The Dying of the Light

Chapter Nine

It had been a month since the attack in the hospital. The blow to Kongpob's head had delayed his recuperation, leaving him hospitalized for an additional week. Kongpob wasn't sure what bothered him more, being in the hospital longer or having to wait longer to have a proper date with Arthit. Both angered him, but more than both of those was the realization that Channarong was behind the attack.

His investigators had uncovered circumstantial evidence but nothing that would stand up in a court of law or allow the police to mount a conclusive investigation.

Now, sitting in his office at Suthiluck Corp, he gathered his most trusted advisors to fortify his position as President and mount a counterattack.

"Kongpob, what would have me do? I am at your disposal." Tanawat Pakorn was not only a friend, but Kongpob's most vocal supporter on the Board of Directors. "Mongkut here has told me about your plan to trap Channarong, but it's risky. If something goes wrong, it would put the value of the company's stock at risk. Are you sure this is how you want to proceed?"

Kongpob stood up from his desk and moved to the floor-to-ceiling window that made up the back wall of his office. He sighed deeply and held his hands behind his back. "At this point, I have no choice. Channarong and his cronies have taken his insatiable need to take my family's company to a deadly level. We must be equally as vicious, if not more so, to maintain control. Am I wrong?"

"No, you're not wrong. I agree with you and will support whatever decision you make, but that doesn't negate the risk."

"We all have a lot to lose." Mongkut chimed in and slammed his fist on the table to affirm his statement.

"What about your father, Kongpob? Have you talked to him about this?" Tanawat got up and stood next to Kongpob.

Kongpob turned to look Tanawat in his eye. "I can't involve my father in this. In order to make Channarong believe in our ruse, I need my father's reaction to be genuine. It's critical."

"I just don't know Kong. Not to be a broken record, but the risk..."

"I hear you Tanawat and I understand, but this situation requires bold moves. If you're not up to it and you can't handle the danger, I understand and will not hold it against you."

"No. No. I'm with you. I just want you to understand the danger."

"Someone tried to kill me! You're trying to tell me about DANGER!" Kongpob roared his response.

Mongkut leapt to his feet to separate the two men. "Gentlemen. Cooler heads need to prevail here. We're all at risk. Some of us more than others, but the danger is real. Tanawat, we know this. Kongpob, he wasn't trying to minimize anything. He's just being careful. Calm down."

Kongpob sighed again and put his hand on Tanawat's shoulder. "You're right M. I'm sorry Tanawat. I didn't mean to question your loyalty. I know you're with me. You always have been."

"And I always will be."

"Good. Now let's get to work."

Arthit was beyond nervous. He had dropped his keys twice, tripped over the curb while getting in his car and almost knocked someone down while walking in the restaurant. If he didn't know any better, he would swear he was a teenager again going his first date. What the hell is wrong with me? Why does he have this affect on me? It's just dinner for God's sake!

"Good evening sir. How may I help you?" The hostess' breath hitched when she looked up to see the man standing in front of her. The low lighting in the restaurant gave his alabaster skin a translucent glow that made him look like an angel. The black suit and white shirt only exaggerated his gossamer appearance.

"I'm here to meet Kongpob Suthiluck. We have a reservation."

"Y-yes sir. R-right this way." The hostess stuttered as she led the way to the VIP section of restaurant. She opened the door and gave a slight bow to show Arthit the way. "Enjoy your dinner."

"All for you." Kongpob entered the room behind Arthit holding a bouquet of red roses.

"I can't believe you did all of this. A simple dinner at a noodle stall would have sufficed."

"You deserve this and so much more Arthit. I would give you the world if you asked."

"Cheesy..." mumbled Arthit as he walked towards the table.

Kongpob moved quickly to pull out a chair for Arthit.

"Really? I'm not a woman Kongpob. I'm a man."

"A beautiful man."

Arthit knew the embarrassment he felt was showing through his skin, which just made him hate his pale skin all the more. "I'm not beautiful."

"How else should I describe you? You look like an angel in this light. I can barely breathe looking at you."

"Give me the flowers and sit down already. Enough of your cheesy lines. You are so..."

"Enchanting? Dashing? Irresistible?"

"STUPID!" Kongpob chuckled as he took the seat opposite Arthit. "Where are the menus?"

"There aren't any. I took the liberty of arranging a chef's tasting menu. I thought it would be romantic and fun." Kongpob waved his hand and motioned to the staff standing next to the door.

The chef soon appeared next to the table while the servers placed the first course on the table.

"Good evening Mr. Suthiluck. Thank you for the opportunity to present this four-course tasting menu I've prepared for you this evening."

"Thank you, Angelino, for putting this together."

"Anything for you, Mr. Suthiluck, sir. For your first course, we have a halibut fritter served with a sweet corn and English pea puree with sweet chili oil. It is paired with a 2015 Matthews Sauvignon Blanc. Please enjoy." The chef bowed slightly and left the pair alone.

Arthit looked wide-eyed at the offering, admiring the delectable dish in front of him. "Are you a regular here? The chef seems to really like you."

"I hope so. It's my restaurant." Kongpob displayed his thousand-watt smile. "I wanted to make this special."

"Show off," mumbled Arthit as he began to eat. "Oh my GOD! This is delicious! I've never tasted something so wonderful. WOW! And this wine. Dear God in Heaven! Whew."

"Glad you like it. Wait until you taste the main course. It will knock your socks off."

"This is just...wonderful. How long have you owned this place and why did you open an Italian restaurant in Bangkok?"

"My family spent quite a bit of time at our villa in Tuscany growing up. The food was always my favorite, so it seemed natural to bring a little of it with me to Bangkok. It was a completely selfish decision." Kongpob laughed as he saw Arthit using his knife to lick up as much of the puree as possible.

Arthit looked up from his plate embarrassed that his manners had eroded in such a manner. "Oh! Please forgive me. It's just so good."

"Not at all. There is nothing you could do to make me like you any less."

Again, with that damn smile of his. It will be the death of me. Arthit's face and neck were tinted pink under the other man's gaze.

After three more incredible courses, Kongpob escorted Arthit outside of the restaurant.

"Well thank you for a wonderful evening. I really..."

"Oh, were not done yet. The evening is just getting started." Kongpob put his hand on the small of Arthit's back as he ushered him into the silver Bentley Bentayga SUV.

"Where...where are y-you t-taking me?" Arthit protested as Kongpob closed the door once Arthit had gotten into the back seat.

Kongpob entered the car, leaned forward and whispered instructions to the driver.

"You'll see."