As a person who grew up loved and spoiled in a family that gives him everything he wants, the number one thing Heath hates the most is when people covet his belongings.
He is not the type to share, never has been and never will be, so the sight of the pink-haired Omega is particularly annoying to him. It makes his blood boil, thinking of how Kaiden is trying to get close to /his/ Alpha, /his/ childhood friend, /his/ lover.
So of course, to keep Kaiden in check, Heath comes up with a solution. It took months convincing his family, months of Damon being alone with that Omega, and only by coming back with a successful business deal did his father agree. Now that he's here, Heath is going to live with them.
Let's see if the Omega can try anything with him around.
Kaiden will be so busy every day that he won't have time to have any funny ideas in that pretty head of his.
Heath makes it his life purpose to torment the Omega every waking sound of every hour. If Kaiden doesn't cry at least once a day, he's doing something wrong.
--
"Make another one," Heath orders for the fifth time, not even sparing a glance at the freshly brewed coffee on the table, too busy with scrolling through his phone.
When he doesn't feel Kaiden move from his spot, he finally looks up. With a raise of his eyebrow, he asks, "What are you still doing here? Did you not hear me?"
Kaiden doesn't look up, eyes trained on the floor. Instead of answering Heath's question, he asks one back, "M-may I know what's wrong with this one?"
Heath takes one look and then scoffs. "It's burnt, I can smell it from here." It's a lie, he can't. "Do you even know how to brew coffee? Even a monkey can do a better job than you."
Kaiden bites on his bottom lip but doesn't say a word, because it's true that he doesn't know how to brew coffee. Until Heath ordered him to, the only coffee Kaiden knows how to make is instant coffee. Not even Damon asks him to make one, and the old butler left before showing him how.
When he doesn't move, Heath yells at him, "What are you still standing there for? Do you think the beans will grind themselves?"
Kaiden flinches at the loud sound. He scampers back to the kitchen, anxious to be anywhere but near the irate Beta.
"Take this with you." Heath points to the cup before Kaiden's figure completely disappears.
Kaiden quickly returns and grabs the still-hot mug, careful not to show the redness on the back of his hand. He needs to treat the burn immediately but he knows Heath won't let him go. Even a second of delay will get him an earful.
He pours the untouched coffee on the sink and rinses the cup under hot water. The dirty dishes are piling up yet he can't tend to any of them. He adds it to the continuously growing list of chores he needs to do.
But first, the coffee needs to be done.
He pulls up his phone and watches the video again, pausing to follow along with the barista in the video. The process is a muddle in his head, there's a lot he doesn't understand. He still doesn't know why he needs to steam the milk. Why can't he use good ole regular milk instead?
When the video is done, so is the coffee. The coffee looks perfect, but so did the other five yet they all went down the drain. He breathes in, clenching and unclenching his hands, checking to see if he can still feel his fingers. Thankfully, they aren't shaking—not as bad as yesterday, at least, not as bad as when Heath made him wipe every step on the stairs with a rag three times.
He grabs a coaster for the mug and heads to the living room. Heath is still on the sofa when he places the cup on the table, a blanket on his lap with his ankles crossed atop each other.
Kaiden doesn't say a word, waiting for Heath to notice his presence. Seconds tick by as Kaiden continues standing.
It's okay, he tells himself, this is okay.
Before Kaiden's leg goes completely numb, Heath sits up. He places his phone face down on the table and takes a sip of the coffee.
"Finally, something edible to drink around here," he says before taking another sip. "Why is breakfast not ready yet?"
Kaiden doesn't need to look at a clock to know how pressed for time he is. His set schedule for the day is thrown out the window after making and remaking a single cup of coffee. Like this morning, nothing has been organized ever since Heath came.
It drives Kaiden nuts, but it also leaves him hopeless. He inwardly sighs, too afraid to even do this simple action, as he asks, "Is there anything you want?"
Heath thinks while staring at the ceiling, a dainty finger on his lips. "I want fish, soup, and rice," he admits because although Kaiden annoys him, he can't deny that the Omega has excellent cooking skills.
Kaiden mumbles okay, grateful to be leaving. He heads to the only place he won't be bothered—the kitchen.
"Tch. I can't believe I need to say everything before you get moving," Heath not-so-silently mutters, not even bothering to check whether Kaiden is out of earshot, "how useless."
At the same time, Damon lands at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes are focused on Heath and Heath only, not a single glance at Kaiden's direction when they pass by each other.
This, too, is another change since Heath arrived. To accompany his lover, Damon has been staying around more frequently than before. He still acts like Kaiden doesn't exist, showing off their affection in front of him at all times.
The Alpha and Omega don't stop sharing pheromones with each other, wherein Damon occasionally asks him if he's comfortable. Aside from that, the Alpha only spares him a sentence or two before mealtime, usually to ask what they're having.
Like a fool, Kaiden still attempts to have a proper conversation with the Alpha: asking him how his day was, asking him if there's anything he wants to change around the house, or asking him how the food tastes. All he gets in return are narrowed eyes and pursed lips.
He hears giggling from behind, so different from the harsh tone he received mere moments ago.
Kaiden tries not to look back, he really does, but it's unavoidable.
He sees it—Damon cuddling Heath close, a gentle kiss on the Beta's forehead, before whispering their good morning's to each other.
It's okay, he tells himself, this is okay.
If he closes his eyes, he can pretend he sees nothing. If he pretends he sees nothing, he can pretend he feels nothing.
It's going to be okay.