"Hello Mom."
"Mattie! Son, are you back?" Helena asked excitedly. She hasn't seen her sons in over a month. She can only talk to them nowadays which is making her feel lonely. Lately she keeps on wishing her sons were young boys again running around the house.
"No Mom. I'm still here." Matt replied frustratingly. He wanted to come back early, the conference was supposed to last for two weeks only but his professor was suddenly asked to consult on one patient after another. He got stucked as well because he wants to learn as much as he can.
When he was a kid, his mom fell ill and lost the baby she's carrying. There are only a handful of doctors specializing in Omega's health that's why her mom was not diagnosed in time. His brother was also an Omega and was badly hurt when he was young. The moment he saw Alex badly beaten that night he decided to become a doctor. He wanted to ensure that his mother and his brother would have the best medical care despite them being an Omega.
He was in second year of pre-med when he met Professor Lee. The professor is a renowned obstetrician specializing in Omega pregnancy. After attending one lecture from the professor, Matt decided to follow him and learn under him. The work has been hectic as the professor has taken on complicated patients but he could not complain. He wanted to be ready when it's Alex's time to bear a child. His brother is after all an Omega and would one day get married and get pregnant.
"Has Alex been back home?" Matt asked curiously. The first two weeks of his conference his mom told him that his brother hasn't come back home. He wasn't able to get hold of Alex these past few days as his schedule has been hectic.
"No Mattie. He just started his internship. Fortunately he's with Dan so I'm a bit relieved." Helena replied. She and George have been worried about Alex as their youngest haven't come back home in over a month. They agreed that if Alex missed at least one of his daily phone calls, they would drive to his apartment immediately and see for themselves what is keeping their son busy enough to not come home. Her mother's instinct is telling her that Alex is hiding something from them. He was like that since he was a young boy, he would avoid them if he did something wrong. There was once a time that Alex accidentally breaks the set of ramekins she used to make souffle. Her youngest son avoids them and would go straight to his room after his classes. He later on admitted his sins after contemplating for a week. Which is why she knew there is something going on and she's giving Alex the time to think it over. She knew her son would definitely tell them eventually.
"What is that brat got into now?" Matt wanted to go back and see his brother right now. They keep saying he is too overprotective but to him his brother would always be that fragile boy he picked up that needs protecting. "Mom by the way, your annual check up is coming soon."
"Yeah, the hospital called me to remind me about the check up you scheduled."
"Mom, I can't come with you. I might be here in another two or three weeks." The professor is currently consulting a pregnant Omega who's unborn child is diagnosed with a heart disease. They are analyzing now whether to perform a c-section and operate on the baby immediately or try to operate on the baby while still inside the mother's womb. The case is too special to pass on. He'll just deal with his brother's behavior later on when he gets back.
"It's fine Matt. I can just wait for you." Helena replied, she knew her son is busy and she doesn't want to trouble him so much.
"It's alright Mom. I'll send over someone to come with you." Matt replied mischievously.
"No need to trouble someone Matt. I can just ask your father to close the restaurant if needed."
"Don't worry mom. I won't trouble just anyone." Matt replied with a grin on his face.
*******
"Have you eaten? I still have some of the food my Mom sent me, I could heat it up for you." Alex offered to Dan as soon as they got inside his apartment.
"I'm not hungry. You're not gonna ask why I came here?" Dan asked Alex.
Alex smiled at Dan. "We've been bestfriends for as long as I can remember. I'll be here for you no matter what, no questions asked. I'm also sure you will tell me what it is you're going through when you're ready." Alex said, giving Dan a reassuring smile. Dan in return asked Alex to sit beside him
"I broke up with Eric." Dan said, when Alex didn't say anything he continued to tell him about what else happened. How Eric was disowned when he chose to be with him, how he was supporting the Alpha and how just recently the Alpha attempted to use his body to pay off his debts. "Also, I met Mr. Martin when he was looking for you and then he helped me and also today, he was there to help me again when Eric tried to take me away." Dan cried as he explained further. Alex found him together with Martin right at his doorstep when his friend and the president arrived.
"That son of a... grrr!! I knew that Alpha is up to no good. I keep telling you right, he's just pretending to be a nice guy. I don't like him the moment he comes into your life. You can stay here for as long as you want to avoid that snake" Alex replied furiously after Dan finished his story. Dan laughed despite the tears in his eyes.
"Hey by the way, why were you not answering my calls and text messages earlier?" Alex asked after Dan has calmed down.
This time Dan told him about what happened when he left the Planning Department, how Dwight reacted.
"That sexually harassing asshole! I swear all Alpha's should just go to hell." Alex replied furiously. He locked eyes with Dan which made the two of them laugh at what he said.
"Speaking of Alphas, so the president?" Dan asked while wiping the remaining tears in his eyes. Talking to Alex about everything feels like a burden has been lifted from his chest.
"Ahmm.. yeah so he was the Alpha I bonded with." Alex replied shyly, this time around he was the one to tell Dan about what happened between them. "We agreed to work on things between us and the bonding." Alex sighed, he's reminded again about his own predicament.
"Why is our life so complicated?" Dan asked as the two of them sighed and lay down on the couch.
"Matt's coming back today." Alex said, breaking the silence. Dan gave his friend a pat in understanding as he knew what to come.
"Hey, your phone's ringing." He said, handing Alex his phone which was beside him.
"It's Mattie, what do I do?" Alex asked, trembling when he saw the caller's name on the screen. Alex stood up and paced back and forth still holding his phone. "I need to calm down." After three more rings, he took a deep breath and answered the call. "Hello?"
"Hello yourself brat." Matt answered on the other line. "What did you get yourself into huh?"
"Wh..what do you mean?" Alex asked nervously. Does his brother know about Keith?
"Nevermind. Go back home, mom's worried about you."
"I'll try."
Matt sighed, whatever it is that Alex is hiding, it seems like his brother is still not ready to divulge it. "Once I come back, I will drag you back home and pinch that cheeks of yours."
"You're not yet back?" Alex replied enthusiastically.
"Happy that I'm not yet back?"
"Of course not. I miss seeing your ugly face." Alex replied honestly, despite what's going on he really does miss his brother so much.
"I'll be coming back in another two or three weeks."
"Okay, take care over there Mattie."
"Hey I'm not yet done, don't you dare hang up on me. Mom's having her annual medical check up next Saturday, go with her."
"Okay." Alex replied. I guess I have to deal with mom first, he said to himself as he listened to the rest of his brother's sermon.