The Proposal

Love is an evil...

"The immigration service called…"

"Once again. Is there anything really important?"

Today, Mew is almost lucky: when he runs into one of the employees in the office, he manages to knock over only one cup of coffee. And it's good that his taste has long been "adjusted" to the choice of his boss's invigorating drink: sugary New Year's cinnamon and a lot of milk foam.

"Cool earring. Call me, Mia. Hmm. Didn't you get anything wrong?"

"No," Mew covers his blushing face with a folder, "your coffee is on the floor in the office."

"I see. Are your hands shaking?"

"No. Just was in a hurry."

"Mew. I understand you live on the outskirts of the city, in this poor neighborhood. But you need to learn time management. After all, get out of the house earlier."

Well, yes, Gulf. The morning mantra "you're a worthless nobody, Mew" has begun.

"Okay."

"Anyway, you could..." Gulf takes a sip, pushing the glass away from him in surprise. "Do you drink the same coffee as me?"

"Yes."

"P-f-f."

The wisest thing right now is to just keep silent.

The head of the secretary from the administrative department is pushed into the office:

"Khun Traipipattanapong, you are being waited in the head office."

"Tell them I'll come by after lunch."

"They asked me to say that it's urgent."

"Okay. Ten minutes."

The girl nods, disappearing into the hallway.

"So, I'm going to the head office, I'll be waiting for you there in twenty minutes with a review of yesterday's publication. I have lunch with the author, I want to have time to get acquainted on the way.

"Okay."

***

"You wanted to see me, right?"

Two men in expensive suits, like imposing catfish, sprawled in chairs.

"Yes. We have an important conversation with you."

"Which one?"

"You have overstayed your Thai work visa, and you are being expelled from the country."

No. Of course, Gulf respects the majority shareholders of the company for their directness and lack of equivocation. But today their statement head-on is simply discouraging.

"Um... yes. I've delayed the extension a bit, you know, the last month has been very stressful…"

"You have seventy-two hours to leave the country."

"But how... no. Wait," Gulf holds out both hands in a defensive gesture. "So you want me to work remotely while I sort out all my affairs with a new visa, right?"

One of the men who spoke first shakes his head:

"No, Gulf. You won't be able to do business from China. We're going to fire you."

"Are you serious?! But... damn!" Gulf can't help swearing. "There must be another way out, right?!"

"Like what?" the second man joins the conversation.

"I don't know. But you can think of something! I'm... I'm the editor-in-chief. After all, you know how seriously I treat my job. Did I not deserve leniency?! And then, there are a lot of important contracts ahead, who will you find in my place in such a short time?"