"If you can't even manage a simple financial report, how the hell do you ever expect to get a proper job here? Do it again!"

The report is carelessly flung onto the desk, its papers splaying out haphazardly amidst the clutter. Kaoru attentively collects each sheet, forming them back into a cohesive unit, and then cradles the report against his chest before bending at the waist in a deep bow. 

His eyes focus intently on the polished floor beneath him, a picture of deference.

"Yes, sir. I apologise, sir."

Although his face remains impassive, a storm brews beneath the surface. With his head bowed and his face hidden from view, his upper lip curls into a snarl.

You're just making me do your work, asshole! Do you really think an intern should be reviewing the financial reports of the entire sales division? Lazy ass, do it yourself!

"Alright," Dong-Geun, the sales director– and Kaoru's boss– grunts, thus releasing Kaoru from his bow. "Get to it, then."

Kaoru straightens, nodding once more before retreating from Dong-Geun's desk. He forces a smile that barely masks the grimace of ire twisting his features.

And can you not control your damn pheromones? Just being in the office is bad enough, but standing next to you is absolutely unbearable! Goddamn musk monger.

Kaoru makes his way back to his cramped workspace in the far corner of the bullpen, a sprawling open-plan office teeming with activity. The walls are a sterile white, adorned with generic inspirational posters that do little to break the monotony. Fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow over the sea of aligned desks, each cluttered with stacks of paperwork, computer monitors, and personal knickknacks. 

As he navigates through the jungle of workstations, Kaoru's thoughts darken, his frown deepening with each step. He fruitlessly shields his nose, trying to block out the lingering stench of Dong-Geun's pheromones clinging to his clothes like an unwanted ghost. 

With a resigned sigh, he collapses into his worn-out chair, the familiar creak a small comfort amidst the busy environment.

Kaoru's head droops back onto the chair's headrest, his weary gaze tracing the uniform pattern of square ceiling tiles above. The lights flicker slightly, a cold light that does nothing to warm the oppressive atmosphere of the office.

"Gotta do whatever they want if I want to get hired." He mutters to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose in a futile attempt to ward off the headache brewing behind his eyes. 

A sigh escapes his lips, a soft puff of air that gently tousles his long golden bangs.

Securing this internship had felt like a miracle, a rare stroke of luck in his turbulent life. A jobless omega with no formal education to back him up, Kaoru had never expected to find a foothold in a company like the Kyeong Corporation, a world-renowned department store and pharmaceutical company.

Maybe they had an omega inclusion program, something Kaoru hadn't been aware of. The thought offers little comfort as he contemplates the endless challenges ahead.

Forcing himself to focus, Kaoru shakes off the thoughts and straightens the paperwork in front of him with meticulous care. Despite the lively surroundings of the office, he finds solace in organisation, in the small, controlled actions that help him maintain a semblance of order in his life.

Kaoru glances around the bullpen, noting the chatter and bustle of his colleagues. The office hums with activity, a stark contrast to the quiet solitude he craves. Most of his coworkers are alphas or betas, exuding confidence and assertiveness. As an omega, he always feels out of place, an anomaly in this structured corporate world.

It's so tiresome. 

The office politics, the constant undercurrent of pheromones, and the subtle power plays– it's all exhausting. Each interaction is a minefield, where passive aggressiveness is cloaked in a mask of faux politeness, making it nearly impossible to confront issues directly like Kaoru would prefer.

Kaoru's discomfort is a constant companion, a blanket of unease that weighs heavily on his shoulders. He feels it acutely in the presence of his colleagues, their pheromones a tangible reminder of the hierarchy he despises. 

It's a far cry from his school days, where confrontation was direct and unmasked. Here, every word, every gesture, is laden with hidden meanings and unspoken rules.

Once my position is guaranteed, Kai and I-

Kaoru's thoughts are abruptly interrupted by the bothersome chatter of nearby officemates. Normally, he tunes out their idle gossip, but one particular word snags his attention, making his ears perk up involuntarily.

"... Dong-Geun is bad enough already; I know he's gonna work us to death while trying to impress the prince. Now that he's here, maybe he'll be able to put a stop to the layoffs."

Kaoru sits upright in his chair, his heart suddenly pounding in his chest. 

Layoffs? 

That's the last thing he wants to hear. 

What's the point of hiring an intern if layoffs are on the horizon?

He forces himself to take a deep breath, mumbling to himself under his breath, "No reason to panic just yet."

The thought of losing this lifeline grips him with icy fear, but he tries to remain rational. It's possible the layoffs will be over by the time he secures a permanent position. 

They might just be experiencing a rough quarter. 

By the time it's over, they'll need to rehire, and who better than the intern who's already been working for them? 

He just needs to keep his head down, work diligently, and stay out of trouble. If he doesn't give anyone a reason to doubt his abilities, he might scrape by unnoticed.

With a deep breath, Kaoru refocuses on his work. The financial report in front of him demands his attention, and he dives in with meticulous care. Each keystroke is deliberate, each calculation precise. It's a small way to assert control, to find order amidst the chaos of life.

The path ahead is fraught with challenges, but Kaoru will face it head-on. His eyes burn with determination, a testament to the strength that has carried him through so much already. 

He's not just working for himself, after all. 

And with that thought anchoring him, he tackles the tasks before him, ready to endure whatever it takes to succeed.

But, he just can't shake the worry.

"Everybody! Stand up and greet the newbie properly!"

At Dong-Geun's command, Kaoru wordlessly rises from his seat, his gaze fixed on the floor as his mind churns with troubling thoughts about the layoffs. His desk, situated at the far back corner of the bustling work floor, ensures that no one will notice the intern lost in his own worries.

Kaoru chews on the inside of his cheek, savouring the sharp sting as the soft skin presses between his molars and tears away. It's a small, grounding pain amidst the sea of anxiety threatening to overwhelm him.

He absolutely cannot afford to get laid off. 

The memory of being rejected by other prestigious companies because of his status lingers in his mind, a haunting reminder of his precarious position. Working at the Kyeong Corporation is his chance to secure a stable future for himself and Kai. He knows that if he loses this job, no other reputable company would ever consider hiring a pathetic omega like him again.

Working at a pub might be a fallback option, but it's far from the life he envisions. They could survive on that salary, sure, but Kaoru doesn't want to just scrape by. He wants to build a proper life.

The alternative is bleak. 

Kaoru's gaze drifts toward the centre of the room, but remains fixated on the ground until a pair of impeccably polished leather dress shoes catches his eye. They make Dong-Geun's shoes appear shabby in comparison. 

It's a stark reminder of Kaoru's own worn-out hand-me-downs.

His curiosity is piqued by the owner, who outshines even the sales director in footwear. Kaoru's gaze climbs the length of the towering figure, noting the musculature concealed beneath an imposing three-piece suit that, oddly, fails to complement the stranger's appearance. The suit, while meticulously tailored, seems too rigid for the man wearing it.

Despite that small nitpick, it still looks more stunning than if it were worn by an average bystander.

Kaoru's eyes come to rest on a remarkably handsome face. Angular features are softened by a gentle curve of the jawline and youthful cheeks, exuding an air of refined elegance. Dark locks cascade down his forehead, framing a face that commands attention, suggesting a boldness in someone who would only partially style their hair for their first day at the office. Despite the chill in his piercing blue eyes, there's an undeniable allure in their intensity, yet it leaves a lingering curiosity in its wake of something more and unknown.

Handsome as he is, the expression the man wears nearly sends a chill down Kaoru's spine. 

Even without the need for pheromones, Kaoru can discern from the sheer dominance the man exudes that he is undoubtedly an alpha. His presence is overwhelming, a palpable force that seems to command the very air around him.

And yet, what need does he have to look so displeased?

His brows are knitted, his mouth set in a thin line of irritation. Kaoru senses an underlying tension in the alpha, a simmering discontent that belies his polished exterior.

As the imposing alpha converses with Dong-Geun, his gaze sweeps across the office with deliberate precision. His eyes, sharp and penetrating, survey the bustling space, taking note of everyone present. When his eyes eventually settle on Kaoru, he feels a jolt of apprehension shoot through him. The alpha's gaze lingers, and a chill creeps over Kaoru's body, making the small hairs on his arms stand on end.

It's just a fleeting moment, but Kaoru can't help but wonder why he's the focus of the newcomer's prolonged scrutiny. 

Then, it dawns on him: the newcomer knothead likely isn't thrilled about sharing his new workspace with an omega.

The thought makes Kaoru's lip tremble as he struggles to keep his face from contorting into a scowl. His fists clench involuntarily, nails digging into his palms.

He knows he mustn't be confrontational, not when people are already on the chopping block. The instinct to confront this indignity with violence whispers in his ear like an old demon, urging him to unleash the fury he once wielded with unrelenting force. It's a struggle against his darker impulses, the remnants of a violent past that refuse to be neatly tucked away.

But then, in an instant, the alpha's expression transforms. 

It's both unexpected and peculiar; his face erupts with such intense joy and surprise that the angry facade from moments before completely evaporates. 

The change is so dramatic that it leaves Kaoru momentarily stunned, his previously scowling lips slightly agape.

The alpha points a finger directly at Kaoru and exclaims, "Red-Eyed Demon!"