Breakfast turns cold within his sight. The piece of bread feels like a cotton swab in his throat. While washing it down so he won't choke, even the soy milk feels like murky dirt.
Never has Ezra felt regret the most in his life! After what he sees on Fa's PC, nothing in this world can erase it from his mind. He can't sleep all night, thinking about millions of reasons, thousands of scenarios, and the essential 6W1H—why, what, who, where, when, which, and how?
"Are you alright?"
Fa makes Ezra almost jump from his seat; but since their chair is coupled, his leg ends up on Fa's lap. A warm temperature from Ezra's body jolts Fa. He softly touches the Omega's hand under the table.
Ezra pulls his hand away and turns his head to the side.
"So, your birthday is in two days. How about a small party to celebrate your coming of age?" asks Renyu. He is eager for a party because it's been a while since the mansion held one. The last time they had was during Caspian's coming of age—obviously like two years ago. Even when Peinaire and Caspian got married, they decided to register at the office and held a small banquet lunch at the local restaurant, skipping the party part.
This sociable Golden Alpha is thirsting to meet some people!
"I'll let the Beta helpers arrange one—"
"No need to. I am fine. Thanks."
A cold reaction from Ezra brings shock to everyone. The sweetheart Omega suddenly goes plain and quiet, with his face slightly annoyed.
"How can you react like that, you moron? At least, put some colors in your tone!" Peinaire lectures Ezra. She can see how Renyu turns gloomy when he hears the stoic response from his son-in-law.
Ezra snaps back, and with a guilt that seeps inside, he apologizes to Renyu. "Sorry Alpha Renyu, but I'm not used to celebrating my birthday. Because..."
Everyone is now looking at him, waiting for an answer.
"I don't want to talk about it..." Ezra washes down the remaining bread in his throat with a glass of soy milk and excuses himself. He leaves the dining room with tears slowly rolling from his eyes.
***
"Are you alright? You seem a bit agitated today," says Tao. They are doing some hands-on learning in the workshop and for a good countless times that Abro Beta saw Ezra keep cursing under his breath.
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
"How can we not? You literally almost ignite a fire just now," Up flicks up his welding helmet. He turns off the machine after checking it several times, just in case if there's any switch that still turns on.
"Workshop class demands you a lot compared to the theory class. You need to have a clear mind and a hundred percent commitment," Tao gives a piece of mind to Ezra.
That male Omega drops a circuit board on the table. He stares an empty space in front of him and frowns. "Have you guys ever been cheated before? Or got cheated?"
Up turns his head and look at Tao. The Abro Beta glances at him, surely understand the assignment. He is the most strong minded among them, and he is a bit wise as well. Not to mention that he is a Beta; neutral almost all the time and never picks side.
"In what scale did that happen? High school level or old married couple level?" Tao leisurely asks Ezra.
"I don't know. Like... you love the person, but the person cheats you with another person..."
"The normal range level," Up whispers at Tao. He nods his head faintly, agrees with that Alpha.
"That's not the problem, actually. The real one is when that person who cheated with your lover is now your mate," Ezra's words makes both of his classmates in shock.
"That's kinda weird..." Tao frowns.
"Is it a three-way drive or—jeez, I think I'm losing my mind!" Up props up his chin. "But, come tor think of it... well, some choose to have both. Love is confusing, so that's how it works!"
Ezra bits his lower lips in frustration. This might sounds simple; a cheating case. But, why him? Why he should be tangled with a male who has a connection with Sora? What's the real motive? Is Fa tries to separate him with Sora, that's why he chose him to be his mate? Well, that sounds absurd! The motive isn't there!
"Ezra Sarin?" Ezra is back to the Earth when a male student summons him at the entrance of the workshop. He stands up, waving his hand faintly.
"Your father is here. He's waiting for you at the rest room."
Ezra frowns. Father? The only father that he has now is Renyu. His real father is long gone. But, why does that Golden Alpha comes for a visit?
***
"Sorry for keeping you waiting—"
"Nah! It's fine! I'm the one who should call you first beforehand," Renyu smiles as he rise up from the chair. Ezra is standing politely in front of him.
"Do you have any class later?"
"No. I only have one more workshop class but it's after lunch," Ezra replies politely.
"Let's have lunch then!" Renyu grabs his bag from the table and ushers Ezra out of the room. They both ride a car to the nearest cafeteria.
In the bustling space, Renyu looks natural. He doesn't seems to bother the noise and the hot weather at all. He choose the best table and the best menu among the line of hawker stalls.
"I used to come here and had lunch with Kawei. I was a high school student when he joined the engineering. So, I'm used with this," says Renyu. He grabs a piece of tissue and wipes the cutlery set; for him and Ezra. "We couldn't always meet. Since my Por passed away, the mansion felt empty. So, I always came to see Kawei. He chose to stay at the boarding, so I can only met him here," Renyu continues.
Ezra listens to the story attentively. The drinks in front of them has not been touched yet.
"I'm sorry for not being sensitive. I know, I should learn more about you before proposing any idea."
"Please don't apologize to me, Alpha Renyu! I'm the one who should explain everything—"
"How can I not apologize when I proposed a party on the date when you lost your family?"
Ezra sits in silent. His eyes waver and slowly tears flowing through his cheek.
"If it's not for Cirrus who came to meet me and clear things up, I wouldn't know..."
Ezra hangs his head low. When he was 12, he attended a summit at another district in Kwi Nation. That time, he didn't know that his family was planning a surprise birthday party for him. They travel from home to the venue, but, unfortunately, they had an accident that killed all of them.
"Don't feel regret, Alpha Renyu. Whatever happened; it's all written up as my destiny. I'm moving on for the sake of the future," says Ezra. "Hence that didn't happened, I might not knowing your family, and we might not being able to talk like this; through this delicious food and drinks..."
Renyu watches Ezra as the Omega wipes away his tears and smile at him. Overwhelmed feeling kicks in; looking at this lonely Omega reminds him of himself when he lost his Omega father.
"Fa lost his mother when he was a child; perhaps younger than you. I can understand your feeling; although not all through. He is still lucky to have a family, but you're alone almost all the time..."
"I have my friends; Tish, Rei and War. They're my family, so I am never alone. And now that I join this family, I think I won't be alone anymore..."
Renyu grabs Ezra hands, and pats it softly. "I'm glad to hear that. You're a nice cub; pure heart and loveable. There's no way I would feel regrets to have you as my another son. From now on, I will learn more about you. I promise."
Ezra gives out a smile at Renyu. He nods, as he returns the touch with a warm gesture. Renyu smiles before asking Ezra to dig in the food.
After lunch, he sends the Omega back to the workshop. When Ezra steps out of the car, Renyu suddenly summons his name again.
"Ezra."
The Omega turns his head and look at Renyu. "Yes?"
"Fa might never told me anything. But I can see how much he loves you."
Ezra gulps, staring at Renyu. His words sound sincere; no awkwardness, no nothing. It makes Ezra measures his thoughts about what he sees. Although it might not provide the answers that he's been looking for.