Chapter 10 The Truth That Was Hidden
Time dragged on until lunchtime. Only then did the tall man finally release Tharnnam from his so-called "secretary training" a name that sounded luxurious but was, in reality, nothing more than sitting uncomfortably close for hours.
In the end, Tharnnam's stomach could no longer take it.
Grrrrrrk
"Hungry, chubby?" Lucas asked with a smile.
"Heh…" Tharnnam laughed awkwardly, embarrassed.
"I already ordered Japanese food for you. Just wait a bit."
"Thank you."
"That's enough for today. We'll continue tomorrow."
"There's still tomorrow?!"
"Yes. From now on, I want you to be my personal secretary."
"There are plenty of capable people. Why choose me?" Tharnnam tried to reason with him.
"Why not? I want you."
"But I don't want to do it."
"That's your business. My business is that I want you to."
"Ugh! Are we even talking about the same thing?!"
"We are."
"Then give me a reason! Why me?!" Tharnnam demanded seriously.
"There is no reason."
"P'Lucas!" Tharnnam raised his voice in frustration.
"Why are you shouting? It's just the two of us," Lucas said calmly.
"Look at what you're doing! You suddenly force me to be your secretary, interfere with my life, when we just met! I don't understand! Answer me!" Tharnnam finally let everything spill out.
Lucas looked into Tharnnam's confused eyes, his voice softening.
"Are you tired, chubby?"
"Stop teasing me and answer!"
"What do you want first the reason, or the part about how we 'just met'?"
"Either one! Just answer!"
"The reason why it has to be you… there isn't one."
"P'Lucas! If you don't give me an answer, I really will quit!"
"Alright… I give up," Lucas raised his hands in surrender.
"We didn't just meet."
"What do you mean? I don't understand," Tharnnam frowned.
Lucas smiled warmly truly warm for the first time.
"Do you remember when you were ten? You liked playing at the park near the big intersection."
"How do you know that?" Tharnnam grew suspicious.
"Of course I know. Because that chubby little boy always bought ice cream for me every day. And he talked nonstop still a smooth talker, even now."
Tharnnam's eyes widened.
"Don't tell me… you're that hyung."
"Yes," Lucas nodded. "It was me."
"Then why didn't you tell me from the start?!"
"You're the one who didn't recognize me," Lucas replied teasingly.
"How could I?! You changed so much! You're handsome, tattooed, and scary-looking!"
"Are you happy?"
"No! I'm sulking!"
"Make up with me?" Lucas coaxed.
"No!"
"Then I'll buy you strawberry ice cream, just like before."
"Stop it. That was then this is now."
"How is it different? I'm still the same person."
"No! The hyung I knew wasn't a dictator like you!"
"I just want you to stay closer to me," Lucas confessed softly.
"Hmph! Remember this I'm still sulking!" Tharnnam huffed, though his heart was already pounding happily.
"Then I'll keep apologizing."
"No."
"Then I'll pick you up and drop you off every day. No more motorcycle."
"I'm hungry," Tharnnam abruptly changed the subject.
"You're good at changing topics," Lucas laughed fondly.
Tharnnam quietly studied Lucas's handsome face, still unable to believe it. He never imagined that the man before him was the hyung from the park the one he'd been attached to as a child.
And yet… he felt strangely happy meeting him again.
Even if that hyung had now become a dangerous, domineering executive.
---
Lucas's POV
I couldn't keep the secret any longer. If I didn't tell him, the chubby kid would never stop asking questions. When I stayed silent, he'd sulk endlessly.
It was maddening.
I wanted to sink my teeth into those soft, squishy cheeks so badly.
From now on, I'd need to plan carefully protect him up close.
I tapped my phone and called my right-hand man.
"Dean. Come see me."
"Yes, sir."
"Assign more people to watch over Tharnnam. Twenty-four hours."
"Yes, sir."
"And don't let him notice. No slip-ups. Most importantly don't tell Dad."
"Yes, sir."
Even with bodyguards secretly watching over him, I couldn't stop worrying. My world was filled with enemies, always waiting to strike.
I feared they'd destroy the innocence and sweetness of my little pig.
I would protect Tharnnam with my life.
No one would be allowed to touch him.
---
Finally, Tharnnam returned to the work he loved. Even though he felt lazy after being detained by the executive all morning, his mood wasn't too bad.
The Japanese food P'Lucas bought was really good…
But then
Why couldn't he remember Lucas's face back then? He used to buy him ice cream almost every day.
Well… maybe it wasn't so bad. He was handsome back then but now, even more so.
Ah! I'm blushing!
Conflicting emotions anger, confusion, and happiness clashed inside his head.
"Hey kid, what's with the red face?" Chompoo's voice interrupted him.
"Nothing… P'Chompoo."
"So, what did the president call you in for?"
"Well… um…" Tharnnam hesitated.
"Why are you stuttering? What did he call you for?"
"To… check documents," Tharnnam lied.
"What documents?"
"I entered some numbers wrong."
"Oh. Be more careful next time so you won't get called again."
"Yes."
That was close.
But tomorrow again?!
How am I supposed to refuse without making it awkward?
We seriously need to talk.
---
Time to go home.
Tharnnam longed for his soft bed but then he froze.
Wait… I came with P'Lucas this morning.
Should he leave first? Or go wait by the car?
I'll go to his office. Let's settle this.
He went straight to the executive floor.
"Is the president still here?" he asked the secretary.
"Yes."
"May I see him?"
"It's almost quitting time. What for?"
"Um… work questions," Tharnnam improvised.
"Work questions?"
"Yes."
"Let me check first."
After a brief call
"You may go in. I'll head home now."
"Thank you."
Knock knock.
"Come in."
Tharnnam entered and saw Lucas packing up documents.
"What is it, chubby?" Lucas asked casually.
"I wanted to ask if I should go home with you, or by myself."
"With me."
"Are you done yet? I'm sleepy."
"It's only five," Lucas laughed.
"But I'm sleepy."
"Alright. Let's go."
"Good."
Lucas walked over, wrapped an arm around Tharnnam's shoulders, and led him out.
"Let go!" Tharnnam whispered urgently.
"No."
"P'Lucas!"
"Are you shy?"
"Yes!"
"Then I'll court you."
"Don't."
"Why?"
"No reason."
Lucas chuckled. "Good comeback."
"Fair's fair."
Still, Lucas didn't let go not for a second as he held Tharnnam close all the way to the elevator and down to the car.