Billionaire Biker Boy

Chapter 16. Exposing a Lie

And then lunchtime arrived. Samut, who had already learned a lot about the job, excused himself from the three ladies.

 

"I'll excuse myself today. I've got an appointment with Oat," he said.

 

"Oh, I thought you'd be having lunch with Mr Vice President," Botan, the ultimate fujoshi, teased.

 

Samut’s eyes widened as he stammered, "W-Why would I  have lunch with him? I'm not anything to him!"

 

The three ladies burst into laughter. This little one probably had no idea how much the office gossip circles were buzzing right now. After all, their vice president had never treated anyone like this before. Even though he was a modern,

down-to-earth executive, no one had ever been given a ride on that Ducati of his. Not to mention the helmet, which some keen-eyed snoop had discovered cost over forty thousand baht.

 

And then there was the way he helped Samut put on his jacket and gloves. Just this morning, they'd gone to buy coffee together, looking all cosy, before heading up the elevator together to eat breakfast together on the eighteenth floor. And the pan eggs post, which Mr Vice President himself apparently made. No one ever tasted food made by Mr Vice President! With all this evidence, the only thing missing was for Mr Vice President to mark his territory by a certain means.

 

"So, what's the deal with the pan eggs this morning, huh?" Som or Sakawjai teased.

 

Samut could only stammer out an excuse, "Well, he went out of his way to make them for me. I didn't know how to refuse."

 

It was Wanna who decided to end the teasing. "Alright, alright, didn't you say you had plans with your friend? We, baddies, will go our own way."

 

Finally, Samut made his way down to meet Sirichok, who was waiting on the first floor.

 

"Have you been waiting long?" the smaller man asked. Sirichok shook his head. 

 

"Nope. I just got here too... Let's eat at the restaurant in the next building today. The food's good, and it's air-conditioned."

 

"Sure, I don't really know what's good around here. Lead the way, Oat."

 

The two of them walked out of the building. The sun outside was blazing, so intense it made yesterday's rain feel like a dream. Even though the next building was close by, the heat was enough to sap their energy.

 

"Man, I thought the sun in Hat Yai was hot, but this is on another level," the smaller man complained as they stepped into the cool, air-conditioned restaurant. Sirichok chuckled and pulled out a chair for him, offering some comfort.

 

"You'll get used to it eventually," he said.

 

Samut smiled and took the menu from the server to browse. The prices here were quite costly; for example, a plate of stir-fried basil pork with a fried egg cost eighty-five baht. But considering the restaurant's ambience, if the food looked as good as the pictures, it wasn't too bad.

 

Sirichok ordered stir-fried macaroni with shrimp, which cost over 100 baht, while Samut went with stir-fried basil pork (Pad Kra Pao) with a fried egg.

 

While waiting for their food, the smaller man struck up a conversation. "The work environment here is really nice. The people in the department are so kind, and the benefits are great."

 

"Yeah, right? I like it here too. I think I will stay long-term. There's a lot of room for growth. By the way, are you really that close with Mr Vice President?" Sirichok asked.

 

"I just met him yesterday," Samut laughed. 

 

"And it was such an embarrassing first meeting. But P'Vice, he's really kind. He's not stuck-up at all and even helped me out. Maybe he felt sorry for me or just took a liking to me."

 

"Did you know he's gay?"

 

"Yeah, I know," Samut said, scrunching his nose as he recalled yesterday's conversation.

 

"Everyone's saying he's trying to court you."

 

"Oh, come on, you sound just like P'Sea. But no way. He's so out of my league. Why would he even care about a nobody like me?"

 

"Hmm, so does that mean you like men?" Sirichok asked, testing the waters.

 

"Yeah. Does that bother you?"

 

"Of course not. I like men too."

 

Samut’s eyes widened. Why's he suddenly admitting it now? I've tried asking indirectly before, and he's never let it slip.

...Could he be trying to reveal who he's seeing, the guy from yesterday?

 

The food arrived just in time to interrupt their conversation. They ate in silence, each lost in thought, until they finished and went to pay. Samut handed Sirichok two hundred baht.

 

"It's okay. I'll treat you today," Sirichok said.

 

"Then I'll treat you to dessert," Samut offered.

 

As they walked back to the office, Samut casually asked, "So... How did your errands with your mom go yesterday? Everything okay?"

 

"Yeah, everything's fine. I actually took her to see a doctor. She hasn't been feeling well, so I brought her to an acupuncture clinic near Phutthamonthon. I'll probably have to take her again today. Tomorrow's busy too, so I haven't had a chance to show you around Bangkok yet."

 

Samut fell silent. ...Did my eyes trick me yesterday? ...But the outfit and everything... it was unmistakable. Back at the building, Samut led the way to a coffee shop.

 

"I'll treat you this time, Oat. Order whatever you want. I just have a cocoa." He handed over a 1000-baht bill he'd just withdrawn.

...Why does this feel like I'm using the legal wife's money to spoil the mistress?

 

Sirichok took the money and went to the counter while Samut found a seat. When Sirichok returned with two drinks and the change, Samut took his drink and casually inspected it.

 

"The cocoa here is really good."

 

"Yeah, I ordered it with less sugar for you," Sirichok said, unwrapping a straw for his own drink. Samut smiled faintly. Because he'd seen the '50 percent written on the side of the cup.

 

The smaller man didn't unwrap his straw and pretended to remember something. "Oh, Oat, I need to go prepare some documents. Let's catch up another time."

 

"Oh... sure. It's almost one o'clock anyway. I'll head up too," Sirichok said, though he seemed a bit dissatisfied that they hadn't had a proper conversation.

 

When they returned to the office, the newbie saw the three ladies already back at their desks.

 

"Oh, why are you back so early today?" Samutr asked Sakawjai, who was touching up her makeup.

 

"We saw the sun outside and decided to eat at the canteen instead. If we'd gone out, we'd have come back all wilted. Where did you eat?"

 

"I went to Bai Tong's Kitchen," he replied.

 

"That place is pretty good, but quite costly."

 

"Oh, P'Som, do you want an iced cocoa? It's 50 per cent sweet, though. I accidentally ordered the wrong one. I usually get 25 per cent," Samut offered, knowing she could handle sweetness levels up to 200 per cent.

 

"I'm not picky about free stuff. Thanks, Ocean." Som took the sealed cup with its untouched straw. Samut handed it over and then slumped into his seat, looking visibly dejected.

 

...Why did Oat lie to me?

...And not just about one thing, but two.

 

Throughout the afternoon, Samut tried to focus on his work. Though he wasn't as sharp as usual, he managed without any major issues.

 

"After you scan the PO for the supplier, stamp it with 'SENT,' make a copy for verification, and file the original. If the supplier needs the original too, print two copies from the start and have P'Pu sign both. Then send one to the supplier by mail," Wanna explained to the conspicuously downcast newbie, whose face was red and eyes were watery.

 

When she heard his faint acknowledgement, Wanna touched the back of her hand to his forehead.

 

... “You've got a fever, O."

"I think it's just an allergy. It shouldn't be COVID, but I'll test just to be sure," Samut said.

 

Wanna took him to the infirmary to test for COVID. The result showed only one line, but the nurse advised him to keep testing and gave him medicine along with two ATK kits.

 

"Even if it's not COVID, you should go home. No need to stay and risk spreading it to others. Plus, you'll get three days off to rest," Wanna said.

 

"It's almost time to get out of work. I've only been here two days. Taking leave now wouldn't be proper, Samut protested.

 

"Don't worry about it. With the nurse's office test results, HR will know you have a solid reason. It's better than risking everyone else. Plus, you'll get a long break for three days," Wanna reassured him. Because Monday was December 5th, a public holiday.

 

"Alright, I'll do that," Samut agreed. He filled out a leave request in the system, which Puchong, the department manager, approved immediately. Then he grabbed a quick bite, took his medicine, packed up, and didn't forget to message his boss about their evening plans.

 

P'Vice President: Ocean

I can't be your entertainment boy tonight. : Ocean

Win: Why? Where are you going?

[Send a photo of a COVID test kit]: Ocean

I'm going home. I've got a fever, but the kit shows just one line.: Ocean

Win: Come up to my office right now.

Why? What if I have COVID?: Ocean

You'll catch it too.: Ocean

Win: It's fine. Come up.

Win: That's an order.

(Send a Chihuahua pouting sticker): Ocean

(Send a Chihuahua sighing sticker) : Ocean

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

Reluctantly, Samut made his way to the eighteenth floor, wearing an extra mask just to make sure. The secretary at the front, already instructed by her boss, quickly opened the door for him.

 

Wonchana, already masked, walked over to greet him. Seeing the smaller man's flushed face and slightly glassy eyes, he immediately touched the back of his hand to Samut’s

forehead. He found that Samut’s body was quite warm, though not alarmingly so.

 

"Have you taken your medicine yet?"

Samut nodded, and Wonchana gently led him to sit on the large, plush sofa.

 

"Did you take it without eating properly? You'll end up with a stomachache."

 

"I had a khao tom mud earlier," came the hoarse reply.

 

"Ah, alright then. Rest here for now. It mightn't be as comfortable as sleeping at home, but if you go out now, you might get heatstroke. I'll order dinner for us to eat here. Once I'm done with work, I'll take you home. Let's take a taxi today...Actually, no, we can use the company car. Leave the motorbike here for now."

 

And then, tears began to stream down from those beautiful eyes.

 

… “Nuu, why are you crying? Are you in pain?"

… “I miss home."