No Strings Attached

Chapter 2

Nunew almost finished eating half of the tteokbokki that he ordered when Gummy finished praising Zee. He take a sip of his juice before he respond to her.

"Woah. You really do know alot about him huh?"

Gummy once again laugh. "I know, right. But everyone knows Zee Pruk. Where on earth have been? And it's not like you don't belong to the same social circle. With your socialite friends, I'm sure you already rub elbows with him before."

Nunew shook his head and then continue to put food on his plate. "He's way out of my league. My friends aren't that rich. I don't know alot from the business world you know."

"But haven't you red anything about him in Google or Twitter? He was always on the news."
"Unless it has something to do with medical discovery, I won't be able to read anything about him in the internet."
"Oh yes. How can I forget Mr. Nerdy pants? Anyway, your Daddy is a hotel mogul right? Haven't you guys talk any business deals with him? Or any casual conversations about him? I'm sure your Daddy had done some sort of business with him already. Panich Inc. is practically everywhere now. They are also in food industry too now."

"No, we haven't talk about him. How's the test result that you've done awhile ago? What happen?"
When Gummy's eyes sparkle with his question. Nunew feel like a big rock was taken off his chest.
"Oh, it's going great!" She started talking about work.

Nunew then keep on asking questions about that subject so the latter won't ask anymore about his family.

It was already eight in the evening when Nunew decided to go home. If he didn't need to do something else, Nunew would have stayed until ten in the evening. He fix his things and he can't help but smile thinking about his trip this weekend.
His boots clicked on the floor as he entered the hallway. He smiled at the cleaning staff when he pass by them. There's no other employees at Park Building except him. Before, Fort use to stay this long too but since he got engage, the latter always went home early except of course when needed to.

Maybe that's what it feels when someone is waiting for you at home. You would rather go home early than do overtime.
He hug himself while walking on his way to the lift. He suddenly felt cold. He grab his phone out of his bag while waiting for the lift to open. Again, there's no new text messages.

He called a certain number and after the third ring, someone finally answered.

"Nunew baby!" The woman enthusiatically answered on the other line. "Sweetie, why did you call? Something's wrong?"

Nunew stared at his expensive boots. "Hi Mama!"
"Everything okay Sweetie? You don't sound good. Do you have colds? Please don't tire and stress yourself Nhu."

He heard that someone flips a page on the other line. It could be that his mother was reading a book or a magazine.

"I'm okay. Just a little tired."

"You don't need to work that hard. And they're not paying you enough! Don't you want to try other pharmaceutical companies? Either cosmetics or food industry? Or else ask your Daddy to help you open your own. By the way Nhu, Did I tell you that Harit is finally opening his bakery? It's this Monday. You have to come. You should try his cakes, especially his peach ice cream cake. It taste so heavenly!"
Nunew continued staring at his boots while playing with the strap of his bag. "I'm allergic to peaches Mama."

"Oh." The woman laugh a little. "Yes I forgot. But do visit us sometimes. Your Uncle Aof would like that too."

Then he heard the voice of his stepfather in the background, asking something to his mother. Then he heard Harit's voice too.

"Mama, what are you doing? Help me here! They don't have the colors that I want! How am I supposed to do this!"

"Yes, yes Dear I'm coming." He heard his mother answered.

After a few seconds, his mother resume talking to him again. "Your Uncle Aof says hi. Nhu, honey, I have to hang up. Harit's going crazy with the last minute details of his shop opening. You have to come okay? We would love to have you. I know you love inventing those cheap fever medicines and whatnot, but don't stress yourself, okay?

You haven't even discover medicine for cancer yet. We're worrying about you. Bye Nhu. I love you."
He ended the call and carefully breath hard. It seems like he only felt the tiredness of his body just now. His shoulders are heavy and his knees weak.

The door of the elevator finally opens and he enter it immediately. The lift opens to the basement parking, he tried very hard to move out of the elevator.
He return his phone back to his bag. He don't have the strength to call his Daddy anymore. The latter might be busy too with his business deal and don't want to disturb him. He went straight to his Lamborghini but he suddenly stops and lift his head.
He felt the lump on his throat.

There he is, the man who was the greatest thing that has ever happened to mankind after ice cream, leaning on his back on his black Ferrari.

His chest felt like exploding while he stared at... Zee Pruk Panich.