* * *

The picnic lunch went pretty well even though Reese didn't talk a lot. He feels bad for Elven who tried his best to make a friendly atmosphere since it was obvious he and Lancel Mo weren't on good terms but it has been a while since Reese had made friends after what had happened to him so he can't really converse properly without feeling awkward. He was happy that someone was willing to make friends with him but at the same time, he wasn't planning to be overly friendly with anyone on campus. Unless it's necessary, he prefers to be alone. Nevertheless, he still enjoyed it more than he expected although he wouldn't wish it to happen again.

After that, the day went by without much of an event, that is until... he went back to his apartment.

"Hey..." the moment Reese went back, he was shocked to find his roommate in the living room just playing with his phone. He was planning to ignore the Alpha since they weren't really friends despite the lunch picnic they had shared so without greeting or even sparing him another glance, Reese was about to head into his room and spent the rest of his night staring at the ceiling until he fell asleep.

"I said, hey," the Alpha repeated, seeing that the Beta was ignoring him. On the other hand, no longer able to pretend that he didn't hear, he finally stopped his walk and looked at his roommate with questioning eyes. He didn't even say a word and just looked at the Alpha as if asking what he wanted. Meanwhile, seeing the Beta's attitude, Lan sighed briefly before he stood up from the couch and approached Reese. If this was the Beta's scheme to make him notice him, then it was effective because now, he's feeling like the biggest jerk for accusing someone of something he didn't even do.

"Look, I'm sorry about what I said last night. I have no excuses. I'm so used to my roommates taking advantage of me so I just assumed you're the same. I know now that you aren't but I don't want to live in this place with someone I'm not on good terms with so I'm here to apologize. Also, I'd like us to start again as roommates, my name's Lancel Andrews Mo and yeah, I'll be your roommate from now on," the Alpha said with all seriousness. There was no hint of hesitation in his voice or the way he looked at Reese so when the Beta heard all that, he was dumbfounded. It was the first time for him to meet an Alpha to actually own up to his mistake and even apologize for it without hesitation.

"Fine. My name's Reese Dominic Dawson. I accept your apology so you can just call me Reese," Reese replied at the end. Seeing that the Alpha was serious about his apology, there was no reason for him to not accept it as well. Besides, even though he wasn't planning to be overly friendly with anyone on campus, that doesn't mean he didn't want to be on good terms with the person he's living with. It's always good to go back to a friendly environment too so he had no complaints.

"Thank you. You can just call me Lan as well. Also, thank God, you're someone who can be reasoned with, I was worried you'd lash out on me," Lan replied with the sweetest smile which briefly caused Reese to freeze looking at it.

"There's no reason for me to lash out. I kinda understand your situation too..." Reese chuckled a little. "Besides, I also thought you're an overbearing and narcissistic Alpha who's full of himself so we're even," he added, raising one of his eyebrows to which had made Lan chuckle as well.

"Fair enough," Lan nodded since it's true his actions were kind of like that.

"Say, have you eaten dinner yet? I'd like to cook something for us to celebrate," Reese offered. Now that he didn't have to avoid his roommate, he was thinking of cooking his meals since he didn't want to go to the cafeteria and experience that again. "Oh but you don't have too if you have plans. Cooking is just something I enjoy a lot and I have nothing much to offer aside from that," Reese added, hoping to not pressure the Alpha if he had plans with Elven. It's obvious he has feelings for him and he's here to support them.

"I don't have anything planned. Elven usually cooks for me but today he had plans... But will it be okay, though? It's the first day of class, you probably have a lot to read. They usually give a lot of assignments on the first day," Lan asked, following Reese who was walking towards the kitchen before dropping his bag to the couch. 

"It's fine. I've done more than half of it during class. What's left is for afternoon class which I can still do in the morning," Reese replied while wrapping the apron on his waist tightly. 

"Besides, I plan to cook my meals from now on. It's a good practice to get used to the new kitchen. Also, it's a lot easier to cook for two than one sometimes," Reese added before quickly deciding what to make after briefly looking at the fridge.

"Okay then, if you insist," Lan replied with a kind smile. Although he said that he keeps his distance from his classmates and didn't hangout a lot with other people aside from Elven, he actually enjoys other people's company and he likes making friends. If only he couldn't tell what's behind people's intention when they approach him. Some would say it's a gift and he agrees but sometimes, it's also a curse. Fortunately, being with Reese, he felt at ease because he could genuinely tell that he doesn't have any motives. In fact, it's as if he doesn't even know him.

Not to brag but not many people don't know him. After he's been exposed to the media since eight years old, he had never left people's view since. After all, he is Lancel Andrews Mo. Aside from the fact that he's the son of the person who broke social views about Omegas and went ahead to become an award winning policeman, he is also the eldest heir to the most influential business conglomerate in the country and people approach him with ulterior motives. 

Furthermore, as an Alpha, he's been proposed to several times since as long as he could remember to the point where he had gotten sick of entertaining people. Of course, his parents tried their best to keep him out of public's view but with the kind of background he has, it's impossible to completely get rid of people who want to take advantage of him.

"Do you have something you're allergic to just in case? Also, any food you don't like?" Reese asked, looking at the Alpha who's following him wherever he goes like a little child.

"No, I don't. I was taught never to waste food so I eat anything on the table as long it's not poisonous enough," Lan replied as curiosity crowded his mind.

"Say... Do you really not know me?" Lan suddenly asked, leaning against the counter after the Beta started chopping off some of the veggies he had picked.

"What kind of question is that? It's as if I have to know you... Also, so you eat poison as long as it's not poisonous enough? Are you okay?" Reese laughed, halting his hand before looking at the Alpha and raising his brows again.

"After I have been poisoned when I was a kid, I have surprisingly developed immunity to it so yeah. As long as it's not a newly developed poison, my body can handle it," Lan said with a laugh as if what he just said wasn't a big deal. But truth be told, he was too young back then and doesn't even remember most of it so if anyone asked him if he had trauma then he'd say he doesn't. He had been kidnapped and poisoned but he couldn't remember it so there's no harm done aside from his mother being overly protective of him and his younger sibling.

"Anyway, you don't have to have to know me. I was curious about something but just forget about it, it's not important..." Lan added. Reese didn't seem to be lying about it so he didn't have to probe more and ruin the mood. They have just gotten acquainted so he doesn't want to ruin it and disappoint Elven who wants him to make other friends especially when he's planning to confess soon. 

"What?! Are you serious? Are you okay? You're saying that as if it wasn't such a big deal!" Reese exclaimed in surprise. Since his roommate is probably some wealthy man's son, he could somehow imagine a scenario where the Alpha would get poison but he's saying it as if it wasn't a life and death situation.

"I'm fine really. I don't remember most of it and I didn't die. And look at the brighter side, I'm immune to it now. I almost lost my eyesight but it's fine now," Lan cheerfully said, shrugging his shoulders while enjoying the Beta's reactions. He had not told anyone about the poison incident, not even to Elven because he never had the chance, although he's positive the Omega knew through his uncle.

"Oh my gosh!" Reese gasped still in disbelief. He stared at Lan who didn't seem to be bothered by his own experience so Reese eventually relaxed before reluctantly taking the knife. "Well... as long as you're fine... Still it won't stop me from making sure dinner is the most delicious meal you'll ever have, so step out of the kitchen and do something over there. I need to focus," Reese then said, determined to pour all his cooking knowledge in this one meal. After he heard that kind of story, even though it was nothing for the Alpha, he felt obliged to still comfort him somehow. He wasn't the kind to know how to comfort someone but he does know how to cook so he will cook.

On the other hand, seeing the Beta's determined expression, Lan chuckled a little and nodded before leaving to sit on one of the two couches not far away from the kitchen counter. He was glad he decided to own up to his mistakes and apologized. It's been a while since he met such a genuine person. Furthermore, Elven was right. He needed to have other friends aside from him and his cousins. He's truly lucky to have someone like Reese to be his roommate. Someone who doesn't know him at all and simply treats him like how he treats others. It's kinda refreshing and he couldn't help but smile.

"Also, stop staring please. I can't concentrate..." Reese suddenly mentioned when he noticed the Alpha staring at him. He thought he'd stop eventually but he didn't so he had to tell him to stop. Although he wasn't interested in the Alpha, it's still dangerous for his heart because he's gay and Lan is quite handsome. Additionally, now that he's not that bad of a person, he might fall for him accidentally and ends up with a broken heart because clearly, he's in love with his best friend who he's no way of competing with. He may look like an Omega but he's no Omega and in this world, Alphas are better suited for Omegas and Betas are only for Betas.

"Oops sorry... Can I take a picture though so I can send it to Elven. He's asking what I'm eating for dinner and I've told him you're cooking tonight," Lan lied because Elven didn't text him to ask what he's going to eat but he needed to have an excuse since even himself didn't know why he was staring too much. He's like a child who has seen a rare animal and he's ashamed to admit it.

"Really? Then come here and take one. I guess I can pose a little for Elven. He was so nice to me so it's the least I could do but make sure to tell him that I'm only doing it for tonight. I don't want to take his chance to cook for you," Reese replied with a smile. He's not sure if Lan and Elven are together but it's better to be sure.

"Okay, I'll make sure to tell him," Lan replied and snapped a few photos. The night continued pleasantly as a new bond of friendship blossomed between them, not knowing that with this simple encounter, it would cement their place in each other's lives.

* * *

To be Continued...