Johan's POV

Khun Jon stared at me like I had personally ruined his day.

I leaned back in my chair, loosening my tie as I scrolled through emails on my laptop. "What?" I muttered, glancing at him. "Don't look at me like that. You're lucky I took you to the vet."

Khun Jon, stretched out on my desk like he owned it, flicked his tail in response.

"I swear, your parents are never hearing the end of this," I muttered, shifting my focus back to my screen. "They dump you on me, ruin my schedule, and now I'm the one cleaning up after you, feeding you, and taking you to a clinic where the vet doesn't even recognize my name."

At that, Khun Jon let out a short meow.

"Exactly," I muttered. "Unbelievable."

I tried to concentrate on my work, reviewing the latest reports from my company's finance team. Deals to close, stocks to monitor, contracts to finalize. Things I should be focusing on.

But instead, my mind kept drifting back to him.

The veterinarian.

I frowned slightly, tapping my pen against my desk. I had walked into that clinic expecting the usual response—recognition, curiosity, maybe even a little awe. Instead, all I got was indifference.

He barely even reacted when I introduced myself. Just nodded like I was any other client, completely unimpressed.

That was... new.

And annoying.

And... kind of intriguing.

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. The guy was cute, too—soft features, sharp eyes, and that calm, professional attitude that made it seem like he had no time for nonsense.

I smirked slightly. Too bad I was nonsense.

Khun Jon flicked his tail again, watching me with what could only be described as judgment.

"Oh, don't look at me like that," I muttered. "It's just curiosity."

The cat blinked.

"...Fine. Maybe mild interest."

Khun Jon stretched, clearly unimpressed.

I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling. "Damn it. What was his name again?"

I realized then—I hadn't asked.

That was also new.

Most people introduced themselves to me immediately, eager to impress, to curry favor, to slip my name into their conversations like it meant something.

I never needed to ask.

Yet, the veterinarian hadn't done any of that. No wide-eyed recognition, no attempt at small talk, no nervous energy or subtle flattery.

Just professionalism.

Like I was just another client. Like I wasn't Johan Pichetshote.

I didn't know if I should be annoyed or impressed.

I hated not knowing things.

With that thought, I reached for the intercom and pressed a button. "Jin."

A crisp, efficient voice responded almost instantly. "Yes, sir?"

"The veterinarian I took Khun Jon to earlier—find out his name."

There was a pause, as if my assistant was processing whether this was actually worth questioning. "...The veterinarian?"

"Yes," I said impatiently. "The one at Cuddle Care Veterinary Clinic. I want his name, background—whatever you can find."

"...Understood, sir. I'll send the details shortly."

I leaned back again, staring at Khun Jon, who was now grooming himself like he had won whatever game we were playing.

I rolled my eyes. "Happy now?"

The cat ignored me.

I shook my head, turning back to my laptop. I had work to do.

And yet, no matter how much I tried to focus, my mind kept drifting back to him.

That unimpressed, too-calm-for-his-own-good veterinarian who had somehow managed to get under my skin.

I sighed, dragging a hand through my hair and forcing my attention back to the contract in front of me.

I barely got through the first paragraph when a knock sounded at my office door.

"Come in," I said without looking up.

The door opened, and Jin, ever-efficient and impossibly on time, stepped inside, a tablet in one hand and a neatly organized folder in the other.

"I have the information you requested, sir," he said, setting the folder on my desk.

I leaned back in my chair, waving him forward. "Let's hear it."

Jin adjusted his glasses, scrolling through the tablet. "The veterinarian you visited is Dr. Easter Jittangkul. Thirty years old. Graduated with honors from Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Veterinary Science. Worked at several reputable animal hospitals before opening Cuddle Care Veterinary Clinic five years ago."

I raised a brow. Graduated with honors?

Jin continued, "His clinic has excellent reviews—clients describe him as knowledgeable, patient, and highly professional."

I flipped open the folder, scanning the details. Top of his class, multiple internships at well-regarded animal hospitals, experience with both domestic pets and exotic animals.

Huh.

I had assumed he was just some small-time vet running a cozy clinic, but his credentials told a different story.

Jin kept reading. "He doesn't have a major social media presence—just a private Instagram and a business page for the clinic."

"No social media?" I mused.

"He doesn't seem the type to seek attention," Jin replied. "His focus appears to be solely on his work."

I tapped my pen against the desk, mulling that over. Most people in business, especially younger professionals, relied on networking and publicity. But him? He wasn't interested in any of that.

He wasn't just some quiet, unimpressed vet. He was actually impressive.

More than just a pretty face.

Jin flipped through the file. "He moved to this city several years ago. Lives alone, no reports of a significant other—"

"That's enough," I cut in, exhaling. "I just wanted to know his name."

Jin arched a brow but didn't question me.

Easter Jittangkul.

I scrolled through the images Jin had pulled up, my gaze settling on one in particular.

In most of the photos, he looked composed, professional—serious, even. Focused on his work, on his patients. But then, there were the rare ones. The ones where he wasn't looking at the camera but at an animal in his arms.

That was when he smiled.

And damn, that smile.

Soft, unguarded—completely different from the neutral expression he had given me. There was something almost boyish about it, the way it softened his sharp features, the way it made his eyes crinkle just slightly at the corners. And then there were the dimples. Dimples.

I stared for a second too long before scoffing and closing the file.

So what? He had a nice smile. Big deal. Plenty of people had dimples. It didn't mean anything.

I leaned back in my chair, tapping my pen against the desk, ignoring the way my mind kept circling back to it.

I wasn't attracted to him.

I was just... curious.

That's all.

Or at least, that's what I kept telling myself.

Yet, five minutes had passed, and I hadn't processed a single word on the screen in front of me.

That damn smile's fault. 

Enough, Johan. You have work to do.

As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. A moment later, Jin stepped inside, tablet in hand, his expression as composed as ever.

"Sir, I've finalized your schedule for the next week," he said efficiently.

I rolled my shoulders, finally shifting my focus. "Let's hear it."

Jin read through the list. "Meetings with the board tomorrow, a business lunch with the GlobalTech executives, and a press interview in the afternoon. Thursday is the charity gala, which you're required to attend—"

I frowned, already feeling irritated. "Do I have to?"

I'd been to a hundred events like this— predictable, filled with the same, boring faces saying the same things. A room full of polite smiles and conversations that never really meant anything.

"Yes," Jin replied flatly, without even looking up. "Your company is a major sponsor, and your absence would be noted."

I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Fine. Who else is going?"

Jin scrolled through his tablet. "Executives from several top corporations, political figures, socialites—the usual."

I sighed, already regretting agreeing to this.

Then Jin added, "Dr. Tonfah Jansuppakitkun will also be attending."

That caught my attention.

"Tonfah?" I raised a brow. "Since when does he do galas?"

"He was invited as a guest speaker for a medical charity initiative," Jin replied. "You'll likely see him there."

I hummed in acknowledgment, slightly less annoyed now. At least there'd be one familiar face.

Jin scrolled further, then added, almost as an afterthought, "And Dr. Easter Jittangkul."

My fingers, which had been casually tapping the desk, stilled.

"...What?"

Jin didn't even blink. "Dr. Easter Jittangkul. He's attending on behalf of an animal rescue foundation that receives funding from the event. His clinic donates to their cause annually."

I leaned back in my chair, pressing my fingers together in thought.

Well, well.

The same unimpressed veterinarian who had barely acknowledged me at his clinic would be at the same gala, surrounded by people who would absolutely know who I was.

I smirked. "Looks like the gala won't be so boring after all."

Jin glanced up, unimpressed. "I'd advise you not to cause trouble."

"Me? Trouble?" I placed a hand on my chest in mock offense. "I would never."

Jin didn't dignify that with a response. "I'll make sure your tux is ready."

As he exited the office, I drummed my fingers against the desk, my smirk widening.

I had been planning to attend out of obligation.

Now?

Now, I had much more interesting reasons to go.