"Ugh… There’s no food left in the cafeteria!" Charlie lamented, her disappointment evident as she scanned the empty trays and barren counters.

Serena couldn't help but stifle a laugh at Charlie's exaggerated expression of despair. It was a side of her she hadn't seen before, and it seemed oddly endearing to witness Charlie's vulnerability.

"Um… it’s okay, why don’t we just eat after class?" Serena suggested, offering a comforting smile to alleviate Charlie's disappointment.

"Okay! Let’s have hotpot then!" Charlie exclaimed excitedly, her enthusiasm contagious as she bounced on her feet, already thinking about the delicious meal ahead.

And just like that, peace was restored between them, their camaraderie strengthened by their shared anticipation of a post-class feast.

As they hurried back to their classroom, their minds filled with thoughts of savory broths and tantalizing ingredients, they were met with a surprising sight. A group of students, particularly Omegas, was gathered around Charlie's desk, their hushed whispers and excited murmurs filling the air.

"Wow... someone got a cake for Charlie," one Omega remarked, awe evident in her voice as she admired the confection sitting on the desk.

"That cake looks really expensive," another student observed, eyes wide with admiration at the sight of the beautifully decorated dessert.

"Oh, I recognize this! It's the famous mango cake from the Cake Factory," chimed in another, a note of recognition in her voice as she identified the origin of the delectable treat.

"Isn't this usually how Omegas confess to Alphas?" whispered yet another student, her words tinged with curiosity and speculation.

The murmurs of the students reached both Serena and Charlie, who exchanged puzzled glances before approaching Charlie's desk. There, sitting proudly, was a small cake packed in an expensive box, its presence a curious mystery that begged to be unraveled.

Charlie walked over to her desk, her curiosity piqued as she eyed the cake curiously, wondering who could have left such a thoughtful gesture for her.

"It’s a mango cake… I’ve been craving mango for quite a while now and I’m really hungry… but I don’t want to eat this without knowing who gave it. Who knows a weirdo sent this," Charlie lamented silently, her thoughts echoing with a mix of hunger and suspicion.

“Charlie, there must be an Omega who really likes you! This cake is expensive! I heard their Mango Cake is the best!” chimed in Charlie’s classmate, excitement evident in her voice as she marveled at the gift.

‘An Omega really likes you…’

‘Mango…’

Serena's eyes suddenly dimmed as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. She couldn't help but recall Lisa Hale, the Omega with mango-scented pheromones whom she and Charlie had helped before.

‘Her pheromones… they really make me uncomfortable…’ Serena mused to herself, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions as she contemplated the ramifications of Lisa's gesture towards Charlie. It was clear to her now that Lisa was behaving possessively, acting as if Charlie belonged to her.

Charlie observed Serena's fixed gaze on the cake, her expression unreadable. Assuming Serena was also hungry, Charlie offered her the cake.

"Hey Serena, do you want this?" Charlie asked, extending the cake towards her.

Serena's response caught Charlie off guard. Her eyes narrowed as she replied in a cold tone, "An Omega who likes you gave it to you… why are you giving it to me?"

Charlie was like: 'Eh????' then >.<

Charlie's confusion was palpable.

'Is she mad again? What did I do now? T.T Serena Sutherland, why are you so hard to read?!' Charlie lamented silently, feeling a pang of annoyance that she couldn't seem to read Serena's mind.

As Charlie observed her classmates' admiration for the cake, she felt a pang of guilt. It was meant as a gesture of kindness, but now, knowing that it came from someone who harbored feelings for her, she felt uncomfortable keeping it. So, she made the decision to offer it to her classmates.

“You seem to like this… do you want it?” Charlie asked, holding the cake out to them with a forced smile.

Caught off guard, her classmate hesitated, their brows furrowing in uncertainty. “How can I take this… it was given by someone who likes you,” they responded, their voice tinged with awkwardness.

Charlie shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Well, if you don’t want it, I’ll just throw it,” she replied, attempting to brush off the tension.

“T-then, I’ll take it! Thank you, Charlie!” Her classmate exclaimed, their relief evident as they accepted the cake with a grateful smile.

Meanwhile, Serena sat quietly at her table, listening in on the conversation with a mixture of curiosity and mild irritation. Despite her best efforts to focus on her own thoughts, she couldn't help but be drawn into the conversation between Charlie and their other classmate. However, as the situation unfolded and she heard Charlie's offer to give away the cake, Serena's annoyance began to dissipate. 

It wasn't because she found Charlie's gesture particularly kind, but rather because she realized that Charlie hadn't eaten the cake given by another Omega. 

Serena smiled feeling satisfied.

After class, Charlie gathered up her things and went straight to Serena's desk.

"Let's go home?" Charlie said, a warm smile on her face.

"Um," Serena nodded, and she walked beside Charlie.

As they walked, they heard Leora and Alice calling out.

"SISTER CHARLIEEE!" Leora shouted excitedly.

"Hey! Why are you so loud!?!" Charlie exclaimed playfully.

"We were just so excited to see you two together! You guys look better now compared to when we saw you earlier!" Alice teased.

Serena felt shy under the attention.

She wasn't used to being surrounded by people, especially not since her parents died. She had grown accustomed to solitude. Now, being with Charlie's friends, she felt like an outsider.

Charlie seemed to notice Serena's discomfort. She gently held Serena's hand and looked her in the eyes.

"We'