Chapter 5 Bitter Americano

“Addy!”

Hearing his name being called, the Alpha stopped walking in the university hallway. The sexy tan-skinned forehead frowned in surprise because he felt foreign to the figure of a tall man who wore a wide smile that made his bunny teeth look scary.

“Who? Do I know you.” Addy's sharp eyes and flat face succeeded in making the rabbit-toothed man nervous.

“My name is, Daniel. I'm a student from the department of informatics engineering.” Daniel cheerfully shook Addy's hand, which felt rough in his soft palm.

Realizing that they were both the center of attention, Addy suddenly let go of his hand roughly. He felt uncomfortable with the gazes of those around him, who seemed to mock him.

“What is the real purpose of you meeting me?” asked Addy. One look, he knew that Daniel was also an Alpha like him.

“Can we sit on the park bench first? There is something important you should know,” Daniel replied.

Addy sighed in annoyance because his time would again be wasted, if he was dealing with the rabbit-toothed Alpha's babble in front of him.

"Okay. Just ten minutes because after this, I have to work.”

“Yes!” shouted Daniel with his right hand punching the air. Alpha was happy that he finally managed to invite Addy, who is famous for being smart, quiet, and super busy.

The two Alphas with towering, tall bodies walked together towards the university park bench. In the afternoon like this, the park is already quiet because almost all the students have gone home. They sat on chairs near a tall fountain with a statue of a Greek fairy carrying a barrel filled with water.

“So, briefly explain your intentions and goals for taking me in a private conversation like this,” Addy said after they sat down opposite each other.

Daniel sucked for a moment because this Alpha in front of him really doesn't like small talk. The man nodded his head in understanding and began to take out a thick file from his bag, as well as his laptop.

“Before getting into the main discussion, please read this proposal file.” Daniel held out a file with an eagle logo in front of it.

Addy also received the file that was offered by Daniel. His dark blue iris eyes widened. Seeing Addy surprised, of course, brought a smile to Daniel's thin lips. In his heart, the man hoped that the Alpha in front of him would agree to his request.

“Daniel, why are you making this offer to me. There are still many students who are superior to me,” Addy said quietly.

“You are a very suitable candidate to fill the junior project management position at my father's company. We've been looking into you since early last year. You know that nowadays it is very difficult to find competent candidates in their fields. Based on the business projects that you often participate in, and the achievements you have achieved, of course my father doesn't want to lose gems like you,” explained Daniel with a formal smile typical of a businessman.

“But, I feel that I have not been able to carry out a heavy job in desk in a large company,” said Addy.

“You will get used to it once you live it. Don't worry about anything.” Daniel tried hard to convince the Alpha in front of him, who looked doubtful. He knows about Addy's poor life and is typically the object of humiliation, which makes the Alpha feel insecure.

“Can I think about it first? I still have some work to do, so it wouldn't be good if I suddenly decided to leave without their permission.” Addy said softly, and hoped that this Alpha in front of him would give a grace period to think. He can't be careless because this is an offer from a big company. In addition, he also had to make good excuses so that he could be allowed to quit his part-time job at Beatrix's café, and other side jobs he was engaged in.

“Of course. Please — think carefully about my offer. But, I hope you can join the company as soon as possible,” said Daniel.

“Yes. Thank you, Daniel,” said Addy with a formal smile.

"You're welcome. Study the file, and if you agree, please make a business plan that fits the face of the company. I await good news from you.”

Addy shook Daniel's hand tightly. Thank you for providing a job offer at a large company. Alpha is determined to work hard so that he can change his family's situation. Nothing is more important than the happiness of his family.

*****

After getting off the public bus, Addy rushed into Beatrix's café, which was very crowded with visitors. With quick steps, Alpha immediately entered the employee room and changed his clothes into barista clothes. All the customers at the café were so fascinated by Alpha's good looks and fitness. The wind that comes from the air conditioner blows a natural pheromone blend of cinnamon, and lavender that is so masculine that it makes Omega squeal a little, and whisper with the flock. Most of Beatrix's café regulars are female Beta and Omega who admire Addy.

“Hi…” A beautiful Omega woman approached the tender table.

Addy smiled kindly and invited Omega to sit on the chair in front of the table.

“What kind of drink would you like to order?” asked Addy.

“I'm a new customer, so I don't know the best-selling drinks here. Can you choose a menu that suits me?" asked the Omega with hopeful eyes.

“Of course.” Addy put the menu book in front of Omega earlier. “Black chocolate Oreo mix milk with butter creps topping, is a menu that is often ordered by our customers.”

“Is that true? Sounds delicious.” The Omega propped her elbows on the table, and looked at the Alpha in front of her with an interested expression.

“The combination of melted dark chocolate with chunks of Oreos is so delicious. Mixed with pure sweetened condensed milk makes this drink has the right sweet taste. When you eat it with creps, you will feel crunchy and savory from the butter, the chocolate melts, and the sweetness comes from the milk,” said Addy.

“Okay. I ordered that one.” The Omega waddled in agreement, and deliberately touched Addy's finger that was leading the menu book.

“Then please wait a few more minutes. I'll make your order." Addy smiled faintly then turned towards the drink maker.

Addy focuses on mixing drinks ordered by customers. Suddenly, the bell above the door sounded, indicating that a new customer had entered. Alpha's sharp nose smelled a very familiar scent, the intoxicating scent of his Omega. The hand full of muscles clenched tightly as the rose pheromone stabbed into his nose.

Serry saw her Alpha, who looked very handsome in a typical barista uniform. The black uniform that embraced the tall, stocky body she wanted to hug. A smile appeared on her tiny lips as red as a ripe strawberry. Seeing the Alpha at work was something she always wanted to do. No matter how many rejections Alphanya did, Serry was determined not to give up on her destiny. All she needed to do was be patient, waiting for her Alpha to change.

“This is your order, miss,” said Addy with his right hand, placing a large glass on the Omega table earlier.

“Thank you,” Omega answered shyly when she saw Addy who was so handsome and dashing.

Seeing her Alpha smile at another Omega makes Serry feel jealous. The Omega inside her was screaming in annoyance because that Alpha always had a straight face at her.

“I want to order the drink that the barista likes the most here,” said Serry.

Addy turned to look at Serry's face, which looked red in anger. Without protest, he nodded his head and inched toward the brewery. Serry smiled happily and couldn't wait to take a sip of Addy's favorite drink. A second later, the charming Omega glared in surprise when Addy put a tall glass in front of her.

“Please enjoy,” said Addy briefly.

Serry looked at the drink with a reluctant face. For whatever reason, she couldn't drink an Americano that tasted so bitter. However, the sly words of the woman next to her made her gasp.

“If you can't drink an Americano, why order a drink you don't like. An omega like you would easily throw away food,” said the omega woman with a look of disapproval.

“I'm not the type of person who likes to throw away food, so don't make accusations," said Serry. She knew the woman beside her was the daughter of her father's business rival. The elegant woman with Omega status was named Valerie Lynn.

“Tcih, I don't think a princess of the Benson line could drink something as simple as this.” Valerie squeaked while playing with her red nails.

Serry sighed weakly. She would rather not reply to Valerie's words because her purpose here was only to meet the Alpha. However, seeing Omega's eyes beside her which clearly seemed interested in Addy made Serry's heart heat up. Serry hesitantly raised the glass filled with the jet black liquid. Her sharp nose inhaled the pungent smell that wafted out, with a heavy heart, she took one gulp of the liquid. Her brow furrowed as her tongue tasted the bitter and thick Americano.

“Ah…” Serry hissed as her stomach felt like something was wrapped around her flat stomach. Her bright-green iris eyes were clouded by tears. The pain was getting up to the upper part of the stomach. Her lips trembled as she intended to ask the Alpha for help. “Addy, help me. My stomach hurts.”

Addy, who was busy making customer orders, suddenly stopped. The alpha signaled his friend to handle his work. He approached Serry who seemed to be holding something back.

“Why?” asked Addy. He took Serry's body out of the café and sat Omega on the outside chair.

“My stomach hurts.” Serry complained to her Alpha.

“It's your fault for ordering a drink that barista like. If you can't drink bitter, don't try to do it," said Addy quietly. However, the tone he conveyed sounded very unfriendly.

“Sorry… sob. I just want to taste the same drink as you, “ said Serry with lips that winced in pain.

Addy sighed heavily, hearing Serry's reasoning. He wasn't certain that this Omega in front of him was so reckless.

“If you knew it was a bitter drink, you should have made me a sweet drink like the other customers.” Serry lowered her head.

“As a barista, I only make drinks to order. I don't know your taste. Next time, say what you want clearly because everyone doesn't understand what's in other people's heads,” said Addy sharply.

“Sorry.” Lowering her head. Her face had a look of pain as she endured the pain in her stomach. However, the pain in her heart was worse when she heard Alpha's anger. The result of her jealousy when she saw the Alpha friendly to Valerie made her desperate to order an Americano. It was her recklessness that made Addy hate her even more.

Addy, who was annoyed, didn't even care about Omega and chose to go back into the café.

“It's her fault for being reckless. I don't care,” Addy muttered. His eyes flashed with anger, then his full red lips snorted loudly. Ignoring the voice of Alpha inside him, body screaming in anger and kicking the air.

Serry felt the Omega inside her sitting down and crying loudly because the Alpha didn't care about her. Her stomach hurt so much that he felt like throwing up. Suddenly, she was surprised by the arrival of a luxury car with a bull logo in front of the hood. She immediately wiped the tears from her cheeks, and acted as if nothing had happened. The door to the car's steering wheel opened, revealing a middle-aged man in an expensive black suit that wrapped his sturdy body. The man immediately approached Serry and held Omega's shoulder tightly.

“Serry, why are you here? What are you doing sitting alone in front of this little café.” The middle-aged man looked at Omega in front of him, who looked scared. “Answer me, Serry!” he exclaimed.

“I-I didn't do anything, papa,” Serry avoided averting her eyes. She felt intimidated by her father's gaze.

The middle-aged man sighed heavily. “Okay. Let's go home and tell me everything without hiding anything.”

Serry just obeyed as her father embraced her body towards the car. The man also carefully put the seat belt on the body of his only daughter. Thereafter, he closed the door and went around the body of the car. Before entering the driver's door, the middle-aged man's eyes with bright yellow irises flashed an aura of anger as he gazed at the café. More precisely, he stared intently at the young Alpha, who seemed to be busy making drinks for customers.

*****