Wittawin stopped in front of Teeradon's hotel room door, standing motionless for a moment before knocking. When no response came, he knocked harder.
"Khun Teeradon, I'm hungry. Let's go eat." His patience was wearing thin after knocking for so long with only silence in return.
"Already ate." The curt voice came from behind him.
Wittawin spun around, startled. Teeradon stood not far away, fishing through his pockets, his face set in an uncharacteristically stern expression.
"I looked for you everywhere but couldn't find you. I planned to wait so we could eat together, but I got too hungry. I hope you're not angry that I went ahead and ate first—though you probably don't care anyway, since you didn't seem particularly eager to dine with me."
"I went for a walk." Wittawin stepped back from the door, making way.
"I see." Teeradon nodded, producing his key. "There's a good noodle cart in front of the hotel. Walk a bit further and you'll find some decent ramen. But you probably already know that, having been out exploring for so long."
Wittawin said nothing, watching as Teeradon entered his room and closed the door with deliberate softness. He shook his head slowly, surprised to see Teeradon acting petulant.
If he'd been left stranded here all night because I ran back to Bangkok, he'd be angry enough to barely look at me—or maybe not speak to me for ages...
Isn't this exactly what I wanted? For Teeradon to stop interfering with my life? Then I wouldn't have to worry about Pirayu being hurt seeing the person he loves getting close to his friend...
But Pirayu seems to have made peace with it. He's building something with Baramee now...
That's not true. Deep down, I know Pirayu hasn't let go...
***
Teeradon walked on circle in his room, waiting for the right time for his next move. He felt a surge of satisfaction that the other man had changed his mind and come back.
This shows that Wittawin means more to me than before. He cares about me too. Maybe it's finally time. It's been nine months now. I've never waited this long for anyone in my life...
Wittawin won't escape this time. No matter what, I'm not letting this opportunity slip away. Next time I probably won't be able to fool him because it seems like my little white-faced monkey is catching on to my tricks and will be more cautious...
Teeradon surveyed the cramped hotel room. An oversized bed dominated the small space, positioned against a large window. The gray carpet reeked with age, and a faded green wooden table with chipped paint sat against the left wall near a bathroom door—the toilet required three flushes to work. The air conditioning barely functioned.
Still, Teeradon told himself he could tolerate sleeping in this run-down hotel room. But that massive window would make sleep difficult with too much outside light streaming in. The thin white curtains offered no protection. He preferred sleeping in complete darkness, with the air conditioning cranked high so he could burrow under thick blankets.
Well, the AC might not be cold, but it'll cool down soon when the rain starts...
Thunder rumbled. Wind gusted violently. Within minutes, rain was pounding down. Teeradon walked to the window to check if water would splash in through the frame and seep into the room.
Then a thought struck him.
One way or another, tonight I'm sleeping with Wittawin...
Teeradon opened the window and stood leaning against the door, watching rain splash into the room with a satisfied smile. He slipped his hand into his pants pocket, stroking his wallet gently as he told himself:
Since Wittawin's always needling me about using money to get what I want, this time I'll spend a few thousand to buy the hotel staff's silence so I can sleep with him…
***
Wittawin looked up from the television screen when he heard aggressive knocking, then sighed because only one person would dare pound on his door this loudly.
"What's your problem now?" He opened the door to find the man standing there with a sullen expression.
"I need to sleep here." Teeradon blurted out, then hurried to explain. "Rain soaked my entire room. I can't sleep there at all, Wittawin. I don't want to bother you, but it's necessary."
"How did it get soaked?"
"Did I piss on it or something?" Teeradon snapped. "I told you the rain came in."
"How did you let it come in? How do you leave a window open during a rainstorm?"
"I left it open for ventilation before I went out wandering around looking for you, then forgot to close it," Teeradon reasoned.
"But when I came back, you didn't—"
"Didn't close it," Teeradon quickly interrupted. "I went out for a walk too. When it started raining, I ran back to the hotel."
"Then why aren't you wet?" Wittawin looked suspicious.
"I run fast. Got back just as it started. I sat sulking in the lobby for ages, not wanting to go into that tiny, stuffy room. But when I finally went up, the room was soaked and uninhabitable. Go look if you don't believe me." Teeradon walked toward his own room with Wittawin following.
Wittawin opened the door, poked his head in for a quick glance, then turned to stare at Teeradon.
"Just get another room. You've got money to burn—rent out the whole hotel if you want," Wittawin suggested.
"Now you're saying I throw money around carelessly," Teeradon pouted. "They're completely booked."
"How can a place like this be fully booked?" Wittawin looked incredulous.
"Go ask reception yourself."
Wittawin immediately walked to the hotel front desk. He returned shortly with an annoyed expression, tilting his head to study Teeradon, who stood leaning against the wall with a perfectly composed face.
"Fine, Wittawin. Forget it. I'll manage sleeping in that wet room. The corner near the door probably isn't soaked. Just lend me one pillow and I'll be fine." Teeradon's expression grew serious, as if he'd given up on bothering the other man.
"Wait here then." Wittawin spoke curtly and headed to his room.
Hey, is he serious? What kind of person is this—completely heartless. Doesn't he have any compassion? Is he really going to make me sleep on that old carpet by the door?
Teeradon pressed his lips together and ground his teeth in frustration, glaring after Wittawin with a mixture of resentment and hurt feelings as he imagined Wittawin returning with a single pillow to lend him.
The chairman of Kunanon Brewery and owner of the upscale club The Dazzle stood fuming in the narrow hotel corridor for several minutes before trudging back toward his own room. But when he reached his door, he spun around at the sound of Wittawin's voice.
"You can come in now."
"Me?" Teeradon couldn't believe his ears, pointing at himself for confirmation.
"I guess so." Wittawin shrugged, avoiding eye contact.
Oh, he went to arrange the room. I was panicking, thinking he'd really just bring me a pillow to borrow. I get it now, Wittawin...
Just wait. Once I'm in that room, I'm going to pounce...
Finally. The day I've been waiting for has arrived...
***