​​The pattern of Mr. Kim teaching the new intern the basics of work and then reading with Mr. Lim during lunch continued until it was the end of that work week. 

Everyday was essentially the same. 

Mr. Kim would start Mr. Kang on entering a data set into a spreadsheet, and after sitting down at his desk, he would immediately be called back. 

"Mr. Kim, I think I deleted the data again,"

"You have to click on the correct tab."

He would ask Mr. Kang to copy and print documents for a meeting, 

"Mr. Kim, the copy machine isn't working,"

"you turned it off.”

Then right as lunch break started, Ms. Park would come over to make Mr. Kang eat lunch with her and a few other employees. 

"Mr. Kim, are you coming to lunch with us?" Mr. Kang asked.

"No, I have work to do." 

Ms. Park smiled, “Mr. Kim won’t be eating with us. Don’t worry, no matter how many times you ask, his answer won’t change, Mr. Kang.” 

“I’ll keep that in mind, Ms. Park.”

There was a chill in the air whenever Ms. Park and Mr. Kang interacted. The other employees simply saw it as her helping Mr. Kim, but the person being helped wondered if there was something she didn’t like about him.

“Ms. Park, can I ask why you don’t seem to like the new intern?”

“He asked whether you’re an omega or not, right?”

“Yes,” Mr. Kim nodded.

“When we first ate together he kept asking unnecessary questions about you. I just don’t trust his intentions with you, Mr. Kim.”

“Ms. Park,”

“I know you're an adult who can take care of himself. But still, I consider you a close colleague. And with your recent condition, I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

There was a slight silence while Mr. Kim was thinking about what she had said. He also thought of Ms. Park as a reliable co-worker, and was thankful for her help with the new intern. As Mr. Kim didn’t exactly know how to treat someone like him.

“I appreciate it. Honesty, I prefer eating lunch alone, so you’ve helped me out.” 

Despite her appearing quite tough to others, Ms. Park was someone who was still shy about being thanked for things. 

“Shall we get back to work?”

“yes.”

***

The question of whether or not Mr. Kim was an omega was seemingly let go of by Mr. Kang, which Mr. Kim was glad since it meant he had more time before giving an answer.

Since it was Friday yet again, Mr. Kim was to see Dr. Choi for the second time. And although he was still nervous, Mr. Kim felt a little excited to talk about what he had learned from the books he brought. He also had a list of things he was wanting to discuss with Dr. Choi.

Mr. Kim walked into Dr. Choi's office and sat on the couch.

Just like the week before, the room faintly smelt of fabric softener and Dr. Choi sat at his desk with a clipboard.

"Hello Mr. Kim, I'm glad to see you again." Dr. Choi said. 

"Hello, Dr. Choi," Mr. Kim greeted back.

Mr. Kim wasn’t sure if he should talk first, so he sat on the couch, glancing at the doctor.

Dr. Choi noticed and spoke, “did you decide on a book to buy?”

“Yes. It's called ‘Omegas, Betas, and Alphas. Oh My!’”

“I see, it sounds interesting. Have you read it yet?”

“I’ve read a few chapters.”

“What have you learned so far?”

“Well, I didn’t realize that there was a name for people who couldn’t produce or smell pheromones. And apparently it’s not really used.”

“That's right, there’s not many people who call themselves betas. It’s believed that betas came first before omegas and alphas. Therefore, they’re considered the default and are only given a name because of medical research.”

“I see.”

“Was there anything you learned about omegas?”

“Yes, I read about nesting. Something that omegas do when they have an alpha they like. I thought of it as somewhat endearing.”

“Endearing? May I ask why?”

Dr. Choi stared intently at Mr. Kim as if he couldn’t wait to hear his explanation.

“Collecting clothes that are covered in the scent of someone you like. And making it into a resting place. When I think of it like that, it kind of reminds me of a cat.”

“A cat. I see, that’s an interesting perspective of it.”

And after Mr. Kim finished talking, Dr. Choi wrote something down on his clipboard.

“Dr. Choi,”

“Yes?”

“If-If there’s someone I want to talk about, can I talk about him with you?”

“There’s someone you wish to speak about? That’s okay Mr. Kim, I’d like it if you talked about anything on your mind. Whether that’s a worry or a person.”

“I see. There’s this alpha at my work.”

“An alpha?”

Dr. Choi once again wrote a note down. 

“Yes. And for some reason, his pheromones help me feel more at ease. I was wondering if this is the case for other omegas.”

“If other omegas also feel at ease with an alpha’s pheromones?”

“Yes. I still feel nauseous sometimes due to pheromones. But his for some reason, make it easy to eat.”

“Mr. Kim, it’s common for omegas to find an alpha whose pheromones they like. However, it’s often because the omega feels some sort of attraction towards the alpha. This of course doesn’t mean you like him. You could simply prefer his pheromones when compared to the others you encounter.” 

Mr. Kim didn’t know how to feel about Dr. Choi’s answer to his question. He had assumed that it would have something to do with him being an omega and Mr. Lim an alpha. He didn't, however, think that it could be a sign that he feels attracted to him. 

Although, when Mr. Kim thought about their current relationship. He remembered how he helped him, bought him a book and coffee, how he reads with him on the rooftop. And how Mr. Kim owns him a cup of coffee.