ZHEN LONG
I heard his footsteps as he smoothly strutted out of the guest room, —where he'd been using since that day. I watched him as he descended the stairs, putting one foot before the other like everyone else, but somehow looking more striking.
I allowed myself a moment to take him in… Who was I kidding, a moment was not nearly enough. Not even a lifetime.
Shen Yichen, the man that you are…
His favorite color was green, and he liked to subtly incorporate it in his attire — a handkerchief, a pen, the tissue box on the desk in his office.. He thought no one noticed, and maybe no one did. But not me.
Right now he was dressed casually. A white shirt, tucked into cream-colored trousers. And there was his touch of green! His phone cover. A smile spread on my face.
He lifted his head, and I immediately averted my gaze. My chest tightened from the action, but what could I do?
"I'm passing by my lab first." No! My heart thrummed. I had done it. It was awkward between us. I dipped my head. We were still yet to talk about what happened that evening. I couldn't— I couldn't handle this tension. No more…
"Yichen, I—" I began. I needed him to hear me out. Did I have an explanation in which I didn't come off as a disgusting psychotic Alpha who couldn't stop thinking about his Alpha best friend to the point where it was an
obsession…without which I couldn't fathom a life worth living? And the thoughts… Oh, the things I wanted to do to him….
"I'll see you at the event," I heard his voice, and I was back from my daze. Quickly, I scrambled for something to say.
"Are you avoiding me?" That was a good start. Maybe it could lead to something else, and we would sort out this mess. I was hopeful, which was a stupid thing to be when Yichen was in a determined mood.
He stopped for a bit, as if thinking through the question I had just asked.
"No," There was no malice in his voice. Just pure indifference, which was worse. Malice would mean that he felt something, some
kind of emotion. Betrayal, anger, I could even go for hatred. Anything but indifference.
He didn't spare a moment after. The next thing I heard was the receding sound of his footsteps, and the thud of the front door. The sound resonated in my head, drawing me to that night…
FLASHBACK
The meat in the frying pan hissed gently under the low heat. I pinched some seasoning on the rich red surface before flipping it. The aroma rose with the heat, curling through the entire kitchen.
I was making Yichen's favorite, steak. A picture of his pleasure-filled face—which was really just his usual stoic face— after seeing what I made him crossed my mind and my cheeks flushed, jumping into a joyful hum of a random song from memory.
I checked the time, 8:45. Yichen will be here any moment now, I thought. Fridays were 'early closing' days for him which meant I got to eat dinner with him and see more of him before he went to bed.
I knew I had still had to find that Omega, but not tonight. Tonight was for Yichen and me.
I flipped the meat one more time and let it sizzle for exactly five minutes before turning off the fire. As I was plating the meal, I heard the rumble of the main gate as it slid open. Yichen was here.
His car whirred softly, its tires pressing on the pavement as it made its way to the garage. There was a click sound when his door opened and a soft thud when it shut followed the coordinated tap of his shoes. Then
the main door swung open, and it rushed in.
Chocolate and coffee. I melted.
It was warm, it was intoxicating, it was home. The steak's aroma—once mouthwatering—suddenly turned sharp and bitter in comparison. Nothing could ever compare. I slowly breathed out, and it came as a growl.
Behave yourself, Long, I muttered to myself, focusing on his footsteps.
… eleven, twelve, thirteen… I counted, with every thud of his shoes against the tiles.
Then his face appeared. I took in a breath so sharp that I was thrown into a fit of coughs.
"Are you okay?" He asked, his brow perked up.
"Yeah" cough "I'm fine." I lifted a thumb up to
assure him.
"And this?" He asked, referring to the food. My face lit up immediately.
"I made dinner. Let's eat together. It's your
favorite—steak."
"Mmm" He hummed in response, before turning around and walking up the stairs. He was going to change from his work clothes. I smiled as I set the table, lighting up a candle in the middle for ambience. I couldn't wait!
I really outdid myself… The setting was spectacular. I tapped my pocket as I searched for my phone to take a picture.
It wasn't in there.
Where did I put it? I checked the kitchen counter and drawers, even the sink. I decided to check the bedroom. I might've left it there in the haste of coming down to cook.
It was right there, on the bed, next to Yichen's neatly laid out clothes. I scoffed. I heard the sound of running water. Yichen was taking a
shower. I walked to the bed to pick up the phone, that was when I froze.
A crack. There was a crack in the bathroom door. I took in a shaky breath. At least I tried to… I don't know. My body had forgotten how to function, because, right in front of me, in the mirror of our wardrobe—which was directly opposite to our bathroom door—I saw him.
His back. Trickling with water, trailing downward to the firm curve of his backside. I trembled. There wasn't a more glorious sight. The water splashing against the tiles played an alluring tune, tingling my senses.
I couldn't look away… I couldn't.
Not when I was before such magnificence.
How to swallow… My throat shook.
Look away, Long! Look away! My eyes only increased in size. Slowly, my voice of reason faded into the night. Then, he suddenly turned around, and his eyes met mine. My heart leaped. The move was so unexpected that I completely froze.
I've been caught. A sudden cold washed over me. I quickly averted my gaze, my hands scrambling for my phone. I snatched the device from the bed. I heard the shower immediately stop, but I didn't.
I opened the locker and grabbed the first clothes I could find. I had no time to check whether they matched or not, all I knew was that I had to get out of there.
I had ruined everything!
But did he see?
Of course he did, our eyes met in the mirror!
My breaths came out in hitches. I felt a sting in the corner of my eyes and I choked out a cry. I couldn't help it.
I was going to lose Yichen. I was going to lose Yichen.
Quickly, I rushed to my car, pulling the door open and slumping in the driver's seat. I drove out of the compound, my blurry eyes
making it almost impossible for me to see. I came to a halt by the side of the road. I couldn't breathe. A ringing started in my ears.
Yichen will hate—No! He can't!
The weight on my chest increased. I tugged on my shirt to release its hold on my neck.
Yichen can't hate me.
Then I remembered something. The answer to my current plight. Ren.
Yichen adored Lang, he looked up to him. Anything that would make Lang happy, would easily make Yichen happy.
Meaning if I presented that A-Gen Omega to Lang, I could get Yichen to forgive me…
Yes… I had to find that Omega. The ringing finally stopped. Calmly, I shrugged into my fresh clothes, passing a hand through my hair and letting out a deep breath.
I was going to find Ren tonight, one way or another. Stepping on the gas, I eased into the traffic.
~
I stared at the direction Yichen had left.
I've found Ren.
All would be fine again… It should be.