Chapter 25

Alex was never the type to easily get insecured. He grew up being doted on by his parents and his brother. He was encouraged by them to live life the way he wanted. They were not rich nor they were poor. Just enough to live life comfortably, though right now, he's been made conscious of how ordinary he looks. He suddenly wished he was wearing one of those dress shirts Matt gave him in preparation for his internship and not these bargain ones he bought at a thrift shop.

From the moment they arrived at the restaurant, when the valet took Keith's keys from him, when the restaurant maitre d' ushered them to the private room Keith reserved and the moment the restaurant's patrons looked at him, Alex has never felt this small. He never received such gazed and scrutinizing looks in his entire life. They all probably thought of him like some gold digger or a slut aiming for Keith's money. He knew this would happen and yet he could not say no to the Alpha. He wanted to give this a try too but I guess this will not be an easy feat.

They were following the maitre d' when a couple of sophisticated women approached Keith and stopped them on their tracks. Alex avoided their gaze and decided to just stare on the floor while the Alpha talked to them.

"Hey Keith, we haven't seen you in a while, the club's lonely without you. Olive and I are free tonight, want to join us? We're heading to Vernon's bar, we'll definitely have a blast. Right Olive." said the woman with the long hair while caressing Keith's arms.

"Of course. Coming with us is better than spending it with some cheap ahmmm..." The woman called Olive replied while giving Alex a run down from head to toe, making Alex more uncomfortable.

Alex bit his lips, ready to be cast aside by Keith in favor of the two women who are more fitting to stand beside someone like Keith. He can feel his tears threatening to fall and so he clenched his fists to no look more pathetic than he already is.

"Are you hungry? I'm famished." Keith said to Alex while pushing away the woman's hands from his arms and he instead put his arms on Alex's small waist and pulled the Omega closer to him. "Can we go now? My date and I are starving." Keith said to the maitre, completely ignoring the two women.

The two women could not believe Keith ignored them over the cheap looking Beta he came with. They cannot smell Alex's pheromones that is why they assumed he was a Beta and also it is common knowledge that Keith doesn't date Omegas.

"He's probably just a passing fancy. I'm sure he'll grow tired of him eventually." Olive said to her friend who's seething with anger for getting ignored by Keith. She was a bit annoyed at herself for being humiliated like that, but he's Keith Andersen. He's like that with everyone else and it's not like this is the first time he rejected them.

"Oh well, he should enjoy it while it lasts." The long haired girl replied. "Let's just head to the bar and paint the town red with some gorgeous Alpha."

*******

"Are you okay with the food here? Is there anything else you want to eat? I could ask them to prepare it for you." Keith said while scanning the menu the maitre handed to them.

"Why... why didn't you join them?" Alex anxiously asked. He thought Keith would go with them and leave him. He can tell that the two women live in the same elite circle Keith is in and that an ordinary person like him does not belong with them. He's worried that being with him might tarnish Keith's reputation.

"Why would I go with them? I'm with you and even if I am not with you, I will not entertain them. I don't even remember their names." Keith replied. He knew the two women made Alex uncomfortable and it's making him mad. He's used to women approaching him but what annoys him is that they made the Omega anxious again. It was so hard to calm him and it frustrates him. "Let's just forget about them and enjoy our dinner okay?"

Alex nodded and decided to believe Keith's explanation. He scanned the menu in front of him, he can't think of anything to eat in particular. He is too dizzy from his encounter with the two women and it's making his stomach a bit squeezy. He's afraid he might throw up the food.

"What would you like to have? The steak here is pretty good. If you like garlic then you would enjoy it. They cook the steak in garlic oil and butter."

"Then I'll have that as well." Alex replied, it was similar to how his father cooked the steak for their family, maybe his stomach can take it.

Keith called the server assigned to them and gave their orders. While the Alpha does that, Alex scans the room they are in. It was a private room with it's own restroom and came with a personal server, which probably costs a lot of money just to reserve it. Normally he would not want to go to a place like this but somehow he was thankful they are dining in their own space. Away from the judging looks everyone is giving him.

"Why do you keep your hair down? I remembered when we first met you had it tied up in a ponytail." Keith asked.

"Ohh this?" Alex replied and unconsciously touched the back of his head. "I'm trying to hide the bite mark. Does it look bad?"

"No. You look good either way." Keith replied. Alex blushed when he saw the sincerity in the Alpha's eyes.

Their moment was interrupted by a knock on the door. The server walks in with their food. Alex was thankful for the distraction as he did not know how to deal with the compliments from the Alpha. He's not used to receiving them.

Alex feels his stomach getting squeezy again as soon as the server walks in, he instinctively puts his palm to cover his mouth. He breathed in and out trying to calm himself down. The moment the server removed the covering of the food, Alex lost it. His stomach churned. He made a dash to the restroom, he was glad Keith reserved a room like this.

He squat down on the floor and starts throwing up with nothing but liquid.

"Take this away." Keith instructed as he made his way to where Alex is. "Are you all right? You should have told me you were not feeling well." Keith said as he gently caressed Alex back. When the Omega stopped puking and finished washing his face and mouth, Keith picked him up and then carried him back like a princess to their table.

"You can put me down. I can walk." Alex protested. He felt guilty for ruining their dinner and at the same time he's feeling happy and content. He couldn't help but smile as he remembered how warm Keith's hands were and how soothing his gentle voice was when he helped him earlier.

"Should I take you to the hospital?" Keith asked worriedly as he handed Alex the warm towel the server brought. He wanted to keep the Omega on his lap but he settled in, sitting beside him.

"No, I'm fine." Alex replied. He really feels okay after the ordeal though he feels weak but nonetheless okay. Alex made a mental note to see the doctor one of these days, his stress is really getting worse. He doesn't like taking medicine but maybe this time he needed to get some prescription for his anxiety. His gastritis attack is getting frequent, normally it only happens in the morning but lately it happens as well when he eats something his stomach couldn't take. Now even the smell of food is making him sick.

"Okay but next time, tell me okay? You're making me worried." Keith said as he gently pulled Alex close to him. He brushed the Omega's hair as he leaned on his chest.

Their intimate moment was interrupted by the loud opening of the door as someone barged in.

"Do you have a problem with my.... '' Chad screamed furiously as he walked in, ready to give Keith a piece of his mind for returning his food untouched, but his words got stuck when he realized the intimate vibe inside the room. Who the hell is the man in Keith's arms?