Chapter 5

    Do you only want to 'clink' glasses with me?

    Even though there was a variety of food laid out in front of them,

    Kacha did not feel like enjoying any of it.

    Right now, they, along with about four other team members, were sitting in a bar in the city center. Kacha, Nalin, and Ramil were seated at the same table, while the other four team members were at another table not too far away. The evening atmosphere, mixed with the live band's music and the delicious food, should have made the young beta feel relaxed, right?

    But no... Kacha did not feel anything close to that, especially with Ramil sitting across from him, legs crossed, sipping a cocktail and staring at him with an unreadable expression.

    It seemed like Nalin noticed too, so she tried to break the silence by starting a conversation.

    "What kind of photos did you take when you were in England?"

    "Well... just the usual, P'Lin. I can do any style depending on what the client wants."

    "I'm curious, Cha. Have you ever taken photos that were... eye-opening?"

    "Um... I've done nude photography."

    "Nude?"

    "Yes, it was challenging, but I enjoyed it. Playing with the lighting was fun."

    "Really... Didn't you feel embarrassed when..."

    "Yes, sometimes, P'Lin. But back then, I was focused solely on what they wanted. Besides, I see the human body as a form of art. It's more about capturing what the image conveys—whether it's sex... or art. It's quite challenging, actually, to portray a person from multiple perspectives because people aren't one-dimensional. They have beauty, charisma, and a mix of various personalities."

    "You're really talented, my dear. So, how about taking on another job for me tomorrow?"

    "What kind of job?"

    "Tomorrow's the birthday of a certain someone. He wants a photographer to capture moments at the party. It's a simple, laid-back gig; just follow his instructions."

    Kacha was tempted to ask if it was really that simple.

    Because judging by the birthday person's expression, it did not seem easy at all.

    "Are you sure, P'Lin? Ramil doesn't seem... well... he doesn't seem too comfortable with me."

    Kacha swore... when he answered Nalin's question, he was not imagining that the Queen of the Industry had been staring at him without looking away since the beginning. Even though he tried not to make eye contact, he could not help but glance over.

    "So, what do you say? My Cha did a great job today. Should we let him take on the job tomorrow?"

    Ramil did not answer the question but leaned back on the sofa, crossing his long legs as his blue eyes fixed on Kacha's face, slowly swirling the glass in his hand. It was a gesture that made the person being stared at think there was no way he would agree...

    "Alright, I'm too lazy to find someone new anyway."

    At that moment, Kacha was not sure whether to feel happy or disappointed.

    "Okay, then it's settled. I'll just go to the bathroom."

    Whoosh.

    "!!!"

    Hmm, whether he should be happy or disappointed, Kacha did not know, but what he did know was that his eyes widened as Nalin got up from the table, leaving just him and Ramil alone. If he followed his cousin, it would seem rude, but if he picked up his phone to scroll aimlessly, he feared he might be attacked by the other party.

    So, it was obvious how awkward the atmosphere would be from then on.

    Kacha could only swallow nervously as he pretended to sip the cocktail in his glass to ease his anxiety, glancing at the band playing music to kill time. However, that did not help him feel relaxed at all.

    "So, you were serious yesterday, weren't you?"

    "Cough!"

    Kacha choked on his drink as Ramil suddenly brought up the past. He quickly set the glass down and met the eyes of the person in front of him.

    "Wh... what do you mean?"

    "That you weren't secretly photographing me."

    "..."

    "That you just got back from England."

    The younger man slowly pressed his lips together as those blue eyes showed just how serious he was.

    "Yes... just like I said before."

    "Right."

    "..."

    "..."

    "..."

    "Well then..."

    "..."

    "Sorry."

    !!!

    "Sorry for misunderstanding yesterday and thinking you were secretly photographing me."

    Damn...

    Kacha thought he must be hearing things.

    He could not believe the person in front of him was the one apologizing. Just a few hours ago, they were at each other's throats, and he never expected to hear those words from him. Even though Ramil had now turned elsewhere, avoiding eye contact, it was still... truly unexpected.

    It felt like a wall separating something was beginning to crumble.

    "Yes... it's okay. I actually understand. You're a famous person, so it's natural to be cautious. I was stubborn too for not changing my spot."

    The stubborn one chuckled awkwardly and took another sip of his drink. Of course, every move he made was under Ramil's watchful eyes.

    "Yeah... I've had people follow me, take pictures, and harass me. So, I mistakenly thought you might be one of them."

    Even though Ramil's expression seemed indifferent to what had happened, if one looked into those beautiful blue eyes, they would see that was not the case at all. Kacha could only lick his lips slowly, feeling sympathetic.

    "Being famous... has its challenges, doesn't it?"

    "Seems so."

    And with that, the conversation came to a halt.

    Silence enveloped them once more, leaving Kacha feeling awkward, unsure of what to do other than glance at the band on stage again. Even though they understood each other now, there was still something that made him feel uneasy whenever he was around the person in front of him.

    While Kacha was at a loss for how to act,

    "Could you clink glasses with me?"

    Thud.

    A deep voice broke the silence. No, it was not his voice, and it certainly was not Ramil's. It was an invitation from an Alpha who had approached the Queen of the Industry with a smile.

    Guess what happened next?

    Those turquoise eyes glanced up at the newcomer briefly before a charming smile spread across those lips.

    "Do you only want to 'clink' glasses with me?"

    "!!!"

    "Hmm... what do you say?"

    The beautiful Omega traced a finger slowly around the rim of the glass, a gesture that left the Alpha breathless.

    "Uh... well..."

    "..."

    "I mean... I..."

    "You're slow. Just follow me then."

    Clink.

    "!!!"

    Ramil stood up to his full height, raising his cocktail glass to clink with the young Alpha who was left speechless. With deliberate intent, he let his long fingers glide over the Alpha's firm chest, ending with an inviting gaze that left the lucky Alpha utterly entranced, watching the Queen of the Industry lead the way, almost turning a full 180 degrees.

    Even though Kacha was just a Beta and could not sense those pheromones, the way the two looked at each other told him everything about what would happen next.

    "Tell P'Lin that once you’re done, we can head back."

    "W...Wait, Mr. Ra..."

    Whoosh.

    Too late... Ramil had already walked off with that Alpha.

    Kacha watched their figures disappear behind the venue, biting his lip, unsure of what to do while Nalin was away.

    Should he intervene and drag Ramil back? Or should he let it go as Ramil wanted? And if he let it go and Nalin returned, would he get scolded? Would this lead to more scandalous news about Ramil by tomorrow morning? Having never faced such a situation, Kacha's mind was in turmoil until Nalin finally returned.

    "P'Lin, um..."

    "Where did Mil go, Cha?"

    "He... went out with an Alpha."

    "Went out with an Alpha?"

    "Yes, and he said to tell you that once we’re done, we can head back."

    At first, Kacha was worried that Nalin might scold him for letting Ramil go so easily.

    But...

    "Ah, there he goes again!"

    She merely complained and sat down next to him, picking up a cocktail to sip as if nothing had happened.

    "P'Lin... don’t you have to go after him?"

    "Oh, no need. He'll come back when he's had his fun."

    Her response left Kacha blinking in mild surprise, as the image of Ramil's fingers gliding over the young Alpha's chest flashed in his mind again.

    "Is he always like this?"

    "Oh, Cha! Don't get me started. That one is the ultimate flirt, even though he's about to hit thirty tomorrow, he still won't quit. I've told him to tone it down, but he just..."

    Hmm... so it was a don’t get me start that meant, give a couple of hours and she would tell him all about it.

    Since they were family, Nalin did not hold back, sharing every story without restraint. Kacha learned just how dangerous... someone like Ramil could be.

    In truth, he could already guess from Ramil's smile and expression the moment that Alpha walked in. The way he moved and looked was so alluring and mysterious. Even though Kacha did not know what Ramil's scent was, it had to have been so enticing that the lucky Alpha was left weak-kneed just by passing by. Even as a Beta, Kacha could sense it.

    Nalin shared countless stories about Ramil with him, from how they first met to various work experiences. Kacha listened intermittently, thinking that after tomorrow's event, he would not have to see the subject of these stories again.

    Grip!

    It was not until his cousin grabbed his hand with a serious look in her eyes that he started paying full attention.

    "Cha, listen to me."

    "Yes?"

    "If someone like Ramil starts sweet-talking you, don't let yourself fall for it."

    "!!!"

    The statement made Kacha's eyes widen in surprise. He looked at Nalin, confused.

    "What do you mean, P'Lin?"

    "I mean if Mil does that, he's just teasing you. And I don't know how serious someone like Ramil can be with anyone, because so far, I've never seen him in a serious relationship with anyone."

    "Why are you telling me this, P'Lin?"

    "I don't know... I just felt like saying it. Yeah, I'm confused myself. Let's just say I'm giving you a heads-up."

    Nalin's puzzled expression made Kacha chuckle. His cousin had to have had a bit too much cocktail to say something like that.

    "Oh, P'Lin, he doesn't care about me. You saw how we were practically at each other's throats."

    "Yeah... that's true."

    "Exactly. Like when he reached out to shake hands, can I complain that he squeezed my hand really hard?"

    "Really, Cha..."

    Nalin's eyes widened in shock, while the adorable one just let out a soft laugh.

    "Exactly, so you don't need to worry, P'Lin. He would never do something like that to me."

    "But I think..."

    "Besides... I'm not his type. Plus, I'm just a beta. There's no way anything would happen."

    The beta smiled, trying to reassure his cousin. He could not help but think about the alpha's strikingly handsome face from earlier, his height that had to be close to one hundred ninety centimeters, his thick eyebrows, intense eyes, and muscular build that was typical of an alpha. It was a stark contrast to his own smaller beta frame, like comparing opposite poles.

    So the idea that Ramil might like him...

    Well, saying alphas could get pregnant nowadays seemed more plausible.

    That was Kacha's last thought before he took a sip of his drink, feeling at ease, as if it was the first time he could relax since stepping into the bar.

    Meanwhile, Nalin could only let out a dry laugh to herself.

    After all... only a few of Ramil's close friends and Nalin knew the truth.

    That someone as cute as Kacha,

    was actually Ramil's type.