Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 221 - 7: Flower-scented alpha

Chapter 221: Chapter 7: Flower-scented alpha

Killian blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the statement. What does he mean? However, he made sure to answer his questions firmly, "That’s what it feels like."

Nathaniel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You think I’m slaving you with extra work because I have some personal vendetta against you?"

Killian didn’t know how to respond. It had seemed like the most logical explanation, but now, standing in front of the man, his confidence faltered.

Nathaniel leaned back again, his eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing his next words carefully. "What if I told you this had nothing to do with punishment?"

Killian frowned, confusion flooding his thoughts. "Then what is it about? Why keep calling me for every little thing? Why make me do things that aren’t even part of my job description?"

Nathaniel remained quiet for a long moment, his gaze dropping to his hands. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and hesitant—a rare display of vulnerability that threw Killian completely off balance.

"It’s not... what you think." He paused as if searching for the right words. "I didn’t intend to... target you. Not in the way you’re imagining."

Killian’s frustration began to waver, replaced by a growing sense of bewilderment. He didn’t know what to make of the director’s response—of the strange tone in his voice or the sudden shift in his demeanor.

Before Killian could press further, Nathaniel stood abruptly, walking toward the large window behind his desk. He stared out at the city skyline, his hands tucked into his pockets, as if collecting his thoughts.

Killian watched him, the tension in the room growing thicker with each passing second.

Nathaniel finally spoke, his back still turned. "The work I’ve given you isn’t a punishment, Mr. Arden. It’s... you can say I trust you."

Killian’s eyes widened, completely taken aback. "Trust?" he echoed, not understanding. What was the trust for? He was baffled.

Nathaniel turned slightly, just enough for Killian to see the side of his face. His expression was guarded, but his eyes—those piercing green eyes—held something more difficult than Killian had ever seen before.

"Yes," Nathaniel said softly. "Trust."

For the first time since the omega had entered the office, Nathaniel looked unsure.

It was a brief, flickering moment, but Killian caught it. He opened his mouth to respond, to ask what the director meant, but no words came.

Nathaniel stared at him, a moment of silence hanging between them, both of them lost in a strange, unspoken understanding. The conversation, once heated, had shifted into something neither of them fully comprehended.

Killian’s confrontation had taken a turn he hadn’t anticipated, and Nathaniel’s answer left him more confused than before. He expected anger and hatred, or disappointment about what happened between them before—anything but this.

Nathaniel, for the first time in his life, was at a loss for words.

Killin scratched his temple, unsure how to proceed. Once he decided to barge in that office, he was determined to hear answers. Strangely enough, the constant pounding of his heart that kept shaking his reasons before whenever he met the deputy director, was now...calm...at peace, as if the storm had passed.

Everything was still questionable, but he was relieved that the alpha’s presence, that the faint scent of his pheromones lingering in that office, was soothing Killian’s nerves. The smell of...flowers?

Killian giggled, unconsciously. A man as commanding and masculine as him smelled like flowers...

Cute, Killian thought.

Nathaniel raised his brows. "What’s funny?"

Killian blinked, realizing his action. He swallowed and looked away. "Nothing, Sir Steve...Williams..."

The tip of Nathaniel’s lips curved upward slightly. He walked back to his desk and replied, "Mr. Arden, you should make up your mind on how to address me already. However, I don’t like both. So, just call me ’Sir’."

Killian, "Just plain sir?"

"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"

Killian shook his head. "No...sir." He fidgeted in his spot. The director’s office was calming, and Killian found himself unwilling to leave. "But...what do you mean when you said that you trust me, sir? I still don’t understand."

Nathaniel stared straight at the omega. He was contemplating whether to let him in, omitting some of the confidential data, or not. It was strange that he had faith in someone he barely met. He blabbered that he trusted him, but now being asked about why, he couldn’t find an answer.

Why does he trust Killian Arden?

Nathaniel sighed and looked away. "I simply trust that you can...do these jobs more efficiently and faster, without mistakes. I evaluated your performance and you were exemplary. Perhaps, my excitement about finding a hardworker in a bunch of employees deeming themselves as corporate slaves took over me. I’m really amazed by your...personality and professionalism."

Killian was unsure how to respond. Did the director praise him so he would back down?

Nathaniel might have understood what was going on inside Killian’s head that he chuckled. Killian narrowed his eyes at him, so Nathaniel quickly explained. "I admit that I might have been unreasonable. But these files...I can only ask you to review them. I will inform your manager to halt giving you your usual workloads and just focus on the jobs I will ask of you."

"Does that mean...I will directly report to you...now?" Killian asked.

Nathaniel nodded. "Yes. You will work under me directly, temporarily, so don’t accept any other jobs to do for now. If the manager insists that you still finish your pending work under him, report to me and I will remind him. Are we clear now?"

"Yes...sir," Killian answered, lowering his head.

Nathaniel, "You’re not mad anymore?"

Killian pursed his lips. "I’m not mad in the first place, sir."

"Oh, really..." Nathaniel’s tone sounded unconvinced. He bit his lower lip as if suppressing a grin from emerging. He then cleared his throat and pointed at the door. "If we’re on the same page now, and you’re no longer mad, you can leave the room now. I have to finish something by today, so—

"I wasn’t mad, sir. And yes, I’ll leave now. Thank you for hearing me out. Have a good day," Killian spoke and left in a hurry.

After the door shut, Nathaniel let out a light laugh, amused by the male omega’s reactions. He admired his bravery to step forward and help a person in need, and his bravery to speak out when he finds something wrong and unreasonable.

"Killian Arden..." Nathaniel mumbled unconsciously. Just like before, the male omega’s image still remained in his mind, saving the new expressions he discovered in his memory.

In the beginning, he tried his best to erase the omega in his mind, but the more he did, the more his eyes kept wanting to see him. So, he stopped struggling. It was futile.

Thus, Nathaniel thought that if he let the man occupy the empty space in his head, there would come a time when it would leave on its own.

However, another month passed by, and Killian Arden never left. He became a permanent resident, running in his head.