Start of Something New

Lunch Meeting

⏭️

"Oh right. The lunch with Mr. Lertratkosum is tomorrow right?"

"Yes. That's right."

The two are currently in the living room with Santa reading a book and Perth watching the television. Both didn't have work today but they are too lazy to go out so they just decided to hang out in the living room.

"Will you tag along with us again?" Perth asked curiously. Usually, if it's a lunch meeting with business partners, Perth goes alone but with Mr. Lertratkosum, Santa is required to also go even though he stays out of the meeting.

"Considering the probability of Sir. Naravit being there is high, I do have to go." Santa replied, laughing sarcastically. He's so engrossed with what he's reading that he hadn't noticed Perth looking at him.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Oh. He once admitted that the only reason he tags along with his father every time the two of you have a business meeting is to ask me out for lunch. That's why your meetings with him were always scheduled at lunch." Santa replied, shaking his head at the absurdity of the reason. Thinking about it, he laughs at himself. Why didn't it even cross his mind to date Pond when he's so persistent on asking him out? Maybe it's because he overwhelms him with gifts every time they meet? Or is it because he always brags about his father's money? No matter the reason, Santa had never considered him as a possible life partner.

"Since when?" Perth asked, keeping his cool. Maybe he shouldn't let Santa tag along for tomorrow's meeting.

"Oh, since we attended an event at their house last year." Santa replied, nonchalantly. He doesn't see it as a big deal.

"Then why do you keep accepting his invitations?" Perth asked, incredulous.

"Because I don't want to offend the son of your business partner, who, must I remind you, will take his father's place one day." Santa said, matter-of-factly.

"Does that mean that he's still trying to woo you?"

"Uhm. I have no idea but I'll go with yes. He still keeps on trying to ask me out on a date and gives me presents no matter how many times I reject him. He's one persistent guy, I must say."

Santa finally turned to look at Perth at that. He was about to make a joke that if the marriage didn't happen, he may be forced to agree just to stop Pond from being annoying but the look on his husband's face made him stop. Perth was looking at him with an unreadable expression on his face but for some reason, it made Santa nervous. He swallowed hard, noting the change in the atmosphere.

"Uhm.."

"Wear your wedding ring tomorrow."

Santa's eyes went wide when he heard Perth's suggestion. He refused to do what Perth asks. He said that he'll just tell Pond that he's in a relationship although he knows that Pond won't believe him. Perth stood up from where he was sitting and sat beside Santa, still carrying that dark aura around him.

"Must I remind you that you are a married man now?" Perth said, his voice low.

"That's why I said that I'll just tell him that I'm already in a relationship." Santa insisted.

"Ta.. I swear if I see him get physically close to you tomorrow, I don't even care if you get angry at me. I'll introduce myself as your husband."

Santa just rubbed Perth's arm, trying to pacify his husband. Why is he this pissed with the situation? Santa swears that he won't do anything wrong.

"Ta.." Perth held Santa's chin to make the latter look at him in the eyes.

"Do you understand?" Perth asked his husband. He's making sure Santa understands what he just said because he's not even kidding. He will let Pond know his place. The thing is, he can't even blame Santa for it. Like, who wouldn't take an interest in him? He's like beauty encapsulated in a single human being that couldn't decide whether to make him look pretty or handsome, so he ended up being both.