"I'll have a black coffee. Iced. No sugar."
Ann lifted his head from behind the counter.
He recognized the man immediately. A customer who occasionally visited the café to work quietly.
Although this Alpha didn't visit frequently, he always left a strong impression on Ann by ordering only one thing: black iced coffee without sugar.
Perhaps Ann was the only one who remembered this infrequent guest.
The man's eyes were deep yet bright, not lingering long but just enough to make Ann's heart miss a tiny beat.
Oh no, he'd been so distracted he hadn't even noticed the man entering. How irresponsible.
"Please wait a moment," Ann said softly.
He turned away, reminding himself not to stare. But the image of broad shoulders, a tall figure, and that elegant yet cold face stayed vivid in his mind.
Now, that's what you'd call a real Alpha.
A few moments later, Ann placed the coffee gently on the table, followed by a small plate of tiramisu, bowing slightly: "Here you go."
The man nodded, taking the cup. Ann turned to leave when...
"Wait."
A hand gently grasped Ann's sleeve.
"Yes?" Ann turned back, slightly startled.
"I didn't order the cake," He said hesitantly, glancing from the plate to Ann.
Ann smiled softly, replying gently, "It's on the house, to apologize for the delay with your order earlier."
The man laughed lightly, assuring it was fine. Ann studied his face carefully for the first time. It truly was captivating. Dark hair, amber eyes resembling whiskey illuminated by sunlight, a straight nose, defined but not harsh features. His black polo hugged broad shoulders perfectly, long and neat arms adorned with a masculine watch. A subtle scent of pheromones lingered.
A mixture of pine and pomegranate. Very pleasant.
The more Ann looked, the more he realized… this man was exactly his type.
Handsome. Polite. Reserved. Stylishly elegant.
Suddenly, Ann recalled last night's dream—the hazy figure in the mist, the soft voice calling from behind.
Oh, his dream had taken the form of this customer.
He paused briefly, feeling... regretful.
Someone like this, who perfectly matched his type, gentle as a dream, surely couldn't be interested in him in reality.
Sigh.
He was about to return to the counter when the same hand grabbed his sleeve again. The customer bowed his head slightly, flustered.
"Um… I'm Robert. Can I... ask you out?"
Ann stood speechless for several seconds.
Wait… He hadn't woken up yet? Was he still dreaming?
A male Omega like him being confessed to by someone like this?
Ann felt confused. Yet, as he thought further, his heart sank.
Maybe the man misunderstood. Maybe he is gay and thinks Ann is a beta male. And why not an omega female? Ann said there is no way someone thinks he is a girl again on the same day.
"Do you know what gender I am?" Ann asked, voice lowering.
"…I suppose I do?"
Ann laughed softly, unsure if it was self-mocking or fatigue: "I'm a male Omega."
The man paused, taken aback.
"…You're a male Omega?"
Ann nodded.
"So if this was just a misunderstanding, I apologize. I'm probably not your type. And if this is a joke, it isn't funny."
He finished speaking, lowering his head and preparing to retreat to the counter.
But unexpectedly, the chair scraped loudly. The man quickly stood up and caught Ann's wrist.
"Wait."
Ann turned back, startled.
Robert stood directly before him, eyes wider than usual, voice slightly shaking:
"I'm not joking, nor making fun of you. I really… have liked you for a long time."
Ann froze.
He didn't know how to react or if he should believe it. But Robert's eyes had no trace of mockery—only sincerity and a bit of fear.
He was genuinely serious!
Ann's mind went blank, his cheeks gradually heating up. Having never encountered this before, his natural reaction was to flee.
"I… I need to go inside."
He turned quickly, nearly dropping the tray he was holding. Once behind the counter, he crouched behind the cake cabinet, face flushed, heart pounding wildly.
"Oh my god… what's happening…"
Robert, seeing Ann panic and run, stood stunned momentarily before smiling helplessly.
That noon, after his shift and lunch at the café, Ann went to class.
The lecture hall on the third floor was hot, with sunlight harsh outside, the breeze gently touching the classroom through the curtains.
He sat in the fourth row, staring blankly at the board, unable to concentrate.
Robert's face lingered in his mind—handsome, sincere amber eyes, and a warm voice saying:
"I've liked you for a long time."
Ann kept trying to convince himself it might've been a joke or even a cruel prank. But his heart refused to listen.
He'd genuinely been moved.
Ann let out a quiet squeal, forcing himself to focus and take notes, continuing to persuade himself it was just an illusion.
Unexpectedly, when Ann returned to the café for his afternoon shift, something surprising awaited him.
Milena was present, working at a table near the counter, wearing her usual white shirt, black pencil skirt, and an untouched americano beside her.
Ann tried to appear normal, cleaning cups, clearing tables, arranging pastries silently until...
Clack.
Someone entered the café.
Turning around, Ann saw a small bouquet on the counter—a large red rose wrapped neatly in newspaper, faintly scented with pine and pomegranate. Beside it was a tiny handwritten note, carefully folded.
Scanning the room, Ann noticed a familiar figure seated at a window-side table.
Robert.
Catching Ann's gaze, Robert offered a gentle smile.
Ann picked up the bouquet, heart fluttering.
He was serious.
Milena glanced briefly, raising an eyebrow and smiling meaningfully, nudging Ann playfully:
"Seems like your type~ Better prepare your reply~"
"Stop teasing me, Milena…" Ann whispered weakly, face burning as he quickly hid the bouquet beneath the counter.
Seeing Ann too embarrassed to face Robert, Milena gallantly delivered Robert's coffee herself, sparing Ann the awkwardness.
When evening came, Ann returned home, dazed. After showering, he climbed upstairs and lay down.
Warm yellow light illuminated his window. He reached for the bouquet beside his bed and unfolded the note.
Written in black ink, slightly stiff handwriting:
"I'm sorry for leaving a bad impression today. I'm not good with words, that why I have caused misunderstandings. But if you allow, I want a chance to sincerely show you my feelings.
I hope someday I'll have the honor to wait for you each morning. – Robert"
Ann stared wide-eyed at the note.
One second.
Two seconds.
Then he buried his face in the pillow.
"I'm doomed…"
He laughed joyfully, shyly, incredulously, rolling around his bed like a blushing pastry.