"Good evening, dear passengers. It's thirty past six and we are landing in the same time zone. The temperature at the surface is thirty-nine degrees. The definite time of landing is fifty-five past six. We are expected to land smoothly. I hope you had a relaxing journey with us. This was your captain, Kim Namjoon. If there are any further changes, I will make an announcement again. Have a great evening and a pleasant stay in Paris."

As the announcement reverberated, Jimin stretched his legs, taking off his neck brace to look out the window from his business class seat. The evening was getting murky.

In a few minutes, the flight landed and he got off first. Being a premium and VIP member had its advantages — early check-in, complimentary food, and a quicker collection of check-in bags.

While he waited for his check-in baggage to be handed over to him at the Airport, he dialed his chauffeur's number. "I am coming outside in five minutes, please bring the car around."

The alpha disconnected the call and glanced at his surroundings. A few other VIP members were standing by the waiting lounge, all gawking at him. Taking his bag as it arrived, he walked out of the terminal exit. Looking through the big square glasses on his face, he was sauntering out, ignoring the gazes he always got from people. He'd accepted that it was inevitable, no matter where he went. If it was Korea, people would line up to take selfies with him as he was a well-known face.

Other countries gave him an advantage of slipping past people untouched, but still not undetected, he blamed God for making him too handsome.

The next thirty minutes were like a blink as the driver drove into the night. Having lived in Paris for a few years in the past, this place felt like a second home to him. Never before did he pay any heed to the announcements, but there was something in the captain's voice this evening that made Jimin believe that this stay would indeed be pleasant.

He tipped the chauffeur as they arrived at the destination and walked into the hotel after an ostiary opened the door for him. With two handbags and one big bag, he promenaded towards the reception. The girl immediately touched behind her ear, releasing her pheromones with a slightly shy smile. "Welcome to Gen-Z-Tan Hotel, sir. How may I assist you today?"

"I booked my 15-day stay," Jimin responded, taking off his glasses and putting them on the counter that was separating the girl and him.

"Sure, sir. May I please see a photo ID?"

Taking the passport from the back pocket of his pants, Jimin offered it to the girl and looked around. He did book the hotel at the last moment, so he wasn't sure about it, but the place turned out to be more sumptuous than he'd expected. While the girl photocopied his ID, he took out his phone and began to text a few people. "Are guests allowed to stay overnight?" Jimin asked in monotone, without looking up. If he did, he would see the scowl on the receptionist's face.

"Yes, sir. We do allow guests, but as per the hotel policy, you will have to pay for them if they avail hotel services overnight."

"Perfect!" Jimin smiled, looking up, seeing her shineless eyes, and extending his hand towards her to take back his passport and room keys. "I will pay at check-out."

The girl bowed her head, holding the passport with both of her hands to give it back, followed by a card key. "Your suite number is 628, sir. The number of reception is 1 and the room service is 4. In case of any query, you can still call the reception."

"Thank you."

The receptionist gestured to a lackey to help Jimin with the luggage as he turned around to make way for the elevator. "It's fine, I will manage," the alpha claimed, positively halting the beta in his steps. He did tip him, nonetheless, before getting inside the elevator.

The long and peaceful corridors as Jimin walked over faux fur carpets made him hum. Looking around, he found the white, digital placards with the suite numbers flashing on them in brown. Finding his suite, he tapped the card key against the digital lock. A very faint beep sounded after a green light flashed on the lock screen and the suite door was opened.

A smile passed over the alpha's face, looking at the spacious room and the splendid interiors. He could totally imagine his stay here the way he wanted. Quickly taking out his skincare products, he placed them on top of the bathroom cabinet, his clothes went inside the wardrobe, and his electronic gadgets grabbed a space on the table. By now, it was forty-nine past eight and he started feeling slightly hungry.

"Was it 4 for room service?" He mumbled as he plopped down on the bed, picked up the intercom's receiver from the nightstand, and pressed 4.

The bell rang in his ear and he waited for a few seconds before a voice spoke sweetly. "Hello, this is Jeon Jungkook from Les Amis. How may I help you?"

"I need food in 628. Where can I find a menu?" Asked Jimin, feeling slightly pleased to find a fellow countryman working in the hotel. Although he did feel that the voice belonged to someone young, it was almost boyish.

"It's on your working desk, sir."

Jimin craned his neck at the table and spotted a leather folder there. "Yes, could you please allow me a moment and let me grab it?"

"Sure sir, no problem."

Jungkook waited in the restaurant, holding the phone to his ear and lips until Jimin spoke again. "Jeon Jungkook," the 23-year-old, heard his name being pronounced correctly. It was often hard for foreigners to enunciate his name with precision, let alone remember it. He knew that it was a Korean on the other side. Before he could speak, the guest was talking again. "I'd like to have some chicken and egg soup for now. I will place my next order soon."

"Sure, sir. All the items delivered to your room are chargeable. If you visit the restaurant on the second floor, you can eat for free at the buffet. The food usually takes ten to fifteen minutes to be provided. I hope this is okay for you."

"It sure is, Jeon Jungkook. Have a good night."

"Good night, sir."

The call was disconnected and Jimin now rushed to take a shower. The covid situation was much better as compared to the last two years, but the cases were increasing again, and he didn't want to take any risk of carrying the pathogen. He was washing his hair when his phone rang. The alpha let it be and continued to clean up.

By the time he walked out of the bathroom, he had three missed calls. He was still in his robes when the phone rang for the fourth time. "Hello?"

"Sir, this is Jeon Jungkook from Les Amis. I am extremely sorry to inform you that one of our chefs has suddenly fallen sick and she had to be taken to the hospital. We can't fulfill your request as of now, but if you wish to eat anything else, you may let me know and I will ensure that it reaches you as quickly as possible, or you may visit the restaurant in person. That way, it will be quicker."

There was something about Jungkook's way of talking that made Jimin smile. The boy seemed a bit afraid and pressurized, something he'd remembered well from his glory days. He didn't want to inflict any more pain on him. "I will visit the restaurant in a while. Don't worry about it, okay?" Jimin soothed.

"Thank you, sir," Jungkook answered and the tune played after he disconnected the call in the next moment.

Jimin quickly got on his feet to visit the hotel's restaurant. He changed into a black, somewhat loose sweatshirt along with black trousers. The Chelsea boots went nicely with the outfit as he checked himself out in the elevator's mirror. His hair was still a little wet.

The elevator door dinged open to the second floor and he stepped out. He could see a whiteboard, Les Amis printed over it in pink font, as his legs trudged him across the corridor.

Just as he entered, he spotted two girls and a boy, all in similar, blue-colored uniforms. But his gaze was magnetized by the boy behind a mask. All he could see were his eyes — big, innocent pair of doe eyes. The boy hesitated to walk up to the alpha, but the latter could see how panicked and afraid the former was. He could sniff his pheromones distinctly even with the food fragrances mingled in the air. He smelled faintly of lime thyme.

The wolf inside Jimin purred at the fragrance as he held onto a chair's firm back frame. His eyes took in the oozing sweat on the omega's temples and his fluttering eyes. He didn't realize it, but his pheromones were strong, way too strong at that moment, causing the boy along with many other omegas in the room to hyperventilate. Just as the realization dawned, Jimin breathed in deeply, regulating his fragrance glands.

The male omega looked like he would lose his footing when the alpha lurked and grabbed his forearm. "You okay, doll?"

Jungkook's round eyes went rounder and they faltered as he looked around to see if anyone was in close proximity to hear the endearment the stranger had just used. "Thank you, sir. I am quite alright," the omega pulled back quickly. "May I get your r-room number, please?"

"628. I am Park Jimin."

❣

First Voter: ShreyaThakur311