Chapter 2 The Sleeper
The moment he stepped onto the rooftop, Tharnnam froze with his mouth hanging open.
Wow… it's beautiful.
Right in front of him was a small garden arranged so perfectly it looked like something out of a catalog potted plants, tall shady trees, cozy seating corners, and a gentle breeze carrying a faint floral scent.
The edge of the rooftop was lined with clear glass panels. Through them, he could see the skyline of Bangkok dotted with tall buildings beneath a sky brushed with thin clouds. The midday sunlight shimmered off the glass like sheets of gold.
"This company really blew the budget just for a view like this?"
He muttered to himself and looked around again. No one. Absolutely silent. As if the whole world belonged to him alone.
"Mm… perfect place to unwind." He tightened his grip on the snack in his hand and walked toward a large wooden swing that rocked softly with the breeze.
"Hellooo~ Tharnnam has arrived~~!"
His voice echoed across the rooftop, followed by a bright laugh that slipped out naturally. His first day at work had been exhausting, but being up here felt like every weight had been lifted.
…until a voice spoke up behind him.
"Why're you yelling? I'm trying to sleep."
"AAAAHHHHHHH!!!"
His scream ripped through the air so sharply the glass panels rattled. He jerked around, startled out of his skin, just in time to see a figure rising from the farthest wooden bench.
The man was tall. Ridiculously tall his shadow almost swallowed Tharnnam whole. His sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, revealing black line-art tattoos wrapping from his wrist up under the fabric. Sharp face, sharper eyes, the kind that looked like they could cut through any lie, and lips that moved slowly as he spoke.
"Stop screaming. It's annoying."
Tharnnam slapped both hands over his mouth instantly like a kid caught doing something wrong.
Dead… I'm dead… is he a handsome ghost? Or a real person!?
"How long are you planning to stare?" the deep voice cut in again.
"S…sorry!"
He bowed so fast he nearly headbutted the floor, his heart pounding so loudly he could hear it himself. Who would've guessed there was someone here!? He'd checked he swore he'd checked!
"Come here."
"H-huh?"
"I said come sit here."
The tall man tapped the bench beside him once. The sound wasn't loud, but the tone left no room for argument. Tharnnam's feet moved on their own.
He walked over cautiously, clutching his snack like it was a weapon. Mom… if I get murdered on the rooftop, please tell Dad I love him…
"W….what is it?" he whispered, barely audible.
"Sit closer. How many times do you need me to say it?"
"Ah… okay…"
He slid onto the bench beside the stranger, nerves buzzing. They were barely an arm's length apart. A faint scent of cologne mixed with a hint of smoke drifted over nothing strong, yet somehow enough to make his heartbeat go wild.
"Don't make that face. You look like you're about to be slaughtered."
"Uh… can you read my mind?"
"Nonsense."
"Well then how'd you know I'm scared?"
"Your face says everything." He replied flatly and leaned back, closing his eyes as if resuming his nap.
"Heh… I just thought no one was here…"
"No one was… until just now."
Tharnnam's jaw dropped again. Every word from this guy hit like a knife. Sharp, clean, straight to the point.
The wind rustled through the leaves. Tharnnam pulled his shoulders in and quietly set his snack on his lap.
"Do you… want some?"
He held the snack out timidly. The man cracked one eye open… and raised an eyebrow.
"You hand this out to every handsome guy?"
"Huh!?"
"Why're you shocked? You're offering it."
"I…I wasn't giving it away! I just thought… since you couldn't sleep yet…"
"Thought what?" The deep voice pressed further, lips curling in a teasing smirk.
"That… eating something sweet helps you sleep well…"
He whispered and ducked his head. The tall man let out a soft laugh his first of the day. It wasn't loud, but warm enough to make Tharnnam's chest flutter strangely.
"What a weird kid."
"My name is Tharnnam."
"Mm."
"And yours?"
"I'm trying to sleep. Not talk."
Tharnnam opened his mouth to protest, but the man truly had his eyes closed again. He could only sit there in silence, stealing glances at the stranger before nibbling his snack one piece at a time.
The crunch of the bag was the only sound between them. His heart wouldn't stop pounding. He had never sat this close to someone who felt both dangerous and impossibly attractive all at once.
The black tattoo lines along the man's arm shifted with each breath. The faint veins on his forearm were visible when his hand rested over his toned stomach… Tharnnam found himself staring far too long before snapping himself out of it.
"Um… which department do you work in?" he asked softly, poking at trouble like someone testing if a flame was hot.
"Why?" the man replied, eyes still closed, voice smooth but low.
"Well… just wondering. You look new too."
"Mm."
A one-syllable answer. Lazy, but to Tharnnam, it was a victory he was talking!
"You don't have to be nervous," he blurted out excitedly. "If you need anything, you can ask me. I'll help you!"
Silence. Then a deep, quiet chuckle.
"Heh."
Tharnnam frowned. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing." But there was a hidden smile in the tail end of the sentence.
"I mean it! I can help with anything."
"Help yourself first."
"Huh?"
"With that face. And that round little body. Who could you possibly help?"
Tharnnam's eyes grew wide. "Are you insulting me?"
"Not insulting. Just stating facts."
"Tch… then what's your name?"
"Lucas."
"I'm Tharnnam. Or just Nam."
"Chubby?"
"Tharnnam."
"Chubby."
"Tharnnam!"
"Chubby."
"You're doing this on purpose!?"
Another low chuckle slipped out, clearer this time. It made Tharnnam want to throw his snack at him.
"Heh."
Short laugh. But somehow… kind of nice. Warm in a way he didn't expect.
"You're just…"
Before he could finish, Lucas suddenly stood up to his full height. He grabbed the jacket resting beside him and swung it over his shoulders.
"Where are you going?" Tharnnam asked.
"Somewhere else. A loud person's nearby."
"Hey! I'm being quiet now!"
"Heh."
"Hey! You!"
But Lucas was already walking past him without looking back. His soft cologne lingered in the air long after he left.
Tharnnam sat frozen, snack in one hand, the other scratching his head like a clueless puppy.
"Great… gorgeous and rude."
He pulled out his phone and glanced at the time eyes widening instantly.
"Crap! It's already 1 PM!? I'm screwed!!!"
He jumped to his feet,
stuffed the remaining snacks into the bag, and sprinted for the elevator, nearly tripping over his own legs. His heart raced from both panic… and from him.
Lucas…
Cool name. Annoying man.