Chapter 105 – The Spider's Web
Apr. 29, Sat Dr. Webb.
"Dr. Webb is here in the Philippines?" Aahmes asked, his brows raised. "How come you never tell me these things?"
"Well, you never asked," I replied, "besides, you know I don't want anything to do with that bastard anymore. He keeps contacting me whenever he's in the country, asking me to meet up with him, but I always make excuses to turn him down."
"Is that so? Has he been pressuring you to work for him again?"
"Something like that. He may not say it directly, but it's quite obvious. He keeps saying he wants to meet up for old time's sake. He thinks of me as his protegee, you see, ever since my university days back in MIT where I first met him with Dr. Gregorio. They were like parents to me back then.
"Hmm. Is that so?"
"Yep, in fact, he was the one who gave me the name 'Volant' meaning 'fly', since I keep mumbling to myself whenever I'm deep in thought. Dr. Gregorio used to joke that Dr. Webb caught me in his web and would never let me go until he sucks me dry."
I gave a small chuckle in spite of myself. Even though I still harbor a lot of resentment towards the spider who trapped me in his web.
Kuya Jonas was right, after all. I was an eight year old kid in a strange country with no one to lean on. I might have stayed with Louie's relatives in the states, but I never got close to them. I was a paranoid kid who was wary of adults, particularly after that incident with our uncle. I had no intention of trusting people I hardly knew.
Dr. Webb and Dr. Gregorio were an exception, though. They were my mentors, people I look up to. Besides, they were both Filipinos, or at least half, in Dr. Webb's case. We could relate with each other through our heritage, and through our love for science and research.
They were very found of me as well. They were always the proudest when I top the exams, especially when I pass ground breaking studies or won in competitions. I, of course, basked in the glory of their undivided attention, particularly from the famous Dr. Webb, who was head of the Universal Laboratories in the US back then.
After all, when you're young and stupid, your greatest dream is for the people you idolize to notice you. Until you realize too late, that you've sold your soul to the devil.
"So, where do we go now?"
Aahmes' voice interrupted my reverie.
"Ah, let's head to Pasay, that's where the Spider stays whenever he's in the country."
Soon we where in front of a high-rise along EDSA boulevard. We parked at the basement and was about to get off the car when my phone suddenly rang.
I felt my stomach lurch as I answered the call.
"Hello?"
'Eric, my boy! It's good to see you've finally decide to visit me!' a jolly voice replied from the other line.
"I just want to have a talk, Dr. Webb," I tried to keep my voice from shaking.
'Well, come right up with your friend, I'm at the 74th floor.'
Aahmes touched my arm. I didn't notice that I was standing still in the middle of the parking lot, staring at the blank phone.
"Let's go, Eric."
"O-okay... Aahmes... like before, can you leave all the talking to me?"
"Don't worry, professor," his hold on me tightened. "I'll take care of you."
I gave a deep sigh and smiled at my habibi. Him being by my side was all I needed to make it through that day. We went inside the elevator. We were about to punch the 74th floor button, when it lit up on its own. The elevator started to move. It didn't stop until it reached our destination and opened right into the Spider's residence.
"Professor Eric, Dr. Abdel! Welcome to my humble abode!" the bastard greeted us. "Have you eaten yet? What would you like for lunch?"
"We're not planning to stay for long, Dr. Webb," I replied.
"Ahh, but we haven't seen each other for five years! Surely you could spare some time to catch-up with your old mentor!"
I looked around as he led us to his parlor. The whole floor was his property, and it was lavishly furnished with odd gadgets and interesting furniture from different places, as suited a prestigious doctor who has traveled the whole world.
The Doc himself looked wore a gray three piece suit with silver cuff links. A Caucasian with Asian blood, he looks younger than his actually age of 52, though you wouldn't think he's a powerful alpha with the way he looks right now.
He's morbidly obese. He looks like a harmless uncle who's been sitting on a couch for too long. His beard may be trimmed clean and his thinning hair combed tidily, but his oily face and the dark circles around his eyes were a sure signs of his high blood pressure and sugar levels. His nape ware noticeably dark as well. His thin lips were stained with nicotine, as well as his yellowed teeth. He's a chain smoker after all.
"Doc, can you still walk in that condition? Do you still have legs underneath all that fat?" I found myself asking. "You're so fat, I suggest you keep away from sitting on top of walls."
Dr. Webb laughed merrily at my comment.
"Why, Eric, you never really change, do you? Your tongue is still as sharp as ever!" He looked at my Habibi then. "How are you, Dr. Abdel? You seem awfully quiet today?"
"He's just not in the mood," I said, standing between them. "Anyway, Doc, I came here because of Reubert."
"What about Reubert?" He smiled thinly at me, like a spider gleefully watching a fly caught in his web.
"Why are you sending him back to the US?" I asked. "I thought he would be stationed here in the Philippines indefinitely?"
"Ah, I see he mentioned that mission to you..." the smile on his face opened up to a grin.
"H-he didn't actually tell me anything," I quickly corrected him. "He just told us that he needed to go back to New York immediately. That he's not sure if and when he can return. And who else would tell him to do that but you?"
"Are you sure you want to talk about this in front of the good doctor?" the Spider asked, looking at Aahmes.
"Of course. I hide nothing from my partner," I replied.
The smile on the Spider's face vanished and turned to a gaping 'O'.
"Are my ears deceiving me?" he chuckled. "You? Eric? With a partner? And it's an omega!"
"Yes, he's an omega. Is there something wrong with that?"
"I mean, I've heard of rumors about you two, but I didn't actually believe them!"
"Well we're not here to force you to believe anything," I said, irritated. "We're here to ask about Reubert–"
"I'm sorry, Eric," he interrupted me, "but since you are no longer part of the DOME project, I'm afraid you are no longer authorized to receive information regarding our missions."
I glared at the irritating smile on the Spider's face.
"Unless," he continued, "you are willing to join our team again."
"I have no intention to work with you ever," I replied.
"Are you sure?" he mocked me, his eyes bulging, his mouth in a pout. "I heard that Dome and your nephew are in a relationship. Just what might happen if the two are suddenly torn apart? Can your nephew manage to stay away from his fated pair?"
I felt my stomach churn once more.
I knew it. The Spider knew all about Reubert and Nathan's relationship. I knew he would use Nathan against Reubert, but I never thought that he would use my nephew against me as well.
I was about to curse him to kingdom come, when Aahmes held my hand reassuringly.
"I am sorry to disappoint you, Dr. Webb," he said, "but the professor has already promised to stay with me. We have plans to go back to UACME as soon as the SGTK project reaches completion."
"Is that so?" the Doc looked disappointed. "How about joining us in the team as well?" he told Aahmes, "With the two of you on board, we would surely be able to help more people in this world!" The Spider held my closed fist in his clammy hands. "I have always wanted you to take my place someday," he said, "and I haven't changed my mind. I am yet to meet someone else who could rival your brilliance. Besides, you wouldn't be working under me if you take my place."
"Ugh... thanks but no thanks. My Habibi and I have plans of our own." my fist slipped off his clammy paws as I pulled away.
I noticed that his hands were swollen. He wasn't just obese, it looks like he's suffering from edema. Probably a liver or kidney problem.
I was surprised when the Spider suddenly laughed. His whole boddy suddenly jiggled like a big tub of jello.
"If that's the case, then I guess there's nothing more I can do for you, Eric. Nothing to worry about, though," he added, "I only plan to borrow your kid for a while. He can return to your nephew if he wishes, as soon as the mission is done."
And so, we gained nothing from out trip to the Spider.
He asked us once more to join him for lunch, but we declined him again. We immediately left and went straight to Louie's to visit my sulking nephew Nathan.
"Kuya Nathan's still stuck in his room," bebe Meme told us when we entered their living room. "We're starting to worry, Tito Eric, he haven't eaten anything since he came home last night!"
I stare at my brother-in-law sitting next to his mate.
"What are you glaring at?" he said with a pout, "You know how hardheaded that kid can be! Why, you're probably the only one he ever listens to since he knows you would hit him and send him off to reform school if he won't!"
"That's because you can't even discipline your own kid properly!" I angrily replied.
"Tito, please stop blaming Dad," said Bless, "let's just hope Nathan comes out since you're here."
"Haaay..." I rubbed my temples. "Okay, then..."
"I'm coming, too," said Aahmes beside me.
"Nah, just stay here and–"
"Perhaps I can calm him down?" he suggested, looking at me.
I stare back at him. I bet he just can't wait to give Nathan check up.
"Okay, then, just don't be too annoying, got it?"
"Why would I be annoying?"
I chose to ignore Aahmes' remark. We went to the second floor and knocked on Nathan's bedroom door.
"Hey, Nathan, it's your Tito Eric. Mind if we talk?" I called out. "Everyone's worried about you. Can you come out for a bit?"
"No! Go away!" he shouted from inside.
I felt my blood pressure rise.
"What do you mean 'no'? I heard you haven't eaten anything since you got home last night. You planning to starve yourself to death?"
"I told you to go away!"
"What did you say? Want me to break this door down so I can hit you with it `till you get back to your senses?"
I took a deep breath to keep my temper.
"Open the door," I asked again.
"I don't want to!" Nathan shouted back. "I'm not hungry and there's nothing for us to talk about!"
I felt my blood pressure rise once more and was about to shout back when Aahmes spoke up.
"Nathan, we need to talk, if this is about Reubert–"
"If you already know it's about him, then just leave me the hell alone!" he blurted out. "I don't want to be part of your `fated pair' experiment anymore. If this proves anything, it just shows that fated pairs are nothing but horny bastards with hormones going haywire. We broke up. We're not getting back together. End of discussion!"
"Nathan, are you sure?" I asked him, "Reubert said he's leaving. He's going back to New York. Are you okay with that?!"
There was a short bout of silence.
"See?" Nathan finally replied. "He's leaving. Your stupid experiment failed! Not all fated pairs stay together. Now leave me alone!"
I couldn't help but sigh in exasperation as I stared at Nathan's bedroom door. I guess Nathan really does need some time alone.
"If that's what you really think, then go ahead. We won't force you to do anything. But you holing up in your room is a different problem! Do you want your whole family to be as miserable as you just because you broke up with your boyfriend?"
"T-that's not it!" he shouted back.
"If that's the case, then open this door and have something to eat!"
"I told you, I'm not hungry!" he insisted. "Stop bugging me! I'll come out when I feel like it!"
"Suit yourself then!" I shouted back. Kicking his door out of frustration.
I marched back downstairs where Louie and the rest of the family sat waiting for us.
"So? Did you get to discipline your nephew?" he asked with a mocking me.
"That kid's getting more difficult as he gets older," I mumbled. "He takes after you after all."
"Perhaps it would be best to let him be for the time being?" suggested Aahmes.
"That's right," Blondie piped in, "maybe he just needs some time alone to think?"
"You fave a point, heartache care make you lose your appetite, after all," said Mercy.
"How did you know that?" I interrogated her. "Did someone break your heart? Tell me who the bastard is?!"
"Tito Eric, c'mon, I was just making a point!"
"What I'm worried about is that Nathan might do something foolish again," said Louie. "Who knows what goes on in that head of his?"
"Haay, and all because his alpha father is too much of a 'tough guy' to have a heart to heart talk with his son."
"So says his 'tough guy' uncle who thinks everything can be fixed by shouting and smacking someone."
"Oi, that's my sign of affection! A well placed smack on the butt or head can actually give a boost of confidence, showing that you've got their back, while a bear hug makes them feel safe and warm! Isn't that right, Mercy?" I said, giving my niece a bear hug.
"Tito Eric, it's Kuya Nathan who needs a hug, not me," she said sadly.
"Then, we should watch over him for now," said Aahmes.
"That's right! We need to make sure he won't do anything he might regret later!" said Blondie.
"How about locking his door from outside to make sure he doesn't go somewhere?"
"Tito, that would only make Kuya even angrier," said Mercy with a pout.
"I think it would be enough to just keep an eye on him," said Blessing. "I'm sure he already learned his lesson from what happened with Dan."
"Hay, then I'll leave your brother to you," I said, rising from my seat. "Call us in case anything happens."
"Of course," replied Louie. "Sorry for all the bother, Doc Aahmes. I'm sure Nathan will get over this too. "
"Think nothing of it," replied my Habibi, "after all, we cannot help but be concerned about him, too."