LOVE WAS RED

CHAPTER 7

A uniform clad Police Captain Tito entered the well-appointed office of Director General Ma. Closing the door quietly behind him, Tito strolled in and greeted his boss.

"Good evening, General."

The Director General was writing something in a folder before him.

"So you're back from Pattaya," the Director General spoke without looking up.

"Yes, Sir."

He gestured with the fountain pen between his fingers to a chair. " Seat down."

Police Captain Tito did as instructed.

The Director General put down his fountain pen and then took off his glasses.

"I was informed that a car tried to run your car off the road."

"Yes, Sir, and I believe it was one of Lion's hitmen who did it."

"Glad to see that you are still in one piece. How is Inspector Mudmee?"

"She is also fine but our driver was shot and killed," Tito said.

"What intelligence did you find in Pattaya?" The Director General asked.

"We have evidence to believe that Lion is working with local d**g barons. They are behind the killing of the Captain and his assistant the distribution of large quantities of heroin."

"Do you know who these d**g barons are?" The Director General stood up to find a lighter which he used to light his pipe, before he sat back down again.

"We believe it's a husband and wife, who go by Mr. and Mrs. Milk."

"Now we need to find out why they are working with a dethroned dictator."

Police Captain Tito nodded.

"This is a big one Tito, that is why I handed this case to you," the Director General gave the Police Captain a sharp look as he said it.

"Yes, Sir, I am fully aware of that."

The Director General stood up from his seat again and walked over to a small table, opened the drawer and took out a contact card which he handed over to Tito.

The Police Captain looked at the card. It had the name: Colonel Apichat Pattamasoot.

Director General Ma sat back and continued. "Go see this man, a dear old friend of mine. And find out what you can about Mr. and Mrs. Milk. He will be briefed about you before-hand."

"Very well, Sir."

"Good luck." The Director General said as Tito got up and walked towards the door.

"Thank you, Sir."

Like every morning, Saran strolled into the newsroom of The Bangkok Daily Times with his cappuccino in a red travel mug. This morning, the newsroom was fairly quiet with the exception of two journalists going about with a laptop clutched to their chest and a smartphone glued to their ear.

Saran sat at his desk, greeted a colleague next to him, sipped his cappuccino and then started reading his emails.

For three years now, Saran wrote for the wedding announcement section of The Bangkok Daily Times. Which involves producing weekly articles and reporting wedding announcements. Which meant interviewing couples who were either newly married or about to get married.

Saran made a few calls. That day, he had a lunch date at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok, with a couple who had sent a wedding feature submission to the newspaper.

Leaving the newsroom, Saran got into his hatchback. First, he drove to a service garage to have it serviced. The mechanic was helpful.

"We could have it ready by Friday."

Saran made arrangements to call back on Friday and went on his merry way. Feeling quite happy for no reason in particular, Saran remembered he had planned to get Yok a laptop as a gift for his birthday.

Saran entered a tech shop and went looking at the laptops on display.

"This is a pleasant surprise."

A man's voice interrupted Saran's thoughts. He looked up and immediately his breathing stopped and all thoughts went out of his mind.

It was the man from the gallery in Pattaya. Today he was looking even more handsome in his police uniform. Which he wore with a certain masculine swagger which made him even more irresistible.

Saran stared at him, wondering how strange it was to have bumped into him again. He had thought they might meet again. Well, it was an opportunity to thank him for buying the painting at least.

"Thank you for the painting." Saran blinked as he brought himself back to sanity and thinking that he was still a perfect stranger.

"You are welcome." Police Captain Tito smiled. "Are you buying a new laptop?"

"What?" Saran stumbled stupidly.

"Are you buying a new laptop?"

"Oh, yes! As a gift for a friend actually." Oh, God, should I stay and talk or should I leave? Saran thought to himself. I think I will leave. He decided.

Glancing at his wristwatch, "It was nice meeting you again, but I will have to leave. I have a lunch appointment."

Saran then rushed out of the store. Once outside, he began looking around for his car. Then he remembered that he had taken it to be serviced.

"Stupid me." Saran whispered to himself.

Suddenly it began to rain, so Saran ran and sought shelter at a bus stop. Wiping off the rain dropping off his sleeves, Saran thought about how he was going to get to his lunch appointment with the newly married couple.

He would get an Uber. As he took out his smartphone, a sleek, luxurious black car pulled up.

Looking up from his smartphone, Saran saw Police Captain Tito coming out of it with a large black umbrella.

Moments later, Tito seemed to tower above Saran.

"Can I offer you a lift?" The Police Captain asked.

Saran stared blankly at him for a moment.

"No, I am good. I will just get an Uber."

"Why get an Uber when I can take you to your destination? I want to give you a lift, so please don't refuse me."

"But I don't want to inconvenience you."

"No, it's not an inconvenience." Tito smiled as he held the large umbrella over their heads.

Looking at him, Saran was reminded once again of how handsome he was, and possibly used to girls swooning at his approach.

"Where are you going?"

"The Millennium Hilton," Saran answered smoothly.

"I can take you there." Tito reassured Saran.

Holding the umbrella over Saran’s head, they walked towards the car with the rain beating heavily down on them.

Saran, for a moment, lost his footing on the slippery pavement and before he knew what was happening, he was in Tito's arms, which prevented him from falling.

Saran straightened himself.

"Are you all right?" Tito was still holding onto him and looking into Saran’s eyes like he wanted a kiss.

"Yes, thank you," Saran felt his lungs breathing more quickly than before, as if he had been electrocuted by his touch.

Why he was suddenly feeling this way, he did not know. He only hoped that this kind handsome stranger would not notice the effect he was having on him.

They got into the car and drove off in the beautiful rain.