Chapter 36 - 34

A/N

Hi guys in Chapter 25 when Keith and Alex went out for dinner, I made an error when I wrote that the two women thought Alex is a Beta because they can't smell his pheromones. Please forgive this beginner hehe, people except for Betas should still be able to smell his pheromones, it's just that it doesn't affect them as only his bonded Alpha can be affected by his pheromones.

******

"Wow, this sure is a pantry fit for the president of the company." Dan exclaimed in awe. They were at the executive pantry, Alex invited him to come up because he said Keith ordered food for them. Dan scanned the place, there is a fridge at a corner with soft drinks, fresh juices and even some cold brew while the regular pantry at their floor only has vendo machine. There's a top of the line coffee maker and not the type where you need to insert capsules or pods which are quite trendy these days but instead they use coffee grounds which are most likely imported overseas. Not that he doesn't like the coffee machine at their floor, it's still from a famous coffee brand but Dan thinks freshly brewed coffee is just on another level.

Alex giggled at Dan's reaction but he couldn't blame his friend, he was also awestruck with all the things inside the pantry. Chloe even has to teach him how to use the coffee maker.

"Hey Alex can we drink anything from that fridge?" Dan asked curiously, pointing at the fridge with soft drinks and juices.

"Ahmm I don't know. I haven't tried taking anything from there but I do know the other secretaries are using the coffee maker as well." Alex replied.

"Ohh kay then, let's just stick to water for now. We already got free lunch anyway." Dan said, opening the lid on the food. "Roast chicken with rice and veggies is not bad." Dan nodded at the food approvingly.

"Hey by the way, what was that this morning? I almost screamed when I saw you sitting on the president's lap. Dude, so much for being shy." Dan said, teasing Alex.

"D-Don't remind me okay? I honestly don't know what possessed me to do that." Alex replied, hiding his face with his hands due to too much embarrassment.

Dan laughed at his friend's reaction. In the years that they've known each other, Alex has never been in a relationship and the way he's acting now looks so adorable. Dan wishes that there would come a time that he would feel like that as well, because right now he's too traumatized with what happened with Eric. He took a deep breath to shake away the negative thoughts, he shouldn't dampen the mood with his issues.

"Maybe your heat is coming. I read somewhere that bonded Omegas tend to yearn for their Alphas. Some even do nesting or burying themselves with their Alpha's clothes or anything that has their scent." Dan informed Alex, though he didn't tell his friend about the other plausible reason an Omega long for their Alpha's scent.

"Oh my God! I forgot about my heat cycle. It's been over a month since our bonding so I guess my heat cycle is coming up soon." Alex replied while counting the days on his fingers. "Dan, what do I do with my heat cycle?" Alex asked his friend worriedly.

"It's alright, don't worry too much. Your Alpha is with you, he would help you deal with it." Dan said, reassuring his friend. "Lucky for you, you don't have to take suppressants anymore." Dan complained bitterly.

"I guess I would just tell Keith about it." Alex replied shyly, his face red like a tomato.

"Anyway, how was it this morning at work?" Dan said, changing the subject. "Man, everyone is talking about your Alpha and the mysterious employee with him. I didn't even know the president has his own elevator." Dan exclaimed, telling Alex about what he heard. "You're becoming notorious in this building." Dan added as he took a bite of his chicken.

Alex sighed. "I already talked to Keith about that. I want to have a peaceful and uneventful internship moving forward." Thinking about how his first few days at the company went by, it was already too exhausting. He was previously under the management of a sexually harassing boss then he got moved to his Alpha's office, one of Keith's secretaries hates him and people are gossiping about him though they don't know it's him. Yeah, it's pretty much exhausting. Speaking of the sexually harassing boss, "Dan are you okay? How's the situation at the planning team?" Alex asked worriedly, he still felt guilty that he wasn't paying much attention to his surroundings that he belatedly learned about Dwight's pheromones affecting Dan.

"Hmm it was actually pretty normal considering what happened yesterday. There was a bit of tension in the morning but Dwight didn't come to work so everyone was relieved and just went about with their work." Dan replied.

"That's good at least." Alex replied, sighing again, making Dan raise his eyebrows.

"Did something else happen?" Dan asked worriedly.

"Nah, not that much of a big deal." Alex replied and told Dan about the incident this morning with Vera and at the supplies room.

"There's really no cure to jealousy. Gosh that woman should know her place. You're the president's bonded mate." Dan replied exasperated. He really hates people like that Vera who is so territorial and yet have no rights or whatsoever.

"Well I can't tell everyone about it." Alex replied to his friend. Honestly telling people about their bonding would only lead to more problems and he's not confident he could handle the result of it. He can't even find the courage to tell his family what more telling strangers about it.

"Enough of that. You need to eat. If you don't finish your food, the President might not treat me for another meal again." Dan said, pointing at the barely touched food in front of Alex.

*******

Alex feels a bit refreshed and recharged after talking and eating lunch with Dan. Maybe part of the reason was because he was actually able to eat his food without throwing up.

"How's your lunch?" Chloe asked.

"It was okay I guess." Alex replied meekly.

Gosh it was so hot outside, I regret going out. Maybe I should have just eaten at the cafeteria but someone doesn't like the food." Chloe said, rolling her eyes towards Vera's direction.

"If you don't want to go out then eat on your own." Vera replied unaffected with Chloe's eye rolling.

Alex doesn't know how to react to being caught in between the two Beta women. Sometimes he thinks they hate each other but then they always go and eat together like close friends.

"That's enough, get back to work." Dana ordered. "Vera, send me the report for the budget forecast before you go back home today." Dana said to Vera who just said okay.

Alex fiddled with his laptop, still unsure what to do. He already did the organizing task Chloe gave him and she seems to be busy talking on the phone to ask her for more tasks. On the other hand he doesn't know how to approach Vera to ask her if there's anything he could do to help. Would they find him troublesome if he go and ask Dana directly?

Alex snapped out of his reverie when Vera dumped a bunch of folders in front of him. He stares at the Beta woman but is too scared to ask questions.

"I sent you an email. Double check with these reports if the submitted numbers are the same as the approved reports." Vera said looking at a dumbfounded Alex. "Unless you don't want to do any work and just laze around like a parasite." Vera said sarcastically.

"No. No. I... I w..would do it. I mean I can do it." Alex replied stuttering, hugging the folders Vera dumped on his desk. Vera just sneered but still drew out a smile from Alex. "Maybe the Beta woman is not so bad at all." Alex couldn't help but think. He started doing the task excitedly. Had he not been too engrossed with the task at hand, he would have seen the evil glint on Vera's eyes.

"You seem happy. Something good happened?" Keith asked as he sip the afternoon coffee his Omega brought him.

"Nothing much. Just things getting better." Alex replied, smiling.

He kinda misses the brooding Omega who liked to sit on his lap to mope. However this excited and smiling Omega in front him is also not so bad. Alex's smile is somehow contagious, it's making him smile as well.

"Are you done with your coffee? If not, I'll just come back later to pick it up. I still have things to do." Alex asked, when Keith didn't respond, he smiled and waved goodbye to the Alpha who was left frowning at the retrieving back of his Omega.

"Hmm maybe I should ask Dana to limit the workload they give to Alex." Keith said to himself as he continued to sip the coffee Alex brought. He says that though in reality he finds the excited Omega endearing and adorable.

Vera glanced at the smiling Omega who just came out of Keith's room. "I'll give it to you now, smile and enjoy the moment. I'll put you back in your place when you least expect it.." Vera said to herself while flicking her fingers as if cleaning off the dirt on it.