Chapter Text
“We’ve decided we’re changing your specialty and team.”
To most, this sentence would’ve been terrible to hear. A pale face usually follows after. To Wave, it was the best thing he’s heard in the entirety of his work here. Finally.
“We’ve seen how your expertise lies in the design of how magazines look rather than the writing. Your writing is actually top notch but… your constant emails to the design team have made the popularity in our company rise!” Wave tries not to let the praise get to him and show excitement on his face.
“We’re making you the head manager of the design team. Great Job and keep up the amazing work, Mr. Tansakul. We wish you luck.”
Wave doesn’t need to be told twice about how amazing he is. He didn’t study design for nothing. This was to be expected. He’s only been working here for 6 months and he’s already excelling to the top. A bit of a narcissist he won’t lie. He knows well he is. Yet he’s also not wrong about himself.
𖠚ᐝ
That was a year ago. Since then the fashion company — “CHÆRI MAGAZINE” — has grown exponentially. All thanks to his own expertise.
But of course that’s not all. He’s not in this spot simply because he’s spectacular at what he does. His own team praises him even behind closed doors. Sending emails to higher ups about how thankful they are for putting him in charge of their floor. Genuine gratitude.
3:07 PM.
5 knocks hit the door to Wave’s office.
“Come in!” He shouts while staring at the screen of his computer desktop typing something in. Probably an important email.
A lady who presents the utmost confidence in herself lets herself in. “Mr. Tansakul.”
Wave immediately looks up from his screen at the voice, straightening himself up. “Director? How can I help you? Is there a draft I missed when sending it over?” Immediately going back to his desktop searching the previous emails he sends to his spam email and the higher ups to make sure he has a track record of all the things he sends over. Never wanting to miss even the tiniest detail.
The design director smiles and closes the door behind her, moving to sit down at the chair sat in front of Wave’s desk. “No no nong, you’re always on the dot and precise.” Wave feels his lip twitch up trying to not let the narcissism show. She continues, “I’ve come to tell you that we actually have recently interviewed someone who worked with TЯU MAGAZINE. We were hesitant since they were coming from a rival company but they explained that they hold no bias. Which is exactly what we’re looking for.” Ending the sentence with a very gentle smile on her face.
TЯU MAGAZINE: The only fashion magazine company that’s keeping them from reaching 1st place on the podium. Always 2nd to them. No wonder they were hesitant whilst interviewing.
Wave doesn’t know why she’s telling him this. Are they going to be part of his team now? That’s fine. He’s gotten used to seeing new faces here. “May I ask why you’re speaking with me and not the Vice Director and the other head department managers, Phi?”
She smiles with her eyes. “We’re thinking of making him work in your position. Not just a design associate but a design manager. If he does well, we’ll be thinking of making him head design manager, we wanted to let you know since you may be moved to another department if so.”
Wave stares at her for a moment trying not to let his face show the true reaction he wants to show. This… how good is this person that they want to move him out and replace him with some random??? No way is he letting them take what he worked hard to achieve. “Yes, Phi. You can count on me.” He reluctantly says with his eyes following his fake smile. Looking sincere regardless of his true feelings.
She thanks him for his time with a wai and Wave stands and wai’s at her as well as she leaves.
I mean, why move him where he excels the most in? Yeah he’s pretty great at everything but this is where he shines the most!
𖠚ᐝ
9:01 PM.
“Honestly, what??? This random employee from that big shot company is apparently coming here to take MY spot?” Wave seethes as he brushes his teeth on a call with his two closest friends: Teetee and North.
North barely paying attention, probably scrolling through videos. Teetee half asleep next to his already sleeping boyfriend—Por.
“I mean what does this person have that I don’t?!” Wave fumes at just the thought of it.
North speaks with a monotone voice, “why not just—I dunno—fuck them over. Don’t let them rise to your position.” Eyes still focused on whatever he’s watching on his phone.
Wave stops for a moment and thinks about it. “North… you smart asshole. Why didn’t I think of that? It’s perfect!”
“Smart, yes. Asshole, you’re the asshole. Goodnight.” North says before leaving the call to probably doom scroll before he sleeps at 2 am then complain the next morning about his 9-5.
Wave looks down at the phone and sees Teetee has already fallen asleep phone in hand hugging his boyfriend. He ends the call for him and immediately starts conjuring up a plan on how he’s going to make sure this newcomer stays exactly where they should be. Underneath him.
𖠚ᐝ
6:45 AM.
It’s the next morning and everyone greets him as he walks through the front doors of CHÆRI MAGAZINE. Making his way toward the cafe on the first floor of the building.
The cashier looks up and smiles his usual smile. “Your usual?” He asks.
Wave smiles back and gives him a nod. The cashier already punching it in. The cashier pauses then looks up. “I apologize, we ran out of the premium caramel syrup sir… is there anything else you’d like? I really do apologize…”
Awesome. Already starting his day without his usual premium caramel latte. “Ah… it’s fine I’ll just skip the coffee today! Maybe it’s a sign I need to lay off a bit, haha!” Wave says with a smile and laugh. Meanwhile he’s genuinely upset on the inside not letting it show, wanting to maintain his reputation.
The cashier nods at him and apologizes again for the lack on product. Wave telling them it’s perfectly okay and making his way towards the elevators. About to go sip his coffee out of habit remembering he would be without his favorite drink today. Today is already going to go terribly, he thinks to himself.
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6:52 AM.
Wave makes it to his floor, earlier than what he prefers. Immediately greeted by those passing through the hallway and into his office. He places his briefcase down on his desk and looks over to a cup of coffee on his coaster. He looks around the office room for any sign of something missing. Everything exactly as he left it. Letting out a sigh of relief. He grabs the cup of coffee and checks the tag to see what it is.
For: T
large
hot latte
8 premium caramel syrup
caramel drizzle
Wave reads the tag and looks around once more. Does he have a secret admirer? Did someone order his usual for him this morning out of the goodness of their heart? How sweet. Wanting to thank them for saving him some baht today. Taking a sip and melting at the taste. The caramel syrup here is the only kind of caramel he likes in the entirety of Thailand. No other caramel comes close.
Wave sits down at his desk. Starting his computer and logging in. Typing the password as he hears 5 quick knocks at his office door.
“Come in!” He shouts out. Still setting up his desktop for today. Not looking at who is at the door.
The door opens and in walks two people. He glances up to see who. One he immediately recognizes while for the other whose face he’s never seen before in this building.
“Director! What brings you here so early?” Checking his watch, currently 7:03 in the morning.
She smiles and lets the man next to her walk further into the room. Closing the door. “This is Mr. Eksathian. The one who previously worked for TЯU MAGAZINE.”
Wave looks up at him. So this is the guy who’s trying to steal his spotlight.
“Well then, I’ll leave you both to it.” The director leaves and closes the door on her way out. Leaving Wave and the new guy alone in his office.
Immediately doing a run through on his outfit. His glasses frame from Louis Vuitton. The silver watch sitting on his left wrist from ROLEX. Shoes, easily can tell they’re designer. The makers tag on the side of the shoe. The coat, pants, button up, and tie all from a favorite of his, actually, PRADA.
He looks back up at the man. His hair styled in a way that shows his forehead. Wave can see he does in fact have a great sense of fashion and what colors + textures do well together. Applauding him in his head for making a good first impression. Still, he won’t let him take what’s his.
“Hello, the name’s Thirati Eksathian, 27, you can just call me Thee.” He extends out his hand to shake. Wave stares at it and doesn’t remove his hands that’ve been shoved in his pockets. Wave mentally noting that Thee’s a year older.
“Thanapat Tansakul. Refer to me as Mr. Tansakul.” He says, smile only showing after he tells him how to refer to him. Wave gestures at the seat in front of his desk for Thee to sit down at. Thee sitting down with confidence, not even the least bit surprised at the way Wave is treating him like a germ.
Wave takes a sip of the coffee on his desk before speaking again. “So, there’s a question I wanted to ask.” Thee’s eyebrows shooting up, ready to answer the question. “Why leave TЯU MAGAZINE?”
The man in glasses smiles gently. He then leaned back into his chair comfortably. “Wanted to meet the person who helped CHÆRI MAGAZINE rise to the top 3. Thought to myself how boring and outdated TЯU MAGAZINE was. So I quit, called for an interview. Now here I am.” Ending his simplified explanation with a tone of obviousness.
Wave smiled, “Then you’d probably be looking for me.” Pssh of course he is! Everyone wants to meet the guy who helped CHÆRI MAGAZINE gain so much popularity under a year. Feeling confident after the indirect compliment.
Thee nodded firmly with a smile. “Mr. Tansakul, was it?” He asks. Wave giving his full attention again. Watching as the man in glasses rises from his seat pushing the chair back against the desk.
He makes it to the door, “Good luck.” Closing the door behind him as he leaves.
Wave sits there for a moment before taking in what he meant by that.
This asshole.
𖠚ᐝ
9:02 PM.
“CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT GUY?? The audacity. ‘Good luck’?!? Don’t piss me off.” Wave yells out over the phone. “It’s only day one and my plan to keep him away from my position is failing. Uggghhh North it’s all your fault!”
North stops what he’s doing and furrows his brows in offense, “Aow! I just gave a suggestion, how is it my fault?? You did it on your own accord.”
Wave groans again, not enough mental strength to fight back.
Teetee chimes in, “Why not just prove that you’re better than him? Shouldn’t that be enough for you to keep your spot?” Wincing as his boyfriend, Por, plucks out gray hairs from his head.
Por too chimes in, “Mn, that really should be enough to keep him away, no?”
Wave thinks for a moment. They’re, actually right… Why stress when he knows he’s the best at what he does. Alright. He’s so got this in the bag!!
𖠚ᐝ
3 days later.
11:29 AM.
Wave sends an email and pauses what he’s doing. Grabbing his employee ID before leaving his office. 11:30 AM. Perfect timing. Per usual.
While walking past the multiple cubicle office desks, he spots that newcomer again, sitting back all relaxed. He’s been sending emails all day every day asking questions, where’s the draft for this what’s the login for this… why doesn’t he just write a big letter and place it on my desk with all the goddamn questions he has???
Wave shakes his head slightly, so discreet only he would know. Making his way to the elevator down to the first floor. He swipes his employee ID and walks through the gate. Again, to grab his usual then head back to his office.
Walking up toward the register, a different face from this morning greeting him.
She looks up and smiles, blush finding her cheeks. “Ah! Mr. Tansakul! Coming for your usual?” Wave nods with a gentle and handsome smile.
She gestures towards the card reader after punching in his usual lunch order. Wave is about to pay when suddenly another phone makes it to the card reader before his.
Wave looks up to his left to see what kind person just paid for his lunch. Immediately taking back that word ‘kind’… that freaking newbie. How the hell did he get down here so quick?!?
“I’ll pay today, no worries, Mr. Tansakul.” He says with a gentle but toothy smile. Placing a hand on Wave’s shoulder. Wave looks at him with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Thank you.” He says trying not to say through gritted teeth.
Wave waits at the counter for his food items while Thee is ordering his own food. Quickly done and going over to wait next to Wave. Does he HAVE to stand that close????
Wave watches as Thee pulls out his phone and scrolls through his emails—not that he was looking at his screen on purpose. Wave hates doing work related things until he’s back in his office room. Too many distractions outside of it.
“Pickup for Wave!” His head shoots up as he goes to grab his lunch and immediately head back to his office to finish up his work and emails for the day.
“Wave?” Thee says out loud.
Wave who was just about to walk away closes his eyes and turns around with a small smile. “Just, Mr. Tansakul.”
Thee smirks, his attention moving when his order is called out, “Pickup for T!” He grabs his order and thanks the employee.
“Let’s walk back up together, shall we?” Thee offers. Wave smiles a fake smile that meets his eyes, trying to hold back the annoyance in his face. “Sure.”
𖠚ᐝ
11:53 AM.
They enter the elevator. Just the two of them. That was until lunch rush finally starts. The whole reason why Wave leaves before 11:50 being because of this lunch rush…
A swarm of people start entering the elevator from different floors. Pushing Thee and Wave further into the elevator.
Wave thinks to himself, “I don’t get why they still try to make themselves fit when it’s already so packed in here…” immediately shoved out of his thoughts when an employee from another floor shoves him backwards. Backwards towards Thee who is already shoved against the far back corner of the elevator.
Shoving him even more without noticing as more people get on.
Wave feels the arms that’ve been crossed behind him slowly undo themselves and get placed on his shoulders. Jumping a bit at the touch. The employee shoving yet again. Wave’s back now fully against Thee.
Fuck. Me.
Wave just wants to head back to his office and eat his lunch already and get finished with his work for the day.
“Ah- our floor.” A voice from behind him goes. Starting to push Wave by the shoulders to make it outside of the elevator. Might as well call him a human shield.
“Oi!! Eugh!” Wave shouts out as he’s getting pushed towards hoards of people. Apologizing whenever he pushed someone.
Finally out of the elevator, Wave looks down at his crumpled up bag of food. At least the actual food items are okay. He confirmed after checking the contents inside.
Wave gives a glare at the man in glasses as the latter just gives him a knowing smirk back. Does this guy have a thing for teasing others? Leave him out of it if so.
“So, nong Wave-“
Wave looks up again with an even fiercer glare. Interrupting him before he can finish his question, “Only should you refer to me as Mr. Tansakul in this building.” He scolds.
Thee chuckles. He just knows how to get on his nerves.
“Mr. Tansakul, may I call you nong Wave outside of office hours?” Thee asks the question like the answer isn’t already obvious.
Wave deadpans at him and turns around with a huff. Taking long strides towards his office. Lunch clutched in his hands.
𖠚ᐝ
3:45 PM.
Wave clutches his folders and binders in hand getting ready for the design team meeting. After making sure everything is accounted for, he heads out of his office into the conference room.
He’s the first one there, surprisingly. 15 minutes before the meeting is supposed to start. Good, he can get things ready in silence for now.
Wave checks his watch again after getting everything ready. 3:55 PM. Perfect.
A knock coming through the door before it opens up. Multiple employee’s hoarding in.
Everyone sits down accordingly. Wave looks around doing a silent headcount making sure everyone has attended.
“Thank you for coming today. I understand it’s been a busy work schedule as of late. Do not fret, no new work is given until the 11th!” Sighs can be heard all around the room some holding their breath when Wave speaks again, “Whereas… on the 17th we have to get ready for the seasonal magazine.” A few groans can be heard here and there.
Wave actually loves seasonal magazines. Finding them fun. Wave smiles and continues explaining the work schedule.
“Shouldn’t we publish the seasonal magazine sooner?” A voice towards the back left can be heard. Everyone turning their heads to spot the man in glasses.
Wave mentally sticks the middle finger up. “Unfortunately, with the items and time we’re given. I personally have to go through everything to fully send to publishers. There’s only so much I can do as one person. Therefore being a three day extended period.” He calmly explained. While he actually just wanted to tell him to shut the fuck up.
“I don’t mind helping.” Thee insists. Everyone silently agreeing that publishing sooner and getting two people to finalize is a better idea. Given the time frame.
Wave bites his inner cheek holding back a big ol’ “fuck you.” Smiling that fake smile of his, “I’d appreciate it.” Lie. I would rather you just leave me to my own work goddammit.
Wave refusing to lose face. Accepting the help of the person he despises most in this world.
He’s in for a hell of a month.