After the meeting ended, Teeradon strode out of the conference room with his young secretary practically jogging to keep up, his shorter legs no match for his boss's brisk pace.
"Hurry up, Toey. I need to get going," Teeradon urged.
"If I had four legs, I'd already be waiting by the car," Toey panted, clutching a stack of documents against his chest. "Don't know why you're in such a rush. Didn't you say you weren't going to the club today?"
Because I'm going to intercept Wittawin and invite him to dinner. And if Wittawin refuses, I'll threaten to take Pirayu instead. After dinner with Pirayu, we'll end up in bed at home. Wittawin will have to come with me...
"Oh no, I forgot something!" the young secretary exclaimed, spinning around.
"Toey," Teeradon's voice carried sharp irritation as he exhaled forcefully.
"Sorry, I'm just forgetful," Toey fumbled with the items in his hands, trying to pass them to his boss. But Teeradon stood with arms crossed and jaw set, showing no intention of reaching out to help. The absent-minded secretary had to rush back the way they came, his boss's impatient voice echoing behind him.
Teeradon checked his watch and sighed, walking slowly toward the lobby. But when he glanced to his right, he froze, eyes widening in shock at the figure emerging from the elevator.
"Wittawin," Teeradon breathed, though his expression quickly darkened when he saw who followed behind the young man.
Wittawin walked with perfect posture, long strides carrying him forward as he looked straight ahead, ignoring everyone—including the handsome man in a dark gray suit who stood fishing in his pants pocket, watching with troubled eyes.
But the person who spotted Teeradon was Baramee!
"Oh, hello there, Khun Teeradon," Baramee glanced after Wittawin briefly before approaching. "Staying at this hotel too? It's actually my friend's father's place. We're in the panorama suite—ocean view from almost every window. You should try it sometime. You can see the curve of the beach and the sunset. The view's so beautiful it takes your breath away. We're heading to dinner now, then up to the balcony to wait for the sunset."
"I don't like hotels. If I want to watch the sunset over the ocean, I'll build a beachfront house," Teeradon replied curtly.
"Ah, you prefer putting down roots rather than temporary stays," Baramee nodded with feigned understanding.
"Exactly. I don't want to just admire something temporarily and then walk away. I like to own things myself, not share them with others like hotel rooms." Teeradon stepped forward, positioning himself face-to-face with Baramee in direct challenge.
"Well, good luck with that. I don't like temporary admiration either, but I do enjoy changing scenery," Baramee's voice deepened as he laughed softly, holding Teeradon's gaze for a moment before turning and walking away, leaving the other man standing there grinding his teeth at being openly challenged by the younger man.
Changing scenery, huh? More like changing scenery after me. Last time he changed scenery with Wittawin—same bed, same blanket even. Did he do what I did?...
This is insane. I feel so pathetic. Wittawin and Baramee coming to 'change scenery' together at a beachfront hotel. They probably didn't sleep separately like we did...
Will Wittawin be as calculating with Baramee as he was with me?
But if he has any feelings for me, why is he doing this with Baramee? He acted so protective of himself…
Jealous. Possessive. Heartbroken. I want to grab Wittawin and spank him...
Wittawin turned to look for Baramee and saw him strolling leisurely behind with no sense of urgency. The young man called out impatiently, but Baramee protested that he saw no need to rush back to Bangkok.
"Joy went to all the trouble of inviting us to stay another night," Baramee pouted.
"I don't want to stay. I want to go back to Bangkok."
"Why? Is being with me that boring?" Baramee's voice carried hurt. "We went to Hua Hin together before, went everywhere together. Why the rush to get back to Bangkok now? If you're worried I'll try something, we can sleep in separate rooms, separate floors even."
"Are we going or not, Baramee?" Wittawin's voice held exhaustion. "Stop dragging this out."
"Fine, let's go." Baramee's expression hardened as he walked to the car and opened the door, but then stood still for a moment before deciding to say something to Wittawin.
"Earlier, I was late because I ran into Khun Teeradon. He was with some actor—can't remember the name. Good-looking guy though. He seemed shocked to see me. When I said hello, the actor practically jumped away. Don't know why they'd try to hide it if they weren't going to go somewhere private."
"Why are you telling me this?" Wittawin's voice was ice-cold as he told Baramee to get in the car.
"Just making conversation," Baramee's voice softened as he drove out of the hotel parking lot and stopped bothering Wittawin.
Sorry, Win. If I didn't love you, I wouldn't do something this ugly...
Because I love you, I can do anything. And I don't think it's that wrong. At least I'm protecting you from becoming prey to a fox like Teeradon...
"Why so rush?" Toey came running to Teeradon's black Mercedes, breathless, then reached to pull open the driver's side door before exclaiming, "Wait, didn't you say I should drive because you weren't in the mood?"
"Get in the car now," Teeradon's voice was steel, his right hand gripping the steering wheel tightly, left hand positioned on the gear shift, ready to floor it.
"Boss, let me drive," the secretary felt hot and cold seeing his employer's thunderous expression. Teeradon tilted his head toward the passenger side, 'ordering' his secretary to hurry up and get in. Toey quickly went around and climbed in without waiting for another command.
"Buddha help me," the secretary muttered under his breath.
"Buckle your seatbelt properly. Throw those files in the back seat," Teeradon warned, shifting into gear and accelerating rapidly out of the parking space.
"Boss, are you this angry at me? I'm sorry, there were so many documents, I forgot," Toey blinked innocently.
"I'm pissed. Really pissed," Teeradon muttered, then hit the brakes when they reached the main road in front of the hotel, waiting for a motorcycle to pass before launching the S 500 forward with a screech of tires against pavement.
The secretary sat in silence, realizing his boss was angrier than he'd ever imagined. Teeradon remained still and quiet, his mouth pressed into a straight line.
Acting like he's possessed. Getting this angry over nothing. He knows I don't like it when he drives fast and reckless. Let's see—making a scene with his beloved secretary, staying mad at poor Toey all the way to Bangkok. Just wait until this secretary gives you a hard time.
What's he even angry about? Did he run into Wittawin here and get shown up?...
What's the deal with Wittawin anyway? After chasing him this long without any success, shouldn't he give up by now? Don't tell me someone heartless like Teeradon has actually fallen in love. I wouldn't believe it if you paid me. Why does Teeradon always have to win at everything...
***