Lost Cause (1)
Prodigy Of a Beta (MxM)
Volume 1
Takano Masamune
Chapter 1: Lost Cause (1)
***
‘I’ve been in love with the same man for the past ten years… It feels like no matter what we do, our paths will never be separated…’ Robin thought to himself as he tapped away at his computer, moving past him was his employer, coincidentally exactly the person he’s been thinking about until now.
“Did you conclude the report?” Noah asked, he was a rather frail looking man, but his attitude was domineering despite his outer appearance. He seemed threatening but not in the physical sense of the word, just someone you wouldn’t wish to be in bad relations with.
“Yes, sir.” Robin quickly replied as he grabbed the reports off his desk and handed them over to the man. His employer however simply glanced at his outstretched hand and ordered him to come into his office instead. Robin did as he was instructed and stood up, still holding onto the documents tightly. ‘And still even though we spend so much in each other’s presence… he still doesn’t want me, no matter what I do for him…’ He thought to himself in a bit of a disappointed manner, it was obvious the other was being cold towards him on purpose, not that it was anything new for either of them.
“If that’s completed then start the BBH Project, also invite the investors on the 15th this month.” Noah said as he handed the man another list of small tasks he had prepared but didn’t bother mentioning any besides the two with highest priority.
“That’s rather short notice.” Robin looked down at the sheet, he’d already completed most of the tasks even without being asked to do them. It only showed how competent he was at his job.
“You can’t do it?” Noah asked, a faint glimmer of disappointment flashed through his eyes as he looked at the man, he sat back down at his desk.
“Of course I can.” Robin said as he shrugged his shoulders. “What else can I do since you ordered me.” He continued in a rather content manner, he didn’t seem dissatisfied, only mildly annoyed, or maybe he simply wanted to bicker with the man if for a few seconds.
“Good…” Noah said as he gestured with his hand, allowing the man to leave his office, however Robin stood there unmoving. “….?” Noah glanced back up at the man as if to question his intentions.
‘He’s always just as cold, calculating and condescending…’ Robin thought to himself as he showed the other a charming smile when their eyes met. “Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?” He asked confidently without the least bit of hesitation or care for the difference in their social standing.
“No. If it’s outside of working matters I am not interested.” Noah rejected the man without a second thought as he went back to his own work. His straightened back, rolled up sleeves, ready to fill out paperwork of the most importance.
“You always shoot me down so straightforwardly… I might get offended one of these days you know?” Robin could do nothing but sigh at what seemed like the one thousand time he was rejected. ‘In reality though… this is just the 85th time he’s rejected me… this year…’ He thought to himself. It was only May yet he’d had all his requests denied without as much as an apology.
“I sure hope that’s the case...” Noah said without a shred of sympathy at the man that gave him such a fake expression of sadness.
“You want me to get offended?” Robin asked as he chuckled to himself slightly. “If I was in your place sir… I wouldn’t be as harsh, after all…” Robin leaned over the man’s desk as he moved closer and pressed himself against the man’s ear ever so slightly, he whispered: “I’m the only one that knows that you’re a Beta… sir…”
“Ngh…!!” At those words Noah recoiled backwards. He was annoyed to say the least. Having one of his employees try to blackmail him in such a manner was simply ridiculous.
Robin smiled deviously as he saw the other’s reaction. ‘Its not like I plan on doing much with this information though… after all, what do I care if he’s a Beta or not… I respect him none the less… although if our colleagues were to find out that would be a completely different story…’ He thought to himself, knowing exactly how troublesome it would be for Noah if the information got leaked.
“What do you want?” Noah asked, his just as cold as ever, he didn’t bother glancing up at the man at all, he focused all his attention to stare down at his desk as if he was questioning all his life decisions up until that point.
“Dinner.” Robin said with a bright smile on his face, he leaned back, allowing the man move space to gather his thoughts.
Noah’s head slightly tilted as he sighed heavily as if being relieved it was simply money that the man wanted. He took out his card from his wallet. “Here’s my personal credit card, use it as you see fit.” He said while handing it over to the man. “it has a limit of 50k per month however, keep that in mind.”
“You misunderstood me again…” Robin said in a bit of a disappointed manner as he pushed back the man’s hand that held the credit card and grabbed his other hand that was empty. “Dinner with you, that’s what I want.” He repeated himself, this time explaining a bit more than before.
“I don’t want to play this game…” Noah quickly replied as he tried to pull his hand back but couldn’t. “Money isn’t an issue but don’t try to take my time as well, I’m not willing to deal with you as much as you think I will…” As he spoke you could feel the air of coldness that his icy words left, the trail that usually most people wouldn’t dare follow, yet the other man didn’t seem to have any qualms about it.
“It’s not a game.” Robin admitted, his smile only softened nothing more. “I’ve been wanting to have a date with you all ten years that I’ve worked here…” He continued, his voice sounded just slightly embarrassed.
“And you thought that blackmailing me into it was the best course of action?” Noah asked, his voice clearly showing how displeased he was, he slowly stood up from his chair and closed his laptop. He decided to leave work early that day.
“I simply took an opportunity that presented itself. Wouldn’t you have done the same?” Robin asked while tilting his head to the side, everything about him would tell you it was a genuine question.
“……..” Noah didn’t argue with the man, what was the point? At the end of the day he couldn’t change the pathetic circumstance he’d ended up in, no matter what he tried to do. “Come on, let’s go on that date you’ve been wanting for so long.” He spoke in a resolute sounding voice.
‘Ah… it’s exactly that brilliance I love about you…’ Robin thought to himself, deciding to hold onto his opinion instead of sharing with the man. They headed out of the office together… Soon enough they found themselves in a private bar that had a rather calm atmosphere, there didn’t seem to be anything particular about it at first but then Robin noticed that everyone within the bar was a Beta…
“You brought me to an interesting place…” Robin remarked with a smile as he took his seat. He managed to notice the scents that mingled together, he had a particularly good nose when it came down to it. It was also the reason he could tell that Noah was hiding who he truly was.
“It’s the perfect place to negotiate without being found out…” Noah expressionlessly replied, his demeanor was always calm to the point of it being annoying. Everyone knew him as this incredible leader when in truth you could say he was just exceedingly calculating.
“Negotiate? You still find me suspicious?” Robin sighed as he slumped his shoulders, they were both taken to a private room in the very back of the bar, there were several similar looking door in the long hallway but it seemed like the one they entered was special somehow.
“I wouldn’t have gotten so far in life if I blindly trusted everything others told me…” Noah said as he allowed the other to step inside before him then followed soon after.
“It wouldn’t hurt you to have a little more faith in me…” Robin replied still a bit annoyed yet he couldn’t hold the other too accountable. It was only reasonable to act out in such a manner when you’re the head of such a large corporation. In fact it would have been more concerning had Noah not acted in such a manner, people would think he is to trusting to the point of naivety.
“What sum will make you close your mouth forever?” Noah asked as they sat down at the table, the order had already been placed by Noah much in advance, it was obvious he didn’t have the time to deal with the man.
‘Again with this… they haven’t even brought out the first drink and he’s already trying to talk me down…’ Robin could do nothing but sigh eternally and shake his head. “I don’t really care about money, my paycheck is quite sufficient…” He said while noticing the waiter was entering the room rather cautiously. After placing the drinks on the table, she left without as much as making a single sound that would disturb them.
“Then what is it you want?” Noah asked, he wasn’t visibly irritated but you could tell he was impatient to have his answer and leave.
“How about we go out on such dates a tad bit more often? I think it would make me shut up quite quickly.” Robin said as he shrugged his shoulders. ‘Of course he’d never agree to something as ridiculous as that… I have to think of something-’ Yet before he could even finish his thought the other had replied to him.
“How many dates?” Noah posed the next question. He didn’t seem to have the least bit of hesitation when it came to business matters, he showed as much resolve in his personal life as well. It was a commendable trait for an employer.
‘A businessman to the core I see…’ Robin was surprised but he seemed to have somewhat expected the man to act the way he does, after all he’d known him for 10 years, it wouldn’t be out of the question. “How about 100 dates? Then I’ll certainly leave you alone…” Again he posed a rather ridiculous number.
“…………what time span?” Noah asked the following question after a short but meaningful pause. He tapped his finger at the top of the table rather impatiently. His eyes seemed serious as if he was calculating something in his mind.
“The rest of the year?” Robin suggested, it was more of a question than anything else but it really didn’t matter.
“Fine.” Noah replied without the least bit of mockery in his voice.
“You agreed a bit too quickly, you didn’t even try to haggle me down…” Robin said in a disappointed manner, it wasn’t that he wanted the other to reject his offer, he simply didn’t find it too amusing if everything went perfectly his way without any issues.
“I don’t care about these dates as long as they don’t interfere with my work.” Noah coldly said, again he showed himself clearly as a man who didn’t care for other’s emotions. A man that likely didn’t feel the same way others felt or at least was particularly good at hiding his own feelings and emotions.
“They won’t interfere… Even I’m not such a disrespectful man…” Robin replied as he took a sip of his drink. He didn’t particularly like the taste of it but drank it regardless. ‘…it’s so bitter… yet it’s chosen by the man I love… how can I not drink it?’ The corners of his eyes lifting upwards as the thought crossed his mind.
“I hope you’re sincere.” Noah spoke as indifferently as before, his cold monotone sounding voice didn’t seem to bring much nuance to anything he said.
“I’m always sincere, in everything I do. You should know that.” Robin said with a smile, then noticed the other man was yet to take a sip of his drink. “Aren’t you drinking at all?” He questioned, his employer didn’t reply to him…
“Boss?” Robin’s voice became just a bit louder than before as he’d assumed the other didn’t hear him the first time. ‘I don’t find this game too interesting… ignoring me so openly is plain rude…’ He thought to himself as he felt a small urge to vomit, then it was replaced by the sensation of tiredness, he wanted to close his eyes. “….this….” Robin’s mind was moving more slowly than before but he could feel it. Whatever was happening to him, it was all because of the drink and the culprit had been obvious. He was drugged and his boss was just sitting there looking at him as if he was an insect. It didn’t feel good, being looked down on.
‘Though I never really did mind it… since I know this love of mine is one sided… yet I still try to make it reciprocated although it will never be… dying like this… is no fun at all, is it?’ He thought to himself, Robin felt his blurry vision was slowly fading away. His entire body was having some sort of reaction to what he’d just drank. Slowly and steadily his conscious was fading away yet he couldn’t stop looking at the man.
‘It might have been a ridiculous thought to have…’ Robin’s mind was slowly slipping away yet it continued being filled with Noah and nothing else. ‘But I always thought that if I could have him… I’d poses everything I’ve ever wanted as long as I had him… and despite the many times he’d push me away I didn’t give up and continued wanting him all the same… maybe that was my mistake… that was what I should have done differently…’
‘Maybe it would have been better if I could have just given up… Maybe I’d live a happier life if it was without him…’
‘If I did… maybe I wouldn’t be desperately clinging to a love that would certainly never be fulfilled.’
‘But I’ve always hated the word ‘maybe’ its simply another way of saying ‘if’ something happened… and that angered me more than anything… because I hated wishful thinking… I hated wasting my time… yet…’
‘When it came to him it never felt like a waste of time, even if I was certain he’d never love me back…’
‘But I could never understand why I liked him so much… Whether there was truly something special about him or whether I was just being stubborn enough to continue pursuing the only person that’s ever rejected my advances… I couldn’t figure it out…’
‘And now it’s too late for me to ever find out…’ Robin felt a pain in his chest, his heard seemed to be beating out of proportion. A heavy veil was covering his eyes, he couldn’t see or hear anything around him, his breathing was also shallow, yet he could not sense anything inside the room. His mind was at a loss and so was his body until the moment it completely gave out…
Meanwhile Noah stood there motionlessly with an indifferent look on his face. He didn’t seem to care about the man’s life, much less his death. Even though Robin was the one person that was closest to him and for the past 10 years had stood by his side… Noah was the one man that could completely discard someone so loyal to him without a second thought. It was such the way that he had decided to live his life…
Whether that way was right or wrong, no one would be able to understand that until the very end of his lifetime…