Maxwell ate breakfast the next morning,since Ricky moved in he had been Maxwell's cook. He suddenly looked up from his meal and glanced at Ricky who did the dishes in the kitchen sink. Maxwell saw a sad expression on Ricky's face. He stood up from the dinning table and walked to Ricky hugging him softly,he sniffed at his neck.
"The orchid nearing its heat circle,smells so good". Maxwell commented.
Ricky tried to smile but he felt a sharp pain and blinked back his tears.
"What's wrong?". Maxwell turned Ricky to face him and held him around the waist. He searched all over Ricky's body,fear evident in his eyes.
"I'm still not feeling well". Ricky replied weakly.
"Maxwell's face was masked with concern. He felt Ricky's temperature with his hand. "You still have a slight fever"
Ricky nodded.
"Its been three days since I left. Did you go to the hospital?" Maxwell inquired.
"Yes"
"What did the doctor say?"
"They said its pheromone disorder". Ricky forced a smile. "But don't worry,I'm taking medicine"
"Will you get better if you're permanently marked?". Maxwell asked.
Ricky looked at Maxwell. "Mr Kant. A permanent mark is an important decision. If its out of pity. I don't want you to"
"Its not because I pity you". Maxwell said confidently.
"I still don't want you to make such hasty decision". Ricky held Maxwell's hand to comfort him. "If you regret it in the future. We'll both suffer"
Maxwell caressed Ricky's face."I'm not being hasty"
"Alright,I get". Ricky replied. He leaned over and kissed Maxwell's cheek. "Thank you,Mr Kant"
Maxwell smiled.
"I've got to get to work or I'm going to be late". Ricky said.
Maxwell walked him to the door and gave him a warm hug.
"Mr Kant, what do you want for dinner?". Ricky asked.
"Rest up. Since you're not feeling well. I'll bring home some takeout. How's that?". Maxwell offered.
"I still want to cook myself. Takeout isn't healthy". Ricky said.
Maxwell chuckled. "Crucian carp soup then. Its delicious.
"Alright. I'll get going". Ricky said and opened the door to head out but Maxwell drew him back into his warm embrace. Ricky pulled away slowly from him "Alright. See you tonight. Bye"
Maxwell waved at him smiling.
************
Ricky didn't return home that night. Maxwell kept dialing his number but it was off. He was going crazy with worry. "Why isn't he back yet?"
Then he looked at the wall clock,it was almost twelve midnight, he reluctantly dialed Peem's number but got the same switched off response. He shot up from his seat like he was under attack. Maxwell's eyes were getting red with rage.
Maxwell dialed Edwin Nicolas,his secretary. The call connected.
"Ricky isn't back home,Edwin"
"What happened to Mr Brown?". Edwin asked.
"He hasn't replied my texts since 3PM". Maxwell replied worriedly. "When I called him by 6PM his phone was switched off. He still isn't home. I tried Peem Ronald's his phone's off too. Edwin,any new thing about KB group? Or did Peem Ronald commit a crime and get in trouble?"
"Mr Kant. Calm down. I'll send someone to investigate". Edwin said.
Ricky didn't go home even till the next morning. Maxwell had a sleepless night. He was worried.
When Maxwell got to work the next day,he was downcast. He looked at Edwin in front of him who gave him info about the search.
"We've made a police report but there's still no news about Mr Brown". Edwin informed.
Maxwell's eyes were distant.
"According to the surveillance cameras". Edwin continued. "Mr Brown got off work at 5:30PM as usual. He got into a ride hailing car in front of the company which drove to a surveillance blind spot and never showed up again"
Maxwell looked at him harshly. "Did you check the license plate?"
"Yes. Its a stolen car". Edwin answered. "That's all we've got"
Maxwell was so sad.
"I'm sorry Mr Kant. Its my fault". Edwin pleaded.
"How so?" Maxwell asked.
Edwin was very hesitant but he knew he had to say it. "Mr Kant. Mr Brown might be in danger"
"What danger?"
"Mr Ronalds values him a lot. He brings him to every meeting. To get more info about their R&D,I.....I put a bug in Mr Brown's briefcase". Edwin confessed.
Maxwell banged his desk angrily and stood up shouting. "Who told you to do that?!!"
"I'm sorry Mr Kant. KB's security is airtight--". Edwin trembled.
"Enough!". Maxwell interrupted noisily. He was almost bursting to tears. "It doesn't matter now". He picked up his phone and called Peem's number but it never connected. He looked at Edwin. "Do you have the number of Peem's secretary?"
"Yes"
"Call him now!" Maxwell screamed. He was scared, angry and worried.
Scared because he couldn't imagine what Peem might be doing to Ricky at that moment. Angry because Edwin was such an idiot to put Ricky in such risk. And worried because he didn't want to loose Ricky. Maxwell couldn't imagine his life without Ricky.
Edwin quickly put a call across to Fadel.
"Hello. This is the Chairman's office KB group. I'm Mr Ronald's personal secretary, Fadel Jackson. How may I help you?". Fadel said to the telephone receiver.
"Secretary Fadel--".Edwin started to say but Maxwell snatched the phone from him.
"Maxwell Kant of Kant Pharmaceutical". Maxwell said hurriedly. "Where's Mr Ronald?"
"Oh, hi Mr Kant". Fadel greeted. "Mr Ronald is seeing a guest. He isn't available. I can relay your message to him"
"Ask Peem Ronald when he's free. Tell me when he's free and I'll be right there"
"Okay, after his meeting I'll tell him and get back to you". Fadel responded.
Fadel walked into Peem's office and stood at the door staring at Peem and sniffing at himself to see if he had his Omega scent. Peem looked up and saw him doing that but didn't say anything for a while.
"What's the matter?". Peem finally asked jolting Fadel out of what he was doing.
Fadel walked over to Peem. "Mr Ronald--"
"Don't just stand there like a statue". Peem snapped. "I didn't hire you to be an ornament in the office. Besides,you're not attractive enough to be one"
Fadel stared at Peem like a zombie. What happened to him whenever Peem insulted him was never to defend himself and talk back,he'll just stare like a fool and even cry most of the time. He unconsciously took a step backwards. He composed himself and said. "I'm here to inform you that Mr Kant from Kant Pharmaceutical called"
"What does he want?"
"He didn't elaborate. He just asked when you're free,he'll call again"
"Just a few days without news of Ricky Brown and he's this anxious. What a loser" Peem cursed under his breath.
"He couldn't reach Secretary Brown? Didn't Secretary Brown ask for leave?" Fadel asked.
Peem looked at him accusingly. "Why do you know so much about Ricky Brown? You're interested in him too?"
Fadel shook his head vigorously. "Secretary Brown and I work in the same department. No one knows his schedule better than me. Besides,there must be many people who care for an outstanding Omega like him"
Peem eyed Fadel. "Omega this, Omega that
If you loose focus and make stupid mistakes again. You can pack your things and go home". Peem snapped but he never meant what he said. Most of the time when he shouted and insulted Fadel, he never really meant those hurtful words but he said them anyways. Not caring about whatever happened or how hurtful they sounded to Fadel.
Fadel bit his lips to trap a sob.
Getting impatient Peem stood up ready to get out of the office.
"M-Mr Ronald. About Mr Kant". Fadel managed to say.
"Let him wait. But if he looses his mind. That bastard is so arrogant. The first time we met he actually said Three and a half billion as if Kant Pharmaceutical prints money. Its about time he learns a lesson. Don't ever answer his calls again". Peem said. He was so upset about Maxwell's gut. "Fadel,you are my personal secretary. Not Maxwell Kant's messenger. Get your head straight. Don't cause me any trouble". Peem walked out furiously.
"Yes i got it". Fadel replied behind him.