Unexpected friend (2/2)

Unexpectedly, Primo doesn't leave after that. Kaiden doesn't mind; if given the choice, he prefers not to be alone.

There is no awkwardness between them even though they are practically strangers. Instead, they get to know each other through small talk and tactful questions.

Kaiden discovers that Primo is more ordinary than he initially thought, lacking the sophisticated taste common among wealthy people. Mr. Celebrity admits that he prefers cheap convenience store coffee over overpriced espresso, and he likes buying things that are guaranteed to last instead of those from flashy brand names.

"It's all marketing anyway," the celebrity says, sharing his wisdom to the younger man whose biggest purchase in his life is a second-hand fridge. "Consumers are buying to flaunt the brand's name, not the product itself."

If not for security reasons, Primo says he would rather commute instead of being driven around, and Kaiden agrees that traffic in a metropolitan city is the worst.

Primo, in turn, discovers Kaiden's charm. The younger Omega has a laugh that puts angels to shame, and his silliness is on par with his youth. Primo never knew that childish jokes can be endearing until Kaiden asks him 'what do you call a fake noodle?[1]'

(Primo may or may not have snorted, spilling the strawberry milkshake on the table, upon hearing the first-ever corny joke in his life.)

There is something about the younger man that pulls Primo in. A sort of ease and candidness that he has not encountered since working in the entertainment industry. It's refreshing, talking to someone with no ulterior motive, that Primo finds himself opening up to his neighbor.

Kaiden listens attentively when Primo complains about the discrimination he faces at work as an omega, and although the former doesn't say much about his experiences, Primo knows Kaiden suffers just as much as he does. He knows because he sees the expression of hurt on his face and he smells the pheromones full of absolute pain that Kaiden unconsciously releases upon broaching the topic.

It's a sore spot for both of them, the one thing they relate to each other the most. With omegas being rare, one assumes that they are more cherished than others, but even though society is progressing towards a more omega-friendly mindset, the prejudice is still there.

"You know what they told me?" Primo asks Kaiden while cradling a tub of ice cream in his arms. "They said I don't have the right public image for the role. What does that even mean? I'm the cleanest celebrity out there!"

Kaiden wonders if he should be hearing all these dirty details about the entertainment industry as an outsider. Don't they have a reputation to protect?

Well, he doesn't want to think too much about it, so he joins in. "Maybe they were trying to say that you're too pretty," he says, eyes lingering on the other's chocolate-smeared lips.

"Yeah, but who says pretty people can't be psychopaths? I can act as a serial killer too! They just don't want me because I'm an omega." A hand immediately shoots up to his mouth when he realizes what he said, holding back a gasp. His manager's warning not to reveal anything replays in his mind. The movie he auditioned for is being kept as top-secret, known only to a select number of people. Now, that includes his neighbor too.

However, as if completely missing the detail that the paparazzi has been trying to sniff out for weeks, Kaiden asks, "How do you know that?"

Primo hesitates in answering for a second, deliberating whether Kaiden is playing dumb or not. Upon seeing the latter's innocent eyes, Primo decides it doesn't matter anyway. It's not like he can take back what's been said. With this mindset, he lets loose the complaints he held for a long time.

"I overheard the casting director talking to the producer about how troublesome it is to accommodate my schedule when I take a leave for my heat." He clicks his tongue, obviously annoyed. "As if he doesn't know that top celebrities regularly take suppressants during filming. Not like it's a secret."

Kaiden says nothing, allowing the other to vent.

"If they don't want to cast me because I don't have the skills then they should've said so. But no, because I /do/ have the skills and everybody knows it. They can't even make up a believable excuse." He slams the spoon into the ice cream tub, angrily scooping out the chocolate dessert while shaking his head.

Kaiden watches as Primo pouts and grumbles, sitting cross-legged on the living room floor. Primo's pose is so unlike his aloof public persona that it humbles him, a reminder that he's human too.

After a minute, Primo suddenly asks, "Why are you looking at me like that? I didn't eavesdrop on them. It's not my fault they don't know how to close a door."

Kaiden averts his gaze, trying to hide the fact that he's been staring. "I didn't say anything."

"You're giving me this judgy look." He narrows his aquamarine eyes as if he's scrutinizing the younger man sitting on the sofa.

Kaiden appears to be composed, but his twitching fingers give him away. "This is just how I look."

"No," Primo tears down his excuse with no mercy, "when you opened the door this morning you looked like you haven't slept for days."

Kaiden flinches at the memory, cheeks tinting with a blush. It's so shameful of him to meet someone when he hasn't even brushed his teeth yet.

"Anyway, what are we having for dinner?" Primo asks, already letting go of the matter.

The shift in the mood startles Kaiden, so all he lets out is a simple, "Huh?"

"I'm staying, obviously. I've been here for hours yet you haven't kicked me out." The cityscape beyond the windows is slowly turning dark, proving Primo's point.

"Oh … you're always welcome here." Evident by him losing track of time, Kaiden acknowledges that having Primo around is a good distraction. "But is it okay if we just order food? I'm a bit tired."

"As long as I get to pick," Primo replies without further thought, already pulling up the food delivery app.

The two try not to think too much about their prior conversation as they wait for the food, choosing to cheer one another by watching a funny movie instead. When the fried chicken is delivered, Primo launches himself from the sofa so quickly that Kaiden doesn't have time to pause the movie.

Primo empties almost half of the food in Kaiden's fridge before he leaves, and if his manager pulls his hair out the next day when he learns how much food Primo ate, Kaiden isn't made aware. Kaiden is just happy that it solves his problem about what to do with all the food he doesn't have an appetite for.

Like that, the two grow closer in a span of 24 hours, oblivious to each other's deeper thoughts.

--

Primo flops face-first to his bed, limbs sprawled on all sides. With his tummy full and his heart light, there's no denying that his mood is good. He rolls over his nest, wrapping a blanket around him like a burrito. The various scents around him further uplift him. He may not have achieved his initial goal but he came back with something even better—a new friend!

He still can't believe he made a new friend that easily. Befriending other people has always been difficult for him, given his looks and status. He has to be wary of people with bad intentions all the time. It's tiring and lonely to always have his guard up.

Thankfully, someone nice moved in next door. The most they have done since the first time they met was greet each other in passing yet now, he can spend a whole day at the other's place with no problem. It's leaps and bounds in improvement.

He rolls around again, burying his face on the pillow. As he deeply inhales the scented item, he can't help but think: why does Kaiden smell so familiar?