"...Kuya..."
"Prof. Antonio, wake up."
"Mmm..."
I stretch myself as I roll over in bed.
"Professor, time to wake up."
"Dowwanna..."
"Wake up, or we'll be late for work once again."
I do another stretch and pushed myself up in bed. I was able to sit up and lean on Kuya's shoulder. He placed an arm around me and helped me towards the bathroom, then to the kitchen, where I woke up to the fabulous smell of coffee.
"Ahh... what time is it?"
"It is already 6 am."
I stared to look at the person beside me.
"Habibi," I stifle a yawn, "what's for breakfast?"
"It's right in front of you, professor."
I look down at the dining table and saw a platter of waffles with fresh berries and nuts, drizzled with maple syrup, and topped with a ball of butter. Beside it is a soft-boiled egg on an egg cup with its top already cracked.
"Ah, a meal fit for a king, as usual. Only the best from my Habibi!"
"Please hurry up, we're already late for work."
"In a minute... I want to savor this scrumptious meal you prepared for me!"
"Professor, we need to hurry if you wish to finish the work you left yesterday. Remember that we leave for the award ceremony at 2 PM sharp."
"Ah, was that today?" I grinned at him.
"And no, you can not skip this occasion," he added before I could say anything else.
"Tsk!"
About an hour later, we arrive at he lab, carrying the stuff I would be forced to wear later. I stifle another yawn and try to think back to the lovely dream I had last night.
I was probably about Kuya, since I felt so refreshed when I woke up. Too bad I can't remember it anymore – no thanks to Aahmes. If only I had more time to sleep... but then again, I still have work left to do in the lab – which is also the damn omega's fault.
I hardly finished my task when Aahmes called out to me again.
"It is time for lunch." He approached my table with a paper bag full of food.
"What have you got there?"
"Chopsuey for you, salisburry steak for me."
"Why do I only get veggies?" I frowned at him.
"You said before that you are sick of eating too much meat."
"When did I ever say that? I only asked you why you keep eating like a carnivore!"
"Sir!" Pedro suddenly barged into my office. "There's a memo from upstairs."
"What for?" I took the note from him but he spilled out the contents before I could even read it.
"There's gonna be a red carpet event in the venue," he said excitedly. "We're advised to leave right after lunch, due to traffic."
"What do you mean, 'we'?" I glared at him.
"Our team is nominated in an award category!" he explained. "That's why Pilar and I will be accompanying you!"
"Hmm... First time I heard that..." I mumbled, surprised that they actually nominated an omega team for an award.
"I'm taking my boyfriend with me, Sir Eric, while Pilar's taking her parents along."
"You can take guests?" I asked
"That's right, sir, 2 seats are available for each attendee. Would you be taking anyone with you?"
"Why, my Habibi, of course!" I replied, touching Aahmes' shoulder.
"I am not your Habibi," he said flatly, "and I have my own invitation."
"Oh, my goodness! Don't tell me you plan to take someone else?!" I teased him with a gasp. "Are you two-timing me, Habibi?"
"I do not have a guest," he replied, ignoring me.
"Ahh..." I sat back down. "I would have brought Bebe Meme with me if I knew about this, but then again her idiot father probably wouldn't let her go on her own."
"By the way, how's your lovely niece? What grade is she now?"
"She's in 6th grade, she went to school early since she's so smart, just like her Papa Jonas and me!"
I took my cellphone and opened my Bebe Meme gallery for them to see.
"Just look at her! Those bright eyes, those chubby cheeks, that angelic smile!"
"Professor, I hate to interrupt, but please eat your meal before you sing praises to your niece," said Aahmes.
"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to make you jealous," I grinned at him. "Don't worry, you know that I only have one Habibi!"
Aahmes ignored me.
"I wish you could bring your nephew and nieces to the company again," pipped in Pedro who seems eager to keep my mood up. "Their dad should be proud to let them accompany someone as prestigious as you!"
"Hmph! That's right! I even give them new suppressants even before they come out in the market!"
"So, is your nephew an alpha?" asked Aahmes.
"Not just an alpha, Dr. Abdel, but a dominant just like his father!" answered Pedro.
"And just like his father, he's an arrogant idiot as well," I added.
"Did you know, Doc, Sir Eric's brother-in-law is the famous lawyer, Atty. Louie del Mirasol! I hope they can visit next month during the company anniversary."
"I doubt it. Nat-Nat has summer classes this year, and knowing Louie, he won't let him skip his lessons. As if he didn't do it back when they were in high school with my kuya."
"Speaking of next month," Aahmes looked up from his food, "where would you like to celebrate your 27th birthday, professor?"
The smile on my face froze.
Pedro stared at me, his jaw dropping.
"Wow! Sir! Your birthday is next month!?" he blurted out.
"Shhh! Shut up!"
"Yes, his birthday is on the 18th."
"Then we must celebrate!"
"I told you to – "
"What's that, sir? You're gonna have a party?!"
I knew it.
Pilar and the minions crowd the open door behind Pedro after hearing about the B word.
"Wow, sir, advance happy birthday po!"
"How old are you, sir?!"
"Happy birthday po!"
And now they're chanting 'Libre! Libre' in the background. (Free lunch! Free lunch!)
"Sorry, but I don't celebrate my birthday," I told them.
"Aw, that's alright, Sir, we can just celebrate it for you!" a shameless intern said with a laugh.
I took a look at his name tag so I could easily cross him out later.
"Do that and you can kiss your internship goodbye," I warned them.
The minions quickly dispersed.
"Ah, Sir, the kids were just showing their affection!" Pedro tried to explain.
"Just keep in mind that I don't want any bull shit on the 18th!" I insisted. "I won't even be here on that day."
"Okay, now can you finally finish your food?" Aahmes asked with his usual blank expression.
After lunch, Aahmes rushed me to the restroom to help change my clothes. I had to begrudgingly put on the new slacks he bought with the barong tagalog that he left in his car. He plans to wear a barong tagalog, too, instead of a branded suit. Same with Pedro, who even brought a salakot.
I guess me wearing a barong in the last expo left an impression on them. Even Pilar decided to wear a patadyong1!
"Do you have rides to the venue?" Aahmes asked our two researchers.
"Yes, Dr. Abdel, my boy friend is bringing his car," replied Pedro.
"My parents are picking me up later," said Pilar. "I'm going with my mom. It's sad that my dad won't be able to join us since we can only bring one guest..." she added, giving me side glances.
"Since I do not have a companion, why not let your father take my guest pass instead?" offered a gullible Aahmes.
Pilar's face quickly brightened up.
"Thank you so much, Dr. Aahmes!" she chirped, "Good thing my dad brought his suit, just in case!"
"Just in case..." I snorted. "Let's just leave before we end up stuck in traffic!"
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1 Patadyong – an indigenous woven rectangular wraparound skirt.