Knox grunted when the back of his collar was pulled off and the heel of his feet raised from the ground. He clung to his front collar and wiggled like a caught animal. The man was tall and strong, lifting Knox easily with one hand.
He looked at the man who carried an elegant aura and a handsome face. His slick black hair was swept back with some strands falling in his face like some male conditioner model, his eyebrows a bit thick, has a straight and pointed nose, thin pale lips, and a defined jawline.
His face was as clear and smooth as a months-old baby. Knox even wondered if he was an omega.
However, his presumption was proven wrong when a thick smell of something like the breeze of the rainforest permeated his nose. Knox's face paled. He struggled to be let down, but the man gripped his collar even tighter.
The man spoke with a deep and angry voice again, "I asked who are you."
Knox glared at the man and said through gritted teeth, "Let me go. I was just hiding from some stalker!"
Azrael raised his brow and let Knox go at his request. It was so sudden and because his knees went numb from crouching, Knox flopped on the floor with a thud. His bottom hit the ground flatly with his knees folded.
Knox groaned and cursed under his breath. His butt hurts as well as his palm which slapped the floor when he used his hand for support. However, before he could yell at the tall man, the man kicked him out of the way and opened the car door in the driver's seat. Then, he drove away.
Fortunately, the debtors that chased Knox were gone, so he went home after the feeling on his lower limbs came back. Now that those bastards knew where to find him, he might need to quit school.
He can always resume his studies, but he doubts he'll go back sane once they catch him. The last thing that Knox wants is to become a prostitute. He'd rather die than be sold around.
Months passed and those guys never came back, or safe to say, they never found where he lives again. The city is large and crowded, so it might take years for them to find him again.
Knox looked up in the sky where fireworks were exploding from the distance. He rested his arms on the head of the scooter and supported his chin. It was just summer back then, now it was already in the middle of the winter season.
Watching the people sitting on the field with blankets under and food surrounding them made him envious. They were filled with a joyous and harmonious atmosphere while chattering with happy faces, ignoring the cold breeze brought by the season and the nighttime.
It looked simple and easy to achieve, yet for Knox, it was a luxury.
He couldn't even buy a cake to celebrate the new year. To dream of watching the fireworks with a full stomach seemed far-fetched for him. Maybe, if he pays all his parent's debt and completely lives a life free from debtors chasing him everywhere, then, he might be able to. But right now, he has a delivery to do.
Knox rubbed his nape after sighing once more. He fixed his cheap and worn-out riding gloves before starting the engine again. Because of the holiday, deliveries are rampant. He had been on the move since the morning and it was already midnight. Luckily, there's only one more left.
He kicked back the stand and revved the engine, then he sped the scooter to his next destination.
"X Building, Room 3702. This is it."
Knox pressed the doorbell but the door didn't open even after a few minutes. He pressed it again, twice this time. Minutes passed and there was still no one. Knox began to feel impatience.
The owner couldn't possibly be tripping him, right? Besides, the delivery is a paid order, so there's no need to prank him. He could just leave the food at the front door since the building is luxurious, and he can be certain no one living there will steal someone's food.
Knox contemplated. The time was weighing on his mind. It was already midnight. At four in the morning, he has to come to work in a breakfast diner to help with the cooking. Folks who celebrated the new year outside will soon be rushing to dining establishments. It'll be another hectic day. He needs to rest as soon as possible.
Knox rang the doorbell again. Finally, the door opened and a head peeked out. Then, a gruff voice followed.
"What do you need?"
Knox lifted the two boxes of pizzas and two boxes of spicy fried chicken in a plastic bag, "Delivery."
The man, furrowing his eyebrows, answered impatiently, "I didn't order."
He tried to close the door, but Knox slipped his foot and stopped him. Once more, he will try to insist on the food once more, if the man still doesn't take it, then, that will be his dinner for the day and breakfast for tomorrow.
Knox showed the receipt and read the address to the man who looked like someone ready to punch an obstinate deliveryman, "X Building, Room 3702. It's here, look."
He gave the receipt to the cranky guy. The latter took it, letting go of the door. Because of that, the door opened widely, and the scent inside permeated his nose. Knox shuddered from the pungent aroma coming from the room.
The scent of forest.
Knox was immediately reminded of that one unlucky day. He frowned and stared at the man. Studying his face, Knox was certain he was that man. He has to leave but he can't help but comment instead.
"Are you always walking spreading your pheromones everywhere?"
Azrael froze behind the door. Slowly, he raised his eyelids and dropped his gaze at the deliveryman. His face darkened. He pursed his lips while crumpling the receipt in his hand.
Then, Azrael spat dangerously, "You're an omega…?"
Knox furrowed his brows as if he heard something unpleasant to the ear, and answered with the same dislike in his voice, "No. I'm a beta."
Azrael paused his threatening aura. He tilted his head and replied, "You can smell my pheromones."
Knox answered without breaking his gaze, "It was too thick you're showering it all over."
Azrael went quiet for a while thinking – it's true…if he was an omega, then he'd be stripping and crying on his scent already. But even a beta can't endure my pheromone, so how come he looks just fine?
Knox held out the plastic bags to Azrael and said, "Take it if you've confirmed it already."
However, Azrael grabbed not the bags but Knox's hands instead, pulling him in and asking him with hopeful eyes, "Hey, why don't you work for me?"