CHAPTER 3: REPRESENTATION

JARED'S POV 

I yawned lazily and opened my eyes, taking in the classic decor of the hotel room. 

I sat up in bed and yawned again while rubbing my sore back. The man seemed to have left. Even his space beside me had turned cold. 

Well, it was better not to see him again. Especially after the shameful sounds I made last night...

I rubbed my temple and forced myself up the bed. I quickly put on my clothes and walked to the bedside stand to pick up my phone, and my eyes fell on a paper behind it. 

I picked it up and read it out, *Sorry, I had to leave. Call me when you wake up.* then followed by a string of numbers. 

I stared at the letter for a moment and sneered. Call him? For what reason? I rolled my eyes, squeezed the paper, and threw it aside. 

Picking up my phone, I strolled out of the room without looking back. 

A night that would only stay a memory. A man who would never show up in my life... again. And a comfort I might never experience again.  

I boarded a cab at the entrance of the hotel and dialed Stephen's line. "Buddy," I called. Only then did I realize how hoarse my voice was and how painful my throat felt. 

"Jared, are you okay?" Stephen asked worriedly. 

I shook my head and sighed, "I'm fine. Are you at home?" 

"Yes. Coming?"

I closed my eyes and bit my tongue lightly. "Yes, I'm coming." I'd hate to return to that home. 

It wouldn't feel the same... I would feel too burdened. 

"That's fine. You can stay here for as long as you want." Stephen replied. 

A smile formed on my face, and I nodded, forgetting Stephen wouldn't see. "Okay. I'm on my way." I told him and ended the call. After which, I provided his address to the driver. 

I opened the door and stepped in, meeting Stephen, who was waiting for me beside the shoe stand. "Good morning!" I greeted, trying to be cheerful, but my crooked voice downplayed my effort. 

Stephen stifled a laugh and grabbed my arm, "Last night must have been serious, right?" He nudged me lightly and chuckled. 

I pursed my lips, cheeks turning red as I forced my head away. "Not saying. I'm not saying anything!" I pulled my hand away from him and ran off. 

Stephen chased after me. 

*****

"Let's order takeout?" Stephen dropped the game console and questioned. He had been rubbing his belly for an hour already. 

I ended the game and raised a brow, "Can't cook?" I questioned. 

Stephen rubbed his neck, and his cheeks puffed up like he'd been wronged. "You know better!" He snapped fuming. 

I laughed. "Okay, let's cook. I will do the cooking while you wash the dishes. What about that?" 

Stephen immediately perked up. He grabbed my arm and danced happily. "Hm. I missed your cooking." 

"Okay. Okay. Let's go." I struggled to escape and ran to the kitchen. 

My gaze fell when I saw the empty freezer. I turned around to look at the evading Stephen, and my blood boiled. "What happened to 'food doesn't leave my home' mummy boy?" I cried out. "Your fridge is empty!" I raised a hand to smack his forehead, but he nimbly dodged. 

I looked at the freezer again, and my anger grew. I wrapped my arms across my chest and sighed. "Let's make noodles then," I suggested. 

Stephen clapped. "Yes, let's do that." He greedily agreed. 

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. "Why won't you be satisfied?" I mocked and quickly turned on the gas. "Let's go out in the evening," I muttered. 

"To do what?" 

I raised a brow, "Do you want to starve at night?" 

He laughed sheepishly and scratched his cheek, leaving behind the foam from the dishes he was washing, "Right. We need to get groceries." He mused and continued his business. 

I sneered and continued cooking. 

The aroma filled the small kitchen space, and my stomach grumbled. I rubbed gently, looking forward to the fully prepared noodles so I could eat. 

"Stephen..." I called, "Have you done your assignment?" 

"Not yet. You?" Stephen wiped his hands as he replied. 

I shook my head. "I haven't. My books are at that..." I paused and bit my lower lip. 

I'd need to go back there to pack my things, but it wasn't the right time. The best thing to do at the moment would be to avoid things that would remind me of that bastard. 

I wouldn't want to fall back into heartbreak depression...

"You're sweating so hard, Jared. You okay?" Stephen asked, throwing a towel at me. "The AC is high enough." He pointed out. 

I grabbed the towel and dabbed my forehead with it. "Yeah, I just feel uncomfortable," I replied nonchalantly. It was the usual weakness... It had started again. 

"Uncomfortable? What happened?" Stephen asked. 

I threw the towel over my shoulder and shrugged. "It began like a week ago... ummm..." I groaned and bent forward. A gasp escaped my throat, hinting at the unbearable heat in my belly. 

I held the kitchen table, trying to steady myself as more sweat formed on my body, "I..." I still wanted to explain, but my chest tightened abruptly. 

My stomach knotted, and my knees buckled, but I held on. 

I could feel something forming between my legs and dripping down. I let out another gasp and brushed my legs together. 

"Jared, are you okay?" I heard Stephen ask, and I shook my head. 

"Something is wrong, Stephen." I forced myself to say. 

My legs weakened and I fell weakly on the ground. I could feel the liquid even more now and my body felt hot all over. I felt dizzy and groans escaped from my mouth in succession. 

I could hear vague noise in the room, indicating that Stephen was saying something to me, but my mind only turned hazier. 

I gripped my shirt tightly, forgetting it could tear at any moment but there was nothing else I could do. 

I felt weak, vulnerable, and desperate. 

The world tilted and a sharp scent--- strong, unfamiliar___ filled my nose. 

Opening my eyes again, I realized I was in a strange place. A pleasant scent filled the room. 

My heart raced as I looked around, trying to make sense of my new environment but my eyes fell on Stephen, who was napping at the side. 

I breathed in relief. 

If Stephen was there, then things couldn't be bad, right?

The uncomfortable feeling was no longer present and I could no longer feel anything between my legs. I must have been treated. 

But where was this?

My eyes fell on the disheveled Stephen again and I hesitated waking him up. He must have been very worried about me...

The door opened and a man in a white coat walked in... a doctor?

He approached me with an amiable smile on his face. With his delicate features, I could tell he was an omega. "You're awake, Jared." He called, his cool voice felt soothing. 

I nodded. 

He checked my pulse and his smile widened. "Great. You are okay now. You just need to be here for a week more." He mumbled. 

My eyes widened. "A week more?" I was surprised. What could have happened? "Doctor, how long have I been here?" 

The doctor checked the chart, his smile remained amiable. "You've been sleeping for three days." He told me. "Your friend refused to leave. He eats and does everything else in this place. He's such a great friend." 

I nodded. Of course, Stephen was my childhood friend. He had been like a brother I never had since childhood. His strong physique, compared to mine, gave him a big brother feature, and he had never failed in protecting me. 

He stirred and slowly opened his eyes. His gaze fell on me and he quickly stood up. "Jared..." He called and rushed forward. His arms open as he bent to hug me but he froze just a moment before hugging me and awkwardly pulled back. 

He scratched his nose and raised an apologetic brow to the doctor. "I forgot he's different now." He mumbled. 

My brows twitched, "Different? What's different?" I could feel my heart pounding again. 

The doctor turned to me and his smile became even more relaxed. "Jared, this is very rare. In my ten years of working in PRESENTATION CENTER, this is my first time seeing a twenty-year-old man presenting... as an omega for that. It's really rare." 

"Your pheromone code is H9270, and it is..."

"Wait, please." I gasped. "What did you say?" 

They must be joking right?

"I represented as a what?"

The doctor shared a glance with Stephen and nodded understandingly. "I know it's sudden, but you are now an Omega." 

I looked at the doctor and then at Stephen. I laughed and with squinted eyes, asked, "This is a joke, right?"

Stephen scratched his neck and smiled wryly, "It's not..."

My eyes rolled and I smiled bitterly...

Oh no. I think I ran mad___

Or maybe I didn't? But the world surely was crazy.