Friday morning buzzed with the usual chaos. Anupap's hands moved with practiced efficiency, managing everything until it fell into place. The new project—a luxury menswear advertisement launching next month's collection—demanded his attention. Clean fingers gripped the pen, sketching draft plans across paper until three o'clock struck. His brand-new phone chimed with an incoming text message. For a split second, he thought of 'someone' who loved calling around noon, asking about 'organizing the lunch parade.'
"Every time I see you leading the way, little Chinese doll following behind, Bud chatting alongside Pojanee, and Mark bringing up the rear. Have you ever changed the order?" He'd teased Atid about being 'little Chinese doll.'
Today, no call came. Radio silence all day. Was this notification from Atikom?...
Anupap was drafting meeting agenda items for Saturday morning—assignments for Atid, Pojanee, Pong, Anek, Tong... The young man glanced at his phone.
Tonight he's inviting me to dinner, celebrating his promotion.
This time, he'd let Atid handle the model selection. Atid would probably sulk a bit—he feared the models might hit on him. Bud loved to tease: "Atid's afraid you'll get jealous when people come flocking around him."
Last night, he hadn't given Atikom a definitive answer.
He wanted the new copywriter to try this project. Pong's work on the perfume ad had impressed him.
Even after saying no, Atikom would probably drag him along anyway. When this man wanted something, he got it.
He needed to remind Tong not to overdo the flashy effects.
But dinner for two with Atikom—how would they celebrate? The sergeant major must have a plan, something to say... A confession of love?
The model needed good looks, style, working age, Thai features—no mixed blood.
What player move would Atikom pull this time? Last time, he'd seemed to press closer.
When was Trin's timeline again?
Anupap turned to his phone.
Crazy... Anupap felt confused. His mind buzzed with incoherent noise. He couldn't control his thoughts, couldn't focus on one point. Everything tangled together.
Finally, he picked up the phone and pressed to read the message, cutting through the uncertainty once and for all.
"I know you're thinking about whether to go tonight. Meet at Le Crystal, Narathiwat Road at 7 PM. I'd pick you up, but I need to get my car. Detective Atikom – I not do take no for the asnswer"
Using English too... His foreign language skills weren't strong, misspelling as usual. Anupap's lips curved slightly.
The voices in his head began their debate:
If I don't go, just disappear home quietly, what would he do... leave him sitting alone at the restaurant?
'That's cruel.'
Or arrive late, let him wait an hour.
'Better, but still feels uncomfortable. The sergeant major taking me to such an expensive restaurant—he must have something unexpected planned.'
Anupap tried reasoning:
Better invite Bud along. Not alone, just the two of us. At least Bud knows him well. Not too cruel.
'Good idea. Then say I misunderstood, thought he meant to invite Bud too. He wouldn't dare send Bud home.'
Detective Atikom... let me get back at you just once...
Anupap straightened his shoulders, then walked directly to Sambat's desk.
"Ahem." Anupap stood behind his senior colleague, clearing his throat.
Hi senior colleague startled, quickly clicking to close his internet browser.
Sambat had been enjoying browsing the "young men's catalog" on Hi5 website.
"P'Bud, are you free tonight?" / "You idiot!" Both spoke simultaneously.
"Nearly gave me a heart attack! Make some noise first. Thought the emperor was coming." Sambat clutched his chest dramatically.
"I did clear my throat." Anupap smiled. "So? Free tonight? I'm inviting you to a special dinner at Le Crystal."
"Le Crystal? That place?" Sambat's eyes widened.
"Atid! Nu's inviting us to dinner tonight. Free? Want to come?" Sambat suddenly stood up, calling across to the young man watching from the corner.
"P'Bud!" Anupap exclaimed, shocked. He hadn't expected Sambat to go all out.
"Yes! I'm free! I'll drive!" Atid jumped up, nodding eagerly, grinning so wide his arrow eyes nearly disappeared.
"P'Nu!" Pojanee and Mark, sitting nearby, chimed in unison. "You didn't forget us, right?" Pojanee's voice was sweet and soft.
Anupap sighed. "Yeah, yeah." He lowered his voice, pulling Sambat to sit down.
"I was going to invite just you. Um... alone." Anupap stammered.
"Aw, poor Atid. What's wrong with bringing him along? He can chip in for the bill, or pay for himself. Atid's loaded."
"I'm not treating."
"Oh? Then who is?"
"Well, it's... um... tonight Major Atikom invited me." Anupap's voice grew faint with embarrassment.
"Ah... so you're bringing me as a buffer." Sambat understood.
"But now it's more than a buffer, it's a highway concrete barrier." Anupap rolled his eyes.
"Damn... who knew Major Atikom was treating?"
"You didn't ask. Playing dumb."
"I thought you were joking."
"He got promoted to Police Major. He's celebrating." Anupap sighed.
"Well, then we can smooth-talk our way out. Celebrating a promotion—the dream prince won't be heartless enough to send us home. He's a good guy." Sambat's eyes went dreamy.
"It's too many people now. Just you alone wouldn't be too bad." Anupap looked serious.
"Poj and Mark aren't a big deal. Tell those two that the plan changed would be no big deal. But Atid's the issue. Don't you see that young man's face? I'm afraid Atid might cry if we him he can't go now." Sambat looked thoughtful.
Anupap craned his neck toward Atid's desk, but he'd already disappeared.
"Atid probably rushed off to wash his car and wait." Sambat said sarcastically.
Anupap stood up to return to his office. "Your problem now. Fix it yourself. Playing these games, accepting Major Atkom's invitation yourself. Either find a way to tell all three the plan changed." The young man left Sambat sitting there, rolling his eyes, trying to find a solution.
***
Six o'clock—work was done for the day. Anupap gathered his things and walked out of the office. Most employees had gone home, though some still worked or chatted. Anupap walked straight to the company's front exit. Sambat, Pojanee, Mark, and Atid stood clustered together talking, then all turned to beam at Anupap as he approached.
He felt defeated. Sambat's solution was "don't find a solution"—meaning "crash the barrier," as he loved to say.
Sambat still hadn't told the three who was actually hosting tonight's expensive dinner...
Anupap led everyone out front "in order," as Atikom used to tease. Atid stayed close behind Anupap as usual.
"Can I help carry something?" The young man reached to take some document folders.
Normally Anupap would say, "No need, I'll carry them myself."
Sambat walked over, whispering softly, "Small happiness."
Anupap thought of Atid's face when he'd meet Atikom. He couldn't help feeling guilty. At least let Atid have a little happiness, as Bud suggested, before facing his rival.
This time, he handed all the folders to Atid, keeping only his laptop bag.
Atid grinned, his already narrow eyes shrinking into sly, disappearing slits.
Anupap couldn't shake the thought—What expression would Atid make when he learned this dinner was hosted by Atikom?
***