Jealousy (2)

* * *

Camera flashing towards their subject, the group of reporters became crazy as they came across the star of the night as he and his escort stepped out of their vehicle. All but confused to see the Fyre Long with the Hymlyn Corporation's sole heir, Paul Hymlyn, who has been away all this time, nearly 8 years now, since the scandal of his ex-fiancé, Daniella Sullen.

They bombarded the couple with questions as they wanted to know what their connection was to each other. Everyone already knew that Fyre Long was very well acquainted with a handful of elite personalities in the country such as the Mos and Sullens, and even well-known foreign household nobilities, which were the Woods and Silvostris. There had been rumors as well that he was the lover of Mo Tian Zi, the founder of the new rising tech company ZNetwork, but now they were seeing the Omega with the corporate heir!? Another elite personality that cannot be ignored.

Of course, Fyre had already warned Paul about his reputation and that a lot had changed since he left, so the Alpha wasn't that surprised at all. Instead, Paul protectively wrapped his arm around Fyre's slim waist as they paced through the group of wild individuals, ignoring all the questions that were thrown at them. Since only a number of media was allowed inside the venue and interviews weren't allowed until the end of the celebration, the two were only able to relax a little when they finally got inside.

"That wasn't too bad." Paul giggled. Even though he expected it, he was still a little surprised that the media became wild at seeing Fyre as his partner to the point that the supposed spotlight that should have been directed to him tonight, Fyre took all that in one swoop. It has been a while since he encountered this much media so he was taken aback, but just a tiny bit.

"Urg. Don't remind me. Those people used to harass me even in my own yard. I can only imagine another false article about me and you flooding online after this." Fyre replied helplessly. To be honest, he was already so sick of it to the point that it no longer got him. He also didn't want to bother and explain himself because he knew he did nothing wrong. Thankfully, even though this was the case, there were still people out there that still supported him, even to the point of forming a fans club.

There was also that time when there were discussions about him being similar to a book character. The fans of the book had petitioned for him to act the role for the movie adaptation, having found out that Remi Long used to audition for acting, when she was still alive. The fans had expected him to have acting talent as well. They went crazy and even threatened the whole movie production to boycott it! At that time, the production even went ahead and made an attempt to negotiate with him, which he declined because it was too bothersome. The fact that he wasn't an actor was also another thing. In the end, the movie adaptation was put on-hold to ease the public.

"I'm sorry. I've caused you trouble because of my selfish request." Paul said, and if he'd had dog ears, Fyre could just imagine them drooping down, making him instantly giggle.

"A little trouble is fine since it's you. And besides, unlike before, I've become a changed person and I now have a lot of people ready to support me, whatever I choose to do." Fyre smiled sweetly and couldn't help but pat the head of his dear friend. Back then, he would have been too shy to do that to Paul, but right now it felt like he was comforting a sad little brother. But he soon stopped, seeing how the Alpha was suddenly blushing. Perhaps he was feeling embarrassed that a small Omega like him was comforting him although it was true that he was a few years older, despite his size.

"Fyre, did anyone tell you that that smile of yours is dangerous?" Paul mumbled softly, slightly covering his face hoping that he wasn't blushing too hard because he could feel his face feeling hotter than normal. He wasn't used to Fyre being this way. He used to have a sharp tongue and a tough and cold appearance, even though he still acted a little soft sometimes. But right now Fyre was being straight up sweet! Perhaps, a smile from someone who didn't smile a lot gave more of an impact than the ones who did, because it means that the smile was more genuine.

"Huh? Well, someone did actually tell me that I had to be careful. Why? Does it not suit me?" Fyre asked, confused, remembering that Joaquinn told him this too and explained that people who aren't used to him being this way might find it a little weird. In fact, Tian Zi also told him that a frown on his forehead suited him more and whenever he acted nice, especially in front of the Mo Family, the Alphas would look at him as if he grew another head.

"Ahh, do I look weird with a smile?" Fyre added, a little awkward because he had practiced smiling in front of the mirror and personally, he didn't find it weird at all. He wasn't that bad-looking.

"No. Not at all. It does suit you a lot but I do agree, you'd better be careful with it. Not all Alphas are nice like me." Paul warned with a chuckle as he finally recovered from his blush.

"Huh? I don't understand why this was connected." Fyre asked, genuinely confused at the remark. Listening to his response, Paul briefly looked at him and later on sighed helplessly as if giving up at the thought of explaining further.

"Nevermind. I'll introduce you to my Dad and Mom before people start to take you away from me." Paul said, indicating that even though they had escaped the media, most of the guests in the event were now looking at them, and especially at Fyre, obviously wanting to talk to the Omega.

"Urgh..." Fyre instantly voiced out with a slightly annoyed expression as he followed Paul's line of sight and saw the scrutinizing eyes boring on him. Seeing Fyre's reaction, Paul chuckled again knowing that this was the real Fyre he knew. Then he led the Omega through the crowd and soon reached their destination where Mr. and Mrs. Hymlyn waited for them in curiosity.

"Mom, Dad, this is my friend, Fyre Long, although I'm sure you know him already." Paul introduced as Fyre extended his hand to greet the two. Paul had been his friend for the longest time but he had never once met his parents so he was a little nervous, because not all rumors about him were positive.

"Yes, yes. Nice to finally meet the mysterious Fyre Long. I didn't know you were a friend of our son." Mr. Hymlyn said, making Fyre smile awkwardly because just like he expected, he noticed that Mrs. Hymlyn didn't seem like she was happy that her son was with him, even Mr. Hymlyn, with the way he delivered his words. Despite that, Fyre ignored it and smiled as naturally as he could. He'd chosen to support his friend and he didn't need anybody else's approval.

"Please sir, I'm not mysterious. I just prefer not involving myself deeply in the public's eye." Fyre replied, his smile couldn't help but show that he was uncomfortable with this meeting.

"Dad and Mom, please don't believe everything that you read or hear online or on TV and magazines. Fyre had been my friend even before he got acquainted with the Mos and Sullens. He's the only person I trust next to the both of you. Please don't embarrass me in front of my friend." Paul carefully said, noticing his parents' treatment towards Fyre, despite how sparse it was.

"I understand, son. Well... the party has just started. Please enjoy it. Your mother and I still have a lot of guests to greet before I announce my retirement." Mr. Hymlyn said after hearing Paul's remark and left without even apologizing.

"I'm sorry, Fyre. They aren't usually like that, but after Daniella, they also find it difficult to trust anyone that was or had become close to me." Paul apologized and although Fyre was a little upset, he could understand their actions because Daniella Sullen had made a huge impact on Paul. Paul is their only son so they probably just wanted to protect him from people who wanted to take advantage of his kindness.

Additionally, with all the Young Master Alphas linked to him and his not-so-great background, it's definitely hard for everyone to trust him fully, especially those who didn't know him. He didn't grow up in a wealthy socialite household, yet he got to be friends with one of the most prominent young masters of the country. Even if he explained that it was all just a lucky encounter, no one would actually believe it because literally, everyone wanted to be acquainted with the Mos and Sullens. Yet a completely unrelated individual like him, who has nothing to do with business nor have any connections got to do it by just a pure lucky encounter? It's quite laughable if you think about it and so no one would believe such a story.

And it wasn't like he could tell everyone that he was a hacker—a wanted cybercriminal—that coincidentally got to know Mo Tian Zi, who was also a hacker, and probably also did some illegal stuff that could label him as one, although not as prominent as him.

"It's okay, Paul. I understand and I'm kinda used to this already. Let's just enjoy the night since it's a happy occasion." Fyre said, shaking his head, flashing his smile to his dejected friend before patting on his sides.

"Thank you so much for understanding. Don't worry, I'll let them understand and maybe I can arrange some meetings sometime so that we all get acquainted. Since you're my closest friend, I'd like to do at least that. For Mom and Dad as well, so they won't be too worried."

"You really don't need to do so, but if you insist. I don't mind either. I don't want your parents to worry every time you hang out with me." Fyre laughed while Paul agreed. The night continued rather smoothly. Of course, Fyre couldn't escape from the meeting and greeting of countless people from the party, but it was manageable because Paul was there beside him to help whenever he was in a tight spot.

At the same time, from the moment they arrived to the whole event unfolding, and even until it was about to end, one specific Alpha never removed his eyes from the subject of his contempt. Especially to the occasional hand that kept wrapping around Fyre's waist, …while the Omega didn't even bother to stop such a hand from touching him. Tian Zi's patience was becoming thinner and thinner. He wasn't usually the type who intoxicates himself with alcohol but all throughout the gathering, he had continuously drank 4 glasses of red wine and was currently on his 5th.

He wasn't sure if he was drunk already or maybe he just had a high alcohol tolerance but deep down, he had urges he couldn't seem to dominate.

* * *

To be Continued...