Self Rival • Completed

xxxvi. the anger

The whole day that day, Arthit was the talk of the whole company. He was the topic on every existing group chat possible. That he and the C.O.O. had something going on. 

But Arthit didn't have the time to focus on the gossip anymore, he's more worried to talk to the C.E.O. when his boss knew Arthit's putting his son in hell. 

Despite his brain muddled and messed up state courtesy of Kongpob, Arthit caught on to the oddness of how the C.E.O. acted last night, different from the usual kindness and politeness Arthit saw from the man. From the quick shift in his tone addressing his son and the clear aversion between the two, Arthit knew there's a different version of the man that he's keeping to himself, or the one his son could only see.

That version that Arthit didn't want to see because he greatly respected the man and he's afraid he would start seeing him differently if he let Arthit see him like that.

But he never got a notice from Kongpob's father, either because Kongpob made an intervention or the man didn't particularly care about his son's love life.

The gossips never stopped because Kongpob never stopped either. Despite Arthit's threats, Kongpob still approached him at the office whenever the younger's not busy and the younger looked like he's always not busy staying and begging for Arthit to listen to him at least an hour of every day. 

Kongpob also waited for him at night, offering him a ride hoping to talk to him. He also tried asking for a little of Arthit's time by bribing him foods, flowers, and every single thing that could be delivered in the office, all of which Arthit gave to his friends or his colleagues. 

Although Kongpob never made any shameful action again that would embarrass Arthit again, it's obvious that Kongpob was set on to make Arthit heed onto his only request. But Arthit's also set on to ignore him. Arthit already decided, he didn't want to hear what Kongpob had to say for himself.

Arthit's very mad at the younger. Still.

The only time Kongpob backed off of him was the time Arthit's eating with his friends that's why he frequently ate with them to avoid Kongpob. 

Arthit guessed Kongpob backed off was because the younger was ashamed of his friends because they were very supportive of him especially Bright, who was adamant on defending K for Arthit so Arthit would pick K instead of Kong. Bright who also treated Kongpob like his best friend. 

And Arthit's very happy for Prem now that his friend's finally dating Wad after years of Prem hopelessly chasing and annoying Wad. Arthit bitterly remembered when Prem promised him he and Wad would be more disgustingly in love and sweeter than Arthit and Kong. 

At that time, he remembered thinking it would be impossible because Wad didn't look like he's on his way to acquiescing to Prem's invitation and Arthit thought there will be no better than him and Kong.

But look who's laughing now?

Arthit's just grateful Prem didn't mock him for it. In fact, Prem's respectful enough not to touch the very sensitive subject, like all of his friends were. All of them were keen on ignoring that all of them were just fooled. 

It was only Wad who had the braveness to tackle the elephant in the room. 

"I'm sorry P'Arthit," Wad finally said after a few minutes of guiltily looking at Arthit. 

Arthit blinked at him in confusion so Wad continued with, "I'm friends with Kong."

Arthit felt a pang. He realized by now that 'Kong' is Kongpob's real nickname. At least, that part of him was real. 

"Wait," Prem's eyebrows scrunched at his boyfriend. "You mean, when you were telling me you're friends with Khun Kerkkrai's son, you were telling the truth?"