Chapter 16

(Chan POV)

Next Day, the Moonlight

"I've said it once and I will say it again. P'Chan~ you really are in a rom-com movie," teased Porsche as he laughed his heart out. "Fake dating is like the ultimate theme of a rom-com. HAHAHA!"

"I'm glad you're having fun, Porsche," quipped Chan while Porsche guffawed like mad.

"I'm so sorry, P', but you have to admit that this is hilarious," countered Porsche, who only received a response in the form of Chan's unimpressed face. "Okay, okay. P'~ I'll stop."

Chan covered his face with both hands before continuing his story, "I shouldn't have lied, but that time, all I can think about is I needed to wipe that obnoxious smile off Anna's face and beat her at her own game. I didn't think much about the effect my action had on Tankhun."

"I know I've never met her, but I'm so relieved that P' never brought her here. Because, just hearing about her from your story ten months ago, when you two separated, was enough to give me an idea that she was a nightmare."

"Trust me, Porsche, you don't want to know her," said Chan, as he glanced at the watch on his right wrist again.

"P', you're waiting for someone?" asked Porsche. He must have seen Chan checking his watch over and over. But, it was strange that Tankhun didn't come on time, and frankly, Chan started to feel a bit worried. He shouldn't have agreed to Tankhun's request to meet here, Chan should have picked him up at his home.

"Tankhun should have met me here half an hour ago," answered Chan.

"Oh, P' is coming?"

"Yes."

"I don't know whether P'Chan ever watched rom-com flicks or not, but 99% of fake dates end up with the two main characters falling in love for real," Porsche told Chan as he smiled meaningfully. "I'm just saying."

"But this is not a movie, Porsche, this is real life… my life," Chan replied.

"Be honest with me, P'Chan, you really don't feel any attraction at all to my P'?" asked Porsche bluntly.

Should I be honest with him? But no… not yet… This isn't the right time.

"I think I've already told you once that I'm not blind, Porsche," Chan replied. "Tankhun is a very attractive and charming man, but it's still too soon for me to get into another relationship."

"I see… so what is the meaning of this, then?" questioned Porsche, a bit tense. "Sorry, P', not trying to intrude or anything, but he's my brother-in-law and I love him."

"I understand, Porsche, but Tankhun and I need to talk about the details of this fake dating thing."

"Ah yes, of course," replied the bartender, who's starting to loosen up. "The negotiation part… Should I prepare pens and papers? Or maybe serviette is enough?"

"I would say you watch too many rom-com flicks."

Chan didn't have to turn his head to know the person he was waiting for had arrived. Not only because Chan already recognized the doctor's voice, but also because now Chan could smell Tankhun's distinctive scent.

God, he smells so damn good.

"P'!" greeted Porsche. "You're here!"

"Hi, Sweetie," Tankhun greeted his brother-in-law before sitting on the bar stool beside Chan. "Sorry, I'm late, Chan. I did some research on my own and lost track of time."

"Oh, research about what?"

"D~uh, you, of course," answered the scientist.

"Me?" asked Chan, dumbfounded.

"Yes, you," affirmed Tankhun. "Contrary to what you or Kim say or think, the news about you on the internet isn't just about your achievements on the pitch, or football, or that damn video."

"Really?"

"Yes," stated Tankhun. "Did you know there are fansites that collects pictures of you with everyone you've been with."

"What!? I don't know about that."

"That's because you never look and don't know where to look," informed Tankhun. "Anyway, I've seen tons of pics of you and your dates in those fansites, and at first glance I can conclude that you have a type, Mister! You're a leggy man, aren't you? Praise the lord that I have a pair of legs that are not so bad, so this fake dating is still believable."

What the hell? Not so bad!? Those gorgeous legs are lethal!

Chan couldn't think he was able to open his mouth without blurting out a compliment for Tankhun's killer legs so he decided to just nod his head to confirm Tankhun's statement.

"You also seem to like holding hands and embracing your date. Thankfully, you're not big on PDA, but you do kiss their cheek or forehead, and occasionally, peck on the lips and neck. I think we should do that too. In public and when it is deemed necessary, of course," added Tankhun.

"Definitely, as long as you don't mind," said the Captain, who started to feel dizzy.

"Why would I mind? Chan, I told you yesterday, didn't I? If we're going to do this, we're going to do it right."

"Yes, Tankhun, I heard you."

"Besides, I won't let that evil, most infuriating woman I've ever met win. No way in hell!" vowed Tankhun. "How dare she say that I'm cheap!"

"What!?" exclaimed Porsche. "P', your Macallan."

"Thank you, sweetie, you're the best."

Tankhun grabbed the tumbler from the bar and took a sip of his favorite whiskey, leisurely. "Ah~..."

"I'm so sorry she called you with that S word too," said Chan with remorse, feeling really bad.

"Don't ever apologize for her, Chan, it's not your fault," stated Tankhun.

"P'! She dared to call you cheap?" asked Porsche, who still flabbergasted.

"I know, right? A couple of my ex did call me slut out of anger when I broke up with them, but I've never been called cheap before."

What? They want to die?

"Now, THIS certainly is your fault, Chan," said Tankhun as he hit him several times on his arm.

"Huh?"

"She was wearing Balenciaga and because of you, I was wearing those cheap ratty short jeans and t-shirt!"

HUH!?

This time, Chan really had no idea know how to react. Tankhun Theerapanyakun was confusing as hell and sometimes make him frustrating, but at the same time he was so endearing and enchanting, driving him absolutely insane.

"Tankhun, I don't think I will ever fully understand your mind."

"Good, then I will never be boring in your eyes."

Chan was stunned.

What's that supposed to mean? Is he saying that I matter to him?

"I don't even think it's a possibility," replied Chan softly.

Porsche's piercing gaze at him reminded Chan of his words to him earlier this evening. Maybe he should have been honest about his feelings then, after all, Porsche was his confidant. Sometimes, Chan really missed Porsche's Pa.

"Porsche, I need a favor," said Tankhun all of a sudden.

"P' need my help for the fake dating? Don't worry, I have many repertoires for the perfect date."

"More like I want you to keep this from Kinn and Kim."

"Hah?"

Porsche was clearly not the only one who surprised by Tankhun's request.

"I'm sorry. P', did you just ask me to keep a secret from my husband?" asked Porsche, who looked so confused.

"I know, I'm asking too much, but please consider…"

"May I know the reason?" urged Porsche. "At least I have the right to know about the reason, right?"

Tankhun nodded his head to respond to his brother in law, before turning his body toward Chan.

"I know I still owe you one more task, but it seems fair to say that I did a huge favor for you by agreeing to do this fake dating so you can avoid your ex, right?"

"Yes," confirmed Chan.

"And I think it's fair if I asked you to do a favor for me too."

"Yes, I think so too."

"You see, Kinn is so adamant about wanting me to be in a serious relationship…"

"P'.."

"Porsche, please listen to me first," pleaded Tankhun, cutting off whatever things that Porsche was trying to convey.

Porsche nodded in agreement.

"Go on," requested Chan.

"I also need this fake dating to ease my brother's mind, who apparently is so worried about me."

"I'm your brother too, P'. Kinn and I, we only want the best for you," Porsche said.

"I know and I thank you both for that, I really do. However, now that I think about it, I'm just not ready for a long term relationship. And we both know, Kinn being Kinn, will not stop taunting me until I give it a try."

"Yeah," admitted Porsche. "He's stubborn like that."

"Therefore, I beg you to let Kinn think I'm actually dating Chan," begged Tankhun. "After the award ceremony, Chan and I will make arrangements for our "break up", and by then Kinn couldn't say that I didn't try."

After a while, finally Porsche nodded his head slightly, but with a very troubled expression on his face.

Was this plan that Tankhun arranged a good plan? Of course.

Did learning about the plan make Chan relieved he didn't confess about his feelings to Tankhun to Porsche? Definitely.

Did knowing the Doctor wasn't ready for a serious long term relationship make Chan a little heartbroken? One hundred percent.

Would this make Chan give up? Absolutely NOT. He, after all, had three whole months to win Tankhun Theerapanyakul's heart.

TBC