Stolen heart

Robbie entered and sat very straight on the couch. I went into my bedroom to take another heat suppressant pill. Though I already had two, I still wanted to be more cautious. While walking back to the drawing area, I noticed Twen's room. Twen had been very quiet. I was a bit worried because he did not have his lunch. I knocked on his door to check. There was no answer. I silently opened the door to see Twen fast asleep on his bed with his shoes on and medals still on his neck. I took them off him and put a blanket over him. Initially, I wanted to wake him up for lunch but seeing how tired he was, I decided to let him rest. I closed the door behind me as silently as I opened it.

Settling on the couch adjacent to Robbie, I asked, exhaling heavily.

"What is it that you wanted to talk about?"

Robbie was a little lost in thought but hearing my voice, he immediately got alert. Sighing softly, he spoke in a serious tone, "Continuing our phone conversation..."

"Didn't I say I will take care of it?" I interrupted, feeling a little exhausted.

"Actually, It's not so simple. It is not an ear-to-ear rumor, but rather they somehow obtained your picture with…. with...my mark of bonding on you. They have not only put it on the employee website but also spread it on social media platforms," he said in an urgent yet embarrassed tone.

My eyes immediately opened in complete horror. With Robbie's mark on me revealed, there will be no doubt whatsoever that I am an Omega. If it was just some flying words with my pictures, then it wouldn't have mattered. This is more serious than I thought.

"What-what do you suggest?" I asked, panicking.

My heart was beating fast. I was not ashamed of being an Omega, but I was scared that this image of mine wouldn't allow me to get a stable job. I have a son who is already facing difficulty because of my sub-gender, but this will completely ruin his life. I involuntarily shook, remembering the crying face of Twen after hearing all those words.

"To be honest, right now, I am just as clueless as you. I asked Jane to delete all the posts from the social media platforms and the employee website, but many have already seen them. Some even took a screenshot of it. The damage is already done," Robbie said, with his fingers entwined, looking extremely stressed.

I swallowed a few times to calm myself before speaking heavily," This cannot be the work of some random person. No random person has the power to obtain evidence like this…."

"Unless they are very close to you," Robbie interjected with a meaningful look.

I squinted at him with a little anger, "No one near to me will betray me. Also, someone with enough power in hand can easily obtain evidence, like the Elites," I spoke harshly.

Robbie blinked but did not refute. He looked down at his intertwined fingers and agreed with me tacitly.

The moment my anger dissipated. I suddenly felt the weight of the situation fall on my shoulder. My knees started getting weak. Who could I have possibly offended to be suddenly subjected to such turmoil? I tried remembering if there was anyone I had mistakenly humiliated or made that person lose face or anything that could begrudge them against me, but nothing as such came to my memory. I don't even have any contact with someone influential if I don't consider Robbie. But is it really a grudge? What if someone simply discovered my identity and wanted to reveal it. Then again, that person wouldn't just create such a huge fuss just for petty entertainment. Who exactly could it be?

"I... I think it is time to resign," I said, thinking of the only solution I could. Robbie raised his head, looking at me incredulously. I looked him in the eye before continuing, "With my identity revealed, my subordinates would never accept working under me. This is the best way to just fade away."

My mind started working fast. After leaving, I could take up a rented place. Maybe, I can take Fred's offer and work in his dad's Italian restaurant till I find a new job, but before my thoughts could complete, Robbie burst out,

"NO!!" he stood up, eyeing me fixedly, "Why are you trying to run away from the problem? If you leave, it will only confirm your identity even more…"

"ROBBIE WALKER, THIS IS MY IDENTITY!! I am an Omega. Your bonded mark is on me. Are you telling me that you are going to deny this truth?"

"NO!! I know the truth, and I don't care, but why does the world need to know? How is it anyone else's business whether you're an omega or beta or alpha??"

I was stumped. That is indeed true. The world doesn't need to know what I am! I hid this truth because it is no one's business. Then, aren't I being a hypocrite speaking so righteously about being an Omega?

I sighed and nodded before saying, "You're right. It is indeed no one's business. Once the truth is out, no one is ever going to believe that I reached where I reached with my hard work. They are bound to assume I used some underhanded method."

"Exactly, hence no one needs to know your true sub-gender. Trust me, I will suppress this and definitely bring the culprit to the fore. I will surely protect you!"

"Robbie, I am not running away from the problem. If it was just me, I wouldn't give a sh*t, but such rumors affect the family more than the victim. Don't you understand?"

I can't see Robbie's mouth, but from the expression in his eyes, I knew he got my point.

"I won't let anyone hurt Twen. Leaving the job is not a solution. Right now, do you even have a place to go to if you are evicted from the quarters? And what about Twen's schooling and your job?"

"I have some savings! I can manage for a few days. Meanwhile, I can find a new job."

"Don't leave me, Tony! I won't interfere in your life; I won't come in between you and whoever you date. I promise! Jus-just don't leave me!" Robbie almost pleaded.

"Why are you so hell-bent on not letting me leave?" I asked, unable to understand Robbie's tenaciousness.

Robbie walked to me and came face-to-face. I tensed up. He hasn't been the best at controlling himself. He took my hand on his gently and intertwined his fingers with mine. I looked at our joined hands and then at his melancholic eyes. He spoke gently,

"I made that mistake once. I am not about to do it again."

"I don't think an engaged man should flirt. My self-respect is not so cheap that I would tolerate being your sideman." I said, staring at him.

"Sarah is not my fiancée. She is my friend from middle school. The year I transferred to our high school; she went abroad to study. After she returned, my dad suddenly decided on our marriage without even consulting me. I refused, but my dad…. just did not want to accept it, neither did Sarah. Tony, there is no one in my life, and there won't be anyone ever." Robbie said.

I saw that his eyes were clear. There was no trace of deception in them.

Oh, Lord!! He is telling the truth.

Subconsciously, my heart started beating really fast. I untangled our fingers and looked away. I have to keep myself strong. I can't fall for his words.

"S-she is a gorgeous lady. She is an Elite and an alpha belonging to a respected family. I don't see why you would refuse her!?" I blabbered, not sure of what I wanted to say.

"I don't love her," Robbie stated plainly. "My care for her extends till friendship so, I rejected her, but after all, she is an alpha. Stubbornness runs in our blood. No amount of refusal budged her." he sighed.

"I pity her for falling for such a heartless guy," I said stonily, realizing that I might have just ended up pitying myself.

"How can I have a heart when you have stolen it!" he said, gently running his finger on my nape.

A slight shiver ran down my spine. When did this guy learn to speak such corny lines?! It's hard to believe that he is the same guy I knew in high school. Can I really trust him again? Will he really stand with me through thick and thin, this time?