Chapter Text
A/N: I don’t know if I will continue, but I just had an idea in my head that wouldn’t go away so I had to write a little something for it.
“You’re always such a disappointment to us, Bum!” Min Ah Sung glowered at her small, timid looking son. “It was bad enough that you presented as a pathetic omega, and now we find out about your...condition. I prayed that the therapist was wrong, but it’s true isn’t it? You’re crazy, seeing things that aren’t even there. Well, the pills the therapist prescribed should stop your weak mind from crumbling further...” Ah Sung reached up a delicate manicured hand and smacked Bum hard across his face, her lips twitching into the ghost of a smile as she surveyed the red hand print she had left on his pale skin. Her wedding ring had cut into Bum’s lip, making it bleed a little. Bum’s natural scent of strawberries was mixed with a sour scent all of a sudden. “Ugh, you stink of fear. What sort of coward is scared of his own mother? When all I’m trying to do is make you be tougher. It’s not like I enjoy seeing you suffer, darling,” Ah Sung hid a soft giggle behind her hand before composing herself again. “Tonight, we have a special guest coming to dinner. Kim Dongyu, the heir of the Red Group company who your father wants to enter into an energy contract with. That contract is worth millions of won so it’s vital that you treat Dongyu with the utmost respect and care. Is that understood?”
“Yes, mother,” Bum replied quietly, slipping into a sad reflective mood as he met her cold stare. When his mother gave orders, he knew it was best to just obey her without any questions or hesitance. He did not understand why his own mother despised him so much, when all he wanted was for his family to love him as much as he loved them. His father was polite but distant, and often stern, but he was never unkind to Bum. His younger sister Min Ji-Eun was spoiled by their parents, and showered with tender care and affection. Bum did not understand why he was the odd one out in their family. He felt like his mother’s hatred of him ran deeper than him being an omega. Although Bum could see he had some of his father’s features he had none of his mother’s features. He was the only one in the family with grey eyes. He had tried to be rational and explain it away, not everyone looked like their parents after all but he still sometimes had the disturbing idea that his mother was not really his mother. He pictured a kind, smiling face with dark brown wavy hair and grey eyes just like his own. However, it could not be possible. His parents had been married for over 24 years, and Bum was only 19 so it meant that he would have born from an affair. He would not really be a true Min, if his mother was a mistress and not a legal wife.
“Then what are you waiting for? Go and get ready,” Ah Sung snapped, crossing her arms. “Don’t stand there like a brain dead fool, darling.”
Bum rushed off to his room and changed into a smart blue shirt and dark grey slacks, before going into his en-suite bathroom. He brushed his unruly inky black hair out and washed his face before spraying himself with a high quality scent blocker. Bum’s scents were too easy for others to read, and he did not want to do anything to give Dongyu a bad impression of him. However, Bum found it hard to make people like him when his own mother did not really enjoy being around him. He was insecure and too needy, thought of as weird by other students all throughout his private boarding school years. He had no friends, but he did have hope he would find a mate who could accept all his flaws and love him. A mate his family would be proud to call their son-in-law.
“Min Bum, where are you, darling? Come down to the front hall!” His mother’s voice calling to him was, to the unknowing ears of strangers, laced with sweetness but it was just a façade. She was already annoyed at him, he could tell and he could not keep her waiting so he raced to the front hall. The scent of cinnamon and honey mingled with a faint scent he could only register as iron but made him think of blood overpowered him. He froze in place in front of a tall, broad shouldered man who was the most handsome Alpha Bum had ever set his eyes on. . The man had deep, dark eyes and interesting two toned hair, the undercut dark and the top a sandy blonde colour.
“Ah, hello,” Bum hastily gave an awkward little bow, and then smiled at him tentatively. “I’m Min Bum, you must be Kim Dongyu. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“I’m actually Dongyu’s friend, and I work for his father’s company. I’m Oh Sangwoo,” Sangwoo and reached out to shake Bum’s hand, leaning in close for a few moments and frowning intently before his face cleared and he gave Bum a playful smirk before leaning close to whisper in his ear. “Strawberries. Nice. Why did you block your scent?”
“Min Bum!” Ah Sung exclaimed sharply, causing Bum to quickly step back from Sangwoo and let go of his hand. “Stop boring Sangwoo and come to meet Dongyu, darling.” His mother wrapped one of her delicate hands around Bum’s arm and dragged him over to a man who was almost as tall as Sangwoo and had a slightly pudgy, though strong build. His face was entirely ordinary, and a sneer was forming on his face as he looked down at Bum. Dongyu’s scent was a mix of bitter chocolate, pepper and pickled kimchi. It had always been there in the air, but mingled alongside Sangwoo’s it had faded into the background for Bum.
Bum felt disappointed that he had been wrong about who Dongyu was. He felt it would be easy, a delight even, to admire Sangwoo, the way his mother wanted him to admire Dongyu. He felt bad for comparing the two of them, even though Dongyu did not appear to like Bum either. After all, it was not like Bum was an amazing catch. He looked odd, his sister often jokingly compared him to a rabbit except rabbits were cute and Bum knew he was not. He had also had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. It had been a relief, in a way, to find out he was not just going mad – he had a mental health problem but he was working hard to get better. His therapy definitely helped, as did the pills but he still occasionally had episodes where reality blurred with fantasy. He hurriedly bowed to Dongyu, averting his eyes away from the Alpha’s cold, scrutinising stare. “Hello, Mr Kim.”
Dongyu did not reply, he merely nodded at Bum disdainfully then turned back to Ah Sung. “Will we eat now? I’m quite hungry.”
“All in good time, Dongyu,” Sangwoo patted his friend’s back then smiled at Ah Sung and Bum. “I apologise for his grumpiness. He didn’t get his coffee fix today.”
Dongyu glared at Sangwoo, but it was obvious it did not hold any malice as a wry smile appeared on his face. “I didn’t get my coffee because of my stupid secretary. That’s why I said we should hire a Beta, omegas are too emotional and besides they’re useless once they get knocked up by an Alpha.”
Ah Sung looked shocked for a few moments, and then she laughed, although it sounded quite fake and forced. As much as she disliked her son being an omega, Ji Eun was also an omega and so Ah Sung took what he said as an insult to her precious daughter. “Yes, well let’s go to the dining room. My husband and my daughter are there waiting for us.” She took hold of Dongyu’s arm and ushered him forward, Bum and Sangwoo following behind them. Bum’s guilt for judging Dongyu by his appearance and manner was fading fast. Bum was not perfect but at least he did not discriminate against people just because of how they presented.
When they got into the dining room, Dongyu and Sangwoo were warmly greeted by Min Gwang Soo, Bum’s father. He kissed his wife on the cheek, and smiled at his son. Min Ji Eun, Bum’s sister, did not stand to greet the guests, her mother or her brother. She was engrossed in typing messages on her phone, and giggling at the replies she received. When Ah Sung nudged her with a strategically placed elbow, she reluctantly put her phone away, and unenthusiastically greeted Dongyu. Ji Eun’s look of boredom disappeared when she looked at Sangwoo then at her brother, grinning at them both in a sinister fashion. Bum hated when his sister got that mischievous spark in her eyes. Ji Eun probably thought she was being nice to her brother when she arranged it so she was sitting next to Dongyu and Bum was sitting next to Sangwoo, but for Bum it felt like torture. He was so close to Sangwoo but he did not even dare look in his direction too long, let alone talk to him because his mother would be displeased. So he pretended to be interested in the mind numbingly dull business conversation Dongyu was having with his father.
When he felt a foot brush against his own, he looked at his sister straight away but Ji Eun was busy eating. Then to his shock, he felt a hand rest on his leg and start to slowly move upwards. It was Sangwoo! When Bum turned to look at Sangwoo, the Alpha’s face gave nothing away. He smoothly continued his conversation with Bum’s mother, complimenting her warmly on the dishes that were spread out over the table. Food she had not had any hand in preparing, but Ah Sung liked to pretend she was a culinary queen. Bum’s first thought was to jump up and ask to be excused but he feared his mother’s wrath. So instead he grabbed hold of Sangwoo’s hand to stop it moving. It was not that he did not enjoy the touch, the warmth of Sangwoo’s hand on his thigh causing a red flush to creep onto his face but at the same time it made him feel uncomfortable. Bum already knew that Dongyu had no respect for omegas, but he hoped Sangwoo was different. At that moment, it all depended on Sangwoo’s next action. He was pleasantly surprised when all Sangwoo did was squeeze Bum’s hand gently before letting go.
At the end of dinner, everyone stood up and Dongyu addressed Gwang Soo. “Thanks for dinner. I’d like to meet you in my office to discuss the contract further and to talk about your son.”
“Ah, yes. We were glad to welcome you and your associate into our home,” Gwang Soo replied, shaking Dongyu’s hand firmly. “So you want to follow your father’s suggestion of tying our businesses together through a mating match?”
Dongyu looked at Bum and smiled coldly before returning his attention to Gwang Soo. “Yes, I do.”
“A...a mating match? With who?” Bum asked frantically, dreading the answer he would likely receive and hoping with all his heart it was not him. Still, he knew it would not be his sister and he would hate for her to suffer being mated to an Alpha like Dongyu. “I thought Ji Eun already had an Alpha in mind for her match?”
“Yes, she does. It’s your match, darling. Surprise!” Ah Sung embraced Bum before giving him a vindictive smile. “You’re going to be mated to Dongyu.”
“Honey...I thought we agreed you would tell Bum about the match we arranged for him?” Gwang Soo rushed over to his son, looking guilty all of a sudden. “Bum, I should have told you myself. I’m sorry if it comes as a shock. I know you will agree to this match, won’t you, son? It would mean a lot to me.”
Bum felt nauseous all of a sudden, and he felt like he could not speak. He did not want to agree to the match, and he looked at Sangwoo despite knowing it was ridiculous to think Sangwoo would want him for his own, would save him from Dongyu. This was real life, not some cheesy Alpha omega romance movie. And life had always been unkind to Bum.
Sangwoo stared back at Bum. His face was hard as stone, his dark eyes were piercing and filled with a quiet fury, yet then he smiled and his eyes were warm again. “Of course Bum will agree, won’t you? Dongyu is a good catch for any omega. Although, I didn’t know Dongyu and his family had plans for a mating match with...you.”
“I told you it would be with a prestigious family but I know you didn’t expect it would be a male omega. However, it’s what my father thinks is the best choice for me, and so I have to respect his wishes. Just as I’m sure Bum will respect his family’s wishes and agree.” Dongyu replied, crossing his arms as he frowned at Bum. “Won’t you?”
“Of course he will,” Ah Sung airily declared. “Our son is a typical obedient omega, he would never refuse us. My sweet daughter, on the other hand, is more free spirited and independent.”
“And there’s nothing wrong with that,” Ji Eun declared sharply. “Is there, mother?”
“No, sweetheart. I love you just the way you are,” Ah Sung wrapped an arm around Ji Eun’s waist and smiled at her adoringly. “To be honest I’d rather you didn’t have a mating match so soon, but if you say that policeman is the right one for you, we’ll work on making him your Alpha.”
“Oh yes, he definitely is...” Ji Eun smiled but her smile faded as she looked at her brother, concern filling her face. “Although I think Bum has someone else in mind to be his Alpha. I don’t think it’s fair for you guys to just decide for him.”
“No, it’s ok, sis. I don’t...there’s no-one.” Bum felt terrible for saying that, but it was the truth. As much as he liked Sangwoo, he had only just met him and Sangwoo had told him plainly that he was not going to be Bum’s Alpha – not that Bum would expect him to be as they were strangers. It was just a passing attraction. Nothing more. Yet Bum felt deep down that it was something more between them, there was nothing he could do. “I’ll be happy to become Dongyu’s mate.”
Sangwoo looked tense all of a sudden, but he kept up his steady smile. “So it’s all settled then.”
“We have to get back to my father, tell him the...good news,” Dongyu looked sullen. “Let’s go, Sangwoo.” He walked out without a backwards glance, Sangwoo giving the family a polite goodbye before leaving.
“He’s horrible, you can’t let Bum mate with him,” Ji Eun looked upset. “He’ll be mean to my brother, I can already tell from his attitude towards omegas.”
A shadow passed over Gwang Soo’s face, and he looked solemn. “I didn’t want to have to tell you and Bum, but the company is not doing as well as it used to. We’re in trouble. I really need the contract with Dongyu’s father, and so –”
“So you’re sacrificing Bum’s happiness for money. It’s disgusting. You and mother should be very ashamed of yourselves. I can’t stay here listening to this anymore!” Ji Eun exclaimed, interrupting her father. She angrily stormed out of the dining room, Ah Sung following close behind her.
“Listen, Bum. If I don’t get this contract, we’ll lose the house, the company...I would have to pull Ji Eun out of university too. You’re saving us all, son,” Gwang Soo’s face crumpled. “This isn’t what I wanted for you. Believe me. Your mother wouldn’t have wanted this for you, either. I’ve broken my promise to her now. But you do understand, don’t you? To save us, you have to become Dongyu’s mate.”
“I do understand,” Bum sighed heavily. “Don’t worry, father. I’ll be his mate...but what do you mean when you say mother wouldn’t want this for me? She was happy that I’m going to become Dongyu’s mate. In fact, I bet she can’t wait until I leave the house for good.”
Gwang Soo suddenly pulled Bum to him, almost crushing his small son with the intensity of the hug he gave him. Then he released his hold on Bum and sighed, a wistful expression taking over his face. “I’m not talking about Ah Sung. I’m talking about your real mother...”
Thanks for reading :)