Chapter 07 Confession

When Santichai returned home, he was still shocked by Asnee's presence. He wasn't sure why he was running away from Asnee; since they had broken up, he shouldn't have run away from Asnee. He sighed and lay down on the sofa. He wondered if he needed to quit his job and move again, but since Chonburi has a population of over 1.5 million, the chances of running into Asnee again would be one in 1.5 million. Also, he doesn't want to quit his job because Fon treats him well and he likes his current job.

When his nervousness slowed down and his heart calmed down, he realized that he had forgotten the fan that KK brought him.

Santichai murmured, "Forget it, I'll buy another fan."

When Santichai walked into the kitchen on Monday, Fon trotted to the kitchen. She said loudly, "Santichai, are you in trouble?"

Santichai was confused and asked, "What?"

Fon said, "Doctor Suwannarat has been waiting for you here since early morning."

Santichai, "Where is he?"

Fon pointed to the corner, "Over there waiting for you since five this morning."

"I'll go talk to him," Santichai said. Santichai walked to the small table in the corner of the cafeteria and looked down at KK. He said slowly in his timid voice. "Doctor Suwannarat, Pi Fon said you were looking for me."

KK looked up and said, "Meet me in the parking lot after you get off work. You forgot your fan." He stood up and started walking away.

Santichai suddenly realized that if KK had been waiting for him since five in the morning, it means that he probably hasn't had breakfast yet. He hurriedly said, "Doctor Suwannarat, wait a minute."

KK stopped and turned around, "What's the matter?"

"Wait a minute," Santichai said. He hurried back to the kitchen and grabbed the breakfast still in the plastic bag. He walked back to the sitting area and handed KK the plastic bag with pork buns and a bag of hot soy milk. "Eat breakfast before your first patient."

KK took two steps forward and stood about an arm's length from Santichai. He took the plastic bag and smiled, "Thank you, your lover is lucky to have someone like you." He took a few steps and turned back. "Santichai, call me KK."

Santichai said, "We are not friends, it is inappropriate for me to call you by your nickname." He looked down at the ground.

KK said, "Call me anything but Dr. Suwannarat."

Santichai nodded, "But you are Dr. Suwannarat."

The stubborn KK threw the plastic bag back to Santichai, "Take it back."

Santichai took the plastic bag and said, "But I already gave it to you."

KK glared at Santichai displeased and said, "I don't accept food from people who are not my friends. Since we have an agreement, just bring me lunch."

Santichai quickly chased KK and said, "Wait..." But KK continued to walk away. "KK!"

KK turned around, "What?"

Santichai handed the bag of food to KK and said, "Eat it before your first patient."

KK smiled, took the bag from Santichai, and walked out of the cafeteria.

KK murmured, "So obedient and cute."

Santichai looked at KK's back and frowned, "So stubborn, so rigid."

It was long past lunchtime, KK had his last surgery, and the rest of the afternoon, he would have consultations for the rest of the day until five o'clock. He walked into his office and on the table to the right he saw a small food container. He sat down on the sofa and pulled the sticky note "For KK" off the top of the food container. He opened the lid and the food inside was sautéed cabbage, a boiled egg and rice. KK was about to eat when his phone rang, asking him to see a patient. He closed the lid of the container, put on a white coat, and walked out of the office.

In the kitchen, this time is very busy, there are many orders, and the workers do not have a rest at this time of the day. Their lunch break is from two to three in the afternoon. The morning shift will leave by 2pm and the evening shift will continue until 6pm when the kitchen closes. Night shifts will clean up and leave by nine or leave early if they finish their work early.

Fon shouted from the office, "Santichai..."

Santichai turned to look at Fon, "Pi Fon, do you need something?"

Fon shook her head, "Santichai, let's have a rest, it's already 2:30." She walked towards Santichai. "Why do you let those other workers taking advantage of you. The reason I assign tasks is because I want everyone to get things done and go to rest together." She shook her head. "Useless, I really need to replace all these useless workers."

Santichai smiled and said, "Pi, don't be mad. I offered them my help."

Fon said, "Anyway, remember, don't let others take advantage of you, go eat." She took the broom away from Santichai. "Go eat." She began to sweep the kitchen floor.

Santichai went out with his bag and sat on a bench by the back door of the kitchen. A moment later, when he was about to finish eating, Fon came out with a bowl of salad and sat beside Santichai.

Fong asked, "What did you eat today?"

Santichai said, "Fried cabbage, an egg, and rice."

They were eating when a pair of black dress shoes stopped in front of them. They looked up and saw KK.

Fon said, "Doctor Suwannarat..."

KK said, "Do you mind if I sit here with the two of you?"

Fon looked around and found that the bench could only accommodate two people. She stood up and said, "I'm leaving. You sit here." She stood up. "Oh, Santichai, I'll give you another ten minutes to finish your meal."

Santichai said, "Pi Fon, there's no need for that."

Fon said, "Have lunch before you come in, don't worry." She hurried through the door.

KK looked down at Santichai and said, "Do you mind?"

Santichai said, "No."

KK sat down and stared at Santichai who was sitting next to him holding the same food container. He opened the lip of the food container and began to eat. He said, "Your food is delicious."

Santichai said, "I'm sorry, if you don't like it, I can go and make you something else."

KK said, "If you can eat it, so can I." He looked at Santichai. "You know this is the first time anyone has cooked me a home cooking meal other than the nanny."

Santichai asked, "Did your mother make you lunch?"

KK said, "No, my mother is a businesswoman and so is my father, but after they divorced, she remarried and lived with her husband and other family."

Santichai asked, "So, you are living at home with your father."

KK said, "No, he also lives with his wife and their daughter."

Santichai said, "It sounds complicated."

KK said, "You have no idea." He smiled and continued to eat. "What about you?"

Santichai said, "I live alone."

KK said, "I lived alone for a long time, how about you?"

Santichai said, "It's been about eight months now."

KK asked, "Before that?"

Santichai said, "Before I lived with my ex, but we broke up."

KK laughed, "Well, I never thought someone like you would have a lover. I guess you're better off than me. So, why did you two break up?"

Santichai said, "We think differently."

KK frowned, "Ah... it's her loss. You're a good person, I'm sure you can find another girlfriend." He looked at Santichai. "What's your girlfriend's name?"

Santichai said, "I'm sorry, I don't want to say my ex-boyfriend's name..."

KK stopped eating and looked at Santichai with an open jaw, "Did you just say ex-boyfriend?"

Santichai nodded, "Mmm..."

KK asked, "Are you gay?"

Santichai said, "I don't know. I don't think so. My ex-boyfriend liked me too much at the time. He was very nice to me. He was my only friend, so..."

KK said, "So, you're just dating him, not sure you really like men?"

Santichai, "Mmm... If I don't date him, I will lose the only person who loves me."

KK asked, "How is it now? Do you like men?"

"I don't think so, I don't plan to like anyone in the future," Santichai said, grabbing his bag. "My lunch is over..."

KK grabbed Santichai's hand and said, "Santichai Kittibun, I will change your mind."

Santichai said, "Mr. KK, please let go of my hand."

KK approached Santichai's left ear and said quietly, "Santichai Kittibun, I want you to remember this day forever. I will chase you and make you fall in love with me deeply. This, I promise." He came forward and kissed Santichai on the lips. "A promise with a kiss." He stood up and smiled at Santichai. "Lunch is officially over. Remember to wait for me in the parking lot after you get off of work. I have your fan." He stood up and walked away from the bench.

Santichai is still shocked by the sudden kiss and confession. He sat immobile for a long time, until a familiar voice froze his thoughts.

Asnee said angrily, "Santichai Kittibun, I finally found you."

Santichai turned to his left. His voice trembled, "Ah...Asnee..."