WHEW.

Cho Euntak was finally able to breathe again once Baek Jeho and Baek Jaedong left the room.

The father-and-son duo could fight outside— away from him.

It’s embarrassing that I get affected by my fellow Alphas’ pheromones. But what can I do? I’m just a Recessive Alpha. It’s only natural that I’m weaker than the average Alpha, especially since I’ve lived as a Beta most of my life.

"Euntak-ssi, here."

Oh.

Cho Euntak automatically received the small brown envelope that Kim Minjae handed to him with both hands.

Yes, he knew who Kim Minjae was.

But the man was still older than him, so he couldn’t act rudely.

I know that Baek Jeho hates him, so I’ll keep him at arm’s length.

"Let me know if the amount isn’t enough, Euntak-ssi."

Ah.

As expected, the small envelope contained money.

"I know that giving you money isn’t enough compensation, but I still want to show you how sorry I am," Kim Minjae said, bowing. "I’m sorry that you got hurt because of my carelessness."

"It’s alright, sir. I accept your apology. And this compensation is enough. Thank you for apologizing, even though the incident wasn’t really your fault."

Cho Euntak did tell Baek Jeho that he would ask for monetary compensation.

But he had no intention to keep Kim Minjae’s money.

I’m going to donate this to the animal shelter I often visit with Sohee Hyung and Sera Noona.

"Uhm, Euntak-ssi, just to be clear, that money is from me. Not from the café, not from Jaedong-ssi," Kim Minjae explained awkwardly. "I admit that I receive allowance from Jaedong-ssi, but it’s just his own way of taking care of me. I’m not financially dependent on him."

I really didn’t want to know that...

But Cho Euntak just kept his mouth shut.

"I have a job. I’m a clinical pharmacist, so I make my own money."

"Ah, I see."

An awkward silence ensued.

I’m not being rude— I just really have nothing to say.

"Euntak-ssi, I know I don’t have the right to ask you a favor, but please don’t stop coming to my friend’s café just because of me," Kim Minjae said, obviously embarrassed. "I don’t work there, and I don’t visit often either. I don’t want my friend to lose a regular customer just because of me. I’ll feel bad for him since he treasures the café. He worked hard to build it after leaving his unsupportive family."

Ah.

Well, to be fair, Cho Euntak was thinking about not coming to the café anymore.

But if Kim Minjae wouldn’t be coming there again, then maybe it should be fine.

Unreal was a special hangout place for Cho Euntak, Park Sohee, and Hong Sera, after all.

That café has witnessed the birth of the Crybabies.

"Alright, sir. I understand," Cho Euntak said carefully. "I’ll continue being a regular at your friend’s café."

Kim Minjae’s face beamed. "Thank you, Euntak-ssi."

***

"HOW’S your mother?"

"Mom is in therapy," Baek Jeho answered his father’s question bluntly. "She had a mental breakdown after your divorce."

If he weren’t worried about Cho Euntak, he would have yelled at his father already.

But they were at the emergency exit, only a few steps away from Cho Euntak’s room.

As a Dominant Alpha, his stinky pheromones were seriously strong. He was afraid that they might reach Cho Euntak and suffocate him again, so he suppressed his anger.

"Take good care of your mom, Baek Jeho."

"I don’t want to hear that from you, Abeoji."

"Let’s stop fighting, son."

"Then stop talking about my mother. We don’t need you, so stop pretending that you care about us."

"I care about you and your mother."

"You have a funny way of showing it, Abeoji."

His father let out a frustrated sigh. "Baek Jeho, do you hate me that much?"

"I do," Baek Jeho answered bluntly. "And don’t expect me to forgive you for ruining my mother, Abeoji."

***

"EUNTAK-ah, are you sure about dating my immature son?"

Aigoo.

Cho Euntak was afraid Baek Jeho would explode again because of Baek Jaedong’s teasing.

Thankfully, his boyfriend only let out a sigh.

Maybe Baek Jeho is holding back for my sake.

It probably also helped that Kim Minjae had already stepped out of the room.

He knows that he’s the reason Baek Jeho and Uncle Jaedong are fighting.

"Yes, Uncle," Cho Euntak answered Baek Jaedong’s question sincerely. "I’m 100% sure about Jeho. He’s the only one I want."

He didn’t mean to sound so cheesy, but he wanted to improve Baek Jeho’s mood.

Luckily, it worked.

Baek Jeho’s face instantly lit up, and the brat was now looking at Cho Euntak like a dog who wanted to lick his owner.

He could even see imaginary dog ears and a wagging tail on Baek Jeho.

"Well, as long as you know what you’re doing," Baek Jaedong said, sighing as if he had no choice but to approve Cho Euntak’s relationship with Baek Jeho, even though they didn’t ask for his blessing. "Take care of my son, Euntak-ah."

"No need to be formal with me now."

Cho Euntak blushed. "Father-in-law..."

Baek Jaedong looked satisfied. "Welcome to the family, Euntak-ah."

Cho Euntak only smiled and nodded politely.

Baek Jeho, on the other hand, rolled his eyes while muttering to himself: "You’re no longer a part of our family, Abeoji."

Aigoo.

***

"I’M SORRY, Euntak-ah."

Cho Euntak knew why Baek Jeho was kneeling in front of him with his chin resting on Cho Euntak’s knees, carefully avoiding the leg that was burned by the hot latte.

As usual, Baek Jeho was giving Cho Euntak his puppy-dog eyes.

Why does Baek Jeho keep kneeling in front of me these days?

"I should have suppressed my anger," Baek Jeho said. "Then you wouldn’t have been suffocated by my pheromones. I’ll be careful from now on."

Oh.

To be honest, Cho Euntak didn’t really consider himself as an Alpha since he had lived his life as a Beta.

But, right now, he started to feel bad for being a weak Alpha.

Maybe I should have stayed as a Beta— at least, Baek Jeho’s pheromones wouldn’t have affected me if I hadn’t manifested my Secondary Gender.

Or maybe it would have been better had Cho Euntak manifested as an Omega.

Ah, bad thoughts.

"Euntak-ah, are you okay?"

"I’m hungry," Cho Euntak said because he didn’t have the courage to be honest with Baek Jeho at the moment. "Let’s eat something delicious before we go home, Jeho-ya."

And Cho Euntak would later regret changing the topic that day instead of being honest.

***

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