"But I want ice cream!" Mali stomped her foot, her small voice echoing through the aisle of the grocery store. A few people glanced our way, some amused, others annoyed. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. This was exactly why I avoided bringing her shopping.
"Mali," I said, trying to keep my voice calm, "we only have enough money for food. If I buy you ice cream, we won't have enough for dinner."
She pouted, her big, teary eyes looking up at me. "But it's just one little ice cream…"
I crouched down to her level, trying to reason with her. "I know you really want it, but do you want me to make you something yummy for dinner? Like fried rice? Or maybe noodles?" I offered, hoping to distract her.
She crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. "I want fried rice and ice cream."
I sighed again, realizing I was losing this battle. "Mali, how about this? If we save enough money this week, I'll get you ice cream on Sunday. Deal?"
Her eyes lit up, the tantrum forgotten in an instant. "Really? Promise?"
I nodded, holding out my pinky. "Pinky promise."
She hooked her tiny pinky around mine, a smile spreading across her face. "Okay, but it better be chocolate."
"Deal," I said, standing back up and grabbing the shopping basket. "Now let's finish up here before we're late getting home."
As we moved through the aisles, Mali chattered away, her earlier outburst completely forgotten.
As we got to the produce section I looked around for good cheap meat, searching that I didn't even notice Mali slip away from me. Only a few minutes later as I picked out the perfect meat for a cheap price is when I noticed she was no where to be seen.
My heart immediately dropped. I spun around, scanning the area, but there was no sign of her. "Mali?" I called, my voice rising with panic. No response. I quickly left my basket on the shelf and started walking through the aisles, my eyes darting around for any sign of her tiny frame.
"Mali!" I called again, louder this time. Shoppers glanced at me, some looking sympathetic, others uninterested. My stomach churned as worst-case scenarios flooded my mind.
She was just here. How far could she have gone?
I retraced our steps, checking the candy and ice cream aisles first. Of course, there she was—standing in front of the ice cream freezer, her face pressed against the glass, staring longingly at the brightly colored tubs.
Before I could call out to her Narin and Sang walked up behind her, "do you need help?" Ran asked tapping her shoulder slightly. Mali quickly turned to face them nervous, but as soon as she recognized Ran a big smile flashed on her face.
"You're the nice Phi that bought me paint!" She rejoiced.
"Where's you're brother, why are you here?" He asked.
"I want chocolate ice cream but P'Nat won't buy it for me." She pouted.
Niran crouched down to her level, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Is that so? Chocolate ice cream is pretty hard to resist." He glanced around, clearly looking for me. "But you shouldn't wander off on your own. Your brother must be worried."
Sang, ever watchful, stepped closer, his arms crossed. "Do you want us to help you find him?"
Mali tilted her head, still pouting. "P'Nat is probably in the meat section. He always takes forever to pick stuff."
Niran chuckled softly and stood. "Alright, let's go find him before he freaks out." He offered his hand to Mali, who hesitated for a second but then took it, her small fingers wrapping around his.
As they walked toward the produce section, I came rushing around the corner, my breath uneven and my heart pounding. The second I saw Mali with them, relief washed over me like a tidal wave.
"Mali!" I called, hurrying over. "Where were you? I told you not to wander off!"
Mali let go of Niran's hand and ran to me, her face a mix of guilt and excitement. "I'm sorry, P'Nat! But look—the nice phi form the paint store found me."
As Mali clung to my side, her small hands clutching my shirt, I turned to Niran and Sang, my face a mix of gratitude and embarrassment. "Thank you so much for finding her. I… I don't know what I'd have done if something happened."
Niran shrugged nonchalantly, his hands in his pockets. "She wasn't far. Just mesmerized by the ice cream aisle." He smirked slightly, his gaze flicking to Mali. "She's quite the adventurer."
Mali grinned up at him. "I wasn't scared, P'Nat. I knew someone would find me!"
"That's not the point, Mali," I said, exhaling sharply. "You can't just run off like that. It's dangerous."
She pouted, her lips trembling just enough to make me feel guilty for scolding her. "I just wanted to look at the ice cream, that's all."
Niran stepped in, his voice calm but firm. "She's fine, and now you've found her. No need to stress out too much." He glanced at Mali and added with a teasing grin, "Though you do owe your brother an apology for making him worry."
Mali tilted her head and tugged at my hand. "I'm sorry, P'Nat. I won't do it again. Promise."
I sighed, my anger melting away as I ruffled her hair. "Alright, but you stay with me from now on. No more running off."
"Okay!" she chirped.
"Speaking of ice cream," Niran added, raising an eyebrow at me, "are you really going to let her leave here without at least one tub? She's been eyeing it like it's the crown jewel of this grocery store."
I gave him a sheepish look, my face heating up. "We're just here for the essentials… I can't afford extras right now."
Niran waved me off dismissively. "Don't worry about it. I've got this."
Before I could protest, he nodded to Sang, who silently turned and walked toward the frozen section.
"Niran, really, that's not necessary—"
"Relax," he interrupted, his tone casual. "It's just ice cream. Consider it a little reward for her staying brave."
Mali lit up like a firework, practically bouncing on the spot. "Thank you, P'Ran! You're the best!"
I opened my mouth to argue again, but Niran's expression stopped me. His usual aloofness was softened by something genuine, almost kind, and I found myself nodding reluctantly.
——————————
As we checked out Ran bought her a lollipop and said his goodbyes, all his attention was on her he acted as if I wasn't around them. Like I was some stranger to him.
"See again next time, make sure not to stress out p'Nat okay." He said fluffing out her hair.
"Okay!" She smiled and nodded.
He looked up at me smiled and walked away, "get home safe." P'Sang said slightly bowing and walked away.
I watched them leave, feeling an odd mix of gratitude and frustration swirling inside me. Niran's casual dismissal stung more than I wanted to admit. Sure, he was kind to Mali, but the way he treated me—like I didn't even exist—left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Mali tugged at my hand, breaking my train of thought. "P'Nat, he's so nice! Do you think he'll buy me ice cream again next time?"
I forced a smile, trying to match her excitement. "Maybe. But let's not rely on him for treats, okay? That's my job."
She nodded, swinging the bag of groceries in her other hand. "But you never buy me lollipops."
I laughed lightly, ruffling her hair. "I will next time, I promise."
As we made our way home, I couldn't shake the image of Niran walking away without a second glance. I knew I shouldn't care—this was just a job, and he was just a client. But something about his behavior gnawed at me. He'd been warm and attentive to Mali, yet cold and indifferent to me.
Was it something I did? Or was this just how he was?
By the time we got home, I'd pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on Mali's chatter and unpacking the groceries. Life was too complicated already—I didn't need to add Niran's mood swings to the mix.
"P'Nat," Mali said as she helped put the vegetables in the fridge, "do you think P'Ran likes me?"
I looked at her, startled by the question. "Of course he does. Why would you ask that?"
She shrugged, her little hands fiddling with a packet of noodles. "He's really nice to me. Nicer than you, sometimes."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "That's because I'm your big brother. It's my job to keep you in line."
She giggled, finally turning her attention back to the fridge. But her words stayed with me.
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2 days later Niran's pov:
As we sat at the dinner table peacefully eating I a comfortable silence, Until Mom started asking about my sessions. I mean why now, it's already hard trying to act like I care so why would she bring it up?!
"Lately Nat hasn't been coming around, did something happen between you two?" She asked.
"No, everything is perfectly fine." I replied.
"I just told him not to come since I feel much better and I didn't want to over work a sick person." I added.
She slightly nodded in understanding, "Dr. Han said his first rut took a toll on him, maybe we should just end the contract with him." Dad stepped int to the conversation.
"His already a inexperienced recessive Alpha, so who knows what will happen if he goes into rut around you." He added.
"Then Ran has to help him out, after all he is his omega." P'Akara teased.
I shot a glare at him, "what you can't tell me that you guys aren't meant to be, his literally the only alpha who you are comfortable with when it comes to pheromones." He shrugged his shoulders.
"I think you should end the contract Ran. You wouldn't want to for his Rut to trigger around you." P'Arisa added. "You might end up getting hurt, or getting marked unconsensually. If you get marked by him you will be tied with him forever." She said.
I understood what they were all saying but I really didn't care, all that was in my head was the tired looking alpha. For someone young like him he looked like he had aged 10 years, dark circles underneath his eyes, messy hair, wrinkled clothes one ripped up pair of shoes.
No one saw the struggle he was going through, I knew he also didn't want anything between us to happen but you will do anything to put food on the table for your mom and sister.
"The contract isn't getting terminated until I say so, it's my treatment and I say when I'm done with it." I spoke up.
The room fell silent after my statement, everyone's eyes turning to me. Dad put down his utensils and fixed me with a stern look. "Ran, this isn't just about what you want. This is about your safety."
"I understand that," I replied, keeping my tone even, "but this isn't your decision to make. Nat is helping me in ways no one else could. It's my treatment, and I'll decide when it's over."
P'Akara raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "You're awfully defensive about this, Ran. Are you sure it's just about the sessions?"
My glare deepened. "Not everything is about romance or instincts, P'Akara. Some people do things because they're decent human beings."
"Decent human beings don't put themselves in dangerous situations," P'Arisa cut in. "You might feel fine now, but what if his rut triggers again? You can't predict what will happen then."
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my frustration in check. "If it does, I'll deal with it. Nat isn't some wild animal. He's trying his best, and I won't throw him aside just because it's inconvenient."
Mom's soft voice broke through the tension. "Ran, no one is asking you to throw him aside. We just want to make sure you're safe. That boy… he's already struggling. Maybe stepping away would be kinder for both of you."
Her words stung more than I wanted to admit. I didn't want to think about what Nat might be going through, but it was impossible to ignore the image of his tired face.
"I'll talk to him," I said finally, my voice quiet but firm. "But the contract stays, at least for now."
Dad sighed, clearly displeased, but he didn't push further. P'Akara smirked but said nothing, and P'Arisa exchanged a glance with Mom.
Dinner resumed in uncomfortable silence, but my thoughts were far from the table. All I could think about was Nat—and the weight he seemed to carry alone.
TBC