Aroon Devakula took a deep breath as he willed himself to enter the apartment building in front of him. He had called Pai yesterday evening and had told him that he wouldn’t be able to bring the dinner he had promised. He had cited some urgent work but the truth was he just couldn’t bring himself to see the man he had come to care for be all friendly with someone else, that someone being none other than Sirichai Thanawat. In short, Aroon had chickened out and had cried himself to sleep rather than face the problem and fight for Pai.
This morning, though, he had to gather all his courage to be here. He didn’t think he could avoid Pai without causing the older man to question him. Thus, here he was, having bought breakfast for three as his instincts told him that the Thanawat heir would still be there. He shook his head firmly and made his way towards the elevators where he spotted a familiar figure, a man he had hoped would not be here in the first place.
As the elevator doors opened and Siri stepped out, Aroon noticed the drinks in the bag. He felt amused at the selection. He questioningly looked at the bag and smirked, “Nomyen? The Thanawat heir drinks pink-milk, who would have thought?”Siri didn’t reply but his heart felt smug. He felt immense satisfaction at the fact that this young man had no idea of what Pai liked. Siri only smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Aroon’s breath hitched as he felt that he might be missing something. To cover up his hesitation, he picked up his bag and said, “I got all of Pai’s favorites. You didn’t have to bother. He has no need of you anymore..”Siri couldn’t believe the guts of this young man beside him. How dare he say that? This time, the Thanawat heir made no attempt to cover his contempt as he opened the door to the flat and challenged, sneering, “And what? He needs you?”As if on cue, the two young
Siri saw it all happen as if in slow motion. He glared at the intern who was showing so much concern for his Pai, but that did not deter the said intern. The Thanawat heir watched as Aroon picked up what looked like the crispiest piece of bacon and made to place it on Pai’s plate. He watched as Aroon’s eyes widened in shock as he caught the sight of the hickey on Pai’s neck. Siri saw the young man’s face shut down in hurt and disappointment as the he tried to clean the mess made by his chopsticks. Aroon was clearly hurt beyond anything he was prepared for. Siri felt a tremor of sympathy for the boy, he understood the heart clenching pain Aroon must have felt at that moment. Siri knew Aroon had had good idea of his relationship with Pai, but knowing and getting a confirmation are two completely different things.Pai stood up and called out to Aroon as the younger man dashed off out of the house. Siri gently held his Pai back and pushed him sit back down
“You look good, Pai. All the best!” Siri said as he straightened Pai’s collar smiling. Pai blushed slightly, now color clearly visible in his cheeks, as he nodded. Siri placed a firm kiss of Pai’s forehead before letting him go and see him to the door.Pai made a shy wave as the younger man said, “I will pick you up in the evening…” And just like that the Pai was off to his first day as a full-time employee at Chiang Mai office of Thanawat Enterprises.In the past twelve days, Pai had recovered completely. Aroon had visited just once, to say goodbye. He had successfully completed his internship and had told Pai that he had decided to take a job closer to home as his parents had wanted him to. Pai had been supportive and had wished him luck. Siri too had wished the young man all the best and bid him goodbye. The Thanawat heir, not having anything personal against Aroon, felt relieved and happy that he had decided to do what wou
“No..I’m not coming back..yeah, I know….I sent you an email after the last time we talked..” Siri said as he paced around the bedroom, talking on the phone. Pai couldn’t help but sigh as he entered the room with a two cups of tea. He knew who Siri was talking and what this whole thing was about. It was not like this was the first time this conversation had happened in the past fifteen days. Frankly, Pai didn’t think Siri would succeed in what he was trying to achieve, not immediately anyway.“I already explained what I want. I don’t care where he has to live or where he’s working from. That absolutely not the point! I don’t expect you null my marriage and welcome him as partner right away! What are you even saying! My stand is perfectly reasonable and practical.” Siri said, his tone slightly higher, as he felt whatever was being said at the other end getting on his nerves.“Nooo, we can talk
As had become their routine by now, Pai was preparing to go to work while Siri was setting up his laptop at the dining table after finishing their breakfast. Siri approached Pai to say goodbye when the doorbell rang. A visitor at this time was unexpected, in fact at any time was unexpected since the two young men had preferred to keep it to themselves. Whatever small errands had to be done were managed by Chati as Pai and Siri mostly laid low without drawing much attention to themselves.Pai frowned questioningly even as he went to open the front door. The sight of the classily dressed woman on the other side of door startled Pai, so much so that he stood stunned and forgot his basic manners. It was clear that Pai had not really expected the Thanawat matriarch to visit them in person but more importantly, he had not believed that Siri’s stance would pay off. Of course, it was yet to see if any of the younger man’s claims would be accepted but at least they had for
Nana said, “All I wanted to do was to ensure that your life-partner was capable enough to stand and support you in the position that you inevitably be in. Whoever it would be must be at that level, an equal, a backbone to you. I am only making sure of this. My actions towards Pai would have been the same six months back, as they are today.” It had now dawned on Siri and Pai that Nana was truly doing things as she had seen fit and it was clear that her intentions were to ensure that her grandson could have a happy life with his chosen partner. Mrs. Thanawat was looking at the two men expectantly. It was Siri who cleared his throat, “Nana, I ..I didn’t understand..I..but why didn’t you let us keep in touch? Maybe if we had talked regularly, I would have seen your plans, instead of being so deep into my own issues and drowning in worry ..” Nana nodded as she sipped her tea, “Well, yes. And if it was six months back or if you were not married, I would ha
After that emotional talk, the three people in the room decided to take a break. While Grandma went to freshen up, the two lovers hugged, seeking comfort in each other’s arms. They found that after the clear support from Nana, both their hearts had somehow calmed down. Their whole beings seemed to have relaxed and there was hope bubbling within them. The happiness that the lovers felt at the acceptance from the old lady was palpable throughout the house.Siri decided that they should have something to eat as he knew his grandma does not prefer eating any takeaways. Her meals are specially made at the house. It was also one of the reasons why she did not stay away from home for long. The two lovers set about making some eggs and toast, refiling the tea and setting the table.It was a little while later that Nana joined them at the table. She took a bite of her eggs, smiling. She had had an early morning and hadn’t eaten on the plane.“Thank you
Two Months Later******************************Sirichai Thanawat involuntarily smiled as he read the email from his latest client detailing a request. If it was any other time or situation, the young man would have decided to flat out reject the request or ask someone else to take care of it. However, with his situation right now, Siri saw the perfect opportunity and so he replied back accepting the request. He dumped back on his chair and enjoyed the happiness that was bubbling in his chest right now.A lot had happened in the past two months. While Siri and his Nana had chalked out the details and started putting the plan in motion, Pai was working as hard as he could to take in as much information as he possibly could. Pai was soon be working in his 3rd department and he was not seen slacking at all. He was doing well and no one was prouder of him than the Thanawat matriarch herself.Mrs. Thanawat ha
Three Months Later: Bangkok******************************"Ahh...Siri..," Pai moaned as Siri bit and suckled at his sensitive collar bone. The older man was clutching and pulling at Siri's shirt, in what looked like an attempt to unbutton it. However, with the ministrations of Siri's talented mouth, Pai felt unable to do anything, except melt in the strong arms of the man he truly loved.The two lovers had just come back to their tiny apartment, after having a rather pleasant dinner with Nana and Siri's father. They had decided that Pai will be working side by side with Siri, and will be introduced as the chief marketing strategist for the company. This will entail that he works closely with the top management of the company and hopefully keep suspicions and questions at bay. However, as Nana had pointed out, these things were just a matter of time and would eventually just fade away. The announcement of Pai's
Eight Months Later: Pattaya Office******************************The huge lounge area of the posh Thanawat offices was cramped with employees, cheering and happily shouting. The big TV was showing the bossman, Sirichai Thanawat's press conference where he was making public the recently signed contract with a Chinese Conglomerate. This was a huge deal as it would make Thanawat Enterprises the top producer of Smartphones in the country. The deal will also give the company access to major market share in China, which in turn will lead to several more contracts.Pai was standing in one corner of the room watching the elation that the rest of the employees were freely displaying. The deal had involved departments from all three offices and it was only natural that the employees were happy that their hard work had paid off. The young man who had been working at the offices for the past seven m
Six Months Later******************************“Yeah Pai, I’m so happy..” Siri said as he laid down on the bed, watching Pai relaxing at his apartment in Chiang Mai. He couldn’t help but grin when Pai opened a bottle of pink-milk for himself. As had become a routine, the two lovers were relaxing in their respective bedrooms, video-calling and just catching up on each-other’s day. Siri had ensured he visited Pai at least once a month in the past eight months.Things were progressing rather smoothly on both their ends. Siri and Nana were working swiftly to end the marriage and also have that Chinese contract finalized. Siri had not been seen with his wife in almost seven months now. Boonsri and her father were also pressured into keeping a low-profile with the threat of defamation. Pai was working extra hard and was by now passed through most of the departments. He should be ready t
Two Months Later******************************Sirichai Thanawat involuntarily smiled as he read the email from his latest client detailing a request. If it was any other time or situation, the young man would have decided to flat out reject the request or ask someone else to take care of it. However, with his situation right now, Siri saw the perfect opportunity and so he replied back accepting the request. He dumped back on his chair and enjoyed the happiness that was bubbling in his chest right now.A lot had happened in the past two months. While Siri and his Nana had chalked out the details and started putting the plan in motion, Pai was working as hard as he could to take in as much information as he possibly could. Pai was soon be working in his 3rd department and he was not seen slacking at all. He was doing well and no one was prouder of him than the Thanawat matriarch herself.Mrs. Thanawat ha
After that emotional talk, the three people in the room decided to take a break. While Grandma went to freshen up, the two lovers hugged, seeking comfort in each other’s arms. They found that after the clear support from Nana, both their hearts had somehow calmed down. Their whole beings seemed to have relaxed and there was hope bubbling within them. The happiness that the lovers felt at the acceptance from the old lady was palpable throughout the house.Siri decided that they should have something to eat as he knew his grandma does not prefer eating any takeaways. Her meals are specially made at the house. It was also one of the reasons why she did not stay away from home for long. The two lovers set about making some eggs and toast, refiling the tea and setting the table.It was a little while later that Nana joined them at the table. She took a bite of her eggs, smiling. She had had an early morning and hadn’t eaten on the plane.“Thank you
Nana said, “All I wanted to do was to ensure that your life-partner was capable enough to stand and support you in the position that you inevitably be in. Whoever it would be must be at that level, an equal, a backbone to you. I am only making sure of this. My actions towards Pai would have been the same six months back, as they are today.” It had now dawned on Siri and Pai that Nana was truly doing things as she had seen fit and it was clear that her intentions were to ensure that her grandson could have a happy life with his chosen partner. Mrs. Thanawat was looking at the two men expectantly. It was Siri who cleared his throat, “Nana, I ..I didn’t understand..I..but why didn’t you let us keep in touch? Maybe if we had talked regularly, I would have seen your plans, instead of being so deep into my own issues and drowning in worry ..” Nana nodded as she sipped her tea, “Well, yes. And if it was six months back or if you were not married, I would ha
As had become their routine by now, Pai was preparing to go to work while Siri was setting up his laptop at the dining table after finishing their breakfast. Siri approached Pai to say goodbye when the doorbell rang. A visitor at this time was unexpected, in fact at any time was unexpected since the two young men had preferred to keep it to themselves. Whatever small errands had to be done were managed by Chati as Pai and Siri mostly laid low without drawing much attention to themselves.Pai frowned questioningly even as he went to open the front door. The sight of the classily dressed woman on the other side of door startled Pai, so much so that he stood stunned and forgot his basic manners. It was clear that Pai had not really expected the Thanawat matriarch to visit them in person but more importantly, he had not believed that Siri’s stance would pay off. Of course, it was yet to see if any of the younger man’s claims would be accepted but at least they had for
“No..I’m not coming back..yeah, I know….I sent you an email after the last time we talked..” Siri said as he paced around the bedroom, talking on the phone. Pai couldn’t help but sigh as he entered the room with a two cups of tea. He knew who Siri was talking and what this whole thing was about. It was not like this was the first time this conversation had happened in the past fifteen days. Frankly, Pai didn’t think Siri would succeed in what he was trying to achieve, not immediately anyway.“I already explained what I want. I don’t care where he has to live or where he’s working from. That absolutely not the point! I don’t expect you null my marriage and welcome him as partner right away! What are you even saying! My stand is perfectly reasonable and practical.” Siri said, his tone slightly higher, as he felt whatever was being said at the other end getting on his nerves.“Nooo, we can talk
“You look good, Pai. All the best!” Siri said as he straightened Pai’s collar smiling. Pai blushed slightly, now color clearly visible in his cheeks, as he nodded. Siri placed a firm kiss of Pai’s forehead before letting him go and see him to the door.Pai made a shy wave as the younger man said, “I will pick you up in the evening…” And just like that the Pai was off to his first day as a full-time employee at Chiang Mai office of Thanawat Enterprises.In the past twelve days, Pai had recovered completely. Aroon had visited just once, to say goodbye. He had successfully completed his internship and had told Pai that he had decided to take a job closer to home as his parents had wanted him to. Pai had been supportive and had wished him luck. Siri too had wished the young man all the best and bid him goodbye. The Thanawat heir, not having anything personal against Aroon, felt relieved and happy that he had decided to do what wou