He Hates Me, He Loves Me Not

The Lin Corporation Headquarters is an imposing sight, and if Keisha's being honest, the Wester's headquarters are nothing compared to the scale and architectural design of the Lin's.

The buildings, although separated, are obviously connected to each other in a massive semi-circle. The exterior is reminiscent of a waterfall, except instead of water flowing down rocks and ridges, it uses plants and greens to mimic the same effect. In the middle are trees and shrubs, matching the vines that line along the outer stairs and balconies of the building, and providing shade to the employees who are taking a break.

She hasn't been there yet, but she knows there's a massive greenhouse on one or two of the rooftops. Keisha doesn't understand why, but apparently, the Lins open that area to the public for free on Children's Day and Mother's Day. She thinks they should at least set an entrance fee for all their trouble, completely ignoring the philanthropy behind the decision.

According to her research, the former head of the Lins decided to rebuild and renovate the building sometime a decade and a half ago. She has seen a photo of the old infrastructure, and although the reflective windows and symmetrical design is as professional as it can be, the decision to revamp the whole thing was definitely the right call.

Walking through the middle of the first corporation in Nysus City to use trees as a design element in their buildings, there's a voice in the back of her head that reminds her of her first dream. She could have designed something like this, something so beautiful that it makes people feel as if they've passed through a different dimension, but that's a dream that she has given up on long ago—if the force in her steps is anything to judge by.

That same part of her is telling her to stay, to admire the deliberate corners and study the layout closer, but she can't when she knows she's not welcomed. It's a blow to her pride, especially since she flew all the way here only to be rejected again and /again/.

Really, why is nothing going her way?

She thought that upon receiving news of that Omega's death, the lawyer would finally give in, but clearly, she underestimated the stubbornness of a legal professional. She also never expected Katie to specify that if Kaiden is no longer fit to inherit, may it be through mental incapacity, disability, or death, then the assets shall be donated to charity. She doesn't know which charity, and worse, she still doesn't know what that Omega was supposed to inherit in the first place.

She sees the car exactly where she left it five minutes ago, the driver not even given enough time to go through the underground parking lot before she's out again.

It's not the first time that her pride has been stabbed since Kramer passed this project to her, and the thought has her slamming the door close upon entering. The driver doesn't say a word, stepping on the accelerator without further prompting.

Keisha thinks back to that person who has a habit of abandoning his responsibilities. After knowing that his dear son is dead, Kramer spends all his time either in his room or the study. If she didn't know better, she would've thought that the sperm donor is actually mourning the loss of his son.

She's not stupid like that. Kramer never spared a second glance even when the Omega sported bruises far too big to be an accident, so why will he be sad now?

The few times she saw any semblance of compassion on him is when Katie was still alive, but even that vanished when she died.

Now, thirteen years later, Keisha can almost do whatever she wants. /Almost/, because no matter how many times she barges in on the Lin Corporation Headquarters, trying to ambush their newly appointed leader, she can't meet with the man.

Watching the streets of Nysus City move past her, her mind wanders to the man she knows by name and nothing more.

Dylan Lin, the second son of the Lin family, is a mysterious person. There are no pictures of him, not even on the tabloids, and none of his personal information can be accessed. She doesn't know whether he is an alpha, beta, or omega. The only thing she's a hundred percent sure about is that he swooped in without noise and started acting as interim CEO.

How did he manage to do that without showing his face? Keisha is still trying to figure it out.

The car arrives at the villa she's been staying in. To her annoyance, there's a familiar face waiting for her by the door.

Right, Keisha thinks to herself. How can she forget that this idiot insisted he accompanies her? What was his reason again? He's bored?

After she alights the car, she walks past him, ignoring his presence altogether.

Gabriel doesn't seem to mind, following behind her as she makes a beeline to the kitchen. He watches with amused eyes as she uncorks a decade-old wine and pours herself a generous amount.

As she's drinking everything in one swig, he leans on the doorway and says, "I guess he hid from you today as well, huh?"

Keisha wants to slam the glass on the counter but she stops herself at the last second. She knows this bastard is purposely messing with her. Giving in to his taunts will only satisfy him.

"What do you want?" she asks as she puts the glass down with a steady hand.

Gabriel crosses his arms over his chest, a cocky smile smeared on his face. "Can't I ask how my wife's day went?"

"What do you want, Gabriel?" she repeats her earlier question with narrowed eyes.

Gabriel shrugs, electing to ignore her question with a question of his own. "What excuse did they give this time?"

Keisha counts to three in her head, deliberating whether it's worth her time to argue with the moron she calls her husband. Upon realizing that it'll do more harm than good, she sighs and pours herself another glass while saying, "Business trip."

"Wasn't he on a business trip last week?"

"There is no business trip, Gabriel." She downs half of the wine on her glass. "He's playing with me."

"If you know that, then why don't you just give up?"

"You know I can't."

"Why?"

/Gods/, Keisha asks herself, why can't he just shut up and leave her alone? His questions are doing nothing to lighten her mood, and his presence is like a fly buzzing around her.

Gabriel furrows his brows, forehead creased in confusion when he asks, "Are the Westers having money problems?"

"No," she lies, refusing to voice out their troubles. "Father insists we cooperate with them." That part is true, although she'll never tell him it's because all the other families in their city aren't too keen on helping them after they were rejected by the Quinas. Gabriel will divorce her at the first sign of trouble, and that's another issue she doesn't want on her plate.

"But that doesn't mean you have to cooperate with only them."

She nods, finishing the rest of her drink.

"I have a suggestion," he says, stepping closer to her, "so just listen first, okay?"

Keisha narrows her eyes again. She's not too eager to hear whatever idea it is that her knothead husband forms in his smooth brain, so she pours another glass without saying a word.

Gabriel seems to take her silence as an affirmative, for he grabs a stool near the counter and begins running his mouth. "So I went to the club last night, right?"

Keisha is only half-listening to his words, not in the mood to pay attention to how he spent his time at the club last night. Her mind automatically filters out his description of all the 'hot omegas' and 'steamy makeout session' he enjoyed.

The liquor is starting to work, thanks to those glasses she drank in succession. The pleasant and warm buzz growing steadily on the pit of her stomach makes it easier to ignore his useless chatter.

She does, however, tune back in when she hears him talk about a man he met outside the club.

"—there's not a lot in the market right now so I think it's a good idea."

She only caught about half of it, so she says, "Start from the beginning."

The smug grin on his face drops. Annoyed that she has just begun paying attention, he asks, "Weren't you listening to anything I said?"

"No," she admits with no guilt. "I don't want to hear about your sexual escapades."

"You-You're always so—" He sighs. "Nevermind."

"So are you going to tell me or not?"

"Okay, but I don't like repeating myself so you better listen."

She's definitely tipsy now. She can hear him but she can't process his words as fast as she usually does. Despite that, she's not too far gone that she misses the important details.

Once Gabriel is done recounting the night and conveying the man's words to her, her mood has gotten better.

"So, what do you think?" Gabriel asks with open impatience

Keisha hums in response, a smile on her lips as she takes another sip from her glass. Truthfully, it doesn't sound too bad—lucrative, even.

Omegas, huh?