Chapter 17 – The West Alpha Tower

I was berated, once again, for hinting about dominant omegas.

At least, in a way, this shows that the professor is worried about my well being.

But I was not about to give up.

Taking my samples, I went to the West Twin Tower of the Universal Laboratory Compound, to meet the only alpha I knew in the company who does not drink suppressants.

"I would like to have a word with Dr. Heathlow," I told the receptionist on the ground floor.

"Dr. Abdel, before you proceed, it is standard operating procedure for all omegas entering the West Alpha Tower to take a suppressant," said the receptionist. "Have you taken yours?"

"Of course."

He didn't ask me further.

He used the intercom to inform Dr. Heathlow's secretary about me and instructed me to go directly to the 80th floor.

"Dr. Abdel! How nice of you to drop by!" he said as I entered his room. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I am working on an experiment," I said straight out. "Do you mind if I test it on you?"

"Of course not," he walked towards me smiled sleazily. "How may I assist you?"

"I remember you mention before that you were working on an alpha perfume?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Well, it just so happens that I am currently working on a sort of perfume myself," I told him. "For omegas, of course."

Dr. Heathlow looked at me uneasily.

"A different one from the spray I used on you before," I quickly added.

"Oh, so what is this all about?" he asked, his smile returning.

I explained my experiment to him.

"Hmm, sounds interesting." He looked hungrily at me.

"If I may?" I gestured at his table and held up the silver briefcase I was carrying.

"Please go on."

I went to his table and set up my paraphernalia. He quickly perked up when I opened the bottle containing the yellow solution.

"Is that the omega pheromone?" he asked.

"Yes, it is a mild scent in its diluted form, but since you're a dominant alpha who has full control of his senses, I decided to use a more concentrated solution."

He squirmed.

"Do you mind if I spray some on you?"

"Of course not," he replied, "go ahead."

I placed an atomizer cover on top of the bottle and sprayed the pheromone around him.

I watched as his breathing increased and his eyes dilate.

"Now I shall spray the nullifying perfume."

I took the bottle with the bluish solution and sprayed it in the air around him. The reaction was visible as a glint of pink slightly flickered in the space between us.

"What do you think, Dr. Heathlow?" I asked right after I sprayed it.

"What do I think about what?"

"Do you still smell the pheromone in the air?"

"Of course."

"Do you still feel the pheromone's effect on you?"

He paused for a while, looked amazed, then intrigued.

"That is amazing, what did you use to nullify the omega pheromone's potency?" he asked, getting even closer to me.

"It is another pheromone I discovered."

"What kind of pheromone?"

"It is classified."

He looked at me, his brows creased.

"Thank you for your cooperation," I said with a slight bow of the head. "I see that it works quite well." I packed up my things again and got ready to leave. "If you have questions regarding omegas, do not hesitate to ask me, I shall help you if I am able."

"Wait, you can't leave now!" he held my arm and grinned.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Well, I did just assist you on an experiment, so what do you say about that long overdue lunch date?"

"It would be my pleasure to accompany you," I answered.

We made our way down to the elevators and went straight to the basement parking area where he led me to his car. It was a two-seater Bently. He opened the door for me and asked what I wanted to eat.

"Something light," I answered, so he brought me to a Vietnamese restaurant.

"I have been quite interested in you for some time now," he told me as we ate.

"Dr. Heathlow, may I request you talk to me in tagalog? I am trying to improve my diction," I told him.

"Is that so?" he smiled charmingly at me, "Maari ko bang marinig ang pagsasalita mo sa tagalog?" (May I hear you speak in tagalog?)

"Ano ang gusto mo'ng sabihin ko?" (what would you like me to say?)

His smile widened as he stopped himself from laughing.

"M-maayos naman ang pagsalita mo, ha?" (Your tagalog is fine) he said, "Bakit hindi ka mag-tagalog lagi para masanay ka?" (why not talk in tagalog to fix your diction?)

"Ayaw ni Prof. Antonio, para daw ako'ng robot kung magsalita ng tagalog." (Prof. Antonio says I talk like a robot)

Again, he tried to stop himself from laughing.

(The following conversation is in tagalog...)

"Well, you know how that person is. Nothing good ever comes out of his mouth. In fact, I admire you for working with him all this time. He's a selfish, self centered braggart who thinks too highly of himself. For him, everyone else are idiots who can't even live up to his standards."

"Funny, he thinks the same about you," I told him as I ate my pho1. "What I admire about the professor is his genuine care for his work, particularly to omegas. And even if his personality is not the best, I have never seen him physically hurt anyone before."

"That's because he can't," Dr. Heathlow laughed. "You perfectly know how weak and wimpy that person is. He's all talk, wala namang maibubuga." (he can't do anything at all)

"If that is so, then why did you challenge him to a fight the other night?"

"Huh..." he was silent for a moment. "I just wanted to prove my point. He insulted me by twisting my words against me, I had no choice but to defend myself," he tried to explain. "But I'm really a peace loving person," he added with a smile.

"I see..."

"By the way," he leaned closer and touched my hand, "you should watch yourself around the professor, did you know that he's got three sexual harassment cases filed against him in the company? Who knows what he might do to you?"

If he only knew what I did to the professor.

"Yes," I replied, "he had mentioned them before. I believe he was wrongfully accused."

"Don't be so sure, Dr. Aahmes..."

"Actually, I find it hard to believe that a weak and wimpy person such as the professor could do such a thing," I interupted him. "I doubt he could ever molest a woman or an omega for that matter."

"Well..." he gave a nervous laugh, "then perhaps, the reason he's always targeted is because he looks so gullible. Never the less, you still need to take care of yourself, you're just an amoga, after all." He reached out to caress my hand on the table. "Just remember, that I am just at the West Alpha Tower, just call me if you need any help."

"I do not have your number."

"I know, we should exchange numbers," he smiled dashingly at me.

"I don't think it's necessary. Just page for me if you need me."

I pulled my hand away and continued to eat.

We went back to work after lunch.

Dr. Heathlow insisted that he accompany me back to the east wing and left only after I boarded the elevator. When I got to our floor, all the interns were staring at me.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked them.

"Dr. Abdel, did you go to the West Tower?" they asked.

"Yes. I asked Dr. Heathlow to assist me with an experiment."

"Did it work?" Pedro suddenly appeared behind me.

"Yes, it did. Though I still need an ordinary alpha test subject and several other experiments."

"Dr. Abdel, didn't you meet Sir Eric downstairs?" they asked me again, looking worried.

"He's been asking for you and even went to the West Alpha Tower, and he haven't returned yet."

1Pho - Vietnamese noodles