[T/N] I apologize for grammar mistakes and incoherencies
Chapter 14: I've Warned You
“This is Vi, my friend.”
“I'm Mahasamut.”
“Hello, Tongrak's boy.”
“So my name has become that now?”
“Oh, or is it not?”
“It's better to say you're the 'sugar baby' of Daddy Tongrak, isn't it?”
Their eyes met, and then both the man and the woman, who had just met less than a minute ago, burst out laughing in unison, instantly feeling a mutual liking for each other. This made Virapapha turn to her best friend, humorously complimenting the whole situation.
“Your taste is quite something.”
They arrived late because Tongrak had been updating them on what had happened.
Unlike Khaimuk, when the heroine found out what her friend had done, she laughed out loud, thinking only that...well, finally, he's showing real interest in someone. Even though her handsome friend claimed he wasn't interested, didn't like him, just enjoyed what happened in bed, if Mahasamut wasn't good enough, would someone like Tongrak really bring him back?
No way!
Her friend wasn't some inexperienced bachelor who'd only been with a couple of guys.
This man had even managed to capture the heart of someone like Rak.
During the elevator ride up, she was so eager to meet Mahasamut that she felt like she was trembling with anticipation.
No...not because she wanted to try out her friend's 'property', just interested in other implications.
“Thank you for the compliment. I'm fairly confident in my...merits.” Mahasamut said with a straight face.
The heroine laughed, her eyes still scrutinizing the man before her. One thing she liked about him was the look in his eyes when he glanced at her best friend, leading her to guess that there was more between these two than just the contractual agreement on paper.
But it seemed that...
Khaimuk would disagree.
“I don't see what's so great about him.” The young woman muttered softly, wanting to shout to the world, does anyone realize how hard it is for her to phrase each message? She had thought and rethought every word to avoid terms like sex, 'doing it', or bedroom matters, to the point where she felt like asking the Royal Institute if the definition of 'secretary' also covered discussing her boss's bedroom activities.
“Jealous that your beloved brother is being taken away?” Vi turned to ask Khaimuk.
And that made Khaimuk turn her face away.
“It's not related at all.” She argued softly.
Nivi turned to look at Tongrak for a moment, raised an eyebrow, and saw Tongrak shrug indifferently.
So the female lead walked over and grabbed Khaimuk's shoulders to make her look her in the eye, startling the young woman. Then the beautiful face of the famous actress leaned in close, her vibrant lips forming a smile that made the short-haired girl avert her gaze awkwardly.
“Are you trying to tease me...?”
“Don't be upset, Muk. Life without an XXX, it's a bit tough.”
“Nivi!!!”
Before Khaimuk could finish her sentence, Nivi interjected with words that made the young woman scream at the top of her lungs, taking several steps back while covering one ear with her hand, the other in front of her face, turning to her beloved brother to...complain.
“Phii Rak, look at Nivi, she's teasing me!”
“Oh, but what Vi said is right, isn't it, Phii Rak? But as long as you don't have...” Tongrak glanced briefly at Mahasamut's crotch and then turned back to meet his secretary's eyes, smiling at the corner of his mouth, “...I can't love you in any other way.”
“I...I don't think of you like that. Oh, you're all ganging up to tease Muk. Muk doesn't have it, and doesn't want it either...”
“Then that means Khun Tongrak can love me, right?”
Gasp!
At that moment, while the two close friends were teasing the younger one, Mahasamut interjected seriously, which made Khaimuk, who was in the middle of defending herself, fall silent, and the two friends who were laughing also quieted down. All eyes turned to the dark-skinned man, though he seemed unfazed by the attention.
His sharp eyes still focused only on the paler man, reiterating his question.
“Since I have it, that means Khun Tongrak can love me, right?”
“...”
Hiss!
In the now silent room, everyone seemed to hear the sound of Tongrak's cheeks sizzling like a pan. Being naturally fair-skinned, when all his blood rushed to his face, it turned a bright shade of red that didn't need anyone to shout to know he was...embarrassed.
Very much so.
Tongrak could swear that he had experienced every kind of rejection known to man, not limited by gender either, but just a few words from Mahasamut interrupting their conversation left the usually eloquent Khun Tongrak speechless. He hadn't expected someone to ask for love so directly like this.
What was there to be excited about!
Hadn't Mahasamut just read the agreement stating that between them there was only money, no emotional attachment?
Their eyes met, one pair determined, the other hesitant.
Clap, clap, clap
Gasp!
“Wow, wow, wow”
But at that moment, the applause rang out, causing Tongrak to look away from the sharp gaze, turning towards his close friend who was now teasing him with a loud clapping sound. The beautiful woman looked at him and smiled in a way that signaled...you're in for it, buddy.
How satisfying!
The heroine then turned to Mahasamut with an aunt-like demeanor,
“You can call me Phii Vi. No need to use 'Khun.' And if you ever get dumped by this guy, you can call me 'Auntie' instead. That's fine.” Vi said playfully, as it was rare for her to tell someone to call her 'Phii' like this.
“It's probably difficult.” Mahasamut declined.
The beautiful woman raised her eyebrows, waiting to see what Mahasamut would do, and the big man turned to smile at the now silent homeowner.
“Because I won't let myself be easily abandoned.”
He wouldn't let this person back away from him.
His sharp, dark eyes locked onto the honey-colored ones that flickered with uncertainty, reiterating in a pleasant tone,
“It's easier to love me than to leave me.”
“...”
Tongrak hadn't said anything, in contrast to Vi who was laughing to herself.
“You're done for, my friend.” And she muttered to herself,
“Isn't that right?”
The young man from the south continued his verbal chase, and before Tongrak could find his voice, the young writer had bitten his lip until it was flushed with red...and all he could utter was...
“Nonsense.” And with that, Tongrak's beautiful man walked gently towards the bedroom door.
And just before closing the door in his face...
“Absurd!”
Slam!
Tongrak shut the door with a loud bang, leaving the rest of the guests to look at each other.
Nivi was still observing Mahasamut with scrutiny, not paying attention to the disapproving grunt from Khaimuk who agreed, “Yes, absurd” But Phii Rak wouldn't care about that. Because she was captivated by the way he had watched the door until it closed, and when he turned back to face her, the young man smiled again with good humor.
Looks like you're in trouble, friend. He's serious.
“Can I ask something?”
“I won't sell out my friend.” Nivi warned.
“I'm not looking for shortcuts.”
The actress narrowed her eyes slightly before nodding.
“Go ahead.”
“I want to buy some clothes, any recommendations?”
The listener's eyes widened in surprise, as she thought he might trick her into revealing something about the person in the bedroom, but Mahasamut nodded in confirmation, looking down at himself.
“I didn't bring anything, and Muk wouldn't let me into Khun Tongrak's room, so I couldn't borrow any clothes.” Mahasamut sighed in a way that made him look pitiable, causing the person in question to jump up and turn towards him.
“And what does that have to do with me?”
“Well, if I rot and die, what then?”
Khaimuk looked at Mahasamut's outfit and realized...Oh, this was the same outfit from yesterday.
“And why didn't you say so?”
“If I told you, would you have bought some for me? Oh, the duties of a secretary.” Mahasamut nodded, talking to himself, but it made the secretary clench her fists because it seemed like everyone in the room misunderstood her responsibilities.
“No...”
Yelp!
“Muk, tomorrow, go buy some clothes for Mahasamut.”
At that moment, the person in the bedroom, who must have overheard the conversation, opened the door and gave the order to the woman who was gaping in surprise.
“Huh?!”
“If not Muk, then who else?”
And why couldn't he buy it himself? And...wait, why does it have to be me?
Khaimuk had many questions swirling in her head, but it seemed Tongrak had all the answers for himself.
“After all, in the agreement that Muk wrote, it says that I have to take care of Mahasamut's needs, or do you want me to go shopping myself?” Tongrak raised an eyebrow in a way that prompted a small gasp from his listener.
“Fine, just do as you're told...If you want to leave, just do it, I'm sleepy.”
Tongrak cut the conversation short and was about to turn back into his room...
“Wait.” Mahasamut called out, making the writer turn back to meet his gaze, listening to the low, husky voice that spoke seriously.
“I'd like underwear too.”
And this made Khaimuk silently pray to the heavens...Please, no, not that.
“Heard that. Muk, buy some too.”
But it seemed like the heavens weren't on her side because Tongrak turned back with a straight face, and the boss who could probably win the title for the year's most heartless boss walked back into his room, leaving Khaimuk to lament her fate. Her misery was compounded when Vi walked over, patted her on the shoulder, and said in a soothing tone,
“I'm free tomorrow, I'll tag along with you.”
No, she didn't mind buying underwear for one man (since she had done it for Phii Rak before), but not with Phii Vi, oh no!
Amidst Khaimuk's silent scream, Mahasamut just turned to look at Tongrak's door with an unreadable expression, and all of this was under the watchful eyes of the heroine who reiterated her earlier thought:
Looks like it's going to be hard to escape, my friend.
But it wasn't just one-sided, was it?
If he didn't care, how would he have heard that this man had no clothes?
Ha, he's definitely in for it.
Knock, knock, knock
After the actress dragged the reluctant other girl out of the room, Mahasamut went back to the guest bedroom to shower, only putting on the same pants before standing in front of the main bedroom door, deciding, and then knocking before opening it.
“You didn't say I could come in.”
The person who claimed to be sleepy was leaning against the headboard, playing with his phone.
“But you didn't say I couldn't either.”
Tongrak pouted, his eyes still fixed on his phone. Regardless of what Mahasamut did as he came to sit beside him, the sharp gaze didn't leave the handsome face.
“...”
“...”
Amidst the hum of the air conditioner, there was only the sound of Tongrak tapping on his phone screen, which was...too quiet.
“What is it!”
Finally, unable to bear it, he put the phone down and turned to meet Mahasamut's eyes.
“This is better. Hasn't anyone told you that when you talk, you should look at the person you're talking to?”
Tongrak made a serious face as Mahasamut raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, then got to the point.
“I want to talk about the agreement.” Mahasamut began, watching the homeowner's reaction as Tongrak furrowed his brows.
“Is it too little?”
If the money is too little, then how much would be right...
“No, it's not about the money.” Mahasamut corrected this thought, making Tongrak even more perplexed.
Tongrak had read over the agreement before Khaimuk talked to Mahasamut, and he didn't think any of the terms were unfair to the man in front of him, especially in exchange for sex whenever he wanted. Although Khaimuk didn't write it out explicitly, the phrase that could be summarized as 'do as Tongrak desires' should have been comprehensive enough.
Mahasamut, now silent, then continued,
“If I, with my limited education, understand correctly, we're supposed to have only an agreement between us, with nothing more, right?”
“It's good we're talking about this.” As the conversation turned serious, Tongrak turned to discuss it with a business-like demeanor. He then poked his finger into the broad chest of the larger man, saying with a tone of displeasure,
“Why did you say that? I've told you before; I don't believe in love. I'm not interested. I don't care. I don't even think it really exists, and you go telling me to love you...and why would you love me? It's pointless when between us there's nothing more than what happens in bed!” Once he started, Tongrak didn't pause for breath, but the listener remained calm, listening patiently.
When he finally finished speaking, he felt a pang of regret.
He didn't like the sad smile on the big man's face...
The man who was now holding Tongrak's hand.
“Yes, I know you don't believe in love, but...” The hand that was holding him now interlocked their fingers.
“I didn't say I don't believe in it.”
Gasp!
Tongrak paused, looking into the dark eyes, and realized that the man in front of him was sincerely earnest.
“You can set any terms you want. The money you pay me, or what I have to do, but one thing you can't dictate on paper, and it's something I need to tell you before we start this new relationship.” Mahasamut said calmly, looking into the honey-colored eyes, and spoke with a determined voice,
“You can't stop me from loving you.”
“...“
Tongrak couldn't speak. He found his voice missing, could only stare into the dark eyes, at a complete loss for words.
In all his life, he had never encountered something like this.
Someone who said...they would love him.
The writer's look of confusion prompted Mahasamut to smile, and then the tall figure leaned in to press a firm kiss on Tongrak's temple. After pulling back, the large hand gently caressed the pale cheek, and then the deep voice softly said,
“Goodnight.”
Swoosh...
Mahasamut rose from the bed, the sound of fabric rustling as his long legs carried him to the doorway.
“But I could never love you.”
The dark-haired face turned back to look at the person sitting puzzled on the bed.
“I know, but you can't stop me from trying either.”
The young man opened the door, about to step out, but turned back as if remembering something.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you, it's one of my rules when I decide to do something seriously.”
He found the confused look in those beautiful eyes endearing and wanted to walk over and press a firm kiss on those lips, but he thought it wasn't the right time. He wanted the words he was about to say to sink deeper into that heart rather than just being remembered for what happened in bed. And then Mahasamut said,
“I'm going to change your mind. Good night.”
With that, Mahasamut stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him, leaving Tongrak to sit in stunned silence.
Thump!
Tongrak flopped back onto the mattress, his pale hand clutching at his shirt where his heart was, feeling its unnaturally strong beat. Both eyes closed, trying to comprehend the words of that man.
Mahasamut had just told him...he would make him love him...had he?
“You can't force me.” The young man muttered to himself, then buried his face into the pillow.
No way. Never, that guy didn't know what he had been through.
He had learned all his life that love was nothing but bad luck, so why should he believe in love now!
Remember this...when his mother went mad, he remembered how crazed Phii Kwan looked just because she was left by a man, remembered how heartbroken Phii Kwan was to have a child without a father, remembered the scornful looks and words from relatives who looked down on their family, didn't he? Remember how painful it was?
He remembered, vividly so, even the time when his sister cried in his embrace.
“I will keep him, I won't, no matter what anyone says, I'll keep the baby, Phii Rak loves him, he does, I want to give birth to another of his children, I will give birth to this child.”
Even the reason for Meena's existence was the most unlucky thing. Fortunately, that mad love eventually turned into the purest form of a mother's love for her child, and Meena grew up to be a girl filled with the love of her mother, her aunt, her grandmother.
But that was familial love. Not...
Tongrak clenched his jaw; there were a thousand reasons he could throw back at that man or even kick him out of his condo, but the young man couldn't bring himself to do it.
Why did his heart beat so fiercely it hurt?
He didn't understand what this feeling was.
He didn't like it. Really didn't like it.
“Phii Vi, you don't have to accompany me, you know.”
“I'm not here to keep you company; I'm just bored.”
“...”
Khaimuk blinked in disbelief, looking at the beautiful, well-shaped woman.
So, picking her up at her house, driving together to the mall, walking to the clothes store together, all of that was just because...she was bored.
Not here to be a friend, just doing something to kill time.
“Then...then why don't you rest? You said you were tired from filming.” Khaimuk reminded her of what she had said when she asked her to tidy her room, claiming to be too tired to move, yet here she was with her.
“That day was that day, today is today.” Vi said while lowering her head, looking over her designer sunglasses to meet her gaze, her pretty lips curving into a sweet smile that probably made many men swoon.
Khaimuk averted her eyes, typing,
“And dressing like this, you don't think anyone would recognize you as a celebrity?”
While Khaimuk wore simple jeans and a t-shirt, the actress was also in jeans, but they were tight, showing off her long legs. She wore a crop top that highlighted her model-like waist. Even with a mask and sunglasses, with her height and features, it was hard to believe she wasn't a celebrity.
“It's not like I'm dressing to hide the fact that I'm a celebrity.” Vi retorted, making Khaimuk purse her lips tightly.
That's why she didn't like being with her.
Phii Vi seemed to tease her just to relieve her own stress.
Who was it that reported that Vi, Virapapha, was arrogant, bad-tempered, and selfish? Well, she might be selfish, but the rest could be rewritten as a big prankster.
Khaimuk glanced sideways at the person beside her, also puzzled as to why this woman was often in the news for supposedly trading favors for roles, because she knew one thing for sure: Phii Rak and Phii Vi were platonic, and if there was anything, the world would probably come to an end. And Vi wasn't involved with the famous director Frost Patthirak, because they knew each other before she was cast as the lead. If there was anything, it would likely be...about a boyfriend.
The young woman pressed her lips together.
If Phii Rak was out there having fun with men, Phii Vi also had rumors with different men all the time.
Is this why people didn't like it?
She thought this and glanced over, meeting those beautifully sharp eyes, which made her look away.
Don't be swayed, Muk, Phii Vi doesn't like women at all.
After repeating this to herself, she felt the sting and quickened her pace.
“That store, Phii Rak said to get ten shirts and ten pants. I don't know if he's planning to wear them in the next life or what.” Khaimuk muttered, changing the subject. Meanwhile, Vi followed along.
“He's buying them for him to stay for the long haul.” Vi said nonchalantly.
This time, Khaimuk turned around abruptly.
“Does Phii Vi think Phii Rak will fall into the trap of that man?”
“I don't know about traps, but love traps, maybe.”
“Phii Vi.” Khaimuk called out in disbelief, while Vi just shrugged.
“When I say something true, you don't believe it.”
Seeing that Vi wasn't going to answer her question, Khaimuk sighed and walked over to pick up a men's shirt that was hanging.
“Are you going to buy that one?” Vi asked.
“Why not? I always buy this kind of thing.”
“For Mahasamut?”
Khaimuk looked at the shirt again, seeing it was a stylish white satin shirt that would look stunningly sexy on Phii Rak, but the thought of it on a muscular, well-built body gave her goosebumps, and she almost dropped the hanger.
Snap!
“Let's look over here instead, I'll pick for you. I'm good at choosing men's clothes.”
Although the actress's words stung, implying her experience with different men, the warm hand that took hers made Khaimuk go weak at the knees, her mind in turmoil.
Whether to be happy or sad, choose one, Muk.
The thought of someone who was awkwardly holding hands with her.
“Phii Vi, put it down, put it down already, how long are you going to hold it up!”
She was at a loss even when Phii Vi grabbed a pair of black men's underwear, held them up, and asked for her opinion on what size to buy. Embarrassed, she ended up shouting, “Buy all sizes!” Amidst the delighted laughter of the actress, who paid no mind to the curious looks from the staff who recognized her.
If there were news that a famous actress was out buying underwear for a salesman...well, let it be. What did those gossip mongers, who had nothing better to do, have to say about it?
However, this incident wasn't in the eyes of any reporters, but of another woman who was watching from not far away. And as soon as the two women stepped out of the store, that woman didn't hesitate to rush over and ask the same sales clerk,
“What did those two buy just now?”
Although confused, the employee answered without reservation, making the listener's eyes gleam with interest.
Now she knew something juicy, oh yeah.
It had been a full day since Mahasamut declared his intention to change Khun Tongrak's mind. But the beautiful man chose to ignore him, not even caring when Khaimuk brought in a pile of clothes for him, along with throwing a fit about how it wasn't her job, that Phii Rak was the one she was supposed to look after, not Vi. She wanted to tease him a bit, but his grumpy, hedgehog-like demeanor was too pitiful to continue.
He'd better think of a way to deal with his 'cat'.
Knock, knock, knock
Mahasamut knocked on the door, but today it was the door to the study.
He could watch the beautiful man work all day, but it was already three in the afternoon. And Tongrak had been in there since eleven, not even coming out for coffee, let alone a glass of water.
“The agreement says what? Don't bother me when I'm working.”
What now? Another wall is being built against him.
Every time he took a step forward, there always seemed to be someone jumping three steps back.
Should he just tie him up?
Mahasamut watched the person who wouldn't stop working, but what he saw was the other reading through old work, not writing anything new. He didn't want to disturb, but since the other wasn't too busy, he walked over and stood behind him, peering over his shoulder.
“What are you doing?”
“Checking the contract for selling copyrights for a Chinese translation.”
“Is it urgent?”
“It's urgent.”
“But I heard Muk say they sent it for you to review, and if there are no changes, you have to sign it next week.”
The person working stopped immediately and turned to look at the man who was smiling.
“Muk shouted it to you when she brought the clothes over.”
Okay, busted.
The person who was caught pressed his lips into a straight line.
Mahasamut chose not to add to the embarrassment and instead got to the point.
“I'm hungry.”
“Then go eat, why are you telling me?”
“There's nothing to eat in the room, your fridge only has alcohol.” Mahasamut said with another smile, implying...there's nothing that can be done about it.
“Then order delivery.”
“My phone battery is dead.”
“Then use mine.”
Slap!
Before Tongrak could pick up his phone to open the familiar app, Mahasamut covered the screen with his hand, drawing the honey-colored eyes back to look at him, only to meet a...pleading smile.
“Let's go out to eat.”
“I'm not hungry...”
“The agreement says you'll take care of my meals.”
“And now I'm starving.”
Here we go again, biting his lip in frustration.
The southern guy chuckled, but still raised his eyebrows with a serious expression.
“You might not be hungry, but I am. Let's go eat.”
“...”
“Please. I'm asking you.” Mahasamut pleaded again.
And it was crazy that Tongrak's heart softened.
Chapter 15: Buying a Southern Man, (Tune-up)
In the heart of the city, within a famous mall, two young men were walking side by side down a crowded holiday walkway. Many pairs of eyes glanced curiously at the fair-skinned young man with the handsome face, who was only wearing well-fitted jeans showing off his beautiful legs, an expensive t-shirt, and a luxury brand of sunglasses, making him quite a sight.
Or perhaps it was because of the man beside him.
The tall, muscular young man who had shed his seafaring look, now exuded a strong, masculine appeal that was already eye-catching. His dark skin further enhanced the sharpness of his features. And when Mahasamut wore branded jeans and a tight-fitting t-shirt that showed off his sculpted arms, he drew attention from both men and women.
Like...this was the best product of the island. Whether on or off the island, it remained a prized possession.
But at this moment, Tongrak found himself annoyed with himself.
He should be proud of having bought such a fine man, one that others envied, but why...didn't he like the looks that clearly showed desire?
This was his!
Tongrak reasoned that it was because he didn't like sharing his things with others.
The writer glanced at the man beside him with irritation, but then...
Who bought this shirt for him?
The t-shirt had a brand, but it was plain, ordinary.
Even though he was irritated by the gazes of others, he wanted to dress up the man beside him even better. He couldn't help but think: what if he tried on a suit? Those broad shoulders would surely look good in a tailored suit, but even a casual suit with jeans would be appealing. And the shoes, if they were from a brand he liked, would look great too.
The way he was lost in thought made Mahasamut stop walking and turn to face him.
“You should finish thinking first.” The taller man said teasingly, pulling the listener from his reverie.
“You said you were hungry, let's go.” He said, trying to recover.
“Well, you were looking at me like you wanted to undress me.” He added, raising an eyebrow.
“...”
Tongrak looked at the mischievous face of the larger man for a moment, then turned his head away.
“The restaurant is that way.” Changing the subject abruptly.
He wasn't going to tell what he was thinking about.
Meanwhile, Mahasamut watched with an amused smile as the other changed the subject suddenly, though deep down, he felt like plucking out the eyes of anyone who dared to look at his beautiful man, but of course, he didn't have the right to do that yet.
“What do you want to eat?”
The restaurant Tongrak chose was a luxurious Thai cuisine establishment that offered modern Thai dishes. The decor was filled with Thai ornaments, not giving a rustic feel at all; on the contrary, it exudes luxury, modernity, and reflected the young chef's contemporary approach, who was currently making waves. Even the menu was adorned with gold-embossed Thai patterns, looking beautiful.
Though Tongrak's demeanor might suggest he preferred French food and imported wine, the young man actually loved Thai cuisine. While studying abroad, aside from exploring, he spent time seeking out Thai restaurants that suited his taste, and he discovered after a couple of years that the best Thai food he tasted was...Aunt Kew's cooking.
Connor's Thai stepmother.
That was another reason he had to be close with him.
And now, he just walked into his favorite restaurant like someone who couldn't be bothered to think, asking the person with him.
Mahasamut scanned the fancy menu without a clue that these were Thai dishes. The menu was divided into courses, starting with appetizers and snacks, main courses, concluding dishes, and traditional Thai desserts. Each section had only a few items, but the names were long and elaborate, accompanied by descriptions of what they comprised, making him furrowed his brows.
“Dragon horse carrying a glass for the three friends in the royal garden...what the heck is this?”
“Crab cream dumplings, shrimp wontons, Yatwaya curry, and jasmine rice...what about you?” Tongrak ordered his favorite dishes, then turned to look at the large man who was frowning.
The dark eyes looked back at him, and then he closed the menu.
“Khun Tongrak, you order. I'll eat anything.” Mahasamut said.
And this made Tongrak look up from the menu into those sharp eyes, almost opening his mouth to ask, but he kept quiet himself. He hadn't forgotten that there was a waiter standing by to serve.
So, Tongrak looked down at the menu again and added a couple more dishes.
“That's all.”
Once the waiter had walked away, the writer turned to meet those sharp eyes.
“I don't know how to order.”
Before Tongrak could even ask, Mahasamut confessed, adding a sentence that irritated Tongrak.
“Sorry for making you lose face.”
“Who made you feel that way, the waiter just now?” He got angry at the thought that someone was looking down on his man. He didn't like it one bit. No matter who it was, they had no right to speak ill of his man. This was his property. He was the only one who could say anything about him!
Tongrak didn't even realize how many times he had used the word...“his property.”
Snap!
The young writer stood up, but a warm touch firmly grabbed his white arm.
“Where are you going?”
“To talk to the manager.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't like it. I don't like anyone treating you like this. So what if you've never been to a place like this before, everyone has a first time, and now you're a customer. No one has the right to judge you. I'm going to make sure they understand.”
“No need.”
“Let go, Mahasamut.” Tongrak said sternly, trying to pull his arm free, but the large hand quickly shifted to hold his slender fingers, and the smile on the owner of the hand grew wider, increasing Tongrak's irritation.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Because I'm happy.”
The listener's brows furrowed suddenly.
What's wrong with him now?
“Well, if someone doesn't care, they wouldn't get angry on my behalf.”
“Yes. I do care...” Tongrak, about to argue, suddenly paused when he realized what he had just said. His honey-colored eyes looked at the sharp face with a wide smile, unsure how to feel – embarrassed for his slip of the tongue, or angry at this seemingly oblivious man. This made him sit back down.
Mahasamut didn't say anything else. The tall man just looked down at his clasped hands, squeezing them tighter, the warmth spreading through him. His anger began to dissipate slowly before the owner of the low, husky voice continued,
“I'm fine, really. Maybe I just imagined it because I've never been to a place like this in my life. And you know Mut is just a simple guy from the countryside – goes out on boats, catches fish, dives for shells. I wouldn't know about menus with names three lines long. I was just out of place, and even if he really looked at me like that, I'm still glad.”
Tongrak got angry again.
“Are you crazy? Why would you let others look down on you? No one has the right to...”
“But there's someone getting angry...for me.”
Gasp!
Once again, Tongrak paused, avoiding eye contact out of embarrassment, muttered something about nerves, and quickly withdrew his hand from the grasp.
“And at least today, you didn't ignore me.” The tall figure said, drawing his hand back reluctantly.
“I didn't ignore you.” The handsome man grumbled, not ready to admit it easily.
“Oh.” The listener drawled, then continued.
“And not talking to me, not letting me into your room, always hiding in your study room, oh, and not eating the food I bought for you. Seeing me like this, my heart is soft, Khun Tongrak.” Mahasamut feigned chest pain, but it was just annoying, making the one looking want to be annoyed.
“Someone like you, huh? You said you were shameless and could do anything.”
“I am shameless.” The tall man said softly, and Tongrak almost smiled victoriously...if the speaker hadn't smiled while raising his hand to look at him directly, without actually leaning closer, yet the young author felt an unnerving intimacy between them.
The sharp eyes seemed to see right through to his heart.
“Is it wrong for my heart to weaken for someone I like?”
It was enough to make Tongrak feel immediately that...he was in trouble.
“...but I don't like you.”
This sentence wasn't directed at Mahasamut, but rather an affirmation to himself, reinforcing his initial thought that he would never fall for anyone. The two men stared at each other, as if trying to read each other's intentions, especially those sharp eyes staring so intently that Tongrak felt uncomfortable.
“Excuse me.”
At that moment, the first dish for snacking was brought in, causing Mahasamut to finally look away, sitting up straight. In contrast, Tongrak breathed a sigh of relief internally, eager to change the subject.
“Try it.”
His honey-colored eyes watched the man across from him take a bite of food.
“How is it?”
“It tastes as good as its long name that takes up half the menu.”
He almost let his guard down, thinking Mahasamut had returned to his normal self. If not for the man who, after chewing his bite, turned back and said as if he just remembered,
“Oh, and about what we were discussing earlier...it's just 'not yet'.”
Tongrak raised an eyebrow in confusion, then listened to the words that made his spoon pause mid-air.
“You just 'not yet'...liked me.”
No need for anyone to explain the meaning; the writer Tongrak understood what Mahasamut was implying.
'Not yet'...not now, not at this moment, but in the future...
“Um, let's...let's eat quickly, so we can go back. You said you were hungry, right?”
He understood too much and had to look away briefly, changing the subject, pushing the plate of food towards the large man, denying the reality that his heart was beating like a drum. He didn't want to admit that he was swayed by just a few words from this man, and strangely, instead of his usual irritation,
What Tongrak did was...secretly smile.
He must have gone mad.
How could Mahasamut not notice such a cute demeanor, and he couldn't help but tease.
“You're smiling at someone else, why not smile at me?”
The listener then bared his teeth in response, which made the larger man laugh heartily.
“Khun Tongrak, you can be cute like this, huh?”
“I'm just a person.” The handsome man pouted, losing his cool composure.
“Yes, yes. Just a person, what else could you be? Come on, eat some more, there's barely anything left.”
Despite not liking being teased, when the taller man offered food to his mouth, the proud Khun Tongrak opened up and took a bite, chewing in a way that was easily adorable, something that would surprise anyone who knew him. After all, not only would he never let anyone feed him, but he had never gone out for a meal with a bed partner.
The idea of staying together until breakfast was just a dream, but this wasn't just any breakfast; this was a lavish meal that Tongrak had intentionally chosen for this man.
Well, he was his man. It was his business how he chose to spoil him.
Unbeknownst to him, his phone, set to silent, was vibrating incessantly, the screen displaying the name...“Little Devil.”
“I want to go home.”
“We'll go soon.”
“I want to go now.”
“Then you go ahead, but if I get lost, I'll go to the lost and found, and they'll announce Khun Tongrak, the author with the pen name Tongrak. Even if you're already gone, there will probably be someone in the mall who knows you to take me back home.”
While Tongrak was being petulant about wanting to go home,
because he didn't want to face the crowds that had flocked to the mall on this day off, but it wasn't the same for Mahasamut, who didn't physically hold him back, yet his words did.
Go ahead...if you want to go, go. He would definitely have the mall make an announcement.
And that made the sulky man look at him with clouded eyes.
“Are you trying to annoy me?”
“Oh, you know I'm annoying you? Whose boss are you? You're pretty smart.” The big guy was quick to agree, pushing the shopping cart ahead.
A shopping cart?!
Yes, they were in a supermarket that sold everything, including fresh produce.
Now, the large man was pushing the cart in front, with the white-skinned man following behind. The big hands picked up items to check the prices, then shook his head in mild disappointment.
“Vegetables at sixty baht per bunch, back home they're still ten baht each.”
“How can it be the same? These are organic.” Tongrak leaned in to look.
“I know there are more production costs, so...”
“So?”
“Shall we go buy from the local market?”
That's when the arched eyebrows furrowed together, and the honey-colored eyes narrowed in preparation to snap, but before Tongrak's lips could part, Mahasamut interjected,
“But Khun Tongrak, you probably wouldn't go with me. Or at least, you'd wait in the car.”
Red,
“Exactly!”
“OK, this time I'll give in, consider it our first date.”
“Huh?”
Before Tongrak could even smile with satisfaction that at least this man knew he wouldn't go out to walk in the heat, let alone be annoyed for fun, the word that escaped the tall man's lips made him turn sharply, making a surprised sound in his throat. Because he heard what? ...Date?
“I said I'll give in.”
“No, the last sentence.”
This time, the sharp eyes gleamed with amusement, and the well-shaped lips curved into an attractive smile.
“Well, we're on a date, aren't we?”
“Who's on a date with you?” He argued back.
“Oh, isn't spending time with someone you're interested in called a date? We went out to eat together, now shopping together. If we watched a movie too, I'd say we've done all the classic date activities. Am I misunderstanding the term 'date'? Then, could the writer enlighten this simple man? What do you call spending time together like this?” At the end of his sentence, Mahasamut raised his eyebrows, asking with an innocent look, like a three-year-old child asking his parents what something means.
The young brat, indeed.
While Tongrak was arguing in an irritated tone,
“It's just eating out, shopping, it doesn't mean anything more than that, why define it?”
“Well, the novel you wrote, which I picked up last night, said this is a date.” The tall man argued back, even bringing up one of Tongrak's works as an example, causing the listener to close his mouth tightly.
“Or should I kiss you to make it a date?”
“Hey!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Mahasamut leaned in, causing Tongrak to jolt back with wide eyes, both hands shooting up to cover his mouth.
“What are you doing, crazy?”
Snap!
“I was just going to pick up the cabbage.” At that moment, the large hand held up a bag of Brussels sprouts that was sitting behind Tongrak, his eyes twinkling with mischief, teasing the man who wouldn't leave the house to the fullest, looking at the fair-skinned man who looked like he could spit fire, but couldn't resist whispering in his ear.
“Or do you want me to kiss you?”
The sharp eyes looked into the beautiful ones, raising an eyebrow in challenge, as if to say, 'Shall I do it for real?', and the one being looked at swore he would never challenge that look again, because Tongrak had learned one thing from living with him...his man was shameless to the extreme.
That made the more slender man bump his shoulder in annoyance before snatching the shopping cart and walking ahead, muttering under his breath.
“Hurry up and buy what you want, I want to get back to work.”
Tongrak said as he walked briskly ahead, while the taller man watched with amusement.
Someone's embarrassed but won't admit it, huh.
“Can't have that, no.”
“Huh?”
“Can't have this either, it's all sodium.”
“Ha.”
“This one's out too; what's in the fridge is enough. Do you want to die from liver failure or something?”
Earlier, there might have been a large, serious-looking man trying every method to get the handsome young man to keep shopping together, but after a while, their roles reversed. The one who initially said he wanted to go home ended up putting everything he wanted to eat into the cart, only for the big man to take them out and put them back.
By the third time Mahasamut returned a large pack of beer to its shelf, Tongrak turned with a clouded look in his eyes, signaling that he'd had enough.
And that led the big man to say calmly,
“You can't just eat snacks and drink alcohol.”
“It's my business.” Tongrak argued, his white hand reaching out to retrieve the beer pack.
Snap!
“No.” The large hand grabbed it first, and the deep voice became firmer, making Tongrak turn to complain, but he ended up falling silent when the sharp eyes took on a stern look.
“Since coming back to Bangkok, you've been sleeping late, waking up near noon. You only have coffee and snacks, and by evening, it's more snacks with alcohol. I'm not surprised your fridge is full of booze. Want to die early or something?”
Despite never having yielded to anyone, never caring about anyone's advice, when those usually cheerful sharp eyes turned intense, the argumentative man visibly deflated.
“I don't want to die early, but this is my life...”
“That I want to take care of.”
Gasp!
Tongrak immediately shut his mouth when the large man interjected, watching him take another step closer, using a soothing tone,
“I don't know how you lived your life before, but I don't want to see you earning money just to pay for medical bills. I don't want to see you in the hospital or taking pills instead of meals. At least, for the time I'm taking care of you, I won't let it be like that.” Mahasamut didn't continue to say...it might mean for your whole life...because he wanted to keep looking after this person indefinitely.
But he couldn't say that now; otherwise, someone might turn into a 400-meter sprinter and run away.
At the very least, the first step was to adjust the lifestyle of someone whose biological clock was broken.
After the large hand gently touched his cheek in a comforting gesture,
Tongrak's demeanor softened.
“My life isn't that messy.” He wouldn't admit that before going south, he was hungover almost every morning. Nor would he admit that...it felt good.
This is what it feels like to have someone care about you, huh?
Tongrak asked himself, but he still wasn't ready to admit why he had softened, why he went along with it, why he listened to the advice of someone younger who had come to disrupt his life. He wouldn't admit that he listened to this man more than he thought he would.
“Yes. It's not that messy, you're just...” Mahasamut moved his hand to touch the white neck, looking into the eyes waiting for his words.
And then...
“Old.”
“...”
Mahasamut smiled.
“Mahasamut!”
Just like that, the strange sweetness that had enveloped them was completely shattered, leaving only the harsh voice calling out the southerner's name in anger, the pale hand brushing off the warmth with indifference.
“Did you just dare call me old?”
“Well, if you're old, you should admit you're old.”
“I'm not old.”
“Come on, face the reality, it's good that you still look young.” Mahasamut said in consolation, though it came off as sarcastic, making the 'old' one touch his own face for reassurance.
“And you've already accepted it.”
“What else, besides wishing me an early death, cursing me with hospital stays, and now calling me old, what else will you say?” Tongrak questioned his own judgment in bringing this guy along, had he forgotten what he had done before begging him to stay in the south?
Why did he want to take home a man like this, seriously, he was pissed.
Mahasamut, again, stepped closer.
“Accept that I want to take care of you.”
Gasp!
The person who thought about tearing up the contract stopped in his tracks, his honey-colored eyes freezing before blinking rapidly, looking at the man who spoke with such seriousness, and it wasn't long before...
Whoosh!
His cheeks felt like they were burning once he understood the meaning.
“I will take care of you until we're old.”
Once again, all Tongrak could say was...
“Delusional, ridiculous.”
After he said that, he pushed the shopping cart away, but the man who had called it ridiculous didn't protest when Mahasamut returned the snacks to their place, replacing them with fresh vegetables and various meats, especially since the man who said he would cook had offered. If Khaimuk were here, she'd probably be so jealous she'd cry.
I cook for you, and you don't even eat it.
To which Tongrak would probably just reply...Muk, you aren't the person who makes my heart flutter.
Yet again, Tongrak didn't realize that having someone worry about him, scold him, and take care of him didn't annoy him; on the contrary, it made him...feel good.
Maybe what Tongrak was really longing for all this time was someone by his side to tell him what was right or wrong for him.
And that made the writer so happy he didn't even mind the phone that kept vibrating.
“I'm telling you now, I don't eat spicy food.”
“Yes, yes, I know. One bite of fish maw soup made you drink a whole bottle of water.”
Believe it or not, after they finished shopping at the supermarket, Mahasamut managed to convince the beautiful man to drive to the nearest fresh market, reasoning that the mall didn't have what he was looking for. Even though the car owner waited inside, this was a good sign that he could teach the man accustomed to luxury to live a little differently. By the time they had everything, they parked in the autopark and carried the groceries into the lobby.
Meaning, Mahasamut carried them all by himself.
During this time, Tongrak made a precautionary remark, knowing that someone had offered to cook for him.
Just imagining the beautiful man, red-faced from trying to eat spicy food when he was in the south, was enough to make him smile. And it seemed Tongrak himself could picture it, making his face soften in an adorable way.
He didn't argue about carrying anything himself.
The cute interaction between the two men, one relentlessly teasing and the other playfully indulging, caught the attention of a young woman waiting in the lobby.
She quickly approached with her luxury handbag.
“Phii Rak! Why didn't you answer my calls?”
Gasp!
Tongrak, who was walking and chatting with Mahasamut, froze. His smile vanished, which Mahasamut noticed, but before he turned to respond to the newcomer, his handsome face returned to a smile.
A smile that Mahasamut watched with interest.
He's only ever been terrifyingly beautiful, but this, this could be called terrifyingly handsome.
A smile that clearly conveyed annoyance! Yet, strangely, the new girl seemed oblivious to this truth.
The woman, intending to link arms with Tongrak in familiarity, was met with him stepping aside, showing no courtesy.
“What do you want?”
The woman named Prin's expression changed for a moment, but soon she flashed a sweet, almost artificial smile and spoke in a deliberately sweet voice,
“Why the face? I, your little sister, came to see you.”
“Sorry. I only have one older sister. I don't have any younger sister.”
Gasp!
Prin paused. Normally, being rebuffed like this by Phii Tongrak, her cousin, would drive her mad with anger, but this time, the petite beauty continued to smile sweetly, unconcerned by her beloved cousin's clear disinterest in conversing, because she wasn't here to chat. She was here to observe.
“And who's that? Your new servant? He looks like he's from the countryside.”
Her older cousin claimed not to be like their mother, but their behavior was just as alike.
In the end, he couldn't find anyone worthy of his affection and had to buy companionship. So she wanted to see just how good-looking this man was!