Chapter Text
"We are evolving from beings who are entrapped by the bio-necessity of Alpha, Beta, and Omega relationships to beings who are able to maximize their potential and contribute towards the betterment of society. Some think by combating this bio-necessity we are eroding the very basis of the society, as this will lead to more people stepping away from traditional roles, which in reality is true, but it will not threaten civilization itself but rather strengthen it. By giving people complete autonomy over their bodies and helping them lead more dignified lives as respected individuals. And this is one of the main causes towards which Buaoyi Pharmaceuticals works by trying to make heart and rut suppressants more affordable and accessible and reducing their adverse effects on the fertility and pheromonal health of people. On this note I would like to conclude the third edition of the Buaoyi Pharma-tech Summit. I hope you have a great night ahead." Namping addressed the symposium from the auditorium stage with such grace, which left half the room captivated by his charm, and his gaze exuded the degree of his intellect, which was no less than that of any Alpha, even more than some. He adjusted the rim of his glasses and exited the stage in a couple strides.
Backstage he saw Ing, who attacked him with an affectionate hug and complimented him for his excellent speech. He knew Ing since his freshman year in college; they met during a debate in which Namping dissected Ing's argument mercilessly with careful precision. Intrigued by him after the debate, Ing approached Namping for a group report, and the two gradually became best friends. At first Namping didn't know that Ing was one of the heirs for the biggest conglomerates in Thailand. Well, he knew she was from a well-off family, but he didn't know she was the only Omega daughter of the Buaoyi family. This piece of information was sure a surprise for him, but it didn't change their dynamic. After they graduated, Ing offered a management position to Namping in the pharmaceuticals company she was going to inherit; he accepted her offer, and together they expanded the company, working relentlessly in the past seven years.
Namping was glad that the summit was a success, as it would open new channels for foreign investment. For the further advancement of research conducted by the company for gel ointment-based suppressants, which would reduce waste as they will contain a lot less plastic than stick-on ones. Namping hugged her back and asked her if she was ready for addressing the press later at the gala, to which Ing replied, "Yes, readier than ever, Ping. Today was a success; this could not have happened without you." "You're sure getting promoted with a salary hike." They left the office building where the summit was held and headed toward the hotel where the gala was taking place.
They took Ing's black sedan and chatted throughout the ride. When they reached the venue, Ing left for the interview, while Namping proceeded towards the red carpet. When he was about to enter, he saw Ing's older brother, Keng, coming towards him.
Ing introduced him to Keng in sophomore year when he transferred to their university. Keng was an Alpha, an Alpha who made Namping's heart beat incredibly fast. He didn't see him often even though they were in the same university. Occasionally he took them out to eat or came to pick Ing up for home. They never talked much except for a few broken conversations about assignments. After graduating, they saw each other often at work or family dinners sometimes, when he accompanied Ing, but never really had a chance to actually get to know each other. Keng was a stunning Alpha with sharp features. Namping had harbored a secret crush on him since college days. He had acquired a habit of secretly taking his pictures and has a folder on his phone that is filled with hundreds of his pictures accumulated over the years.
Namping was screaming inside when he saw the older Alpha approach him, asking him to be his date for the night. He gladly accepted the Alpha's offer without much thought, and he didn't know how long it would take Ing to come back. He surely wasn't getting bored alone waiting for her. Also, he didn't want to waste a golden chance to be with his crush. As they stepped on the red carpet, Keng placed a firm hand on his back, which sent a jolt of electricity up his spine, and the cameras started flashing vigorously, taking pictures. Namping tried to hide the turmoil. Keng had created inside him by putting on his classic charming smile; the media also sensed the chemistry between the two, which got them speculating.
As they made their way inside, the whole gathering seemed to have paused because there was one variable Namping had forgotten to consider: Keng Harit Buaoyi had never been seen with an Omega, whether it was publicly or privately. Which meant him being seen with Keng was a statement itself. As the realization hit him, the weight of Keng's hand on his back started to feel heavier. "Damn, this will lead to a massive dating rumor," he muttered to himself. No matter how much he liked Keng, a dating rumor was the last thing he wanted right now.
They joined a table, consisting mostly of young businesspeople and heirs, people with substantial connections. Keng's hand gently left his back and picked up two glasses of champagne from the waiter and handed one to Namping. The conversation that followed was no less than a display of theatrics, as the words spoken were more for show than to make genuine conversation or to discuss something seriously.
Then an unusual figure joined in the conversation: Jamie, an Alpha who had been rejected last year by Namping. When his company was working with them, he tried to court Namping many times and offered him unrealistic salaries, but he politely rejected him every time. Because of which he started causing trouble for the company. He had an arrogant smile plastered on his face; the Alpha was sure he was up to no good.
He joined the performative casual conversation taking place; between the small talk, he commented on Namping as if he hadn't noticed him until now: "Who do we have here? The most loyal employee Buaoyi's ever had? First the daughter, now the son? You've surely hit the jackpot, Namping. If you chose me, you wouldn't have had to bust your ass working to please the sister to get to the Alpha." Namping wasn't hurt or taken aback by the comment; it wasn't the first time his work and friendship were undermined just because he was an Omega.
But he felt Keng tensing with fury, but before he could react, Namping replied, absolutely destroying Jamie, "If you were half as capable as I am, you would've had a nice Omega by your side by now, half as capable as me, an Omega. The only reason you don't have a partner is you only know how to abuse the power you hold over other people and weaponize your incompetence. And I am not loyal to buaoyi's because of power; in fact, I am not loyal at all. I don't need to be loyal. I work with people who are my close friends with more than enough salary and great career growth. I don't need to sleep with anyone to be successful because I am successful right now, way more than you are. So instead of trying to slander an Omega who rejected you. You should utilize your energy somewhere else; maybe use some of it in fixing that shitty entitled attitude of yours."
Keng was surprised by how well the Omega defended himself, his face displaying an expression of pure admiration and subtle smugness due to how much he enjoyed seeing him totally murdering Jamie's reputation. His eyes were fixed on Namping the whole time. Keng knew Namping wasn't a damsel in distress, but seeing him annihilate Jamie was something that made him like the Omega more.
Namping was one of the prettiest Omegas Keng had ever seen, but he didn't only like him for his beauty. Initially, he did feel attracted to him because of how beautiful he was. But the more he got to know him through his work, the more he started admiring him due to his intellect.
Even though Namping was her sister's best friend, he hasn't had many chances to actually court him. Tonight when he asked Namping to actually be his date, he was dying inside due to nervousness. He didn't want to waste a perfect coincidence, them arriving at almost the same time, and him being alone not being pestered by Ing. He took his chance and asked him to be his date despite it being in the most business-like tone one could ever imagine. Keng didn't realize that him attending his family's annual charity gala with an Omega could serve as a spectacle.
Keng followed Namping as he left the table and approached the balcony. He leaned against the railing and stared at the sky with eyes gleaming with satisfaction. His pheromones gently filled the air with a gentle scent of ylang-ylang as the moonlight illuminated his face.
Keng stared at the scene as if it were the most beautiful sight he had ever witnessed. He walked towards the railing and leaned next to him, his gaze fixated on the person beside him. He himself stared at the sky for a few moments before asking Namping if he was okay, referring to the incident that took place earlier, to which Namping replied in an affirmative tone. "Yes, that was nothing, Khun; scumbags like him don't bother me. I would rather spend my precious time thinking about something else."
Keng spoke again but this time with a tenderness in his voice. "Doesn't it feel bad, your work and friendship being demeaned so easily?" Upon hearing this, a small smile appeared on Namping's face. After admiring the stars in the sky a few more seconds, he replied. "There is no point in feeling bad about something like that. You feel bad and hurt about something when you are insecure about it, and as I stated earlier, I am quite content with my life. I admit, there are a few things here and there, but not everything is perfect in life.
After taking a pause, he added, "We should live in the present, not in the glories of our past and the promises of our future, shouldn't we, Khun?"
The younger's words left Keng intrigued and awestruck at the same time.