13. Needle in Haystack

"Are you sure?" asked Shone with a frown. "How about if this time, just the same like last time?"

Forth took a deep breath. He knew what difficulties his friend was going through so he doubted what Forth said. After all, Shone was the finance director and with his scrupulous nature, it was a bit difficult to persuade and get approval from him.

"I'm sure, this time everything will be fine," Forth said firmly. "I chose him myself and I know that I will suit him."

"Forth, you're blaming us for picking the wrong people before?" replied Shone with raised eyebrows. "They are the chosen ones, Forth, the best graduates from their university, experienced, and have gone through a rigorous selection!"

"I don't need someone with those criteria, Shone. I need someone who can match me, that's all."

Shone raised his hand in resignation. "All right, all right. Just bring him here tomorrow to see Jock. I'll arrange a salary for him according to educational level, without any allowances for the first three months, so tell him that."

"You're really stingy, Shone," mocked Forth half annoyed.

"Hey! I'm obligated to look out for the well-being of all of our company's employees fairly in order for them to remain loyal and work had for us, Forth! You told me to!"

"Yes, yes, yes, I know. As for Javin, I will not ask the company to pay him. He will work directly under me and not be tied to the company. I will pay his salary, directly from my pocket."

Shone looked at Forth carefully. He leaned toward the Fort. "Forth, tell me. Why are you so attracted to this kid? You've never been attracted to any human before. What's so special about him that you want to be his sugar daddy so much?"

"F*ck you!" cursed Forth with a chuckle. "I don't think about being a sugar daddy at all. He's a good kid and a hard worker, that's all. Apart from that, I think because he is used to working nights, his biological clock is automatically the same as mine and that means he will be able to adjust to his job later."

Shone tilted his head with a smirked on his lips. "Are you sure that's the only reason? You're not in love with him, are you?"

Forth snorted and flicked Shone's forehead hard. "Don't like to make assumptions. He is young and he is a boy."

"How old is he? Fourth year of medical school? That means he's at least 22 or 23 years old, that's mature age, Forth, plus after hearing your story, I'm sure he's more mature in thought than his years. He's no kid, dummy!"

"He's a boy, Shone."

"So what? You can fall in love with anyone. Why keep yourself in an obsolete box that only limits yourself to love of a different gender?"

"I... still looking for that person."

Shone sighed and said nothing more about it. "I'll have Jock take care of it."

Shone came out of Forth's house and drove to the office. He asked his secretary to summon Jock while he signed some papers in his room after.

Jock bursts into the room noisily, arguing with Kwan. "Hey, hey, what are you all making a fuss about, barbarians?" Snapped Shone is annoyed.

He pointed to the door behind Kwan. "Kwan, close the door!"

Kwan slammed the door shut with his foot and plopped down on the leather sofa, followed by Jock.

"Have you met Forth?" Jock asked.

He took off his shoes and stretched his feet on the carpet. Shone turned off his laptop and came out from behind his desk and sat on the sofa across from Jock and Kwan. "He said he would be a sugar daddy for that kid," Shone said with a chuckle.

"You don't like the idea?" Kwan asked, wiggling his eyebrows. "You should meet the kid."

"If it comes to Phi Wine himself who seeks and says all the things we have kept under wraps, I'm sure he deserves to be with Forth," said Jock in a confident tone.

"How will he manage his time with Forth? He's a final year medical student and has been accepted for an internship at St Varin," Shone said as he leaned back on the couch. "I'm lazy to face Forth's usual complaints, if it turns out that the child doesn't live up to what he expects."

"Phi Wine said, the kid just looked at him with a serious face after he told him about Forth, then he asked: how can I help him, Phi? Should I postpone my apprenticeship so I can accompany Phi Forth until he gets better? That's what he said and that made Phi Wine sure that this time there won't be any more trouble."

"What about that building? Does that kid know that Forth bought that useless old building?" asked Shone in a sharp tone. "I agree because I think Forth has already put in too much effort on him, so at least I hope he can be really useful."

Jock smiled broadly and move closer to embraced Shone's stiff shoulders. "Come on, Shone, don't get too tense. It's not all about money."

"Of course it's about money, you idiot! How much do you think I'm paying for hospital bills, taking care of insurance and shutting those people up so they don't spread rumors about Forth out there?"

Kwan and Jock grinned and scratched their heads.

"Well, at least Forth has said that this time he'll make the choice himself, so he won't blame us. He even said he'd pay the child the salary himself," added Shone with a sight.

"Can I contact Phi Wine?" Kwan asked, pulling out the phone.

"Wait a minute, Kwan," prevented Shone quickly. "Are you still looking for that kid? He's probably grown up by now."

Kwan became tensed hearing Shone's question. "Did Forth say anything?"

"Actually I was sarcastic and said that he might be in love with Javin, and I can see Forth hesitated for a moment, but then he said that he was still looking for that kid."

Kwan took a deep breath. "You know how to look for a needle in a haystack? That's what I've been up to until now. We only know his features and that was when she was a child. Just a first name, no address and no details about her parents at all. She must be an adult now and a lot changed, whether she still lives here, is alive or maybe has died, it all frustrates me."

Shone nodded without saying anything. Kwan touched the speed dial on the phone and waited. A voice took the call.

"Phi Kwan? That's done. Forth himself asked Javin to work for him. He's coming tomorrow to see Jock."

" ... "

"No, Phi, Javin understands what his duties are. I've spoken to him."

" ... "

"Fine, Phi, I'll arrange it later." Kwan ended the conversation and turned to his friends. "We can entrust Forth to Javin now."

Shone snorted. Jock nodded. "Amen to that."

***