Just Pretend

Chapter 4

 Arthit was distracted. After their date - no, not a date, just two guys hanging out - on Saturday, Arthit had spent his Sunday doing everything in his power to avoid thinking about whatever was happening to him. He didn't know what had possessed him to openly flirt with Kongpob, or what had caused the fluttering nervousness in his stomach when Kongpob flirted back, but he was not going to allow it to happen again. And the first step to that was completely ignoring Kongpob and any and all thoughts about Kongpob. Instead he played guitar, read comics, visited his friend Bright's bar, and stayed out probably far too late with his friends talking about anything and everything that was not Kongpob. Come Monday morning, Arthit was feeling optimistic. He'd succeeded in his mission and was ready to go to work and focus on securing a supplier for the copper wires they needed as the last component for the solar panels they were developing.

As soon as Arthit stepped out of the cab, however, his optimism drained from his body and was replaced by nervous confusion as Kongpob approached him from where he was waiting on the steps.

"Good morning, P'Arthit." Kongpob grinned, his eyes bright and alert and his clothes meticulously put together. Arthit adjusted his tie self consciously, hoping the wrinkles in his shirt weren't too obvious - he hadn't had time to iron it that morning.

"'Morning." Arthit said brusquely, brushing past Kongpob toward the front door.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Hmm."

Arthit's steps quickened but Kongpob matched his pace effortlessly, following him straight to the elevator. Frustrated, Arthit shoved his hands in his pockets as they waited for the elevator to arrive, pretending not to notice the way Kongpob shuffled slightly closer as more people crowded around the elevator. Finally the elevator came and the crowd shoved inside, pressing Arthit against Kongpob tightly, torso to torso.

Arthit could feel Kongpob's chest pushing against his as they breathed, Kongpob's warm breath barely brushing his face. It smelled like mint toothpaste, and it mixed pleasantly with the subtle scent of Kongpob's cologne. Arthit stared at the door, refusing to meet Kongpob's gaze as the elevator began moving. Arthit counted the floors anxiously, breathing a sigh of relief when the elevator finally stopped on his floor. He began to push his way past the crowd, mumbling apologies but refusing to stop until he was free from the elevator and safely in the hallway, where he took a deep breath and stood for a moment to get his bearings before heading into the office.

"Busy morning."

Arthit jumped, turning behind him to see Kongpob had apparently followed him out of the elevator. "What are you doing here?" He questioned warily.

"Oh, did I forget to tell you? P'Danai has asked me to help the purchasing department for a few days while P'Todd is away."

Arthit swore internally. It was just his luck. He must have done something truly awful recently to have earned such a punishment. He wondered briefly if he should attempt to make merit to make this all go away before he was pulled out of his thoughts by Kongpob.

"P'Arthit?"

"Yes?"

"I asked if we should head into the office now," Kongpob said, eyeing Arthit curiously.

Without answering Arthit walked past Kongpob and opened the large glass door to the office, wai-ing his coworkers as he walked in. Ignoring the curious stares from P'Earth and P'Som-O he walked directly to his desk and sat down, pulling out the binders he would need for the projects he was working on and turning on his computer to get to work.