Chapter 10: According to contract

Chapter 10: According to contract

“Hey, Thian, why are you here so early today?”

“It’s not that strange to come in early, Captain Kanin,”

“I asked Thian, not you, Captain Nadol,” Kanin turned and teased Nadol lightly. The other could only sigh at the playful attitude and walked away.

“You still haven’t answered me. Why are you here so early?”

“I want to quickly clear my work, so I can hurry out and pick up Mangkon.” “I can pick him up for you, you know.”

“No need. I’ll go myself.”

After those words, Thian didn’t give Kanin a chance to argue and quickly strode straight to his private office.

After that day, the day Mangkon got shot. Luckily, the bullet only grazed him and didn’t cause a deep wound. However, he still needed close care in the hospital.

Today, he intentionally woke up at five in the morning, quickly managing to clear all his work, preparing to go to an outside meeting so he could pick up the other right on time.

The clock read six fifteen. The determined man began to grab the relevant documents and sign them in a few seconds, stacking them on the desk, opening to read. Sharp eyes scanned them quickly as he worked.

Everything was going according to plan. In the meantime, his mom kept sending pictures of the patient into the chat, constantly reporting in. Just seeing the fair, gentle face that was covered in smiles gave him the strength to keep pushing through the work.

However, amidst the silence, there was a sudden knock on the door. A female employee, Makharm, walked in with a serious face reporting.

“Inspector, the Police Chief wants to see you.” “Right now, Makharm?”

“Yes, sir.”

Dark eyes stole a glance at the time, already two hours had passed. He needed to leave for the outside meeting before 11:00 AM sharp, but he had to follow orders anyway.

“Okay, I’ll go.”

The handsome face exhaled slightly before grabbing the jacket that was hanging nearby to put it on and stepping out the room.

The Police Chief’s office of the Chiang Mai Provincial Police Station was on the left, adjacent to Thian’s office. When he knocked on the door and opened it, Aasin was already sitting and waiting.

“Chief, you called me. Is something the matter?” “Please, have a seat, Inspector.”

“I was just going to talk about the Black Bull gang.” “Uhm… are you in a hurry, sir?”

Thian didn’t sit as invited by the owner of the room but instead asked in a flat tone, though his face seemed hurried and slightly flustered.

“Is something the matter?” “Well, it’s…”

“If you don’t speak, I’ll assume you’re in a hurry,” Aasin replied in his typical teasing manner, never one to miss an opportunity.

“Actually, I need to rush to pick up Sergeant Mangkon, Chief.”

“Does it have to be you, Inspector? Can’t someone else do it?” The Chief raised an eyebrow slightly, a knowing smile playing at the corner of his lips.

The listener paused for only a split second. He already knew the answer in his heart without being able to deny it.

“Yes, Chief. It’s very important.”

“What’s important, the pickup or the person, Inspector?”

That question stunned Thian for a moment. A faint flush began to appear on his face, which was normally excellent at masking emotions. The young inspector subtly avoided eye contact before responding with a softer voice.

“Both, Chief.”

“I’m wondering if it’s not just a marriage to fix your unlucky fate anymore. Should I call Parinya?”

Aasin had known all along, as he had to be aware of the reasons for moving Mangkon here, as well as the marriage. Pharada was still the same; always wanting what she wanted.

“Then hurry up and go, Inspector. Someone will be waiting.” “Thank you, Chief.”

The meeting ended at one o’clock sharp, and he immediately rushed to the hospital in the heart of the city. The elevator slowly moved up to the top floor of the inpatient building. Both his hands were full of things he had bought for the patient, and he was thinking that after he left the hospital, he would follow through on his promise: taking Mangkon out for shaved ice.

His long legs strode quickly along the hospital corridor before slowing down. The door of room 721 was opened by a large hand, but the image that struck his sharp eyes was his friend, whom he met this morning gently stroking Mangkon’s hair.

How did he get here?

Displeasure arose immediately. The sweet smile that he thought this younger person might send to him, instead was being given to Kanin , and he has shown the unpleased face, almost radiating discontent.

“Oh, Inspector is here already, son?” “Yes, Mom.”

“And what? Is work heavy, Inspector? Why is your face so tense?”

Pharada’s question didn’t even register. All he could hear were the voices of the other two, deeply engrossed in conversation.

“How are you feeling, getting shot?” Kanin asked in a teasing tone.

“A little sore, P’Nin. It feels like I’m really a policeman now.” “You okay, Mangkorn?”

“Well, I got shot.”

“Smart aleck, aren’t you?”

Thian stared at the scene before him, almost involuntarily. His sharp eyes flicked over to Mangkon. He was here…standing right here. Did Mangkon see him? Or was he not even interested? And what was that, that large bouquet of flowers sitting next to the patient’s bed?

Whose is that? “Ahem.”

He couldn’t take it anymore. Finally, he cleared his throat loudly to interrupt the conversation of the other two, and it worked. The junior waved in greeting, offering a small smile.

“Aren’t you going to the meeting, Captain Kanin?”

“Oh, remembering my schedule so well, Inspector? I just stopped by. I’ll be going now.” “P’Nin, you’ll be late.”

“Someone’s worried, are they? I’ll go first, see you later.” “Yes, sir.”

Before leaving, Kanin still couldn’t resist reaching out to squeeze the soft cheek again. So fucking annoying.

Someone secretly turned away to avoid seeing those images. However, everything that happened was recorded in Khunying Pharada’s eyes. She sat smiling to herself. It seemed her son was showing signs of being rather smitten.

“Inspector, is the meeting over?” “Yes, I’ve come to take you home.” “I’m so glad I can leave.”

“But you still need to rest.”

Thian spoke while walking over to sit next to the patient. And as if there was some attraction, that made his heart feel uncontrollable, he couldn’t resist raising his hand to stroke the soft hair for no real reason.

“Inspector… what are you doing?” Mangkon paused slightly, his round eyes looking up at the young inspector in surprise.

“I’m just… checking if you’re okay.” “By stroking my head like this?”

“You look cute when you’re hurt like this. I just find you endearing.” What is the Inspector saying?!

His round eyes immediately lowered after hearing that. A faint blush appeared on his face, and the heart that normally beat slowly was now racing.

“Ahem, Mom’s still here, you two,” Khunying Pharada’s voice interrupted, along with a knowing smile sent in her son’s direction.

Thian stopped immediately. The hand that was stroking the soft hair was quickly pulled back before trying to compose himself. But the heat that crept up his face couldn’t be hidden.

“I think I need to check my blood sugar,” Pharada continued, her tone teasing, which made Mangkon begin to feel embarrassed.

“What are you talking about, Mom? It’s nothing,” Thian tried to deny it, but the low, deep voice that responded was noticeably higher.

“I’m just kidding, son, but I think when you stroke someone’s head like that, there must be some feeling, right?”

“There doesn’t have to be any feeling. It’s not necessary.”

The smile that was on the fair face a moment ago faded away from this sentence. In his chest, he felt a fluttering that was difficult to explain. That’s right, how could there be any feeling?

It’s just a normal head pat… he doesn’t feel anything either. He really doesn’t feel anything.

Mangkon let out a small smile before changing the subject. “The doctor should be here soon.”

Pharada excused herself, like a free housewife, not forgetting to turn and send a sweet smile to her son and daughter-in-law in name before leaving the room. Thian could only watch her go with weariness, before sighing softly and continuing to do his duty.

“Ready to go home?” “Yes, I’m ready.”

Before heading straight to the parking lot, the tall figure carefully supported the smaller figure as they walked out of the patient room.

The engine roared to life, and the cool air from the air conditioner helped to ease the fatigue of the day.

The atmosphere on the streets in the evening in Chiang Mai was filled with cars moving slowly. The long red tail lights stretched in a line. Horns sounded intermittently. The route they should be driving on was towards the outskirts of the city, but right now, the car was stuck in the middle of the economic district.

The beautiful car navigated through the heavy traffic and finally turned into a small alley lined with restaurants and cafes that were beautifully lit in the evening. Mangkon’s round eyes glanced at Thian, puzzled.

He probably has things to do, I guess.

“Let’s park the car here and walk to choose a restaurant you’d like to eat at, okay?” “H-huh?” He blinked, completely bewildered.

“The shaved ice you wanted to eat.”

Thian said, revealing a sweet smile that made the heart of the person looking at him stutter. The inspector remembered that he had once said he wanted to eat shaved ice. He himself had only just remembered a moment ago.

“Are you making that face because you don’t believe me?” “N-not at all.”

“Let’s go down, you.”

A faint smile appeared on Mangkon’s face. He quickly opened the door and got out of the car, with the tall figure following. Someone was indulging the patient to the extreme, so Mangkon couldn’t help but wonder. No matter what the younger man asked or requested, there wasn’t a refusal or argument in the slightest.

“Then let’s take this one, then.” The restaurant on the left was a cafe in white tones and decorated with a green lawn.

“If you’re full, I’ll treat you.”

“Really? Then I’ll eat everything for you until you regret it, Inspector.” “I can afford to take care of you, I can take care of you for a lifetime.”

As usual, the mischievous tone and gestures came with raising an eyebrow and glittering eyes. He hated it the most. The thin lips tilted out slightly, repeatedly telling himself in his heart, Don’t fall into the trap of the Inspector’s cunning words, before quickly striding into the restaurant without caring.

The interior of the shop was filled with the aroma of desserts and fresh coffee. Numerous menus were neatly arranged on small tables near the counter. Thian let Mangkon choose as he liked, and soon the items they had ordered began to be served. Sweet-colored shaved ice that looked delicious, followed by chocolate cake and a smooth-looking matcha green tea smoothie.

Without waiting, Mangkon went after the shaved ice in front of him first. A bright smile lit up the fair face, so Thian couldn’t help but look. His keen eyes stared at the side of the younger man’s face, unable to look away.

“Is it that delicious?”

“Yes, it’s very delicious. In the hospital, there’s only bland food.” “Is this sweet enough, then?”

“If it’s too sweet, I’m afraid I’ll get diabetes.”

Then tasting his wife’s kiss to ward off bad luck would probably turn into diabetes too, then. Suddenly, a nonsensical thought ran through his head. Thian chuckled quietly to himself.

“Damn it, how could I think like that?” “What?”

“Nothing, just thinking about random things.”

The tone was relaxed, but the faint smile on his handsome face looked suspicious. It seemed too dubious, causing the person about to scoop the shaved ice into his mouth to pause. Large, round eyes stared intently. It must be something about him. He couldn’t let it pass.

“Inspector, tell me now. What are you suddenly mumbling about?” “Do you really want to know?”

“If I didn’t want to know, would I be asking? Strange person.”

If you want to know something, you have to know it without fail, huh? A slight shake of the head occurred before the young inspector moved closer. Dark eyes moved slowly and stared intentionally, then gradually lifted a hand to gently caress the fair cheek.

His scent is fragrant, his cheeks are soft, and he even makes me worry about him this much. “I was just thinking…”

“I-Inspector…”

“…I was thinking, would your kiss also give me diabetes?”