THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW:

'I just wanted to buy a gift, but now I'm suddenly running into him? Why do I keep running into people I know?' Justin thought as he quickly walked inside the department store to hide from him.

'Why am I even hiding? I do admit that what I did before was embarrassing and burdensome for him, but I can just thank him and apologize for the inconvenience. What is wrong with me?'

He felt frustrated as he walked inside the department store and he kept glancing at his back, making sure that 'he' wasn't following him. He felt a sense of relief when he had made sure that the alpha wasn't following him and that maybe he did not even see him.

Justin looked around to find a suitable gift for his mother's birthday. As he looked at the clothes displayed in the department store, he did not notice someone approaching him because he was too busy looking for something that would look good on his mother. He jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder and immediately turned around to see who it was. The alpha, who was obviously delighted to see Justin, smiled at him before speaking. "Hi." His downturned green eyes were smiling as he spoke to the omega before him. Justin felt that he had to get away from that place so he couldn't interact with him, but he thought that it would be rude especially since the man in front of him has helped him during his heat, not only once but twice.

"Hello," Justin said as his lips curved into a smile. His icy blue eyes couldn't hide the uneasiness he felt, so he chose not to make eye contact with him since he might get the impression that Justin wasn't comfortable around him.

While it was true that he really felt uncomfortable especially with the memories from the time when he had his heat were still vivid as if it just happened yesterday, he still didn't want to show an unfriendly demeanor to someone who has helped him.

"What a coincidence running into you here." The alpha was still smiling as he spoke to Justin. He doesn't seem to notice that he was smiling because the only thought that was on his mind was, 'It's great seeing him look well after his heat. He must not have suffered much since.' Despite his actions before that were taken quite offensively by Justin, thinking that the alpha must have found him unattractive, he really cared about the well-being of the omega in front of him and he respected him as a person which were the reasons why he never laid a finger on him.

"Uh, yes..." Justin laughed awkwardly as he tried to keep the conversation going by replying to what the alpha said. "By the way, I forgot to introduce myself to you. I'm Tristan. Tristan Lee," the alpha said as he stretched his arm for a handshake. Justin took his hand and smiled. "Thank you for the help last time. I could only imagine the worst if you weren't there to help me. You have my most sincere gratitude," Justin said as he smiled a little to Tristan. "You're welcome," Tristan said and smiled.

After the two conversed, Justin found himself getting used to Tristan's presence. Tristan even helped him choose a gift.

"Oh, so you work as a painter?" Justin said as he looked at Tristan with sparkling eyes. He had always admired artists, because even though he had the brains, he doesn't have a talent in arts especially painting. "Haha, yes," Tristan said as he scratched his cheek, turning a bit red because of embarrassment. He did not think that Justin would think highly of painters, especially since people think lowly of professions that involve art since most artists don't earn a lot of money.

"Shall we ear dinner together? I'll be the one paying," Tristan said as he smiled at Justin. "Oh, about that..." He was hesitant in agreeing to Tristan. Even though they were talking for quite a while, he still felt a bit wary of him. He is an alpha, after all.

Tristan sensed that Justin suddenly felt uneasy because of his invitation. "Oh, no worries if you choose to decline. You must be busy since you'll be graduating soon and I've already taken so much of your time." Tristan suddenly felt embarrassed. The thought that Justin was a graduating student slipped off his mind and he came out as an inconsiderate person due to his request. The only thing he had in mind was wanting to spend a bit more time with the omega beside him.

"Shall we eat dinner together, then?" Justin said as he put a smile on his face as he looked at him. Tristan's face brightened up when he heard what Justin said and excitedly smiled.

The two of them headed to a fast food and ate dinner there. They continued talking over the meal and the two felt a bit closer than they were earlier. Tristan felt that if he meets Justin again, he might be able to capture his heart. But little did he know, the omega sitting across him was already slowly putting his guard down around him and has already taken a liking to him.

While the two of them are eating, they did not notice the man staring at the two of them as he munched on his burger. His eyes were full of envy as he stared at Justin who was laughing at Tristan's lame joke.

"Who's that dickhead eating with Justin?" He glared at Tristan and immediately looked away to avoid being so suspicious. "Damn it. I should have been the one eating with him." He clicked his tongue and clenched his jaw.

Because of the man's negative feeling toward Tristan, he decided to leave, leaving his unfinished meal on the table. He walked out of there, fuming and mad jealous.

"Are you finished?" Tristan asked Justin as he looked at him. Justin nodded and wiped his lips. Tristan felt a weird sensation as he stared at Justin's lips.

'They look so soft.'