BEYOND THE AROMA

CHAPTER 2 – A MAN WHO DOESN'T BOW

KIET

People often mistake silence for kindness.

They're wrong.

Silence is simply more efficient than wasting words.

I walked into my office and loosened my tie.

"Mr. Kiet."

My secretary, Sirin, followed behind me.

"The investors have arrived."

"Reschedule them for thirty minutes."

She blinked.

"Sir?"

"I have something else to think about."

She nodded and quietly left the office.

The moment the door closed, I looked through the glass wall toward the Creative Department.

There he was.

Narin Phuwan.

He was laughing with his new coworkers as if he hadn't just argued with the CEO of the company.

Interesting.

Most employees avoided eye contact with me.

Some couldn't even finish a sentence without shaking.

Yet that Omega...

He challenged every word I said.

He criticized my company's marketing without hesitation.

And somehow...

I wasn't angry.

I picked up the campaign file from my desk.

His words echoed in my mind.

"People don't remember luxury. They remember stories."

I hated admitting it.

But he was right.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Sirin stepped inside.

"Mr. Kiet?"

"Yes?"

"Should I prepare the transfer documents for Mr. Narin?"

I looked down at the file.

"No."

She looked surprised.

"No, sir?"

"I changed my mind."

She waited for me to continue.

"He'll stay in the Creative Department."

"But..."

"I want to see how he works with other people before bringing him closer to executive projects."

She smiled slightly.

"So you're testing him."

"I'm observing him."

"There's a difference."

She nodded politely.

"Of course, sir."

As she left, I looked out the window again.

Narin was still talking animatedly with his team, completely unaware that I was watching from the executive floor.

For the first time in years...

Work had become interesting.

I wasn't looking for a friend.

I certainly wasn't looking for love.

But something told me...

That stubborn Omega was about to turn my carefully ordered world upside down.

The meeting ended an hour later.

Every executive filed out of the conference room carrying tablets and reports.

"Mr. Kiet."

My assistant walked beside me.

"The car is ready."

I nodded once.

"Good."

The private elevator opened directly into the underground parking garage.

A black Rolls-Royce Phantom waited beside the entrance.

Two bodyguards stood beside the car.

"Good evening, Mr. Kiet."

I handed my briefcase to one of them.

"Let's go."

The drive home was quiet.

Bangkok's lights reflected against the window as the city slowly disappeared behind us.

Most people believed being a billionaire meant endless parties and expensive vacations.

They were wrong.

My life was meetings.

Contracts.

Decisions.

Responsibility.

The gates of the Thanakorn Estate slowly opened.

Security guards saluted as the car entered.

The mansion stood in the middle of a vast garden, illuminated by warm lights.

It looked more like a palace than a home.

More than thirty employees worked here.

Gardeners.

Housekeepers.

Chefs.

Drivers.

Security officers.

Everyone bowed as I stepped out of the car.

"Welcome home, Young Master."

I gave a small nod.

"Thank you."

The butler, Mr. Chanin, approached with a warm smile.

"Your father is waiting for you in the dining room."

"I'll be there shortly."

He hesitated.

"He asked me to remind you not to skip dinner tonight."

"I wasn't planning to."

The old man smiled in relief.

"I'm glad to hear that."

I loosened my tie as I walked through the grand hallway.

Portraits of my family covered the walls.

One painting always caught my attention.

My father...

Standing beside another man.

The Omega who had raised me.

My Papa.

He wore a gentle smile in the portrait.

I stopped walking.

Every evening...

Without fail...

My eyes found that painting.

"You still miss him."

I turned.

My father stood a few steps away.

His hair had become streaked with gray over the years, but his posture remained straight and dignified.

"I do."

"So do I."

Neither of us spoke for a while.

Some losses never became easier.

My Papa had passed away eight years ago after a long illness.

The mansion had never felt the same since.

Father looked up at the portrait.

"He always said this house was too quiet."

I smiled faintly.

"He also said you worked too much."

A quiet laugh escaped Father.

"He wasn't wrong."

"He rarely was."

Father placed a hand on my shoulder.

"He'd be proud of the man you've become."

"I'm not sure about that."

"He would."

His voice carried absolute certainty.

"He believed no amount of money was worth losing your kindness."

I lowered my eyes.

"I wonder if I've disappointed him."

Father immediately shook his head.

"You built everything while protecting thousands of employees."

"You never forgot where you came from."

"You simply forgot how to rest."

The dining room doors opened.

Dinner had already been prepared.

The chefs bowed politely.

Father gestured toward the table.

"Sit."

We ate quietly for several minutes.

Finally...

He looked at me over his tea.

"You seem distracted tonight."

"I'm thinking."

"About work?"

"Yes."

"Something happened?"

I cut another piece of steak before answering.

"We hired someone new."

Father smiled knowingly.

"Only one person?"

"He's different."

"How?"

"He argues."

Father laughed.

"Someone argued with Kiet Thanakorn?"

"He criticized our marketing."

"And?"

"He was right."

That answer surprised even me.

Father rested his chin on his hand.

"So..."

"This employee impressed you."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

He smiled.

"Is this employee an Alpha?"

"No."

"Another Beta?"

I hesitated.

"...An Omega."

Father's smile softened.

"Your Papa would have liked him."

I looked down at my glass.

"I barely know him."

"No."

"But you're thinking about him."

I couldn't deny it.

Not because I was interested in him.

Not because I felt anything.

Simply because...

For the first time in years...

Someone had walked into my company and spoken to me as though I were just another man.

Not a billionaire.

Not a CEO.

Just... Kiet.

And somehow...

I couldn't stop replaying that conversation in my mind.

Dinner ended a little after eight.

The house staff quietly cleared the table.

Father set his napkin down and looked at me.

"You're leaving already?"

"I still have work."

He sighed.

"I knew that would be your answer."

"I have a board meeting tomorrow morning."

"And you'll probably sleep after midnight."

I gave him a small smile.

"You know me too well."

He stood and walked over.

Before leaving the dining room, he rested a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't forget what your Papa used to tell you."

I looked at him.

"'A company can wait one more hour. Your health can't.'"

Father smiled.

"He'd be scolding you if he were here."

"He probably would."

"Good night, Kiet."

"Good night, Father."

I watched him disappear down the hallway.

The mansion became quiet again.

Mr. Chanin, the butler, approached.

"Young Master."

"Yes?"

"Would you like some tea in your study?"

"No."

"I'll be in my room."

"As you wish."

I climbed the wide marble staircase to the second floor.

The hallway lights automatically brightened as I walked.

Every servant I passed bowed respectfully.

"Good night, Young Master."

"Good night."

My bedroom was at the far end of the corridor.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside.

The room was spacious but simple.

Dark wood furniture.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

A bookshelf filled with business books and novels.

A grand piano stood near the balcony.

There were no unnecessary decorations.

I preferred order over luxury.

I loosened my tie and placed it neatly on the dresser.

My watch followed.

Then my cufflinks.

Everything had its place.

Order cleared my mind.

I walked into the dressing room and changed into comfortable clothes before heading into the bathroom.

Warm water poured from the rainfall shower.

The sound echoed softly through the room.

I closed my eyes.

For the first time all day...

Silence.

No meetings.

No investors.

No phone calls.

Just the steady rhythm of water.

Yet my thoughts refused to settle.

A pair of stubborn brown eyes crossed my mind.

"People don't remember luxury."

"They remember stories."

I frowned.

Why was I still thinking about him?

He was only a new employee.

One who argued too much.

One who challenged everything.

One who didn't seem impressed by my title.

Most people spoke to me with caution.

Narin spoke as if I were simply another person.

It was... unusual.

I turned off the water and reached for a towel.

When I returned to the bedroom, my phone lit up on the bedside table.

Sirin

I answered.

"Yes?"

"Good evening, Mr. Kiet."

"What is it?"

"I've prepared tomorrow's schedule."

"Send it to my tablet."

"Already done."

She paused.

"There's one more thing."

"What?"

"Mr. Narin submitted his employee paperwork this evening."

"So?"

"He refused the executive parking space."

I stopped drying my hair.

"He refused?"

"Yes."

"He said someone else probably needs it more than he does."

A faint smile appeared before I realized it.

"Interesting."

"Should I insist?"

"No."

"Let him do things his way."

"Very well, sir."

After ending the call, I picked up my tablet.

Tomorrow's calendar was completely full.

Eight meetings.

Two contract signings.

A press interview.

And one short meeting with the new designer.

I looked at Narin's employee profile.

Name: Narin Phuwan.

Age: 27.

Position: Graphic Designer.

There was a small passport photo attached.

He wasn't smiling.

Somehow...

That suited him.

I locked the screen and placed the tablet on the nightstand.

Outside, the lights of Bangkok shimmered in the distance.

Tomorrow would be another busy day.

Another day of work.

Another day of responsibilities.

And, whether I liked it or not...

Another day with the stubborn Omega who had walked into my company and completely disrupted my routine.

I closed my eyes.

For the first time in years...

I found myself curious about what tomorrow would bring.