Teeradon slipped out of the conference room before the meeting officially ended, his patience exhausted by another day of government bureaucracy. Two days of national seminars broken into endless small group sessions—it was enough to make anyone's head spin.
Lucky for him, his secretary sat hunched over his notepad, three assistants flanking him like bodyguards, all phones switched off for the duration. He escaped without being cornered for another mind-numbing discussion.
But his mood soured when he tried calling Ricky. The half-Thai actor he'd arranged to meet in Hua Hin wasn't picking up.
Damn it. Better find a backup plan.
Teddy, that's right. He mentioned performing at the music festival in Hua Hin this afternoon. Might as well have some fun with the little singer this evening, then try Ricky again later.
Pamorn sat scowling in the coffee shop, sweat beading on his forehead as he grumbled about the heat. Wittawin remained silent nearby, watching his usual bickering match with Baramee unfold.
"Don't know why you bothered coming if you're just going to complain," Baramee shook his head.
"How was I supposed to know it'd be this scorching? Should've driven the sedan with decent air conditioning instead." Pamorn shot a sideways glare at Wittawin. "If it weren't for the jazz festival, I wouldn't be caught dead here. And Mr. Speed Demon over there—always in such a rush to get nowhere."
"You're the slow one," Baramee defended his friend. "What kind of man whines this much? Win doesn't carry on like you do."
"That's because he's a speed freak. Can't you see how his reckless driving got him in trouble? Nearly sideswiped that luxury sports car—could've cost us tens of thousands. Still don't know if the owner's pressing charges or not."
"Let them try," Wittawin shrugged, unmoved. "Let them file a report. I'm not scared."
"I'll report you to Uncle Yoot for your reckless driving that's downright terrifying," Pamorn pointed an accusing finger at his friend.
"Be my guest," Wittawin challenged. "As if I'm afraid of some Khun Sarayoot."
"Enough." Baramee stood up, turning to Wittawin. "Keep it at 120, Win. Don't need the cops on our tail."
"Can't we do 100?" Pamorn whined, his face a picture of exhaustion.
"Listen, labor bee, the slower we go, the longer you'll be roasting in the sun. You'll end up charcoal at this rate. Let's move—don't want to miss The Exodus." Baramee headed for the door, leading the two young men out of the coffee shop with Pamorn trailing behind, muttering complaints as usual.
For the sake of entertainment, Teeradon made his way to his 'backup option' at a beachside hotel in Cha-am. Teddy had mentioned his singing slot was at midnight, leaving plenty of time for 'fun.'
"Don't treat me like just another plaything, Khun Don. When you get what you want, you should give something back," Teddy negotiated.
"Give back how?" Teeradon asked, though he already knew what the young singer was after.
"I want to be The Voice of December at The Dazzle," the young man demanded.
"You'd have to fight several others for that spot. As far as I know, there are many people wanting to perform during the Christmas to New Year period, and I think they've already made their selections." Teeradon brushed him off.
He knew that December and January were golden months at the club—the time when famous singers most wanted to grace The Dazzle's stage. The venue would be packed with entertainment industry leaders, not just domestic but VIPs from across Asia. The chance to 'advertise' oneself to high-level foreign entertainment executives was something every singer desperately coveted.
"But you're the owner. If you choose someone, who would dare oppose you?"
"I'll see what I can do," Teeradon made a vague promise. "But I have to consult with the other executives too."
"I miss you so much, Khun Don. Hurry over—I'll be waiting in the shower," the young singer's voice turned coquettish, dropping the singing topic to avoid pushing Teeradon too hard.
"Why don't we shower together? I'll soap you up," Teeradon's voice dropped to a husky whisper, chuckling with satisfaction before hanging up. But the phone rang again immediately.
Ricky called to say he was running late, having to drive out from Phetchaburi after an incident with some reckless motorcyclist who'd forced his car into a roadside garbage bin.
"Well then, let's meet tomorrow morning instead," Teeradon searched for an out, eyes fixed carefully ahead as he navigated a curve, the car in front changing lanes without signaling.
"Why? I'll be in Hua Hin in an hour. Didn't you say you'd slip away for some pool fun at the hotel?" Ricky sounded irritated.
"I did slip away, but now I have to slip back. My secretary tracked me down—something urgent came up. You know how ruthless my secretary can be. Can't move a muscle when it comes to business that might cost the company revenue."
"You've complained about your secretary giving you headaches countless times. Why haven't you fired him yet?"
Fire him? Yeah right. Someone like Toey wouldn't be scared. He's been daddy's pet since he graduated and started working.
"I've been thinking about it too, but right now work is crucial. Have to meet until evening, then dinner with the Commerce Minister after the meeting ends. Won't be done until late," Teeradon made excuses.
"It's just dinner. You're not sleeping with the Minister, are you? You could meet me at the pub by 11 PM or midnight. Why wait until tomorrow?"
"Dinner with ministers isn't exactly quick and easy."
So damn persistent. I might just ditch him at this rate.
"Eating food or eating people? Why does it take so long?" Ricky couldn't resist taking a jab at the handsome playboy.
"Maybe eating almost the entire cabinet," Teeradon shot back sarcastically. "I don't want to go either, but I have to because it affects business. My secretary is glued to my side, won't let me slip away for a second. You know how relentless Toey can be." Teeradon affected a weary tone, throwing his secretary under the bus again before falling silent.
"When are you going to fire him already?" Ricky's voice sharpened when he thought of his rival who constantly blocked his time with Teeradon. "Every time you want to go somewhere or do something with me, he has to interfere."
"It's work-related. I have to understand that he's just doing his job," Teeradon defended his secretary after having just bad-mouthed him. "I'd be in trouble without him. But you have to understand that my secretary really gets on my nerves when it comes to business appointments. I have to play golf with the Chairman of the Asian Chamber of Commerce too. Toey just handed me this endless schedule."
Can I even believe Teeradon at this point? He's probably trying to wiggle out of this. Damn playboy.
Ricky sighed, trying to think of reasons to make Teeradon change his mind.
"Khun Don, I'm going to Scotland for a month to film a series. Can't we at least say goodbye?" Ricky switched to a pleading tone when he noticed Teeradon's silence. "I'm already here. Come on."
"Fine, we can meet at midnight then. I'll slip away from the dinner," Teeradon felt compelled to compromise, his mind starting to shift plans as he remembered Teddy had to perform at midnight—wouldn't be done until around two in the morning.
Sigh. Who am I sleeping with tonight?
Or maybe both at once? But Teddy and Ricky probably wouldn't go for that. Those two don't seem to get along.
Teeradon smiled at some mischievous thought before his eyes widened as he looked across to the other side of the road, just as Ricky whined, "I don't even have a hotel room yet."
"Ricky, let's talk later. I have an urgent matter—the Prime Minister wants to speak with me. That's all for now." Teeradon quickly hung up, jerking the steering wheel to enter the far-right lane, preparing to make a U-turn.
"Let me get a look at your butt to see if you're the troublemaker I think you are," Teeradon muttered to himself, watching three motorcycles speed past at high velocity just as his car positioned itself at the U-turn spot.
One of those three is definitely a BMW. And if I'm not mistaken, their destination is probably the music festival in Hua Hin.
These two days in Hua Hin won't be boring after all. There's a game of cat and mouse to play.
***