(Quick Note: Given Names are after Family Names in this novel. Korean style of names.)

Sunlight streamed in through the windows of the café.  The smell of freshly brewed coffee was carried by the breeze and spread around the area.  Its fragrance beckoned customers in, where they were greeted with another scent: baked goods.  The smell of sugar, bread, fruit, and coffee was irresistible to all those who ventured through the door.  Business was good, the staff and customers were kind, and the whole café seemed like the perfect escape from whatever troubles and worries one had.

The bell over the door gave a polite ring as it opened.  A small four-year old boy entered with a big smile from ear to ear and shouted, “Papa! I’m home!”

The customers all marveled at how adorable the boy was.  Following behind was a 35-year-old omega woman named Ryusaki Lin.  She was a Japanese/Korean woman who was also the landlord of the building.  Within seconds of hearing the boy’s greeting, a tall man came out of the back room.  He dropped the heavy back of coffee beans and ran towards the boy.  They embraced as the man lifted the boy while proudly proclaiming, “Jeong-Jin!”

Mrs. Ryusaki stepped closer to the father-son duo.

“Good afternoon, Kang SooHo-Sii.”

SooHo bowed his head graciously.

“SooHo-Sii, may I have a word with you in private?”

Soo-Ho gently put his son down.  JeongJin immediately went and sat down in an oversized blue bean bag chair by the window.  It was his favorite spot to read, color, and nap while he waited for his dad to finish up. 

Soo-Ho followed Mrs. Lin to his office on the second floor.  He opened the curtains in the window in order to get a clear view of where his son was sitting below.  There were CCTV cameras throughout the café for protection and prevention.  Even if he couldn’t always see clearly out the window, the monitors connected to the cameras were always on display over his desk.

Mrs. Ryusaki sat down in one of the armchairs across the desk, while SooHo locked the door and sat down.

“I thought Junta was going to pick JeongJin up from daycare today. Everything okay?” he asked.

“My husband got called on an emergency. There was a body found in a park near the university.  He recently got promoted to detective, so this will be his first case at his new rank. Junta sent me a text saying the vic doesn’t seem to be affiliated with any groups in the area.”

SooHo pondered silently for a minute or two.

“Since this is the first one in a while, I don’t think I need to move with Jeong-Jin yet.  I don’t want to jump the gun since the investigation has just started.  Although, it might not hurt to get our emergency bags prepared.  It never hurts to be cautious and careful.”

Mrs. Ryusaki nodded.  She had been the one to discover SooHo a couple days after his exit from The Choi Group.  SooHo had saved her life from a mugger with a knife when she was followed from her office in Gangnam.  She had been leaving the train station and it was just luck that Soo-Ho had been there.  When she found out he had nowhere to stay, she offered him the small apartment style space above the garage.  It had all the usual comforts including heat and a/c, as well as its own bathroom complete with a full tub and standing shower stall. Ryusaki Junta, an alpha, was quick to accept the guest since SooHo had saved his wife’s life. 

At first Junta was a little wary of SooHo, because SooHo’s body was more like that of an alpha.  He had well-toned muscles and was quite handsome.  He was relieved when Soo-Ho told him that he was not only a dominant omega, but also pregnant.

Over the duration of the pregnancy, Soo-Ho became very close to the couple to the point he came clean about his past.  Starting from when he was 8, to the present, he didn’t leave anything out.  The Ryusaki couple shed tears and gave him a hug.  Junta state that even though he was a police officer, his father taught him that everyone deserves a second chance ─ especially if were willing to walk a better path.

The couple helped Null become Soo-Ho.  From not having a real name to having a name he could proudly be called.  Soo-Ho meant “protection” or “protector”.  It was perfect for the father-to-be.  The family name became “Kang” meaning “strong like a river”.   The first time seeing his new name on official documents, Kang SooHo cried tears of happiness.  He named his son, Jeong-Jin, meaning “Gentle Jewel” or “precious jewel”.  His son was his treasure and ultimately the reason to move forward and live.

*  *  *

               Mrs. Ryusaki left the café and Soo-Ho resumed his work.  There were two employees that SooHo had hired.  Kim Min-Ji and Cha Jin-Sol.  Soo-Ho looked at the clock which read 2 PM. It was time to close the shop.  Min-Ji and Jin-Sol left, and the café was silent after a bustling day of being open.  After refilling the coffee bean bin, Soo-Ho went to check on his son. Jeong-Jin was sleeping soundly while curled up.  Soo-Ho covered his son with a blanket and gently stroked Jeong-Jin’s hair.  Jeong-Jin had short wavy black hair and beautiful innocent distinctive yellow-blue eyes.  The dual element in his eye color, known as Central Heterochromia, was inherited from his alpha father.  Soo-Ho was thankful they lived far away from his old part of town.  Otherwise, it would be obvious that Jeong-Jin’s father was none other than the boss of The Choi Group, Choi Dae-Hyun.

               The bell to the café door rang with a loud jingle and the door slammed shut.  Soo-Ho turned to see a familiar face standing in the doorway.  The man stared at Soo-Ho, and Soo-Ho braced himself for what was about to happen…