The memo was right.
Traffic was terrible as we neared the venue, due to numerous vehicles entering the place, not to mention, the queue of cars awaiting their turn for the red carpet event. I decided to play a game on my phone as we were stuck about a kilometer away.
"Haa... The traffic in your country is really something else," Aahmes sighed by my side. He glanced at my cellphone.
"What are you playing?"
"Bubble Beads," I replied.
"I always see you playing with your phone when you're not staring at the photo of your niece. Is it really that interesting?"
"Not really... it just helps me pass the time." I swipe the app down and open my phone gallery. "Nothing can compare to my cute Bebe Meme, though. Nothing is more interesting than my lovely niece!"
Aahmes glanced at my phone once more.
"Is that your big brother?" He pointed at a photo of Kuya carrying my niece.
"Handsome, isn't he?" I said with a proud grin.
"He looks a lot like you." My grin got wider. "When you are clean," he added.
"Huh. My Kuya is much more handsome than me. Pretty, even! It's a good thing Bebe Meme takes after him. Her big sister and brother both look like their idiot father."
I swipe the screen and show him a pic of Bebe Meme's siblings.
"This is the eldest, Bless, and their brother Nat-Nat. He's been spoiled rotten, and it only got worst when he manifested as a dominant alpha like their dad. In fact, he's been a constant headache for both his dad and me. He keeps getting caught doing indecent things with women and omegas in his school!"
"Hmm... an early bloomer?"
"Huh! The horny idiot would hit on anything that moves! And his gang of miscreants aren't any help at all! Why, not a week passes by that I don't get calls from his school to meet his teacher or guidance councilor."
"You? Why not his father."
"The bastard is always busy at work, and hardly has time for his own kids. That's why Nat-Nat turned like that in the first place! Instead of reprimanding the idiot, he just leaves him with the current nanny and still gives him everything he asks for. Why, I won't be surprised if he ends up representing his own son in court for getting someone pregnant in the future. Like father like son, after all!"
"Is that so?" said Aahmes who moved the car a few inches as the vehicle in front moved.
"Well, lately he's been laying low. I told him I'd transfer him to a public school the next time I get called for such reasons!" I heave a long sigh. "Could you imagine he even flirts with the hired help? They had to change the maid twice!"
"Really?" Aahmes' eyebrows actually rose up.
"Though I do have my doubts, those treacherous women were probably taking advantage of the gullible brat. So I made sure the last help they got was old enough to be his great-grandma!"
"I guess you really are a good uncle."
"Ha! If there's a 'Best Uncle of the Year' award, I'd probably win it every year!" I bragged. "If I could only flush their useless dad down the toilet, I would have done so years ago just to get custody of my nephew and nieces. Let's just see if Nat-Nat still tries his bullshit on me!"
"But you yourself are a workaholic. Would you have time to take care of them with your current lifestyle?"
"But of course," I reply with a frown, "the only reason why I work like a dog is because I have nothing better to do. My kuya's kids are and will always be my priority. I can drop everything for them, even for that pain in the ass Nat-Nat."
The car went silent as we moved several inches forward.
"Professor," Aahmes asked, "do you really hate your brother in law?"
"Huh? Why do you ask?" I face him and frown.
"Nothing. I just noticed how fondly you talked about him. Have you ever thought of taking the place of your brother?"
I shivered as a chill passed over my body!
"The fuck are you talking about!?" I lashed at him, rubbing the hair on my arms that stood on end. "Fucking bastard! Stop talking shit! That's disgusting! Horrible! The most offensive insult you could ever give me! Just thinking about it... UWEEE!" I gagged.
"Are you okay, professor?" Aahmes looked alarmed.
"This is all your fault! Just how disgusting... UWEEE!" I gagged once more.
"I am sorry for making you feel sick," he said with a sneer. "It is all good then."
"What's all good about that?! You just ruined my day! I almost chucked up the chopsuey I ate earlier!"
"Good," he repeated with a big grin on his face. "I can see the end of the line of traffic," he said, changing the subject.
We finally reached the hotel venue at a quarter to 3 pm with Pilar and Pedro trailing shortly behind us. We were then stopped in front of the building to wait our turn on the red carpet.
Aahmes and I had to put on our barong tagalog in the car as we waited for our turn. He even combed my hair and placed some gloss on my lips.
a valet opened the door for us when the car finally drove to the entrance. Several reporters took photos as got off and walked the aisle. I was about to head straight in, when Aahmes took hold of my elbow.
"Prof. Antonio, we are supposed to get our pictures taken at the lobby first."
"Huh? Didn't they take enough photos when we enttered? I need to take a leak!"
"This will not take long." Aahmes touched me on the lower back and gave me a little push.
"Tsk."
"And here we have Prof. Ericson Antonio and his assistant, Dr. Aahmes Abdel!"
The hell... Did they have to say my whole name?!
"Good afternoon, professor, we're glad you could make it to today's event!" said a woman with about three inches of make-up plastered on her face. "Same goes to you, Dr. Abdel! It's an honor to have you with us! How do you like your stay in the Philippines so far?" I could almost see her face flip backwards as a huge smile spanned across her face.
"I am having a great time. The people are very friendly and accommodating."
"Then you must seriously think about settling down here! A-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" I never thought I would hear someone laugh weirder than my Habibi.
"I am actually thinking about it."
"Is that true?! Do you plan to buy your own residence here in our country?" the woman asked.
"Actually, I am currently staying with a good friend," replied Aahmes, "perhaps some day I would buy my own property, but for now I am contented with the friend I am staying with."
"How about you, Prof. Antonio," her male counterpart asked me. "You are well known as a very secretive person, and have declined all the previous invitations given to you, so, what made you change your mind to finally bless us with your presence, Professor?"
"I was forced to come by Habi... by Dr. Abdel."
The two proceeded to laugh like chattering monkeys high on fermented fruit juice.
"Professor, we hear that the good Doctor and you have become very close with each other," asked the woman. "Is that true? Is there something more between you that is keeping Dr. Abdel here in the Philippines?"
"Why? Does it matter if it is true?" I gave her a smile and pulled Aahmes closer my the waist.
I couldn't believe her blush could actually show under all her make-up.
"Professor! You two look so good together!" she blabbered. "You both look so hot tonight!"
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Did you hear that, Habibi? She said we look good together. Perhaps we should get married!"
"Actually, the professor and I are merely colleagues," said Aahmes with his signature deadpan face.
"Ow, did I just got busted?!" I grabbed my chest and acted like I was about to fall. "He's right, though, Dr. Abdel is just my assistant, and a very competent one, at that. I would have gladly abducted him and made him my partner if I had the means!"
"You can't afford me," said Aahmes.
The two monkeys chattered even more.
"Can we have our photos taken now?" asked Aahmes.
"Yes, please, and thank you for the entertaining interview."
"Haay, finally... now, where are the toilets?" I asked Aahmes as soon as we were out of earshot.
"Professor!"
And now comes Pedro, waving both arms in the air like an idiot to get my attention.
"Prof. Antonio, I would like to introduce to you my fiance, Donatello."
His long haired companion wore a long evening gown. Her face was flushed and her teary eyes glistened as she stared at me and shook my hand.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Prof. Antonio!" I had no idea his girlfriend was an omega.
"Ah. Okay, nice meeting you," I turned to Pedro. "Do you know where the toilets are?"
"It's at the end of the hall, to the left."
"Okay. I'll see you guys later then..." I stare at Donatello who still held my hands with a goofy smile on her face.
"Please wait for us at our table," said Aahmes who gently pulled my hand away.
"Professor!"
Now comes Pilar with an elderly couple tagging behind her.
"The hell..."
"Prof. Antonio, let me introduce you to my parents! Ma, Pa, this is my boss, Prof. Eric Antonio!"
"Nako, Doc, thank you for choosing our daughter to work under you!" said her mother.
"We're mighty proud of our lovely daughter!" said her father.
"Okay, thank you, also, now if you'll excuse me, there's somewhere I need to be," I answered with a smile.
"You can go ahead and follow Pedro to our table, we'll be right there behind you," Aahmes said to my rescue.
"Why don't you go with them?" I told him.
"After what happened the last time?" he looked at me. "I think not. Besides, I need to use the toilets as well."
But upon getting to the toilets, we were, once again, greeted by a long queue.
"Goddamnit..." I cursed beneath my breath.
I take a deep breath to calm myself.
I'm not in the lab.
I can't lose my temper here.
Like Gadxilla said, I can't act or say things that could potentially harm the company. I might end up actually paying them for damages if I did, and eventually end up with a negative pay check.
Patience.
Yes.
That's what I need.