Seoha’s POV

I get into the building and somehow it feels like homecoming.

I missed this place, the simple yet glamorous interior welcomes me as I pay attention to it for the first time, the place is like Taesan put his heart into it in the sweetest ways possible.

Nothing extravagant, but everything perfect.

Most of the staff pass by, they look very busy with their activities, and only a few of them recognize me, some even wave at me.

"Seoha-ssi" one of them giggles at me and my cheeks heat up as I give a small wave back.

I clear my throat and fix my shirt, trying to make myself look like the man I want to be; confident, bold and ready to work...

Kang Taesan might be waiting for me.

When I finally put myself together, I go into Taesan’s office, going through the route he just passed through and breathing in his perfume.

I knock on the door of his office and I’m greeted with silence.

"K-Kang Taesan-ssi, it’s me" I say and the door opens to reveal Taesan standing there with his hand on the handle.

"Um..."

"You’re late" he says coldly and I blink, as I open my mouth to speak, he thrusts some documents into my hands.

"Read them, we have a meeting in twenty minutes" he says and I look at the pile in my hand.

Huh?

"Wait..."

"The investors will be waiting to hear your plans and goals as head designer" he continues and I open my mouth to talk again.

"After that, you need to meet the new employees"

"Slow down, please" I say and he frowns in response.

"I’m sorry I came late..." I start and his phone starts to ring, grabbing his attention and distracting me.

"Excuse me, Seoha-ssi, I have to attend to that call" he says and shuts the door while I stand there in disbelief.

What is wrong with this man? Wasn’t he just stuttering about liking me yesterday, what’s with his behavior today?

I huff and take the documents to Junho’s quiet office 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

They are confidential Mountain Atelier details, they contain Taesan’s plan for the company, the steps he’s taking and all the clients he has won along the way.

With the arrival of a talented omega male, the company is launching a new line that caters to the ignored members of the society.

1, Male omegas that are made to feel less powerful and beautiful.

2, Female alphas that are made to feel less feminine and less lovable.

3, Omegas that are treated like lowlife.

I pause my reading as my tears start to drop to the pages, and I wipe them away, feeling the heat of my face through my fingers.

My head is starting to ache again, and I’m starting to feel light headed, but I continue to read.

Likely brands to work with us are to show similar mindset, and if not, we will work on it by ourselves.

Fabrics will be bought and made, designs will be personally made by the head designer and the CEO.

A knock on the door distracts me and I look up, there’s a young woman standing there with her hands in front of her.

"Hello" she greets and I bow my head slightly.

"The meeting has started, the boss asked me to find you" she says and I gather the documents in my arms.

"Thank you" I say and follow the girl out of Junho’s office, shutting the door behind me and following her.

"This way" she says, gesturing to the next corner and I follow.

The design of this floor is cool toned, elegant silver mixes with grey, creating a luxurious beauty.

She finally stops in front of a door, giving me a nervous smile, and I gulp, not knowing what to expect.

I finally open the door and the conversation taking place stops as all heads turn to me.

"Hello" I say politely.

In my head, the greeting is loud, but in reality, it’s a small sorry squeak as I enter the room.

The people in the room keep their eyes on me, and I bow twice in apology, my throat has closed up on itself and I can’t speak...a down side of being an introvert.

"Take your seat, Shin Seoha-ssi" Taesan’s deep voice says and I try to find a chair, but the only free one is the one next to him.

’We sit next to alpha’ my omega purrs with happiness while I’m dying of embarrassment.

I finally move my feet and sit next to Taesan...is it just me or is my seat too close to the alpha?

"Continue" Taesan orders and a man gets on his feet.

"Yes..." the person presenting says and I keep my eyes on the glass table, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do here.

Listen? Jot? Can the floor open up and swallow me up? My body feels like I’m on fire.

The alpha next to me is looking at me, and I act like I don’t notice, I just keep staring at the table.

"Lift your head" he says in whisper and I do.

"You represent omegas here, I need you to be bold and confident" he continues to talk and I nod.

"In conclusion from me, Kim Hansol, this is a bad idea Kang-ssi" the man says and takes his seat.

"Next" Taesan orders, voice leveled but heavy with authority.

"This will be enabling omegas, there have been report of omegas being unruly and this will only make it worse" the next person says, it’s a beautiful woman.

"Enabling omegas..." Taesan repeats drumming the table with the tip of his fingers.

"Yes sir, this is a fashion firm, our duty is to clothe, not to empower, I suggest starting a different kind of line" she says with a happy smile.

"A new line of?"

"Underwears, this will target wealthy alphas with mistresses and..."

"You’re fired" Taesan says calmly and the woman stops mid sentence.

"W-what?" she asks.

"Get your things and leave, Hansol go with her, my business with your companies end here" Taesan says.

"I’m just..." the woman starts to argue and Taesan tilts his head to the side, pinning her with his gaze, and I go still in the chair.

He’s not looking at me, he’s not even touching me, yet it feels like I’m the one under his dark stare.

Hypnotized...

"I’m sorry" she whispers and scurries out of the office with the man, Hansol, behind her.

"Seoha" Taesan calls my name and my back straightens, heart racing in my chest at the way he called my name.

"Yes sir" I respond.

"Share your thoughts with the board" he says and I slowly get up.

My hands are shaking in front of me, and sweat is starting to break out of my skin.

"Starting a line for male omegas and female alphas can be a win...there are alphas who cherish their omegas out there" I say in small voice.

Taesan’s seat creaks as he leans back in it.

"Um...male omegas like myself have been misrepresented, everyone gets something special...alpha men get suits, omega women get beautiful dresses...and omega men get...hidden" I say.

My mind drifts back to when Daeshin and I used to be together.

He would come home from work and tug his tie off while singing a happy song, I’d sit on the couch, waiting for him to invite me out.

’Can I come today?’ I’d ask and he’d give me a pitiful look...I thought it was him being sad back then.

’Sorry baby, I don’t know if you’d be allowed to come...you know omegas in suit is really weird right?’ he would say.

’You know you’re prettier on the bed right, my cute pure and innocent...aww, see how pink you are’

"Seoha" Taesan’s voice forces me back to the room.

That’s when I realize that I’d been standing frozen, staring a hole into the long glass table for a while...what was I saying?

"Baby..." Taesan calls and my head snaps towards him automatically.

I don’t know what he sees, but the alpha gets on his feet and stands behind me like he’s shielding me.

"Meeting postponed, make your research and we will meet again in two days" he says loudly and the people start to leave one by one.

I hear the rustlings of papers and the shuffling of shoes over my pounding heart, my chest is aching too...

"I’m sorry" I apologize when the last person closes the door behind him.

"I don’t know what came over me" I say and he frowns, "fuck, come here" he orders and I move closer to him.

He puts his arms around me in a protective hug, one hand touching the back of my neck.

"You shouldn’t have come...your temperature is worse" he says and I shake my head.

"My debt..."

"Fuck the debt, don’t you know you’re more important?" he growls at me and I whimper, holding on to his jacket.

"I pushed you too hard didn’t I?" he mutters, I don’t know what is happening, but the alpha lifts me and suddenly I’m on his lap with my nose in his neck.

"I’m sorry baby, I’m sorry" he says as I start to shake.

I really shouldn’t have come...the dizziness, the headaches and the sickness that were on hold suddenly floods me.

"No, it’s okay..." I whisper, nosing at his scent gland but smelling nothing.

"I can’t..." before I complete my complain, the alpha pulls off his scent patch and I shut my eyes, breathing him in.

"Don’t let go..." I say with a sleepy tone as I fall asleep.