Chapter 5

(Tankhun POV)

Tankhun glanced at the clock on the laboratory wall, it was almost 6 pm. If he wanted to get to the lobby of the University Research Center on time, he'd better clean up now. Moreover, he still had to change his outfit and styled his hair, because no way in hell he allowed himself to be seen wearing super boring work clothes – white-shirt-black-pants, in a bar.

It's a good thing that Tankhun has developed this habit – carrying a change of clothes in his bag, ever since he was 12 years old. However, there is no such thing as casual preparation for Tankhun Theerapanyakul. Everything must match the accessories he wore that day. For example, today, he was wearing baby pink Burberry socks and sunglasses, so the change of clothes he brought with him was the Lanvin color-block sweater. Because in his world, baby pink goes well with any color.

As he watched his reflection on the mirror inside the Research Center locker room – FYI he looked pretty damn good – Tankhun's mind drifted back to what happened 5 hours ago in the stadium parking lot. He had consciously given his word to the BSFC Captain to fulfill three tasks given to him as an apology.

"Fulfill three tasks for me then we're even."

"Three!?"

"Yes, three."

"We've only met twice! How can I be in your debt 3 times? It is mathematically and scientifically impossible."

"I think the incident at the cafe alone deserves two tasks."

"OH!"

"Have you ever seen what they said about me for the last two weeks? Have you ever bothered to check? I'm being generous here."

"Fine! But I bought coffee for you today, so that counts as one. I only need to fulfill two more tasks."

"Do you see me drinking any Frappuccino today? You were the one who drank it, sweetheart."

"Oh, don't you dare sweetheart me, mister! It's Doctor."

"My bad, Doctor, forgive me."

"And I don't need a reminder about drinking that… THAT!"

"Have a drink with me tonight."

"What?"

"Or should I say… treat me to a drink tonight as your first task?"

"UN-believable."

"Eh?"

"First Frappuccino and now this? My brother swears on his life that you are the most disciplined footballer in the whole planet. Guess you never know."

"So? Do we have a deal?"

"Do I have a choice?"

At exactly 6.20 pm, Chan's Black Range Rover stopped right in front of Tankhun, who was already waiting in the lobby of the Research Center. He had offered Chan to just meet him at the bar, but he refused and insisted on picking up Tankhun. It's a matter of manners, he said.

"Very punctual," commented Tankhun as he got into the car.

"It's been ingrained in me since I was a little," replied Chan.

"Of course."

"Don't mean to be pretentious or anything but you haven't had dinner yet, have you? Because I'm hungry and my motto always is, never drink on an empty stomach," explained Chan, who – Tankhun just stated a fact here, looked very dashing in black cashmere pullover and black jeans.

"You know what? I think that's a great idea. I'm starving."

"Good, I'm craving some deep fried. I know a place that sells the greasiest and to die for fish and chips."

And again, the captain violated the dietary restrictions.

What is the matter with him?

This time, Tankhun decided not to let out his opinion on this matter, because at the end of the day, it was none of his business. But it looked like his poker face was failing.

"Oooh, that's one hell of a judgy face there," teased Chan.

"What a judgy face? This is what I called 'my bitchy resting face'," stated Tankhun, his chin up high in the air.

Without a warning, Chan burst out a hearty laugh and that laugh was contagious, because not long after, Tankhun also chuckled beside him.

Hm, maybe I can take advantage of his good mood.

"What do you say if I paid for dinner and we count it as the second task, so I only need to fulfill the last one?" asked Tankhun sweetly, exuding his charm to the max.

"Umh… NO. Nice try though."

"Alright, there's no harm in trying."

Chan smiled at him, looking so amused. But the thing is Tankhun was not amused at all, unexplained things bothered him, like A LOT.

"Look, I know you will think of me as a nosy person but I can't take this anymore. Everything just doesn't make any sense. I need some explanation," begged Tankhun.

"But why? It's not like my career or fitness have anything to do with you," said Chan, too calm for his liking.

"The scientist in me just hates things that not make any sense, and the other reason is my youngest brother."

"What about him?"

"I told you he's your biggest fan," answered Tankhun. "He's the captain of the University Football Team. He admires you very much, follows all your training, your diet, playing style. He spends hours watching your videos about improving footwork. No offense, but if he ever finds out that all of these are just a facade, he'll be so heartbroken and I don't want that."

"We're here," said Chan as he parked his SUV on the side of the road near the food truck. "They only sell fish and chips here, and then there's two options for chips: regular or extra."

"Definitely extra."

"Good choice."

"Aren't you going to order for us?" asked Tankhun, when he saw Chan still hasn't moved from his seat.

Tankhun could sense that Chan wanted to ask him to do something but hesitated to say, then he saw the long line and crowd in front of the food truck, and everything became clear.

Ah~

"Give me your wallet, I'll do it," offered Tankhun.

"I think 200 Baths would be enough," replied Chan as he put the money in Tankhun's hand.

"Damn! I was so close to being able to steal the great Captain's platinum credit card," said Tankhun cheekily. "Be right back!"

Again, with an amused smile, it seemed like Chan was in a really good mood tonight. But of course, he was happy… he got the rare opportunity to order Tankhun Theerapanyakul around. Du~h!

Thank God, the owner and staff of the food truck were very efficient, less than 10 minutes and Tankhun was already back in the car, with two portions of fish and extra chips in his hand, the smell was divine.

Tankhun handed a pack to Chan, who immediately took one of the plump chips and put it in his mouth. "Ah, so good~"

Tankhun did the same and the chips were really good as promised. For a while no other sound was heard in the car except the sound of them munching their food.

"It's not a facade," said Chan out of the blue. "I've been very strict with myself ever since I was 12 years old."

"So, what is this, then?" asked Tankhun, happily chewing his chips. "This is so damn good, by the way."

"I told you so."

"Go on."

"Let's just say, this is me being rebellious?"

"At 36!? Where were you when you were 17?"

"Being the perfect youngest center back of the BSFC team," stated Chan, looking straight at Tankhun's eyes.

"What I don't understand is you can eat anything during the off-season, right? Because Kim also loosened his strict diet once the season ended. But the new season is about to start and you doing all of this is very strange to me."

"Can it be called a rebellion if I do this when I'm allowed to do it?"

"Ah, good point."

Chan gave him a little smile before continuing, "I just want to know how it feels, you know? My teammates in the youth team did it all the time, and I never allowed myself to follow in their footsteps. I wonder what the big secret is that makes them look so cocky and smug the next day after they do their thing."

"And the first time you tried to do it, I screwed it up."

"There, you said it."

Tankhun had never felt so guilty towards Chan as he did now. "For what it's worth, I'm truly sorry. Later on, at the bar, I will let you be as rebellious as you want. I'll zip my mouth shut and pay for everything."

"Let's go then!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Tankhun POV)

As they got closer to their destination, Tankhun felt the road they were driving through for the past 15 minutes was very familiar. When Chan turned right after the last traffic light, Tankhun was 98% sure he knew where they were going.

"Are we heading to the Moonlight?" inquired Tankhun, he needed confirmation.

"Yes," answered Chan, he sounded so excited. "I'm surprised you know about it, not many people know about this small jazz club."

"Oh my God~ from all the places in Bangkok…" said Tankhun, still couldn't believe the odds.

"What's wrong? You don't like the place?" asked Chan, slightly worried.

"No, no, I love that place. It's just that Porsche is my brother-in-law."

"You're Kinn's older brother!?" shouted the captain.

It was so obvious that Chan was in shock, his mouth forming a perfect O.

"YUP!" said Tankhun, laughing at Chan's shocked expression. "We have the same last name, don't you notice?"

"I never knew Kinn's last name, we have always been on a first name basis," explained Chan. "Oh God, what a small world."

Suddenly, Tankhun sat up straight, he had just realized something and yelled, "OH, those two little bastards!"

"What?" asked Chan. "What now? Don't scare me."

"Nothing," answered Tankhun.

"Tankhun…"

"Ah, we're here!" said Tankhun quickly, avoiding the question. "You'll soon find out."

As soon as Chan parked his car, Tankhun impatiently jumped out of the car and half ran toward the entrance. The atmosphere inside this lovely small jazz club, which was very friendly and inviting, couldn't stop Tankhun from rushing straight to the bar. He didn't even know whether Chan was still behind him or not.

"You two are so~~ DEAD!"

"P'!"

"Tankhun?"

"Good evening, Porsche... Kinn..."

"P'CHAN!?"

TBC