The only things accompanying him were the clock ticking and the sound of his typing. Chester stretched his back, glancing at the clock on the wall. Almost nine o’clock. Crazy how he was the only one left in the office. He drifted his gaze to the window. Even through the blinds, darkness seeped in from the sky outside. It was already late. All Chester’s coworkers already went home—which sucked for him, as it was Friday and he, too, wished to go home quicker. But his work hadn’t finished yet.

Well, Chester had the choice to take the work home, but he didn’t want to stress it more than it already was. Home was supposed to be warm and chill, away from stressful and burdening matters.

Chester took off his glasses, massaging inbetween his eyes. He exhaled, letting out whatever was in his lungs. Only then his stomach grumbled, reminding him that it needed to be filled up. Chester held his stomach, embarrassed although no one was around him. “Ahhh,” he moaned. He clenched and raised his fists in the air. “You can do it, Chester! Just a little bit more!” he yelled, cheering himself up before he finished the remaining task he had.

Though, instead, he slumped.

Chester buried his face on the table, groaning out loud. “I want to eat Ray’s cooking,” he cried. He wanted to eat at Blue Rose again. He wanted to have the coffee—Sebastian made.

Chester sat up straight as he realized his thought. He blinked in confusion, unsure whether the fleeting thought was his or someone else’s. Instinctively, he looked at his surroundings—but, as he expected, no one was there. He sighed, diverting his attention back to the screen. Only a single thought of the Alpha, and he felt his face blushing. He couldn’t help but imagine if Sebastian was there.

But he needed to focus more on his work, or he’d stay in the office all night.

Stepping out of the office, Chester looked at his watch. Ten o’clock. As expected, it took longer than he wished. Sebastian had been occupying his mind rent-free all day. Strange, he thought. There was never an Alpha that could occupy his mind—at least, not in a good way. He only had met the Alpha a few times, yet his expression was engraved in his mind. His scent lingered on his nose, sweet and tempting. Chester’s gaze went out of focus as his mind wandered. Deep within his consciousness, he longed for the presence of the Alpha—as if his instinct took over his rationality.

While he was wishing for Sebastian to be here, the scent he recognized by heart slipped through his nose. He shuddered, as though the owner of the scent embraced and touched him. But that couldn’t be possible—

Chester hurtled his attention towards the scent’s source, finding Sebastian coincidentally nearby. It was odd—as if fate aligned for them to meet there. As though electrified by the man’s appearance, Chester froze.

Sebastian noticed the salaryman right away, and his expression lit up with an ear to ear grin forming on his lips. “Chester!” he called, approaching the salaryman while wagging his imaginary tail. The younger man was exhilarated to find him by coincidence. “What are you doing at this hour?” he asked.

Chester eyed him head to toe. Sebastian was wearing a casual outfit—red plain hoodie over his head, three-quarter length trousers, and black sneakers. A much more casual fit than what Chester used to see. Usually, he’d find Sebastian with casual fit shirt, jeans, and black apron. Though, Chester found this outfit refreshing. “I could say the same to you,” he retorted, trying to focus his eyes back on Sebastian’s face. “It’s already late, what are you doing here?”

“I just got back from my friend’s place,” he explained. “Let me take you home?”

Chester tilted his head, thinking. He was still wary of Sebastian; but having someone to escort him home sounded tempting. Furthermore, it was already late. Chester shrugged. “Sure,” he said, though a little defensive. “This is me trying to believe in you, alright?”

Sebastian beamed in joy. He skipped, following Chester like an obedient dog.

A portion of their walk was clouded in silence—perhaps Sebastian was not sure what was okay and what was not to talk about. Chester was the one that broke the silence. He glanced at the Alpha next to him, still gleaming with alluring scent. “So, how old are you?” was the first thing he could thought of.

A little caught off guard, Sebastian wove his hands in awkward movement. “I—uh, I’m 21,” he stuttered.

Contrasted to Sebastian’s nervousness, Chester remained calm on surface. “I see,” he gave a curt nod. “You’re so much younger than me. Are you a student?”

“Eh—ah, yeah,” Sebastian scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks flushing red. “Sorry, I’m kind of nervous right now. You’ve never asked me anything.”

Chester chuckled. “True,” he agreed. “What is your major?”

“Engineering.”

Chester nodded once again, yet he didn’t prolong the conversation. Silence took over the atmosphere in an instance, as Sebastian contemplated whether he could talk or not.

Though, he decided to go for it. Who knew when this opportunity could come to him again? He swallowed, gathering his courage. “Who do you live with?” he blurted—which sounded invasive and strange as the question escaped his mouth. What a dumb question.

Chester was caught off guard, but he flitted his eyes up to the younger man. Realizing that he was beating himself for his stupid question, Chester couldn’t help but chuckled. “I live alone,” he answered.

“Ah, I see,” Sebastian sighed in relief.

Chester scrunched his eyebrows though his lips smiling. “You sound so happy,” he said, teasingly. “Why? Are you interested in me?”

“Yeah, I am,” Sebastian answered without missing a beat. Contrasted to his previous nervousness, he sounded serious.

Chester fidgeted his fingers; and while he was deciding what else to say, the momentum was lost, and the rest of their walk was blanketed in silence.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long before they finally arrived at Chester’s apartment. Chester twisted the key and opened the door. “Are you coming in?” he asked, though a little warily. After all, he never had an Alpha coming over to his house—let alone so late in the night.

“Ah, no, I have to decline,” Sebastian refused politely. “I need to get home.”

“Oh,” escaped Chester’s mouth. He turned to face the taller man. “Sorry for taking your time. Thank you, I appreciate that.”

Sebastian gave a smile that was both of joy and nervousness. “Before... you asked me whether I was interested in you, right?” he asked; averting his gaze and moving his feet restlessly. Chester nodded calmly in return. “I... told you I’m interested in you.”

“Yes.”

“I believe,” he said, in a more composed manner. “that you’re my fated partner.”