Atikom couldn't help being paranoid about everything, afraid that his past of being a playboy would make Anupap hesitate to accept his friendship. He knew Anupap didn't like playboys... even Sombat, who was rooting for him to win Anupap over, had emphasized this repeatedly.
The brief private moment between the two had to end. Several people walked over to chat with Anupap, while Mark came to drag Atikom back to the group, reasoning that "P'Khet looks like he's going to win the drinking duel. Come help us out, Captain. I don't want to be the one treating P'Khet."
Mark explained that treating P'Khet to drinks for a month would definitely bankrupt him since the man drank out almost every night. It would be much better to treat Atikom to drinks. "At least your are kind-hearted, don't drink often, and would probably have some sympathy for the losers."
Atikom laughed as he was dragged away. He didn't realize Mark had a master plan—he knew Atikom could hold his liquor and would definitely win. But even if he lost the bet and had to treat everyone for a month, he wasn't worried because he'd use Anupap as his ace in the hole.
Anupap didn't like people who drank.
The seafood buffet dinner was barely touched, but the alcohol was flowing like water. Atikom, Khet, Mark, the photographer, and three or four other men sat in a circle drinking, chatting, and laughing heartily. The police captain got along easily with people and had finally become the crew's darling.
Anupap noticed Asanai walking over to join the circle, trying to engage Atikom in conversation. He couldn't help wondering if those two knew each other from before.
"I'm betting Captain Atikom will definitely win. Just wait and see," Asanai's voice announced. "If he wins, tomorrow night I'll treat everyone to free drinks."
Cheers erupted at the prospect of more free alcohol. Tomorrow the crew would stay on to shoot scenes of the pickup truck driving through various terrains that didn't require actors.
Anupap sat watching, starting to feel drowsy. Sombat slumped down beside him.
"They don't look like people who just met. You need to keep an eye on this, Nu," Sombat meant well.
"Why should I keep an eye on them? If they want to talk, be close—that's their business," Anupap replied flatly, uninterested.
"No, no, you can't think like that. The Captain is no pushover—You know that. And that Khun Asanai doesn't look like a lightweight either. Oil and fire—when they get close, it might just ignite," Sombat looked thoughtful. "I'm starting to suspect they're old flames."
"P'Bud, that's ridiculous. I told you, it has nothing to do with me." Anupap stood up, stretching as if tired.
"I'm exhausted. I'm going to rest first." Anupap cut the conversation short and hurried back to his room.
"Nothing to do with you, really? Anupap... I saw you watching that pair," Sombat called after him. "Stubborn suspect," he said the last part to himself... worrying about his beloved junior.
The drinking circle members started excusing themselves to sleep one by one.
"Boys, don't forget we start work at eight tomorrow, right after the flag ceremony," the director's face was getting stern from the alcohol's effects. "Don't stay up too late. I'm going to bed now."
"Look who's talking, P'Poom. Just make sure you wake up on time," Mark teased. Everyone knew Pakpoom was the worst sleepyhead of all.
Khet's throat gave out and he surrendered to Atikom, excusing himself to sleep... while the policeman's face was flushed but he wasn't drunk yet.
"Captain, you're absolutely incredible," Mark gave him a thumbs up, eyes drooping as he leaned back to sleep on the poolside sun lounger. Pojanee quickly caught him. "Don't sleep here where the mosquitoes will eat you alive, Mark. Get up, go sleep in your room."
Tong came to help, pulling Mark up and supporting him as they walked away together.
Asanai finally had his chance to speak with Atikom alone. He moved from the chair across to sit beside him.
"P'Kom can still hold your liquor like before. Even this much and you're still not drunk."
"Tongrob drinks better than me," the young captain smiled, trying to bring someone else into the conversation. He knew what Asanai was thinking about him.
"That playboy partner of yours drinks like it's water. I remember. I have been thinking about you all this time," Asanai smiled with gleaming eyes, expressing his feelings directly.
"Why would you think about me?"
"Who could forget Sub Lieutenant Atikom… Someone like you, no one could forget."
"It's been that long and you still remember?" Atikom asked with a smile, as if he didn't believe it, thinking Asanai was just joking.
"Of course I remember, P'Kom, do you think people can easily forget something that impressed them so much? No matter how many years pass, I still thinks about you, remember everything clearly."
"Must be almost ten years now. You were probably 19 when you went to study abroad, right? After all this time, you're still thinking about it?"
"Do you think I was just joking?" Asanai's face grew serious. "It's true... the time we knew each other was brief, and we were both just having fun with life. But no matter how many years pass, I always remember you."
Atikom looked at the young man in front of him, searching for what Asanai was trying to tell him.
"Now that we've met again, you should stop missing me."
"You are joking again."
"Why get so serious about it?" Atikom set down his drink.
"I am serious. Now I'm no a kid anymore, past the time of just having fun. It's time to be serious about life... I'm almost thirty years old," Asanai stared into Atikom's eyes.
"What are you trying to tell me, Nai?" Atikom decided to ask directly.
"I want to say that I'm happy to see you again, and I hope you will give me a chance. Give us a chance to revive our memories together, because all of my memories about you are good ones."
Atikom was stunned for a moment, not expecting Asanai to be so direct.
How could he give him a chance when he was currently pursuing Anupap? But telling Asanai right now still felt awkward, so he decided to wait and see for a while longer.
"You are the employer, I'm your commercial model. It wouldn't be appropriate," Atikom smiled, unable to think of what else to say. The alcohol and drowsiness were making him feel hazy.
"I don't see the problem," Asanai shrugged. "I don't care. Work is work, personal matters are between us. It's just a commercial, and we've finished filming anyway. This employer-model thing doesn't seem important. But P'Kom, don't shut the door on me so quickly. Give us a chance." Asanai loosely made a fist and lightly punched Atikom's shoulder.
Sombat's sharp ears caught something, freezing mid-search. He'd been crouched down looking for his phone that had fallen under the chair where he'd been chatting with friends earlier. Luckily, a potted plant provided cover, and the dim lighting concealed his large frame from the other party's view.
***