Chapter 122 - New Challenges 4

'Civil Engineer. Wow.' The people responsible in making their design comes to life. Lots more physics and scientific knowledge than him. And a woman. An alpha, but a woman nonetheless. Now Wonho is interested in talking to her. Because one, he wants to learn as much as he can about the people related to his field and two, he can probably talk to her without having a panic attack threatening him every second.

'Yeah. I can't deal with those interior designs. Prefer functional designs better.' Wonho laughs at that, knowing how true it is. Of course, he also considers the functionality but how boring will things be if that is all that matters. All buildings will be in blocks and looks the same.

Just as he is about to reply, he sees Jiwoo getting up from the corner of his eyes, bowing to the people around her. He turns to her, 'It's almost pass curfew. My eomma's gonna get mad.'

'Aigoo our Jiwoo still lives with her parents. It's fine, just go back first.' One of the seniors gives her permission and as if on cue, Dongchan, the other intern got up as well, 'I'll send her back!'

'Wai-' Wonho tries to stand up, wanting to follow the two. This is his only chance to escape because if not, he will be the only intern left and all the attention will be on him. Unfortunately for him, in the midst of them trying to send the other two off, nobody heard him. Except for Heiran.

'You wanna go back too?' She asks and Wonho pretends a shake. He does not know her well, he didn't want to appear to be a wet blanket. Especially since they were just starting to talk, it would seem like he is trying to run away from her. But deep inside, Wonho really wants to just run away with the two interns. Sighing softly, Wonho sits back down, drinking his cola. 'You don't drink?'

Wonho nods. He thought they all know about it since they made fun of him just now. She must have joined them later. 'Owh. Religious purpose?'

'No, I-' Wonho tries to think of another excuse. Because, obviously the last one did not help his situation at all. And he also want to move on from the topic. Giving it a few thoughts, Wonho decides it is better to just tell the truth. 'Something happened. I stopped drinking after that.'

'Bad experience?' Wonho frowns, now feeling weird at the question. Obviously something bad happened hence why he stopped drinking. Why would he stop if it was a good experience?

'Recently?'

'Huh?' Wonho asks, thinking he heard wrong. But before he gets to continue, another person joins their table, sitting right in front of him besides Heiran. The man, another alpha is clearly drunk, his face bright red. He is holding a glass of beer. Heiran pushes him further but the man just laughs before leaning towards Wonho, 'You're an omega, huh?'

'Yeah.' He forces a laugh, now positive that he is no longer comfortable being here and is in a brink of having an attack. Getting up to clear his mind, Wonho excuses himself to the toilet, with a promise to return.

As soon as he got out of the room, Wonho quickly scans around the restaurant for his alpha. Minwoo is seated right at the bar, just drinking alone while playing with his phone. As soon as their eyes met, he signals his mate to the men's room.

'I wanna go home.' Wonho pleads softly as soon as the door closes. One of the cubicles is closed, he didn't want to take a chance by talking loudly in case it is one of his co-workers. 'I can't be there anymore. I just-'

'Bad crowd, huh?' Minwoo asks and Wonho nods aggressively, hugging the alpha to calm himself down. They are really drunk and starting to talk nonsense in there. Some of it may not be their real thoughts but Wonho knows he is sensitive about these stuffs. He doesn't want to take it to heart, but it will be difficult for him to brush everything off and pretend it does not bother him. He is better off being at home.

'Can't you just walk away?'

'No. It'll be rude. I-' Wonho looks at his mate and sighs. Of course Minwoo will not understand. The traditional senior-junior relationship in Korea is much more complicated than the alpha is used to. 'I don't wanna be disrespectful. I just wanna go home.'

He can hear Minwoo taking a deep breath, probably thinking of some ways to get him out of the situation. Wonho just remains still in his arms, not wanting to move. He cannot think straight right now, he just want to trust his alpha.

'Okay. So, here's the plan.' Minwoo pulls Wonho away so they are seeing eye to eye. 'I'll spam you, so you make sure to look worried, kay?'

'Why?'

'They'll think your mate is controlling.' He nods. So far, he gets the plan.

'Then I'll call you a few minutes later. And when I call you, I'm gonna get mad. You go out okay?'

'Okay.' Wonho murmurs slowly, hating the fact that he has to return to the room instead of just going back home with his mate right now. Sensing his stress and wanting to comfort him, Minwoo bunts their heads together, slightly putting force so it hurts a bit. As Wonho whines from the pain, the alpha laughs, pushing his omega out.

'By the way, I think the guy's passed out.' Minwoo points at the closed cubicle. They can see a person seated on the floor, unmoving since a while ago. Wonho's mouth widens before offering, 'I'll tell the staff.'

#####

'Wonie!' Minwoo whispers as loud as he can the moment he sees a familiar figure making his way out the barbeque place. Wonho turns around to bow, and then once more signifying his colleagues are near, so instead of moving towards the omega, Minwoo stays in his place near the wall. A woman comes out towards Wonho, but his mate brings his hands out and waves, rejecting her offer. Blowing through his mouth, trying not to misunderstand that random action that can easily be an act of kindness, the alpha plays with the dirt instead to pass the time.

'Yah, Wonie!' He tries again, and this time Wonho notices him. The face of relief mixed with pure happiness on the omega's face somehow bemused him because Wonho always either pretend to be annoyed or just, give him a lovely smirk with his poker face. To think that having grilled meat and drinking with strangers is the one which makes him act like this, Wonho must be an extreme introvert.

Wonho shifts his head slightly back to confirms one last time that no one is out, and then quickly runs towards Minwoo. God, how thankful he is for tonight. Guess his mate can be useful other than cooking him meals after all.

Freely grabbing the hand that was offered to him despite being in public, Wonho leans towards the alpha slightly just so he can push the other with his shoulder. 'Thanks Minu~ I can get used to this.'

'What? Me being a controlling alpha?'

'No, us breaking the rules.' Wonho grins happily, like a kid. This is not his first prank, but this is the certainly first time he did it to get out of official events. And by far, the most complicated one which requires him to not break his act. Because the stakes are high.

To be honest, it was a bit thrilling. He can still feel his heart pulsating violently in his chest and his hand sweaty. And Minwoo was really convincing, practically screaming for him to come home. Had he not know this was a pretense, he would really have been terrified of his own alpha. Thankfully that was all a show, so he is now left with a feeling of euphoria.

That was a fun experience. But god know he never wants to do this again.