NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 6 part 1
Chapter 6: Anxious
In the end, I found myself back at the dorm, utterly confused.
Despite initially planning to go to work and even getting ordered not to by Phii Johan, I tried to argue, tried to negotiate! But when he threatened me with the money issue…
Well…I guess I’m not going, T^T
I don’t know why he doesn’t want me to work that badly. Is he messing with me? For what reason? If I don’t work, where will I get the money to pay off my debts? Wouldn’t it be better for me to work and pay off my debts quickly?
I sighed as I trudged upstairs to my room, feeling downcast. Who could possibly understand Johan? Once in my room, I dropped my bag on a chair and switched on the computer to play something to lift my spirits.
I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook until I came across yet another post by a page that had shared a picture of Johan.
Cute Boy & Girl – MU – posted a new photo about an hour ago
Here we go again today, it must be fate. Plus, today I’ve been thinking about Dr. Joe all day. How lucky was I to spot him around the medical faculty parking lot, (actually, someone secretly sent this photo to me, haha) he looked like he was in a hurry to go somewhere. And Joe’s Audi is just so gorgeous, super luxurious and looks expensive, truly befitting my Johan, both the car and the man are perfect, sigh, I wish I could get a ride in that car too. Honestly, this photo isn’t that clear, but I wanted to show off the car, to show off my husband’s wealth, oops! I accidentally called him my husband, now everyone knows about us, what should I do @JohanCt.
The picture was a side view of Johan about to get into the car, the same one he drove to pick me up. I’m not sure if this was before or after he came for me, but the car is beautiful, I admit. The page mentioned it’s an Audi. I wouldn’t know since I’m not into cars, but it’s definitely good-looking, it’s like a blessing to ride in such an expensive car, T^T.
: The car is so beautiful! I really want to ride in it. Usually, he doesn’t bring the Audi, right? I thought it was a Benz. Ah, or is that Benz Hill’s car?
: This angle is great, man. His profile is so sharp. If you stroke his face, would it cut your hand, haha? The man and the car match perfectly, I bow to his wealth.
: I saw him today too, near the medical building, his husbandly aura was blinding, everyone with him was just so handsome, I’m practically melting on the road.
: The car looks familiar, like I saw it for a split second because it was going so fast. If I were to ride in it, I’d probably have a heart attack, lol.
: Sigh, he’s so cool, the real bad boy husband, Johan. Please don’t get a real girlfriend too soon, stay as our university’s treasure for a while.
: They say this car was seen around the Engineering Faculty, picking someone up.
: @Comment above, elaborate, don’t leave us hanging like that!!!
: Really? What was he doing at the Engineering Faculty? And who was he picking up?
: Does Phii Johan have a new person at the Engineering Faculty?
: Picking up someone with initials O, a third-year engineering student?
: Johan has stopped talking to that person, right? I’ve heard that.
: Oh, does he have someone new? How did I miss this? Waaaah, I knew but still lost to his brutal handsomeness, I surrender, do whatever you want to me, I give up!
: Please step on me. I’m used to the pain, Johan, do what you will with me. I’ve already lost to you. Please step on me again. I sat reading the comments, chuckling to myself. Why are the comments under Phii Johan’s photo so heated? Are people really this smitten with his bad boy charm? But Phii Johan is genuinely fierce. I’ve never met anyone as fierce as him. Just look at how he treats me, T^T
Oh, Phii Hill commented too.
HillRatchakit: Is the coffee at the faculty not good? Do you have to go all the way to the Engineering Faculty for coffee? @JohanCt.
Phii Hill’s comment, with the tag to Phii Johan, feels like dropping a bombshell. Everyone’s reactions are quite dramatic.
: @HillRatchakit, Oh no, Phii Hill is here too. Let me go hug Phii Hill for a bit. Phii Johan is so mean, I’m going to report him, why can’t he be gentle like Phii Hill?
: My doctor Hill, I miss you so much, lately the page has only been posting Phii Johan, I’m upset with the admin.
: It feels like a husband coming to take his wife home, but I’ve fallen for the bad boy Johan. What should I do now?
: So, Phii Johan went to the Engineering Faculty just to buy coffee? Is it that far just for coffee? Is it really that good? I guess I’ll have to try it next time.
: The Engineering Faculty’s coffee is definitely going to sell well now that Johan likes it. I’ll stop by next time for sure.
PowarutTf.: @JohanCt. Did you rush to buy coffee? Were you afraid it would run out? You even forgot about the work you left with me.
This seems to be Phii Tonfah, who’s friends with Phii Hill and Phii Johan. I heard they’re a group of four, including Phii Arthit.
PowarutTf.: @HillRatchakit. You too, where are you?
HillRatchakit: @PowarutTf. Eating now, will come later. ArthitSw: @HillRatchakit, @JohanCt. Hurry up, Fah is angry. You guys left work.
: Oh my, everyone’s here now, who should I scream for first >///< Phii Fah don’t get mad at your junior yet.
: Did Dr. Hill and Dr. Johan leave work? Should we go do it instead? >w<
: I saw Fah and Arthit sitting under the medical building, waiting for Hill and Johan.
: Can I help with anything? / Offering a little.
HillRatchakit: @Arthit Sw, Yeah, about to leave now, taking Ter back to the dorm first.
ArthitSw: @HillRatchakit. I understand you went to eat with your boyfriend, but I don’t get the other one. You went to buy coffee? @JohanCt.
ArthitSw: Rushing like the house is on fire. They don’t sell out that fast, and where did you go for so long?
ArthitSw: @JohanCt. Fah asked if you rushed out to buy coffee or pick someone up.
HillRatchakit: @JohanCt. Yeah, what’s up with you, went to pick him up.
Wait a minute…
I think Hill already knows that Johan came to pick me up, so why did Hill say that? Don’t tell me Ter whispered something to him to help pair me with Johan again! T^T
JohanCt.: @HillRatchakit, What do you hate about me?
JohanCt.: @PowarutTf. Almost at the university. Stuck at a red light.
PowarutTf: Anyone, please stop by and buy something, I’m hungry, get a lot.
JohanCt.: What do you want?
PowarutTf.: Anything. You pay. HillRatchakit: Joe. Did you stop already? Then I won’t stop.
JohanCt.: No, Hill, turn the car back, help me choose something.
ArthitSw: @HillRatchakit, @JohanCt. Oh, you’re together?
HillRatchakit: @ArthitSw, Yeah, happened to meet him when I was taking Ter back to the dorm.
JohanCt.: Hill, turn the car around!!
HillRatchakit: Cool down, man!!
ArthitSw: @JohanCt. What were you doing near your friend’s girlfriend’s dorm?
: SCREAMING! Phii Johan is calling Phii Hill to come! >w<…Anyone on the #HillFanboat with me? Let’s hear you!!
JohanCt: You don’t have to come then.
HillRatchakit: Hmm, okay, I’ll go then.
♣♣♣
Crack!
Ter opened the door with a smug grin on the corner of his mouth, looking at me until he closed the door.
“You can smile so wickedly.” I said, but it seemed like he wasn’t fazed, putting down his bag and plopping down next to me, “It’s nothing.”
“I haven’t even asked anything yet!”
“Your voice is so high-pitched it’s terrifying.”
“So what? Tell me. Earlier you told me Phii Tharn would pick you up.” Yes…this morning when Phii Tharn said he would pick me up, I texted to tell Ter. Ter complained a lot, saying he’d rather have Phii Johan pick me up.
“Wait…you didn’t go and tell Phii Joe to pick me up, did you?”
“Are you crazy? Was I joking? Just out of the blue tell him to go pick you up?” Ter said, shaking his head vigorously, “But seriously, when I found out Phii Johan picked you up, I was like…yay, my ship!”
I sighed slightly at his reaction, feeling like no matter how many times I sighed at Ter, it wouldn’t change anything, and then I recounted everything that happened to Ter.
“Aww…You, I’m glad you chose my captain.” Ter said, tugging at my sleeve to hide his embarrassment. Why do people get embarrassed and take it out on others? “Even though you complain, in the end, you chose Phii Johan.”
“Maybe it’s more accurate to say I didn’t have a choice.” I said with exasperation, “And you told Phii Hill about this too, didn’t you?”
“Correct! A good crew member is useful, right? But why didn’t Phii Johan let you go to work?”
“That’s what I want to know.”
“You didn’t ask?”
“I did ask. But got no answer.”
“And you’re not going?”
“What can I do? But I do want to go. Or should I sneak out? I’ve been thinking, I’m starting to feel bad about the bar owner, we had a good talk, and then suddenly I’m not going.” I said, following my thoughts. Johan didn’t even explain why I shouldn’t go.
“Sneak out? If Phii Johan finds out, he’ll be furious.”
“Maybe not. I’m just going to work on my own. There’s no good reason for him to stop me, really.”
“There is, he might be worried about you.” Ter said after pondering for a moment, “He must be worried about you working so hard, afraid you’ll come back late, what if you meet bad people, Joe must be so worried he can’t even sleep.” “Wow, you’re really pushing it.” I said, shaking my head slightly at him. As for Johan, if you meet him, you’ll see, from my perspective, the word ‘worried’ seems far too distant.
“Oh, I’m just a crew member, rowing alone in the vast sea, on a small boat with a captain like you who not only doesn’t row but also kicks up water.”
“Skater said he’d join your ship too, for heaven’s sake, what are you guys playing at?”
“Oh yeah, I forgot, Tharn also messaged me, asking about you, he said you didn’t reply to his Line.” Ter said, reminding me. I hadn’t replied to Tharn yet, “He said he’s worried about you, and noticed you were replying to him strangely.”
“Replying to what?” I furrowed my brows in confusion, the last time I replied to Tharn was before I got into Johan’s car.
Ah…or could it be
North♣: Don’t be nosy
T-Than: …
T-Than: North?
Oh no…
Phii Johan
But Phii Joe said he didn’t know PhiiTharn before, so why would he insult Phii Tharn like that? And the point is, it was my chat.
T-Than: Is this North typing again?
T-Than: Or is it Johan?
T-Than: This isn’t North typing, right? It’s not nice to use someone else’s phone.
T-Than: Where’s North?
T-Than: North, please reply. I’m worried here.
T-Than: Where are you?
T-Than: You’ve vanished.
T-Than: Let me know when you’re back, okay?
Sigh, is Phii Johan doing this on purpose to tease me?
North♣: I’m back.
T-Than: Is this North?
North♣: Yes.
T-Than: And what was that message about?
North♣: Oh…
North♣: I accidentally typed it in the wrong chat.
North♣: Sorry about that, Phii.
I decided to lie and say I typed in the wrong chat. If I said Phii Johan was the one typing, things would get complicated, potentially causing more trouble.
T-Than: Oh, okay then. So where are you?
North♣: At the dorm.
T-Than: Then I’ll come pick you up for work.
North♣: I probably won’t be going to work today, Phii…T^T
North♣: I’ll call Phii Chain to apologize again.
T-Than: Why not?
T-Than: Did something happen?
North♣: No.
…
“What did Phii Tharn say?” Ter asked after peeking at my phone screen, “And why do you look like that?”
“I’m annoyed, I want to work.” I replied, making a slightly sullen face.
While I was thinking this over, the bar owner, Phii Chain, called me and asked me to come to work because they were really short handed. Since I was already eager to go to work, I finally agreed. “Ter…”
“What?”
“Ter…”
“No…don’t look at me like that.” The person whose name was called shook his head rapidly as if he knew what I was about to say, “I won’t conspire with you.”
“I’m not asking you to conspire. Just don’t tell anyone I went to work, that’s all.”
“Are you serious?” Ter asked to confirm while I was packing my bag to get ready for work, “Really, Johan must have had a reason for telling you not to go. I’m kind of worried about you, man. It’s a bar after all.”
“I can take care of myself.” I said confidently.
“Alright, if you say so. Is Tharn coming to pick you up?”
“No, I’ll go on my own. I feel bad making him wait for me until I finish.”
“Okay, okay. Ride carefully and let me know when you get there.”
“OK, bye.”
…
@Soul Out!
Even though they call it a bar, it wasn’t quite what I expected. It wasn’t really a place for heavy drinking but more of a venue where people come to enjoy the atmosphere. It’s an open-air spot with fairy lights strung between trees, live music, and a steady stream of customers. What surprised me was why such a nice place was so short-staffed.
“Just take it easy. It’s not much, just serve and clear the tables.” Phii Chain said as he gave my shoulder a light pat. Phii Chain, the bar owner, is a bit on the heavier side, probably in his thirties. I nodded, “If you have any questions, ask Phii Pan. She’s at the cash register.”
After saying this, Phii Chain walked off, and I approached Phii Pan who was playing on her phone.
“Oh, the new guy, huh?”
I greeted her with a bow, and she smiled back. During our chat, I found out that the reason they were short-staffed was because the profits weren’t great, and the old employees had all quit due to not being paid well. Phii Pan mentioned this has been the case since Phii Chain took over the shop, suggesting Phii Chain might not be the best at management.
Well, now I wonder if I’ll even get paid…
“Things might get better, I hope. I’ve been putting up with it. Not much money coming in.”
“Wow, that sounds tough. Will I get paid?”
“You will, but if the shop gets a new owner, things would be much better. They use the money for who knows what. Oh, I shouldn’t have said that out loud.” Phii Pan said, quickly covering her mouth. I couldn’t help but chuckle a little at her reaction.
10:04 PM
“Tired? There were a lot of people tonight.” Phii Pan asked after I sat down to rest on a chair near the counter, “First day on the job and it’s already this busy. But why did you decide to take on a part-time job? Isn’t studying hard enough?”
“I just wanted to do it. I’m already working part-time.”
“And what are you studying?”
“Engineering Faculty.”
“Oh, that’s hot.”
“Not really.” I said honestly. Who said engineering students are popular with girls? I’m as dry as can be.
“Really? No girlfriend?”
“No.” “You’re too picky, aren’t you?”
“Wow, if someone were interested, I wouldn’t be picky at all.” I said jokingly.
Ding!
The notification sound from my phone startled me. The reason I kept the volume high is because there’s someone who gets irritated if I reply late.
I opened my phone, praying it wasn’t from someone whose name I’d rather not see while I’m at work.
God must really hate me! T^T
Johan: Where are you?
I’ve started to notice that Phii Johan often texts me with the question, “Where are you?” which seems like he’s not interested in what I’m doing. Like this evening, when he asked where I was, and after I answered that I was at the faculty, he just told me to go buy coffee without even asking if I was free.
But now, I can’t say I’m at the dorm. What if he calls me to check up on my work? I’d be in trouble with the noise level in this place.
North♣: I’m outside.
Johan: ?
North♣: Went out.
Johan: With who?
Damn…what should I do?
North♣: With a friend.
Johan: At 4 PM?
Johan: Where are you?
Johan: Not answering me?
North♣: Calm down, T^T.
Johan: So where are you?
Johan’s messages came through rapidly, it seemed like he was angry. No, he must be angry now. Why can’t I just go out with a friend? T^T
“Serve this to table six, and clear table eight too, customers are here.” another voice rang out, causing me and another server to jump up to work almost immediately. I put my phone away and continued working, while amidst the chaos, my phone notification sound went off again, and I had to mute it because I got scolded.
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