Chapter 17

(Tankhun POV)

Monday Morning

As usual, at 7.30 AM sharp, Tankhun was already in the queue line of the Hattrick to buy his favorite Americano. He decided to get a jumbo size coffee today, gods knew he needed it. There was too much stuff and drama that happened last weekend. Good thing he looked absolutely stunning today wearing the blue Ferragamo Navigator sunglasses, black classic Ferragamo combat boots and a navy/white mini spot ascot tie from Turnbull & Asser. His boring white shirt and skinny black pants for work, for sure, no longer looked boring.

Today was a slow day for the cafe, because it only took Tankhun less than 10 minutes from the time he started queuing until he could sip his first coffee of the day. His coffee, like always, was perfect and so was today's weather. For that, he felt so grateful.

Ah~ I feel so much better already

Call it a de ja vu but suddenly Tankhun felt the exact same way as he felt weeks ago when he met Chan for the first time here. As soon as he thought of something positive, things just took a 180 degree turn fast.

Click! Click!

Fuck, Anna Banana proved to be very efficient. Tankhun even willing to bet his new sunglasses that currently, there was one or more paparazzi behind him, ready to take pictures of him.

Well, Tankhun had been reading fashion magazines since he was 10 years old, and he knows exactly the best angles for his face and body. If that evil woman had meant to post an ugly photo of Tankhun, it would never have happened, for he would never have allowed it.

Bring it on!

Tankhun calculatedly turned his body 45 degrees to his right, showing off his perfect profile, he then opened his mouth a little, lifted his chin slightly, and put his long neck on display. Hold that pose...

Click! Click!

That's a perfect Naomi... How about a Tyra now?

Now Tankhun, facing in the direction that he believed the paparazzi were hiding, pushed the navigator sunglasses over his head and left them there. He then dramatically took a sip of his hot coffee while both of his eyes staring intently at the front. Smizing now…

Click! Click!

Afterward, Tankhun slowly lowered his sunglasses so it perched perfectly on his nose again before turning his body 180 and walking catlike towards the university, with a satisfied smile on his lips. Once he entered the university area and was sure the paparazzi could no longer stalk him, Tankhun took his cellphone out of his bag and texted Chan.

Tankhun T

Your ex from hell is not wasting time. One or two papz following me from the Hattrick. I'm at the Uni now, and I think they're no longer following me, but who knows for sure, right?

Instead of replying to the text, Chan gave Tankhun a call, who picked it up immediately.

"Are you okay?" asked Chan, who sounded a bit worried, straight to the point.

"I'm fine. As a matter of fact, I'm super fine. You just wait until they post my pictures. I look so~ fabulous if I may say so myself."

Chan chuckled before responding, "I've no doubt. You always look great, baby."

"Chan! What do I say about-"

"Wait! Tankhun, hear me out first," pleaded Chan. "I'm big on endearment, okay?"

"What?"

"Please bear it with me, but I always call my special one with an endearment and she knew all about it."

Tankhun sighed. "Seriously!? So, no option but to do it?"

"Yes. So, please?" the captain pleaded again. "Please?"

"I can't believe I agreed to this," said Tankhun. "But you only get to choose one, okay? And please no sugar or honey or DEAR, I hate them."

"Thank you… baby?" replied Chan delicately. "How about it? I already called you baby twice in front of Anna."

Baby?

Tankhun didn't know what had happened to him exactly, maybe he had gone mad, but his face suddenly felt a bit hot and… fuck, did he just blushing?

Tankhun Theerapanyakul get hold of yourself, you're not a fucking teenager anymore, for God's sake.

"Tankhun?"

"Y-yes?"

Tankhun closed his eyes. Damn it to hell! He never stammered, never.

"Is it acceptable?" asked Chan.

"What?"

"Baby, is it acceptable to call you that?" inquired Chan, making sure.

"Yes… Yes, it is," affirmed Chan, with a steady voice.

"Do you think you can ask your boss for a longer lunch time today?"

"It can be arranged, but why?"

"I'm at the stadium near the Hattrick right now, for morning practice," explained Chan. "Let's have lunch together. If those papz are still around the Uni, let's give them what they want."

"I'll talk to her and update you about lunch."

"Okay. I'll wait."

"Chan?"

"Hm?"

"I'm in front of the research center now, I better go."

"Okay, I'll see you later, baby," said Chan. "Be good for Daddy."

"Ew~ Chan! What the fuck!" yelled Tankhun. "EW~~~"

Chan laughed like a maniac.

"Apart from that one time, when I asked for your autograph for Kim, I never called you Daddy again and I never will. You hear?" stated Tankhun firmly.

"You know what they all say, right, baby?"

"What?"

"Never say never," said Chan. "Ciao, baby."

"CHAN!"

But the call has been disconnected.

UGH! Damn that man!

Tankhun stomped his feet on the ground in annoyance, but at the same time his heart beat faster.

Oh, God…

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(Chan POV)

BSFC Training Ground

Chan was still giggling as he put his phone in his personal locker. Even though the last two days had made his emotions go up and down like a roller coaster, today Chan was in a good mood. Of course when he got Tankhun's text earlier about the paparazzi he was a little worried, but those bastards indirectly have made it possible for him to have lunch with Tankhun. So he won't complain much.

"Was the one who just talked to you on the phone Doctor T, Cap?"

Pete, who apparently was behind him and suddenly asked a question, took Chan by surprise, but of course he recognized his co-captain's voice.

"You've been sneaking up behind me a lot lately, Pete," accused Chan as he closed his locker.

"I didn't mean to do that, Cap. But lately you've been out of focus several times. Sometimes, you don't hear my footsteps or even my voice calling you," reasoned Pete.

Chan turned his body to face Pete and didn't know whether he liked the meaningful smile on the 25-year-old midfielder's face or not.

"What's with that face?"

Pete softly laughed before responding, "Cap, I know it's none of my business, but the boys and I... we're happy when you're happy. It's been a long time since we heard you laugh like you did on Saturday, or just now."

"Nosy."

"We think Doctor T is super cool!"

"You guys really like him?" asked Chan, testing the water.

"Yes!" declared Pete firmly. "So, it was him on the phone, right? You look happy, by the way."

Chan just smiled and ruffled Pete's hair. "Let's start today's training, my snooping co-captain!"

Pete laughed again.

"Yes, Sir!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Chan POV)

12.25 PM, the Research Center

"Hello there, I'm here to see Dr. Theerapanyakul," said Chan to the Research Center receptionist, whose eyes were fixed on the computer screen in front of her.

"Do you have an appointment with him, Sir?" asked her as she finally raised her eyes to look at him. "Oh my GOD! DADDY CHAN!?"

"Hi," greeted Chan again. "Could you please tell Dr. Theerapanyakul that I'm here?"

"Yes, of course, Sir! Oh my God, Oh my God… I can't believe this," muttered the receptionist, looking so frantic. "Ah, I'm so sorry, Sir! I'm a huge fan of BSFC, it's just shocking that you're here! I had no idea that you and Dr. T…. Oh, never mind, I'll inform him right away."

"Wait, on a second thought… What's your name?" asked Chan.

"Sunny, Sir."

"Could you do me a favor, Sunny?"

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(Tankhun POV)

12.35 PM, the Research Center

"Professor Erica, if there's nothing else to discuss, may I return to my office? My date will arrive here any minute. He is very punctual," requested Tankhun to his boss, the head of the Research Center.

Instead of answering his question, Professor Erica, all of a sudden, stood up from her chair with a super shocked face, and screamed, "Your date is the Captain of BSFC!?"

Tankhun, who was also in shock, immediately stood up from his chair and responded to Professor Erica, "How did you know, Professor!?"

She just pointed at something behind Tankhun's body with her finger, before she shouted at her assistant, "Cookie, bring me a marker and a paper now… STAT!"

No, no... no way in hell…

Tankhun turned around quickly and sure enough Chan - the bastard, who looked so bloody handsome in simple jeans and white t-shirt, was standing there. He was leaning against his boss's office door frame, in his hand he carried 3 white rose buds.

"Hi, baby," greeted Chan with the biggest smile on his face, which at that moment, Tankhun wanted to scratch so badly.

"Baby?" shrieked Professor Erica. "Tankhun Theerapanyakul, how dare you hide this from me!? I thought we're friends!"

I'm so~ dead

TBC

AN: The phrase "Ciao, Baby" was inspired by Peter Knight aka Daddy Chan's ig story that he made to say goodbye to fans after KPTS finished airing. Those of you who have never seen the clip, you must see and hear for yourself, how sexy Daddy Chan's accent is when he says the word baby. *faint*