Salt and Pepper

Chapter 5

"A ship is always safe at shore but that is not what it's built for - Albert Einstein"

Big bold words in black on a pristine white canvas was mounted on the wall that held a couple of other modern arts. The laminated artworks didn't make much sense to the detective even though he was staring intently at it running his fingers over his chin like all those pretentious people who acted as if they understood art. No matter how long he stared at it Krist wasn't able to understand it either. However the lack of his artistic bone wasn't what concerned him. He was wondering why this was the first time he actually took a decent look around the room for the obviously huge wall decorations to catch his attention. Part of his conscience pitched in that maybe it had something to do with the fact that he was more enchanted by the charming Doctor in the room all the other times who had held his complete attention. Now that Dr. Prachaya was not in the room to distract him in anyway Krist had decided to act like the mischievous brat that he was often acclaimed as in his childhood, even now by his friend Knott at times. Just the thought of seeing the irritated scowl on Singto once he gets back to his office to see that Krist had invaded his personal space without permission, was already spreading an unknowingly giddy feeling inside Krist.

"Officer Perawat. What a pleasant surprise?" Krist heard a familiar voice call out his name. Although he did not expect a welcome from the man behind him, not that he was complaining though, just his voice was making Krist excited for no reason.

"Wow. Here I thought you were gonna choke me to death with your stethoscope for barging into your office when you were not in. You do have a soft spot for me, don't you Doc?" Krist asked turning around to face Singto now. Contrary to the words uttered, the Doctor did not have a welcoming smile on his face. Rather it was a bored look behind those black-rimmed glasses that Krist had unconsciously added to the list of sexy accessories on men, or more precisely the man before him.

"Have you never known the word sarcasm in your life, Detective?" Singto asked with a sigh before moving towards his seat  behind the table.

"Aren't you gonna ask me why I am here?" Krist questioned trying to get a glimpse of those coal black orbs once again since Singto had started to go through a patient file that he came in with, completely ignoring Krist's presence.

"Why would I waste my breath when I know that you will eventually say it. Of course after testing my patience by being a pest for a good hour before that" Singto answered looking at Krist who had made himself comfortable by plopping on to Singto's desk even though there were ample free chairs in the room.

"Ouch. You are hurting my feelings by saying that Dr. Prachaya. When have I ever been a nuisance to you? I was just doing my job" Krist said like he was offended by the accusation. For a moment the cute pout from Krist seemed to deter Singto's resolve to keep an unfazed expression that he almost let a smile slip through. However, he quickly composed himself by clearing his throat and sliding his chair a bit away from the table as Krist had moved a little too close than necessary. Singto was disgruntled because of the detective's zero knowledge about personal space. This wasn't the first time that Krist had moved in too close for comfort. A perfect example would be the drunk version of the man before him the previous day. Just thinking about the flushed Krist with his ridiculous demands to treat the paper cut had left an involuntary smile to creep up along Singto's lips. However he quickly erased it before the man before him could even catch a glimpse of it. An annoyed mask immediately fell on him concealing his actual thoughts.

"You have 15 minutes to pester me Detective. I have a patient to check on later. So spill what you are here for or the doors that way" Singto said hoping to throw Krist out the door as soon as possible. Singto still didn't have the guts to admit that the detective's company was becoming more and more comfortable eventhough Krist's every word and action had always had the intent of annoying Singto. Honestly he had no explanation for this contradictory feelings. Maybe he should get himself checked for mental illness, he noted as an afterthought.