(Lucas’s POV)

An uneventful week passed by, and I went to the cafe to buy a set of coffees that my workmates wanted. We were getting busier because of the upcoming fashion week that I have no time to rest at home.

While trying not to look too tired, I entered the cafe. It was more empty than before. Quite an irony because everytime I wanted to sit down while having a drink, the cafe is always full.

I unconsciously looked around the cafe to search for the presence of that guy. 

"Mister?"

The employee asked when I was already in front of the counter.

"Pardon me." I quickly came back to my senses and cleared my throat out of embarrassment.

After ordering the coffees and retrieving them, I was about to leave when I saw him outside the door, heading inside the cafe while talking to some of his friends that was with him. My heart jolted.

Swayed by the nervousness, I gave him a shy nod and walked away.

Briefly after passing through him, I felt a pain on the back of my neck that caused me to halt my steps right then and there as I hissed. It was a sensation similar to throbbing but slightly more painful. 

"Hmm?..."

I rubbed my neck Albeit confused, I shook off that brief pain and then proceeded to pace myself back to the office.

The day after that throbbing pain, I was told to work on the designs at home because my heat had started. It contrasted my usual cycle which should happen at the end of the month.

I slumped on the sofa while drawing some sketches of frills on an outfit. The first morning of my heat was hell. My body would always heats up and trembled that it was hard to do some daily tasks. Moreover, my legs would also easily gave up that it was hard to stand. Fortunately, it got better after taking some suppressants.

I mailed the designs that I have finished drawing. Without realizing, it was already nighttime when I noticed my surroundings. I was too busy I had forgotten to eat lunch and dinner, but am too tired to cook. I rubbed my grumbling stomach.

"I guess I'll eat outside tonight."

I said and took out the bottle of suppressants to gulp down some pills.

Then, wearing a khaki coat over my turtleneck, I reached my wallet and phone and head outside my house to any available restaurant that still open at eleven o'clock in the evening.

I guessed it was my luck, when I came across a small lunchbox shop that almost closed for the day and they gave me the leftover lunchboxes that they made, in addition of a bottle of chrysanthemum tea.

"I guarantee you this is freshly made! Don't worry and eat a lot, okay?" The owner patted my shoulder in an energetic way.

So in the end, I accepted three stacks of huge and still warm lunchboxes from the kind owner. The lunchboxes are pretty heavy and my house is pretty far away that the lunchboxes might get cold along the way. Besides, I don’t know there is a park nearby the shopping street. Eating these beautifully decorated lunchboxes while basking my eyes to the breathtaking view of flowers and trees during nighttime might be a fresh breath of air for me. After making my decision, I readjusted the plastic bag on my hand before stepping towards the park.

Right after I sat down on one of the benches, the rustling of the leaves caught my attention briefly that I was caught staring listlessly at the trees and blooming flowers, before I snapped myself from my daze and opened the first pack. It was an assortment of mini sandwiches with mini tomatoes and carrots. Cute. I guess this one was meant to be for the young children.

Nevertheless, I took a piece of egg sandwich and put it entirely inside my mouth.

"Mnn~!"

They tasted very good!

I shifted my seating position to be in a more comfortable one and leaned against the bench.

I was so busy eating and savoring the sandwiches that I didn't hear footsteps behind me.

"Does it taste good?" A low, husky voice whispered behind my ear, giving birth to a sense of alarm inside me, along with the rising sensation of excitement that managed to make me flinch greatly.

I immediately jumped from the bench and turned around. It was that guy, the one who sat at the cafe with me for several times. But I could have sworn my heart skipped a beat when he whispered to me. What's with that low tone?

"Wh-Why are you here?" I glanced pass his shoulders. He seemed to be alone.

He shrugged. "Nothing. I just got back from work. Thought I could use a walking to restore my stamina."

I tilted my head slightly, the sense of alarm and awkwardness I had felt earlier turned into confusion.

What was he talking about?

I unconsciously lowered my gaze to his body for a quick second before coming to my senses and shutting it.

"Pfft! What are you doing?" He tittered.

After that moment, he stopped laughing and gazed at me. Suddenly his eyes twitched, followed by his nose.

"What is it?" I asked.

Did he smell something? 

I remember taking a bath a few hours before afternoon to start my work, so it shouldn't smell that bad.

"..."

He went silent for a long minutes while gazing at an indistinct direction beside my neck. Then he cracked a broad smile.

"What are you eating there? Smells delicious."

Oh, so he was smelling the lunchboxes. I thought he smelled my body odor or something.

"Do you want some? I have a lot." I glanced over at the stack.

"Sure. I'm famished after working for so long." He whined like an old man while rubbing his waist, which in turn caused me to accidentaly let out a snicker.

I giggled because I find his behavior funny, so unbefitting the image I had of him as a potential dominant Alpha.

I sat down again and rearranged my belongings so he could sit beside me.

Again, his nose twitched slightly after he sat. Maybe he was starving and the food smelled pretty delicious, so I ignored his biological response and handed him a pack. Though, I actually smelled a whiff of his scent when he sat close to me. He is an Alpha just as I thought, but his scent was gentle, like the blue ocean. I couldn't really describe the smell pretty well because my nose is not as sensitive as others.

I saw him opening the lid carefully until it was all opened. Inside, there were some rolls and rice balls with some fried chicken and fries as side dishes.

"Whoa~ that looks so good!"

I stared at it in amazement. The assortments were different from the first one, this one looks less cute—maybe leaning towards adults customers—but still beautiful nonetheless. Is there any chance for the third box to have different assortment too?

"Mine is quite different than yours, huh?" He paced his glance between my lunchbox with what I gave to him.

"Indeed. I got these for free from one of the shops nearby."

"The lunchbox shop?" He guessed.

I widened my eyes in surprise.

"How do you know I got it from there?"

"I received them for free too once, when I returned late from work. They gave me an Asian menu; fried rice, omelette fried rice, curry, and they also included a bottled water."

"I know, right? I got this from them too!"

I showed the already opened bottle of chrysanthemum tea to him.

We both chuckled.

Although it was just some useless topics, I feel like we talked a lot more than usual. Even though we just met for a couple of times, oddly enough, I feel close to him.

"Hey..." I glanced to the side where he sat.

"What is it?" The guy began to taste some of the food and smiled happily with the delightful taste.

I paused to gaze at his expression. Probably in awe because of his commendable feature, or probably...

"...I might forget it soon,” I blurted out, somehow managed to not let myself fell down into ponder. “But can I know your name?"

"Pfft-" He covered his mouth.  "Sorry. I just thought that it's about time we ask for each other's name, always meeting accidentally and all."

He grinned.

I stammered for a bit, because of how vibrant that grin was.

"Are you okay?" The grin instantly disappeared from his face, replaced with a concerned look.

I shook my head. "I am fine."

I extended my hand for a shake. "My name is Lucas Abraham. You?"

He grabbed my hand, which again made me flinch slightly. "My name is Noah Elyas. Nice to meet you."

We both shook hands for only a short time before I retracted it uncomfortably. Since his his grin- no, maybe way back from his whispers, I have been feeling slightly queasy.

Suddenly I remembered.

I was still in heat!

That was why I got restless when Noah was near. Every Omega would be uncomfortable if they were near an Alpha when they're in heat, be it taking medicine or not. It was their nature to steer clear from Alphas as they might cause harm to them, mainly in terms of pregnancy.

I abruptly stood up.

"I-I have to go! Something came up-"

I paused to look at the exit. Good, there are path for me to dash.

"See ya!"

I waved once and sprinted like my life depended on it.