When Aster arrived at the stately Campbell mansion, Lady Sarah was waiting for him. In front of him, several bags from a luxury global clothing brand contrasted with the sophisticated ambiance of the mansion, which displayed shades of light blue in its décor.
Taking the stance of a police investigator, Lady Sarah took a direct and incisive approach.
"What is your relationship with these gifts?" - she asked, launching a tense atmosphere in the elegant entrance hall.
Launching into an accusatory sermon, Lady Sarah argued that it was undignified to accept so many gifts and cause unnecessary exposure in the media. To her, it was incomprehensible that an omega like Aster would receive such treatment from Elisabeth.
Sincerely, Aster replied politely:
"Lady Elisabeth invited me to go out with Damián. I told her I couldn't accept the gifts. I didn't think she would hand them away as a surprise. I can see how kind he was in his feelings at the thought of me.
However, Lady Sarah was determined to expose and blame Aster for inappropriate behavior. Leaning forward, she displayed a photograph on a portable screen, creating a palpable anticipation.
"It's one thing to be recognized as a member of the Campbell family. And another to be the subject of gossip shows!" Lady Sarah said, her voice echoing in the elegant hall.
Aster let out an almost silent grunt, as the surrounding atmosphere became dense. Lady Sarah scolded Aster, warning him not to become a target of the tabloids, highlighting his concern for the family's image.
"I thought you couldn't embarrass us so quickly, Aster. I was wrong. After all, I'm teaching you right and wrong. Some people's opinion of you may be right...
Hearing these words, Aster maintained an impassive expression, but inside, he was fed up with the tension and judgment. In his answer, he chose careful words:
"Callum is always on the world financial scene, and people want to know everything about him. He's handsome, a multi-billionaire, and brilliant. But he was always cautious about his private affairs.
"Then there's interest in your love life; inevitably, anyone who has a relationship with Callum will be in the news."
Aster, keeping his cool, pondered the challenges of being constantly targeted by the media. The exchange of words reflected the tension in the room, with the light blue décor of the Campbell mansion as a backdrop.
"But dear mother-in-law, when I first met Callum, I was impressed by his ability to handle the incident at the Kadman Hotel. And Campbell companies are well equipped to deal with these problems; the public relations industry is extremely competent.
"Right?" he replied, trying to soften the tension with his words.
"I... I see that Callum has enough experience to handle the situation in the best possible way. I need to rest; I'm going to my room. This environment is bothering me."
Aster then stated, "I don't think we should have any enmity since we are a family!"
As he walked away, Aster's final words echoed in the hall, and Lady Sarah, incredulous, expressed her disapproval. However, for Lady Sarah, despite appearing to be a beauty that seems like a curse, Aster's interior is gloomy and gloomy.
As Aster retreated, the light blue colors of the mansion stood out, reflecting the tense clash that had just taken place in its elegant corridors.
As Aster entered his room, a luxurious expanse unfolded before him. The room, decorated in shades of deep blue, reflected the characteristic opulence of the Campbell mansion. The stately furnishings, refined details, and soft lighting all contributed to creating an atmosphere that was far beyond its comfort zone.
The initial plan was to be inadequate, to defy expected compliance. However, as Aster followed this path of defiance, a sense of victimhood hung over him. The grandeur of the room contrasted with the incomprehension he felt about his role in that dynamic.
It was an attempt to show these people that this was not their place, but Aster saw himself as a victim in this power game. Even though, according to the plan, he was not supposed to feel frustration or seek solace in the idea of belonging, the reality was different.
The need to save himself permeated his thoughts, but there was an internal conflict. The use of the word "salvation" seemed to threaten his innocence. Aster was determined to save himself, but there was no cost. The concern for preserving their moral purity made the process challenging.
Pheromones, like an evil superpower, exerted their influence on Aster. He recognized the power of these chemical signals and how they could be manipulated to control and coerce. It was a dark element in his reality, a part of the society in which he was embedded.
The days stretched on, but Callum's presence persisted, enveloping Aster in an aura of an Alpha of Evil. There was a reluctance to admit the profound influence Callum had on him.
"That's disappointing," Aster muttered aloud, conviction slipping through his words subtly.
Confusion reigned in his thoughts. Aster caught between moments of paradise and a growing darkness, contemplated an emotional black hole into which he plunged deeper and deeper. Every sensation seemed intensified, the chill of uncertainty deepening, oscillating between near-happiness and unfathomable unhappiness.
The next day, after feeling presentable, Aster left the bedroom. As soon as he put his foot on the last step of the stairs, he heard Callum's voice. The two stared at each other; Callum's expression didn't improve, and he didn't even interrupt the conversation with the person on the other end of the line.
Callum was holding a handheld device, and Aster noticed that there was a giant photo of Damián and him, the result of the walk with Lady Elisabeth. Both wore masks and sunglasses to avoid recognition. However, the priceless expensive rings attracted a lot of attention.
Aster could already imagine the sensationalist headlines that would appear in the media because of these photos.
After ending the call, Callum looked at Aster, as if he was pondering something.
"You'll be going with me on a two-day business trip," Callum said.
Aster replied, "And what shall I do there?"
"Will I be naked, waiting for you to come back from your important business meetings so we can have intimate moments?" teased Aster sarcastically.
Immediately, he felt Callum's pheromones invading his senses. It was hard for Aster to ignore that omega part that just wanted to do what his Alpha told him to do.
"You'll take care of your business. And I'll take care of my gallery," Aster retorted.
"I won't be back until Friday night, Aster," Callum said.
"I need to work, Callum," Aster replied.
At that moment, the two found themselves at an impasse.
"I need you to agree to go with me, Aster," Callum insisted.
"I can't give up my life and my job for your sake, Callum," Aster replied firmly.
Callum looked Aster in the eye and said, "Then you agree to come with me. You need to be obedient and understanding!"
Maybe now was the time to try to smooth over the relationship. However, Aster knew that sooner or later, they would inevitably come into conflict. It was only a matter of time. He felt like fleeing in the opposite direction of the course of events.
Feeling like a machine gun loaded with various conflicting feelings, Aster replied softly:
"I'm happy to be here. Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve it."
Aster interlaced his fingers at chest height, tugging at them in an eager motion. He gesticulated carefully, trying to express himself correctly and coherently with his words.
Aster wanted to say something, but he still hadn't found the right words. He knew he needed to approach the situation carefully, so he took a deep breath and began:
"Thank you for being a part of my life. I love you so much."
Callum looked at Aster, surprised. Aster immediately regretted his words.
"Do I love you so much?"
Maybe it was too romantic or intense. In the next instant, Aster tried to soften and divert his attention from the statement again.
The twinkle in Callum's eyes was replaced by flames of carnal lust.
"Oh, yes," he admitted without a trace of apparent falsehood.
Callum cracked a smile, but his gaze was piercing.
Callum always woke up with vibrant energy, ready to conquer the world. During sex, he loved to show off his dominant side, exploring intense and pleasurable sensations. Even though it was only five in the morning, Callum's body craved his morning activity, waking up with an electric tingle on his skin.
This situation made Aster wonder...
Did Callum share the same lifestyle with his ex-fiancée?
However, Aster knew he couldn't inquire or speculate about Callum's love life. After all, the ex-fiancée was the protagonist of the book, which meant that Callum and Clarice must have many affinities and possible compatibilities. These intriguing thoughts aroused a mixture of curiosity and doubt in Aster, who wondered if Callum and Clarice's paths could have crossed in some way before.
Callum decided to spare Aster the personal persecution Clarice Phillips had gone through and didn't want Aster to be impressed.
Although they had only been together for two months, they had already had many intense experiences together.
Aster was an orphan, and their first meeting was like an erupting volcano.
"Followed by an escape from a hospital," Callum recalled, gently stroking Aster's face and kissing him.
It was his duty to protect his omega, for whom he felt stronger and stronger feelings.
"I'm not going to let anyone hurt you," Callum said with determination.
He brushed a lock of hair away from Aster's forehead and continued, "I promise, I want you always with me."
To Callum, Aster represented the best part of him. The part he loved and always would, eternally.
At work, Aster spent the whole morning without concentration, he was angry and in a bad mood, like a very difficult person. It was as if he was channeling the worst side of Damián on his worst days.
Of course, he had already regretted being rude to the messenger, having a fight with a marketing assistant, and being rude to Emeline for laughing on the phone, even though he had so much work to do.
Damián watched Aster intently when he saw him grab a briefcase and knock on a drawer.
He felt the coldness in Aster's eyes, and the smile instantly disappeared from his face.
Damián asked seriously in his voice, "What happened?"
Aster replied dejectedly, "What does this family expect from me?" He held the briefcase like a shield. "The witch?"
"Wait for me to disappear," Aster continued sadly.
Damián was silent for a moment, understanding Aster's frustration. Then, he said empathetically, "What about the son?"
Aster sighed and replied, "They expect me to be patiently home and available for an intimate relationship in the morning, or whenever Callum wants me."
There was a tone of disappointment in his voice as he concluded, "It's depressing, but I realize that's what that family expects of me."
The next day, Callum Campbell's private plane is an exclusive luxury jet with a sleek, streamlined design. The interior is spacious and luxurious, with soft leather seats and reclining seats, providing maximum comfort to passengers.
To ensure safety, the entire journey and even on the plane there were highly trained security guards.
Sitting in a comfortable armchair, Aster felt like an outsider on a date with a multibillion-dollar investor in a conglomerate. The tension was present, making him uncomfortable as he listened to Callum and his assistant's conversation.
Sometime later, as he opened the lid of the drink he had taken from his bag, Aster felt a wave of excitement and nervousness coursing through his body. It was as if the simple action of opening the drink could interrupt that conversation about numbers, results, and investments.
Suddenly, as if part of a dramatic device, Callum stood up, took the drink from Aster's hand, and opened his drink. Callum's careful and thoughtful gesture surprised Aster, causing him to momentarily become unresponsive.
The surprise was so great that Aster ended up choking on the drink, causing it to come out of his nose as he sneezed loudly. Embarrassed, he quickly used his hands to reach for a handkerchief and fix that pitiful scene. Apologizing, he blew his stuffy nose and wiped away a few tears that arose due to the unusual situation.
Callum's assistant watched the scene before his eyes, unable to believe what he was witnessing. Although Aster was handsome, had a good personality, and a beautiful body, the assistant still wondered how this young man won over Callum Campbell. To him, Aster was like an alien who had enchanted his boss. Is it just because it's omega-dominant? Did dominant pheromones work differently?
With these thoughts in mind, the assistant was immersed in reflections. He had met Clarice Phillips first and believed she was the perfect partner for Callum. Aster's presence in their lives left him intrigued and questioning.
As he continued to watch Aster and Callum, the assistant couldn't help but notice the omega's unique face. Her eyes shone like fox-shaped stars; her rosy cheeks conveyed a liveliness that contrasted with her pale skin. His lips were red and shiny, but his eyes didn't seem to contain any trace of malice or falsehood.
But on an airplane that had something to drink or eat, why would anyone carry their vitamin drink?