Fadel entered into Peem's office with a tray containing his usual morning tea. Fadel was weak not completely recovered from his heat. The moment Peem looked up at Fadel he knew something was wrong.
"Why do you look so pale? Are you unwell?" Perm asked concern in his eyes for a split second,it was replaced by the usual sharp and distant look.
"I'm fine". Fadel responded.
"What do you mean you are fine? Have you seen yourself in the mirror? You call this fine?". Peem scolded.
"I--I haven't been sleeping well recently" Fadel lied. "I feel a little dizzy"
"Fadel,you're not a kid anymore. You should see a doctor if you feel sick. You should know what you are doing"
"I've seen a doctor. It was my asthma. I got highly effective injections for a few days in a row". Fadel lied again. "I'm already getting better"
Peem looked at Fadel and got furious hitting his desk.
Seeing this, Fadel immediately presented him a document summarizing the content. "Mr Ronald. The budget summary of next month's procurement plan"
Peem skimmed through it roughly and saw a minor mistake. "Fadel?"
"Yes"
"You made this financial report?"
"Yes" Fadel quickly picked up the document to go through it.
"There's an extra zero in the procurement plan's total sum". Peem shouted. "Are you blind?"
"I'm sorry Mr Ronald. I didn't check carefully". Fadel pleaded.
"Check? Humph! You're just not taking work seriously. Your soul is completely sucked away by that Omega who's always in heat. You even got the figures wrong. Even a kid wouldn't make such a mistake" Peem said unreasonably. He was always agitated and angry whenever he thought of Fadel being in close relationship with anyone else yet he refused to admit his feelings towards Fadel and treated him with contempt as though he felt nothing for him.
"Mr Ronald. The report was written by the finance and procurement department,I'm just helping to bring it here" Fadel said shakily. Peem terrified him so much more than nightmares.
Peem stared daggers at him. Fadel's head bent slowly. "I'm sorry, Mr Ronald. I wasn't around for the past few days so I couldn't review this report myself"
"KB group doesn't hire useless people. I don't have time to listen to your excuses" Peem said.
Fadel bowed his head. "I'm sorry. I'll fix it right away". He walked away with tears at the corners of his eyes. He never got used to Peem's insults,they made him cry a lot. Before he was able to take two steps away from Peem's table he was stopped.
"Also,I hate Omegas". Peem said disdainfully.
"Yes,I know". Fadel replied.
"Then why did you come into my office with the stench of an Omega all over you?!!". Peem screamed the question.
"I....I....". Fadel stammered disgracefully sniffing at himself.
"It reeks. Wash that stench off before you come back" Peem said.
"I'm sorry sir. I'll leave right away". Fadel ran out of the office crying profusely.
Perm sighed,he felt irritated. Just then Ricky's messages came in
I wonder who he's spending his susceptible period with? I feel like killing somebody. Secretary Nicolas is so clumsy. His tapping device is always so noisy. Why are there so many useless people around Maxwell? Anyway its time. Everything should go as planned.
"Crazy Bastard". Peem cursed under his breadth.
**********
Fadel got into the restroom tearfully after Peem shouted at him. He stared at his pale face in the mirror. He looked weak and vulnerable.His breathing was also laboured.He couldn't let go of Peem. Fadel would do anything to be with him. He couldn't stop remembering Peem's hurtful words,he cried more.
Fadel dipped his hand in his suit pocket and brought out an injection inhibitor. His breathing was so heavy,he was weak and only managed to roll up the sleeve of his shirt injecting his left arm with the inhibitor. He watched his own pale face in the mirror as he gasped for air.
Fadel had to do this in order not to provoke Peem. He had been using a lot of inhibitors lately but they didn't seem to hide his Omega scent anymore. He was getting tired of his fake life.
*********
Ricky was home cooking some dishes because Maxwell was to be back home that day. The doorbell rang softly,Ricky was overjoyed as he ran to open the door. Although he was upset that Maxwell didn't spend his rut period at home,he was still happy that Maxwell was back.
Ricky opened the door and saw Maxwell's handsome face beaming at him. "Mr Kant,I--"
Maxwell enveloped him in a tight hug. Ricky smiled and hugged him too. They stayed that way for a while until Ricky pulled away with difficulty from Maxwell who was reluctant to let go.
Maxwell caressed Ricky's soft cheek. "Do you miss me?"
Ricky raised an eyebrow and teased. "What do you think?". He smiled. "Have you eaten?"
"Not yet. I rushed back right after I got off the plane". Maxwell replied.
"Great timing!" Ricky said. "I'm making dinner"
Ricky walked back to the kitchen with Maxwell behind him. He stirred his pot of soup while the clingy Maxwell hugged his back lovingly.
Maxwell's phone rang as he was seeking comfort on Ricky's back. He was reluctant to pick the call but Ricky insisted.
"Hello, Vee"
"Maxwell you're finally picking up. When you're in rut, aren't the nights alone long and tough?" Vee teased.
"Humph". Maxwell snapped. "Get to the point or I'm hanging up". He watched as Ricky dished the food with a smiling face.
"Hey,I'm just concerned okay? I know how tough it is. Why don't you let Raymond introduce a clean and pretty Omega to you?"
"No thanks. I'm back in the state"
"Huh? You're good already? I guess Raymond's Omega is mine then"
Maxwell sighed and looked at Ricky again. "If there's nothing else,don't make such ridiculous jokes. It might upset him". Maxwell referred to Ricky who was already serving the dishes on the dining table where he (Maxwell) sat.
"Alright,alright. It sure is different when you are taken. Forgive me for being short sighted". Vee pleaded playfully.
"Its okay. I'm going to have dinner with Ricky. Bye". Maxwell hung up.
"This is the carp crucian soup I just learned". Ricky said presenting a bowl containing some soup to Maxwell. "Have some, maybe you'll like it"
Maxwell eagerly drank a mouthful of the soup and made a sour face after tasting it making Ricky scared that the soup tasted bad.
"How is it? Is it bad?" Ricky asked worriedly.
Maxwell reached over and touched his hand. "Its delicious". Maxwell laughed.
"Phew. I was worried". Ricky sighed heavily. "I was worried i would butcher it on my first try". He blew on the soup and fed some to Maxwell who gladly opened his mouth to drink.
"Have you been busy with work?". Maxwell asked.
"Yeah,a little". Ricky replied. "Recently my company's been strict with employee screening. I think they even formed a risk control team"
Maxwell nodded,his interest awakening. "Really?"
"I think it's about serious corruption in the targeted drug R&D department". Ricky explained. Its about the leak of classified info. Anyways,it seems complicated"
Maxwell looked down shocked. He never expected that Ricky would tell him such an important information. Maxwell went back to eating his meal. "You have to be careful then". He said to Ricky.
"Me?I'm just a secretary,not from the technical department. Besides I'm very professional okay?". Ricky said half smiling with a serious face.
"Professional?". Maxwell smirked.
"Yes!" Ricky raised his eyebrows.
Maxwell leaned closer to him. "When you're dating the owner of a rival company?"
"Mr Kant. You've never asked me to steal classified info. So don't worry. I'm very safe"
Maxwell smiled and Ricky's kissed his lips.