Forget Me Not

Agendas

Meeting Sarawat for the first time didn't feel unique, especially since Fong, Ohm, and Phuak had already spoken to him on the phone. However, seeing him in person was entirely different. The moment he stepped out of the Mustang, they instantly understood why Tine was so captivated.

The man was handsome---not the typical kind seen on television among most idol actors. He was tall with sun-kissed skin and an intimidating, manly appearance. From the start, they could tell Sarawat was not someone to be trifled with. His ability to speak multiple languages was already a testament to his intelligence. They also noticed a mysterious allure beneath his respectful façade. Tine was right; it seemed Sarawat was holding something back, wearing a mask to protect himself and his true identity. Fong, Ohm, and even Phuak were intrigued. He was likable and personable, but there was something dangerous about him.

Perhaps attempting to win Tine's friends over, Sarawat decided to treat them to a nearby family restaurant. It wasn't anything fancy, but the food was superb and well-liked by both Thai locals and visiting foreigners. The diner served a unique blend of Thai cuisine mixed with international flavors, something rarely done by other nearby bistros. Fong was on the fence with his judgment, Ohm remained skeptical, while Phuak, a food lover, wouldn't waste a meal regardless of his opinion of the person.

"I always thought you were probably handsome in person," Ohm began as they enjoyed their supper---an assortment of chicken, shrimp, and tofu with authentic flavors. "I mean, your voice sounds so good on the phone."

Sarawat's cheeks colored slightly, and Tine thought he looked a little boyish but still adorable. "Thank you. I've been meaning to meet you guys and schedule a brunch with my friends, but we couldn't find the time..."

"Yeah, there's always a conflict with work schedules," Tine added.

Fong eyed Sarawat. "Well, we can always take a vacation leave and maybe visit someplace where we could all get to know each other better."

"That's a good idea," Sarawat replied with a charming smile.

Fong narrowed his gaze; Sarawat could tell he was the type of friend who couldn't be won over easily. "You know, I was the one who recommended the dating app where you met Tine. We actually chose eleven people for him to date and have fun with. You were the last one on the list but the first one he saw, and the rest is history."

"I guess I did a good job, right?" Sarawat glanced lovingly at Tine, whose expression brightened as their hands intertwined.

"You did more than a good job," Fong said. "In fact, I think you did a fantastic job. You sound and look like you came straight out of a novel. Are you sure you didn't pull out random books from your library and experiment with which character works best for our friend here?"

The group laughed, but Sarawat was again stabbed with guilt. Fong had hit the mark because, as a covert agent, Sarawat often drew on characters from novels he read and portrayed those roles in real life, whichever his group thought worked best on their target.

"I swear to you, this is the real me," was all he said.

Ohm took over. "Our friend here broke up with his ex-fiancé not too long ago. Though Tine didn't take it well, he isn't really that weak, but we know he was hurt. He devoted most of his time to work after the breakup, so we hope you're with him for good."

Tine was astonished at the way Ohm described him, realizing this was likely something they had discussed when talking about him. He was moved by how much his friends cared for him and could hear the sincerity in their voices.

"I am here to stay," Sarawat said, matching the sincerity of Tine's friends. He liked them more in person than on the phone. Their genuine loyalty to Tine was admirable and reminded him of Man and Boss. Just like his own friends with him, they all agreed that Tine wasn't perfect and had made plenty of mistakes, both in the past and present. But despite it all, they refused to leave his side or betray him. They didn't always agree, but they would defend each other to the death. That was what true bonding really meant.