[T/N] I apologize for grammar mistakes and incoherencies
Chapter 12: If it doesn't go as planned, then make a new plan.
“Try asking me.”
Tongrak didn't understand himself, like why he said that, but the moment he heard ...can you not go back yet? ...his heart beat so fast he was afraid the younger man might hear it. He hesitated, even though he shouldn't have. He felt, even though he shouldn't have felt, because eventually, it was time to go home to his friends, to the lights and colors he loved. There was no need to stay stuck on this island with just the sea and this man, but why...when he looked at the man in front of him, he asked himself:
What did he expect?
The young writer bit his lip tightly, then felt displeased with Mahasamut's resigned demeanor.
It's not like he knew this guy well. They had known each other for less than two weeks, but when he looked into those sharp, confident eyes that were bold and never feared the consequences, now seeming to give up on him, saying it was just a joke and laughing it off, he wanted to say:
Go ahead, ask me.
“Can I speak?”
Why not dare to ask?
Tongrak wanted to shout, considering this guy had the guts to barge into his room, take his key card, grab him and throw him onto a boat, onto a motorcycle, onto a sidecar, or even make him cry in ecstasy. The one who invited him to community activities, to go diving, to stargaze, to do all sorts of things, but why wouldn't he dare to ask him to stay?
“Try asking me nicely.”
Usually, he was daring and teasing, so why not use his youth as an excuse to ask someone older like him this time?
Tongrak felt irritated, looking at the tall, silent young man.
He was anxious.
“If you ask, I might say yes.” Why was he the one urging Mahasamut to speak?
Oh, because he himself had no excuse to stay on the island either.
The thoughts of the two men, now going in opposite directions, filled the old house with silence. Tongrak looked into the dark eyes with a trembling gaze.
Are you really not going to ask?
Is a moment that has never happened before in life just going to pass like that?
Tongrak clenched his lips, suddenly thinking about his schedule. If he refused to attend the book event. If he asked to submit the manuscript without a deadline. If he told Muk to inform all the publishers that he had no new commitments, and if he didn't need to show up at any casting calls to sell his name as a writer. Could he find an excuse to come back to this island again?
Or would he have to wait until Khom returned from Canada, then say he wanted to visit the sea at his place?
The young writer cycled through every scenario in his head, not understanding why he felt so desperate.
Tap!
But before he could decide on anything, a warm hand touched his neck, sliding down to his shoulder.
“You told me to try asking, right?”
“...Yes.”
Go on, ask.
Tongrak looked into the eyes of the playful man, now serious and solemn.
“I know that asking someone for something usually comes with a price, and I haven't dared to ask for anything for free in a long time. I have nothing to offer you...”
“I don't want anything.”
Tongrak argued, then fell silent when the long fingers touched his swollen lips from biting, and Mahasamut continued,
“I've never dared to ask even my own parents. So I want to say this first, I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, but if I ask and you don't agree, I might never dare to ask for anything like this again.” Mahasamut said with a serious tone, then took the white hand and pressed it against his rough cheek.
The large man, who made Tongrak feel like he had everything, was now asking with his cheek, his hand, his eyes looking up pleadingly.
“Could you not return to Bangkok yet?”
“...”
“From now on, I won't tease you.”
“...”
“I won't disturb you when you're working.”
“...”
“I won't wake you up in the morning to irritate you.”
“...”
“I'll do as you say...”
Mahasamut took Tongrak's hand and kissed it.
“Stay with me for now.”
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
Tongrak didn't know whose heartbeat that was, because they were too close. The hand touching the rough cheek felt the rapid, almost frantic pulse. Meanwhile, his own heart was trembling violently like a small boat in a storm. He was trembling with these words, with this gaze, but Tongrak couldn't look away.
“That won't work.”
Tongrak watched the light dim in those eyes, the hand loosened, before he continued,
“If you don't tease me, you wouldn't be you. If you don't wake me up, when will I get up to work? If you do everything I say, you'd be like a tame dog, because you, Mahasamut, dare to do things to me, dare to bring me into this rundown house, on this narrow mattress. That's why I'm willing to stay. I never said you have to behave.”
He looked at the smile that returned to the sharp face, liking how wide this guy was smiling, but he lifted his chin with an arrogant tone:
“I'm only staying because you begged.”
Thump!
Tongrak almost cried out when suddenly he was pulled into a strong embrace. He wanted to curse, “It's already hot as hell. Why are you hugging me?” But the heartbeat loud by his ear swallowed every sound.
Why did he agree to stay with this guy? It's the craziest thing.
The writer pouted, listening to the deep, chuckling voice that said to him:
“Who's the real psychopath here? You like being teased but you don't say it.”
“Who are you calling a psychopath!” Tongrak pulled back to look at his face.
Kiss!
The honey-colored eyes glared when suddenly kissed...looking at the person who was laughing with delight.
“From now on, if I do anything more intense with you, you can't complain.”
Tongrak wanted to argue, but if he did and this guy stopped being rough, it would be a loss, right? So he chose to stay silent, even allowing himself to be pulled down to lie and cuddle on the narrow mattress, despite the heat and sweat, with only one fan in the whole house, yet Khun Tongrak like him was willing to lie down.
Because he was tired, after all.
“Hey, Mahasamut.”
Suddenly, Tongrak broke the silence.
“Yes?”
“Go on.”
The southern guy raised his eyebrows in question, and Tongrak continued,
“About your father.”
He just noticed that Mahasamut hadn't finished his story.
The question made the large man pause, then he lifted his hand to use as a pillow, while the other hand, which Tongrak was leaning on, moved to embrace his shoulder.
“Like I said. I love the sea too much, loved it too much, and disagreed with my father too much.” Mahasamut looked at the old wooden ceiling.
“Since I was a kid, my father often took me fishing on his boat. I liked it, and I didn't think much of it because it was his job that fed the whole family. But the more time I spent on the boat, the more I saw what you could call...carelessness.” His deep voice went quiet for a moment before continuing, “My father didn't care about anything dying, he didn't care what happened to the sea. When the catch wasn't worth much, he'd throw it back into the sea to rot. What I couldn't stand was when he threw back sea turtles caught in the nets without helping them, not even removing the nets or hooks from their mouths. I told him to help them because the nets were tangled around their legs, preventing them from swimming, but my father just said it was a waste of time.”
Mahasamut laughed, though his eyes were still and scary.
“I argued with my father. He cursed at me, saying I was too educated. 'Isn't it because I do this that you and your brother can eat?' He said, 'If you want to help those damn creatures so much, go make your own living, don't come back to eat my food.'“
Mahasamut clenched his fist, remembering what his father did next...his father threw him into the sea.
His father probably thought he would beg for help, but it was his father's crew who couldn't stand it and helped the skinny kid back onto the boat. When they got home, his father was still berating him about what he had said, “If you want to help those damn things so much, try helping yourself first.”
So he replied, “Alright, I will.”
That was all it took for his father to get furious and chase him out like a pig or a dog.
Since that day, he never returned home.
People who knew about it said he was very stubborn. He just wanted to win against his father, to make his father apologize, but he wouldn't go back unless he could prove to that person that he could do more than just take care of himself and those around him.
“Besides, mom never had a say in anything. In the end, I became a kid without a home at fifteen. My younger brother, who always listened to our father, was sent to university. Dad probably wanted me to see how our futures could be different...That's the whole story.” Mahasamut concluded, then turned to look directly at Tongrak.
His fingers gently brushed the corner of the beautiful man's eye.
“Do you pity me?”
“If I say I do.” Tongrak said softly.
The young writer didn't know how to comment. He wouldn't pretend to understand something he didn't, and although this man's story reminded him of his own, they weren't the same.
Tongrak wasn't sure which was the better option: having a father to argue with or having a father who only exploited him for money.
A part of his mind was afraid it might make this man feel bad.
Wait, why should he care?
He realized.
However...
“That's good then, pity me a lot, so you'll end up caring for me a lot.” The man who was reminiscing about the past said with a cheerful tone, making Tongrak glare at him.
“What's there to pity about you?”
He often forgot that this guy was younger.
When he finished speaking,
The large man's finger that was touching the corner of his eye slid down to his cheek, then stopped at the corner of his mouth, looking directly at him with...enamored eyes.
“Thank you.”
Mahasamut said, causing Tongrak to furrowed his brows.
“What did I do for you to thank me?”
“For being willing to listen to my story.”
Tongrak fell silent because if it were someone else's story, he would have brushed it off, saying he didn't want to hear it. But now, he had listened intently for so long that when he looked into the dark eyes, he suddenly wanted to comfort him.
“Shall we trade stories?”
“Trade what?”
“You tell me your story, I'll tell you mine.”
Tongrak shifted to lie on Mahasamut's chest, allowing the man to stroke his waist and back.
“Tell me then.”
“I have a secret, want to know?” The young man looked at the person who nodded and gave a mischievous smile, his fingertips playfully tracing the chest, then moved to whisper by his ear...
“I can't write novels if I don't have sex.”
“!!!”
The writer looked at the sharp eyes that widened in disbelief and burst into laughter. He found the face of disbelief hilarious, now understanding why this guy liked to tease him so much; seeing that look made him unable to stop laughing, until the large man furrowed his brows and nuzzled into his neck, making him squirm.
“Are you messing with me?”
“Ha ha. No, I'm serious...that tickles.”
Tongrak was still laughing on top of Mahasamut, even though he felt the large hand squeezing his round butt firmly.
“Ha ha. I really can't write love scenes without sex. I can't even write sweet scenes without sex. I don't understand love, and isn't sex a form of love anyway?” Tongrak still said with a suppressed laugh, before his voice turned into a breathless moan as Mahasamut’s long fingers began to tease the tight entrance again with a playful intent.
He loved it so much...when the finger went in, pulled out, and thrust back in.
“So that means you love me, right?”
“Mm.” Tongrak didn't exactly confirm, but he just moaned in response to the fingers that wouldn't stop teasing.
“Because you're having sex with me.”
Tongrak cupped Mahasamut's cheek, speaking close to his lips,
“I guess so.”
He smiled, then playfully kissed the annoying lips, and let out a shaky moan as Mahasamut intensified his grip, making wet sounds audible.
And yes, Tongrak was indeed telling the truth.
He was revealing a secret known to only a few on Earth to Maha-Samut.
“I'm serious, you know.” He added.
Then, the sound of their wet, slick skin rubbing together filled the air, mixed with gasps and sweet moans, their lovemaking loud enough to drown out the old fan's noise. The force of their actions was so intense it made the wooden bed creak alarmingly, making Tongrak worry the house might collapse.
He had never given in like this before.
But if one were to ask if this was love...
Media. Not love. He was just smitten with this new man.
Smitten enough to want to stay a bit longer, hoping it might ease the infatuation...
…
[No way!!!]
“But...”
[No means no! Tongrak, you must return today!]
“Wait...”
[Tongrak, listen to Muk, you have a meeting tomorrow!]
Tongrak had to hold the phone away from his ear. He stood at the dock with two large suitcases, his handsome face clouded with annoyance at his secretary's insistence. Whenever he tried to speak, she cut him off with a serious tone, insisting he must return today. To Bangkok, tonight, and not miss the meeting tomorrow.
A meeting he had completely forgotten about.
Tongrak glanced at the big man standing by the pickup truck.
Oops, the pickup truck!
First thing in the morning, Tongrak called his secretary to extend his checkout and reschedule his private boat back, but all he got was a sharp, teary voice saying, “No way, no matter what, you have to pack now and board the boat coming to pick you up immediately.”
So, he reluctantly swallowed his saliva and had to tell the man who had been pleading with him to stay for two more nights.
Yes, it was satisfying, but Rak was breaking his promises, which he thoroughly disliked.
Tongrak's mind was spinning, wondering what he should do—cite his work, cite the original, or claim that the whole island had already sunk. However, Khaimuk was firmly insisting that she had already called the boat owner. And Mahasamut wasn't saying much beyond mentioning that he'd pick up the truck while collecting his things.
He thought Mahasamut was a junk collector, but turns out, he had a pickup truck!
“Oh. I keep it to tow the boat.” He explained.
Initially feeling guilty, Tongrak suddenly got furious and snapped, “So, what, you expect me to ride in a junk collector's cart?” But when he saw that sly little smile, he couldn't continue; he just sat in the pickup truck quietly until they reached the pier on time.
The same boat that had brought him was now approaching. Meanwhile, his secretary's voice buzzed through his earpiece.
[Phii Rak, you are coming back today, right? You haven't forgotten that tomorrow you have a meeting with the agency handling your foreign rights, have you? They've been planning to fly to Thailand since last month, and you yourself said you'd be there. You can't let down Muk like this, plus...you remember he just sold you the rights to translate into Japanese and Spanish, and they're going to discuss Vietnam wanting to buy your novel for a web series, right? You have to go, I insist, please.]
Tongrak listened to his secretary's sniffles, imagining her banging her head on the desk before letting out a heavy sigh.
“Just going there is enough, right?”
[I love you, love you the most.]
“Yeah, yeah. That's all.”
[Are you about to board the boat, Rak? I will wait at…]
Beep, beep, beep
Shit…
Tongrak ignored the lamentation, promptly cut the call, and turned to meet the gaze of someone watching him.
The man stepped forward and asked with a smile,
“You haven't forgotten anything, have you?”
Why that look?
What do you think? Just his usual, what else?
The writer furrowed his brows sharply, looking at the man who had just pleaded for him not to leave, but now, look at him - smiling the same, staring the same, without a hint of regret!
Tongrak bit his lip until it hurt.
If you don't care, then so be it. Who cares?
This thought made him pick up his phone again to open the banking app and transfer the money.
Ping!
He watched as Mahasamut checked the amount on his phone.
“Payment for your services.”
See? He had already said their relationship was just about sex.
The recipient grinned broadly and bowed slightly.
“Thank you for your patronage, with a tip this generous, feel free to call on me again.”
And it was true.
Tongrak thought to himself, convincing himself once more that it was the right thing to do. He paid, Mahasamut provided, the agreement was fair from the start, and it wasn't like he hadn't done this before, except...he never felt this hollow.
Damn love.
“I won't set foot on this island again.” The young man declared, lifting his chin.
“There you go. You were forced here. I still remember that first day when you were all high and mighty.”
Slap!
A large hand landed on Tongrak's neck, startling him, making him flinch and turn away, even though the warm touch lingered on his skin. He looked at the man in front of him who was laughing nonchalantly.
“Don't lift your chin too high, or you'll get neck pain. I'm just concerned.”
“Why are you worrying about me? Worry about yourself.”
“And don't forget to eat breakfast, or you'll get stomach problems.”
“Are you a doctor?”
“And don't overwork yourself, you're not young anymore. You'll wrinkle.”
“Mahasamut!”
“Yes, Khun Tongrak?”
Tongrak looked into those dark eyes with irritation, because this annoying man was still being a pest, making him turn his face away in frustration.
“I'm going back now.”
“Come on. I'll carry your bags for you, each one's worth a fortune.” Mahasamut said jokingly, then proceeded to carry two large suitcases towards the crew member who had leaped over to the dock.
The way Tongrak watched him, he swept away all the troubling thoughts in his mind.
Why did he feel like there was a growing hole in his chest?
Time to go back to work, you fool.
Tongrak took a deep breath, walked past Mahasamut towards the gangway. He intended to walk by without a word, but...
Snap!
A large hand grabbed his arm, making him turn to meet the gaze.
“Khun Tongrak.”
“What now?” He asked gruffly, looking at the man who was smiling again.
“Khun Tongrak...I…”
Gasp!
“I won't forget our time together.”
Mahasamut said sincerely, their eyes locked...for a long moment.
After a while, the large hand released him, and with a farewell, he said,
“Take care of yourself.”
The big man stepped back, and Tongrak was about to board the boat, his hands trembling, memories of his time with the stranger flashing through his mind.
“Why are you named Mahasamut? It's weird.”
“And why are you named Tongrak? It's just as odd.”
“I asked first.”
“Perhaps so our names would rhyme together.”
“Are you bad at Thai or something? What are you rhyming about?”
“Tongrak...Mahasamut.”
“Nonsense, absurd.”
He could remember even the sharp eyes of the man who said,
“Khun Tongrak Mahasamut...I'm Khun Tongrak.”
Gasp!
The touch at his neck felt like a hot surge, like a large hand resting there, making his step falter. And before anyone could figure out what was happening, Tongrak found himself running towards the large man standing by the pickup truck, stopping to catch his breath right in front of him.
Slap!
Tongrak grabbed Mahasamut by the collar and pulled him close.
“How much?”
“Pardon?”
He ignored the other's bewildered look. Just repeated the question more firmly.
“I'm asking, how much!”
While Mahasamut stood still for a moment, then smiled, saying in a soothing voice,
“You already know how much the private diving course costs. I'll charge you the same.”
“No!” Tongrak said with a deeper tone, pulling the other man even closer, asking with a serious expression,
“How much do I have to pay for you to agree to go to Bangkok with me?”
“!!”
He saw those sharp eyes widen in surprise, then turn serious. The large hand gripped his shirt collar tightly.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Just tell me how much.” Tongrak insisted stubbornly, his eyes showing determination.
That made Mahasamut smile broadly.
It was this kind of smile that he wanted to see.
Then he said the price was known only between them.
“My price is pretty high, you know.”
But it made Tongrak smile because he replied...
“I can afford it.”
This time, Mahasamut burst out laughing.
“I believe you can afford it.” The big guy said, pulling at his collar and planting a heavy kiss.
Tongrak grinned. He thought he made the right decision. And he bet that everyone in Bangkok would be surprised when he brought back this large southern man as a souvenir.
Ah...but did he mention this was a souvenir for himself?
That's right, the best product of the island.
Tongrak laughed, dragging and pulling Mahasamut onto the boat with him. The tall young man followed without hesitation or waiting to pack his belongings.
The romance novelist still insisted this wasn't love. It was just paying for personal happiness, and if you had the money to pay for it, who would it hurt? And who could criticize if he decided to buy a man to take home?
Besides...this man was willing to be bought, right?
Chapter 13: Sugar, Daddy
She didn't like this guy’s face at all.
This was what the cute-named Khaimuk told herself the moment she saw the face of the man her boss brought back. She was glad because at least for the next full month, Phii Rak wouldn't escape work again, leaving her alone.
But then, the woman was left speechless when Phii Rak walked through the domestic arrivals gate with this tall, dark-skinned man who made her...
And she was even more shocked when Rak introduced him:
“Meet Mahasamut, my...um, 'purchase'.”
“Ha!!!”
Don't ask how loudly she screamed at the airport, to the point where airport staff almost came over to check what was happening. She hadn't misheard, had she? He bought him?
Bought him? Now people can buy and sell men?
Khaimuk remained stunned, even as she drove them all back to her boss's luxurious condominium. She was still shocked when Phii Rak told this man to go upstairs with him.
This is not a joke, you know.
“Which room is Khun Tongrak in?”
“That room.”
Once inside the luxurious room befitting Tongrak's status, the large man asked the owner of the room, which caused Khaimuk to be displeased with how easily her brother had pointed it out, allowing a stranger to head that way.
Block!
“What are you going to do?” The young woman spread her arms wide, preventing this man from intruding on her brother's privacy.
“Oh. He's tired, so he'll go to sleep.” replied Mahasamut.
“If he's tired, let him sleep! Why do you need to follow him?” Khaimuk gathered her courage to argue, which made the listener chuckle.
“I need to sleep with Khun Tongrak.”
“No way.”
As he tried to sidestep, she quickly blocked his path, her voice sharp.
Okay. She was willing to try to understand her brother's interest in buying companionship, but she wasn't about to trust some unknown man to share a room with her brother. One can never truly know someone's intentions, even if they seem friendly. Who knows, Mahasamut might grab a knife and stab her brother.
As his secretary, she couldn't allow such an incident to occur.
“Why not?”
“I don't trust you.” Khaimuk answered directly, then engaged in a staring contest.
Why is he so big!
Khaimuk wanted to back away from the very first moment she looked up into those sharp eyes, but she tried to muster up the courage. Despite not being familiar with men at all, aside from her brother, the only men she was close to were family. To stand and stare down a stranger, especially one with dark skin and sharp features, was so frightening she almost wanted to cry.
But she had to protect her brother!
This stance amused Mahasamut; one push and she'd probably fly away.
Not wanting to bully someone weaker, Mahasamut turned to Tongrak, who was leaning against the door with his arms folded, asking with his eyes, “What should I do? If you tell me to respect her, I'll back off, but if you say I can handle it, this young lady here won't stand a chance.”
And that made the onlooker smirk.
How could they compete? They were in different leagues.
“Let him go, Muk.” Tongrak said simply, making the listener turn sharply.
“But...but who knows who he is? How can you just let him into the room so easily?”
Every time Phii Rak had sexscapade outside, he would get a hotel room. It was rare for him to bring a man back to his apartment. So, Khaimuk expressed her concerns, only to see her boss smiling.
“If he doesn't get in now, he'll get in eventually.”
“Phii Rak!”
“Well, if he doesn't come in, how am I going to have sex with him?”
“Phii Tongrak!”
Now the listener's face was flushed with embarrassment, her cheeks red up to her ears. She knew Rak was open, but was it appropriate to say that in front of her?
“Or else, if I bought him, I should make good use of him, right, Mahasamut?” Tongrak asked the southern man in an amusing tone, which made the big guy laugh, causing Khaimuk to glare at him.
What was so funny about that!
“Khun Tongrak is so right. Young woman…If you don't let me into the room, then how are me and him going to...” The young man paused to think, then looked down at Khaimuk with a smile, asking,
“Or do you want me to work right here? I'm okay with that if you want to see if I'm capable.”
“Are you crazy?” Khaimuk shouted, almost jumping away in time.
And that made the two men burst into laughter.
Snap!
“It's late. You should go home and sleep.”
“But, but...”
Even though Tongrak placed his hand on her head and spoke with affection, Khaimuk tried to argue with her red eyes and hot cheeks until he continued,
“Or do you want to watch us?”
“Phii Rak!” Khaimuk whined, which made Tongrak laugh.
“You can go back...If you don't leave, I'll skip the meeting tomorrow.”
“You can't!” Khaimuk's eyes widened in shock; this meeting was critical, people had flown in just to talk to author Tongrak, and her brother absolutely had to be there!
“Phii Rak, you can skip any event, but not this one.”
“Then you should go now...If you don't let me sleep, I won't wake up in time tomorrow. I won't go.” Tongrak said while gently pushing Khaimuk towards the door, ignoring her slight resistance and her attempts to rationalize her objections.
“Phii Rak, think about it, you only met him a few weeks ago, you can't just bring him along like this. We don't even know who he is or if he can be trusted.” Khaimuk tried to reason quietly with her brother, “Besides...”
The young woman glanced at the large man because, despite her dislike for him, it wasn't polite to discuss something like this in front of him, so she whispered softly,
“If he has, you know...something...contagious...”
“You mean an STD?” Tongrak asked with an impassive look, causing the young woman to turn bright red.
“You have a point.”
“Really...” She responded with hope, not realizing how far they had already gone.
Her demeanor made Tongrak give a sly smile.
“Then tomorrow, take Mahasamut to the hospital for a check-up.”
“Ha!!!”
“Oh, my ears might burst, you can go home now.” Without waiting for his secretary to cry out more, Tongrak managed to push the young woman out of the room and gave her a kind boss-like smile, adding one last thing,
“Don't forget to take him to the hospital tomorrow.”
With that, he shut the door in her face, and if her vision wasn't blurred, she might have seen the big man wave goodbye in a teasing manner.
Phii Rak can't do this!
That was the inner scream of the concerned sister, now left standing alone in the hallway.
Khun Tongrak's room was on the twenty-seventh floor of a luxurious urban condominium project. The room was divided into three bedrooms, with the Master Bedroom featuring a large glass window that offered a view of the bustling cityscape of Bangkok. The other two rooms were guest bedrooms, and one was turned into an office filled with books. The living area had an expensive leather sofa set, a large television with surround sound, separated by a kitchen island with Italian marble top, leading into a pristine kitchen that looked as if it had never been used.
Mahasamut scanned the room as he lounged on the sofa, talking on the phone.
[When are you coming back?]
“No definite time.”
[What, are you crazy, Phii Mut!]
Mahasamut chuckled at the absurdity of his decision, which apparently made many think he was losing his mind, even causing Palm, who usually didn't care much, to nearly shout his ear off. It wasn't surprising that the woman from last night looked at him with such eyes.
He must be truly crazy, he supposed. Who in their right mind would jump onto a boat without thinking twice?
But he didn't think he was crazy.
The young man laughed again, not bothering to explain his actions to his subordinate. Instead, he mentioned something else,
“Ah, yeah. Send me the stuff I asked for, I'll send you the address.”
[Alright, Phii. Just leave me alone then.]
The listener laughed heartily, listening to a few more sentences of fake whining before ending the call. He had more important things to do than listen to the kid go on and on. After hanging up, he leaned back against the sofa, resting his head on the soft cushion, thinking about what happened last night after Khaimuk left.
He had thought Khun Tongrak would actually let him in the room, but...
“That's your room.” The handsome man pointed towards the guest bedroom, causing him to raise his eyebrows.
“Oh, so we're not doing it then?”
He knew the other was tired from the journey, but he couldn't resist teasing, noticing the red flush on his cheeks, different from when he was arguing with Khaimuk. However, soon after, Tongrak folded his arms and said confidently,
“If I'm not up for the event tomorrow, who will take responsibility?”
“Then, if I promise to just cuddle...”
He dragged out his words, pretending to look him over from the eyes down to the lips, to the neck, then back to the eyes with a meaningful gaze. Seeing the hesitation on the other's face, he couldn't help but tease, realizing that this proud cat actually liked being hugged. He was confident he could find his way into Khun Tongrak's room, but...
“I don't believe you, good night.”
As if fearing he might soften or lose the argument, Tongrak closed the door in his face, showing no regard for the guest he had brought along. Mahasamut shook his head in resignation because what Khaimuk said wasn't entirely wrong.
If he turned out to be bad news, why trust someone so easily?
In reality, Mahasamut had several things he wanted to discuss with Tongrak, but he never got the chance. As soon as the sun rose, Khaimuk was waiting outside the door. Yet, ironically, the one with the spare key card didn't dare open it, only ringing the bell until he had to open it, met with her flushed face, clearly thinking about what might have happened inside. She probably thought they had spent the whole night together and were still at it, and when she saw that wasn't the case, the petite woman stormed in to wake up Khun Tongrak, dragged the sleepy man to the bathroom, and then immediately took him off to work.
Not without giving him a suspicious look first.
“I guess I'm not trustworthy, huh.”
Back to the present, Mahasamut opened his eyes to stare at the ceiling. He was still surprised at himself for agreeing to follow the other man so easily onto the boat.
It's true that Mahasamut had the motto of “money comes, work goes.” He never refused work, but as he told Khun Tongrak, he wasn't a gigolo; he had his own business, but still...
Mahasamut never let an opportunity slip through his fingers.
This time, it wasn't an opportunity to get rich quick or to leech off someone, but...
The honey-colored eyes that showed vulnerability were still vivid behind his lids...the man who claimed not to know love, who showed his weakness, and the same man who asked him to come back with him, making Mahasamut not want to let go of this person.
It was the only chance he had to get close to Khun Tongrak, and Mut wasn't about to let it go!
If he didn't come, they might never cross paths again.
Mahasamut sighed. Many people thought he was mature beyond his years, acting like an adult, capable of doing everything, but here was proof of how young and impulsive he still was. Even though he spent the night thinking without sleeping, he still couldn't decide what to do next. Fortunately, it was the low season now. Most people closed their resorts and businesses because it wasn't worth the effort, waiting for the high season to reopen, and he had some savings to fall back on.
“And what do you call this?” Mahasamut mumbled before his smile faded, “A sugar baby.”
That's the best status he could hope for now.
The young man sighed again before standing up, thinking that sitting still would just make him overthink. He had plenty more to do.
Should he call Khom first? No, that would spoil the surprise.
“Phii Rak, please reconsider this. This isn't just a game.”
Since the meeting with the foreign agency ended, Khaimuk had been trying to persuade Tongrak to think again about Mahasamut. However, the writer was evasive, changing the subject back to work matters which weren't overly complicated, considering he'd been working with this agency for five years since his first yaoi novel was turned into a series. He knew them well and was confident they would offer him the best conditions.
Muk knew this too, which is why she turned to him with a more serious tone,
“Phii Rak.”
“Sigh.” Tongrak let out a long sigh.
“This isn't what Phii Connor does. I know Phii Connor...well, 'buys' his entertainment, but that's occasional. This is different; you brought him back from the south, you're letting him stay with you. This isn't just a few times, you're responsible for someone's life, can you trust him...”
“Khaimuk!”
Before Khaimuk could launch into a full lecture, Tongrak called out sternly, making her fall silent, sealing her lips because she knew when Tongrak used that tone, it meant...he was serious.
Tongrak ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
No...not frustrated with the kid, but because she was right.
Anyone would think Tongrak had lost his mind. Because this wasn't just going to a host club or swiping on an app for a hookup. This wasn't an agreement that ended in bed, after which they went their separate ways. He brought Mahasamut home to live with him, and if asked if he planned to change his mind, the young writer had an immediate answer...no!
If he wanted something, he would get it.
Besides...Khaimuk didn't know that Connor had once brought a guy home to live with him too, and that guy was now his beloved husband.
Gasp!
What are you thinking?
Tongrak brushed off the idea that Mahasamut might transition into another kind of relationship like his friends have. He was just thinking that even Connor had done it before, so what's the big deal?
Right?
“I've made up my mind. Are you going to tell me I'm wrong, Muk?”
Khaimuk pressed her lips together tightly, wanting to shout...Yes, Phii Rak, you are wrong!
The young woman was one of the few who knew about Phii Rak's family well. She thought that deep down, Phii Rak yearned for love from someone but wouldn't admit it. But why should that someone be some random person, especially when there were so many good people around her brother? And even Connor was good; why not date him outright and be done with it?
If Tongrak and Connor knew what Khaimuk was thinking, they'd probably roll their eyes and point at each other, asking...This guy, really?
In the end, Khaimuk sighed in defeat.
Did she ever win against Phii Rak anyway?
“So what will Phii Rak do next?” This time, the listener fell silent for a moment.
But what came out of the handsome boss's mouth made Khaimuk's jaw drop.
Is he serious?!
“The health check results are on the table.”
Khaimuk's legs weakened at the task her boss had just casually assigned her. She was now facing the large man who had overheard their conversation from the day before and had gone to get the check-up on his own, not waiting for her to take him as ordered, and he was now teasing her with a mischievous tone while pointing at the hospital-sealed document on the coffee table in the middle of the living room, until she wanted to glare at him, unlike Tongrak who walked over, picked it up, and started to open it.
And why was Phii Rak smiling like that?
Why did just a medical report make him smile so contentedly?
Khaimuk tried to sneak a peek from behind.
Whoosh!!
But Tongrak quickly put the document back into the envelope and turned to look her in the eye.
“Do you want to look too?”
Of course not! She's never been with anyone! How would she know what an STD check looks like!
So Khaimuk shook her head, making a displeased face.
“I'm clean.” Mahasamut called from the kitchen, looking over at Tongrak who seemed pleased, before leaning against the kitchen counter and saying with a smile,
“In case we run out of condoms.”
Tongrak also looked at him with a sharp, approving gaze, liking the idea, but...
Snap!
“Ugh...I heard nothing. I don't know anything. No, no. I don't know why Phii Rak is smiling like that. I don't want to know!” Khaimuk covered her ears, not wanting to know anything about her boss's bedroom activities.
Unlike...
“Next time, how about trying it raw? I promise I won't...”
“Ew, stop talking. I don't want to hear it.” Khaimuk squealed, covering her ears more tightly, glaring at Mahasamut for bringing up such a topic. Meanwhile, Mahasamut gave a sly half-smile, leaning forward until their eyes met in a small spark of electricity.
The standoff between the two seemed to be entirely out of Tongrak's mind.
He thought it was bothersome.
“Who said you couldn't goon inside?”
Gasp!
Snap!
This time, both sets of eyes snapped back to Tongrak, but the writer only locked eyes with the southern man, raising an eyebrow as if to ask...you wouldn't do it for real, would you? And he was pleased to see the glint in the dark eyes, even when they glanced at the kitchen island, because his mind was already following the scenario: What if they did it right there on the cold marble...
He forgot.
“Phii Rak!”
Forgot that the naive young woman was still standing there, her face flushed.
“It's too hot, I'm going to take a shower.”
Since the troublemaker was still here and wasn't going to leave easily, allowing them to act on their thoughts, Tongrak changed the subject and walked towards his room, still hearing the scuffle between the two.
“Who said you could use the kitchen!”
“I'm hungry.”
“Why don't you order in?”
“It's cheaper to cook.”
“Oh, Phii Rak doesn't eat like this.”
“Food is food, does Khun Tongrak drink oil instead of eating?”
“You!”
They do get along well.
Tongrak shrugged and walked into the bathroom, more at ease and in better spirits than ever.
The room wasn't quiet enough.
Mahasamut wanted to pretend he'd forgotten why he was standing in this luxurious urban room instead of on a beach by the sea, but it seemed Tongrak didn't think that way. At the very least, the man wanted to draw clear lines. Otherwise, he wouldn't have sent his secretary to talk to him like this.
“Here’s the agreement for cohabitation between you and Phii Rak. If there's anything you disagree with, or if you want to add or remove anything, feel free to say so.” Khaimuk slid a couple of sheets of paper in front of Mahasamut.
The young man looked at them for a moment before picking them up to read.
“Have you accepted me then?”
Khaimuk shook her head immediately.
“No, but Phii Rak has decided.” The young woman said with resignation, her voice tinged with discomfort, causing the listener to look down at the agreement on the paper.
It wasn't a contract, just a memorandum.
The content outlined the terms of their cohabitation where Tongrak would cover all expenses of his life. Be it accommodation, food, or even education if he wanted it. However, he also had obligations to fulfill, such as not disturbing Tongrak's work time, not doing anything Tongrak didn't want, and ultimately, the relationship would end at Tongrak's discretion.
No love. No commitment. Just their mutual terms.
Mahasamut stifled a dissatisfied grunt.
Not because he was being belittled, not because he was being treated as just a gigolo, but because he didn't like what that man was doing. It felt like there was nothing between them except money.
“It's just for now.”
Mahasamut clenched his fist tightly, even though his sharp face still wore a relaxed smile as he placed the documents on the table.
“And what if I say I'm not going?”
He probably made the woman in front of him dislike him even more.
Khaimuk looked at the sharp, intense face with a gaze that showed her displeasure. She admitted that this man looked good, though different from the men Phii Rak had been with before. But she didn't like what he said because it meant this man wouldn't leave her boss's life easily, potentially becoming a problem later on.
“No, it's already been set.”
“So if Khun Tongrak gets bored of me, he can just throw me out at any time, right?”
The young woman looked at him with a sympathetic gaze, then got serious again.
“Yes.” Khaimuk said coolly.
And that made Mahasamut smile.
“Agreed then.” He wasn't sure how much time he'd have, but at least this was an opportunity he couldn't let slip.
The listener pursed her lips, half expecting him to give up, but seeing this response, she had to continue.
“Phii Rak also wants to know how much compensation you want, monthly or weekly. Initially, Phii Rak offers sixty thousand baht per month, not including food and accommodation, and if you want to further your education, Phii Rak will also support that.” Khaimuk relayed the offer Tongrak had given her earlier.
Even though she really wanted to ask if this was also part of her job description.
After dinner, Phii Rak had asked her to sort things out with him while he went downstairs to meet 'Phii Vi', who said he was coming but hadn't shown up yet.
Besides having to deal with this bizarre situation, she wasn't ready to face Phii Vi either.
Why did everything have to happen at once like this!
So, Khaimuk tried to focus on the man in front of her, not noticing the door opening as the homeowner entered with a slim, stylish woman.
“Is the income from being a writer that good?”
Mahasamut asked with a smile.
“Phii Rak isn't just a writer, he has income from various other sources as well...”
“I'm just rich.”
Khaimuk turned sharply towards the voice that interjected, although she had tried not to reveal her brother's true earnings. But it seemed the young author didn't think the same way.
“Royalties don't keep me afloat; writing a novel in three months might only get me a hundred thousand baht or so. These days, new writers probably earn more with donations, buying coins, or whatever Kwan's thing is, but I'm not interested in that. I just write for the publisher. The bulk of my income comes from ebooks and selling rights abroad. Oh, some series also sell well, but in the end, I only get ten to fifteen percent of the cover price.”
The young author spoke about his income rather nonchalantly.
“And why do you pay me this much?” No matter how you looked at it, the money Tongrak was giving was more than his regular earnings, and that made the young author smile confidently.
“Because I don't just make money from novels, and importantly...” Tongrak stepped forward to stand in front of Mahasamut and smiled.
“I'm already rich.”
His honey-colored eyes were filled with confidence, implying that supporting just one man was no big deal for him.
And that made Mahasamut stand up to face the handsome man.
“Do you want more than this?” Tongrak asked, but Mahasamut shook his head.
“This is enough.”
“Then we have a deal.”
Tongrak smiled with satisfaction while Mahasamut told himself that now he had...
“A full-fledged Sugar Daddy.”
Mahasamut glanced at the person who had followed Tongrak in, recognizing the woman in a way he couldn't quite describe, but he wasn't interested in the beautiful model-like figure looking at him with curiosity. He was just in agreement when his eyes met the honey-colored gaze, which seemed pleased with this arrangement.
Believe it or not, Mahasamut now had his own Sugar Daddy.