Let's Do Lunch

Chapter 2

His son was running away, AGAIN, hiding behind the couch. How the three year old managed to squeeze himself in there was beyond him. Kongpob grunted while moving the couch out of the way but before he could grab Solo, the toddler ran to the other side of the room.

"Solo! Get over here!" Kongpob chased the toddler whoe was now under the dinner table. Before a single chair was out of the way, little Solo was running out of the room. "You have to eat, damn it! Solo!"

He heard a chuckle coming from behind him. His best friend stood there pointing out the hilarious image of Kongpob being disheveled to his secretary, who happened to be M's wife. He just gave them the stink eye and continued chasing his son, who was making a run for the stairs. With a quick maneuver, he picked up his son. The toddler erupted in a fit of giggles from being carried upside down.

May just rolled her eyes at her husband's childish behavior. She ignored him and followed Kongpob to the table. "Still having a hard time getting him to eat?"

Kongpob turned his son right side up. His tone showed his desperation and frustration. "Yes. I don't know what's the problem. I bought fried rice just like the one he had earlier at work. He just took a look at it and pushed the plate away."

He kicked the highchair to face him. A new battle started between him and his son. The toddler curved his back away from the seat, refusing to cooperate.

"Solo! You have to sit done and eat."

May took pity of the man and helped him strap in the toddler into place. Grabbing the plate, she tried to play Choo Choo Train and Airplane to get the spoonful of rice into the little one's mouth. Solo kept shaking his head side to side, holding his hands in front of him.

"Maybe he knows it's not the same kind? Or does it smell funny?" M stood next to her, grabbing her hand, shoving the food in his mouth. "Ish tashes goo."

"Don't talk with your mouth full." May scolded her husband. Sighing, she moved the plate to the side. "What are you gonna do, Kongpob? The kid has to eat."

M took the plate and started eating. Ignoring the files that brought him there. "Maybe take him to the hospital?"

Kongpob frowned at the suggestion. "I know he can eat. I found him today eating in one of the production offices. He ate all of it on his own! He even had pink milk!! I didn't even know he liked that!"

The exasperated father sat down on the now unoccupied seat when May stood up. He poked at his son's cheek. "Why won't you just eat?"

He offered a slice of peeled apple. Those small eyes stared at his father before reaching to take it. He smiled when the sweetness erupted in his mouth.

May laughed at the father-son interaction. "Which office was it?"

"Huh?" Kongpob was lost in the motions of handing Solo fruit pieces.

"The production office that you found Solo in. Which one was it?"

"I think it was team 1?" Kongpob frowned when trying to remember. "I can't remember very well. I panicked when Solo disappeared from my office. The guy that was in there was a skinny guy. Pearly white skin. Big eyes. Pink lips. He was drinking pink milk."

M and May glanced at each other. May slowly asked, "Did he have a sharp way of speaking? Mostly stays quiet?"

Kongpob glanced at her. He raised an eyebrow at her questions. "I guess? I don't know. We didn't talk much. He just worked and fed Solo."

M pushed the empty plate away. "Sounds like P'Arthit."

May nodded in agreement. "That description fit him pretty well. I'll admit, I never noticed his lips though."

Kongpob ignored her teasing tone and asked M, "P'Arthit? You know him?"

"Everyone knows him. He comes off as rude sometimes. People sometimes think he's stuck up but he's always the one to volunteer when extra work is needed. He helps all the newbies and interns. Mostly keeps to himself." M sounded like he admired the guy.

"Mn, though sometimes it's weird drama. He gets hit on a lot. He turns down everyone. I heard he stapled the tie of an insisting guy to his desk. The guy deserved it though, that guy kept following him." May opened the files they brought and pushed them towards Kongpob.

Kongpob just raised his eyebrows at the gossip. He glanced at the paperwork and made quick notes on necessary modifications. "Sounds like a popular guy."

The next day, Kongpob took Solo with him to the office again. He kept getting notices from the day care of Solo not eating and not interacting with the other kids. He stopped taking him there when he was told that Solo needed to get tested for possible autism or something like that.

Everyone might think he's just in denial but he knew his kid. Solo changed completely when his wife left them. Solo had been hiding around the corner when she left yelling behind her about having enough and was going to go on to live her life. Kongpob's heart gave a hard squeeze when he remembered how Solo tripped when running after his mother. Ever since than Solo became quieter.

"Solo, look at me." Kongpob kneeled infront of the toddler. "I need to go in to a meeting. You stay right here with Auntie May."

Solo just blinked at him before looked up at May. He turned back to Kongpob when he felt fingers press his cheek, trying to get his attention.

"Solo, did you understand? Don't go running off again. If you need to go potty, Auntie May will take you. Ok?" Kongpob kissed Solo's forehead when he got a small nod in response.

May helped Solo open his little bag, taking out crayons and paper. "Sit right here, Solo. If you need anything just tell me."

Solo just blinked up at her sat down on the floor next to the coffee table. The only sound in the room was May's typing and the scratching of Solo coloring.

Solo put down his color. He gripped the paper, pride could be seen on his face when he saw his work. He walked towards May.

"What do you have there?" May asked, her smile never wavered. Nto even when Solo held the paper close to his torso. "Did you wanna give that to your papa?"

Solo shook his head and pulled at her hand. He was a man with a purpose and he needed her to help him with the doors. May just followed along. Opening doors when needed. Her eyes lit up when she saw that they were going in the direction of the production department. The little one still remembered the way to that office.

Solo let go when she opened the door for the office of Team 1. He ran around the people working. All movement stopped when they saw the toddler.

Arthit paid no attention to the commotion. He was working on finalizing his new project. He blinked to reality when he felt a pull against his arm. He turned to see the little prince again.

"Hello?" Arthit rolled back his seat, making space for Solo. The toddler held up his work of art, smiling at the older male. "For me?"

Solo nodded. Raising his arms to get help to sit on Arthit's lap. Arthit helped Solo get comfortable while inspecting the picture. It looked like a picture of him and food?

"Hungry."

May stood there shocked at the word. Solo hardly ever talked. She hadn't heard him speak in a while. But there he was. Demanding food from what could only be assumed to be a new friend.

It's been a while. I know, I know. I beg for forgiveness. Let me know what you think of this chapter. I've solidified some points about the characters on my drafts. I just gotta get to it. I hope you know this is gonna be a more sweet kind of story. Not too much drama. Just plain bubbles and flowers.  Cuz we all need some of that sometimes.