At the table where they ate,Ricky insisted to drink water instead of the alcoholic wine they offered him but something was off Vee seemed to be interested in Ricky as he kept insisting.Maxwell on the other hand watched Ricky closely his interest increased. Looking away from Ricky he stared at his friend Raymond Tyler who was the owner of Pentagon.
"Raymond ,I think next time we should meet at your club" Maxwell said.
"No problem. You can go to our club next time. I'll arrange it" he raised up his class cheering to Maxwell and then gulped the content in one go.
Vee suddenly stood up parading around Maxwell and Ricky."I throw parties like this every week,but they are never this lively without you Max" He looked at Ricky who sat quietly not seeking anyone's attention except Maxwell's. "I didn't get the chance to ask earlier" Vee continued."Who is this?"
Ricky gazed at Vee then at Maxwell.
"He's unfamiliar,I don't think we've ever met him before huh?" Vee asked.
Ricky looked down at the table while all eyes were glaring at him except that Maxwell's were gentle.
"I haven't seen you in a while ,Max where did you find this gem?" Vee wasn't ready to give up as he pointed his wine glass towards Ricky.
Maxwell eyed him. "Its none of your business"
Vee rolled his eyes at Maxwell. He then walked over to Ricky sniffing him all over probably trying to detect his scent. "He also has floral scent" Vee remarked. Ricky got extremely angry at this gesture he purposely stood and his head banged at Vee's nose.
"Hey relax!" Vee screamed holding his hurting nose. Maxwell and the others at the table laughed at his foolishness.
"I'm sorry" Vee said. "I mean,I was just taking a whiff okay?"
Ricky just stared in front of him without reply.
"Alright,Vee stop it" Raymond said." He's an Omega,behave yourself. Don't scare off our new friend"
"I won't get too close" Vee said stubbornly. "Can I at least ask your name?"
Ricky stared at him slowly. "Ricky Brown"
Vee was dumbfounded. "You're Ricky Brown?"
Maxwell didn't like how it was going.
"The one who got Max to answer an unknown call?" Vee asked. Then he did what made Maxwell mad. He touched Ricky's shoulder rubbing at it as he said "I've heard a lot about you"
Maxwell got up and flung his hand away from Ricky. "You are harassing my friend to my face now? Can you act like a normal person?"
"Come on I've hit on your other friends before. Why are you overreacting today?" Vee defended himself. "Can't I sniff on him? A little touch won't cost him a finger anyway"
"Vee" Raymond called again standing up to prevent a fight from breaking out. "Max barely comes to these gatherings,if you keep this up,he won't come again"
"Fine" Vee raised up his hands in surrender. "I'll keep my hands off his gem" He walked back to his seat.
"How about we all drink including you Ricky to get rid of the foul atmosphere" Raymond said trying to brighten the mood.
Ricky pretended to have a low resistance to alcohol by getting drunk drinking just one glass. He walked out of the room staggering with Max and Vee behind him.Vee rushed forward wanting to touch him,he placed his hand on Ricky's back but he was pushed away. Ricky kept pushing his hand away,seeing this Maxwell took Vee's hand and shoved him aside as he caught the drunk Ricky in his arms he guarded him to his car and helped him to sit,he also got in sitting beside Ricky watching his flustered face. The driver drove off as soon as they got in the limousine.
In the car,Ricky appeared to sober up a little. He brought out his phone and gave it to Maxwell intending to show him something.
"Here's my repayment plan,Mr Kant"
Maxwell collected the phone skimming through it while Ricky watched him closely. At least our relationship is improving,he thought.
"I know,it may take a long time" Rick said." And the interest is low. Technically, I don't have any collateral so I should be paying more than the bank rate" He paused. "B-but once I pay off the principal,I'll keep paying the interest at four times the bank rate until everything's fully paid"
Maxwell's eyes were glued to the screen as he listened to Ricky. He looked up from the phone and gave it back to Ricky.
"There's a faster way,you know" Maxwell said staring softly at Ricky.
Ricky didn't understand. "Oh,I'm sorry,I don't have much salary. Before I get promoted and get a raise,this is already the fastest that I can get"
Maxwell's eyes stared tenderly at Ricky,he moved closer to Ricky their face only a few inches apart. "Ricky Brown, be my partner. If you say yes. You don't need to pay me anything"
Ricky blushed but rejected the offer."I'm sorry,Mr Kant,it might take a while but I'll pay you back as soon as possible"
"Okay" Maxwell was disappointed. He withdrew his face from Ricky.
Ricky knows he can't agree to his request yet no matter how much he wanted Maxwell.
He didn't want spur of the moment relationship because he knew Maxwell might just want to sleep with him and after a while dump him. He intended to make Maxwell fall madly in love with him,before they proceeded with anything.
Ricky leaned back on his seat and closed his eyes. Maxwell was hurt but he couldn't help staring at Ricky. He raised his hand and was about to touch Ricky's soft,fair and delicate cheek when a notification from his phone paused his hand mid air. He picked up the phone to check his message.
It was Vee's message
Max,that Ricky Brown. I really like him. If you guys ever break,just let me know. Hahaha.
Maxwell looked back at Ricky who seemed asleep now.
*********
The car halted when it got to Ricky's neighborhood,jerking him awake from his short nap.He trembled looking around. He stared at Maxwell beside him who returned the stare"
"Mr Kant,I'll get going" Ricky said.
"I'll walk you to your room" Maxwell offered.
"No,this alley is not safe,I'm afraid your shoes might get dirty" Ricky explained.
"Okay" Maxwell said and watched as Ricky got down from the car waved at him and walked off.