Say no to Ethan

"No," Noah refused very firmly. He was no longer Ethan's employee, and he felt empowered to stand his ground. If he didn't want to, he didn't have to. If he had the guts, he could fire himself.

"Then tell me, are you okay now?" Ethan's tone slowed down, with a hint of coaxing. "Do you feel dizzy? Open the door, and the wind will come in; it might help you feel better."

Noah had just drunk the hangover soup, which was more or less helpful. "Ethan, don't give me that. I just drank a little; it's no big deal."

His drunken state made him particularly outspoken under the influence of alcohol.

With a "click," the door opened.

"Don't think I'm afraid of you. It's nothing to open the door for you."

The light in the corridor illuminated Noah's face, giving it an almost translucent quality. He squinted at Ethan, who stood there in a tailored suit. "Big liar."

To Noah's surprise, he really opened the door.

A drunk omega opening the door for an alpha was a scenario that made the air around them crackle with tension. Ethan's dark eyes fell on Noah's lips, glistening slightly, and he noticed the pink flush in Noah's cheeks, reminiscent of a ripe peach.

Ethan adjusted his tie, trying to steady himself. "Let's go inside."

The public security had improved significantly, and the pheromone-blocking stickers were constantly being upgraded. As long as omegas and alphas weren't in their special periods, daily life could proceed without complications.

Ethan fumbled to turn on the light, flooding the living room with brightness. He subconsciously looked for the barrier sticker on Noah's neck, but was met with disappointment. 

Annoyed that Noah, as an omega, was so defenseless, he grabbed Noah's wrist and pulled him closer. "Why don't you have on the barrier patch?"

Noah was slow to react, then touched his smooth neck. "Ah? I forgot to put it on."

Hearing Noah's calm tone only fueled Ethan's anger. "Forgot to put it on? Do you have any idea how poor an alpha's self-control can be? And those omegas who have been induced to estrus in the news, didn't they give you a warning?!"

Noah looked at Ethan's angry expression and shook his hand free, feeling defiant. "Why are you so fierce! I won't go into estrus, let alone be induced into it."

This made Ethan doubt the physiological knowledge he had learned. He needed to verify his suspicion. "Can you smell pheromones too?"

Noah raised an eyebrow, as if something amusing had just occurred to him. "Yes, I don't have pheromones, and I don't go into estrus. Because I'm an omega—a low-quality omega."

His smile faded, and his face turned cold. "So I advise you not to put your mind on me, and don't think about using pheromones to seduce me. There are none."

"I didn't think of using pheromones."

Even just now, in order to confirm, Ethan had chosen to ask instead of releasing his own pheromones. Looking at Ethan's serious face, Noah turned away, curling up on the sofa.

"Even so, do you still choose to like me? You are rich and beautiful; you can find anything you want—or do you just enjoy a challenge?"

Ethan sat on the small sofa beside him, a little unsure how to respond. "If I like you, I will still choose to like you."

Noah snorted, unimpressed. When men were serious, their words tended to sound rehearsed. "No, Mr. Harrison's kindness is too much for me. I'm just an ordinary person. I want some money and a few good friends, and that's enough."

He adjusted his posture, turning his back on Ethan. "I'm fine; you can go. I'm sleepy."

Ethan remained silent, choosing to leave quietly. He understood why Noah was hesitant to accept another relationship.

After Ethan left, Noah, curled up on the sofa, sat up and began to clean up the wine bottles strewn across the table and carpet. Finding one can with a bit left in it, he guzzled it down without thinking, adhering to his principle of not wasting.

The next morning, Noah woke up to the sound of his alarm. Despite the hangover soup from last night, his head still felt foggy. He could smell the unpleasant odor of sweat on himself; he hadn't showered before collapsing into bed.

After a quick shower and chugging two full cups of warm water, he felt somewhat revived. Although he couldn't drink much, he often found himself indulging.

Today, he wrapped a cashmere scarf around his neck, leaving only his eyes visible against the cold wind. The weather forecast had warned of a 50% chance of snow, but all he noticed was the fierce wind whipping through the streets.

When he arrived at work, Shawn was already there, a sandwich in hand. "I bought a sandwich. I'll heat it up in the microwave after I finish my work. It's really cold outside."

"Yes, it's getting colder," Noah replied, grateful for the warmth of the indoor heating. He felt perfectly comfortable, even in just a single layer of clothing.

With the weather taking a turn, delivery orders had increased today compared to yesterday. 

"Did you not sleep well last night?" Shawn asked, deftly preparing the coffee. "Would you like a cup to wake you up?"

It was a good suggestion, but Noah remembered the drinks from last night. "It's okay, I'm fine."

The shop usually attracted white-collar workers, with a classic black, white, and gray color scheme. It was a rare sight to see such energy in the usually bustling establishment.

"Hello, I'd like a piece of blueberry mousse and a taro paste cake roll, please."

The girl at the counter wore a light pink cotton coat, her bare face radiating youthful innocence. 

"Sorry, the taro paste cake roll is sold out today. Would you like to choose something else?"

Tina gazed at the selection of pastries in confusion, unsure of what to pick.

Noah smiled at her, waiting patiently. "Well, can you recommend something for me?"

Noticing her preference for taro, he pointed out another dessert. "This one is a good option; it's not split. If you share it with friends, it should be just right."

"Then pack it for me." Tina lowered her eyes, her mood seemingly dampened by a text on her phone. "I know; I've bought it. Don't rush me—"

Noah handed the packed bag to her with a friendly smile. "Thanks for coming! We hope to see you again." 

As the girl left, Noah couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting within him. Ethan's presence lingered in his mind, an unexpected complexity he couldn't quite define. Would he really be able to move on? Or was he just trapped in a cycle of hesitation, caught between desire and fear? The day ahead promised challenges, but it also held the potential for change.