CHAPTER 1: A CLASSIC TROPE

"YOU COULD sell your body for a pretty high price— if only you were an Omega, kid."

Was that something an adult should be saying to a high schooler, who was still wearing his school uniform, at that?

Me and my big mouth.

"For real?"

It would be a problem if his stepbrother saw him now, so...

It was something he’d expect to hear from a gangster.

"And you’re just one year older than the Omega from that movie."

Right?

"You claim that you’re not a kid since you’ll be of legal age soon, and yet you look disgusted when I tease you a little," Song Sihyuk said, scoffing. "What’s a little flirting between two adults?"

Unfortunately, his cruel stepmother and stepbrother used his name when they borrowed a huge amount of money from Kang Byungho— without his permission, of course.

I just wanted to insult you.

"Kid, if you were ugly, I would have punched you in the face already."

"Then wait a moment, please," Garam said while bringing out his old and barely working laptop from his backpack. "I made a PPT."

Garam wore his eyeglasses after setting up his laptop on Song Sihyuk’s desk. "Yes, Hyung— for real."

"Hyung, have you seen that 10 million-viewer film from ten years ago?" Garam asked curiously. "The one titled ’Illusion of Choice.’"

"Something that will hopefully convince him to stop bothering me since my stepmother and stepbrother’s debts are none of my business."

This gangster is truly a bad adult!

"Must you make it sound suggestive, Hyung? It’s a business proposal— not whatever you’re trying to imply."

"Byungho-ssi is still alive, right?"

I’m more handsome, taller, and fitter than most Betas my age.

Song Sihyuk shrugged unapologetically. "I usually prefer cute and petite Omegas. But I’m tempted to make an exception for you."

Lim Garam wouldn’t say that he was surprised, though.

But, then again, it wasn’t like the other gangsters outside would help him if the handsome but creepy hyung started beating him up.

"Hey, you should be taking advantage of what little interest I have in you," Song Sihyuk said, raising an eyebrow. "Your family is in debt, you know? If you suck up to me, then who knows? Maybe I’ll consider your debt paid. So, wanna play with me?"

"It’s Lim Garam. And you are?"

’Vacation?’

fre(e)webnove.l.c.om

"Hyung, can I use the bathroom?" Garam asked politely, in a low and soft voice. In short, yes, he was whispering. "And please don’t tell my brother I’m here."

I’m being serious here.

He got nervous because he realized that only the two of them were in that shabby office.

Garam was about to tell Song Sihyuk to stop laughing, but he was interrupted by a slightly loud knock on the door.

"Can you get straight to the point?"

***

Not this handsome but creepy hyung.

PS: The ML is a red flag, and this is a toxic story. You’ve been warned. ^_^

In fact, he was starting to feel bad for the buttons that kept the handsome gangster’s tight white dress shirt intact under his black suit.

***

"Song Sihyuk."

"Boss, Seo Minwoo is here."

"Please don’t."

Garam’s train of thought was interrupted when the handsome but creepy hyung suddenly laughed out loud.

"Me? What did I do?"

"Well, the actor who played the role was kind of handsome."

But just one once-over at the handsome but creepy hyung, and it already made Garam realize that he was being ridiculous.

"Kid, do I look like someone with good morals?"

"Omega this, Omega that," Garam complained lightly. "Hyung, are you obsessed with Omegas? They’re all you talk about."

"What kind of proposal?"

I need to hide.

Thank goodness for my parents’ beauty genes.

"You must be expecting Kang Byungho," the good-looking gangster said while leaning against the seat that belonged to Kang Byungho— the loan shark that Garam was looking for. "Sorry to disappoint you, kid. Kang Byungho is on vacation. While he’s away, I’m the one in-charge of this place."

Anyway...

"If you aged up the Omega a little, the story would have still worked. Broke college students exist, too. So, I’ve always wondered why the writers and the director decided to make the Omega that young. Now I know the answer— and it’s all thanks to you, Hyung."

That hyung is built like a fridge.

"You’re an Alpha? That explains the obsession, then."

"You’re actually right— you’re quite attractive for a Beta."

"You want to hide from your brother, right?"

For a moment, Garam feared for his life.

"Did you bring up that movie to preach to me?" Song Sihyuk asked, raising an eyebrow. "Careful, kid. You won’t like it if I make you eat your words later."

"I’m not a kid— I’m already eighteen years old, and I’ll be an adult this coming January."

"Hyung, have some conscience. I’m still in high school, and you’re a grown adult. At your age, your frontal lobe is already fully developed. You shouldn’t be messing with someone who’s barely legal."

"Too bad you’re a Beta," Song Sihyuk said, putting Garam’s breath mist spray in the inner pocket of his suit. "If you were an Omega, I would have already hit on you."

This hyung gives off Alpha vibes since most Alphas are handsome and big.

Song Sihyuk just chuckled. "Yes, I’ve seen the film you’re talking about. It’s still a controversial movie to this day, even if it’s now considered a classic."

"I’m not preaching to you— I’m just saying I finally understood why the main character has to be that young," Garam said indifferently. He knew that he had just shaded this hyung, but it wasn’t really his intention to do so. It was just that Song Sihyuk got on his nerves. "Because I can totally see now why that poor Omega made that choice. After all, I’m tempted to accept your offer, Hyung."

Well, that was true.

"Aren’t most Alphas obsessed with Omegas?"

Then, after that, I’ll be a college freshman in a few months.

Garam flinched when he heard his stepbrother’s name.

"Why do you care? Is Kang Byungho your sugar daddy or something?"

"How old are you, Hyung?"

He wasn’t bluffing— it was the truth.

The handsome gangster hadn’t gotten up from his seat ever since Garam got there, but he could tell that he was tall.

Garam pointed at his face. "Most people look at me and assume I’m an Alpha."

"Because you have a filthy mouth, Hyung."

Tsk.

"There’s a perfect place for you to hide instead of the bathroom," Song Sihyuk said, smirking. And then he pointed at the space under his desk. "Here."

"Kid, you’re hurting my pride," Song Sihyuk complained. And then he pointed at his face. "Most people look at me once and can already tell that I’m an Alpha."

This isn’t you hitting on me?

"You reminded me of that Alpha loan shark from that movie."

Okay, now my pride as a Beta is hurt.

I can imagine those buttons flying because his chest is too wide for that tight shirt.

Why was this hyung laughing, though?

Loan sharks go on vacations?

Just like what happened to the poor Omega from that classic movie.

He didn’t say that out loud, of course.

And once the New Year arrived, he’d be allowed to drink alcoholic beverages.

Plus, this hyung is fit.

Garam clenched his hands tightly, his cheeks flushed from embarrassment.

This story is very familiar.

But, of course, standing next to an Alpha like Song Sihyuk would make him look average.

Anyway, it was on Garam for coming to a loan shark’s office. He wasn’t dragged there— he came to that place willingly.

"Yeah. I also drafted a contract based on my proposal. Of course, we can always revise it later."

Yeah, prejudice is a scary thing.

... and then the handsome gangster suddenly burst out laughing.

"Didn’t I already tell you that I’m the new boss of this place?" Song Sihyuk said, scoffing. "If you’re going to propose, then propose to me."

"I know. It’s ridiculous how I’m older than the main character. But now I finally figured out why it has to be that way," Garam said, scoffing. "The main character has to be a high school student because most young people like that are easy to manipulate, especially if they’re in a vulnerable state."

I didn’t know Hyung would be here today...

"Are you criticizing me or the film?"

"Must you say something vulgar every ten seconds, Hyung?" Garam asked sarcastically while rummaging through his backpack. When he found the breath mist spray that he was looking for, he put it on the table. "Here. Use this, please."

Hmm.

"Twenty-five."

"The Alpha loan shark offered a deal to the poor Omega: use his body to pay off his father’s debts," Garam continued, ignoring Song Sihyuk’s complaint. "And that’s how the poor Omega and the Alpha loan shark started having a sexual relationship. Then the writers and the director of that movie romanticized the poor Omega and the Alpha loan shark’s relationship, even giving it a happy ending."

"Kid, I’m not interested in your verbal movie review."

"Just like that Alpha loan shark in the movie, huh?"

"The Illusion of Choice is about a poor Omega who’s drowning in debt. His father used his name to borrow a huge amount of money from an infamous Alpha loan shark. But since he’s just a high school sophomore, he has no means to pay off his father’s debt. Well, he works as a part-timer in a convenience store. But his income is only enough for his daily needs."

"Oh, really?"

"But I’m not that desperate yet. I actually came here to make a proposal to Byungho-ssi."

Song Sihyuk fell silent for a moment...

"If you already know that, then—"

NOTE: ’Chaebol’ means a large family-owned business conglomerate, and the members of these families are usually referred to that way.

Of course, it wasn’t.

Song Sihyuk just shrugged nonchalantly. "Whatever it is, I’m willing to listen."

Garam knew it wasn’t wise to provoke an Alpha, but he couldn’t help it. "Hyung, do you think only Alphas are born handsome and tall? There are Betas like that, too."

Can I fight? I’m pretty toned compared to my peers since I work out regularly...

"You can’t call an eight-year-old kid a baby."

The handsome gangster visibly froze.

"I don’t like it."

Song Sihyuk chuckled as if it had nothing to do with him. "Kid, what are you trying to say to me?"

Whew.

"What’s your name, Mr. I’m-not-a-kid Beta?"

Song Sihyuk’s face beamed. "Oh. Then—"

"What a backhanded compliment. You could have just said I was attractive without adding the ’for a Beta’ bits."

"Huh?"

Yeah, that was the reason why Garam dragged himself to that place.

No, not at all.

"You must be a dumb kid, then."

"No."

"You made... a PowerPoint presentation?"

"Not my problem."

In his defense, he was expecting someone else to be there.

"I see."

This jerk doesn’t believe me.

The handsome gangster picked up the small bottle, then he lifted his head and raised an eyebrow at Garam. "Why are you lending me this breath mist spray, kid?"

Oh.

"That’s a 19+ movie. You were still a baby back then."

"You’re funny, kid."

"Hyung, you’re like that loan shark. So, I guess people your age don’t find you attractive because they know better. And that’s why you’re messing with a poor kid like me. After all, the power imbalance between us gives you the upper hand in what would be a toxic relationship," Garam said, scoffing again. "That’s pretty pathetic, don’t you think?"

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