章節 9: sort itself out

"Ivan, look at this." Jane rushes over to me, excitement evident in her voice as she shoves a napkin into my arm, along with a significant amount of bills. Curious, I unfold the napkin and the familiar scent from earlier wafts up to greet me.

"To the most beautiful man to have ever graced my eyes, I hope with this menial favor I get to have a temporary stay in your thoughts.

A passing admirer -"

I read the note with a mix of frustration and amusement. If I'm the most beautiful omega, why didn't you ask for my number, you dummy, I think to myself with a slight smirk.

That night in my modest one-bedroom apartment, I find myself deep in thought. Life is peaceful, yes, but it's also lacking something. I'm not ungrateful for what I have, but I yearn for more. However, fear holds me back from indulging in my usual narcissistic tendencies on social media. The last thing I want is to draw the attention of Dorian.

I'm just... normal.

But that's not me. I'm loud, flamboyant, and yes, sometimes lonely. I glance at the note on the counter, the one from the mysterious admirer, and I can't help but wonder why they didn't ask for my number. It's a frustrating thought, lingering in the back of my mind.

I grab my phone and start scrolling through an omega subreddit, hoping to find some solace or advice. Soon, I stumble upon a post that resonates with me deeply.

"I've been feeling restless lately, and I'm not sure why. I also get these random pangs of loneliness. It's so frustrating, I don't know what to do," the poster shares.

The comments are a mix of understanding and suggestions:

"Sounds like your heat is coming."

"Ah, the dreaded heat."

"Maybe it's time to find a mate."

"If you need a professional heat doctor, call xxx."

I open my calendar on my phone and check the date. Heat in July. Well, shit.It's only March. That explains a lot.

I forgot about the burdens of being an omega. Now I'm faced with a choice: find a partner or hire a 'heat doctor'. Heat doctors are basically alphas for hire during the heat, and the thought makes me cringe.

The alphas in this town are all so proper and reserved. Asking one of them would practically be like proposing marriage, and I'm definitely not ready for that step yet. I stare up at my ceiling, lost in thoughts about my circumstances.

Like a lightbulb suddenly switching on, an idea forms in my mind. There's a larger, bustling city about six hours away. Why not escape my worries and dance my problems away? Perhaps I'll even find an alpha that catches my eye.

The thought of leaving this small, quiet town fills me with a sense of excitement and anticipation. I quickly pack a small bag with essentials, including my most alluring outfits. If I'm going to this city to find an alpha, I need to make sure I look my best.

As I zip up my bag, I feel a surge of energy and determination. This could be the change I need, a chance to break free from the monotony of my current life. With a last glance around my apartment, I grab my keys and head out the door.

The drive is long, but the anticipation keeps me going. I crank up the music in my car and sing along loudly, the wind whipping through my hair as I speed down the highway.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, I arrive in the city. The bustling streets and vibrant energy immediately invigorate me. I find a parking spot and step out of my car, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

After my wild impulsive decision to drive 6 hours away, I decide to call my boss.

"Hey, it's Ivan. Yeah, about that... I kind of spontaneously decided to take a trip to the city. I know, I know, I should have let you know beforehand. Sorry about that. I'll be back soon, I promise," I say into the phone, hoping my boss isn't too upset.

I check into a budget-friendly motel in a relatively safe neighborhood, securing a two-week stay.

Glancing at the substantial chunk out of the balance in my bank account, I'm reminded that I'm no longer the affluent model Ivan. The reality of my situation sinks in—I'll need to be more mindful of my spending in the upcoming months.

It will sort itself out.