The words; excitement and anxiousness wouldn't describe how I presently felt. My gaze wandered around the room before my eyes stared at the ticking wristwatch — it was the tenth time since I sat on the cold, wooden chair. Every second felt like torture, and the previous day was spent daydreaming about the little trip. Taking a sip of the iced tea, I cleared my throat and sighed. The three empty chairs around the table were a reminder that my teammates were late. "Why are they late?" I mumbled softly.

It had been two nights since classes resumed, nevertheless, the week was stressful. The continuous planing and secret affairs made it more complicated — Noel has been open to me whilst Linyu nagged. Moreover, my father became curious and strict with my studies.

"What's taking them so long?" I stared around the crowded shopping mall. Immediately, the sound of raindrops on the roofs of the massive building echoed in the large, crowded space, which made me wonder whether they would make it. Slowly yet roughly, my fingers traced the moist, bottom lip before my eyebrows pressed.

The music that played in the café changed, and my eyes widened when Chantel's song played. A short-lived smile crossed my face as I hummed the lyrics. When it was almost to the chorus, I heard footsteps that became louder, the closer it got. My eyes immediately glanced up to the exited three girls, who were walking toward me.

"We have an unwelcome guest." Victoria smiled, then pointed at Katana, who sarcastically clicked her tongue. I stood up, and hugged her. Thereafter, she whispered softly about how she knew what happened between Noel and me. Despite that being shocking, my guts alerted me to play it cool to avoid the curiosity of others. Katana quickly loosened her embrace when I rolled my eyes.

"Hey there." Evangeline moved forward, then hugged me — it was sudden yet warm, I slowly smiled. Her eyes squinted before the reddish locs of hair slightly covered her baked cheeks, which made me unconsciously pull the light-brown, smartypants and loose, white shirt. "You look great."

"Not as good as you." I mumbled. Evangeline playfully waved her hands as she giggled. Unfortunately, the awkwardness was evident in the tone that I'd used. But to my luck, the others hadn't noticed.

"We have to hurry before the rain gets worse." Katana clapped her hands. From her excitement, I concluded that her mission was similar to mine — visiting a person. Luckily, there was a modeling audition for Avon's recruits. I assumed that she had decided to audition, then meet Ruki.

The journey to the Avon Entertainment Cooperation was filled with various decisions on the latest celebrity news and important figures. Evangeline had requested an audience with three managers of popular bands and two model scouters of Avon. Moreover, we had to interview the finance and marketing representative.

The large, colourful billboard that showcased various animated themes was the first thing that attracted me to the gigantic building. I watched when the car stopped at the outdoors parking area before we opened the umbrellas and raced toward the security check. Seconds later, we were in the queue, then scanned. At that moment, the girls and I walked through the hallway.

"Can we explore after the interviews?" Evangeline twirled the guest cards in her palm as she asked. I nodded and stared at the others that agreed. She suddenly smiled, then handed the cards per person as we searched for a free spot. I stood at the pink, fluffy seats — my fingers gently tracing it.

My eyes wandered around the lounge, where the guests sat, occupied with magazines and watching trailers on the large screens. At that moment, I was relieved that the dress code was in handy and fitted the occasion.

"Oh my, the auditions are on the next floor." Katana hurriedly jumped as she scrolled through the decorated phone — a bright smile clearly displayed on her face when she waved. "I'll take my leave, have a great time, beauties."

"Best wishes." I waved.

When Katana was out of sight, a pink-haired lady gracefully walked toward us. The heavy makeup and tight, blue dress suited her olive tone — I was of course envious of her style. The colourful beauty checked the cards in our possession before directing us to follow her. "Her hair reminds me of the Rofan characters." I whispered.

"I'll be your guide for the day." My attention was on the clicking sound of heels whenever it made contact with the sparkling, marble floor. Her voice was calm yet controlling — moments later, we stood at the elevator. "Please be prepared, the interviews will be starting soon."

Unlike the first floor, the fifth floor felt like a whole new building. The place was no longer the clear glass windows and tiled floor that had colourful furniture — it became a field of various settings with multiple ideas. Each open door had a story and energy that was entirely different from the next.

The pinky explained about the photo shoot rooms and dress rooms. It seemed that the floor was entirely reserved for the highest-ranked stars due to the privacy. Moreover, it was equipped with a private, indoors restaurant and an entertainment centre. Thereafter, interviews began.

The unnecessary, tiresome interviews were over after two hours of discussion and moving between the third and fifth floor. Exhausting and tiring though it might've been, I walked out of the office at the most relaxed pace that I could master. My sore rear pained due to the hours of sitting, whilst my bruised feet burnt as my heels touched the floor.

"Finally, I was about to burst!" Evangeline yawned, then stretched her arms. My fingers ran through my hair as she took out the portable mirror from the handbag. Evangeline and Victoria quickly added more colour to their lips — a little overwhelming smile spread to my lips. "I'll be leaving now."

"Chantel is outside?" Victoria tilted her head and playfully smiled. Even though the other growled, she winked at Evangeline. Her gaze was then on me before she repeated the previous actions. "Shouldn't you be going downstairs?"

"Tsk! Don't..." Evangeline raised her hands in a gesture of surrender as she walked away. "I'm leaving."

My guts were right; not only Katana, but Evangeline too had plans. Moreover, it had been four hours since we arrived at Avon E. C, which meant that Noel had to be free. I rubbed my pressed forehead — patiently waiting for Victoria's excuse. "I'm sorry, but I also have to leave." She paused as we hugged. "I would have stayed longer, but I also have someone to visit."

"Okay, Okay!" I happily tightened the hug, which made her pheromone more concentrated on my upper body.

"A little secret; I heard that Noel has a photo shoot and the dressing room for today is on the second floor. Oh, maybe start from room fourteen..."Victoria whispered, then winked. Without hesitation, I waved at her dispersing figure as I turned toward the direction of the second floor.

My fingers fixed the messed up locs of hair when the elevator stopped at the second floor. Unfortunately, we had not explored it because most offices were on the higher floors. I forced the smile on my face as my body flinched at every step that I took. How I wish I had brought spare shoes. The cold breeze made me shiver, butterflies that turned in my chest — was all the warmth that I needed.

The hallway was more crowded, and hence making it easier for me to blend in, though my nervousness would have easily made me stand out. I paid no attention to the artistic graphics on the stainless, white wall nor the sky-blue tiled floor. My gaze wandered around the end of the hallway that had private rooms and a large window front decorated with flowers.

"Room 10." I traced the door, which had a foreign name on it. Fortunately, Victoria had already informed me about the correct number. "Maybe it's at the end of the hallway." Without hesitation, I quickly walked toward the bright window before I turned and stared at the characters engraved on the door. "Room 18."

Taking several deep breaths, my body relaxed before my shivering hand almost pressed the door. But, my body suddenly froze when people's voices became audible the closer I moved toward the slightly, closed door. From the tone of the voices, it seemed like there was an argument. I pretended to stand as a guard against the wall whilst falsely typing on my phone. Luckily, nobody found it awkward.

"Gosh, you know that I care about you, sweetie." The cold tone of the female voice made me shiver as I leaned back. Moreover, the voice seemed oddly familiar. "You are the perfect child, can't you do a little more for your family? I'd be thrilled if you could."

Hmph. That person clearly didn't genuinely mean a single word spoken. "Mother. I'm uncomfortable with this contract and I already have a tight, weekly schedule." Noel's tone was unlike the previous ones that I heard. He seemed unsure and his words were pressed as though spoken through clenched teeth.

"Right? My son is so honest and grown up." She paused, "Is this the short-lived legacy that you'll leave for your poor brother."

"Mom! Please!"

"It seems that a tiny fairy is giving you wings lately." A sarcastic click of the tongue echoed in the room. Suddenly, there was random silence, which caused me to peep through the door. Noel stood at the window, his back leaning on the glass, whilst his mother sat at the dressing table. The atmosphere was awkwardly relaxed, even though their discussion seemed the opposite.

"It's better than claws." He rubbed the back of his neck. When his eyes wandered around the colourful, blue walled room, I quickly moved away from the door.

"Oh? Please keep in mine where you stand — a prime alpha that has dominant qualities of an omega. What a joke, we both know that a prime omega will always be an omega, no matter how long the scent is masked." I gasped, then covered my mouth. "If news of this were to be accidentally released, I wonder what would happen — be a good doll."

"I know that you cannot put the house's reputation at risk for some petty reasons." There were sudden remarks that the mother said before he became quiet. "I, I'll try my best." I heard the faint, shaky voice that made me flinch. Momentarily, a rough cough echoed in the room before deep breaths were released. "I'm sorry."

"It hurts me whenever you don't take your medicine on time and on that note, the next project has a fixed weight scale. Be dieting for the next two weeks." The footsteps suddenly became louder as the person moved toward the door. When the door was almost pulled open, I quietly rushed toward the window front and pressed my phone against my heated cheeks.

For several seconds, I stood at the corner as I stared at the busy surrounding. The place where we had previously packed the car was empty, which meant that Katana might've left with Ruki. My gaze wandered around the hallway before I sighed softly. "Noel is a hybrid or half alpha?" My cold fingers rubbed the bridge of my nose — watery eyes fixed on the fake flower decors at the window front.

How could that be? It was really rare for such cases to live past sixteen years due to the conflicted pheromones of both an alpha and omega in their bodies. Moreover, only one character had to be dominant. Would that be his omega side? How could it be possible for a prime alpha identified individual to be dominantly an omega? Could that mean that I had romantic feelings for an omega? Wait, that made no sense.

I roughly scratched my head, then took deep breaths. That couldn't be it, moreover, Noel's pheromones affected me every time. "Now that I think of it, he has never had a specific scent. It was a strong, ranging, bittersweet scent." Immediately, a wide smile crossed my face as my eyes widened. "Oh my, I'm in love with a freaking hybrid."

"Is anybody there?" I heard a soft voice, which made me flinch. If Noel found out that I heard the whole discussion, I'd definitely lose the trust that we built for such a long time. With that, I rushed through the hallway as the door opened. Luckily, I managed to escape the horror of explaining what I might've heard.

"I'll ask him about it tomorrow."

🦋
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Is Noel an omega or alpha? (Shocked!)

Who can make the best Noel x Aurora couple name?
Mine is Noaurel or Naurorel XD