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34.34% Meeting again / Chapter 34: Anxious Call

Bab 34: Anxious Call

"Woaaahhh!!" Fred exclaimed the moment he stepped into my apartment, "Exquisite is damn rich! They really take care of their employees."

He gave a broad grin before settling on the couch. I shook my head, seeing him acting like an excited Labrador. He is already 24, but I can still see the 16-year-old high schooler in him. On the other hand, Twen gave Fred a very guarded look but did not say anything. I knew his inner turmoil; however, I also knew that his feelings were from his fear of losing me. But that was a completely irrational fear since I would never leave him. Also, Fred is one of the few people in this world who I trust completely. I know he would never hurt me. Seeing that Twen was not moving an inch from beside me, I shook my head and held his shoulders,

"Twen go and get refreshed. It was a tiring day for you!!" I told him.

After looking at Fred for a second, he tugged on my shirt nervously, "Yes, mommy."

Despite my desire to laugh at his childish worries, I felt that it would be cruel to do so because his concern for me is genuine. I didn't want to make him feel bad so, I just patted his head and urged,

"Wash yourself, change, and then come for lunch."

He nodded stiffly and trotted back to his room. I smiled at Fred who looked slightly disappointed,

"Champ doesn't like me much, does he?" he sighed.

"He is a child and very attached to me at the moment. So, he is feeling insecure. Don't worry. He will warm up to you in no time," I consoled him. "Some coffee?"

"You bet," Fred said, trying to disguise his discomfort by talking too cheerfully.

I quickly freshened up and hurried to the kitchen. I heard Fred speed typing on his cell phone as I prepared coffee. I grounded the coffee beans and put them in a porter filter before making the espresso. I sighed as I saw the dark brown liquid flow into the cup. I loved coffee, so I always end up spending too much on coffee beans. But recently, the coffee beans have gotten very expensive. I wonder if I have to end up relying on those cheap instant coffees. After I poured sugar and hot milk over the expresso, I walked out to see Fred frowning at his cell phone.

"What happened?" I asked placing the hot steaming coffee in front of him.

Fred instantly picked it up and put his cell phone aside,

"Nothing, I just contacted the manager of Pastaz and informed him of my arriving," he said, nonchalantly.

"I see." I said sipping on my cup, "So, how did you know I stay here?"

Fred froze in the process of sipping on the coffee and sighed heavily,

"You really have forgotten all about me. Chef Samuel and I are still acquaintances. Unlike you, he never stopped talking to me."

I looked down guiltily. I never intended to break contact with him, but the situation was such that I couldn't help it. Now that I think about it, I was being very mean. I might have really hurt Fred. I did not want him to recall those memories and quickly changed the subject,

"So, you said that your dad wishes to expand the menu of Pastaz. Do you have any new ideas?"

Fred didn't answer immediately. He sipped for some time before placing the cup down on the coffee table. He looked at me and, instead of answering the question, asked me,

"Are you continuing to work for Exquisite Hotels?"

The coffee almost got stuck in my throat at the question. I was looking for a new job, but I hadn't been able to look for one recently because of work pressure. I was tempted to start my cafe, and then I wouldn't have to worry about jobs, but I do not have the required capital to do so. As I thought to myself, I said cautiously,

"For now, yeah."

Fred exhaled heavily, speaking in a defeated tone, "If you ever look for a new job, you are always welcome to join me. I would like to have an experienced chef. Most importantly, I am not a menu planner. So, I could get some help for it too."

"So, it is menu planning that's behind the invitation," I chuckled, but I can't help considering it.

"You can say that, but I promise you, I will make it worth it," Fred winked.

"I will think about it," I said, smiling back at him. Fred grinned on seeing that I did not reject him.

"Hah! I wonder what to add to the menu," Fred asked in a slightly concerned tone.

"Did you speak with the manager? He can help you out!" I suggested

"I will have to. I don't have many ideas regarding the dishes to add. Plus, it is an Italian specialty restaurant. So, I have to get down to research before I can suggest anything." Fred said, waving his hand in the air.

"Sounds hectic," I acknowledged and took a large swig of coffee.

"Anyway, enough with my issues. Tell me how is your job going?"

"It's manageable," I said, thoughtfully, before adding, "Higher the position, tougher the duties."

"That's bound to be!" Fred nodded in agreement, "Anyways, where are you and Twen coming from? I waited for an hour."

I almost spit the coffee out, "A-an hour? What on Earth were you doing waiting for so long? You could have called me!"

"Nah! Then, it wouldn't have been a surprise," Fred said with a roguish laugh.

"Yeah right!" I rolled my eyes, "It was Twen's sports day. He won three medals in the race," I said, unable to hide my pride and excitement.

Fred whistled, "One heck of a racer you have got there."

I chuckled. For the next few minutes, we drank in complete silence. We met after days, and people would expect us to have matters to discuss. But frankly, we were really at a loss for words. It was, in fact, quite awkward since we were not in contact for a long while. I noticed Fred stealing glances at me. I got a little uncomfortable and asked,

"What is it?"

Fred turned and gave a weird awkward laugh, before speaking in an off-handed manner, "Well it is not really my business, but looks like you got yourself a partner."

"Hah?" I asked, confused.

"I noticed that you have a hickey on your neck," Fred said looking everywhere but me.

It was the second time I almost spit my coffee out. "What?" I hissed.

I quickly put my mug on the table and thundered down the corridor to my room. I looked in the mirror on my wardrobe. Damn! There really was a hickey on my neck. It looked slightly bluish red on my skin, like a bruise. That stupid Robbie! He left a hickey on me, and of all the people in the world, it had to be Fred who saw it. Now, what am I supposed to say to Fred? I hit my head with my palms. At the same time, my cell phone rang loudly. I checked the caller ID. It was Tanya. I guess she wants some help with recipes or garnishes. I picked it up, greeting Tanya,

"Hey, Tanya! Wa-"

"Tony!" her urgent voice interrupted me, "Did you change your sub-gender status in your resume?"

The question took me aback, "Of course not!"

"Then, how come the entire department is buzzing with rumors of you being an Omega?"

"Say WHAT?"


next chapter

Bab 35: Double touble

"In the morning, there was no buzz about this, but then in the afternoon, someone in the employee dashboard shared a public photo of you declaring you as an Omega. It was deleted after a while, and then a picture of you with-" Tanya was speaking anxiously, but I stopped listening.

My mind was reeling from the shock. What is going on? Me being an Omega is not known to anyone in the hotel or the resort except Chef Samuel and Tanya then how could this news possibly leak out?!

"Tony? Tony? Are you listening to me? Hello?"

I came to my senses on hearing Tanya's tensed voice.

"Ye-yeah. It might just be some rumor." I tried to assure myself more than her.

"Are you okay? You don't sound well," Tanya said softly.

"I am sure it will die down soon." I forced myself to believe the words as I tried to convince Tanya.

"I hope so too. But-" she paused as if not sure whether to speak or not.

"What is it?" I said, feeling a sense of foreboding.

"Tony, I would suggest that you come a bit mentally prepared after your leave. You know how it is with male Omegas," she said hesitatingly. "Don't worry, I'll be there for you if you need any help." she quickly added to try to make the truth more bearable.

"Thank you, Tanya!" I said, smiling in spite of myself. She is really a good friend.

I had just hung up the call when it rang again. It was Robbie this time. I stared at the caller Id contemplating whether to pick or not but ended up picking anyway. A concerned voice sounded at the other end,

"Tony?"

"What is it?" I asked. For no reason, my heart skipped a beat.

"I was wondering if-if you're okay?" Robbie asked, sounding embarrassed as well as anxious.

I remembered last night's horrible situation and turned beet-red.

"You left a hickey on me!" came out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

"Oh," Robbie exclaimed in surprise, "I-I am really sorry for losing control like that. Your-your pheromones are much stronger than before."

Of course, they are. I am his bonded Omega. My pheromones are only going to affect him, and the effect was 100 times stronger than any normal unbonded Omega. I wanted to say that but stopped myself and simply sighed,

"Did you call to justify your action?"

"Huh? Oh no, that's not-" Robbie paused, then suddenly busted, "Did you by any chance mention it to someone that you are an Omega?"

I remained quiet. I did mention it to four people: Tanya, Samuel, Fred, and Jenny. However, I fully trust that they will not expose me. They have had years to do it. Why would they suddenly turn against me for no rhyme or reason?

"I have mentioned it to some very close friends of mine but am confident that they would never expose me," I said, expressing my full confidence.

"So, you are already aware of the situation?" Robbie enquired.

"Tanya just informed me a while back," I replied.

"I see. I am not sure how the word got out. Can it be someone from your quarters?" Robbie asked.

I shook my head but quickly realized that Robbie can't see me. So, I answered, "That's not possible. No one I know stays in the quarter, and we barely ever see each other. I doubt that any of us even know each other, let alone knowing my sub-gender."

"But Twen-"Robbie had just begun when I interrupted,

"Robbie, did you mention it to someone? Why are so sure that it is someone from my end?"

Robbie went silent on this. I knew he was contemplating my words but finally said in a firm voice,

"My mom, but my mom would never do something like this. I am confident of that," Robbie assured me.

"I have never met Robbie's mom, and I was not sure what kind of lady she was. However, Robbie's confidence in her made me feel that I will offend him if I refute. Hence, I chose to simply agree.

"Don't worry, I will find the true culprit. However, you have-" Robbie was about to say something when Fred entered my room, speaking in his booming voice,

"Tony, I am really sorry to butt in your personal life. You don't need to avoid me."

I looked at Fred, whose eyes had a sorry look, and his muscles and shoulders looked tense. I suddenly remembered the reason for hurrying into my room leaving Fred on his own and then Tanya's call totally made me forget about Fred's presence. I didn't think what Fred might be thinking after I left like that. I quickly replied,

"NO, I AM SORRY. I got busy with calls from my workplace," Fred squinted at the cell phone on my ear. His tense shoulder relaxed and he smiled.

"Who's that?" came the inquiring and slightly irritated tone of Robbie.

"Friend of mine," I replied shortly.

"Friend?" Robbie insisted.

"I'll talk to you later. I'll deal with the current situation however it comes. Goodbye!" I said, ending the conversation and hanging the call.

I heard a sound like he was about to say something, but I didn't wait. How did this situation occur? Doesn't matter. It has already happened, so I have to deal with it. It is just a rumor. There can't be any solid source to it. People must be guessing depending on something they have heard or seen. I quietly consoled myself. I took a deep breath to relax and then looked at Fred, who was looking at me questioningly,

"Is there any problem?"

"Sort of. Nothing very serious," I forced a smile.

"Are you sure? It does not look like the issue is small. If there's anything I can help with-"

"Fred, chill!" I said as we made our way to the drawing room.

"If - If you say so! I was worried that you are arguing with your boyfriend because of the hickey," Fred said awkwardly.

I was stumped for a while. I forgot to come up with an excuse. The truth of me being Omega getting leaked weighed so heavily in my mind. What to do! Should I be honest? Maybe...Maybe I should tell the partial truth,

"I don't have any boyfriend. This-well-this was an accident."

"Accident? How can someone accidentally give you a hickey?" Fred asked, blinking in surprise.

I had no idea what to answer. I bit my lips wondering if I should let him know about Robbie.

"Th-that's...well...you see my heat pheromones...well..."

Fred's face darkened. Midway, he turned and held my shoulder and looked me in the eyes as he asked,

"Your heat pheromones can only affect your Alpha. Don't tell me that bastard dared to show his face after abandoning you."

It is true that Robbie hasn't done something praiseworthy, and neither am I such a forgiving soul to forget his deed. But still, it was somehow weird to hear someone, especially a friend, speak about him in such blatant disgust.

"Fred, it's all in past," I said.

"Are you telling me that you're going to forgive him? Are you going to forget all these years of your hardship? And what about champ?" Fred asked, now looking somewhere between anger and disappointment.

It was really uncomfortable speaking about this matter. Fred has always cared for and cherished me. He had always felt it unfair that my Alpha left me after bonding with me. However, currently, my situation with Robbie is quite complicated. I didn't want to explain all the complexities of my relationship with Robbie's, so I changed the topic by saying,

"Would you like another cup of coffee? I made some sandwiches in the morning. It's still there. Would you like some?"

Putting his hand away, I hurried to the coffee table, picked up both our mugs and went to the kitchen. I couldn't look Fred in the eye. He understood that I am not willing to pursue the topic further, so he didn't force me, but his mood got extremely gloomy. I got him coffee and a sandwich which he quietly swallowed down.

I tried to lighten the mood by talking about the food he could include in his menu. I suggested some popular dishes and some side dishes. I also gave him some ideas about including some special Italian desserts. In spite of his improved mood and the fact that he wrote down all the points, he still wore a sour expression.

As he was leaving, I urged him to put his mind at ease, but he instead looked at me and grabbed my hand. He spoke softly, totally unlike his usual nature,

"You don't need to keep everything to yourself. I know you don't find me reliable, and I also know that last time it was because of your concern for me and my dad's relationship that you stayed away, but this time, I truly want to be of help. I am here if you need me."

He didn't let me reply and instead put his arms around me and hugged me gently, burying his head on my shoulder. I was slightly taken aback. I stood motionless with my thoughts muddled. I couldn't bear to take this affection of his. He is way too kind to me even after all the hurt I caused him. I was about to ask him to move back when I heard an irritated yet nervous call of a familiar voice,

"Tony??"


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