Billionaire Biker Boy

Chapter 34 - Whose Flower?

 

The atmosphere in the meeting room of the sauce production factory in Samut Prakan was tense. Last month, frequent machinery malfunctions caused production delays across several departments.

 

The vice president, seated at the head of the table with a stern expression like a Yaksha, was reviewing a summary document compiled by his second secretary. His grey suit and sweet pink shirt did nothing to lighten the mood. Once he finished reading, he turned to the machinery officer and instructed them to recount the entire incident.

 

As the unfortunate officer began explaining the situation, Wonchana's phone vibrated. He glanced at the notification, and a faint smile appeared on his lips. Raising a hand to signal the speaker to pause, Wonchana lowered his gaze to type a reply, completely ignoring the ten pairs of eyes fixed on him. Nearly everyone in the room swallowed nervously.

...Was that a smile? Let's hope it's good news.

When Wonchana received an adorable Chihuahua sticker, he set his phone down and resumed the meeting. Everyone present could feel the tension in the room ease significantly. But twenty minutes later, they held their breath again as the vice president checked another message, his face darkening.

...The Yaksha is back.

 

Ocean: [Send a photo of a rose]

Ocean: What's the occasion?

Ocean: Next time, don't buy me things like this.

Ocean: It's wasteful, and it can't even eat it.

It's not from me.: Win

Was there a card?: Win

Ocean: No card.

Ocean: Oh, it's not from you?

No, it's not.: Win

Because if it were from me: Win 

It wouldn't just be one flower.: Win

You'd get a much bigger bouquet.: Win

Ocean: Ugh, stop showing off. Don't buy me anything, okay?

 

But then Samut saved the day by typing something to appease the boastful man.

 

Ocean: But if it's not from you, I don't want it.

Ocean: I'll just give it to the housekeeper.

Good. : Win

I'll reward you when I get back. : Win

Ocean: No need!

Ocean: (Send a Chihuahua sticker rolling its eyes)

...And so, the poor souls in the meeting room survived the ordeal.

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

"As for the machinery... I won't repair it. Submit a request to purchase new equipment with a more comprehensive TOR. I want it within two days. Mr Pipat, send all the documents to the legal department to issue a notice for damages. If they don't pay, proceed with legal action. This issue stems from the substandard production of machinery. Wonchana then turned to the second secretary.

 

"Ms Jittree, draft a circular to all affiliated companies, requesting reports on the condition and maintenance history of all machinery, especially those from Wichien Thai Machine."

 

The vice president of Atcharangkul tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table. It seemed he had a reason to stop purchasing machinery from Wichien. Narrowing his eyes, he gave his final order and ended the meeting.

 

"I'll inspect the site myself. Also, bring me the machinery purchase files... I expect no hidden issues on our end. At Atcharangkul, we operate like a family. Everyone knows how well I take care of you. The only thing I ask in return is integrity. So, please, don't disappoint me... Meeting adjourned." Wonchana then left, followed closely by his assistant secretary, who struggled to keep up as he gathered documents.

 

The production manager trailed right behind them. Everyone else in the room exhaled in relief, as such a significant issue had never occurred before in their time working there. Though confident in their own uprightness, they could only hope that any mistakes made weren't severe enough to cost them their jobs. Because the Atcharangkul truly took care of its employees.

 

Meanwhile, Samut stared at the rose, puzzled.

If it wasn't from P'Win, it must've been from Oat.

...Could it be an apology for this morning?

 

He decided he shouldn't care. He wasn't one to hold grudges, but since there was no note, he wouldn't ask. Picking up the flower, he walked over to the housekeeper. The older woman, surprised by the unexpected gift, thanked the young man warmly.

Samut returned to his desk and worked until 4 PM.

Then his LINE notification went off.

 

Oat: Did you get the flower?

Oh, it was from you?: Ocean

Oat: Yeah, sorry about this morning.

Oat: It was my fault. I was jealous. Sorry.

Oat: Did you like the flower?

I didn't know who it was from, so I gave it to the housekeeper.: Ocean

Don't buy me anything next time. It's a waste of money.: Ocean

And I'm not mad anymore.: Ocean

Also, don't get jealous.: Ocean

Because I don't like you that way.: Ocean

 

When Oat didn't reply, Samut set his phone down and continued working until the end of the day. As Wanna was about to leave, she stopped by to inform him, Tomorrow, I'll take you to the factory. Dress appropriately for fieldwork, and no need for a tie."

 

"Okay, P'Pern," Samut replied. As he packed up to head upstairs to wait for Wonchana, Nittaya, dressed in a shirt and jeans after returning from the factory, walked in. She glanced at Samut, lifted her chin, and headed to her desk. Seeing no one else around, Samut decided it was a good opportunity and followed her.

 

"P'Yaya, can I ask you something?"

 

"What?"

 

"I don't think I've ever done anything to you. Why do you seem to dislike me?"

 

Nittaya went still, not expecting Samut to confront her so directly. But being straightforward herself, she lifted her chin and answered, " I hate people who take shortcuts or use favours as an excuse to make others do what they want."

 

"Like what? Have I ever done that to you?"

 

"Not to me, but to Oat. I don't hate gay, but since Oat isn't one, why did you keep pestering him? Why ask him to help you get a job here by calling in favours? And after getting in, you immediately latched onto the boss. Honestly, don't you feel any shame?"

 

Samut fell silent. Though he didn't know exactly what Sirichok had said, he could start piecing things together.

 

He took a deep breath and calmly explained.

"I admit I used to like Oat. I wanted to work here because of him. But I never called in any favours because there weren't any. I never asked him to do anything underhanded. Oat offered to submit my resume himself because this company operates like a family. If someone recommends you, you have a better chance of getting the job. I went through the normal interview process. If I'd asked for shortcuts, I wouldn't have needed to interview, right? You can believe me or not, but I really don't like Oat that way anymore. Oh, and one more thing... Oat has a boyfriend. I've seen them myself. As for the vice president, I won't explain

anything because that's personal."

 

With that, Samut returned to his desk, grabbed his bag, and walked out...

 

...leaving Nittaya alone with his words.

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

"Ms Jittree, do you like flowers?"

 

Jittree, who was organising documents beside her boss in the backseat of the car, turned to him in surprise.

 

...What mood is the boss in today?

"Who doesn't like flowers, boss?"

 

"Have you ever received a bouquet?"

 

Jittree chuckled softly. "My husband gave me one on our first Valentine's Day, and when he proposed. Other than that, never again. Actually, I told him it was wasteful and not to bother... but honestly, it feels nice to receive them."

 

"I see. And you, Chatree? Have you ever given your wife flowers? Did she complain?" Wonchana asked the driver, who was focused on the road. Chatree met his boss's gaze through the rearview mirror and laughed.

 

"I have, sir. But it was just a single rose from a garland shop, not a fancy bouquet. Even then, my wife grumbled about the expense but smiled for days."

 

"Hmm." Wonchana pondered.

...What kind of flowers should I buy? Red roses are out.

 

"If you're worried about complaints, you could get one of those bouquets with chocolate balls. Or even an all-chocolate bouquet," Jittree suggested, having a hunch about the situation. After all, she'd overheard the boss instruct Kate that morning to let the petite new hire wait in his office if he came upstairs. Seeing the slight lift of her boss's lips, the sharp secretary quickly offered, "Should I place the order for you?"

 

"Bring me a catalogue first."

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

It was late afternoon when Wonchana left the factory. Due to multiple accidents, traffic was worse than usual, even on the expressway. By the time he returned to the office, it was already 5:40 PM. When he opened the door to his office, Wonchana saw his Little Chihuahua lying face down on the sofa, playing on his phone. On the coffee table were an empty plastic bottle, a bag of peanuts, and pistachio shells scattered on a coffee cup saucer. As he closed the door, Samut immediately sprang up.

 

Wonchana removed his suit jacket and sat beside him. Seeing the weariness on Wonchana's face, Samut asked, "P'Win, are you tired?"

 

"A little, but seeing your face makes it all go away."

 

"There you go again... Just sit here. I'll get you some water." Samut got up and went to the mini fridge in the corner of the room. He poured water into a glass and brought it over.

 

"Thank you." Wonchana took the glass and drank it all in one go.

 

"Let's leave in half an hour. I checked with the fitness centre; the yoga class runs in sessions and starts at half past six."

 

"Do you usually work out often, P'Win? Your job seems so demanding. After a long day, wouldn't you be too exhausted to hit the gym?" Samut tilted his head curiously.

 

Wonchana smiled faintly before answering, "My work schedule isn't consistent. Some days are busy, some aren't. I'm in the office most of the time with occasional visits to the factory. I finish work around 6 or 7 PM. I try to go to the gym three times a week. At the main house, there's a treadmill, so I run at home on my days off. Once you make exercise a habit, it's not that tiring."

 

And, of course, the ever-flirty man didn't miss his chance.

'Especially when there's someone to work out with, it's not tiring at all."

 

"We're not even working out together. We'll be in separate rooms, won't we?" the smaller man retorted.

 

"Just going together is enough," Wonchana replied, pausing briefly as something crossed his mind.

 

“By the way, have you figured out who sent the flower?"

Samut sighed but answered honestly, "It was from Oat. He sent it to apologise for speaking rudely this morning."

 

"What did he say?"

This time, Samut hesitated slightly.

 

"He accused me of getting close to you because you're rich."

 

Wonchana burst out laughing. "Oh? Didn't you approach me thinking I was a motorcycle taxi driver?"

 

Samut scrunched his nose cutely. "You're making fun of me again."

 

"I'm not. I'm serious. Next time, just tell him the truth. The one who approached and flirted first was me, not you." His large hand gently brushed against Samut’s cheek. The one being flirted with could only smile shyly.

 

Deciding to escape the sweet, overwhelming atmosphere, Samut suggested, "Let's head to the fitness centre now. We still need to register."

 

Wonchana didn't object. He stood up, grabbed his suit jacket, and picked up his keyless Ducati key. Samut, meanwhile, cleaned up the mess he'd made on the table. Together, they headed down to the parking lot.

 

When they arrived at the 24-hour fitness centre, Samut, who had never been there before, filled out the registration details. Wonchana covered the membership fee and equipment costs. Afterwards, they changed clothes and stored their belongings in the lockers.

 

When Wonchana dropped Samut off at the yoga room, he said, "Whoever finishes first, wait for the other in the lounge. Then I'll take you out for some good food."

 

The one exercising out of fear of becoming fat pouted.

 

"Will this even help me lose weight?"

 

The taller man laughed. "At the very least, you are a strong pig."

 

Samut huffed and threw a glare at him before grabbing his equipment and heading into the room. The yoga studio was an open space with rows of hammocks hanging from the ceiling for aerial yoga. Five people were already seated inside: four women and one man wearing glasses. But after that, more people began to trickle in, both men and women.

 

...Wow, a lot of guys take yoga too.

When the session was about to start, the instructor entered the studio. He wore a clear face shield instead of a mask and had a wireless headset mic resting against his cheek.

 

As Samut looked up at the instructor's captivating face, he froze in shock.

...Bangkok really is small!