"Secretary Jackson" Ricky called.
Fadel swallowed hard "Secretary Brown,Mr Ronald" He greeted. "Here's the document for monday's meeting" He handed it to Ricky who in turn collected it.
"Thank you,Secretary Jackson. We appreciate it,you even came in on your day off" Ricky commended.
"You're welcome" Fadel replied his eyes darting between Ricky and Peem who had a lakadasical expression on his face.
Fadel looked around the apartment seeing paper boxes all over,it looked like Ricky just moved there.
"If there's nothing else,I'll take my leave.Happy weekend to both of you,see you next week" Fadel said and was about to turn around when Peem stopped him.
"Wait" Peem said unpleasantly.Fadel froze.
"Secretary Jackson,you are leaving in such a hurry. Are you going back home to comfort your partner again?"
Fadel looked at him weakly,his pale face frowning slightly but he nodded and Peem's stares became hardened. Fadel's pheromones gushed out from the flower incision on his right hand,he hastily hid it behind him. Peem caught the Omega scent.
"Sorry Mr Ronald" Fadel managed. "I'm sorry for the sudden leave"
"Its nothing" Peem snapped. There are enough Secretaries on the team.We'll do just fine without you"
Fadel was pained with such a disheartening reply,he was used to it.Peem pretty much treated him like shit, not that he can't leave and stop working for Peem but he kept hoping everyday that their relationship would improve and he'll notice that he,Fadel loved him.None of that seemed to change,it worsened with each passing day. Fadel couldn't leave,he loved Peem enough to take all his insults and attitudes as long as he stays by his side even if its just as a Secretary.
"Understood" Fadel forced back the tears hanging at the corner of his eyes. "Do you have any orders,Mr Ronald?"
Peem moved closer to Fadel causing him to take few steps back in fright. "Make sure you clean yourself up when you come back to work next week.Don't you know how strong your Omega scent is?"
"Sorry" Fadel muttered under his breath.
"With that filthy Omega scent" Peem continued. "It stinks" Peem hissed and shut the door on Fadel's face.
The tears finally found their way out.They came out uncontrollably.Fadel dragged his feet out of the neighborhood.
*******
While Peem helped Ricky to arrange his stuffs in the room,Ricky played with Peem's phone checking the moments of Maxwell and his pictures.Peem saw him doing that and walked over agitated.
"What are you doing with my phone? Give it back" Peem snapped.
"Hold on,let me check Mr Kant's moments again" Ricky said not moved by Peem's intimidation.
Peem sighed. "There are only a few posts but you've looked a hundred times.Give me back my phone!"
"Don't be so stingy" Ricky said.His nonchalant attitude visible.
"You think I'm stingy?" Peem felt offended. "You are insane,you dragged me out this morning to help you move to this godforsaken place"
"Is it really that bad?" Ricky glanced around the apartment. "I think its alright"
Peem couldn't believe his ears. "You call this shappy place alright? Then go ask Maxwell Kant to move in.
Ricky sighed so sick of hearing his rants. "Why are you so grumpy? Did you take wrong meds today?"
"You are the one who took wrong meds today" Peem shot back at Ricky.
Ricky rolled his eyes suddenly remembering something. "By the way,why did you say that to secretary Jackson? His sage scent actually smells kinda nice. Its not as good as floral scent or fruity scent but its not bad all. Why did you have to rag on him?"
"If i say he stinks,he stinks!" Peem screamed. He was such a jerk with anger issues and foul mouth.
Ricky eyed him shaking his head.
"Are we done moving here?" Peem was done with Ricky.
Ricky ignored him and got back to operating the phone.
"Give me back my phone" Peem snatched it from him. "I'm leaving"
"With that awful temper,no one's gonna like you" Ricky teased.
"Mind your own business" Peem snapped "I'm not you,I don't need to be liked" He walked out.
"Oh?" Ricky said sarcastically to himself. "Is that so?"
********
"Billions invested every year yet no progress on the targeted drugs?" Maxwell was frustrated. "Is the lab team completely useless?"
"The lead scientists work overtime every day" Secretary Nicolas tried to be in their defense. "But the drug indeed has its uncertainties"
Maxwell got furious and he flung a document at his Secretary. "There'll always be results if you keep trying enough. Pheromone gland cancer hits one in two hundred thousand but still no highly effective meds yet? Do you know what that means? It means once you get it,you're basically waiting to die. It also means the market potential is huge"
Edwin Nicolas just looked at him muttering no word.
"Now my dad needs this medication too. We are one of the top biopharmacy companies in the country. We've poured in manpower and resources,yet there's no progress in research. So we just sit and wait for the scraps from others? Pathetic!!" He never shouted at anyone but the whole situation and humiliation especially from Peem Ronald drove him out of his senses.
"Mr Kant" Edwin tried to pacified him. We have tried--"
"No need to explain" Maxwell shot up from his seat banging his table. "Edwin Nicolas.You know better than anyone how much Kant pharmaceutical has invested in this research" He pointed at the documents and said painfully."I've spent biillions and as my chief secretary,you are telling me about uncertainties? Tell me,how can X holdings and KB make breakthroughs but not Kant pharmaceutical?"
"I'm sorry,Mr Kant" Edwin bowed his head.
Maxwell sighed realizing he shouldn't be raising his voice at his secretary, after all he isn't one of the scientists who failed to develop the drug.
"Secretary Nicolas,I'm sorry. I'm not being personal. X holdings and KB targeted drug hasn't even launched yet but Peem Ronald already rejected our deal without hesitation. If we don't speed up, once their drug lauches,Kant pharmaceutical's decade--long lead in targeted drugs field will fall behind and our group will be stuck in a more passive situation. Is this what you want to see as a founding member of the group?"
Maxwell sat.He felt a headache coming. "Besides,my dad needs this med to save his life. If we don't make progress soon,the next time I'll see Peem Ronald,I'll be on my knees begging for the drug" He sighed. "Now we have to beg others for their targeted drug to save my dad's life. How ironic is that? If we don't make progress,our company's reputation is done"
"That's not going to happen,Mr Kant.I'll organize all teams immediately to breakdown the project's goal,precisely to every lab tier. If there's any progress,I'll report to you right away". Edwin assured.
"Okay" Maxwell's face lightened a bit "Get back to work"
Edwin walked out.
Maxwell got a call from his nuisance prone friend.
"Maxwell are you free tonight? Let's hang out at Pentagon.
"Not interested" He muttered.
"What's wrong?Are you in a bad mood?"
"Even if I were in a good mood,I wouldn't waste time partying with you"
"What do you mean, partying? Its called social networking" Vee replied.
"Then its useless networking" Maxwell concluded.
"Rumors has it that X holdings person in charge came to the state a few days ago.He might be at Pentagon tonight.You've always wanted to make connections with X holdings, right? Don't say I didn't tell you"
Maxwell was suddenly interested. "What time? What's the room number?"