Chapter 7

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Kongpob loves riding his bike. Speeding across all the noise of the city, and leaving behind the dead weight on his shoulders. Everything becomes a blur and doesn't matter at this moment. It's his temporary escape from his life. A life he didn't choose, but was forced upon him. If he had a choice, he would much rather be free. Lead an ordinary life where he's not responsible for others.

Riding his bike is the only rebellious thing left that he does that irritates his mother. His mother would say he is being reckless, and selfish by taking unnecessary risks. But that's exactly it. What has Kongpob ever been able to do that wasn't always just necessary? Nothing. Too much is at risk. And maybe his mother is right. He can't afford to die, at least not yet.

Well, dying wasn't in his plans anyway. All he wants is just to get away for a bit. Being in suits and ties all week no matter how good they looked is just tiring. It's like being choked around the clock. Who's stupid idea was it anyway to make ties? And then there's the endless cycles of meetings. Meetings about the next meeting about the next meeting, and so on. Can someone just sum it up, and tell him where to sign? Nope. He was a little too good for that either.

Despite how demanding and high pressure his professional life is, he is damn good at it. He actually performs best under pressure. He has turned his grandfather's failing little plastic company into the conglomerate it is today. He had to fight tooth and nail to get to where he is right now. His aunt and uncles wanted nothing to do with the business when it was on it's last thread, but is knocking on his door steps now. His father took his last breath asking him to protect his grandfather's company, and all its employees.

Many people take a look at him, and underestimate him just because he is still very young. He is not the typical 50 something year old with a belly going bald that they are used to. There was this one time a man asked him to bring him coffee, just as Kongpob walked into the conference room, telling him exactly how he wanted it too.

Kongpob's assistant wanted to correct the man, but Kongpob stopped him. Instead he went to make the coffee as instructed, and brought the cup over to the man. The man didn't even utter a thank you, or bother to look up to acknowledge him. In matter of fact, none of the four people sitting at the table paid any attention to Kongpob. It was only when Kongpob went to take his seat at the head of the table did everyone looked to him dumbfounded. And of course the coffee guy was beyond embarrassed. Kongpob closed one of his best deals that day.

Arriving at his destination, Kongpob puts his bike in park. He takes off his helmet, and walks into a little cozy restaurant. He walks over to the corner booth, and sits down. Pulls out the menu that he has seen for over a million times already.

"You know, you can probably recite that backwards by now." A woman with beautiful long lush hair comes over.

"Well, I still like to see my options." Kongpob says with a smile.

"Ugh huh. Yet you always order the same thing every week. French toast." The woman says rolling her eyes.

"I'll have you know that I'm going to order just coffee for today." Kongpob smiles.

"Oh sweetie, you have to eat something. Just coffee is not sufficient. Don't run on an empty stomach." The lady said with a worried face, and slides in the booth next to Kongpob.

"I am fine. I ate already, but I still wanted to stop by. Hold on a second, you have a fallen lash."

She closed her eyes as Kongpob gently removes the lash.

"There. I got it. Do you want to make a wish?"

"No, you silly. I don't believe in that. So who did you bring home this time? You don't usually let them stay the night."

"It's nothing like that. It was just someone who needed a little help, and I happened to be there."

"So you came to her rescue Prince Charming? Well, I guess every love story has to start somewhere. She must've have been real pretty for you to let her stay the night though."

"It was a man okay. He just needed a place to stay for the night. By the way, he makes some really good french toast. He could give you a run for your money."

"Well, if it's a man then, I guess the evil queen won't have to work overtime."

"Haha, aren't you being a little dramatic."

"Am I? Do I have to remind you what happened the last time?"

Another waitress comes by, "Nina, there's a call for you."

"Excuse me then. I'll bring your coffee over in a minute." Nina walks away with a smile.

Kongpob thinks to himself, love is just not in the cards for him. He has no time for it anyway. He is fine just the way things are. His needs were met when necessary, and convenient. Nobody gets hurt, and nobody is at fault. He is no longer the gullible boy that blindly believed in empty promises.

"Here's your coffee Prince Charming." Nina says as she puts the cup of coffee down. She takes the seat across from Kongpob.

Kongpob puts cream and sugar in his coffee just the amount he likes. A little hint of sweetness, yet not enough to mask the distinct bitterness of coffee. He never liked those fancy diabete inducing coffee drinks with names he can't even pronounce. He gives his cup a good stir, but before he can even take the first sip, Nina takes it away from him.

Nina takes a big sip smiling. "Perfect." She winks at Kongpob.

Kongpob pouts. "Why didn't you get yourself a cup? You own the damn place."

"Yes, but it's more fun to drink yours. Besides, you always mix it perfectly. That's why you actually make your own coffee. Your secretary even begs YOU to make her coffee."

"Well, I've been telling you guys exactly how much to mix. I don't know why you guys can't do it. It's no big secret."

"It's you. It's your magic touch." Nina says as she puts the cup back down in front of Kongpob half empty.

Kongpob just smiles and drinks the rest.

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