Chapter 58: Beauty..?

I sit on the small, too-soft hospital couch, eyes fixed on a speck on the floor. The weight of Mr. David’s gaze is a physical pressure. Deniz sits beside me, a careful, respectful inch of space between us, his cheeks still tinged with pink.

The silence among the three of us is a solid, awkward thing.

Mr. David is the one who finally breaks it.

“Deniz,” he says, his voice warm but teasing. “You never told me you had a friend.”

His eyes sparkle with curiosity.

Deniz looks up, nervous, words failing him.

I glance from Mr. David to the floor again, tongue-tied.

How do I even introduce myself? ’Hi, I’m the emotionally stunted CEO who just manhandled your son?’

Before Deniz can stammer a reply, his father continues, his gaze sweeping over me.

“He’s kind of cute,” Mr. David muses, his eyes sparkling with a father’s gentle teasing. “Is he an Omega?”

My head snaps up. “No. I’m an Alpha.” The words come out too fast, too defensive. I immediately look back down.

Neon, can’t you just stay quiet?

He blinks, taken aback by my abruptness, then smiles. “It’s really rare to see an Alpha with such… Omega-like beauty.”

I don’t look up, heat creeping up my neck.

Mr. David’s gaze shifts to Deniz, his smile turning knowing. “Son, is this a friend, or…” He lets the question hang.

Before he can finish, Deniz cuts in, his voice a rushed, flustered whisper.

“Dad! He’s my friend.”

Mr. David smiles softly at me.

I risk a glance at him. Deniz and his father share the same gentle features, the same softness around the eyes, especially when they smile.

“It’s rare,” Mr. David continues, his gaze lingering on me with open fondness.

“It’s the first time I’ve met a friend of Deniz’s. Since he was a boy, whenever I told him to make friends, he’d always say he was fine alone. I thought my son was a very boring person.” He smiles, soft and sad.

Deniz’s cheeks flush red as he murmurs, “Dad, please stop talking about the past.”

I can’t help a small, soft smile. “So,” I say, my voice quiet. “I’m Deniz’s first friend?”

Mr. David nods, his expression a mix of wonder and pride. My eyes stay on Deniz.

Why does this feel so… formal?

So significant?

Like I’m here to meet the parents as a prospective boyfriend, discussing future intentions.

About marriage…?

The thought is absurdly sweet, a secret thrill I quickly bury.

“Mr. David,” I say, forcing my gaze up to meet his. “I apologize for the… scene earlier. I was just panicked. Deniz hid your condition from me, and I misunderstood his silence. I was worried.”

He waves a dismissive hand, his smile forgiving. “It’s perfectly alright. The moment I saw you hugging my son, I actually thought you might be his boyfriend.”

Deniz’s head jerks up. “Dad.”

His father chuckles. “My baby, I’m just teasing!” But his eyes twinkle as they land on me again.

My own cheeks burn now.

We really did look like a couple..?

The thought makes me want to grin like an idiot, but I force it down.

We’re not. But… maybe one day.

Mr. David turns his warm attention back to me. “Beauty, you haven’t told me your name.”

I blink. Beauty?

The word jolts me. I blink, confused.

He called me ’beauty.’ I just told him I’m an Alpha.

“Dad…” Deniz tries to interject, mortified.

“Son, I’m only joking!” Mr. David laughs, his gaze lingering on my face with genuine appreciation.

“But he really is beautiful. Like the moon. I can’t help but say it.”

I manage a small, genuine smile. “It’s okay, Mr. David. My name is Zyren Kael.”

The warm, teasing light in his eyes vanishes. His smile fades, replaced by sheer, unvarnished shock. He stares at me. “Zyren… Kael?” he repeats softly, as if testing the weight of the name.

I nod, trying to look as harmless as possible.

His eyes dart to Deniz, and he whispers, loud enough for the whole room to hear,

“Your boss?”

Deniz nods slowly, looking pained.

Mr. David’s entire demeanor shifts. The casual, affectionate teasing is gone, replaced by a stiff, formal deference. He looks back at me.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Kael. I had no idea.”

“Mr. David, please,” I say quickly, leaning forward. “There’s no need to be formal.”

“But you’re my son’s employer.”

Yes, I’m his boss. But I’m also his friend. We’re ’boss and employee’ only in the office. Outside of it, I’m just a person. Please, talk to me like you were before.”

He hesitates, clearly wrestling with a lifetime of social hierarchy. He glances again at Deniz and leans in, whispering again, but this time it’s a stage whisper meant to carry.

“Son, you always said your boss was so cold and heartless. But he’s… he’s so cute and soft!”

Deniz flinches as if struck.

“Dad, please be quiet!”

My own eyes widen. I look at Deniz, who refuses to meet my gaze, guilt and horror written all over him. I look back down at my hands.

Of course he would say that. The thought is a dull ache. The old Zyren was cold and heartless.

When I look up again, I meet Mr. David’s worried eyes. “Mr. David,” I say gently. “People have… certain ideas about me. Rumors. They think I’m a monster. But I promise, I’m just a person trying to be better.”

Deniz looks down, his guilt palpable.

Mr. David’s smile returns, softer now, tinged with a new understanding.

“I’m so happy you came here to meet me. It’s very nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine,” I say sincerely. “I truly hope you get well soon, Mr. David.”

His eyes twinkle again, the formality melting away under his innate kindness.

“Ah, such a polite boy! Call me Uncle, or even Dad! You’re my son’s friend, so you’re like a son to me, too.”

The unexpected warmth of it, the sheer, uncomplicated acceptance, tightens my throat. “Thank you,” I say, my voice softer than I intend. “Thank you so much for your kindness.”

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