Chapter Eight

After lunch, a flashy car stopped by the gate. It was Johannes. After saying pleasantries and generously donating to the orphanage administrators, he took me and drove me back to the city.

Along the way, he asked, "So, are you keeping the baby?"

It shocked me that he actually asked me that question. I thought he'd assume the same thing as others did. He said, "I've been watching you for more than a year now. I know you're a cold person even though you managed to befriend many people. I've never seen you excited or happy. You don't look okay in the hospital even when you try to smile. You don't seem to like your situation, and you're not against abortion. That's why I'm asking if you decided to keep the baby or not."

"You're actually not that dumb sometimes." I did not bother to filter my words anymore.

He smiled. "Of course, I'm not dumb!"

Oh. He's too dumb. He thought I was complimenting him.

"Come on, tell me. Are you keeping baby Johannes Jr. or not?"

"There's no way I'm naming my child after you."

I don't know what possessed this person into thinking we were close. I thought Jacob got over the top in planning for my kid, but this guy even planned what to do if the baby gets rejected by the person it would fall for.

We stopped and had dinner at a family dinner along the way. He generously paid for the food I ordered. In the middle of random gibberish, he stopped to talk about something important. He took out what appeared to be a tin spray with a golden coating and luxurious brand mark. I thought it was a perfume, but it was labeled "Scent Blocker" on a closer look."

"Take a look at this" He proudly bragged about possessing the newest innovation and bragged more details about the product. "This is a scent blocker. It's not like the inhibitors for alphas which suppresses the release of pheromones, but this blocks the expression of those pheromones. With this newest invention, we can now control our scents. We will not have to worry about influencing the omegas to lose control because of our scents. We can also stop the unnecessary aggression with our fellow alphas. It's thanks to this. That's why you don't feel sick around me."

They should have just named it body odor deodorizer if it's only meant to block the stinks of alphas. "So, it's just another innovation only for alphas?"

He revealed a proud smile, "For now, only this type of scent blocker will be available on the market. Centauri Essence Corporation developed this, and they are planning to expand their business to pharmaceuticals. My source told me they also developed scent blockers for omegas, but the patent is still pending. Sooner or later, those will be available too..."

The rest of what this narcissist said did not even reach my right ear to pass through the left ear. My attention went to the news aired on the television displayed by the counter. It was a news story about the remains of an unidentified victim… It was like any other news, but the person being interviewed was someone I didn't want to meet, that forensic scientist.

The reporter asked him, "Sir, can you tell us more about the state of the remains found inside the city hall? Do you think the culprit is a government official?"

"No comment." He briefly answered and left as another policeman took the chance to be interviewed by the press.

Johannes saw that my attention was posted on the news. He began to talk about it and commented, "Oh, that's about the commotion in the city hall in Lacierta. Jacob was assigned to cover that story, but that clown refused even though he's been parading back and forth to the police station! What the fuck is wrong with your partner?"

"Remains found inside the city hall… sounds scandalous." It slipped from my thoughts.

"That Jacob is more scandalous! He's basically visiting the police station every day, but he refuses to work when needed."

On the television, the reporter could not tell other data aside from what was just mentioned and the promise of the police force to investigate and solve the case as fast as possible. There was a crime scene and sets of evidence. It was left in a public place, and witnesses are bound to appear and cooperate. The crime scene was scandalous enough to be aired on mainstream media. Of course, the police would promise to solve this type of case. The attention regarding this is extensive. The rewards when the case is closed would be more prominent.

If only there was a "crime scene" as showy as that case for the missing kids, the investigation would have been faster than my pace... not that I hope to find the kids as mere skeletons.

"Why don't you cover that story?" Johannes offered.

"Huh?" Covering that story means that there could be a high

probability of meeting that alpha. "Nah. I think I should rest for now."

"Seriously, Mr. T's group is not making progress with that story. You should take over. He stole your scoop about the mayor's scandal, right? " He insisted. "I'll get you scent blockers if you accept this case."

"Are you bribing me?"

"No. I'm negotiating. I'll get a promotion if you can solve this case under my jurisdiction."

"You're already an executive. What promotion do you still want?"

"Vice-Chairman. My mother wouldn't give her position easily. So, I need you to help me get more merits." His greed was showing despite how the scent blockers hid his stench.

He drove me back to my apartment after a long tiresome ride.

"I'll need time to think about it," I said after getting out of the car.

"Sure, but don't take too much time. I'm not rushing you, but you must start as soon as possible, like tomorrow perhaps."

"Wow, thanks for a ten-hour prior notice."

"You're welcome."

The elevator inside the apartment was stuck. Hence I do not have any other choice but to climb through the stairway. My place is on the eighth floor. I couldn't bear to take that option in my state, so I asked one of the handymen. "Sir, when will the lift get fixed?"

"I don't know. At this rate, maybe never."

He was honest. I got nothing from him, just like the reporter who asked that alpha.

When I got reminded of him, I got goosebumps all over my skin. I had to sweat it out, so I diligently climbed the stairs.

When I thought my life would be over, a faintly familiar scent relieved my exhaustion. The guy who said, "No comment," was standing in front of my apartment, together with that quack who should be imprisoned forever.

"Hi. Best friend." The quack smirked.

Irked, I glared at the sight of him, "What the fuck did you just do?!"

That alpha approached me and helped me stand properly. "I have been looking for you. Dr. Mendez helped me. It's my fault."

The moment his hand touched a tiny portion of my skin, I felt this overwhelming feeling of relaxation as if all my stress were gone instantly.

"I was just worried for you." The quack added, "And this magnanimous gentleman helped me sort my case in return for telling things about you, including your address."

"You quack!"

"Why don't you let us in first, no? It's not like it's a coincidence that we're here. We've been waiting for you for 3 hours already." He shamelessly invited them inside my home.

Dr. Mendez was the only one brimming with energy and audacity and acted as the host. He naturally went to the kitchen to boil water and prepare the tea.

I sat on the chair adjacent to the couch where Mr. Caesar sat in the living room. Contrary to his first impression, he sat there like a docile timid dog. He was quiet and behaved like a decent person— a total opposite of the wild wolf in bed during those nights. Ugh!!!!!

It was total silence until he sneezed.

"D-do you—"… I stopped and rushed to my room to find something that could warm him up. When I returned to the living room, my hand were already filled with a scarf, knitted gloves, blanket, and knitted bonnet. It didn't feel like I was on my right mind.

They were drinking tea, and Dr. Mendez almost spilled his cup when he saw me. I was irritated with his laugh but contained it and just threw whatever I had on Mr. Caesar.

"W-wear those," I ordered him, and he looked at me as if he was shocked.

"Best friend, I didn't know you're so sweet!" the quack shamelessly teased me.

"Shut up, quack!" Unlike the naughty doctor, Caesar obediently followed and wore everything. He looked like an oddball, but it was strangely cute to me.

After I forcefully pushed that quack out of my chair. We began to talk about things that I had been avoiding.

"Mr. Rene, first, I'd like to apologize for everything. I had been on an inhibitor that day, and I couldn't find any logical reason why my rut still occurred. Nevertheless, I have already marked you and imposed a lot of trouble on you. I know that my apology is not enough. Thus, I want to take responsibility and compensate you for all the damages."

He was calm and collected. His tone was very formal as if the conversation we were having was not of two mates. If not for his appearance today being bundled up with blankets, he would probably look amazing while talking earlier. He'd be like a dominant CEO of a big company.

"Come on, don't play dumb. The two of you went to heat and had sex because you two are biologically compatible." Dr. Mendez even dared to pat the ball next to him as if he was educating him.

"Dr. Mendez, we're talking about our matters here. Do you mind minding your own business and giving us the privacy we deserve?" I kindly requested.

"But, I'm your personal doctor."

"You're not."

"I am."

"No, don't delude yourself. You're not."

"Don't deny, I am— Yes. Yes. Of course. You two need space.

"He suddenly stopped and finally left.

When the only person left was the guy I share some affinity with because of the marking, the atmosphere suddenly changed.

"Uhm. A-about compensations and kinds of stuff that you said. You don't need to do that." I replied to the interrupted conversation he initiated.

"I heard about your condition from Dr. Mendez. I have to take responsibility." He insisted.

"That quack…"

Being around him made my heart flutter. My body reactions were uncontrollable. His faint scent gradually increased, and it clouded my judgment.

"How- How exactly are you going to take responsibility?" I asked with pheromone-induced courage.

I don't know what came to me, but I unknowingly expected he'd embrace me and fill the void that I didn't know existed within me... I expected his touch once again. I—

"I already made a plan with my lawyers. From now on, you own forty percent of my wealth. I will also make sure that you get enough pheromones from me. I'll provide you with all the necessities you need, including maids and bodyguards. If you decide to keep our child, I'll make sure to give the remaining sixty percent to him to ensure his future. And in case you decide not to give birth to him. It's fine with me. In that case, I will give all that I have to you. If you have problems with this, I will listen to all your request."

I am utterly disappointed. He said it with his business tone again. He was simply talking about how to compensate me.

"I am capable of earning money myself for me and my child's future. I don't find any fault in your intention to compensate me, but I do not want your money."

"You'll still give birth to the child even though it wasn't planned?" He asked.

"Yes. And it's not like what happened to us was that bad." I said. I said those things like I forgot all my stress for the past weeks. I had my first heat in a long time, I was marked, I got pregnant… and now I am blushing while brushing off all that I've gone through as if it was nothing?

"Mr. Rene, I am a busy person, and I am not good at accommodating people… but would you let me take care of you at my house? My place is safer, and I have few people who can help you. If we live together, you won't lack pheromones. Don't worry. I will never touch you, and I will respect you with all my heart."

He's indeed a big oddball of an alpha. He looked so sincere while he promised that he won't touch me. Not like I want him to do so, but that was rather uncalled for. If he's going to take responsibility, why is he so half-assed about it?

"Let me think about it for a long time. For now, why don't you get out of my sight?"

"Huh?"