Beauty from Ashes

A Tale of Two Cities

"Hey Arthit. Why don't you work out of the office today? I'm getting around pretty well on my own. You've made enough food for lunch, so you don't need to worry about me not having anything to eat."

"If I didn't know any better, I would say you're trying to get rid of me." Arthit smirked at Kongpob who threw a cherry tomato at him.

"No. I just feel guilty with you being cooped up in this house with me all the time. Get some fresh air and change the environment. In fact, why don't just sleep at your place tonight?"

"What? I can't do that. How will you get in and out of the shower? Don't forget you only have one good arm and the vision in your left eye is still a little funky."

"Okay...okay. You're right. Let's split the baby and compromise. You work out of the office and come back when you're done. It'll do my heart good and you can tell me what's going on in the office. You know; like my eyes and ears."

"You mean you want me to be a snitch? Snitches get stitches in that office. That's why I keep my head down and concentrate on my own stuff."

This statement piqued Kongpob's interest. Up until now he thought Arthit was oblivious to what was going on amongst the Executive Team, but his remark about snitches gave him pause. Could he know more than I thought? The thought of Arthit being involved, no matter how tangentially, made his heart hurt. His  Arthit. A criminal? He may not be the person executing the crime but knowing about and saying nothing is the equivalent to being involved. It would kill him if Arthit knew about the slush funds. He prayed he was wrong. It more important than ever that Arthit work from the office today. Kongpob needed to meet with Nam Soon and the only way he could do that is if Arthit left the condo. Arthit noticed Kongpob spacing out and tapped him on his shoulder.

"Hey you! Where were you just now?"

"Huh? I don't know. I guess I was just spacing out about nothing in particular. Off you go mister. Call me during lunch to let me know how it's going."

"Alright. Alright. You convinced me. I'll go. I guess I should check in on Rome. That slippery character has probably been spending all his time leering at all the interns and stalking the deliverymen." Arthit laughed heartily and Kongpob smiled at him. His laughter was like medicine for Kongpob's soul. He loved listening to it and made him feel like he could fly. As Arthit walked past Kongpob to gather his things, he reached out and grabbed Arthit's wrist. Arthit looked down at the hand on his arm and then locked gazes with Kongpob. There was a prolonged silence between them before Kongpob spoke.

"Be careful on the way to work Arthit."

Arthit smiled tenderly at Kongpob, the latter thinking his heart would explode seeing that 1000-watt smile. It was disarming and warm at the same time. Kongpob felt butterflies in his stomach and for a moment they were the only two people in the whole world. It took every ounce of strength Kongpob had not the embrace Arthit and claim his beautiful pink lips.

"I will. Call me if you need anything. Okay? Rest well and don't overdo it." The moment the door closed behind Arthit Kongpob gripped his chest and took a deep breath.

"What you doing to me Arthit Rojnapat?" He closed his eyes and prayed to the gods that Arthit was truly innocent and not involved. There was another worry, though. What would Arthit think when he found out that Kongpob was not a Division Director but an investigator and that he was one of the targets of that investigation? Kongpob prayed that Arthit would understand that he was just doing his job and not hold it against him. He sighed and took out his phone to call Nam Soon.

Minutes later the door opened and Nam Soon entered the condo.

"I thought that guy would never leave. How did he end up living here anyway? Are you getting sloppy in your old age?"