Ch.5 The Backyard (Birthday Party)

While everyone was enjoying the party, Charlie quietly slipped away, distancing himself from the crowd.

As soon as he sank down onto a marble bench, the sound of heavy footsteps crunching over dry leaves echoed from behind him.

Eric stood at a distance, watching Charlie.

There was a hesitation in his posture, as if unsure whether to approach and introduce himself.

Throughout the party, he had caught himself glancing at Charlie over and over again—as if some invisible force was constantly pulling him in that direction.

“Hi.”

The deep voice from behind startled Charlie slightly. He turned to see the tall figure standing there.

“Uh… H-hi!” Charlie looked up at the figure in front of him and returned the greeting softly, still sounding a bit unsure.

“I’m Eric,” the young man said, offering a faint smile.

“I… I’m Charlie,” he replied, his voice a little shaky.

“Nice to meet you, Charlie,” Eric said with a small smile as he stepped closer.

“Nice to meet you, too,” Charlie lifted his eyes to meet Eric’s again.

“Why are you sitting here all by yourself? Isn’t the party fun?” Eric asked as he took the seat across from Charlie.

“It’s nothing… I just wanted some quiet,” Charlie answered flatly.

“Oops! Am I bothering you then?” Eric said, his gaze fixed steadily on Charlie.

“Did you… Did you follow me here?” Charlie asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

“You…”

“Eric.”

“Did you follow me here, Eric?” Charlie repeated the question, firmer this time.

“No, no—I just… came out for a walk, that’s all,” Eric replied, flashing a mischievous smile.

“……”

“Mind if I sit here? I promise I’ll be quiet,” Eric said with a gentle smile.

“You’re already sitting, so why even ask?” Charlie muttered under his breath, a hint of irritation in his voice.

“Huh… Seems like someone’s in a bad mood,” Eric remarked, amused.

“Ah! I’m sorry. That was really rude of me,” Charlie flinched slightly. He hadn’t realized how clearly his irritation had shown.

“Can I ask… is something bothering you?” Eric said with a gentle smile, resting his chin in his hand. “Maybe I can help.”

“It’s nothing serious,” Charlie replied, his expression clouded with worry. “Just some issues with my boyfriend.”

“Oh! You have a boyfriend?” Eric’s eyes sharpened slightly, and he smiled with a playful glint. “Guess that means I’m heartbroken already.”

“I’m an Alpha, you know. In case you didn’t realize,” Charlie shot back with a steady gaze.

“Oh, I know,” Eric replied smoothly, eyes twinkling with mischief. “But that doesn’t bother me.”

“Hmm…”

“Just kidding!” Eric grinned.

“You left the party like that—won’t people start looking for you?” Charlie asked.

“I doubt it,” Eric shrugged. “They’re probably too busy trying to pair your little brother with mine. Ha ha!” he laughed softly.

“My little brother’s only twelve. I don’t think it’s quite time for that yet,” Charlie said, half amused.

“I was just saying,” Eric replied casually. “Grandma loves playing matchmaker for her grandkids. I get roped into that all the time.”

“Then why don’t you just tell her you already have a girlfriend?” Charlie asked, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“Because I don’t have one!” Eric said, chuckling softly. “If I said that, then where would I even find a girl to introduce to her? Ha ha!”

“Oh really? You seem like you’ve got it all together—I just assumed you already had someone,” Charlie laughed lightly, scrolling idly through his social media feed.

Eric sat quietly, eyes fixed on Charlie, not saying another word.

In his mind, thoughts stirred:

(Why do I find this Alpha so… adorable? That sweet face, gentle manner, warm voice, and those mischievous eyes… I don’t think I’ll be able to look away from him. Am I really falling for him? Could this be… love at first sight?

But… he’s an Alpha too. Am I really this drawn to an Alpha?

Even though I’m a Dominant Alpha EX—an Alpha with enhanced genetic traits—I’m supposed to be able to bond with other Alphas, to control my pheromones perfectly. More importantly… I can even impregnate another Alpha, just like an Enigma can.)

Eric watched Charlie, who was fully focused on his phone screen, and couldn’t help but let a small smile slip across his lips.

“Eric! Mr. Eric!” Charlie suddenly called out, his voice a little louder than usual.

“What are you thinking about? Did you hear me at all?” Charlie stared at Eric and spoke again.

“Huh? What? Were you talking to me?” Eric blinked and snapped out of his thoughts.

“Of course I was.”

“Sorry about that!”

“I think I should head back to the party now. Are you coming with me?” Charlie said politely.

“Yes, let’s go,” Eric nodded.

As they walked back toward the party, Eric struck up a conversation, clearly trying to get to know Charlie better. He wasn’t shy at all about showing his interest.

“So… are you still studying, Charlie?” Eric asked, clearly intrigued.

“Yes, I am,” Charlie answered curtly, glancing back at him.

“What year are you in?”

“I’m in my fourth year. Final year.”

“What’s your major, if you don’t mind me asking?” Eric said with a warm smile.

“I’m studying Industrial Hospitality Management! But you already asked me, so why did you even ask if you could ask?” Charlie replied with a hint of sass.

“Exactly!” Eric answered with a sly grin, clearly amused—and maybe even a little pleased—by Charlie’s snarky tone.

“Let me remind you one more time, Eric… I’m an Alpha,” Charlie said, coming to a halt. He turned to look Eric in the eye, his expression serious.

“I know,” Eric replied calmly, meeting Charlie’s gaze. “I just want to get to know you, Charlie. After all, I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other often.”

Inside, Eric was thinking…

“Charlie… do you even realize how sweet your pheromones smell? It’s unlike any Alpha I’ve ever encountered. That coffee-caramel scent of yours… it makes me want to get closer. Even I can’t explain it to myself…”

His sharp eyes locked onto Charlie’s, gaze intense and unwavering. Charlie felt something stir inside him—an unfamiliar, fluttering sensation. He quickly looked away, trying to escape the weight of that stare.

His heart began to race uncontrollably—thump thump—anxious and inexplicably flustered.

And then it hit him.

That faint scent of aged whiskey—rich, smooth, and unmistakably alluring—brushed the edge of his senses.

He froze, caught off guard once again.

“Is something wrong, Charlie?” Eric asked, a mischievous smile playing at his lips.

“No. I’m fine!” Charlie replied quickly, then hastened his steps as if trying to flee from the strange feelings stirring inside him.

The atmosphere at the party remained calm and pleasant. Soft classical music floated through the air, blending with the gentle breeze.

The flower garden in front of the house had been beautifully decorated, making the evening feel soothing and serene.

Eric walked back into the party alongside Charlie.

“Eric! Where have you been? Your father’s been looking for you,” Sherman Hans called out to his son, his eyes flicking briefly to the young man walking beside him.

“I just went for a walk,” Eric replied in an even tone.

“Good evening, sir,” Charlie said politely, giving a respectful wai (a traditional Thai greeting).

“Ah, so you’ve met already? I was just about to have you two get acquainted,” Sherman Charles added, turning to glance at his son.

“Met who?” Charlie asked, frowning slightly.

“Eric, of course! Don’t you remember him? When you were little, you used to go play at his house all the time!”

“…to the point where I had to keep going to bring you home,” Sherman Charles added with a soft laugh.

“I don’t remember that at all. Ha ha!” Charlie replied, furrowing his brows as he tried to recall the past, but nothing came to mind.

“Nope, no memory of it—ha ha!” he added, chuckling to cover his embarrassment.

“Weren’t you looking for an internship recently?” Sherman Charles asked, turning to glance at his son standing beside him.

“Yes, Dad,” Charlie replied briefly with a small nod.

“Well, Eric’s company might be a good option. Why not ask him?” Sherman said, casting a meaningful glance at Eric.

Eric offered a faint smile before replying in a calm tone, though his eyes stayed fixed on Charlie with unwavering intensity.

“I’d be more than happy to, Uncle. I’ll take good care of Charlie myself.”

“Okay…” Charlie replied quietly, feeling the weight of Eric’s gaze pressing on him so intensely that he had to turn away slightly.

“In that case, I’m leaving him in your care, Eric,” Sherman said with a small smile, placing his trust in the older boy.

“Of course,” Eric replied, his smile tinged with mischief. His sharp eyes still didn’t waver from Charlie—watching him closely, almost possessively.

“I never said I agreed to go,” Charlie murmured, his voice soft, his face clearly showing reluctance.

“Well, I already talked to Eric about it. Besides, if you intern at his company, I won’t have to worry about you,” Sherman Charles replied, turning to his son with a firm, pressing gaze.

“But Dad…” Charlie tried to object.

“No buts!” his father snapped, his tone so firm that Charlie pressed his lips together tightly, falling silent.

Eric watched the situation unfold with a glint of amusement in his eyes. Then he added smoothly, with calm but undeniable confidence:

“Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ll take great care of him.”

Charlie looked away, sensing that Eric was quietly closing off every possible escape route.

“Dad…” Charlie’s voice began to soften, now tinged with frustration and helplessness.

“That’s final!” Sherman Charles cut him off, nodding at Eric in a clear gesture of trust and delegation.

Eric allowed himself a faint smile as he turned to look at Charlie once more…

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