2gether AU: Be You, be Mine

Chapter 10: Tine, I Don't Care, Please Don't Push Me Away

TW // CW: Mentions of drugs. 

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"Man! Calm down!"

Sarawat kept Man at an arm's length, trying to escape from Man's attempt to kiss him as Man protruded his lower lip. Sarawat could see Tine's expression morphing into a confusing yet terror one. Only then, did Man realise Tine was standing aside. He retracted his arms and scratched the back of his head embarrassingly, he wasn't expecting an additional guest today. Sarawat usually comes alone.

"Oops! Khor thot, who is this young fine gentleman here?"

Man pointed at Tine while looking at Sarawat. Sarawat rolled his eyes while pushing Man into the room, Tine assumed that he was to follow Sarawat, so he did. Once Sarawat closed the door behind him, Tine was taken aback by the wide stretch of smaller cabins in the room. Man guided both of them into one of the cabins and drew the curtains, creating a private space for the three of them.

"Tine, this is Man, one of the owners of Overrated. Man, this is Tine, my junior."

"Hello, Tine, nice to meet you. I'm sorry if I've startled you a little just now. I guess it's just in my genes."

"Sawatdi khrap."

Tine wai-ed politely. When Sarawat said he has his personal contacts to know Pam's whereabouts a few nights ago, he wasn't expecting this. Overrated was one of the most popular bars in Bangkok over the last few years, it was well-known for its expensive alcohol services and the heated atmosphere. It wasn't a normal drinking place where people would gather after work on Friday evenings, it was more like a place catered for more secretive people such as the mafias.

"Man is one of my two closest friends since high school, my other friend's name is Boss, who co-owns Overrated with Man. As for myself, I am just leveraging on them for certain information when necessary."

Tine nodded in understanding. He had learnt that the law enforcement agencies often have close ties with the operators of certain licensed premises. He just didn't foresee Overrated as one of these operators. Such collaboration was seen as a method for controlling alcohol-induced crimes in red-light districts and adjacent areas because police would be informed almost immediately when crime happens. Sarawat reached out for his phone and showed Man Pam's photo after they exchanged casual conversations.

"Pam, a 26 years old Thai female, tests confirmed a high level of alcohol in her blood. My colleagues found that the last place she was seen alive was Overrated, on Saturday night. She stayed till 5 in the morning before she left."

"I will ask the bartenders and bouncers working that night. They might've heard something."

"Thanks."

Man left the cabin and Sarawat started scrolling through his phone aimlessly. The heat and sweetness emitting from Tine's body were highly distractive, Sarawat couldn't trust his self-control to not embarrass him in front of Tine again. About 10 minutes later, Man returned with a smirk on his face. Tine knew they would have new leads from Man for sure.

"She was with Dim that night. They quarrelled for a bit before Dim left, she stayed and drank until she was drunk."

"And?"

"Guess what? Mil was here after that and he offered to give Pam a lift home."

Tine's blood ran cold at the mention of Mil's name. Interrogating Mil was the last thing he wanted to do. Of course, he could still do it if it was part of his job. Sarawat glanced at Tine, gauging his reaction carefully as Man continued to talk.