Keeled over the bathroom sink, Kaoru splashes water on his face. He turns off the faucet, the rhythmic dripping of excess water the only sound echoing through the empty restroom, a stark reminder of his solitude.
"It's over." Kaoru mutters, his voice barely above a whisper. "My life. It's so over."
With a defeated sigh, he drops into a squat, his fingers gripping the edge of the countertop. Pressing his face against his forearms, he inhales sharply through his teeth.
Dong-Geun's deadly glare flashes in his mind, a chilling reminder of his precarious situation. The way Dong-Geun had pulled the strange man away, who was still wearing that confusing look, made Kaoru's blood run cold.
His days at this job are numbered.
But beyond that immediate threat, a deeper, more unsettling question gnaws at him: How in the world did that man know about the Red-Eyed Demon? Kaoru had buried that life, or so he thought. Those violent days– he had left it all behind to live a proper life.
To be safe.
To be normal.
Yet, no matter how hard he tries to outrun his past, it always finds a way to catch up to him. He wants to believe that he's more than his past mistakes, that he can protect Kai and build a future free from violence and fear.
Kaoru takes another shaky breath, the stale air of the restroom doing little to calm his racing heart. He rises to his feet and straightens his red houndstooth tie, his fingers lingering on the fabric as he draws strength from the familiar action. Determined to maintain his composure, he stares into the mirror, confronting the exhausted reflection staring back at him.
Despite his fatigue, he prides himself on looking neat and well put together. His sharp red eyes stand out against his fair complexion, a stark reminder of the fierce persona he tries to suppress.
"Alright, okay. It's fine. I'm fine." He says to himself, his voice steadying as he speaks. "I'll just go back and pretend like nothing happened."
He squares his shoulders and heads out of the restroom, adding under his breath, "I'll play dumb, just like how they think an omega should be."
As he strides down the hallway back to the sales department, he passes by a large window. The expansive cityscape sprawls out before him, a sea of buildings and bustling life. For a moment, his thoughts drift, caught by the distant hum of the metropolis.
I hope Kai's settling in well at his new job. He thinks, a pang of worry threading through his mind.
After all, everything Kaoru does is for Kai.
His every step, every sacrifice, is driven by the fierce love he holds for his twin. The thought of Kai struggling gnaws at him, but he pushes it aside, focusing on the task at hand. He needs to stay strong, needs to keep moving forward, if only to ensure Kai's safety and happiness.
As Kaoru nears the sales division, he ducks behind a corner to discreetly peer into the bullpen, scanning for the ghost. The office is a sea of busy workers, their voices blending into a symphony of corporate chatter, but Kaoru's focus is singular.
"What are you looking for?"
Kaoru's mouth opens in a silent scream, his body jerking in surprise.
He quickly composes himself, straightening his tie and clearing his throat to mask his near outburst.
He turns to face the source of the voice and finds himself staring into the inquisitive eyes of his past.
The alpha, who had seemed so intimidating during introductions, now stands before Kaoru with his head tilted and brows raised, resembling a curious puppy more than a threat.
Kaoru exhales deeply, trying to steady his racing heart. There's no point in avoiding this any longer; it's time to grab the bull by the horns.
"Tell me who you are and why you know that name." Kaoru demands, his voice steady and firm.
The alpha continues to stare at Kaoru, his stormy eyes unwavering.
"I love you." He says.
Kaoru nods. He closes his eyes and brings a knuckle up to rest under his chin, a pose of contemplation.
"I see."
"I love you, Red-Eyed Demon." The alpha repeats, his voice softer, more insistent.
"That's not my name!" Kaoru quietly cries out, desperately trying to keep this confrontation discreet despite his urge to scream and tear his hair out. "And what do you mean, you love me!? You don't even know me, and I certainly don't know you!"
"I do." The alpha interjects.
Kaoru's breath catches in his throat. The sincerity in the man's voice is disarming, breaking through the walls Kaoru has so carefully constructed. He steps back, feeling the cool wall against his back, a grounding touch in this surreal moment.
"I do know you, Kaoru. Wait, you don't recognize me?" The alpha asks.
"No." Kaoru seethes through clenched teeth, his anger barely contained.
The alpha's smile returns, softer and more reserved this time, like he's trying to befriend a wild cat. The corners of his lips curl up gently, a stark contrast to the tension in the air.
"That's good." He says.
Kaoru's brow arches as he looks the man up and down. He's frustratingly handsome, with a presence that commands attention. He must be the alpha son of some important figure; otherwise, Dong-Geun wouldn't be kissing his heels.
And yet, Kaoru can't sense the stench of alpha pheromones wafting off him. Usually they're so potent they make Kaoru sick, yet he detects nothing from this man.
Maybe he isn't an alpha, after all.
Kaoru's had enough. He turns abruptly, ready to head back to his desk and leave this bizarre encounter behind.
"Ah, I'm Jae-Hwa! Do you want to play?"
Kaoru stops in his tracks, his expression a mix of irritation and bewilderment as he slowly turns to face Jae-Hwa again.
"Play?" Kaoru repeats incredulously. "If you're working at an office, talk like a grown-up."
"Okay!" Jae-Hwa beams, seemingly unfazed. "Let's go drinking!"
Like vultures on carrion, a few of their coworkers appear, drawn by the prospect of socialising with the new guy. Among them is Chiun, another omega, though Kaoru and he have never been particularly close.
"Jae-Hwa, did you say you're going drinking?" Chiun asks, eyes shining.
"Let's all go tonight to celebrate Jae-Hwa joining us!" Someone else chimes in.
Kaoru chokes down a scoff, his desire to escape mounting. He tries to slink away, but he nearly slams right into Dong-Geun's round belly.
Dong-Geun looms over Kaoru, his eyes boring into him with an intensity that makes Kaoru's skin crawl.
"You're coming too, intern," Dong-Geun says, his voice carrying a subtle but undeniable edge that leaves no room for argument.