Carpe Diem (Sumettikul's Universe Two)

{3} Tell Me What You Want

its been a while but i got my laptop and phone back so ill try to be more consistent <333 enjoy luves
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The one good thing about being car-less is that on the bus on my way to work, I can plug my headphones into my iPad while it’s safely in my purse and listen to all the wonderful tunes Bible has given me. By the time I arrive at the office, I have the most ludicrous grin on my face.

Jack glances up at me and does a double take.

“Good morning, Bui. You look...radiant.” His remark flusters me. How inappropriate.

“I slept well, thank you, Jack. Good morning.”

His brow crinkles.

“Can you read these for me and have reports on them by lunchtime, please?” He hands me four manuscripts. At my horrified expression, he adds, “Just first chapters.”

“Sure,” I smile with relief, and he gives me a broad smile in return.

I switch on the computer to start work, finishing my latte and eating a banana. There’s an email from Bible.

From: Wichapas Sumettikul
Subject: So Help Me...
Date: December 11, 2022 08:05
To: Jakapan Puttha

I do hope you’ve had breakfast.

I missed you last night.

Wichapas Sumettikul

CEO, Sumettikul Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Jakapan Puttha
Subject: Old books...
Date: December 11, 2022 08:33
To: Wichapas Sumettikul

I am eating a banana as I type. I have not had breakfast for several days, so it is a step forward. I love the British Library App—I started rereading Robinson Crusoe...and of course, I love you.

Now leave me alone—I am trying to work.

Jakapan Puttha

Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, BIP

From: Wichapas Sumettikul
Subject: Is that all you’ve eaten?
Date: December 11, 2022 08:36
To: Jakapan Puttha

You can do better than that. You’re going to need your energy for begging.

Wichapas Sumettikul

CEO, Sumettikul Enterprises Holdings Inc.

From: Jakapan Puttha
Subject: Pest
Date: December 11, 2022 08:39
To: Wichapas Sumettikul

Mr. Sumettikul—I am trying to work for a living—and it’s you that will be begging.

Jakapan Puttha

Assistant to Jack Hyde, Commissioning Editor, BIP

From: Wichapas Sumettikul
Subject: Bring it on!
Date: December 11, 2022 08:36
To: Jakapan Puttha

Why Mr. Puttha, I love a challenge...

Wichapas Sumettikul

CEO, Sumettikul Enterprises Holdings Inc.

I sit grinning at the screen like an idiot. But I need to read these chapters for Jack and write reports on all of them. Placing the manuscripts on my desk, I begin.

At lunchtime I head to the deli for a pastrami sandwich and listen to the playlist on my iPad. First up there’s Nitin Sawhney, some world music called “Homelands”—it’s good. Mr. Sumettikul has an eclectic taste in music. I wander back, listening to a classical piece, Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis by Vaughn Williams. Oh, Bible has a sense of humour, and I love him for it. Will this stupid grin ever leave my face?