Chapter 21

(Tankhun POV)

Friday Evening - Theerapanyakul Residence

"Thank you for the ride and dinner, Tay. I told you I can take a taxi home, but you insist on driving me home," said Tankhun as he got off Tay's red Mercedes-Benz GLA. "You have a match tomorrow."

"Never mind that, Doctor T, this is the least that I can do," Tay replied cheerfully. "Thank you for helping me choose the best suit. Besides, Cap will kill me if I don't make sure you get home safely."

"Ah, yes, of course," Tankhun responded with a half forced smile. "Good luck with tomorrow's game, Tay."

"Thanks, Doctor T! Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!"

Tankhun waited for Tay's car to leave Theerapanyakul residence completely before that smile finally disappeared from his face. It had been 3 days, and still, he couldn't get over his guilt. This fake dating business was not as easy as he imagined. Tricking that evil woman and annoying paparazzi might be fun, but lying to close friends and family was damn hard, especially since Tankhun was the outspoken type of person.

Retail therapy with Tay was quite entertaining. He had intended on splurging to forget his restlessness, but nothing, not even one pair of shoes, caught his attention. When he realized that fact, he knew for sure that he was not fine, because since when did Tankhun Theerapanyakul not spend money at his favorite boutique?

Tankhun let out a long sigh and prepared himself before entering the house. He wished Pa and Kim had finished dinner and gone to their rooms, because frankly, Tankhun didn't want to see anyone right now.

"P', is that you?" Kim asked as soon as Tankhun stepped inside.

Damn!

"Yeah, it's me," replied Tankhun, who was still trying to avoid Pa and his youngest brother. "I think I'm gonna go straight to my room, I had dinner earlier and was a little tired."

"P', wait!" Kim shouted, sounding very excited. "I need to tell you about something."

Tankhun had intended to come over to Pa and Kim in the dining room, but Kim seemed impatient and came to him instead.

"P', we will watch the BSFC game tomorrow afternoon at the BOC Stadium!" informed Kim, looking very happy.

WHAT?

"Huh?"

"Today I came home from campus a little early, and Pa was waiting for me in the living room. He asked me to get tickets for tomorrow's match," Kim explained. "I'm not sure if I can still get tickets because it's so close to the game, and my guess is right, tickets are sold out. Luckily, P'Pete is willing to help!"

WTF?

"Kim, what did you do?" asked Tankhun in a displeased tone.

"I DM Pete's IG, and he said he'd take care of everything. We just need to come 2 hours before kick off and enter through the back door. There will be a stadium staff waiting for us there and the staff will take care of everything. Isn't that great, P'?"

God damn it, KIM!

Tankhun closed his eyes trying to contain his anger, but his emotions that had been building up for the past three days burst out uncontrollably.

"Not at all," he hissed angrily at Kim. If Pa wasn't in the dining room, Tankhun would definitely yell at Kim on top of his lungs.

"P'?"

"Do you have any idea what you have done?" Tankhun hissed again.

His face must have looked so furious, because Kim looked panicked.

"Asking for help?" he replied in a very small voice.

"NO! You have embarrassed me for shamelessly taking advantage of my relationship with Chan (that's not even REAL!) to get special treatment," whispered Tankhun sharply.

Kim winced.

"P', I just…"

"Cancel it," ordered Tankhun curtly. "Now!"

The last thing Tankhun imagined happening was Pa suddenly appearing behind them, with a face that was so full of joy, Tankhun stunned. He couldn't even remember the last time he saw Pa like that after Ma passed away.

Try never.

"Tankhun, has Kim told you about our plan for tomorrow?" asked Pa very excitedly. "I haven't watched football at the stadium in a long time. I'm so excited!"

There was nothing in the world that Tankhun wouldn't be willing to bear to see his Pa happy and excited like this. Even putting aside his pride. As soon as he saw Pa's pleased smile, he knew he had lost.

"Yes. Yes, he has, Pa," answered Tankhun quickly. "I can't wait to spend time with you guys tomorrow."

What else could he say other than that? He just hoped that Pa didn't notice his uneasiness.

Damn!

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Tankhun POV)

Saturday Morning - Theerapanyakul Residence

The next day, Tankhun knocked on Kim's bedroom door to apologize. He didn't like Kim's actions yesterday, but Tankhun realized he wouldn't have behaved like that if he hadn't been ignited by his own piled up emotions that he still couldn't control.

"Kim?"

Not long after, there was the sound of a lock turning and Kim, whose hair was still messy, opened the door and answered, "P', come in."

Tankhun stepped into Kim's room, and sat on his study desk chair, while Kim sat on the bed facing Tankhun.

"Now that I think about it, I realize it's presumptuous of me to contact Pete like that," Kim said in a low voice. "P', I'm sorry for embarrassing you."

"I came here to apologize," Tankhun replied calmly. "I shouldn't be that hard on you."

Kim looked at Tankhun questioningly, even though he didn't say anything, it was obvious he was surprised that Tankhun apologized to him.

"Just so you know, I still don't like what you did yesterday… At all," Tankhun told Kim firmly before continuing, "There are a lot of people around public figures like Chan and Pete, who are always trying to take advantage of them, whether they deserve it or not. I just don't want you to be that kind of person. It's not nice."

"I'm saying this not to look for justification and anything like that. I know what I did was wrong, but yesterday seeing Pa excited like that... I just didn't want to disappoint Pa, so I didn't think carefully before contacting Pete," Kim explained. "I-I've never seen Pa like that."

A little emotion and guilt crossed Tankhun's mind in an instant.

"Pa hardly ever looks as excited as yesterday after Ma died, and you were very young then, so of course you never saw that kind of sight."

Kim nodded. "Sometimes I wish I could get to know the old Pa."

Tankhun stood up from the chair and approached Kim, then he hugged his youngest brother tightly and said, "I'm so sorry, sweetie. To be fair, I think I will do the same thing."

Kim again nodded while hugging Tankhun's waist.

"Come, let's go downstairs for breakfast," said Tankhun. "How about I make banana pancakes for us?"

Kim raised his head to look at Tankhun and smiled, "Let's go."

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

(Tankhun POV)

Saturday Afternoon - BOC Stadium

So far, today has turned out to be better than Tankhun had imagined, after a nice breakfast together, later on Pa also treated them to lunch at his favorite fancy restaurant, which he used to frequently visit with Ma.

At exactly 2 PM, Tankhun, Kim, and Pa arrived at the back door of BOC Stadium. A stadium staff was waiting for them there, as promised.

"Doctor Theerapanyakul? My name is David," said the staff member as he introduced himself. "Co-Cap is waiting for you in the family lounge. This way, sir."

"Thank you, David," replied Tankhun.

"Chan doesn't know we're coming?" Tankhun whispered to Kim, as they followed David to the family lounge.

"I don't know, P'," Kim answered. "P'Pete is the one who arranged everything."

They didn't walk for too long and then stopped in front of a large metal door. Before David opened the door, Tankhun asked him a question. "Isn't it a dressing room for the BSFC players?"

"That's right, Doctor Theerapanyakul," affirmed David. "Inside the dressing room there's a family lounge, which is intended for family and close friends of BSFC players. The players locker room and shower stalls are located at the back, bordered by a wall, so not everyone can enter."

"I see," said Tankhun.

"Shall we come in?" asked David as he opened the door.

Tankhun nodded and followed David inside.

As soon as Tankhun entered the family lounge, Pete and several BSFC players who were there immediately greeted him and Kim.

"Doctor T, Kim! Welcome to BOC!"

"Hi, Doctor T~ Kim~"

"Hello, boys..." Tankhun returned their greeting.

Kim, who was standing behind him, also returned their greetings while waving excitedly, "Hi, P'Arm, P'Pol, P'Pete!"

"I'm so glad you came, Doctor T, Kim…" Pete said, shaking Tankhun's hand and grinning broadly.

"Pete, this is my father, Korn Theerapanyakul," replied Tankhun, introducing Pa to Pete.

Pete immediately shook Pa's hand and greeted him politely, "Sir, I'm Pete, nice to meet you."

"Likewise, Pete," said Pa. "I have to tell you this, young man, your passing in that derby game... incredible!"

"Thank you, Sir," Pete replied. "Believe me, it was 90% adrenaline, I don't even know whether I can do it again or not."

"I'm sure you can, P'," Kim said, jumping into the conversation.

"A~w, thank you, Kim."

Tankhun looked around the family lounge which was quite full. Most of the people there were men, who were talking to the staff or maybe the coaches. Tankhun wasn't clear either, because this was his first time here. In the corner of the room there was a sofa, and sitting on it were two beautiful women, who were talking to each other.

"The one sitting on the right is Marina, Jom's wife, and the one on the left is Victoria, Ken's date for this week," said Pol, who suddenly appeared beside Tankhun.

"Pol, you forgot," continued Arm. "This is the second time Ken has brought Victoria here. She came too in the second game, remember?"

"Oh, yes, you are right. I remember now."

"Oh, is that something unusual?" asked Tankhun, curious.

"Yes. Ken has never dated the same woman," stated Pol in a low voice.

"His date changes every week, Doctor T," added Arm, whispering.

"So, maybe Ken is serious about Victoria?" asked Tankhun, also whispering.

"It's still not clear, Doctor T," replied Pol, the expression on his face conveyed his disbelief.

"That's right, everyone is still waiting. Maybe, if Victoria comes back next week... Hm..." added Arm again.

"We'll just have to wait and see then," said Pol, finishing Arm's words.

Tankhun smiled hearing the conversation between Arm and Pol. Undeniably, Tankhun's curiosity was slightly tickled by them. Did these two boys even realize that they were finishing each other's sentences? Did they have a special relationship?

Hm, interesting…

"Tankhun?"

Tankhun didn't have to turn around to know that the voice calling him from behind belonged to Chan. Moreover, Pol and Arm immediately greeted their Captain.

Stop being a coward and say hi to him now!

"Surprise!" exclaimed Tankhun as he turned his body around to face Chan, trying so damn hard to put on a calm face.

Chan looked ecstatic, the smile on his face was unmistakably very wide. Was it just acting? Considering the room was full of people, and they were still under the pretense of fake dating.

Without a word, Chan put his duffel bag on the floor and then hugged Tankhun tightly. Tankhun reflexively returned Chan's hug. Afterward, the Captain's right hand moved gently from Tankhun's waist to the back of his head and stayed there.

"I'm so glad you came," Chan said, sounding very relieved. He tightened his arms.

Tankhun couldn't respond yet, he was still too shocked. So, he just stayed quiet and hugged Chan tightly.

TBC