Teeradon stepped out of the VIP tent, his patience worn thin by yet another entertainment industry insider probing about The Dazzle. Ever since the club had been crowned Asia's premier luxury nightspot, every celebrity seemed desperate to become its new spokesperson—a ticket to international recognition.
He'd come here to listen to music, but sitting in the VIP section, despite its prime view of the stage, felt suffocating. All around him, voices droned on in endless chatter.
Teeradon positioned himself at the front of the stage instead, letting the Japanese fusion jazz wash over him until the last note faded, then wandered off in search of something cold to drink.
He'd had enough alcohol for one day. Tomorrow's ten o'clock meeting with the Commerce Minister and the Thai Chamber of Commerce Chairman demanded a clear head.
Teeradon's gaze swept the crowd, and he felt his eyes beginning to glaze over. The music festival had drawn such massive crowds that the venue felt cramped beyond comfort. Most of the audience appeared to be young working professionals.
Unbelievable. They all look like kids. Early twenties, nowhere near thirty.
Don't tell me that at thirty-four, I'm already too old for events like this. Strange. Everywhere I look, nothing but fresh-faced kids who probably just started their careers.
But not a single face catches my eye. Lately, I'm getting bored with celebrities and singers—they all seem stamped from the same mold.
Wait. That one looks interesting. Taller than the others, but with a young face. Intriguing...
Big eyes, prominent nose, thick eyebrows, and...
Holy shit. That's the pretty-faced, red-lipped speed demon—my nemesis.
Teeradon surged forward, his hands cutting through the crowd blocking his path, heading straight for the person he most wanted to encounter.
Just wait. I'll walk right up beside you and scare you senseless.
But will he even remember my face? We only saw each other for a few minutes.
He has to remember. I still remember his face perfectly.
Teeradon's question answered itself within a minute as he closed in on his target. The young engineer turned and spotted the tall figure towering above the surrounding crowd, staring at him with unblinking intensity.
Wittawin's eyebrows shot up in shock—the last person he'd expected to see was the one he least wanted to encounter. Instinct screamed at him to turn around and walk away immediately.
This looks like trouble. Better escape now. I don't want to face that crazy company owner who loves picking fights...
Wittawin tried to weave his way back through the crowd toward the merchandise booths where people milled about chaotically, glancing back periodically at his pursuer. When he saw the man closing in, he quickened his pace.
Please don't let it come to running...
Is he really going to force me to apologize in the middle of a music festival? This Teeradon guy really won't let go. Damn it. He's tall, can see everything clearly. And I'm conspicuously tall too...
Suddenly, Wittawin had an idea. He crouched down to make himself shorter than the others around him, then carefully doubled back toward where he'd come from, figuring his pursuer would continue moving forward.
Teeradon stopped short and cursed in frustration when he saw his quarry slip away so cleverly.
Smart little bastard. How am I supposed to find him now? This is insane. Every time I try to follow, he gets away...
His phone rang and vibrated rhythmically. Teeradon ignored it, still craning his neck and scanning downward for that clever individual. But the phone wouldn't stop ringing, so the owner of the Dazzle club figured it could only be his one-of-a-kind secretary.
"Stop bugging me, Toey. It's almost one o'clock," Teeradon pressed the phone to his ear, shouting over the music.
"Who's following you, Don?" Police Major Nares's gruff voice shouted back.
"Oh. Why are you calling?" Teeradon asked irritably.
"Calling to report that I found the vehicle that baby-faced suspect used to escape from a vicious predator like you," Nares laughed.
"Lock the wheels. Tell me where it is right now," Teeradon's eyes flashed. "The guy himself is currently running from me at this moment. Send some officers to help surround him—don't let him slip away."
"Hey, how can I do that?" Nares sounded baffled. "You're treating him like an international criminal. What crime did the kid commit?"
He's guilty of defying my orders. Guilty of sneaking into my club. And now he's guilty of deliberately running from me...
"Don't ask questions. Just do what I said. Want free drinks and dates with celebrities or not?" Teeradon dangled the entertainment bait.
"Come on, buddy. Even though I'm a cop, I have ethics. How can I just lock someone's wheels out of nowhere? He parked legally in a proper parking space according to all regulations," Nares protested.
Teeradon exhaled sharply in annoyance—he couldn't find Wittawin, and now his friend was being difficult.
"Then have someone tail him to see where he's staying."
I will track him down to his lair.
But wait. If I'm the one going to find Wittawin, doesn't that make me the inferior party? I should be ordering that little smart-ass to come see me in my office.
Wittawin should comply with my wishes.
Damn it. I want to see his face right now.
But knowing where he's staying wouldn't hurt. I could drop by for a quick look, then wait for the time when Wittawin comes to the company. Toey said the Tuesday morning appointment is all set.
Teeradon hung up and walked back toward the VIP tent, abandoning his pursuit of that 'handsome monkey.' He decided it would be better to take Ricky back to his hotel room for some fun.
Either way, Wittawin will have to come see me.
But then, one thought flashed through his mind.
Now the situation has changed. Wittawin—the computer company owner with the pale face, thick eyebrows, prominent nose, and red lips—isn't just some engineer who came to fix the network system in my company, dropped wrenches on my head, and defied my orders. He's the racing lion who deliberately competed and cut me off so closely that my beautiful car scraped against a garbage bin and got damaged.
Going to hunt him down at his accommodation wouldn't be losing face. Consider it a cat-and-mouse game that's getting more entertaining by the minute...
***