Maxwell took Ricky to a restaurant after his discharge from the hospital. "I heard you shouldn't go home straight after discharge. You need to eat and rest somewhere first so you don't bring that sickly energy back". Maxwell watched Ricky's expression as he talked.
"Mr Kant,you're superstitious?". Ricky asked innocently.
"When I was a kid,my mom told me that after hospital stays". Maxwell replied. "What about you? Don't believe any of it?"
Ricky only smiled. "I don't buy superstition,but I believe in you"
Maxwell blushed like a shy young lady. "Ricky,you weren't raised in Country P, right?"
Ricky nodded. "I wasn't but I used to visit often"
"For your sister's medical appointments?". Maxwell guessed.
Ricky looked down for a while then stared back at Maxwell. "To see you". Which was true,he often visited Country P whenever he missed Maxwell's handsome face hoping that one day he'll be by his side.
Maxwell chuckled. "Such a sweet talker. If I ask where you're from,will you say you're from my heart?"
"Is that the case?". Ricky mused.
Maxwell stood up from his seat,moved his hand across the table and pinched Ricky's cheeks. "Yes"
Ricky felt like a kitten.
*************
Someone knocked on Peem's door. He sighed while working on signing a pile of documents on his desk. "Come in!"
Fadel walked into the office. "Mr Ronald"
A message dropped on Peem's phone. He dropped what he was doing,picked up his phone and raised a hand for Fadel to hold on. Fadel stood obediently quiet while his eyes were on Peem as though he wanted to devour him.
Peem,is Ricky with you? Why isn't he answering my calls?
It was Ricky's cousin who messaged him. Peem in his usual character answered bluntly.
He isn't. No idea.
You're both in Country P,how can you not know?
So what if we're both here? You're his cousin,you can't get through to him either
Fair point
Peem finally dropped his phone. He looked up at Fadel who resembled a fool,standing there for as long as the message conversation lasted. "What's the matter?"
Fadel braced himself and started his report. "Just finished an emergency joint meeting. We devised response plan to Kant's Biotech actions against us"
"Got it". Peem replied and stared back at his phone.
Fadel stammered. "Well--we. Mr Ronalds?
Peem looked up at him and made a "Mm?". Just then Peem's phone rang. He declined the call first time,second time. The caller was relentless and Peem wasn't willing to pick up. He dropped his phone angrily.
Fadel watched him closely. He was quite handsome when he was mad. Fadel found himself daydreaming about Peem like he always did whenever he had nothing to do.
Peem finally received a message from that same person.
Peem Ronald,I know your company in Country P is in trouble. I know how hard brother Leo worked to raise you. So apologize and come home now. If you do,I might spare your legs and help you through this.
That was Peem's uncle. The remark made Peem so mad that he replied back rudely.
Whether my Dad had it easy or not,he's dead. You should know best how he died, Justin Ronald! Just give up. That place stopped being my home the day I walked out.
He was so upset that he banged his phone on the desk. It was then he remembered that Fadel was still waiting for him. He sighed and looked up at the guy who was in a daze. "What were you saying just now?"
"Huh?". Fadel broke out of his daydream. "The car you asked for is ready. Its in the parking lot. Where are you headed? Do you need any preparations?"
"I'm heading out for lunch". Peem replied.
Fadel hitched closer to him like he wanted to gossip. "Is it a last minute business lunch? Who else is joining? I can prepare in advance"
"You don't need to prepare anything. Just come with me". Peem replied and stood walking out of the office while Fadel strutted behind him.
************
Ricky brought out a wristwatch from his pocket. "I prepared this gift for you". He said smiling as he handed the watch to Maxwell. "Thank you for being so nice to me"
Maxwell accepted it eagerly. "A watch". He chuckled and immediately pull the wristwatch he had on to put on the gift that is worth nothing compared the one he pulled off.
"Its just the basic model". Ricky said. "I can't afford anything too luxurious now"
Maxwell pinched his Ricky's cheeks playfully. "Basic models are great too". He held up his wrist. "Does it look good?"
Ricky nodded.
It happened coincidentally that Peem and Fadel walked into this same restaurant.
"Mr Ronald,isn't this a business lunch?". Fadel asked as they entered.
"No". Peem replied. He stared at the clueless Fadel. "Well,what's today's date?"
Fadel immediately glanced at his wristwatch. "May, nineteen"
Peem glared at him in annoyance. "You forgot your own birthday?"
Ricky immediately spotted Peem,he pretended to be in shock and his breathing became laboured. Maxwell saw the expression on Ricky's face,then followed his gaze which landed on Peem.
Peem was still chatting with Fadel not knowing Maxwell had spotted him. "Come on. I want to have a meal with you. I ordered a birthday cake"
Fadel was surprised at the gesture. He blushed lightly.
Maxwell on the other hand already had his sleeves folded so he could get the freedom to punch Peem hard in the face. Trouble was inevitable as long as Maxwell was in contact with Peem. Maxwell kicked a chair toward Peem who dodged the attack. Things went out of hand and Maxwell was seen hitting Peem who also retaliated with equal accuracy. They both released life threatening pheromones as they fought. Peem glanced at Fadel who was starting to choke as he was affected by the scents. Peem became really worried watching Fadel,he was scared for Fadel so he pushed Maxwell away with a hard punch. Customers eating at the restaurant immediately scurried away,running for their lives and from the immensely dominating pheromone scents.
Maxwell tasted blood on his lips,he wiped it off with the back of his hand. "You're like a bad penny !!". He screamed at Peem.
"And you reek of drunk branch. People might think a toilet scrubber came to life". Peem replied. It was no news that no one can win against him in verbal abuse.
Maxwell smirked. "KB group used my pheromone scent to develop products without permission. Peem Ronald,you hate Omegas but you keep clashing with me over Ricky Brown. You follow me everywhere". He chuckled mockingly. "Do you have a crush on me?"
Peem spatted out an imaginary saliva in irritation. "Paranoia needs early treatment !!.
"Save your confession !!". Maxwell shouted.
"There's a limit to being crazy !!". Peem shouted back and landed Maxwell a heavy blow. "Maxwell Kant,I heard you never date Omegas who have been with Alphas,Ricky is useless to you then. Why not give him to me?"
"Peem Ronald !!". Maxwell was so agitated that released pheromones uncontrollably from anger.
Peem didn't back down as he wasn't intimidated. "Several X holdings executives are interested in him. If you hand him over,I might share the targeted drug technology with you"
Maxwell pushed Peem away. He had just pressed on an important issue that Maxwell didn't joke with.
Peem looked at Fadel. "Fadel,you should leave. Don't choke while staying here. Don't let toilet fumes trigger your asthma"
Maxwell was about to raise another punch when Ricky stopped him,holding his arm. "Mr Kant,forget it. Let's go"
"Just you wait". Maxwell swore at Peem,contained his pheromones then followed Ricky out of the restaurant.
"I'll wait for you to decide,if you'll trade Ricky for the targeted drug !!". Peem called behind them.
"You're better of waiting for your death !!". Maxwell called back at him.
Peem held the already weak Fadel,supporting him with his own body as they both hurried out of the restaurant before they were noticed as the nuisance by security.