave the boy a false sense of progress, which would later be ruthlessly destroyed.

Noah's nervousness increased to new levels. Now that he thought about it, he didn't remember Hugo and him appearing at his birthday banquet in his first life, much less that at some point his former husband tried to be kind or close to him.

At that moment, Noah thought that if someone came up to him and said, "Hey, pigs are flying in the sky and they're out there right now, waiting for you to see them," he wouldn't be as surprised as he was by what he was hearing from this man.

The person seemed to be the same—indifferent and with an invisible barrier around him, pushing everyone away—but different. And he couldn't tell for sure what the difference was.

But one thing was for sure, this change scared him. It made him wonder: Why had he changed? Was it really someone else inhabiting his body? Or did the man have memories of a past life...?

Noah stopped and thought that even if the alpha had memories of a past life—just like him—Jerome would never be so kind. Dismissing that option, his mind wandered to new possibilities.

It could simply be that Jerome hated him in his past life because of the way they were paired up and forced to marry. The dark-haired man didn't know whether to laugh or cry at this conclusion.

He looked at the alpha, who had not looked away in disgust or with the intention of leaving in the next second. Nor was there a feeling of rejection with his closeness.

If... it seemed that what the Jerome of his previous life hated the most was himself and their forced marriage. Without a legal union between the two of them, the alpha could even afford to be kind to him.

The boy's chest felt tight for some reason, but he tried not to show it on the outside. So what if Jerome hated him? He hated that marriage too! Besides, the alpha was so insufferable that he wanted to get as far away from him as possible!

"It's no problem. Please, don't reject me," the alpha asked with a smile. Noah was mercilessly defeated when he noticed the curve of the thin lips. He had never seen the man smile! Not since he first met him, much less in their four years of marriage. Feeling that he was witnessing something forbidden, he fell into a trance.

"Jerome..." The name was uttered, and more than one person gasped. It was the first time they had heard anyone utter this alpha's name in public. Better yet, being prompted by the man himself! And on top of that, the man had smiled! Nobody knew that the Barlovento beast could smile!

Despite the deep impression a simple smile had made on everyone, everyone present forced themselves to close their mouths and not look away. One blink, and no one would know what they might miss!

Even a stoic Hugo, who was standing to the side, forced himself to compose his expression. He had never seen his boss take the initiative to find someone, but an hour ago he canceled a meeting with a very important foreign group after looking at the calendar, and a few minutes later he gave instructions to come here. Not even he, as the Leader's chief secretary—for a little over five years—knew that there was a relationship between the boy and the boss. His surprise was no less when he heard the words of the fearsome man in the wheelchair.

Hugo wiped the nonexistent sweat from his forehead and turned away.

"Indeed," said the alpha with a smile at the corner of his mouth. He seemed to enjoy hearing his name on the other's lips. "I must apologize for being so late, but I was entertained with some minor matters at the company. I only came here to wish the Ballestero heir a happy birthday. I sincerely hope that we can work together in the future."

Hearing him, Noah blushed for some reason he couldn't understand and was annoyed with himself for being so weak.

""What are you doing, Noah?"* he berated himself. *"Are you so desperate for attention that you fall head over heels at the slightest bit of kindness?""

"It's a pleasure to have you here, Leader Barlovento," Aleida said, putting on her excellent act once again. She seemed to remember that she had an image to maintain and to be a good hostess.

"Likewise, Jerome," exclaimed Noah. "But I warn you that you will have to update your information." Annoyed and somewhat nervous, the dark-haired man turned into a little hedgehog. He reminded himself over and over again that he should not succumb to anyone's kindness, much less the little that the alpha showed. He had to set the record straight and get out of there, without wasting another second.

"Update my information?" asked the man in the wheelchair. All the guests knew what the boy was referring to. They wanted to see what would happen to young Noah when the Barlovento beast found out his true identity. Would he still be so courteous?

"Noah..." Aleida interjected with an awkward smile. She tried to reach for the dark-haired man's hand, but he dodged it for the second time.

The boy looked directly at Jerome and, with a cynical look, spoke, "Apparently, I am no longer the Ballestero heir. I am not even my parents' son, isn't that funny? So, although I am entirely sorry, I don't think we can ever work together." His words were careless, although no one stopped him. Each one took a step back, fearing that the alpha would be annoyed by the outburst and have his bodyguards put him in his place.

And contrary to expectations, the man only returned the boy's gaze. It looked as if his deep black eyes were contemplating an abyss that would swallow Noah up.

"In that case, I apologize," said the alpha.

The youngest almost wanted to laugh and say to himself, "I told you so. It wasn't real kindness."

But the man didn't disappoint. With a smile at the corner of his eyes that was easily missed, he spoke, "My congratulations then go to young Noah, the outstanding student of the Biomedical Physics department. I hope you can work with us in the future. I sincerely believe that your help would be good for us."

Noah's heart stopped, and he stared at the alpha in astonishment.

"How did you... know?"

"Do you forget who I am?"

...

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