As Maxwell and his secretary came out of Peem's office,Ricky was spotted making calls in hushed tones.Maxwell paused in his steps eavesdropping.Ricky looked so delicate and troubled.
"I'll find a way to pay for the surgery" Ricky said quietly to his phone. "Okay,thanks for your understanding"
Maxwell made no attempt to move and so his secretary also stood rooted to the ground behind him.He felt compassion towards Ricky as he stared at him hanging up.
Ricky turned towards Maxwell and was shocked to find him staring intently.
"Mr Kant"Ricky said softly but Maxwell suddenly came back to his senses as though he never heard someone call him,he walked past Ricky like he was invisible.Got into his car while his secretary drove away from KB group.
Ricky watched as they drove away disappointment evident in his beautiful eyes.
He forced a smile. "He's so petty. How cute"
Fadel came out at that instant and was surprised to find him still there."Secretary Brown,you are still here?"
" I was just taking a call,are you getting off work?" Ricky asked.
"Yes" Fadel smiled. "Secretary Brown,where do you live?"
Ricky looked at Fadel,he feigned ignorance and appeared to be lost for words.
"Don't think too much,a full time employee who gets off work after 9pm will get their taxi fare reimbursed" Fadel explained but Ricky still looked lost. "Secretary Brown,you are still on your probation period right? If its on the way I can send you home by cab"
When Fadel still got no reaction from Ricky,he looked down adjusting his reading glasses.
"No 13,Posh lane.Thank you secretary Jackson" Ricky suddenly said smiling softly.
**********
Fadel looked out the window of the cab as they moved through the late night traffic.He turned wanting to engage in a conversation with Ricky.
"I'm sorry,I happened to overhear in the lobby that you,Secretary Brown has a familly member hospitalized in Knight hospital" He said
Ricky only nodded.
"Knight is a well established hospital in the state" Fadel continued. "Though the building is a little old,they have the best medical funds and equipment in the state.Its just they are a little expensive"
"They are" Ricky agreed,catching Fadel of guard.
"I have a sister who is also hospitalized in Knight hospital.Its been many years,we've been waiting for a surgery. So I understand how you feel" Fadel tried to sympathize with Ricky.
Just then Ricky's phone rang and the screen showed Peem Ronald.Ricky picked the call and after sometime he said, " Okay,I got it"
Fadel turned away from Ricky looking outside the window. "You said you didn't like Omegas" He thought sadly.
"Secretary Jackson" Ricky called. "Are you a Beta?"
Fadel nodded.
"I heard from HR that you and Mr Ronald were high school classmates.You've been working with him for many years.It must be hard working with Mr Ronald" Ricky said.
"Not at all"Fadel lied. "Mr Ronald is actually a good boss.Although he has high requirements for work,he never gives his surbodinates a hard time.Since middle school,Mr Ronald rarely came in contact with other Omegas.Speaking of which,you are the first Omega working with Mr Ronald.
"I've heard it since my first day of work that Mr Ronald hates Omegas"Ricky said
"Did Mr Ronald tell you that?" Fadel was curious
"No" Ricky replied. "Secretary General Pat said it"
"Oh,I see" Fadel said. "If you need any help in your work,just let me know"
Ricky smiled "Thank you"
When they got to Ricky's supposed neighborhood the cab stopped to drop him.
"Thank you Secretary Jackson,see you tomorrow". Ricky said.
"See you tomorrow" Fadel replied.
The cab proceeded on the way to Fadel's house.All of a sudden he started to feel tightness in his chest,his asthma was acting up again,he gasped for breath as he rummaged through his briefcase in search of his inhaler.He found it and quickly inhaled from it his chest heaving then he discovered the inhaler was exhausted.
"Boss" He said to the cab driver. "Can you please pull over to the nearest convenience store,I need to buy something"
"Alright"
He staggered out of the cab into the store,he picked a spray inhibitor and painkillers,took it to the front desk to pay,then grabbed a bottle of water.
The attendant looked at the stuffs he picked out ,she found it strange and decided to query him.
"Sir,inhibitors can only be used during heat,if you use it for a long time it may cause pheromone disorder and severe headaches"
The staggering and half conscious Fadel seem to not have heard.
"You can't use inhibitors together with painkillers it might endanger your life ,sir.
Fadel managed to talk. "I know,but I'm a Beta,the painkillers are for me,the inhibitor is for a friend" he lied.
"Okay,in compliance with drug regulations,I need you to sign here" She brought a journal out for him to scribble his signature.
"Sir,just one spray of this inhibitor is enough to cover up pheromones"
Fadel stood listening to her give prescriptions."She doesn't need to explain all this to me,I'm probably an expert when it comes to inhibitor use" he thought as he shook violently.He quickly picked up his medications and scurried back into the cab.Taking out the painkillers,he hastily swallowed a few pills with water and leaned back in his seat.
When he got home he couldn't feel himself anymore,he was so weak but he managed to pull himself up the shabby stairs into his shabby apartment then he collapsed.
********
The next morning,Peem was in his off when his General secretary knocked on the door.
"Come in"
Pat walked in and stared at his boss."You sent for me?"
Peem looked back at the office door like he was expecting someone to come in.
"Where's Fadel?
"Oh, Secretary Jackson applied for a last minute leave" Pat answered.
"Leave?" Peem asked looking up
"Yes"
"I told you to report everything related to Fadel Jackson to me directly,didn't I?" He shot Pat a cold look
Pat sighed. "I'm sorry, Mr Ronald.I didn't get the time to tell you"
"Why did he ask for leave?"
"He's on leave to help his partner with their heat" Pat replied.
"Secretary Jackson isn't married,is he?" Peem asked slightly upset.
"You're right but according to the Omega protection regulations,when Omegas who have cohabited with their partners for more than two years are in heat,their partners are required to accompany them" Secretary Pat explained
Peem looked down a bit disappointed. "Oh,I get now"
"Okay sir,I'll get back to work" General secretary Pat walked back to his own office.
Peem was lost in thought about Fadel,he didn't like the idea that he had a partner