The office air was heavy with the scent of fresh coffee and printed documents. Jiho sat at his desk, typing diligently, but his fingers fumbled more than usual. Every now and then, he would steal a glance at Zoey's office door — half open, like a mouth waiting to call him in.
Zoey leaned against her glass wall, watching.
Something about her little Omega was different lately.
His ears burned a furious red whenever she looked at him. He dropped files. He stuttered when answering even the simplest questions.
It wasn't the usual cute shyness — it was nervousness, raw and sharp.
Zoey smirked and stepped into the open floor, heels clicking softly on the marble. She approached Jiho's desk slowly, letting him hear her presence.
Jiho flinched.
"Busy, Jiho?" Her voice was velvet and amused.
He scrambled to stand, knocking over a pen holder. Pens scattered everywhere.
"S-sorry, CEO Park!" Jiho stammered, bowing quickly, face crimson.
Zoey chuckled and bent down casually to pick up a pen — on purpose brushing against his hand. Jiho practically jolted like he had been shocked.
"You're trembling," she teased lightly, standing up with a pen twirling between her fingers. "Did you do something bad?"
Jiho shook his head quickly, too quickly.
"No, CEO Park, I—I just... I'm fine! Really!"
Zoey tilted her head, examining him like a cat eyeing a cornered mouse. His scent — sweet, with a nervous bitterness underneath — betrayed him.
Alphas could smell lies.
"You're hiding something," she said casually, almost playfully. "A secret from me? That hurts, Jiho."
Jiho swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"I-I would never," he whispered, eyes wide.
Zoey tapped the pen against his forehead — a light, teasing boop.
"You're such a bad liar," she purred. "Careful, little Omega. Secrets always come out sooner or later."
Before he could respond, she leaned in closer — so close he could feel her breath on his skin.
"Come to my office after you finish your reports," she said, her tone low and promising. "We'll have... a little talk."
Jiho nodded, heart pounding wildly.
As she walked away, Zoey smiled to herself.
Her little Omega was slipping away from her — and she wasn't about to let that happen without a fight.
Not without making him hers completely.
{End of Chapter 9}