章節 30: Unit 5403

Lucy calls it an apartment unit but it's more like a luxurious condominium in a high-rise building. No, it /is/ a luxurious condominium in a high-rise building, one that houses celebrities, apparently.

Kaiden feels small in the presence of a famous person, the elevator cramped even if it's only the two of them. The metal machine feels even colder with only the sound of their light breathing, but if Kaiden pretends not to recognize the man next to him, maybe it will be fine. To be fair, the black cap and sunglasses do a poor job at hiding the man's signature mint green hair and lean physique. With how famous he is, even a non-fan like Kaiden recognizes him the moment he walks through the closing elevator doors.

He now regrets not letting Lucy come up with him, telling her to go back to the company for her unfinished work. Will it be less awkward if she is here?

Kaiden counts in his head the number of floors they need to pass before they reach the 54th floor—20 more to go. Considering that the star didn't press another button after he came in, Kaiden suspects that they're headed to the same destination.

Maybe not. Maybe the guy is just waiting for Kaiden to get off before he presses the button to his floor, privacy reasons, and all that. He can't be too safe now, can he?

Kaiden does his best to convince himself of this because what kind of coincidence is it if it turns out he's living next to a celebrity, right? He's just a regular person with barely any qualifications, undeserving to breathe the same air as this person—he who is worshipped by millions across the world.

Just as he's about to fully convince himself that the guy is merely playing it safe, the silence breaks.

"I don't like sour fruit," the guy next to him says, capped head lowered to focus on his phone.

Is he talking on the phone? Surely he can't be talking to Kaiden, even if there's no one else besides him.

Yet, the man speaks again, "I can smell your anxiety from here."

This time, Kaiden can't deny that he's being spoken to, red blooming on his face upon realizing that the 'sour fruit' is his anxious pheromones. After all, the technology to transfer scents over the phone hasn't been developed yet.

"I'm sorry," Kaiden mutters to the ground, not daring to look in the other's direction. He does his best to keep his pheromones in check, to reel in his nervousness, all the while regretting not wearing scent patches before he left the hospital.

"Here," the man says as he passes him a box, eyes still glued on his phone. "Seems like you're new here so I'll tell you. If you stink up the elevator, you'll be receiving complaints before the week is over."

Stuck in indecision, Kaiden shifts between staring at the box of scent patches and the man's indifferent face.

When Kaiden doesn't make a move or reply, the man becomes impatient. "Just take it. I have more where that came from." He practically shoves the box in Kaiden's direction.

"Thank you," Kaiden says softly, almost a whisper, careful not to let their fingers touch when he takes the box.

As usual, the man doesn't look at him when he replies, "No problem. I always have one in hand for my job anyway."

Kaiden tries not to pry, he tries to keep his mouth closed, but curiosity gets the best of him when he asks, "Omega celebrities need to wear scent patches?"

The man snorts, almost in a comical way if not for the natural elegance he exudes. "Anyone with a scent needs to wear one while working. The face isn't the only way to be identified, you know."

"Ah … that's right," Kaiden agrees with a small nod.

Obviously, with how everyone has their own unique pheromones, recognition through scent is second only to recognition through appearance. Unless they want to announce their presence and cause mayhem, big shots like this person need to neutralize their scents while out and about.

The elevator dings to signal their arrival at the 54th floor, and the man exits before Kaiden can say a word of goodbye.

Trying not to stare at the man's back as he makes his way to Unit 5403, Kaiden wonders how his life is going to change now that he knows Primo Alca is living next door.

Kaiden explores his new place just once before coming to the conclusion that there is nothing left for him to do. Usually, moving in is a hassle. There's a lot to tidy and furniture to rearrange before the place is habitable. However, because of Lucy's meticulousness, not even a speck of dust can be seen. Even the refrigerator is fully stocked.

Grabbing his suitcase from the entrance, he heads for the bedroom to unpack. The master bedroom, like the rest of the apartment's interior, is chic and modern. Bathed in neutral and muted tones, the style is reminiscent of soft mornings and crisp nights. The design is a feast for Kaiden's eyes yet something is missing.

The room has no scent. Zero.

Kaiden can't let that be. Now that he's on his own again, no one's going to stop him from scenting the place. However, the first order of business is to build his nest.

He pulls every item from the hastily thrown suitcase, not at all caring that his clothes are scattered on the floor. The blanket that Uriel gave him goes first, covering the top of the bed. Next are the items that his Aunt Jean sent him over the years. Despite some of them losing their scent due to the passage of time, Kaiden doesn't throw them away. Her sentiment and care for him are still there, keeping him close to his only family even if it's only by heart.

Afterward, he arranges the gifts he received from Lucy, Rosa, and Grandpa Rei in a manner that only he understands. It doesn't take long before a haphazard circle is formed on the bed, optimized for maximum fluff and comfort.

Nesting, up until today, is one of the least understood omega behaviors. Instinct has no rhyme or reason, fueled only by an incessant /need/. Doctors theorize that nesting stems from insecurity and the need to be protected, hence why the behavior goes on overdrive during an omega's pregnancy, a vulnerable state. They claim that a nest, an intimate place because it is personally built, is a reflection of an omega's psyche and mental well-being.

Looking at his nest that is much fuller than before, Kaiden thinks that maybe those doctors are onto something. He has more people around him now, giving him their care and support.

He slowly crawls to the center of it, careful not to displace the pillows near the edge, and surrounds himself with familiar scents. Like this, it almost feels like he's being hugged by his pack—cherished and loved. He wishes that he can be in this blissful state forever, but of course, all good things must come to an end.

His inner omega is crying at the loss of that one specific scent. There's no Alpha—their Alpha—among the blankets and pillows, not a single item to remember his fated mate by.

He knows it's foolish to hope, foolish to yearn, for someone who doesn't even take a second glance at him. Yet time and time again, he's reminded of that first night, that warm coat, and that gentle laugh at the greenhouse. Why did Damon do all of those things if he hates Kaiden? What is he to Damon? Are they really nothing more than employer and employee?

It's all so confusing, all questions but not a single answer.

Maybe he's like this because he has a lot of time in his hands now. That's right, it's because he suddenly has downtime that he's having stupid thoughts.

Maybe he'll get a job or find a hobby, maybe then the longing will stop.