Billionaire Biker Boy

Chapter 7. Lalai Sap Market.

 

"It's fine, just accept the friend requests from people you're comfortable with," Botan said. The owner of the overly random Facebook account had to ask for the three women's account names before accepting all their requests. Afterwards, he quickly changed the privacy setting of the post from that morning to 'Only me,' without even replying to any of the teasing comments.

 

As he was halfway through his bowl of noodles, the familiar LINE notification sounded. Samut picked up his phone and saw it was from Mr Vice President.

 

Win: Mr Ocean.

Win: I told you not to delete the photo from this morning

I didn't, just changed the privacy setting. : Ocean

Win: As the vice president,

Win: I'm ordering you to change it back to public.

But I called you a Silom motorbike taxi driver in the caption! : Ocean

Win: I don't mind.

 

...But I do!

 

This is an abuse of power! Samut could only grumble to himself as his hands reluctantly changed the photo's privacy setting back to its original state. He sent a tearful Chihuahua sticker as a response. 

 

Then, the owner of the overly random Facebook account was startled again when he saw the comments teasing Mr Vice President for his side gig as a stand-in motorbike taxi driver.

 

‘Is this post for real or just for laughs? No actual motorbike driver looks this hot.'

 

'This is a high-society motorbike taxi! Riding a Ducati and wearing Balenciaga!'

 

‘But this Balenciaga shirt might actually be cheaper than a real Silom motorbike taxi vest, lol.'

 

Oh no, Mr Vice President got roasted!' But most surprising of all, an account under the name Win Chana had liked and reacted to the comments with amusement.

 

'My bad. I forgot to bring my executive aura today.' Ducati needs to cry, and Balenciaga needs to reevaluate itself'

 

‘He says the letter B looks like the number 8. Should I make this side gig real? Guess I forgot to put on my vice president filter today. (crying emoji)'

 

The smartphone in Samut’s small hands slipped and hit the table with a loud thud.

The three women, who were busy enjoying their noodles, looked up in perplexity. They saw the new hire looking like he couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry.

"Oh no, what have I done?!'

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

After Samut changed the privacy setting back, Wonchana smiled at the Chihuahua sticker the petite man had sent.

...Even the sticker he used was so him.

 

The young vice president opened a sticker shop on LINE and searched for the cutest Chihuahua stickers. Unfortunately, he immediately realised that Ocean probably already owned the set he was looking at. Clicking his tongue in mild frustration, he selected two other sets until he found one he could send. He purchased them and sent them to Samut as a gift.

 

Meanwhile, Samut, who was struggling to finish his noodles, forced himself to eat as he didn't want to waste money. Then he noticed his boss had sent him a new set of Chihuahua stickers. The young man couldn't help but smile, delighted, as he loved Chihuahua stickers. Previously, his older brother had always bought them for him.

...The LINE sticker shop will never get a single baht from me!

 

Samut downloaded the stickers and selected one of the new Chihuahuas, along with a 'thank you' text, to send back.

 

"I'm starting to wonder, do you have a boyfriend? Smiling like that while chatting on LINE, what's going on?" Botan asked.

 

Though he quickly closed the chat screen in a fluster, Samut confidently replied this time, "I don't have a boyfriend yet... As for LINE, someone kind just sent me a sticker set I really like."

 

The three women didn't pry further and called the shop owner over to pay for the meal. Samut reached for his wallet, but Wanna stopped him.

 

"Put it away. It's your first day. I got this."

 

The one being treated smiled so broadly his cheeks hurt, and gave a graceful wai. "Thank you, P'Pern. Once I get my paycheck, I'll treat you back."

 

"No need, boy. You're still young. Learn to save money, okay?"

 

"Got it," Samut nodded eagerly.

 

...Don't worry, Mom taught me well about saving money.

...it's practically in my DNA.

 

The four of them then headed to Lalai Sap Market, the famous shopping alley of Silom. The market offered a wide variety of goods, from food and snacks to clothes, accessories, household items, and even upscale produce.

 

Samut wasn't particularly interested in clothes or household items, but he dutifully followed the women until they reached a famous Thai dessert shop. He asked about the price of khao tom mud, or sticky rice with banana filling, and sighed quietly.

 

...Two pieces for 25 baht.

... I want to cry.

 

Thankfully, P'Pern treated me earlier, so it balances out the cost of this morning's sandwich. In the end, he decided to buy the dessert, knowing the noodles wouldn't keep him full for long. Though he enjoyed eating, he wasn't a big eater, and the earlier emotional rollercoaster had affected his appetite. He figured he'd be hungry again by the afternoon.

 

...By the way, I have that side gig with Mr Vice President tonight.

...Will there be free food?

 

Samut resolved not to buy anything else, but when they reached a famous fish cake stall with a large frying pan filled with bubbling oil, the aroma was too tempting to resist. The vendor skillfully shaped fish paste mixed with curry paste into the pan, while another woman used a large wire skimmer and spatula to try the floating fish cakes. A third woman stood by with tongs and plastic bags, ready to pack the freshly fried fish cakes.

...In the end, Samut succumbed to the mouthwatering smell.

 

Oh well, my motto is that an army marches on its stomach. He handed over 50 baht and immediately started eating the fish cakes. He knew carrying a bag of them into the office would draw too much attention because of the smell. He walked behind the women, nibbling on the fish cakes, completely absorbed. Before he knew it, Sakawjai had snapped a photo of him, head down, munching on fish cakes with cucumber.

 

"Aw, this picture is so cute! Can I post it and tag you?" she asked. Samut peeked at the photo and nodded while chewing, unable to speak because his mouth was full. Sakawjai posted the photo with the caption:

 

‘Took the new procurement employee to Lalai Sap Market.

Look at little Ocean eating fish cakes. So pinchable!'

The photo of the small man with greasy lips and puffed cheeks, mid-bite, was quickly saved by someone.