Love Case Vol. 1

Asanai sat down at his desk to prepare documents for the meeting about the new car model they were launching. The young man, around thirty years old, had come to work in a marketing and advertising management position because the chairman was friends with his father. Many people in the company gossiped that he got the executive position through connections despite his young age. But in less than a year, Asanai proved to everyone that even though he got the job through connections, his abilities were exceptional. His work was so outstanding that those who had once looked down on him had to acknowledge his talent.

He picked up a dark brown folder about the new pickup truck advertising campaign and placed it on his desk. He had studied it thoroughly already. This time he flipped through to the section about filming the commercial... the actors section... the actors he had repeatedly suggested changing to use real police officers, until they found a new actor he couldn't refuse: 'Police Captain Atikom.'

Asanai had never forgotten this man. The tanned young man who caught his eye when they met at a farewell party his friend threw before going abroad to study—a newly graduated police sub-lieutenant, handsome, tall and well-built, broad-chested with wide shoulders, fun to talk to, playful, and devastatingly charming.

After getting acquainted quickly, Police Sub-Lieutenant Atikom took him on a tour of Bangkok's nightlife, ending up at Atikom's luxurious new apartment. After that, the two met many more times.

Even though it was only a brief period of a few weeks, Asanai couldn't forget Atikom. Beyond his muscular, attractive physique, the young policeman's personality was even more captivating. He had just turned eighteen, while Atikom had just graduated from the police academy. At that time, Asanai knew well that both sides only wanted temporary fun.

When he went abroad, they lost contact. Life overseas for over ten years—throughout his bachelor's and master's degrees and working at a major corporation in England—gave him opportunities to live enjoyably. He went through relationships with many people, but no one captured his heart like Atikom had.

Then one day, when he picked up the actor portfolio for the new car commercial that the advertising agency had most recently presented, the first moment he saw the photo of the stern-faced man in police uniform, his hands trembled, his heart raced wildly. Old images from the past flashed in his mind like slides projected in sequence.

Asanai recognized Atikom immediately. He remembered the times he visited Thailand during semester breaks. The young man sometimes spotted Atikom at nightlife venues but never had a chance to say hello. The young policeman was never alone—there were always friends or 'someone' by his side. The two could only nod and smile in greeting, but after many years, Atikom didn't remember him. The last time he saw Atikom was over three years ago at a charity gala.

Asanai smiled. In the latest meeting with the advertising company, he had proposed finding a model who was a real police officer, because none of the models they had suggested appealed to him. 

He never imagined that the real police officer they proposed would be the 'real thing'—the man who had been fixed in his heart all this time.

Atikom in his thirties looked even more ruggedly handsome and charming than in his younger days. He hadn't seen Atikom for 3 years. Asanai wondered what the real Atikom would be like today.

"Praew, please clear my weekend schedule. I'm going to the provinces, returning Sunday," he picked up the phone to his personal secretary. "Have Somsak drive me to Kanchanaburi."

He was going to watch the commercial filming. He was going to rekindle his relationship with Atikom. Now he was mature. His past of casual love affairs, constantly changing partners, had begun to bore him. He wanted someone in his life. He wanted a real partner. He wanted someone he truly loved. And the only person who had remained in his heart all along was Police Captain Atikom.

Today Anupab didn't go to lunch with his friends as usual. He had a special guest who demanded he join them for a 'business lunch.'

Police Captain Atikom said he was currently studying English because he had to work on a big case with investigators from the United States, and today he wanted to discuss the commercial filming and his fee. The young captain was waiting at a restaurant across from the office and emphasized that Anupab should come alone.

Anupab walked into the beautifully decorated Italian restaurant where about four to five tables of office workers were dining. Atikom was in full dress uniform, sitting and smiling as he watched him enter the restaurant. He raised his eyebrows in surprise seeing Anupab dressed casually.

"You look different today. Every time I see you at work, you're dressed neatly like an office guy."

"I wanted to dress comfortably today. Lately I've seen you in full dress uniform, but before you dressed casually."

"Before and now are different. Now I'm serious, so I've improved myself," Atikom stared at the young man's face, his voice serious. He deliberately spoke to convey his meaning.

Anupab knew Atikom was trying to communicate something. He turned to look at the waiter, raising his hand to order food.

He ordered spaghetti with ham, Atikom ordered lasagna. 

"Try a little, see if I can speak English better." 

Anupab noticed that Atikom wasn't familiar with Italian food, because he opened the menu and ran his finger through the food list several times before deciding on the restaurant's recommended dish on the first page.

"Italians don't speak English. If you want to speak English well, you should go eat at McDonald's," Anupab said sarcastically.

"Well, it's all Western food, should help somewhat."

"Find yourself a foreign girlfriend. You'll be good at English in just a few months," Anupap joked, but then suddenly realized... he shouldn't have said that.

"I don't like foreigners. I like Thai people. Finding a Thai boyfriend who studied abroad would be better," Atikom smiled mischievously, his eyes sparkling. Anupab mentally scolded himself for not being careful with his words, opening the door for Atikom to say things like this again.

"But what business do you have?"

"Oh, Khun Nu, eat first. Why rush to talk business?" Atikom made a disappointed face.

"Well, you said it was a business lunch. While we're waiting for food, we can talk. We'll finish the matter, eat, then go back to work separately."

"We can talk after we finish eating, or talk after work. Khun Nu, pick me up at the station today. I took the bus to work today, both tiring and hot. This evening I want to ride in an air-conditioned car, comfortably going home with someone."

Cunning... Anupap thought. He wanted to argue about why Atikom didn't take a taxi, but then thought it was pointless because someone like him would find words to counter anything.

"If we don't talk now, it's not called a business lunch. This evening I have to visit a friend at the hospital. I can't remember your exact fee, tomorrow I'll have someone call to inform you. And also..."

"I don't want my fee in money," Atikom interrupted.

Anupab knew Atikom must have some plan. "You have to accept cash. We need to have expenses. If you don't take the fee, I'll donate it to charity."

"Uh, uh, no. That would be like using me for free," Atikom protested. "I'll tell you later. For now, let's talk about filming first."

"Speaking of which, you don't have the right to demand a fee, because if I remember correctly, you're acting in the commercial to atone for lying about the car," Anupab countered.

"Ah, that's true, but don't you think it's too cheap? Acting in commercials pays six to seven figures, doesn't it?"

Anupab frowned, getting tired of the back-and-forth. "That's for superstar celebrities. You're a nobody - getting tens of thousands is already generous."

"Someone as handsome as me only gets ten thousand? Then I won't act anymore." Atikom pretended to think.

"Captain," Anupab called sternly.

"Just joking, just joking," the cunning captain laughed with satisfaction. "Khun Pojanee said we're filming in Kanchanaburi, the van leaves at 3 PM. She told me to ride in the van, and gave me the bad news that you are not going."

"I have work. P'Bud is going and can take care of everything. I don't usually go to filming shoots. I come in again during post-production," Anupab said flatly. The young captain's face began to cloud over.

"I don't know what this 'post-production' is. I'm giving you an ultimatum to come along," Atikom made a serious face.

"An ultimatum," Anupab repeated.

"Yes, an ultimatum. If you don't go, I won't go either."

Anupab took a deep breath while thinking about what Captain Atikom might pull. The young man was getting tired of arguing because in the end, he'd probably have to give in. At least the work would get done... He didn't want to waste more time on this pickup truck commercial. He still had other commercials he wanted to work on waiting in his work folder... 'Fine, consider it a provincial trip.'

"I can't go during the day. I have to leave work at 5 PM. So after work I'll pick you up and we'll drive together," Atikom made an offer.

"5 PM, by the time we get out of central Bangkok it'll be 6. We'll reach Kanchanaburi around 9-10 PM. By the time we get to accommodation, by the time we can sleep..." Anupab explained.

"I can sleep at 11 PM or midnight, not a big deal." Atikom shrugged.

"We need to hurry because we have to prepare for work. Early morning we have to rush filming because we need sunrise scenes. I wanted you to hurry there so you wouldn't stay up late and look haggard. Dark circles under your eyes won't look good on camera. Most importantly, you have to wake up before 5 AM to prepare."

"Wow, you're really going to use me to the fullest. Pojanee didn't tell me this. Like this, you need to increase my fee."

"Once we get there, you can't just have fun. You have to take care of yourself, sleep early in the evening. When you wake up, your face needs to look fresh. Also, the sun will be very hot. You can't complain and whine like during the practice shoot. We have limited time. It'll definitely be more tiring than shooting at the studio," Anupab continued explaining in a flat voice, befitting a business lunch.

"If it's this difficult, all the more reason Khun Nu needs to come support me. Otherwise I'll withdraw," Atikom issued his ultimatum.

"Are you joking, Captain?" Anupab exclaimed. "You can't stop halfway. The work has already progressed this far, it would be ruined."

Atikom shook his head.

"I'm issuing an ultimatum. If Khun Nu doesn't go, I won't go. I consider you the person who led me into this industry, so you have to take good care of me. If you force me to go alone, how can you be sure I'll act well? The director might get so frustrated he commits suicide. Then the filming would..."

Part of Anupab thought Atikom was joking, but another part wasn't sure how much power this cunning policeman had. He had once seen Atikom's reckless behavior when chasing criminals by car. 

If Atikom was serious this time, what would this man do?

"If Khun Nu goes, you can supervise my behavior. If Khun Nu doesn't go, I won't be happy, can't sleep well, won't wake up refreshed, won't look handsome, and the client won't be satisfied with the filming results."

"Captain Atikom, are you deliberately being difficult to provoke me to anger?" Anupab sighed.

"Not at all. Why would I want to provoke Khun Nu? I don't want you to be angry with me. I don't want you to feel that way about me. I want you to feel something else, like..."

"Alright, alright, I'll go. But we need to leave as early as possible. I'll rush to clear my work before 5 PM. Wait for me in front of the office building," Anupab cut off the problem because he knew well that Atikom wouldn't give up his intention. He thought to himself if there would ever be a time when he didn't have to give in to this man.

Wait until the commercial shoot is finished. I'll get my revenge then. For now, I have to be patient.

"Khun Nu made the right decision," Atikom smiled widely, eating his food with relish. He had planned that if Anupab wouldn't agree to travel together, he would intercept him at work and force him into the car. He knew Anupab cared about work, but wasn't going because he was avoiding being close to him.

Khun Nu, what's in your heart? Why do you act like you're building walls around yourself?

Police Captain Atikom thought of ways to break down the invisible walls to reach Anupab's true self---the man who had disturbed his peace of mind for over a month, barely letting him eat or sleep properly. Anupab was like a magnet drawing him to want to be close.

The man who made him smile at mirrors for no reason... the one who made him want to stop his playboy ways and get serious about life...

 ***