MANIAC LOVER

Chapter 1 — The Beginning of Chaos

Bangkok was loud tonight.

Music thundered through the walls of the nightclub while colorful lights swept across the crowded dance floor. Laughter, shouting, and the clinking of glasses blended together into a chaotic rhythm.

Some people came to the club to dance.

Some came to drink.

Dean Phatcharaphon Suthirak came to entertain himself.

Leaning casually against the bar, Dean swirled the wine in his glass and watched the room with relaxed amusement.

His phone buzzed again.

Another message.

Dean glanced at it and chuckled softly.

Unknown number.

“Hi Dean, remember me from the party last week?”

Dean typed back immediately.

“Of course I remember.”

He absolutely did not.

Across from him, Niran Chaiyaporn sighed.

“You replied again.”

Dean didn’t even look up from his phone.

“It's rude to ignore people.”

Niran gave him a flat look.

“You don’t ignore anyone.”

“That’s because everyone deserves attention.”

“You flirt with everyone.”

Dean finally looked up, smiling lazily.

“And people seem happy about it.”

That part was true.

Dean had always been like this.

Friendly. Charming. Playful.

A natural flirt who treated conversations like a game.

Girls liked him.

Guys liked him.

Dean liked the reactions.

But Niran knew something most people didn’t.

Dean flirted easily…

but never stayed long enough for anything serious.

Niran leaned back in his chair and glanced across the club.

Two people sat at a table near the quieter side of the room.

One of them looked relaxed, casually sipping his drink.

The other sat straight, his sharp eyes scanning the room like he didn’t trust anything around him.

Niran’s gaze lingered on the relaxed one.

Punn.

Dean noticed where his friend was looking.

“Oh?”

He followed Niran’s line of sight.

“Someone caught your attention.”

Niran looked away quickly.

“Don’t start.”

Dean grinned.

“You like him.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

Dean rested his chin on his hand.

“So who are they?”

Niran hesitated before answering.

“The one in the black shirt is Punn.”

Dean nodded slowly.

“And the human security camera next to him?”

“Mok.”

Dean studied the man.

Mok Thanawat.

Even sitting in a noisy club, he looked completely out of place.

Calm.

Serious.

Sharp.

While everyone else was relaxed, Mok’s posture remained straight and controlled.

Like he was analyzing everything around him.

Dean smiled slightly.

Interesting.

Niran sighed quietly.

“The problem isn’t Punn.”

Dean raised an eyebrow.

“Oh?”

“The problem is Mok.”

Dean turned his head toward him.

“Explain.”

Niran rubbed his temples.

“Punn likes Mok.”

Dean blinked.

“Ah.”

“But Mok doesn’t like him that way.”

Dean glanced back at the table.

Punn looked comfortable talking.

Mok looked… unreadable.

“So what’s the issue?”

“Mok doesn’t want to hurt him.”

Dean hummed thoughtfully.

“So he just pretends not to notice?”

“Something like that.”

Dean tilted his head.

“That sounds complicated.”

“It is.”

Niran looked back at Mok again.

“I want Punn to move on.”

Dean’s eyebrow lifted.

“You’re very generous toward your romantic rival.”

Niran ignored the comment.

“If Punn sees Mok interested in someone else, he’ll probably give up.”

Dean slowly turned toward him.

“Ah.”

Now he understood.

“You want Mok to date someone.”

“Or at least flirt with someone.”

Dean leaned back in his chair.

“And Mok agreed to this?”

“Reluctantly.”

Dean chuckled.

“Let me guess. He couldn’t find anyone.”

“Exactly.”

Dean looked across the room again.

The cold AI engineer didn’t seem like someone who enjoyed flirting.

Then Niran suddenly looked at him.

Which made Dean nervous immediately.

“No.”

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

“You don’t need to.”

Niran leaned forward calmly.

“You flirt with everyone.”

“That’s not an argument.”

“Try flirting with Mok.”

Dean almost laughed.

“You’re joking.”

“I’m serious.”

Dean stared at him.

“That guy looks like he’d report me to the police for harassment.”

Niran smiled slightly.

“You like challenges.”

Dean glanced toward Mok again.

The man looked completely uninterested in the club atmosphere.

Cold.

Controlled.

Untouchable.

Dean felt curiosity spark in his chest.

“Well…”

He murmured slowly.

“That might actually be fun.”

Niran raised an eyebrow.

“Are you considering it?”

Dean picked up his glass and stood up.

“I always help my friends.”

Niran watched him suspiciously.

“That sounded too easy.”

Dean winked.

“Relax.”

Then he glanced at Mok one more time.

“I’m just going to say hello.”

Across the room, Mok looked up slightly as if sensing something.

Their eyes met for the first time.

Dean smiled.

Mok’s expression didn’t change at all.

No reaction.

No interest.

Nothing.

Dean’s smile widened.

Oh.

That was new.

Most people reacted immediately to him.

But Mok simply looked away like Dean didn’t exist.

Dean chuckled softly.

Now that…

was interesting.

Very interesting.

And without realizing it, Mok Thanawat had just become the most fascinating problem Dean had encountered in a very long time.

DEAN - TOP

MOK - BOTTOM

First Contact

The music in the club felt louder the closer Dean walked toward the quiet corner.

Or maybe that was just the excitement building in his chest.

He wasn’t exactly sure why he had agreed to Niran’s ridiculous plan.

But the more he looked at Mok from across the room, the more curious he became.

The man looked like a walking “Do Not Disturb” sign.

Dean liked disturbing things.

Especially people.

At the table, Punn was in the middle of telling a story when he suddenly noticed someone approaching.

He paused.

Mok followed his gaze.

And for the first time, Dean stood directly in front of them.

Up close, Mok looked even sharper.

Calm eyes.

Cold expression.

Completely uninterested.

Dean smiled warmly like he had known them for years.

“Good evening.”

Punn blinked.

“Uh… hi?”

Dean casually pulled a chair and sat down beside them without asking.

Mok’s eyebrow moved slightly.

Dean noticed.

Interesting.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Dean said casually. “The bar is crowded.”

Punn looked confused but nodded politely.

“No problem.”

Mok said nothing.

His eyes briefly studied Dean like he was evaluating a strange piece of code.

Dean noticed the silence and turned his smile toward Mok.

“And you are?”

“Mok.”

Short.

Simple.

Direct.

Dean rested his chin on his hand.

“Nice to meet you.”

No reaction.

Punn glanced between them awkwardly.

Dean continued smoothly.

“You don’t look like someone who enjoys clubs.”

Mok answered calmly.

“I don’t.”

“Then why are you here?”

“To accompany a friend.”

Punn suddenly became very interested in his drink.

Dean chuckled softly.

“That’s very loyal.”

Mok looked at him again.

This time longer.

Like he was trying to understand something.

Dean didn’t look away.

Instead he leaned slightly closer.

“So Mok…”

He spoke casually.

“Can I buy you a drink?”

Punn nearly choked.

Mok’s expression didn’t change at all.

“No.”

Dean blinked.

That was fast.

He laughed softly.

“Straight rejection?”

“Yes.”

Dean tilted his head.

“That’s a little cold.”

Mok replied calmly.

“It’s honest.”

Punn quietly tried not to laugh.

Dean leaned back in his chair.

He had expected resistance.

But this level of indifference?

That was new.

Most people either flirted back or got embarrassed.

Mok did neither.

He simply looked bored.

Dean’s eyes sparkled with amusement.

Now he was definitely interested.

“So you reject strangers often?”

“Yes.”

“What if they’re charming?”

“No difference.”

Dean grinned.

“What if they’re handsome?”

“No difference.”

Punn couldn't hold it anymore and laughed.

Dean looked at Mok with exaggerated disappointment.

“You’re hurting my feelings.”

“I doubt that.”

Dean rested his elbow on the table.

“Then what would make a difference?”

Mok studied him silently for a moment.

His voice was calm but slightly amused.

“Nothing.”

Dean laughed again.

“That sounds like a challenge.”

“It isn’t.”

“Everything can be a challenge.”

Mok leaned back slightly.

His eyes sharpened.

“You enjoy provoking people.”

Dean smiled.

“You noticed.”

“It’s obvious.”

Dean looked almost pleased.

“Then you must also know I don’t give up easily.”

Punn suddenly felt nervous.

He had known Mok for years.

And he knew that expression.

Mok was getting interested.

Which almost never happened.

Mok spoke again.

“So you plan to keep flirting?”

Dean shrugged.

“Probably.”

“Why?”

Dean answered without hesitation.

“Because you’re the first person tonight who rejected me.”

Punn laughed again.

“That’s your reason?”

“Of course.”

Dean’s smile widened.

“I like difficult things.”

Mok stared at him for a few seconds.

Then something unexpected happened.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

A faint smirk.

“Well then.”

His voice remained calm.

“But if you want to try…”

Dean leaned forward.

“Try what?”

Mok’s eyes held his.

Sharp.

Challenging.

“Make me interested.”

Dean’s grin slowly widened.

“That sounds fun.”

Mok took a sip of his drink.

His voice quiet but confident.

“Let’s see how long you last.”

Across the club, Niran watched the entire interaction from the bar.

And for the first time since the night started…

He looked slightly worried.

Because Dean looked way too interested.

And Mok looked way too entertained.

This might not go according to the plan at all.

Dangerous Game

The music in the club grew louder as the night continued.

But at Mok and Punn’s table, the tension was louder than the music.

Dean leaned comfortably in his chair like he had lived there his entire life.

Punn had already finished half his drink while watching the strange interaction between the two men.

Mok looked calm.

Too calm.

Which meant he was very aware of everything happening.

Dean tapped his fingers on the table lazily.

“So… Mok.”

Mok looked at him.

“Yes?”

Dean smiled.

“Do you reject everyone this quickly, or am I special?”

Mok answered without hesitation.

“You’re not special.”

Punn nearly laughed again.

Dean pressed his hand to his chest dramatically.

“That hurts.”

Mok replied dryly.

“You’ll survive.”

Dean tilted his head, studying him carefully.

Up close, Mok was even more interesting than he expected.

Sharp eyes.

Controlled posture.

The type of person who looked like he had never done anything reckless in his life.

Dean liked ruining that kind of balance.

“So what do you do?” Dean asked casually.

“AI engineer.”

Dean whistled softly.

“Smart and rude.”

“I prefer efficient.”

Dean chuckled.

“Efficient rejection?”

“Yes.”

Dean leaned closer.

“You know… if you keep rejecting me like this, I might start thinking you’re secretly interested.”

Punn coughed.

Mok’s gaze didn’t move.

“That would be an incorrect assumption.”

Dean rested his chin on his hand.

“But you’re still talking to me.”

“You sat at our table.”

“You could have told me to leave.”

Mok took another sip of his drink.

“You would ignore it.”

Dean grinned widely.

“Correct.”

Punn looked between them like he was watching a tennis match.

Back and forth.

Back and forth.

Dean suddenly reached for the fruit bowl in the center of the table and picked up a strawberry.

He bit into it slowly while maintaining eye contact with Mok.

Punn choked on his drink again.

Dean raised an eyebrow.

“What?”

Punn shook his head violently.

“Nothing.”

Mok looked at Dean calmly.

“You flirt like that with everyone?”

Dean swallowed the strawberry.

“Usually they enjoy it more.”

Mok replied dryly.

“That says more about them than about you.”

Dean laughed loudly.

“You’re brutal.”

“I’m honest.”

Dean leaned forward again.

“So tell me something honestly.”

Mok nodded slightly.

“What?”

“Am I handsome?”

Punn almost fell out of his chair.

Mok looked at Dean carefully.

For a moment, he actually examined him.

Dean had sharp features, confident eyes, and an annoyingly charming smile.

Objectively speaking—

“Yes.”

Punn froze.

Dean blinked.

“Well… that was easier than expected.”

Mok continued calmly.

“But personality matters more.”

Dean smiled again.

“And you hate mine.”

“Correct.”

Dean laughed again.

“Wow. You’re really not making this easy.”

Mok leaned back slightly.

“I never promised to.”

Dean’s eyes sparkled.

“Good.”

Mok raised an eyebrow.

“Why good?”

Dean’s smile slowly turned mischievous.

“Because easy things are boring.”

Punn felt something strange in his chest.

He had known Mok for years.

Mok usually shut people down quickly.

But with Dean…

He was actually engaging.

Which was rare.

Very rare.

Dean suddenly spoke again.

“So Mok.”

“What?”

“Have you ever dated anyone?”

Punn froze.

Mok looked at Dean calmly.

“Yes.”

Dean leaned forward.

“Serious relationships?”

“No.”

Dean smirked.

“Heartbreaker.”

“Incorrect.”

“What happened then?”

Mok’s answer came simply.

“They weren’t interesting.”

Dean laughed softly.

“Oh?”

Mok’s eyes locked onto his.

“I lose interest quickly.”

Dean slowly grinned.

“Well then.”

He leaned closer again.

“Looks like I need to work harder.”

Mok studied him for a moment.

Then he spoke calmly.

“You won’t last.”

Dean chuckled.

“That sounds like a bet.”

Mok tilted his head slightly.

“Do you want it to be?”

Dean didn’t hesitate.

“Yes.”

Punn whispered under his breath.

“Oh no…”

Dean extended his hand across the table.

“So what’s the challenge?”

Mok looked at his hand but didn’t shake it.

Instead he spoke slowly.

“If you think flirting is enough…”

His eyes sharpened slightly.

“Then try.”

Dean’s smile widened dangerously.

“Try what?”

Mok finally gave a faint smirk.

“Make me fall for you.”

The table went silent.

Punn’s brain stopped working.

Across the club, Niran almost dropped his drink.

Dean stared at Mok for two seconds.

Then he laughed.

A slow, amused laugh.

“Well…”

He leaned back in his chair.

“This just became very interesting.”

Mok replied calmly.

“You said you like difficult things.”

Dean’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“I do.”

Mok finished his drink.

“Then go ahead.”

Dean leaned forward one more time.

His voice playful but confident.

“Careful, Mok.”

Mok raised an eyebrow.

“Why?”

Dean smiled like a man walking directly into danger.

“You might regret giving me permission.”

Mok’s answer came immediately.

“I doubt it.”

But for some reason…

The corner of his lips lifted again.

And that tiny reaction was enough for Dean to realize something.

This game…

might be far more fun than he expected.