Chapter 3 The Accident
5:00 PM.
Finally, work was over. He was so exhausted he could scream. All he could think about was collapsing onto his bed and sinking into the sheets until morning. The very thought alone made a small smile slip onto his face, followed by a soft chuckle like someone who'd completely lost it.
"What's with that smile, kid? Laughing to yourself again?" Chompoo teased from beside him.
"It's nothing…" Tharnnam rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go. Time to head home."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Her voice snapped him out of his delirious daydream. He probably looked insane to her, but honestly, what was so wrong with being happy just thinking about a soft bed? After that, the two of them walked toward the elevator. While waiting, he glanced up at the display and asked:
"P'Chompoo, has anyone from the main company come in yet this month?"
"Hm? Not yet. I heard they'll be here in two or three days as usual for the monthly inspection," she answered while eyeing the descending numbers.
"You should be prepared. Even if you're new, you've gotta stand your ground, understand?"
"Yes…" He nodded, but his heartbeat quickened with worry.
His first day at work, and the main branch was already coming? Why was his life always such a mess?
Alright, Tharnnam. Suck it up. You're not gonna die from this!
"What now, kid? Why the long face again?"
"I'm scared… I just got here. If some big problem hits, I'm dead for sure."
Chompoo laughed brightly.
"Don't overthink it. Look around who are you with? Me, of course. The one and only fabulous Chompoo. You're safe, sweetie~"
Her dramatic reassurance made him let out a quiet laugh. He was still scared, but it was nice knowing someone had his back.
"Come on, let's go. Drive home, please. And wipe that monkey-butt expression off your face."
"Yes ma'am! Thank you so much for teaching me today!"
He bowed politely. She waved him off and shouted as they split ways:
"Don't be late tomorrow, kid!"
"Yes ma'am!"
Smiling, Tharnnam headed toward his yellow Vespa the faithful companion he'd had since university. He grabbed his matching yellow helmet and slipped it on.
He'd lived alone in his condo for years now. It wasn't that home was far; he was just too lazy to go back. Plus, his annoying little brother never sat still. Living alone was peaceful he could do whatever he wanted, and his parents never complained. The condo itself had been a gift the moment he passed his entrance exams.
Did he miss home? Sure. But every time a day off came around, laziness won.
I'll go back tomorrow, he always told himself.
Lucas's POV
Still adorable… hasn't changed at all.
Soft-hearted, gentle as ever.
He let out a long breath.
That chubby kid… How was he ever going to distance himself now?
How long had it been since he last saw him? Ever since the day his father forced him back to Italy, they hadn't met again.
He'd pulled some strings well, more like quietly abused his authority to get Tharnnam placed into the Matteo Group. None of it was a coincidence.
He wanted him close.
Close enough to see.
Close enough to hear.
Close enough to know if he still smiled the same way… or spoke with that bright voice he remembered.
And the first thing Tharnnam did on his first day?
Arrive late.
Lucas chuckled under his breath.
Figures. That damn chubby kid.
"Sir, where did you take your nap earlier?" Dean, his right-hand man, asked from the front seat.
"Why?"
Dean froze.
"I just… thought you didn't sleep in your room."
"What's wrong with the rooftop?" Lucas's voice was calm, but cold enough to make anyone shiver.
"N-nothing, sir. No one would dare complain," Dean replied with a strained smile.
Cal, another trusted subordinate, chimed in at the perfect moment.
"Sir, you have dinner with Ms. Falada this evening."
"Mm."
That was all he said before turning to look out the window. The silver-gray BMW glided out of the parking structure.
Truthfully, he hardly ever agreed to meet Falada. He only accepted tonight because his father asked not because he wanted to.
If she weren't the daughter of his father's closest friend, he would've declined from the start. Why?
Women like her were exhausting.
Coy, clingy, overly sweet like characters from a stale romance script he'd heard a thousand times.
CRASH!!
A violent jolt slammed through the car from behind.
"Tch…" Lucas frowned.
"Go check," he ordered.
"Yes, sir!"
Within seconds, Dean rushed back.
"Sir it's a motorbike. Someone hit us from behind!"
Lucas glanced at the side mirror. A small figure was struggling to lift a fallen Vespa.
"Handle it," he said flatly, shutting his eyes with irritation. Cars, traffic everything bored him. And being rear-ended? Annoying.
•••
Tharnnam groaned as he tried to stand. His round belly didn't help; every movement felt slower. The Vespa was heavy, and today karma seemed determined to crush him.
Just as he was struggling to lift the bike, a tall man stepped out of the BMW and silently helped. His large hand gripped the handle and raised the Vespa in one effortless motion.
"T-thank you…" Tharnnam stammered, voice trembling from shock and exhaustion.
"I'm really sorry for hitting your car…"
He bowed deeply, guilt eating him alive. He'd been distracted by a shop sign for one second ONE and the next thing he knew, the car in front of him had braked.
"I'll take full responsibility. Whatever the cost is I'll pay."
"Do you even have the money?"
The deep voice sliced into him like ice.
Tharnnam looked up slowly, gulping.
The man in front of him was tall intimidatingly tall. A perfectly tailored suit.
Jet-black hair.
Eyes sharp enough to cut him in half.
"…Yes."
"Tell me how to compensate and I'll do it."
His face was dirty from the fall, his knee scraped but he spoke firmly. His parents had always taught him:
If you're wrong, you take responsibility.
Even if it costs everything.
The suited man glanced at him briefly before turning to his men.
"Stay here. I'll ask the boss."
"I'll go talk to him," Tharnnam blurted out, limping toward the BMW despite the pain. His mother's words echoed in his mind never run from your mistakes.
Knock, knock.
The tinted window slowly rolled down, revealing the sharp face inside. Evening light caught the angles of his features, making his dark eyes even deeper and somehow making Tharnnam's heart skip.
"You!!"
His eyes widened.He remembered this man.The rooftop.The one called
"Lucas…"
"What is it?" Lucas's voice was calm, unreadable.
"I… I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to hit your car," he said quickly, head bowed so low his chin nearly touched his chest.
Lucas exhaled softly.
"You again… chubby kid."
"I told you I'm Tharnnam…"
He muttered, still too embarrassed to look up.
"Get in."
"Huh? Go where?"
"To the hospital. Or do you plan to die on the street?"
"It's fine, I can ride there myself"
"Get in."
His voice dropped lowerenough to make Tharnnam flinch.
"But… I'm worried about Pumpkin…"
"Pumpkin?" Lucas raised a brow.
"My motorbike…"
"Leave it."
"I can't. That's my baby."
"Get in."
"But"
"Worry about yourself first."
His tone was calm, but firm enough to shut him up. Lucas turned to his men.
"Dean, call someone to pick up the bike and get it repaired."
"Yes, sir."
Lucas looked back at Tharnnam, eyes showing a mix of annoyance and concern.
"Now will you get in? Or do you want me to carry you?"
"…Yes."
Defeated, Tharnnam limped toward the passenger door. Every step sent a jolt up his leg, and he nearly stumbleduntil one of Lucas's men hurriedly helped him up.
If that guy hadn't helped, he would've probably fainted right there.