By Zephyria 
“He didn’t seem like a normal person. I guess it was his overall aura.”
I felt like I understood what he meant, so I didn’t ask further and continued munching on my sandwich. Suddenly, the prosecutor’s words came to mind.
— They are different from Betas like us.
As I was silently recalling the memory, Doug spoke.
“He used to be a lawyer, right? That guy. I think his father was the one who founded Miller Law Firm. He stepped down to enter politics, but his son is currently the President, isn’t he?”
“Um, yeah.”
I gave a vague answer. Doug asked while drinking sparkling water.
“Do you think that man will enter politics too?”
“Who knows. If he can’t make a living as a lawyer, he probably will.”
Doug looked at me as if he were appalled. If Miller went bankrupt, there wouldn’t be any law firms left in this country. Knowing exactly what that look meant, I played dumb and took a sip of my cola.
“Just because he’s an Alpha doesn’t mean everything in the world will go his way.”
I wonder, would it? Doug simply laughed off the words that I didn’t even trust myself. Feeling awkward, I spoke with a disinterested tone.
“The party must have been fun.”
“Well, there were a lot of interesting things here and there.”
After speaking briefly, Doug changed the subject.
“Has the trial date been set?”
I shook my head.
“Not yet. I’m scheduled to have a meeting with the judge next week. Once they suggest a date, I’ll have to coordinate it.”
In this case, wouldn’t they try to delay it as much as possible? There’s clear evidence and witnesses that anyone can see. They’ll try everything to reduce the sentence, so there will be a lot to do, and ultimately, they’ll need time.
As I was estimating the date in my head, Doug asked.
“Then how about this—taking a breather before the formal trial begins?”
I took a sip of cola and glanced at him from the corner of my eye. Doug said with a smirk.
“I’m thinking of resting at a hotel for a day this weekend.”
His intention was obvious. If it wasn’t Doug, I would have had to go out to find a partner for the night anyway. Just as he said, I wanted to rest for a day. That included sex, of course. It had already been two weeks since I’d had some clumsy fingerplay with a man I met at a bar.
I drank the rest of my cola in one go and crushed the empty can, tossing it. Clang, the empty can landed perfectly in the trash can.
“Fine.”
Doug beamed with joy. As I stood up, I added.
“Let me know the time and the hotel later.”
“Should I pick you up?”
I had rented a temporary car while mine was being repaired, but I didn’t think it was necessary to go separately. When I readily nodded, Doug nodded back.
“Hup. …Oops.”
I caught a glimpse of him trying to imitate me by throwing an empty can. Even without checking, I could tell the result from his disappointed sigh.
The promised date approached quickly. Having worked busily until the day before and finished organizing my documents, I cleared my schedule for two full days to enjoy the weekend to the fullest. After completing everything from cleaning the house to preparing for sex, I was already finished with all preparations and drinking a light coffee by the time Doug was supposed to arrive.
Doug arrived exactly on time and rang the bell at the first-floor entrance. I stuffed a few necessary items into my pants pocket and went downstairs.
“Hey.”
Doug greeted me brightly as always and tried to kiss me. Of course, that was a common act when we were lovers, but that was already several years ago. I didn’t feel like sharing an intimate kiss on the street with a sex partner who also happened to be a friend, so I subtly avoided his face.
“Later.”
Seeing him wear an openly disappointed expression, I said it. Since a kiss is an extension of sex, I didn’t mind. Doug nodded as if he understood and readily walked toward the parked car.
The place Doug chose was a small hotel on the outskirts of the city. It wasn’t particularly luxurious, but I liked that it was simple and clean. The interior decor was also not flashy, possessing a simple yet cozy atmosphere. The middle-aged woman at the front desk, who had a pleasant impression, boasted—though not too loudly—that this small hotel had been passed down through three generations.
“Let’s go up.”
Doug, having barely managed to fend off the owner’s chatter, whispered in an eager voice. This time, I just let him hold my hand. It didn’t take long to get off the elevator and reach the room at the end of the hallway. Doug opened the door and let me in first.
As soon as the door closed behind my back, Doug clung to me. Since that was the purpose of the visit, I didn’t drag out the time and went to the bed with him. While unbuttoning my shirt and leaving his lips as they descended toward my neck, I searched my pants pocket and pulled out a condom. Doug, who had turned his head at the rustling sound, looked disappointed.
“Can’t we just do it inside?”
Acting pitiful wouldn’t work. Instead of answering, I gripped the end of the plastic with my teeth and tore it open. Sigh. Doug let out a breath and silently watched as I plopped the condom with the torn corner and some spares onto the side table. I perched my hips on the edge of the bed and slowly backed away, unbuttoning my shirt.
“So, are you going to stop?”
When I deliberately spread the collar of my shirt to reveal my bare body, Doug swallowed hard.
“No.”
Immediately, he climbed on top of me and hurriedly rubbed his lips against mine.
* * *
“Ah, that was amazing.”
Doug, who had flopped down, spoke while panting. I caught my breath, lying beside him. Doug turned to me and continued.
“You’re really the best person I’ve slept with so far. I lose my mind when I’m with you.”
“Uh, yeah.”
I answered indifferently. That’s better than saying ‘you’re the worst.’ That was all that came to mind. Doug kept looking at me as if expecting something, but the only thing on my mind was a cigarette. Ever since I almost started a fire while smoking lying down in my teens, I never smoke in bed. It was a hassle, but I had to get up.
However, before I could even leave the bed, Doug wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.
“Hey, wait a second.”
I frowned and stopped him. When I pointedly held up the pack of cigarettes in my hand, Doug’s face contorted.
“Can’t you smoke later?”
He spoke with a pitiful face like a puppy, but it didn’t work on me.
“You can just fuck me later.”
He let his arms drop in disappointment. I threw on just my pants and walked toward the window. As I opened the window and glanced back, he looked somewhat deflated. I said while taking out a lighter.
“Why don’t you order some wine? I’ll be smoking in the meantime.”
Drinking wine in the middle of sex was a habit. Knowing this well, Doug nodded reluctantly and called the front desk.
“I’m going to wash up. You sign for the wine when it arrives.”
I nodded at Doug’s words. He soon entered the bathroom, and the sound of running water followed.