Billionaire Biker Boy

Chapter 12. Skills From My Mom

 

"I prefer regular bars. Real bars where you can sit, have a drink, relax, and... maybe find someone to chat with. If we hit it off, we can take it further," Wonchana answered honestly. 

 

"But I stopped going out even before COVID. It all just felt so monotonous. But if you ever want to go, I can take you."

 

Samut shook his head again. "I don't feel like going out anymore. I don't drink, and I'm not looking to talk to anyone. I'm just curious, that's all."

 

Wonchana smiled warmly at the smaller man and said, "But if one day your curiosity gets the better of you and you want to explore, you have to let me know, okay? I'll take you myself. No going with anyone else, got it?"

 

Samut, throwing a playful glare and about to tease his employer, suddenly froze when he spotted a familiar figure walking by.

...He pressed his lips tightly.

 

Wonchana noticed the sudden change in Samut’s demeanour. Even though he couldn't see the pursed lips, the intense gaze fixed on something behind him was enough to make him turn around and look. But he saw nothing. When he turned back to look at the small face again, Samut had already grabbed his hand and started walking.

 

Though the taller man sensed a shift in Little Chihuahua's mood, Samut continued chatting cheerfully, pointing out and asking about unfamiliar things he saw along the way. When they reached a stall selling various printed T-shirts, Samut stopped to look with interest.

 

Wonchana pointed to a black T-shirt featuring a plump white Chihuahua in a biker outfit and asked, "Do you like this one?"

 

Samut followed the large hand's direction and found himself liking it. But when his eyes caught the price tag, which was 450 baht, he immediately replied, "I like it, but it's too expensive."

 

The nearby vendor overheard and quickly chimed in, "Oh, come on, that's not expensive at all! This shirt's made from high-quality cotton, and the print glows in the dark. Look!" He pulled out a blacklight box to demonstrate on a sample shirt. Samut squinted.

...And then activated the bargaining skills passed down from his mother.

 

"They sell the same thing in Hat Yai for just 250 baht to tourists. And as a local, I can get it for 170 baht," he said.

The vendor groaned, "Oh, come on, kid. The rent here is way higher. The best I can do is 400 baht flat. Normally, that price is for two shirts."

 

Wonchana had already pulled out a 1000-baht bill, ready to pay. But Samut’s voice rang out again, "Look at this, the seams aren't even that neat. I wouldn't even take it for 200 baht." He grabbed the taller man's hand, pretending to walk away from the stall. "350! I can't go any lower than that!" the vendor pleaded.

 

Before Samut could say another word, Wonchana handed the 1000-baht bill to the vendor and pointed. "I'll take two of this design. One in size M, one in size XL."

 

The vendor quickly grabbed new shirts and packed them into a bag without further ado. Meanwhile, Samut stood with his arms on his hips, glaring at the generous spender. But when the vendor handed over the bag and change, Samut gracefully raised his hands in a wai to thank his benefactor. Wonchana then gently tugged the smaller man's arm to lead him away. 

 

Little Chihuahua grumbled in disappointment, "Oh, you shouldn't have paid so quickly. I could've gotten it down to 250 baht for sure."

 

"It's just a little extra. I felt bad for the vendor. He's just trying to make a living. If we can afford it, we should pay. Save the bargaining for when we really need to," Wonchana said, playfully poking the other's mask-covered mouth.

 

Samut’s mask had crumpled along the bridge of his nose, and when Wonchana noticed the sleepy look in his eyes, he checked his watch.

...Almost 8:30 PM already? Time flies.

 

"What time do you usually go to bed?"

 

"Normally, I'm in bed by 9 PM, but I don't actually fall asleep until around 10. I have to check in with my mom and big brother first. Are we heading back? I have work tomorrow."

 

"Yeah, let's head back. I'll drop you off. Which condo are you at?"

 

Samut named a condo near the Khlong Toei MRT station.

Wonchana said, 'Oh,' as he said, "...That one? I drive past it every day."

 

"My mom bought it when P'Sea came to study in Bangkok. Where's your house, P'Vice President?"

 

"A bit further down, near Benjasiri Park... I'll take you there someday."

 

Samut wanted to ask, What's so interesting about it? But he was afraid of the answer, so he let it slide. The two walked back to the mall where the bike was parked.

 

As they passed a cosmetics shop, Samut remembered something and asked to stop and buy a few items. Since it was a store inside the mall, Samut didn't use his mother's bargaining skills, but still inquired about discounts and promotions.

 

Wonchana picked up a spray bottle that Samut had chosen and examined it. The smaller man's chirpy voice explained, "It's a fabric deodoriser. I went to Lalai Sap Market today, and my clothes reeked! One of my coworkers lent me theirs. Otherwise, you'd be hanging out with walking fried fish cakes right now."

Wonchana laughed.

...Too bad that brand doesn't have a shop here. I'll take him to one later.

 

After paying, the two headed to the parking lot and rode back to the condo. But as they hit the final red light, an unexpected downpour drenched them. By the time they parked under the condo building, both were soaked, despite wearing windbreakers and protective gear.

...That's the true biker life.

 

Samut climbed off the bike, and Wonchana turned off the engine and got off as well, deciding it wasn't safe to ride in the rain just yet. The taller man brushed off the rain from himself and the seat. He noticed the smaller man pulling a white cloth from his bag, lifting his helmet's shield, lowering his mask with a finger, sniffing the fabric, and then wiping down the bike with it.

...What kind of cloth is that? It looks odd.

 

Wonchana reached out and grabbed the cloth before its owner could react. When he unfolded it, he realised it was a small white tank top.

 

"P'Vice President! Give it back!!!" Samutr's voice screeched in embarrassment as he snatched the cloth back, his face burning red beneath the helmet he hadn't removed yet. Wonchana asked, stunned, "Do people in Hat Yai carry tank tops instead of handkerchiefs?"

 

The Chihuahua hissed, "Don't make fun of me! It got sweaty earlier, so I took it off. I sniffed it to make sure it didn't smell before using it to wipe the bike... What? Am I getting scolded for helping now?!"

 

Wonchana chuckled warmly and said, "You don't have to wipe it. It'll just dirty your shirt. Bikes are made to get wet."

 

"Why didn't you say so earlier?! I saw you brushing off the water, so I thought it couldn't get wet!" The smaller man grumbled, pouting. Earlier, while waiting for work to end, he'd read Facebook comments and Googled the bike's price, only to realise how expensive it was.

 

The bike's owner laughed heartily, then reached over to remove Samut’s helmet before taking off his own and placing it on the large bike's seat. Samut glanced outside at the rain, worried about the man who'd have to ride through it.

 

"P'Vice President, why don't you wait upstairs until the rain stops? You can dry your shoes too."

 

Wonchana wasn't about to refuse such a golden opportunity.

"Lead the way, then."