Toey's face fell when he learned that Teeradon wouldn't attend the meeting with the eastern regional distributors in Rayong. His boss had been functioning normally for days, but this morning he'd suddenly developed an attitude problem out of nowhere.
"Tin's back to work already. Send Tin instead." Teeradon shrugged, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet up on the desk, gazing out the large window.
"Khun Tin just started yesterday. He needs time to get oriented," the secretary reasoned.
"Toey, has Wittawin agreed to install the computer system at the club or not?" Teeradon changed subjects abruptly.
"I wouldn't know. I'm not your night secretary," Toey shrugged, settling into the chair across from the desk. But when he realized he was face-to-face with his boss's oversized shoes, he stood up and dragged the chair to sit beside the desk instead.
"Call Khun Monta and ask about the new computer system installation progress." Teeradon acted as if he hadn't heard his secretary's sarcastic remark.
"Oh wow, a complete system overhaul? That's millions of baht," Toey's eyes widened.
"Whose club is it? Whose money, Toey? And didn't you just say you're not the night secretary? Why are you suddenly concerned about club operations?" Teeradon's voice turned cold.
"Why does it have to be Khun Wittawin? You know you're about to start trouble with him again. Khun Yoot can send anyone he wants—that company has plenty of capable second-tier engineers who are just as good as Khun Wittawin." Toey warned, now reluctant to let Teeradon get close to Wittawin. When he said Teeradon wanted to cause trouble, he didn't really mean it that way. Deep down, he realized Teeradon was trying to find ways to get involved with Wittawin, to create opportunities for closeness.
"Didn't you tell me Wittawin was the company's best engineer?"
"Uh, I was just repeating what I heard. Khun Pamorn from marketing said that, and I was just passing along the information as part of my duties." The secretary feigned ignorance.
"I want Wittawin. If I can't have Wittawin, then we don't need to hire this company." Teeradon's voice turned sharp, playing the role of a stubborn child-boss.
"Uh, why are you telling me this? I'm Kunanon Brewery's secretary. Khun Monta and Khun Niwat are your assistants at The Dazzle."
Teeradon didn't respond. He swung his feet down to the floor and sprang up to walk out of the room. Toey immediately followed, calling after him anxiously.
"Khun Don, what about the Rayong meeting?"
"I already told you—send Tin." Teeradon waved dismissively, irritated.
"I already explained that Khun Tin just started, and this matter..." Toey hurried after his boss, who was striding straight out of the office.
"Send Khun Pook, Khun Bong, Khun Bang, Khun Baeng—Khun Whoever. Why should the company president go?"
"It's already been arranged. Besides, we've never met with the eastern regional distributors before. Khun Paiboon, our key account there, hinted that he wants to discuss the issue of the obnoxious Camel Beer forcing retailers to carry only their beer and soda. If they stock our products too, those suppliers will cut them off."
"How can they do that?" Teeradon protested.
"Well, they're doing it right now. The distributors are getting squeezed. If they see you there giving them confidence that we won't back down, they'll feel more secure. And Khun Paiboon is a big player controlling Chonburi—he has influence over the entire eastern region. If he talks to others, he can help us."
"Why don't you become company president yourself?" Teeradon stopped at the office door, his hand about to push open the large glass panel.
"Fine by me. Then you can be my secretary. We could try switching roles for a quarter—you'd get a taste of it." The secretary's voice turned cold, as it always did when he began losing patience with his boss's stubbornness.
"I won't stay all day. Morning meeting, afternoon return. And keep the agenda tight—no social chitchat. Just business." Teeradon negotiated with the tone of someone giving orders.
"Come on, you have to eat with them," Toey's face scrunched up.
"They can eat. I won't. When it's done, I'm leaving." Teeradon snapped and pushed through the door, but immediately turned back to his secretary. "Don't ask where I'm going, and don't call to check up on me."
He's going to stalk Wittawin again. I know Teeradon parks his car to ambush Wittawin in front of his company. Now, will this plan to pair Teeradon with Pirayu work?
If Pirayu doesn't end up with Teeradon, Wittawin will definitely serve his friend up to his uncle on a silver platter. Pirayu seems soft-hearted—the more disappointed he gets with Teeradon, the sadder he becomes. He'll need something to hold onto. And Sarayoot melts with just a little coaxing. Being such a gentleman, he'll probably take pity on Pirayu and care for his friend's nephew's heart. Then he'll be left without a partner...
Toey sighed deeply thinking about the messy love affairs that were becoming more tangled than ever. His jealousy over Sarayoot multiplied exponentially.
No way. I can't lose Sarayoot.
I love Sarayoot. I love Sarayoot. I love Sarayoot. I'm certain now...
***
The night before, Wittawin had secretly slept at the company. Sarayoot had gone to visit elderly relatives since Friday evening after work, so there was no worry about his young uncle finding him there and complaining that he was an immature kid who liked using the office sofa as a bed.
On this weekend morning, the young engineer wheeled out his beloved motorcycle—just recovered from being stolen—to clean it. Wittawin couldn't help but think of the face of that 'amateur thief' who had failed to steal his BMW. He felt annoyed at Teeradon's strange antics.
But he was smiling!
What's happening? Why isn't he angry at Teeradon?
Just annoyed, but not angry...
All those times he was harassed, right up to now, sitting here polishing his motorcycle—he's not angry!
Wittawin's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a sports car parking in front of the company. Baramee's impressive figure stepped out of the flame-red car, his face beaming. The tall, slender frame of his former friend walked over and stood watching the beautiful motorcycle whose owner was bent over, intently polishing it.
"So lucky you got it back," Baramee said with a smile.
"The police were good at their job. They tracked it down quickly," Wittawin replied, also smiling.
"Perfect condition too. Not even a scratch. The thief must have been extremely careful because he knew it was a bike Wittawin treasures." Baramee squatted down beside Wittawin, glancing at the profile of the young man polishing the wheel until it gleamed.
"No need for snide comments, Baramee." Wittawin's voice turned cold.
"Why did he do that, Wittawin?" Baramee asked quietly. "Does he think it's fun?"
"Go ask him yourself."
"You need to take action. This behavior can't continue. Where does he get off thinking he's so important?" Baramee's face grew stern, his jaw clenched tight when speaking about the tormentor of his heart.
"There's no proof he took it." Wittawin replied softly, his eyes still focused on the motorcycle, his hands never stopping their polishing motion. Seeing Wittawin's calm demeanor, Baramee changed the subject.
"Let's go to Rayong, Win. We can drive around, then stop for dinner at John's hotel. He said the renovation is finished, and he's got Joy, his girlfriend, managing the place now. Win, those two keep saying they miss you."
"John put Joy in charge of the hotel? What's he thinking? Managing his father's boxing camp in Bangkok was already busy enough for her." Wittawin was surprised.
"I don't understand it either. But after they got married, Joy changed—she became more capable, sweeter than before, more polite in her speech. I think she wants to help her husband with work." Baramee laughed, then quickly summarized, "So we're going, right Win? After dinner with Joy, we'll head back. Let's give the girl some moral support."
I'll pretend the car broke down and spend the night in Rayong...
Baramee held his breath waiting for Wittawin's answer. The man sat silent for a moment, then said, "Invite Pamorn too."
"Pamorn went to Kanchanaburi." Baramee replied.
He sent Pamorn himself. Dangled the bait, and Pamorn jumped at it immediately, completely taken in. By now he's probably having a blast with all those actresses and singers participating in the 'Beautiful World with Our Hands' activity by the River Kwai. There's an evening poolside party. Pamorn is crazy about celebrities—when he offered to send Pamorn instead, his friend immediately agreed...
Wittawin complained about why Pamorn hadn't told him or even invited him. Baramee quickly made excuses for their friend, then pressed Wittawin to go to Rayong together. When the young man nodded, Baramee almost jumped to embrace his 'former friend.'
He loves Wittawin. Now he's certain he loves Wittawin deeply. Whatever it takes, he'll do it to make Wittawin his...
***