Chapter 4 Who Exactly Are You?
The moment Tharnnam climbed into the car, he froze.
Whoa… this is gorgeous.The leather seat was so soft he almost wanted to roll around on it like a cat. The new-car scent wrapped around him, warm and luxurious. Everything inside screamed money.
A luxury car. A ridiculously handsome driver. Even the subordinates looked like they could be models.
Whose dream was this supposed to be?
And how did it end up happening to him of all people?
He snuck a glance at the man beside him slowly scanning from the shoes upward. Designer suit. Expensive cologne. And that face… definitely not someone who worked in the same department as P'Phen.
He couldn't hold the curiosity in any longer.
"Um… what department do you work in to afford a car like this?"
His tone was soft and innocent trying, and failing, not to sound too nosy.
"Why should I tell you?"The reply was cool, effortless, but there was a trace of amusement at the corner of his lips.
"Why are you being like this? I'm asking nicely. Since earlier you still haven't told me."Tharnnam muttered, cheeks puffing slightly like a sulking child.
"Manager."
The curt answer made Tharnnam blink.
But the ones who reacted even more strongly were the two men sitting in the front.
Dean and Cal shot each other a look in the rearview mirror. Manager?
Their boss was the actual owner of the corporation. Why lie about this of all things?
"Oh wow! So you're in the same position as P'Phen then?" Tharnnam asked brightly.
"A bit higher."
"Oooh…"
He dragged the sound out like he believed it, but his eyes were practically yelling no way in hell.
He leaned back, studying the man beside him more carefully.
Handsome. Immaculately dressed. A quiet, controlled presence. Even his subordinates practically snapped to attention whenever he spoke.
There was no way this was just a manager.
"Like a mafia boss…" he whispered under his breath.
Lucas heard it perfectly.
"What was that?" His deep voice rumbled, eyebrow lifting lightly.
"N…no! I said… uh… you're handsome."
Tharnnam blurted out the first desperate excuse that came to mind. His cheeks heated instantly. Lucas couldn't help the faint curl of a smirk tugging at his lips.
He didn't say anything else. Just glanced at the flustered chubby boy beside him and quietly thought:
Still cute… my little chubby kid.
•••
Private Hospital
It didn't take long for the silver-gray BMW now sporting a freshly dented rear to pull into the private hospital. Tharnnam sighed heavily. This was too much. He didn't need a fancy hospital; a small clinic would've been perfectly fine.
"You know… we could've just gone to a clinic. No need to waste your time," he said timidly.
"No time left to waste," Lucas replied, voice cold enough to frost glass.
As if what he'd already lost tonight had been immeasurably valuable.
Tharnnam shrank down in guilt. He'd made the man cancel important plans. First day at work late. Evening crashes into a luxury car. Was this his cursed era? It couldn't be his Saturn return he was only twenty-three!
He seriously needed to go make merit.
"Get out."
Lucas's calm but firm voice snapped him back to reality.
"O…Okay!"
He hurried out completely forgetting his twisted ankle. The moment his foot touched the ground, pain shot up his leg and he stumbled sideways.
A strong hand caught him before he fell.
"Watch it," Lucas said, tone neither gentle nor harsh but unmistakably attentive.
"Hehe… thanks," Tharnnam replied sheepishly.
"Careful. The hospital floor might collapse."
"You! Are you trying to piss me off!?"
"Pee," Lucas said flatly.
"…What?"
"I'm older."
"Uncle?"
"Pee Lucas."
His tone dropped an octave.
"Uncle Lucas," Tharnnam repeated with a mischievous grin.
Lucas's eyes went colder than the hospital's air-conditioning.
Tharnnam swallowed.
"Kidding… just kidding, Pee Lucas."
He reached out and playfully scratched under the man's chin like teasing a big cat on purpose, of course. Not to annoy him.
…Okay, maybe a little to annoy him.
Lucas didn't smile. Not even a twitch. His stern expression somehow made him look even more intimidating.
"So… how old are you, Pee Lucas?" Tharnnam asked as they walked toward the examination room.
"Thirty-two."
"..."?"
Tharnnam's eyes widened.
"Why?"
"N…no reason!" He shook his head quickly.
"We're here. Go in."
Tharnnam nodded and limped into the room alone.
Thirty-two? Why is he that handsome? Ugh embarrassing!
He slapped his own cheeks lightly.
No. No way. I can't like this man. He's too dangerous!
---
Pharmacy Waiting Area
After the consultation, Tharnnam limped out to wait for his medication. The doctor said it was just a sprain and some bruising nothing serious.
What was serious…
was the man sitting beside him.
Lucas hadn't left.His face was still calm, but there was a storm beneath that stillness like he was holding back irritation sharp enough to cut steel.
Tharnnam sneaked a glance.
Sharp jawline. Elegant bone structure. Skin that practically radiated wealth.
Stop it! Stop admiring him!
He shook his head vigorously.
"What's wrong?" Lucas asked without even looking up from his phone.
"Nothing," Tharnnam answered, sounding small.
"Hmm. Thought maybe you hit your head too."
"You!!"
"Pee," Lucas corrected, eyes finally lifting to give him a firm look.
"I'm not talking to you anymore," Tharnnam declared.
"As you wish." Lucas returned to his phone.
Hmph! Just watch! I won't talk to you! I won't!
He repeated the words in his head, trying to suppress the ridiculous flutter in his chest.
"You're staring."
"No I'm not!"
Lucas'
s lips twitched upward, almost invisible but there.
This chubby kid was far too adorable for his own good. How long was Lucas supposed to keep acting indifferent like this?