White Tulips and Daisies

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

The moment Blue ran to his other father, he crouched down to receive the offered hug from the kid and lifted him up. The woman's arm slowly slipped off and her eyes immediately lit up upon seeing Build.

"What are you doing here?" Wichapas' eyes never left Build.

Before Build could answer, his son interrupted. "Papa and I made you lunch. We bring a lot. Auntie cooked delicious soup."

As Blue babbled to his father, Build's eyes shifted from the woman to Wichapas and back to the woman again. Wichapas got the hint, of course. And to avoid further misunderstandings, he introduced her to him.

"Remember Iris?. You met her once."

Build recalled. Yes, one of the new investors of the company.

"We met already before. Can't you remember me?" Iris smiled at him.

"Yes. Of course, I remember you." Build smiled back, a stiff one.

"That's great! I hope we could have time to talk more. But I have a flight to catch. I need to go back as soon as possible." Iris pouts.

"You should go ahead. Happy birthday. Your bill at Celia's will be on me as my birthday gift." Wichapas fixed Blue's position on his arms.

"Can I have a party?" Iris smiled at him mischievously.

"You're pushing your luck." Wichapas went near Build, brushing his own arm to his. Build shivered. The smallest contact always has the most impact if it's from Wichapas.

"Still coldhearted as f–"

"Language." Wichapas looked at him with a warning while trying to remind Iris that Blue is there.

"Oops! Sorry." She giggled. "Anyways, I have to go. Bye, Khun." She waved at Build.

"Bye. Happy birthday." Build smiled at her.

"Thanks! You owe me a drink when I get back." And then she winked. Before Iris turned around, she rolled her eyes to Wichapas.

Build can't help but think. This is the first time he saw Wichapas being so comfortable with others, other than Prem, at work. They look so close like they knew each other so well. Like they've been into a lot of things already. Like closest friends. Or maybe more than that?

"Let's go inside." Wichapas broke his reverie.

Build settled himself on the soft couch while arranging the lunch they brought on the coffee table. Blue is sitting on the other couch while Wichapas is on his telephone, talking about business of course. Blue is playing on his Papa's phone. Build can't help but steal glances. The sight of Iris' arm around Wichapas still lingering on his mind. He can't imagine Wichapas allowing someone that close to him.

"What do you have here?" Build flinched. He didn't know when Wichapas sat beside him. He looked at the man who's busy looking at the food on the table.

"How long have you known each other?" Build asked, making Wichapas look at him.

"Who? Iris?" Wichapas started placing some food on the plates in front of him. One for him and one for Build.

"Yes. You look so close to each other." Build opened the special bento box made by Aunt Praya for Blue.

Wichapas studied his face. He looked at Build's eyes too long, reading his mind. A few seconds later, Build decided to let go of the gaze.

"I've known her for less than three years, I think. She decided to invest in my company after she graduated college as a sign of rebellion to her family." Wichapas had placed a plate in front of Build and started munching the food on his own plate.