Arthit's POV

Kongpob: Arthit, what do you think?

Arthit: Huh?

Kongpob: What do you think?

Kongpob turns to me smiling, and as I look at him Davika snakes her arms around him, giving him a back hug.

Kongpob: You're going to wrinkle this.

Davika: I haven't seen you for so long.

Kongpob: I have been busy, and you have been busy too with the new season ahead. Right?

Davika let's go of Kongpob, and tries to straighten his outfit from the back. While Kongpob is looking at me again expecting me to answer his previous question.

Arthit: They all look good on you. They compliment your body structure, and the colors are perfect for your tanned skin tone.

He gives me a bright smile looking directly at me tilting his head slightly stretching his long exposed neck. He looks impossibly young in his oversized white top. Nothing like the serious businessman that he portrays from Monday to Friday. I have this urge to go hug him, and comfort him even though he is currently smiling. I'm not even sure if I want to comfort him or myself actually.

Davika suddenly sits on the armrest of the chair I'm in. She leans closer to me with her arms crossed, while her stares are directed in Kongpob's direction.

Davika: He looks good doesn't he? He is the center of my focus for this line.

Arthit: Yes, they look really good on him.

Davika turns to me.

Davika: I would imagine you to look really good in a lot of things with your complexion and features too, but you would not have the same effect. Your features soften the edge to anything you wear. Where as he gives the edge to everything he touches.

Arthit: Okay, I guess you're right. I don't know much about fashion, but your designs are unique.

Davika: Thank you.

Davika gets up, and walks back towards Kongpob.

Davika: I think 2, 3, and 7 looks best. Put 2 back on, and Cynthia will bring the other two outfits downstairs for the photoshoot. I will meet you downstairs in 10 minutes.

Kongpob nods as he starts unzipping the hoodie he was just wearing. Davika runs her hand from Kongpob's neck down to his waist, lightly tugging his belt with a playful smile on her face. Doing exactly what I wanted to do. Kongpob just stays still until she lets go.

She turns around, and walks away to talk to her assistant that I assume is Cynthia. Kongpob didn't give her much reaction, but also didn't reject her blatant advances. There's definitely something between them, but their interaction is odd.

Kongpob: Arthit, let's go downstairs and get this over with. I'm getting hungry again.

Kongpob walks up to me, and throws his arm around my neck half dragging me towards the elevator. His musky scented cologne fills my senses. I look up close to his profile that is right next to me. He is very handsome, and he has so many different smiles. But most of them doesn't reach his eyes.

Arthit, don't let your heart stir as it's only destined for a heartbreak with this man. He will never want you the same way. Keep cool. He is just a very good friend.

We went downstairs, and it took another 45 minutes before Kongpob was done with his photoshoot. He posed really well, so this is probably something he does quite frequently. Davika was there the whole time fixing his hair, makeup, accessories, or straightening his clothes.

Cynthia: Davika, you've got a call on line two.

Davika takes the phone from Cynthia.

Davika: Davika speaking....no that's not possible. I need him here for BIFW. You are his manager, how could you let this happen? You know what? He is fired!

Davika hangs up fuming.

I'm sure whoever on the other side of the call has been imaginarily killed a million times by her.

Kongpob: I take it something is wrong?

Davika looks to Kongpob.

Davika: Kongpob, I need you for the BIFW tomorrow. Krit McClean got into a fight in Istanbul, and now he can't make his flight back since he is detained.

Kongpob: Davika, I wasn't even going to BIFW.

Davika: You are now. There's going to be eleven other labels showcasing their new season's line up. Krit is supposed to wear three pieces of our line. The keyword here is "our," so you must support it. This is the biggest show of the season. You and Krit have a similar body structure, and I wouldn't ask you if I had another choice.

Kongpob: Fine. Where is it going to be? I tossed the invite already.

Davika gives Kongpob a glare.

Davika: Siam Paragon, the show starts at 7pm, but you need to be there by 6pm so I can brief you. You pretty much know how the rest goes.

Kongpob: All I have to do is walk, right?

Davika: Yes. And you have done this before, so don't worry.

Kongpob: I'm bringing Arthit.

Arthit: Me? Why?

Davika looks between us.

Kongpob: There's usually a good after party. We might as well have some fun. That's unless you don't want to. I mean, it's okay if you don't want to.

Arthit: That sounds interesting. I've never been to a fashion show before. Are you sure? I think I will feel out of place, and I don't want to get in the way.

Kongpob: No worries. I'll make sure you fit right in. Please get Arthit a VIP seat.

Kongpob winks at me, and smiles brightly.

Davika: VIP done. Thank you. You are my lifesaver. I'll have Cynthia email the details to you, and send this season's line to your place once adjustments are made. I have to go make some phone calls. I'll see you two tomorrow.

Davika kisses Kongpob on the cheek. Smiling, she walks over to me, and pulls me in for a hug. She whispers in my ears, "It's nice meeting you handsome, and look as much as you want, but you guys are not playing on the same field."

She pulls away looking at me with a knowing smile. I awkwardly smiled back, and turned away. Am I that obvious?

Kongpob changed, and we left for dinner.

~~~~~~

Dinner

We went to a high-end Japanese yakiniku restaurant where you grill your own meat at the table because Kongpob says he really wanted beef. They served the highest quality imported Japanese A5 wagyu at 1200 baht an ounce. That's one ounce, that's smaller than the size of my thumb. Kongpob just ordered everything for the both of us while I'm almost too afraid to even touch the menu.

I'm honestly uncomfortable with him paying for me, but he says there's no point in having money if he can't even buy his friend dinner. And if I don't let him treat me, then I don't think of him as a friend because I'm making a big deal about it. So, I relented.

He is actually doing all the grilling too. I guess this should count as cooking, right?

"Sorry, if it was boring at the fashion house."

"No, on the contrary, it was quite interesting. You looked great in all those outfits. So, you've modeled before?"

"A while back when the label was brand new, and Davika didn't have the budget to hire professional models. She modeled for her own women's line, and I did her a favor to model her men's line. This was before I invested in her brand."

"Well, she's beautiful, so I'm sure she did great as a model."

"Yes. She was a professional model before she became a designer. That's how she got started in the business."

"So you and her, huh?"

I can't help it. I'm dying to know.

"We are friends."

"With benefits?"

"Sometimes. Although, I've been trying to avoid it."

I knew it.

"Why? She's beautiful. She's your partner. She's obviously into you."

Kongpob sighs.

"What she wants is not what I can give. I don't feel that way about her. And besides, mixing business and pleasure is never a good idea."

Kongpob puts a few pieces of that wagyu on my plate, and serves himself some too. He watches me as I try it for the first time.

"Mmm... this is soo soo good. I can see why it's so expensive. I'm coming back when I get my bonus."

This shit is good. The meat is so tender.

"Good right? You should come with me to Kobe, Japan for the champion Kobe A5 beef at Mouriya's. The marbling is so beautiful, and the beef is so tender and juicy. It melts in your mouth."

"I wish I could, but it's most likely out of my budget. This is good enough for me."

"No, we should definitely go. I will make it happen. Just watch."

I just laughed at his excitement. I wish I can really go to Kobe with him too.

We continued to eat, chat, and laugh like we have been doing the past two weeks. I mentally pushed Davika's comment aside. I already knew what she said was true, but I didn't want to hear it. I'm okay with just being friends if that means I can have these moments with him. I can't remember the last time I was this happy being myself. He has this way of breaking down the wall I always have up without even trying.

The more I get to know him, the more I am captivated by him. He is such a complex person that I am constantly surprised and amazed. I know what I'm starting to feel for him is more than mere physical attraction now. But some things and some people are just not meant to be. There's only a week left till my three weeks stay is over. I know he would let me stay longer if I had too, but I don't want to wait until it becomes too hard to leave. I think I'm going to miss spending time with him though. I don't know if we will really hangout after I leave. I hope we do, but our worlds are so different.

I have been checking out apartments during my lunch break for the past week and a half. I don't go after work since I want to make sure to go home with Kongpob so that I can make dinner. I have already found a pet friendly place through a realtor. I just need to go sign the new lease by next Friday. I haven't told Kongpob yet, but I will get around to it. I need to find a way to get Popeye back. Chet hasn't picked up any of my calls since the last time. I have even tried to use different numbers, but he is just not picking. Is he still alive? I hope Popeye is safe. I really miss him.