Author's note: Hello! Here is the new chapter, sorry about the delay. From now on updates will be regular. Hope you enjoy it. don't forget to vote.
Chapter 3
Ariel and I entered the meeting and the members of the Sunlight Company partaking in the project were already seated. My eyes went to P'Arthit immediately. He was smiling and that pulled a smile from me too. We shook hands and I tried to keep my jolt at the static from our touch. He didn't do so well. He looked between me and our hands with a startled expression. I hid a smile and nodded towards the rest of the audience.
He smiled and we began the discussion. It goes without saying that I couldn't stop being aware of P'Arthit. I pushed thinking about that to another time and just let the discussion pass casually while I admired how composed and confident P'Arthit looked as he competently guided our conversation to point.
Soon we were done. Ariel rose to her feet; she looked a little worn down. I took a look at my wristwatch and saw that we've been at it for nearly four hours, but thanks to that we arrived at a conclusion much sooner than I anticipated.
"So we will do as you have said," I said with a nod. Ariel left me behind as soon as it was okay to leave. I lingered because I wanted to talk to P'Arthit. It was nothing professional or work-related. I really shouldn't but I still waited while the others stepped out.
P'Arthit looked tired given that he has been doing most of the talking and demonstration. A stray hair had fallen loose from the combed back mass. I itch to push it back. I used to be able to do that, I thought with strong yearning. That was something I could do at any time when we were together.
As I stepped closer since the conference room was almost empty. P'Arthit's secretary stepped forward and pulled that stray hair back in place with an effortless familiarity that raised my brow.
P'Arthit's gaze immediately flickered to mine and I could tell there was something within that gaze I just couldn't figure out what. He spoke briefly to his secretary then when she was finally gone, he came to me.
"Great job," I said.
He looked flustered even as he said, "I didn't do anything, just said it as it was written."
"Yeah well I am proud of you," I leaned forward and whispered. When I pulled away, his face was a little flushed and he looked like he couldn't find anywhere to place his eyes. I almost forgot how easy it is to make P'Arthit flustered, how easy it was to make him blush. That used to be something I lived to do. God, I used to love him so much.
"So what are you doing for lunch," he was the one to ask me this.
"Eating lunch," I replied smiling.
He chuckled awkwardly. "You know for the duration of your stay here you are welcome to use our office."
I nodded. "I thought you wanted to tell me to join you for lunch." I know I was being too forward but there was nothing wrong with going out for lunch with P'Arthit. Maybe Ariel would think otherwise if I told her who P'Arthit is to me, but I don't think there is any need. P'Arthit and I have been over for a long time.
"Do you want to?" he asked me with such sincerity that took me aback.
"Yeah," I nodded. We stared at each other for a moment, unable to stop ourselves or even move from that point.
"Kongpob?" Ariel's voice traveled through the door. P'Arthit and I were standing a little close but Ariel didn't look upset, just confused. "Is there anything else left to discuss."
"No, I was trying to make a friend," I glanced at P'Arthit. His smile turned a little strained.
"Oh, that's great," she smiled. "I forgot how good you are at making friends so easily. "
![Without You [KongpobArthit 18+] by GumbieN](https://img.wattpad.com/cover/235401037-80-k240627.jpg)
"We are having lunch later, "I said. "Do you want to join us?"
"Oh, no you guys can just do your thing. It was nice meeting you, Mr ..."
"Arthit. Same." P'Arthit looked at me, walked past and left the room.
I thought it was a good idea to put a name on our relationship before we started anything, but P'Arthit didn't look like he liked that. I tried not to let it get to me and followed Ariel out.
Arthit
I don't know why I am upset. I shook my head and focused my eyes on the cost analysis of the project. I needed to make up my mind about this before our next meeting, but it was looking like we have to do another mandatory market survey.
What is their relationship?
I was doing it again. It didn't matter. What mattered was this project, besides I wasn't in any position to worry about what Kongpob's relationship was with his co-worker. It was nothing to me. I didn't actually think... I mean even if I don't remember why Kongpob and I broke up; we broke up for a reason. A likely valid one and just one night talking to each other isn't enough to forget that.
I dropped the paper carelessly on my desk.
"What are you worried about," Puna was in my office. I sat up straight. When did she enter and for how long?
"Nothing, why do you think I am worried."
"Arthit, you are always focused whenever you are working and you have been looking at that cost analysis chart for more than five minutes without blinking or moving your eyes. You are obviously not seeing it." she sat down comfortably and adjusted her glasses, "so what is it?"
I opened my mouth and closed for a moment. "I'm just confused. " I admitted. "There is something I need to do and I don't know exactly where I stand with the person I have to do it with so... I'm just confused. "
"If you are trying to confuse me, you've succeeded," she said laughing.
"You?" I smiled and shook my head, "don't worry I will figure it out."
"In that case, you should know that Kongpob Khun is waiting for you," she rose again with a warm smile. Puna was the only woman I could date for more than two months since Kongpob. It was like loving Kongpob ruined me, I couldn't love anyone else and while I cared a lot for Puna, I knew I didn't love her. But she was good for me, she won't destroy me. Not like Kongpob did. I might not remember what he did, but I know—remember that it hurt a lot.
"Thanks, Puna," I took her hand in mine and squeezed. She looked a little startled, not understanding what that meant. I didn't explain it to her and left to meet with Kongpob.
He was waiting at Puna's desk. I paused to take in his tall figure. He'd filled out around the shoulders and his skin wasn't as tanned as before. He turned and smiled at me, that same smile like he was the happiest when his eyes can see me. My heart skipped. I should have called off this lunch, I thought, but I still went to greet him and together we went out.
Though I was planning to take us to a fancy restaurant and maintain a business air around us as Kongpob had done I couldn't ignore the way he was glancing at the roadside store and gulping.
"When was the last time you ate roadside greasy Thai food?"
He turned fast with this childish light in his eyes, "Is that where we are going?"
I laughed, "That's not—how can you jump to that conclusion so fast?"
He smiled and shrugged, "you never used to like the fancy places."
"I have changed a lot since then."
"I know." there was something in his voice that caused goosebumps to burst forth on my skin and heat prickled the back of my neck. When I glanced at him he had this shockingly openly appreciative look in his black eyes and he was checking me out. He was checking me out.
I swallowed and looked away, "what do you know, don't look at me like that."
"How do you know I'm looking at you?"
I glanced at him, he was still doing it." stop it," I laughed.
"P'Arthit, I have no idea what you talking g about. " I reached out a hand to block his eyes from staring at the side of my face. He leaned over and breathe all over it.
"Kongpob!" I admonished only to hear him laugh. I looked at him. His face was transformed from that businessman to the man I used to know. I missed that.
We did end up at a roadside store and there was a long line. I told Kongpob that it was no use, our lunchtime would be over before we even get any food but he sat me down and went into the chaos forgetting all about his suit. When he returned he was all rumpled but he had our lunch.
"This is what you need me for, remember?' he was being cheeky.
"Oh?" I laughed and as he dropped the food on the table I rose and corrected his collar and suit. I realized then Kongpob was a little taller for some reason. I didn't linger despite the pull of the smell of him.
He acted like it was nothing, and he was unaffected, like with when our hands touched that morning. I smiled it over and he teased me about my eternal love for pink milk.
"You ordered two spicy foods," I said.
"I miss spicy foods, and yeah, that's the greasy stuff." I laughed as he wolfed down, never caring for his clothes.
"I'm going home after this so you don't have to worry about my clothes, "he said when I pointed it out.
I leaned over and wiped some oil from his chin. "That's no reason to stain everywhere. Are you a baby?"
He smiled at me," and that's why I need you."
My heart did that jumping thing again, I frowned unconsciously.
"What's wrong?" he noticed.
"It's strange... because..."
"It feels like no time has passed at all? "he smiled, "I noticed. It's good though, right. "
"Is it?" I gave him a pointed look. He licked his lip and I stopped myself from looking.
"I like being with you," he said. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about our life together since I saw you yesterday."
"Me neither," I said.
"That's why I know that I won't be able to stay away or keep myself from wanting to talk to you. " I waited as he drank his soda. "So, I think that we should be friends, P'Arthit." He met my eyes, held it and lost. "It's the only thing that makes sense to me."
I nodded, "if that's what you think you want."
He paused so noticeably he looked frozen. "What do you mean?"
I didn't want to have to say it if it wasn't already obvious. My feelings were being stirred up but Kongpob's might not be as well. I might be the only one and so I shouldn't say anything. I shook my head.
"P'Arthit," he said, 'there is something you should know."
I waited patiently.
" Ariel is my girlfriend."
