Unmasked

Confused

The following day, Tin walked into his office and casually tossed his coat onto the sofa opposite his desk. He quickly stashed the notes that his secretary and friend, Chaem, had handed him into his back pocket as he poured himself a cup of coffee. in didn't give them another thought until after he finished his first cup of coffee by the window, gazing out at the city below.

He savored the moment, letting the warmth of the drink spread through him as he swallowed. Sometimes he didn't even bother, especially after he went to the gym, but there were mornings when he needed a little pick-me-up. After filling up another cup, he took out the messages and started his day as Tin Medthanan, the businessman, rather than Tin Medthanan, the dancer with a wild side.

His brother sent him a message, questioning why he bothered having a cell phone if he never picked up calls. The majority of the messages were from individuals seeking his assistance in locating luxurious condos, accompanied by a few requests from the media for interviews regarding the present condition of the real estate industry.

The reporters' messages would always be ignored because he despised those lengthy and dull interviews. Cameras were never his thing. He would crumple the interview requests and use them as a target for his basketball skills, aiming for the garbage can. Putting his cup down on the desk, he reached for his phone and dialed Chaem's number. As he waited for her to arrive, he quickly texted his brother.

Chaem strolled in, carrying a notepad and her tablet, and took a seat opposite him. "You seem exhausted," she observed.

"Well, that's an understatement. I didn't manage to catch a single wink of sleep last night."

"Rough night?"

"Something like that." Tin let out a big sigh. "Hey, can you give these people a call?" He passed the notes for the possible new clients. "Ask them to come in and have a meeting with me next week. I don't want to squeeze anything else into this already busy week."

Chaem pointed out, "You had plans to take a break next week."

"Shit. That's right. Er.... Sure, let's schedule them to come in on Monday and Tuesday. After that, I'll be taking the rest of this week off, as well as Monday and Tuesday of the following week."

"Are you seriously going to postpone this vacation again? You've been talking about it for the past what... four or five years and then chickening out at the last moment. If you keep doing that, people might mistake you for me."

Tin laughed. "Looks like you, eh? Not a downside."

"Sweet-talker," She playfully accused, flashing a smile. "But you catch my drift. You're incredible at your work, Tin, but you're no Captain America. You aren't invincible."

"Can and I have talked about it, and at the moment we're torn between Thor and Bumblebee.."

Chaem blinked at him, then arched a brow. "Seriously?"

"I know. I know!" He raised his hands in frustration. "Honestly, I need a break. I've been feeling so drained lately that I don't really have a choice. I can't keep postponing this any further. I strongly believe that there's a limit to how much you can push yourself before your body gives in."

Chaem laughed. "Okay."

"Have you seen Can?"

"Yeah. He showed up bright and early this morning to put his "signature" on a few documents, which I needed to send out. As far as I know, he's currently in a meeting with the folks from Crestview Skyscrapers."

"That was today?"

Chaem nodded.

"Damn."

"Yep, it looks like they're giving him full control over the entire building."