They began to implement small details little by little, such as the design of the glasses, the presentation when buying two or more drinks, as well as a few new flavors that weren't bad at all.

At the beginning it was very uncomfortable being near John for what happened between us that night, and although he didn't show it, I knew it was the same for him. Still, we didn't talk about it again, and little by little I stopped giving it any importance.

He had been making me stay a few extra hours at the end of each day to try out his inventions, and he always tried to get me to talk to him along the way.

– This tastes horrible. – I sentenced one day. It was the third time he gave me one of his inventions. – This one is the worst of all, definitely. 

– What? No it's not, I tried it! 

– Well, your taste buds aren't working.

John smiled. 

– As cruel as always. – He grabbed my glass and took a sip, making a face as soon as he swallow. –  Hey, I swear this tasted good yesterday. 

– Ujum.

In the end, I just stood up and went to throw it while John pouted from his seat for me not to do it, to no avail.

This has happened many times before, with some who knew well and others who did not.

On top of that, John wanted to ask me things all the time, but seeing that I wasn't answering any of his questions, he stopped trying.

In return, he started telling me about his time in Korea. About the people, their customs, the seasons, the food, and everything related to Seoul, which was where he had studied.

He told everything in such detail that I felt as if I had been there.

– You are good at explaining things. – I had told him.

– I get that a lot. I'm sure I'll be one of those parents who tells stories to their children wonderfully. – He replied, proud of himself.

– I guess so. – I had limited myself to answering

Little by little I had begun to get used to his presence too, as well as that of his parents, although I spent more time with him. His atmosphere was always cheerful and calm at the same time. He used to lightly release his pheromones when he was happy, and they also changed when he became nostalgic when talking about his life in Korea.

It was weird. 

He was an alpha too, but I didn't mind being around him anymore. At first it did, but now I didn't have any problem with it.

Every now and then I glanced at him curiously, but as soon as he noticed it, he turned around and smile at me, causing me to immediately turn my head, somewhat awkwardly.

He also used to cater to Alphas when they tried to flirt with me, which I appreciated. That way I wouldn't hit anyone else.

It's been three months since my last conversation with Matt, and I've slowly stopped feeling so empty. My moments of blanking out and staring into space have diminished compared to when I first arrived.

In a way it was also because the number of people coming into the cafe had increased lately, so everything was much busier, helping me to think less and do more.

People started to leave work at this time and even a small queue formed.

I had learned to be much faster, so when I finished receiving orders, I helped preparing the drinks I already knew.

As rush hour passed, we relaxed. People were coming in, but there weren't as many of them anymore. As soon as the doorbell rang, I turned to say welcome the customers, but stopped short. John had placed a hand in front of me, making me back up a little.

I stared at him for a second. He was tense and had a look on his face I hadn't seen him make in all the time I'd been here. 

I followed his gaze to the entrance.

It was the alpha I had fought with the other time.

I felt John starting to release pheromones. I took his arm and he looked at me sideways.

I shook my head, let go, and stood where I was.

The alpha looked at me for a second, serious.

– Oh, right. – I suddenly said. I walked over to the lockers and grabbed the bag that had his clothes in it to hand it to him. He hadn't been back since that time, so it had been left there after I'd taken it to the laundry.

I stood in front of him and offered it to him.

He still had his arms crossed, probably waiting for me to say something.

I took a deep breath and bowed my head in apology.

– I'm really sorry for my behavior that time. – I said.

I didn't want to apologize, but I didn't want to cause any more trouble either, so that was what seemed right in this situation.

I looked up and saw a hint of surprise on his face.

– Your drink will be on me today. – I added.

– Wha-? – John started to say, shocked and angry behind the counter, trying to reach me with his hand, but I gave him a look and he stopped halfway.

When I looked back at the alpha, I was surprised to see that he had blushed and looked away.

He scratched his head, nervous.

– Oh, no. – He began to say. – I'm sorry, I did something very awful to you and well... – He looked at me for a second and looked away again.

He had completely changed the way he addressed me.

– Are you ok? – He suddenly asked. 

– I am. – I replied with my business smile. It had been a long time ago, so there was no point in even asking that now. Many insults came to my mind, but I held back from saying them.

To my surprise again, he blushed even more.

– I... I see... – He stuttered.

I avoided raising an eyebrow so as not to create any misunderstandings. I returned behind the counter, ready to continue serving.

I took their order and they went to sit at the same table as before, throwing me nervous glances from time to time.

– Why are you the one apologizing? – I heard John say next to me, sounding annoyed. 

– Because I started at throwing him that coffee. – I responded while made him turn around so he could start preparing the order. – And I don't want any more problems here.

He remained silent, with his fists clenched.

– ... Move your hands. – I complained, seeing that he still didn't move.

Since there were no new customers coming, I turned around and started helping him with one of the orders to speed up the service.

John continued to prepare the drinks, thoughtful. We delivered the orders and as they were leaving, the alpha returned to the counter.

– Hey, so... I know we didn't start with the right foot but, would you mind giving me your number? – He asked with a nervous smile. 

– ... Have a good day. – I simply say with my businesslike smile. 

He tried to insist, but his gaze shifted behind me and he cringed slightly, sighing and walking out the door.

I watched as he caught up with his group of friends, glaring at him now that he wasn't looking at me.

– What does that idiot think he is? – I heard John mutter behind me, making me smile slightly.

I couldn't agree with that comment more.

By the end of my shift, John was still quiet.

And it was just too strange for him to be. Normally, he would be chattering or making some noise like always when there is silence, and him being calm was just too weird.

– Is something wrong? – I asked as I took off my apron.

– No. – He declared. 

I took one look at him and he was pouting.

That big guy was pouting. I felt like laughing. I thought for a moment about why he might be like this, and the only thing I could think of was that he was probably angry because I had apologized to that alpha, when I had ended up being the one who was hit the hardest.

Having someone get angry because of me made me feel strange. The only person who had ever cared about me was Matt, but now I had these people who did too.

For all these months they had made me feel like I was part of them, and I felt like I could really relax here, and even trust in their good faith.

– What? – I said, approaching him from the side, teasing him.

He looked at me and flinched by how close I was. I let out a small laugh at his reaction.

He opened his eyes when he saw me do it. I think it was the first time I laughed since Matt, so even I was surprised. When he reacted, he frowned and scratched his nose.

– It's just that... Well... – He said, trying to put his words in order. – When I came in that time I saw him on top of you, attacking you.

His brow furrowed even more.

– I thought he was... You know... And, well, – He continued. – He's a big guy, and you're... – He weighed his words. – ... Smaller and more delicate.

I raised and eyebrow.

– That's because I'm an omega. This is the normal build of one. – I said, raising and opening my arms. 

– I know. – He looked away. – But it bothers me so much. I mean, who wouldn't? A huge alpha had just cruelly beaten an omega and then wanted to take advantage of him and... – He took a breath to try to calm down. – And well, now he comes back and also gets an apology from you. It's not fair, you know?

I raised an eyebrow again.

– Yeah, well, there are a lot of unfair things in this life.

He gave me a look. He wanted to look serious, but I could see that the corner of his lips were trembling as he wanted to laugh. I hadn't said anything to make him laugh, but this boy really laughed at everything.

He cleared his throat a little and looked away from me.

– Still, he shouldn't even have to come back... I should have hit him harder. – He whispered at the end, more to himself.

– Hit him? 

This guy? Hitting someone? That would be interesting to see. I felt like I had missed something, and now I wanted to know.

– What? Oh, no, it's nothing. 

– It's nothing? Come one. 

He glanced at me and frowned. It seemed like he didn't really want to say it, but I wasn't going to give up. I stared at him even more until a hint of blush formed on his cheeks.

In the end, he sighed and looked away, turning his head so I wouldn't see him.

– I just... ended up hitting him, that's all. – He finished whispering.

I knew there was something else he was leaving out, but I was shocked just to find out that he had hit someone.

I had no idea he had done that, because he was always all smiles wherever he went. In fact, I doubted he ever got upset about anything.

I chuckled.

Maybe that was why that alpha hadn't come back in all this time, because John had beaten him up.

– Thanks for that. – I said, smiling.

He stared at me for a long time, so much so that it made me nervous and I looked away, and he did too.

– Well, I started, actually. Or rather he did, but I attacked first. – I clarified. – I spilled coffee on him and then threw a punch. Well, several times. – I said with an embarrassed smile.  

His surprised face couldn't have been better. 

– You did it? – He asked, astonished.

I nodded, making him smile. 

– Well, to then hit you like that, he deserved it. And my blows and the... other stuff too. He even deserves more than that. – He said. – And on top of that, he dares to come back and ask for your number. There’s no blood on his face. – He declared, frowning.

'Other stuff?' I thought but didn't ask, because he didn't seem to want to say it, and it was enough for me to know that the guy had gotten what he deserved. 

– You sound like a grandpa talking like that. – I joked about the last thing he said.

He smiled and stroked my hair. Then turned around and headed to his house. 

Mi hand went to my head, right to the same place where he touched. It did not cover the space where his hand had been, it was too big. It reminded me when Matt stroked my hair, and I smiled with sadness.

– Oh!

His voice took me off my thoughts. He was standing right at the bottom of the stairs, turned to me with a smile.

– Would you like to have dinner with us? 

                 Merry Christmas!