C H A P T E R  2

The Serendipity

It had been almost five months since the night Taehyung met Myunghwan and since then, the man and his mother had still been going strong. It was frequent now, the man visiting his flat after his mother's work, spending time by talking together joyfully until past midnight when Taehyung no longer could wait for his mother to sleep because of exhaustion.

Taehyung could see how happy his mother had been since ever so he never really got any complaints why such changes on his prior dull, sad life must bother him.

Well, it really didn't usually, but sometimes it just overwhelmed his shy introverted personalities, such as right now: having dinner with Myunghwan's whole family at his opulent house.

Myunghwan had two alpha sons. The eldest, Park Seojoon, was twenty-one years old and was currently in university, studying laws; whilst the youngest was Park Hyungsik, seventeen years old. They almost never presented when Taehyung's mother and he came to the house, much to Myunghwan's peevishness.

Although it was different tonight as Myunghwan had promised to bring his two reluctant kids to finally have dinner together with them. And this was what made Taehyung all nervous and jittery. He had never been good with alphas, especially new, young, and unmated ones because they tended to be wilder and more conceited, always thinking they were better than anyone and held high their egos. Taehyung was very much familiar with young alphas' behaviour and now he just really wished that this time there would be miracle where those alphas could turn out as kind as their father.

He sat himself next to his mother on Myunghwan's dining table, while the latter sat in front of his mother, looking so annoyed as he waited for his sons. The food had been served five minutes ago and it was such a lie if Taehyung didn't drool just by the enticing smell of beef and seafood.

Finally, there was a sound of steps coming from the stairs and then two young men emerged with dashing smiles on their face. They approached the dining table and bowed politely to Taehyung's mother before seating themselves beside their father.

"What have you been doing holed inside your rooms when I'd called you several times? Once brats, always brats," Myunghwan grumbled.

"Don't say that, Myunghwan, they must be busy with their school works," taehyung's mother said kindly.

"No, you're just too kind to understand, Taehee," Myunghwan said. "Now, boys, as you already know, this is the woman I've been seeing for a while, Kim Taehee, and her son, Kim Taehyung. My eldest son is Seojoon and the youngest is Hyungsik."

"it's nice to finally meet you, Taehee-ssi, and Taehyung," Seojoon bowed shortly, smiling so handsomely. "I'm really sorry for postponing our meeting thorough all the dinner where we could already meet way earlier before because of my works given from school."

"It's nice to meet you, too, Seojoon," Taehyung's mother chuckled lightly, clearly impressed by Seojoon's politeness. "There's no need to apologise for it was already in the past. You seem so passionate and smart, Seojoon-ah, I wouldn't want to disturb your study."

"You never disturb my study as I come here very willingly and happily to meet the one who can win my old man's heart after so long," Seojoon smiled charmingly, that was a blow that immediately brightened the tense atmosphere and reddened Taehyung's mother's cheeks. she couldn't help, it was a fact that the young alpha man was just that handsome and charming.

They continued to chat lightly as they ate. Mostly Mr. Park and Ms. Kim who talked more about each other's family to know deeper. Taehyung found that Mr. Park worked for the government as a high-ranked official for many years and was very pleased with his position in the palace, Seojoon went to Seoul National University which was very outstanding and pleasing for the Park family, and Hyungsik was still in his year 3 in the prestigious international high school of Seoul. All in all, the Park family seemed to be a very impressive household that spoon Mrs. Kim off her feet.

It was then Taehyung had been feeling great until a question suddenly emerged that made him tense up: "So, Taehyung, what's your secondary status?" Park Seojoon asked him out of sudden. Mr. Park was still talking lightly with Taehyung's mother but Hyungsik gave him a stare that felt a tiny bit unpleasant to the young omega. Although asking someone for their secondary gender was more polite than smelling outrageously just to find one's status, it still caught Taehyung's surprise. He almost forgot that he wore scent blocker before going to the Park household, perhaps that made Seojoon and Hyungsik confused with his artificial blend scent.

The youngest looked down nervously, brushing his bangs as nervous habit, he answered, "I-I'm an omega."

"Oh, I see," Park Seojoon smiled kindly, but Taehyung felt something amiss with his expression.

Before Taehyung could think further, Mr. Park coughed out loud to capture everyone's attention. All the eyes turned towards him. "There's something I've been planning to announce you; it is the sole reason of today's meeting when finally, we could gather together in this lovely dinner. As you were already told before, Taehee and I had been together for a whole year. I really love her as she really loves me. I proposed to her last week at her work and we planned to make it a surprise for you all, now I would love to call this engagement official and ask for your blessings. It would be lovely to have new members to join this small household."

The kids all stared wide-eyed to their parents. That was surely fast for a relationship, but Taehyung was not one to judge as he had not even had any experience in dating. Mr. Park and his mother were adults and already in their late forties, they had been lonely for many years without partners and were always working hard for their children. He thought that if this what made his mother very happy, then who was he to deny his blessings? His mother seemed to shine very radiantly through the night, and it was such a rare sight. All Taehyung wanted was to see her like that every day and if this marriage was what could make it happen, then so be it.

Seojoon and Hyungsik looked just as shocked as they just stared blankly to their dad. Seojoon immediately schooled his expression and smiled sweetly, "Ah, I must've missed so many dinners then... heh, what father wants, what father gets. You ask for our blessing but nothing will change your mind anyway," he chuckled. "Well, I can see you guys must really like each other so much, and Ms. Kim is perfectly my old man's type, what could go wrong, right, Hyungsik?"

Hyungsik only offered a tight small smile but he said, "Yeah, anything for ya, Dad."

"And Taehyung?" Taehyung had been silent for the longest, looking at the Parks' interaction that he forgot to give his own blessing and was surprised when Mr Park suddenly addressed with a hopeful expression.

"As long as you guys are happy, then I'm very much happy, too," Taehyung said, giving his trademark boxy grin that lightening up the room.

And the warm atmosphere was back as Mr Park surged down to hug Ms Kim who had become teary-eyed tightly and they both laughed in relief and happiness.

---

The wedding was held just two months after Mr Park and Ms Kim's engagement. The wedding reception was very modest and only invited close relatives and friends. Mr Park immediately ushered The Kim household to move in to his house because he couldn't stand the condition of their flat, and this was when problem started occurring in Taehyung's modest life.

Mr Park's house was big and lavish, it was not that big to be called a mansion but not small either and would still offer generous amount of space when there were two people added living inside. The thing was, it had been so long for the park household to live just the three of them and they were all busy with their work and study and had not many relatives or friends to visit their lonely abode so Mr Park already changed their guest rooms for another usage such as movie room, small library, offices, and music room. It seemed that Mr Park hadn't thought much of it before Taehyung and his mother had moved out. Of course, miss Kim--now Mrs Park--would be sleeping with Mr Park, but what about Taehyung?

"Ah, sorry, Dad," said Seojoon, rubbing his neck awkwardly. "You know I'm an alpha, it wouldn't be a good thing if I were to share a room with Taehyung." Alpha-Omega sharing a room would be like a man sharing a room with a woman, and for some cultures and traditions it was likely forbidden.

An idea finally emerged, and Mr Park decided to renovate the attic so it would be a comfortable room that Taehyung could use, he was more than happy that his new stepdad could be very considerate as Taehyung almost asked him to let him sleep in the library.

His new bedroom was small, but he was very happy and satisfied with it. the bed was more comfortable than his prior bed in his old flat and the small window provided him the most gorgeous scenery of the family's garden much to taehyung's liking. he could have a room by himself, too, because his flat used to have only one room for him and his mother to share. moving to a very huge house really overwhelmed him, so it was nice to have a small place just for himself.  so it just was like his own small haven. He thanked his stepdad so many times because of it.

(creds to Maklarhuset in Pinterest)

Mr Park also enrolled Taehyung in the same high school as Hyungsik, a prestigious and one of the top high school in whole south Korea where only rich kids, brilliant kids, and conglomerates could go there. It was said that all the princes went there with the youngest was in the same year as Taehyung.

Overall, living with The Park family had been great. They had breakfast and dinner together every day, eating delicious food that Taehyung's mother made (with Taehyung's help, of course), watched movies together in their movie room in some nights, visit some places together in the rural of daegu and gyeonggi, and shopped together for Taehyung's mother and Taehyung's necessities. Taehyung's mother still worked in the restaurant as much as Mr Park's reluctant, but she didn't want to be completely dependent to her husband and she loved working there so Mr Park let him.

But all good things aside, Seojoon and Hyungsik still seemed to be wary of the new family members. Seojoon, being the eldest son, was mature and treated his stepmother with care and Hyungsik never showed any distaste towards her. But Seojoon and Hyungsik never talked to Taehyung alone without the presence of their parents, at least they never started a conversation themselves. Hyungsik seemed adamant to ignore Taehyung's existence and Seojoon loved his solitude. There was one time when Taehyung was told to call the brothers for dinner, he knocked on both of their rooms, but none replied properly, only giving a grunt and a nonchalant yes; only after his mother called the brothers had they gone down to eat.

His new family had not turned completely to be his home, but Taehyung would always feel solace and joy as long as he had his mother by his side.

---

It was the first day of high school life for Taehyung. He looked on his reflection in the small mirror inside his small attic bedroom, he was wearing a fitted, beautiful uniform that he had never dreamt of wearing. A few minutes later, he would go to the best school in South Korea to study with the best teachers. He would study hard so he could be independent and make his mother happy. A school with best teachers would absolutely help Taehyung to achieve his dream that was to apply for the best university and get his dream job. Mr Park had been such a miracle that helped Taehyung move forward a step towards his happiness, he was so grateful, and it made his resolve stronger to study harder for now both his parents.

Hyungsik was in his last year there, usually the young alpha had his own car to drive but Mr Park willingly drove his son and Taehyung to school today.

The school building was enormous and extravagant. They had complete impediments that served for the best educations such as science labs, sport halls, swimming pools, theatre hall, music hall, computer labs, etc. Taehyung was overwhelmed with the luxury, the blurry of nice environment, and nice-looking students around him. Should a dream school be like this?

"Alright, sons," Mr Park cut off Taehyung's full-of-awe thoughts. "I expect you two to do your best and make me proud. The Parks are not some household to be laughed at, understood?" the alpha said very sternly, making Taehyung shudder involuntarily in fear.

Hyungsik nodded with a scowl and Taehyung, wide-eyed, nodded vigorously.

"Good," Mr Park said, curtly. "Behave like your brother, Hyungsik." Mr Park said to his youngest son before leaving Taehyung and his stepbrother in front of the school's gate. Not even a full second later, Hyungsik already left Taehyung alone without any words much to Taehyung's sadness. He expected his stepbrothers to warm up to him after living for two months together but it seemed he still needed time. Thus, Taehyung sadly forced his feet to step inside the school ground with mind filled with nervousness, fear, and anxiety.

He hadn't had that many friends ever because the local alpha kids somehow really despised his unique, cheerful, and lively personality. He used to be a social butterfly but ever since it only attracted more enemies and bullies than friends, Taehyung stopped completely showing his real self. He was closed-off and quiet, he loves solitary and peace because it was better to be left alone than to be left with bruises and curses. His secondary gender didn't help either because it was one of the main reasons he was bullied, with how small and delicate he looked.

Soon Taehyung spotted a group of cheering female students, all crowding something in the middle of the entrance field. The cheers and enthusiasm shout almost made Taehyung's ears hurt but it didn't kill his curiosity to find out what was happening. He stood a few meters away and found out that there was a person that stood way taller than most of the people crowding them. a boy, it seemed to be by the short black raven hair and broad back. The boy looked very uncomfortable and gloomy standing in the middle of shouting, enthusiastic ladies until two other boys pulled him inside the building, leaving the crowds sad and disheartened.

Well, what a welcome. Taehyung thought as he timidly blended with the crowd of new year one kids to walk to the main hall.

Apparently, the school had held a welcoming ceremony for the new students including Taehyung that was currently sat on his assigned seat inside the hall. He could see the handsome boy that he saw earlier crowded by girls sitting a few seats away from him right on the first row, he was happily talking to a smaller boy next to him with smiley eyes and cute hands. Taehyung envied the handsome boy for finding a friend so soon and talked so freely with his friend.

The head master, an alpha with strong pheromone, stood on the pulpit and spoke a welcoming speech with voice full of power and authority.

Taehyung had been spacing off until a round of applause was heard as the head master welcomed the youngest prince that was just starting to enroll in this school. In the corner of his eyes, Taehyung could see the small boy had slapped the back of handsome boy quite strongly but soon they laughed it off together in glee. Gee, what a friendship, Taehyung thought in envy.

---

The required subjects in Taehyung's high school are mathematics, English, Korean history, social studies, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, science exploration and experiments, physical education, arts, and electives including technology, home economics, Chinese characters, a second foreign language, and liberal arts. Taehyung had chosen liberal arts as his selective course. Now he was off to his first class that was biology and boy, was he very, very much excited for it.

Biology was Taehyung's most favourite subject ever. His love towards flowers, plants, and animals were what made him love to learn more in biology. Hopefully, he would ace this class and get a degree in any majors that included huge portions of biology in it. But before he could study hard, he should find where the class first.

As expected from a prestigious school and all luxury in it, the school was like a maze to Taehyung, he was walking timidly on the corridor, wondering where on earth his class was and too deep in thought that he had missed out a human in front of him, colliding with the poor person until he fell on his butt.

"I-I'm s-sorry!" he rubbed his sore butt and with slight bravery, looked up at the person he bumped into, noticing that the person was looming over him with worry etched on their face. "I w-wasn't looking," Taehyung reasoned weakly.

The said person helped Taehyung stand up and offered the omega a very beautiful smile. Taehyung was surprised to find out that the said person was the small boy with smiley eyes and cute hands, and he looked way more handsome in proximity.

"It's okay, I'm okay. are you, though?" the smaller asked. He was shorter than Taehyung but he was way more built than him.

"I'm okay," Tae immediately replied, waving his hands exaggeratedly in nervousness. "thank you, um..."

"Jimin, I'm Park Jimin," the boy said cheerfully.

"Thank you, Jimin," said Taehyung, slightly more relaxed with how radiant Jimin was. "I-I'm Kim Taehyung. Sorry, I was really clumsy, and n-nice to meet you!"

Jimin laughed melodiously and that completely eased off Taehyung's nervousness as he smiled his boxy smile. "It's nice to meet you, Taehyung! And it's fine, I am very clumsy, too! So, why were you in such a rush?"

"Ah, I was looking for my biology class," Taehyung said shyly. "This school is so big and I can't remember the ways fast."

"Oh! I have biology, too, first!" Jimin exclaimed happily. "I know where to go, let's go, Taehyung!"

And so, Taehyung spent his first class with his new friend Jimin (and hopefully a best friend in the future because Tae really liked him) and a whole enjoyable lecture about the introduction of five kingdoms with a very nice teacher namely Mrs Han. After the class ended, Taehyung still has chemistry class together with Jimin much to their giddiness, and they spent the time walking to their next class with Tae talking about his favourite kingdoms--Animalia, plantae, and fungi.

It was true that Tae had been hesitant with how his mother's marriage would change his life, but everything had been going very great for Taehyung: he got a very kind stepfather, a lovely house to live in, a dream school, a new amazing friend. and for now, he only wished for these changes to stay for very long time. This happiness he hadn't felt for a while, he wanted to relish in the moment and held it tightly.

But life was life, there was no happiness when there was no hardship. Would Tae be able to maintain this happy life style for as long as he wished for?

to be continued