"Ann…"
A gentle voice whispered, thin like the mist at dawn. The surroundings were enveloped in white, lacking direction and light, with only the vague silhouette of a man standing a few steps away. His back was straight, shoulders broad, tall and lean—yet every detail seemed to dissolve into the mist. His face was indistinct. Only a feeling of familiarity lingered, as if he'd once appeared in a distant dream, so distant that Ann thought he'd forgotten, but it turned out he'd just never remembered clearly.
Ann stepped forward, legs heavy as though weighed down by stones. His trembling hand reached out to touch, but an invisible force resisted. He couldn't close the distance. Couldn't see that face. Everything blurred into an unnamed longing.
"Who… are you?"
A gentle touch on his shoulder startled Ann awake.
Ringggg—!!!
The alarm violently ripped him from the dream, dragging him back into reality, tangled messily in sheets: face still imprinted with pillow marks, eyes barely open while hands blindly fumbled to shut off the alarm.
"Oh no no…" he muttered, jumping out of bed as if shocked.
The clock showed 7:02 AM. Ann was already late for his morning shift.
Fifteen minutes later, he left his small rental room at the alley's end, his shirt hastily ironed, hair still warm from drying, round glasses perched hurriedly on his nose, eyes bleary. He drove his little scooter out, carrying the cool morning breeze under his thin jacket.
His full name was Ann Le —20 years old, a second-year Communications student at a private university. An Omega male, though he kept this hidden. Ann had been identified as an Omega at sixteen, around the same time a tragic accident claimed his parents' lives.
After the incident, Ann gradually distanced himself from all familial ties. He lived independently in the big city, renting a small room adequate for one person, and worked part-time at "Rustic Memories" café—a business opened by a family friend. Milena Yuong (Mila), the family's eldest daughter and someone Ann had known since childhood, managed it.
Ann didn't have many friends; most were "family-like" acquaintances from his youth. This was partly due to his reserved nature and partly because the social status of a male Omega made people hesitant to approach him without ulterior motives.
Entering university, Ann grew accustomed to loneliness. He learned to cook alone, care for himself when sick, and smiled lightly whenever someone asked, "Why do you live alone?"
Yet occasionally, he pondered: "Is there someone who truly sees me? Not because I do anything special—but just because...I am me. Someone is quietly living here."
"Rustic Memories" café was unusually crowded this morning. Not enough staff. Today, Ann was working alone.
Located in a small alley near the university area, the café had no flashy sign or artificial aromas. Only the sound of ceramic cups clinking, wind rustling through coarse fabric curtains, and the lingering aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans.
Ann was wiping the counter when a man entered—an Alpha, obvious from his swagger. His shirt opened at the top buttons, sunglasses pushed up on his forehead, pheromones aggressively filling the air. Minty, but unbearably concentrated, making Ann wince.
"Hey!" he called, plopping onto a seat near the window.
Ann approached, maintaining a polite smile. "Good morning, sir. What would you like?"
"You." He smirked. "You're Omega, right? Tomboyish but pretty cute."
Ann paused slightly but remained composed. "Sorry, I prefer not to share personal information."
"Then give me your number. Maybe we're fated," he said arrogantly, as though his Alpha status were something extraordinary.
Again…
This wasn't the first time Ann encountered this type, yet he still couldn't shake the feeling of being treated like merchandise simply for being Omega.
But how did he know? Did he forget to take his medication…?
"I'm not looking to date right now. Hope you understand." Ann carefully avoided inhaling deeply, gently declining.
The Alpha whistled, stood up, and shrugged. "Hard to flirt, huh? Well, see you around. Hopefully, you'll accept my invitation then."
He left without ordering. His intention wasn't coffee, but rather to bother Ann.
Once the door closed, Ann exhaled sharply, quickly grabbing an odor neutralizer spray from the counter, desperately dispersing the irritating mint scent. Then, he sank behind the counter, head in hands.
"Oh god…" Ann mumbled, voice strained. "I don't need some rich, handsome Alpha. Just someone normal, gentle, respectful… is it that hard?"
"It depends on whether you're willing to open your heart."
"Ah!" Ann startled at the familiar voice.
Before him stood a petite woman, arms crossed beside the counter, her gaze both teasing and serious.
Milena Yuong, 27, a female Omega. Manager of the café and the eldest in the group considered Ann's family. When she appeared, sounds around her seemed to soften.
Standing just under five feet, her presence commanded silence. Dark hair elegantly styled, professional attire impeccable—a dark skirt, white shirt, and ash-gray blazer. No need for loudness—one glance demanded respect.
"Milena, when... did you get here…?"
"When you were whining about love." Milena sighed lightly, leaning against the counter while pulling perfume from her bag to spray.
"Why arrive barely on time?"
Ann lowered his eyes, whispering, "I overslept…"
"If this keeps happening, maybe you have to move upstairs from the café."
"Sorry…"
Milena placed the perfume in front of him, speaking gently yet firmly:
"Ann, arriving early isn't just about preparation. It's about easing your own heart. Being on time isn't always enough."
Ann nodded silently, still not looking up, accepting the perfume and spraying.
Milena watched him quietly before softening, "You deserve kindness and love. But to receive it, you must first open yourself up. Don't hide too deeply."
"Yes."
"By the way," she changed topics, "Kai starts working with you next week."
"What? Kai?"
"Yes, he'll move to the city. Nina went to pick him up. You'll have a friend to work with next week."
Before Ann could react, a deep voice came from the front counter:
"A black coffee, iced. No sugar."
Ann looked up. A man stood before him.
An Alpha. Tall, broad shoulders, dark polo shirt, wristwatch. Black, neatly styled hair. Dark sunglasses. Deep voice.
Ann froze. Not because he was an Alpha, but because that figure, those eyes, that voice… was unmistakable.
It was him.
The man from last night's dream.