Fadel waited in line to talk to a nurse at the hospital. When it got to his turn he brought out a sheet of paper.
"Hello,this is the bill for bed 201" He passed it to her and tried pleading because he had no money to foot the expensive bill."Could you please delay the payment for me. I'll pay it as soon as I can"
"There's no outstanding balance for bed 201. In fact six hundred thousand was already prepaid for the surgery and post operation care"
"What? Prepaid?" Fadel was stunned he never expected something like that to happen,who could have paid that expensive amount of money on his behalf.
"Yes. You're the family member of the patient in bed 201 right? Your friend already covered it"
"Huh? Friend? Are you sure there's no mistake?"
"There's no mistake,he left quite an impression. He's a tall,handsome S-class Alpha. He paid a large sum of money,so I double checked the bed number several times with him. It can't be wrong" The nurse assured him.
"A tall,handsome S-class Alpha?" Fadel mumbled to himself. "Could it be Mr Ronald.
He got it all wrong. Maxwell singlehandedly paid the bill because Ricky used his sister's identity to lie to Maxwell just to get his attention but at least his sister's surgery was sure.
He got back to the office brightened to thank Peem.
"Thank you Mr Ronald for helping to pay my sister's surgery,I promise I'll pay you back"
Perm was lost for a while but then he understood. "Oh,its not a big deal,don't mention it"
"Thank you so much.I'll pay you--"
"You are welcome.whether you pay me or not doesn't matter. Just don't come to work with that Omega scent again"
Fadel was sad once again. What was his problem with Omegas?
Peem looked at his watch. "There are fifteen minutes before the meeting,get back to work"
Fadel nodded and walked out of the office.
Late that night Maxwell was in Pentagon club with Vee when Ricky called him. Maxwell who never answered strange calls picked it up surprising Vee.
"Who's that calling you? Why are you picking? What if its a scam" Vee moved closer to stare at Maxwell's phone.
"Fuck off" Maxwell pushed him away.
"Hello,Mr Kant. Are you busy? Am I bothering you?" Ricky called from the other end noticing the commotion.
"No you're not,what do you want to say?"
"Did you pay for my sister's hospital bill?" Ricky asked but Maxwell didn't respond to him.There was a brief silence.
"I don't know why you did it" Ricky broke the silence. "But I really want to thank you. I'll pay you back as soon as possible"
"Besides money,is there anything else you want to say?" Maxwell suddenly asked.
Ricky smiled at the other end. "Mr Kant,are you free this saturday? I'll like to treat you to a meal"
"Don't be so formal with me,you make me sound like I'm 70" Maxwell said frowning.
"Sorry. So are you free this Saturday?"
"Saturday? I've got plans"
"Oh,then maybe be another time--"
"I've got plans with friends" Maxwell interrupted." Why don't you just come to my place?"
Ricky was silent.
"If its inconvenient,then forget about it" Maxwell said harshly. "A meal without sincerity isn't worth my time"
"No,no" Ricky hurriedly said. "I can make it,Thank you Mr Kant,please send me the address and time"
Maxwell beamed his handsome traits evident."Okay". He hung up.
Vee was curious. "Tell me the truth,who exactly is this Ricky Brown?. He even got you to break your 'no unknown calls' rule"
Maxwell ignored his questions and toasted to him hitting his wine glass. "Keep drinking" Maxwell smiled even more.
***********
Ricky got to the location Maxwell had tested him. He wore completely normal clothes,of course he had to look so down to earth so as not to spill his secrets. He got to the club but the guards weren't letting him in.
"Hello sir,this is a private club" One of the guards said.
"Sorry,I'm here looking for a friend"
"Do you have an invitation?"
"I didn't know I needed one"
"I'm sorry, you don't have an invitation so you can't enter"
"But Mr Kant invited me here"
"We get scammers claiming to know Mr Kant from here to Washington"
Ricky felt offended. "I'm not a scammer"
"Since you said you are Mr Kant's friend then please give him a call"
Ricky brought out his phone and dialed Maxwell's number,no response came through.
The guards thinking he was another scammer said to him. "Please make your call somewhere else,you are blocking the entrance" Just then Maxwell called him.
"Ricky!"
Ricky turned finally relieved. "Mr Kant"
"What took you so long?"
"I'm sorry,Bus 2 was down for maintenance. I'm sorry I'm late"
"Its fine. Come in" Maxwell smiled genuinely at him,he was beginning to get interested in Ricky. He shot the two guards a cold look as he walked away with Ricky but then Ricky dragged his feet behind Maxwell like he was reluctant to follow.
"What's wrong? What are you waiting for? Come on hurry up" Maxwell called.
Ricky hugged himself shyly. I-I'm sorry Mr Kant,you said it was just a meal with friends,I didn't expect something so formal. If its not appropriate I can leave right now.
"Leave? Why?" Maxwell scrutized Ricky looking him up and down,he finally understood. He chuckled "You look just fine"
Ricky nodded and followed him.As they walked Maxwell asked. "Hasn't Peem Ronald ever brought you to events like this?"
"No" Ricky replied. "I just started working for him. He only takes Secretary Fadel with him"
"Oh,so today is your first time?" Maxwell smiled.
"Mr Kant,maybe I should go" Ricky was dramatic once again stopping Maxwell in his track.
"Why?"
"Because I'm not properly dressed"
"What do you mean?"
"You might loose reputation because of me"
Maxwell nodded. "Well,now that you mention it,a little bit,yeah"
Ricky nodded and said. "Then I'll leave now,I'll treat you to a meal next time" He turned to leave but Maxwell caught his hand.
Maxwell smiled at him. "You're here now and I've got a very big reputation. Even if you cost me a bit of it,I'll be fine. You can treat me to a meal some other time"
"But--"
"No buts. You've already embarrassed me with what you are wearing,if you ditch me now and let me walk in alone,that would be even worse" Maxwell touched Ricky's shoulder. Let's go,this time let's forget it but next time I invite you to a meal,make sure to dress properly"
"There won't be next time,right?" Ricky asked sadly.
"No next time?"Maxwell frowned.
"Yeah,Mr Kant, I don't have any other decent clothes"
Maxwell chuckled. "That's easy to fix,I'll ask Edwin Nicolas to take you shopping sometime" He smiled broadly at Ricky
"Maxwell,we've been waiting for you why don't you come in?" Vee came out to say.
Maxwell looked at Ricky and said. "Let's go in"