TO SHOU WITH LOVE

4 - TANIA

At 2:30 in the morning, the row of shops on Atsadang Slope Street had already closed, and a few sparse street lamps illuminated the alley, casting dim light over the surrounding insects fluttering incessantly.

The streets were plunged into a state of slumber, and the Atsadang Bar at the street corner had already closed its doors, indicating a slow business day.

Usually, at this time, the customers hadn't yet reached the point of drunkenness.

Thanapon had been at the Atsadang Bar for almost half a year.

After leaving Lampang and coming to Bangkok about a year and a half ago, he had worked various odd jobs, such as a hotel waiter, a tutor, event setup, and even as a runway model, until he found stability as a resident singer here.

The bar's proprietress, Belle, was kind to him, not only renting out two rooms on the second floor at a low price for his temporary residence but also introducing him to various odd jobs like modeling and commercial performances.

The heavy motorcycle was left behind by Belle's ex-boyfriend and was handed over to Thanapon since it was unused.

Thanapon did more than just sing in this bar, he did everything.

When there were no customers, he helped watch the store, and when it was crowded, he helped mix drinks.

Before closing time at night, he would even clean up and take out the trash.

After locking the motorcycle to the corner of the wall, Thanapon straightened up and walked towards the Atsadang Bar with his guitar on his back.

The keys collided with each other on his fingertips with a tinkling sound.

Just as he stepped onto the stairs, a dark figure suddenly rose beside the dimly lit bar door.

Thanapon's footsteps paused, and the keys in his hand stopped swinging, gripped firmly in his palm.

Every muscle in his body tensed in an instant, transitioning from relaxation to alertness.

He squinted slightly to scrutinize the figure,of medium height, an adult man.

Beyond him, a smaller figure swayed - a girl with a mushroom haircut, being held by the back of her collar by the man, her eyes almost half of her face obscured, staring at Thanapon.

"Hey," the man looked at him and spoke with a rough, heavy voice, "is this your sister?"

"What's going on?" Thanapon asked.

"Your sister stole something from my shop, and I've been waiting here for you for hours," the man's tone was clearly impatient as he complained, "How come you're only back so late at night?"

"What did she steal?" Thanapon relaxed slightly and ascended the stairs, pressing a button on the key in his hand.

Above the stairs, the anti-theft shutter began to slowly rise.

The man handed him the plastic bag.

Thanapon took it and roughly rummaged through it, finding chocolates, candies, and some inexplicable small trinkets inside.

"Stealing at such a young age, what's wrong with you people? Can't your family manage her properly? Are you her brother? Where are your parents? I was planning to call the police, thinking it's better not to escalate things, just let the family handle the child properly..."

The man ranted, while the girl with the mushroom haircut remained silent, staring fixedly at Thanapon.

Before the man could finish his words, Thanapon interrupted him, "How much money do you want?"