Chapter 8 The More He Avoids, the More He Runs Into Him
After work that evening, Tharnnam hurriedly stuffed all his belongings into his bag and rushed to the parking lot. He quickly straddled Pumpkin, his beloved motorcycle, without wasting a second.
He was afraid that if he hesitated even for a moment, he would run into Lucas again the tight-lipped executive who had tricked him.
Just as he was about to start the engine, a large hand suddenly grabbed the back of his collar tightly.
"EEEEEEK!"
Tharnnam screamed at the top of his lungs, jumping in shock. For a split second, he thought he was being haunted or attacked in the dark.
"Don't scare me like that! I'll make merit for you, I swear! Boo-hoo!"
"It's me! Why are you screaming like that?"
A familiar deep voice sounded from behind him.
"What kind of person sneaks up on someone like that? I almost had a heart attack!"
Tharnnam spun around and yelled, not forgetting to shoot the man a dramatic glare.
"If I didn't do it like this, how else would I know you didn't want to see me?" Lucas replied confidently.
"I don't want to see you! Is that so hard to understand?"
"No."
"Let go! I'm going home!"
"I'll take you."
"I don't ride with strangers!"
"Oh?"
Before Tharnnam could even finish speaking, Lucas released his collar then promptly hopped onto the back seat of the motorcycle instead.
Tharnnam froze, mouth agape.
The more I don't want to see him, the more he sticks around! What is wrong with this old geezer?!
"Get off!" Tharnnam snapped.
"No."
"Mr. Lucas!"
"P'."
"You don't mess with me! I'm going home!"
"I'm going too."
"It's not even the same direction!"
"So?"
"Ugh! Stop bothering me already! I'm sleepy!"
"Then I'll drive."
"…What kind of crazy day is this?"
Tharnnam grumbled furiously. The tall man had made it clear just hours earlier that he didn't care about boundaries and now he was back at it again. Realizing there was no way to win an argument against someone this stubborn, Tharnnam finally gave up.
He started the engine of his precious motorcycle and let Lucas sit closely behind him. As if that wasn't bad enough, those large hands shamelessly slid around his waist and held him tight.
---
It didn't take long before Tharnnam arrived at the front of his condominium. He gently nudged the person behind him to get off. Once the bike was parked properly, Lucas stepped down beside him.
As Tharnnam was about to remove his yellow helmet, Lucas reached out and did it for him gently.
Hmph. Acting all nice now? Not fooling anyone.
"We're here. You can go home now," Tharnnam said curtly.
"Yes."
"If you're going to say 'yes,' then go already! Don't think I'm scared just because you're my boss! Work is over right now, you're not my boss anymore!"
He emphasized the boundary clearly, hoping the man would finally leave.
"Yes."
"Do you know any other words?!"
"Yes."
"Then why don't you say them?!"
"Because I like this one."
"You !"
"I'm not talking anymore!"
Tharnnam turned around, ready to walk into the building.
"Wait. I want to talk."
"Say it."
Tharnnam stopped reluctantly and turned back, his eyes filled with reluctant resignation as they met Lucas's unreadable gaze.
Then
The words that came from Lucas's lips struck his heart like lightning.
"Can I come up to your room?"
Oh no Tharnnam! A man asking to go up to your room?! What is he thinking about me?!
His thoughts spiraled into chaos.
But… he's handsome, so maybe it's forgivable no! Stop! Think! Brain, think!
His face instantly burned red.
"C-can I?" Lucas asked again, his voice unusually gentle.
"Y-yes… sir."
Tharnnam answered without thinking, his face now completely flushed.
I'm dead. I'm way too embarrassed. If my brother finds out, he'll never let me hear the end of it! What about Mom and Dad?!
He shook his head slightly to regain composure, then led Lucas into the building his heart pounding like a drumline.
---
Once inside Tharnnam's condo unit, he invited Lucas to sit in the living area before fetching water and snacks, fulfilling the duties of a polite host.
"Here's some water," Tharnnam said, placing the glass gently on the table.
"Mmm."
Lucas responded briefly, his eyes still surveying the room.
"So… what did you want to talk to me about?"
Tharnnam asked directly, adjusting his expression to look serious and professional.
"P'."
"Tch. So demanding," Tharnnam muttered impatiently.
Lucas chuckled softly.
"Alright. P'Lucas what do you want to talk about?"
"Nothing."
"What?! Then why did you come up here?!"
The sudden answer made Tharnnam blurt out in confusion, irritation rising in his chest.
"Do you live alone?"
"Do you see anyone else here?" Tharnnam replied sarcastically.
"Try having someone else here sometime…"Lucas's tone suddenly turned cold.
"I'll kill him."
"What's wrong with you?" Tharnnam blurted out, eyebrows raised.
"Yes."
"Why would you be jealous or possessive of me? We're not even anything!"
"Why do you need an answer?"
"Are you messing with me right now?!"
Tharnnam lightly punched the sofa cushion in frustration.
"One day, I'll tell you," Lucas said softly but evasively.
"I want to know now!"
"I'm leaving."
With that, Lucas stood up and walked out quickly, as if afraid of being questioned further. He didn't explain anything at all, leaving Tharnnam sitting there alone on the sofa.
What does all this even mean?
Tharnnam frowned deeply. He couldn't understand how someone he had only known for a short time could act so possessive so casually. The danger surrounding Lucas, the secrets he hid, and the relentless way he kept intruding into Tharnnam's life made it clear
His life was being dragged into chaos, whether he wanted it or not.
---
After the tall man who had barged in and left just as abruptly disappeared, Tharnnam went about his routine. He showered, prepared dinner, and once everything was done, he called his best friend the one he hadn't spoken to since starting work.
"Hello, Prao. Are you free?"
"Hey! I told you to call me Maprao, you idiot!"
The voice on the other end belonged to his best friend formerly named Phong, now Maprao after transitioning. Tharnnam liked calling her "Prao," much to her annoyance.
"Okay, okay my beautiful Maprao. Are you satisfied now?"
"Much better. So why are you calling? Something wrong?"
"Nothing. I just miss you."
"Lies! You're suspicious!"
Caught immediately, Tharnnam sighed.
"Okay… hypothetically speaking…"
"If a guy is jealous, possessive, and keeps following you around for no reason do you think he likes you?"
"Don't say 'hypothetically.' This is real, isn't it? I know you too well. Spill!"
"…Okay. It's real."
"He likes you."
"But we just met. We barely know each other."
"Doesn't matter. People can fall for someone in one minute. So does he fit?"
"I don't know…"
"Is he handsome?"
Maprao instantly switched to scanning mode.
"…Yeah."
"'Yeah' how?! Handsome or not?!"
"Very handsome…"
Tharnnam admitted softly, embarrassed.
"Eeeeeek! If you don't want him, I'll take him! Don't be picky!"
"No! He's my boss!"
"Oh my god! Future CEO's wife right here! Your luck is insane!"
"Stop exaggerating. I'm going to sleep."
He cut the call before things spiraled further.
"Good night, darling! Let's hang out soon!"
"Yeah, talk later."
Beep.
Tharnnam set his phone down, exhausted.
It feels like I got advice… but also didn't.
Maprao said Lucas liked him but the man's actions were dangerous, possessive, and far too forceful to simply call it love.
Tharnnam let out a long sigh.
I'll deal with it tomorrow. I'm going to sleep.