CH 14

Ha Won and I got out of the car while Director Lee searched for a parking spot. The restaurant Director Lee was referring to appeared to be located in a hotel. Predicting the price, I feel a little dizzy. If I’m the one paying, it will undoubtedly be on a payment plan.

Ha Won, who watched the sedan be smoothly parked, spoke up.

“Deputy Kim.”

“Yes?”

“Is it true that you’re not going to date?”

“Ah yes.”

“Why?”

“It’s a long story…”

The decisive reason I decided not to date was, in the end, Department Head Seo and Section Chief Lee. I debated whether I should inform the General Affairs staff of the ground-breaking love story unfolding in the Customer Management team. The rumors may have already spread without me reporting them. Still, it was funny that my reason was someone else. Section Chief Lee, at the very least, was sincere to Department Head Seo. No matter how cumbersome it was, it was a little insensitive to speak of others’ feelings lightly.

“Well… dating, um, I don’t like it.”

Ha Won lifted his head to look at me. The lights of the street lamp lit up Ha Won’s face. I continue to speak.

“When it comes to dating, people do it to be happy. But looking around, it wasn’t the case. Clinging to each other, fighting… And isn’t there that thing? The saying that goes Alphas and Omegas love is fate, whereas Betas love is just a regular love. It’s such a pain to get sick or faint just because we don’t see each other…”

Director Lee approached us. Ha Won and Director Lee do not look very similar, but they are alike. The two will someday have a fateful, rustic, and touching love. Because they’re an Alpha and an Omega.

While I’m a Beta.

“I don’t want to be in a relationship if it’s that complicated. I just want to live a normal life.”

Director Lee called out to us, so I started walking toward him. Ha Won is staring at me for no apparent reason. He seems to have something to say. I add lightly,

“And even then, not many people like me.”

Ha Won laughs.

“That’s definitely not it. There’s me.”

Ha Won walked ahead of me while my pace slowed. Director Lee’s and Ha Won’s silhouettes fit unrealistically well.

I take the hotel elevator and go up to the lounge. It feels burdensome to stand between Director Lee and Ha Won.

My heart is pounding as a result of the love story we discussed earlier.

I’m just passing on the kindness that Director Lee or Ha Won showed. Sure enough, Alphas date and marry Omegas. I’m a Beta. To be honest, it means that I think of Director Lee’s fluttering heart as a bad joke. Because Alphas cannot possibly like Betas.

Ha Won and other Omegas’ reactions to me are just the same. Everyone just misunderstands the kindness I’m showing. They’ll run off to find an Alpha after they discover I’m a Beta.

But there’s something odd going on. This situation is a little strange.

It’s odd for Director Lee to pull out a chair for me to sit in, and I’m also suspicious of Ha Won recommending wine while shoulder to shoulder with me. It’s also unusual for them to look me in the eyes when we’re talking. It’s kind of suspicious to laugh like that. The conversation between the two of them did not reach my ears.

I’m suddenly aware that I’m sitting with people who like me.

‘I like you.’

The confession from Director Lee comes to mind. And Ha Won’s face flushed when he looked at me. I take my gaze away from the wine glass. The protagonists of my thoughts are right in front of me. Those two pairs of eyes contained only me alone.

I know those eyes. These are the eyes I see every day at work. The eyes when Alphas and Omegas are in love.

I’m a Beta.

But, I’m a Beta?

“Wait a minute.”

I drink water instead of wine and get up. Director Lee had a pleasant smile. Ha Won waved with his hand. I can hear them both whispering.

“Did you not change your old habit?”

“But hyung, it looks like Deputy Kim is against the weekend meeting, isn’t he?”

I hear everything.

Why is it a male Alpha and a male Omega? I wouldn’t have been concerned if it had been a female Alpha or Omega. My previous partners were all female. They were also all Betas.

I’m not saying I don’t like it. But it isn’t a good thing either.

I go into the bathroom. Despite the fact that there is nothing on them, I thoroughly wash my hands. I press my eyelids with my cold, wet hands. It’s confusing.

Maybe it’s all sincere. When Director Lee said that he liked me, or what Ha Won said earlier, ‘There’s me.’

Why did an Alpha say he likes me? Is it supposed to be a joke? Do Alphas usually like Betas?

Why did an Omega say he likes me? Is he serious?

I take out my phone. My hand is dripping wet, and I can’t touch the screen properly. I tear off a paper towel and wipe my hands.

Seol Ki-do, Seol Ki-do…

Ki-do answers the phone despite the fact that it hasn’t even rung a few times.

– Hey!

“Hey Ki-do, I want to ask you something.”

– What is it? I’m about to start filming.

“Do Alphas and Omegas like Betas as well?”

– What are you talking about all of sudden?

“So, you’re an Alpha, aren’t you?”

– That’s right.

“Any Alphas and Omegas that you know well. Do they like Betas? Can you like Betas, too?”

– What are you talking about, hyung?

Ki-do kicked his tongue once. My stomach hurts. What if they think I’ve been in the bathroom for too long? Oh, I’ve got constipation. No, this isn’t it.

– Think about it. Do you remember the guy that liked you? From the Politics and Diplomacy department?

“Who was the guy that liked me?”

– What? This hyung, seriously. Listen carefully. I’m busy, so I’ll tell you quickly. When I was in college, there were a lot of Alphas, Betas, and Omegas who liked me. Just because you are an Alpha or an Omega does not imply that you can’t date Betas. That’s prejudice. Even I had Beta ex-lovers.

“…”

– Just because you’re an Alpha doesn’t mean you can’t date a Beta. You can, in fact.

“Oh…”

– I’m hanging up now. The director is calling me. I’ll call you back!

I put my phone into my pocket. I press my eyelids. Dating? Dating. Dating…

“Ugh…”

I hear a groan in the last compartment. I heave a sigh. Here we go again.

Alpha’s and Omega’s love is physical. They go into estrus or heat and indulge in each other’s pheromones. To Betas, it’s an unknown world. So it’s difficult to be a part of.

I walk to the far end of the bathroom. I hear a muffled voice. It hasn’t even been a day or two since the last time this happened to me. There are a lot of people like this. This is an Alpha’s and Omega’s world. I’m sure this person has a secret Alpha lover. You have no idea what other tragic relationship history is hidden. People don’t have to live so complicatedly.

“Hey, are you all right?”

“Heug…”

“Do you want me to call 119 for you?”

“Haa… ugh.”

“Are you doing unhealthy things in public places?”

Only moans continue. You don’t do sex by yourself, do you? I’m getting goosebumps. I look through my pockets for an inhibitor. I get some tissue, put a pill, roll it up, then place it under the bathroom compartment.

“Excuse me, this is an inhibitor. First, eat this and I’ll call the staff.”

“Heut!”

I hear a fresh sound. At the same time, there’s also the sound of someone laughing.

Ugh, this did happen on occasion. Alphas and Omegas, who are both in heat, still insist on venturing outside. The issue is that they can be discovered at work and in restaurants, like what’s happening right now. I take a deep breath quietly.

When you think about it, it is obvious. I don’t like Alphas or Omegas. That’s right, I don’t like them. I unconsciously tried to euphemize my thoughts as best I could. But this isn’t the case. Hate. I hate this.

I despise this Alpha- and Omega-dominated society.

Betas have to live as Betas. I clench my fist. I’m not going to let them look down on me any longer.

I exit the bathroom and call the staff.

“I think there’s a strange person in the end compartment of the bathroom, so please take him out. Don’t you take care of your bathroom?”

The employee lowers his gaze, bows his head, and flees. I stand still with my arms folded. Several employees flock into the bathroom.

I go to the counter and ask for the building expenses. I purposely speak in an urgent voice.

“I heard a groan coming from the bathroom. I think someone is being assaulted.”

The employee behind the counter is in a panic and grabs the intercom while I quietly send a message to the police.

And then I head back to the bathroom. An employee is knocking and shouting on the bathroom door.

“Excuse me, are you okay? Can you open the door?”

“If you don’t come out, I’ll report you!”

The sound of the toilet cover going down is loud. And there are actually two people coming out. It’s a pretty-looking man and a dignified-looking man. Both are men, but I’m not sure how they fit into such a small space.

The staff steps back in embarrassment. I hear urgent footsteps behind me, and the uniformed building’s guard arrives.

“I received a report.”

“I told you not to do it…”

“What are you guys doing right now?”

The two people from the bathroom are surrounded by security and staff. It’s exciting. You can go to the police station like this. The taller man’s arm is being bound by security. The shorter man flinched and collapsed, as if embarrassed.

“Let’s go to the police station together! Young people these days! Tsk!”

That’s right, they should go to the police station.

“Let me go!”

“Hiiks, hikss…”

“What is this…? Huh? Oh, he’s escaped! Hyung, call the manager!”

“I’m a police officer. I received a report. I heard there are people who are having sex here.”

It’s a mess. This scene will be engraved deep in my heart. The employees stomp their feet, but I feel calm inside. Someone tapped my shoulder.

“What are you doing here?”

It’s Director Lee. I open my eyes and turn to face Director Lee. Director Lee is also an Alpha. It is something that may cause the same inconvenience someday. Alphas can’t be trusted. Omegas can’t be trusted.

“I think something happened. I’ve been watching.”

“That…”

Director Lee turned his head as he looked at the two people being dragged away.

“Do you know who they are?”

“No way. That’s not possible.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Our meal just arrived. Do you like shrimp?”

“I like it.”

“That’s great.”

Director Lee smiled sweetly. The dimples are also appealing. I’ve made up my mind.

“Wait a minute, I have something to throw away.”

I searched my pockets and found the inhibitor. I grab an employee who is passing by and hand him the inhibitor in my hand.

“This is an Omega inhibitor, so please either take it or throw it away.”

“Yes?”

The employee looked at me in confusion. I turn back to face Director Lee. When he looks at me again, my face flushes.

“Huh? Inhibitors? Right now?”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but that isn’t it.”

I pat the employee’s hand. The employee holds the inhibitor in both hands as if it were a treasure.

“All right, have a good time…”

Ha Won is resting his chin on his hand when I return to my seat. He is wearing a complicated expression on his face.

“What happened?”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“There was some commotion in the bathroom.”

There’s an enticing shrimp dish on the table. Vermilion-colored deep-fried prawns. The butter and garlic give off a savory aroma. I also sense the spicy energy from the peperoncino.

This is enough. I don’t need any other scents. Food does not cause estrus. Betas don’t need pheromones!

“Joo-hyuk-ssi, you said you like shrimp dishes,”

Director Lee said. Ha Won smiled brightly.

“That’s a relief.”

The two look great together. I shouldn’t say it, but someone could easily misinterpret them as lovers. It’s a picturesque scene of a handsome Alpha with a pretty Omega. It’s all down to the power of blood.

Only Betas are born in Beta families. Alphas and Omegas are occasionally born, but this is extremely rare. Even in those cases, there are frequent issues with the trait’s delayed expression. They are Betas, but not Betas. It is all because of genes that Lee Si-hyun and Ha Won are able to become such a prosperous Alpha and Omega.

I’ve been different since birth. I have to live differently in the future.

I drink the wine like cola.

Their gazes follow the empty wine glasses. The smell of alcohol lingered on the tip of my nose.

“Once again, I’m not going to date.”

Their gazes turned to me.

“Even if you two like me, I’m not going to date.”

Director Lee laughs.

“I won’t ask you to go out with me. Don’t worry.”

Ha Won raised his head to look at Director Lee. I look at Director Lee as well.

“Really?”

“Dating is something we do together. How can you date if one side doesn’t like it? I have no intention of asking you to date me.”

Director Lee looked at Ha Won.

“Right, Won?”

Ha Won poured some wine into my glass. Director Lee seemed to hesitate and he covered his mouth with his hand. He seems to be thinking about something. Then Ha Won nods his head.

“If you don’t like dating, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Don’t say that you like me from now on. It’s a burden.”

Director Lee smiled bitterly.

“All right.”

“I don’t think we should harm people, especially in relationships. Never.”

“That’s true. I also heard the rumor in the Customer Management team. And I heard Si-hyun hyung visited you every day. Every morning.”

Ha Won smiled at Director Lee. Director Lee immediately emptied the water cup. Seems he was thirsty.

“I’m never going to be hurt by anything related to love.”

I chug another glass of wine. The bitter taste wrapped around the tip of my tongue.

I’m reflecting on my determination. Ha Won then says with a smile,

“I heard Deputy Kim is going to be friends with hyung.”

“Friend?”

“Yes, friend.”

“I don’t think so…”

Ha Won’s eyes lit up. The corners of his eyes are neatly folded into a half-moon shape. I can see the shadow of his eyelashes.

“Then, will you be friends with me?”

“I think we can be friends…”

I must not be weak. I can’t be weak. The corners of Ha Won’s lips curl up. I look at Director Lee. The lips may be a little similar. However, Director Lee’s dimples have long since disappeared.

“Isn’t it nice to drink with a friend? It’s our first time having dinner together.”

I nod, captivated by Ha Won’s smile. Ha Won claps his hands and calls the waiter.

“Two glasses of Blue Sky, please.”