"Yoon Haeun, you've got to stop hiding like a child!" Yoon Minho voice cut through the calm of the office, laced with both frustration and affection.
Haeun's heart sank as he straightened up from his futile attempt to find a hiding spot. He was too late— His mother had already arrived. The door to Haeun's office swung open, revealing, Yoon Minho, in his usual impeccably tailored suit. His presence, marked by a sharp gaze and authoritative stance, filled the room with an undeniable gravity.
Haeun forced a smile as he faced his mother. "Mum, I didn't expect you so soon where's dad, you guys are usually like bear and honey it's surprising he didn't follow you this time."
Yoon Minho walked in with a purposeful stride, clearly unfazed by Haeun's lack of enthusiasm. "You're 27 years old, Haeun. It's time you stopped behaving like a child. This constant hiding act is becoming tiresome and your father he's waiting for me downstairs, I just dropped by because I had something to tell you.."
Yoon Minho smiled as he wiped the dust off Haeun's head.
Haeun sighed, knowing that the conversation would soon shift to his love life. "Yes, Mum. I understand."
Yoon Minho's expression softened momentarily, but the concern remained. "How's your health? Are you still seeing the doctor Choi regularly?"
"I'm fine," Haeun replied, his tone weary. "I see the doctor Choi during my appointments."
Yoon Minho nodded, his face turning serious again. "Good. Now, about what I wanted to tell you. I've found a new alpha for you. I want you to have dinner with him tonight. He's a promising match, and I think you'll find him interesting and he's very handsome aigoo!."
Haeun's stomach churned at the thought of yet another arranged dinner. "Mum, I'm not sure if—"
"No arguments," Yoon Minho interrupted firmly. "You need to take these matters seriously. You can't keep avoiding them. You're already 27 and you haven't gotten your first heat cycle, that makes me very worried as you're a dominant omega."
Haeun's shoulders slumped in resignation. His mother's insistence was unrelenting, as always. "Alright, Mum. I'll go."
Yoon Minho's expression softened slightly, satisfaction evident in his eyes. "Good. I'm confident you'll get along with him. He's different from the others, but I believe he's worth your time plus he's very handsome, if it's not worth it at least he got a feast for your eyes."
As Yoon Minho continued to speak, Haeun's mind drifted, already bracing for another evening of enforced socializing. He wondered, as he often did, if he would ever find someone who truly understood him or if he would simply be following the path laid out by his mother's relentless plans.
"Haeun," Minho's voice pulled him back to the present, "you know I only want what's best for you."
"I know, Mum," Haeun replied, trying to keep the weariness out of his voice. "But sometimes, I just—"
"Sometimes, you just what?" Minho interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "You think you can avoid this forever? You're already 27, Haeun. Your father and I were your age when we started our family."
Haeun flinched inwardly at the comparison, knowing it was coming but still feeling the sting. "I'm not avoiding it, Mum. I just… haven't found the right person yet."
"And how will you find them if you refuse to meet the alphas I introduce to you?" Minho's tone softened, but the underlying firmness remained. "You can't keep pushing this away. Your health, your future, it all depends on making the right connections."
Haeun swallowed hard, his mind racing for an excuse, a way out of this conversation, but nothing came to mind. He knew there was no point in arguing. Once his mother set his mind on something, there was no changing it.
"Alright," Haeun finally said, his voice quiet. "I'll go to the dinner."
Yoon Minho's stern expression softened into a smile. "Good. You'll see, Haeun. This alpha could be exactly what you need. He's intelligent, successful, and comes from a good family. You'll like him."
Haeun offered a small nod, though doubt lingered in his mind. He'd heard this speech too many times before, and each time, the result had been the same—disappointment and a growing sense of dread about his future.
As Minh rose to leave, he placed a hand on Haeun's shoulder, his voice warm and gentle. "I only want you to be happy, Haeun. But happiness doesn't always come easily. Sometimes, you have to work for it. I know you don't like me matchmaking you with alpha so this will be the last time, I'll let you find someone you like yourself if this one doesn't work out."
Haeun looked up at his mother, his gaze meeting Minho's intense, yet caring eyes. "Thank you. mum, you can do now don't keep dad waiting for too long."
With a final nod, Minho turned and left the office, leaving Haeun alone with his thoughts. The room felt emptier now, the weight of the conversation settling heavily on his shoulders.
Haeun let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back in his chair. Another dinner, another alpha, another night of pretending to be interested in someone he felt no connection with. It was exhausting.
Staring out the window at the cityscape, Haeun's mind wandered to the evening ahead. He knew he would have to play the part of the dutiful son, smiling politely and making small talk with this new alpha. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in his chest.
How long can I keep doing this? he wondered, closing his eyes as the weight of expectation pressed down on him once more.