Toey wasn't usually a speed demon, especially when driving through Bangkok's congested streets. But this evening, luck was on his side—traffic flowed unusually smooth, and restless energy coursed through his veins. He wove his small Honda Jazz through the lanes, determined to reach Sarayoot's company as quickly as possible.
Maybe he'd catch sight of something interesting. Last time, he'd watched Sarayoot walk out of the building with Pirayu, and the memory still left a bitter taste in his mouth. Sarayoot was becoming quite the puzzle—impossible to read. Earlier today, he'd gone to lunch with Pirayu. If Toey hadn't called to check on company matters during the afternoon, he would never have known.
And where exactly did Pamorn stand in all this? Was he playing both sides, waiting for someone's heart to shatter? The old fox seemed to be rooting for Wittawin and Teeradon to end up together.
Sarayoot was soft-hearted. If Pirayu turned on the charm—used even half the manipulation tactics Toey employed—Sarayoot would melt like butter. Even without any scheming, Pirayu was naturally endearing. Anyone who spent time with him would find it hard not to fall under his spell.
Wait—since when did he think of his own methods as manipulation? And why assume everyone who got close to Pirayu would inevitably fall for him? Teeradon certainly hadn't succumbed.
But without Wittawin in the picture, who knows? Or if Teeradon actually won Wittawin over, that might change everything too. Right now, Teeradon hadn't gotten what he wanted from Wittawin. Human nature—the harder something is to obtain, the more desperately we want it. Toey knew Teeradon's personality inside out. But Sarayoot? He seemed easy to be read, yet somehow remained an enigma himself. Unlike Teeradon, whose thoughts were written across his face before he even opened his mouth, and whose words never required mental gymnastics to interpret. Teeradon and Toey were cut from the same cloth—they had to win, had to possess whatever they desired. Anything less was unacceptable.
Soon enough, the tenacious secretary parked in front of the four-story building housing Network Solutions. The sun was sinking toward the horizon, streetlights flickered on, and the late December air carried a crisp chill. The year-end holidays were just days away.
He wanted to invite Sarayoot on a getaway—just the two of them, far from all the complications unfolding around them.
The security guard, who'd already received treats from Toey twice before, broke into a welcoming smile the moment he spotted the lean young man approaching with another box of sweets. Before Toey could even ask, the middle-aged, thin-framed guard reported that Sarayoot was still working in his second-floor office. Toey thanked him and climbed the stairs slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips as he pictured Sarayoot's face. He couldn't help but laugh at himself for falling so hard for this dark-skinned, composed, quietly spoken young man.
Wittawin's uncle. With looks and demeanor like that, it was hard to believe he was the uncle of the stubborn young engineer who'd managed to completely scramble Teeradon's usually player-smooth brain.
Uncle and nephew—their ages weren't that different, really. But Sarayoot seemed to have Wittawin under control, skilled enough to force the younger man to apologize to Teeradon at his workplace.
Uncle and nephew, who...
Toey froze near the corner window of the large second-floor office. Pamorn, Wittawin, and the office secretary were working together in the main room, while Sarayoot had his own separate office. But right now, he was perched casually on the edge of Wittawin's desk, watching the younger man stare at his computer screen as if browsing something mindlessly.
Red lips curved in a wide smile, as if amused by whatever Sarayoot was saying. Wittawin shook his head slowly, seeming to playfully argue with his uncle, who wore an equally broad grin.
Sarayoot's face wasn't strikingly handsome compared to Teeradon's, or even Baramee's, or other men Toey had dated. But he couldn't explain why he was so drawn to Sarayoot.
This evening, Sarayoot seemed particularly cheerful.
Sarayoot, who was now raising his hand to gently tap Wittawin's cheek.
Toey stood frozen, then took two steps backward, peering into the room. His grip on his phone tightened.
Wittawin looked up at his uncle, stuck out his tongue teasingly, then laughed before pushing his chair back. Sarayoot leaned forward, raising his hand to lightly push against his nephew's forehead. Wittawin tilted his head to dodge, then stood up and walked to a nearby desk, searching for something he couldn't find. He moved to another desk, then returned to his original spot. Throughout it all, Sarayoot's eyes followed him with a gentle expression.
Sarayoot's gaze tracked Wittawin's every step. As his nephew wandered around the room searching, the uncle remained perched on the desk, watching with eyes that sparkled. Even from his hidden vantage point outside, Toey could see the brilliant gleam in Sarayoot's eyes.
Oh... no... no... no...
Toey turned away, walking slowly down the stairs. This glimpse was enough—he understood everything now. Sarayoot's gaze was unmistakably clear. Toey tried to convince himself that what he'd witnessed was just friendly teasing between close companions, an uncle's affection for his nephew, between people who were... who were... who were...
It wasn't Pirayu, was it?
It wasn't him too?
The reason Sarayoot had been evasive, asking for time to think—it was because...
This is absolutely insane. Completely insane. Why does it have to be like this?
And why wouldn't Wittawin settle down with Teeradon? Was it just because he disliked players, or was there another reason?
How he wished Teeradon could see this.
How he wished Teeradon could witness this.
Toey stood at the company's exit, drawing in a deep breath before turning around. He walked back up to the second floor of Network Solutions, each step up the staircase making him grit his teeth until his jaw ached. His hand gripped the banister tightly, pulling himself up slowly. His mouth was set in a grim line, breathing hard, brow furrowed as two conflicting thoughts in his mind debated whether he should continue.
Wasn't what he'd seen moments ago enough?
He needed confirmation, needed certainty. He was secretary to the most unique boss in the country. His nature demanded that he verify every piece of information thoroughly, never missing a detail.
***