Our eyes met and I could see how he slightly opened his eyes as well as his mouth.

The owners went to greet him, so he blinked a couple of times and smiled again. I decided to just nod at him and turned around again to grab the cleaning supplies to begin cleaning the place.

I hated this part of the job, because in those moments and when I was alone in the hotel room, those were the moments when memories of my alpha came to my head.

– Are you sure you can do it? – The omega asked when she saw me with the broom.

– Sure, I've had enough rest. – I gave her a smile to show her that I was okay. I started with my work while the owners returned their attention to the conversation with their son.

While they chatted, I started my job and my mind wandered, flooded with memories of Matt. It had been a long 6 years, after all. I had a lot to remember.

Maybe I should go home someday to settle everything once and for all, but a part of me didn't want that to happen, because that would mean it would become real, and I still loved him too much to let him go. It had only been a few months, and I didn't feel ready for anything.

When I was cleaning the windows, my eyes fell on a person walking across the street and my hand stopped.

It was that omega.

Matt's predestined.

She was walking down the street calmly, talking on the phone. And for her face, it was probably Matt. I felt the urge to run out and snatch the phone away from her just to hear his voice, but I held back. I stood still, watching as she spoke and smiled at his alpha on the other end of the phone.

I watched in shock as she moved her hand to his belly and caressed it.

There was no lump, but from what she had just done, that was more than certain.

She was pregnant.

Maybe from that time, or another one. Now I knew nothing anymore. 

During all this time, while I suffered, they were happily living together, and even expecting a child.

The child I once wished to have with him.

I felt my whole world crumbling again. That omega stole everything from me. My place next to my alpha, my bond, my future.

I knew it was not her fault, but I could not help it. 

I watched her until she was out of sight, and I felt a lump in my throat.

I had avoided crying during all this time, but it had just hit me like a bucket of cold water. It made me realize that everything really happened, and I would never go back to my old life. 

I swallowed hard and felt that if someone talk to me now, I would not be able to stop my tears from coming out, and I would not be able to bear it.

Without saying a word, I put down my cleaning supplies as best I could and headed to the bathroom, trying to look calm, as if everything was okay.

I locked the door and leaned against the door. Slowly my legs gave way until I was crouched down and began to cry silently. I wanted to scream, to let it all out, but I couldn't do it.

My future had now vanished completely.

I felt empty. 

After a long time, I realized I could not stay longer here, so I cleaned my tears and waited a few minutes to lower the swelling. When they more or less pretended, I went out as if nothing had happened and took the things to continue cleaning.

I observed the empty chairs and continue cleaning the tables.

– They left. – The alpha said.

I did not answer.

– They said you can open at seven, but... – He continued, watching his clock. – It's almost eight. 

I felt my tears threatening to come out again, but I hold back and kept cleaning. 

A chair sounded and seconds later, he placed his hand on mine, stopping me. Without thinking, I threw my hand in the air to free myself, standing in front of him.

– Sorry about that. – He said. – But I already clean everything. Isn't is obvious? – He waved his hand around to get me to look too, so I did and he was right. I turned around and went to put away the cleaning supplies.

Then I approached the door to change the sign from closed to open, immediately going behind the counter and stayed there. 

– You should have opened if everything was ready. – I mumbled to myself. 

I was glad he did not hear me, because I was just thinking out loud.

My energy was on the floor, so I was just moving with the flow.

A while later, the owner's son sighed and approached me behind the counter.

– The guy who beat an alpha not long ago doesn't even react when another one come here. – He said, showing himself next to me. 

I kept my eyes on the front, with a blank mind.

– Not me wanting to butt in, but... – He continued. – What were you doing leaving a hotel in the morning? – He changed the subject and leaned towards me to get a better look.

I frowned. 

He was butting in but I didn't want to deal with him right now.

The doorbell rang and a rushed client came in. 

Saved.

– Good morning. – I greeted to the alpha. 

– Well, hello. – He showed a smile. – I didn't know there was an omega as pretty as you around. A bit hurt, though. Should I help you with that? – He leaned over the counter, flirting.

I wondered how he figured out I was an omega so quickly, noticing that I had accidentally been spreading pheromones, so I suppressed them. 

 I didn't feel like fighting again, so I just let it go.

– You don't have to do that. – He insisted. – You smell delicious. – Added, whispering and trying to place his hand on mine, but I removed it on time.

Pheromones started to slightly spread next to me, not to affect me, but it was enough to make the alpha on the other side of the counter immediately pull his hand away.

– Oh, sorry. I didn't know he was... – He left the sentence half-said.

He cleared his throat and ordered. I wrote it down, collected the money, and started preparing it. 

– Does that always happen? – I heard the son ask quietly, but I ignored him.

I finished, handed it over, and as soon as he left and I said goodbye, I turned to the owners' son, who quickly straightened up.

– Thanks for that. – I said with no expression, looking into his eyes. – And please don't say the owners about the hotel. 

His face showed his astonishment.

I walked past him and went to the storeroom to get some more disposable cups that I forgot. When I came back, he was still in the same position, so I just walked past again and stood there, waiting for more customers, my mind blank.

– It's supposed to be busier in the mornings, but I don't understand why there aren't more customers coming in. – Said the son next to me.

– There is a great cafe around two blocks from here. – I replied by reflex. It was our coffee shop before all of this happened.

– Then I guess I'll have to go check it. – He said. – It's not for nothing that I studied business. I need to do some good market research.

– Did you study to get the cafeteria going? – I asked without emotion.

He took a few seconds to reply. 

– Maybe. – He finally said. He stood up and went into the house for a moment. When he returned, he had two jackets in his hand.

– Should we go? – He asked.

– I'm working. – I replied instantly. 

He tilted his head to one side.

– We can just close, come on, come and do the market research with me. – He smiled in my direction, that then morphed into a pot.

– ... No. – I said, this time looking directly into his eyes. I had missed too much work already to do it again just to go to a coffee shop I never planned to return to.

He sighed and gave up, sitting again. 

The doorbell rang again and I greeted, but it was the owners.

– Oh! – Their son stood up again. – Mom, dad, I'd like to go check out a coffee shop nearby to see why people prefer to go there. He knows where it is. Can we go?

I frowned.

– I told you, I'm not going. – I told him sharply.

– Of course honey, go! – The omega responded with excitement, apparently without hearing my refusal. – It's part of the job to investigate this stuff too, right? – This time she turned to me.

It was as if she had heard the conversation from before.

– We'll take care of the cafe in the meantime, I don't think it will take long either. – The owner added. 

I wanted to protest, but since they already said that was part of the job, I could not refuse.

I took off the apron and started walking to the door. 

– We'll be back! – The son shouted, coming out after me.

It was colder than I expected, and I only had a thin sweater on.

– Here. – The son offered his jacket which was too big for me, but seemed warm. 

– I'm good. – My words came out without thinking. I was cold, but in my actual state, I didn't really feel anything. Besides, I was too stubborn to accept it after I was almost obligated to go to a place I didn't want to in the first place.

He didn't insist, which I appreciated.

Once we arrived, I sighed.

– Let's get in. – He said with a smile.

– You go. – I responded. I wasn't planning on going in anyway. – I'll wait for you here. 

I stood by the entrance, where my alpha usually waited for me while I bought drinks. I crossed my arms and held them tightly, remembering the last day we were here.

He sighed in frustration and shook his head.

– At least take the jacket, or you'll froze to dead. – He waited for me to accept it, but I didn't. – If you catch a cold, you'll miss more days of work. 

He had a point, so I grabbed the jacket. 

– Fine. – I replied. – Thanks. 

He gave me a genuine smile and tried to put it on me, but I snatched it. 

– I'll do it. 

His eyes rolled keeping his smile and went in.

Meanwhile I stood outside, watching people go by. I grabbed the jacket and put it on. Sure enough, it was huge on me.

The air went straight towards me, so I mentally thanked the alpha again for giving it to me.

 I brought my hands to my mouth to warm them.

The sensation felt good, so I lift my face to feel the air, looking up to the sky. 

Suddenly, I felt some pheromones that I knew quite well.

I froze.

'No, please.' I pleaded in my head. 

I turned slowly and met those familiar eyes.

It was my alpha. 

And by his side, his predestined.