Seoha's POV
I can't sleep knowing that he's next door, especially not knowing that he has no plan to let me go any time soon, it scares me but at least I have my guitar next to me.
The wooden instrument feels like having my mom next to me despite how tragically our relationship ended.
'Seoha, if you walk out that door' mom's voice comes back, and I turn to my other side to get rid of the memory.
After rolling around and plotting a quicker way to pay my debt, morning finally comes with sunlight streaming into my room and the chirping of birds.
The sound of hushed whispers and feet shuffling in what is supposed to be silence forces me out of bed.
Unsure of what to do as an employee of Kang Taesan, I follow the sounds and find some of his workers moving around quietly, they keep their heads down and whisper as they clean, dust and arrange.
I bow in greeting to them and get into the kitchen, where I find a woman in high-end luxury outfit, she stands with her hand on her hips as she addresses the maid in front of her.
"This is the last time I will ask" she says, voice low but stern.
The atmosphere is tensed and suffocating with the blinds left closed, the stove is also cold and the dining table empty…is this a home or a prison?
"Hello" I greet the tall women and the maid, and the woman look at me with visible disgust, "who is this?" the expensively dressed woman asks, her tone and expression shows exactly how she feels about me…disgust.
"I'm-" I start to introduce myself when the maid who took me to my room last night joins in the conversation with a small smile, "ma'am, this bosses newest employee" she says and the woman gives me the exact look that Taesan gives.
Stripping, demoralizing and demeaning.
"A male omega?" she asks and scoffs as she moves closer to examine me, "what does he do? Spread his legs for Taesan?" she asks and my scent sours at the unfiltered insult at my gender.
The woman lifts her nose as if my scent slapped her and she growls lowly.
"Is he offended?' she asks the maid before addressing directly, "Thing, isn't that what men omegas are good for? Spreading legs, taking cock like bitches and-"
"Ma'am that's a bit too harsh…" the maid behind me says and the woman gives a satisfied smirk at the way I shrink into myself.
Who is she? Why can't I speak for myself?
"Teach him the rules, he might be Taesan's employee but he's my servant" she says and walks past me, shoulder deliberately hitting mine as she leaves with the maid she had been scolding before I came, leaving behind her expensive jasmine perfume.
I stare in disbelief at the cold stove.
What did I just experience?
"Sorry, that's Choyeon, Sooin's biological mom's cousin and Sooin's caretaker" the maid says with a sorry wince.
I blink twice, the sun is barely shining, I am barely awake and I'm already being punched with insults by a perfect stranger.
"It's okay, I did it to myself" I say to myself and the maid.
"What?did you really sleep with boss?" she asks with a shocked whisper, and I make a face of disgust at the question but my face turns red at the thought of losing my virginity to a man like Kang Taesan.
"No" I say a beat too late and she sighs softly, "boss is very picky anyways" she mutters and proceeds to leave.
"Isn't this the kitchen?" I ask and she looks around in confusion, "yes…why?"
"What about Sooin's breakfast?" I ask and she makes a face.
"Ah…Sooin doesn't eat breakfast" she says and I blink in confusion, "why not?"
"She is very sick, she has a weak heart and always has stomachaches so…yeah" she says and I frown, "a child that is sick should eat even more" I say and she shakes her head slowly.
"This house, everything works differently, I have to go now, you can find me by asking for Jisu" she says and leaves me alone in the empty kitchen.
That bright child has a weak heart? That must be reason Taesan treats her like the world while he is a beast to the rest of the world.
I clench my hands into a fist by side and look at the door once before going to open the pantry.
It is already stocked with everything needed to cook a child friendly and delicious breakfast…maybe if I just do it silently, I'll get Sooin to eat my mom's famous gyeran-mari.
'Again Seoha?' one part of myself warns, already reminding me that I'm stuck here in a life stealing debt because I did what I shouldn't, I pause in front of pantry in contemplation…should I? should I not?
'Hungry pup' my omega whine and I feel my heart clench at the thought of a hungry child going to school.
Willing to risk my life, I start to cook, moving around the kitchen like I am permitted to be here.
Already done with the meal I had fully immersed myself in, my omega stirs in anxiety and when I turn around, I find a very furious Kang Taesan at the door.
The broad chested alpha is dressed in a grey suit, his hair untied and his hand is holding a cane.
My heart drops as quickly as the ceramic in my hand to the floor and shatters into smaller shards as I stare at the alpha like a deer caught in the headlights.
'Again. again. again' my omega whines inside of me, bowing even without a word from the man.
"What the fuck are you doing?" he asks without moving from his spot, his scans the kitchen carefully before he moves forward.
"Who asked you to fucking get in here?" he asks, voice is dangerously low and growl-like as he comes closer to me, breaking more of the shards under his feet.
"I just…I- it's bad that Sooin doesn't eat" I say without thinking and the alpha's arm is around my waist in seconds, nails digging into my skin as I cry out in pain.
"How dare you lecture me on raising my own pup? is theft in your blood?" he hisses.
"Dad! Daddy! Are you kissing?" Sooin's small voice calls from behind us and the alpha grabs the back of my head and press our lips together.