Translator notes : in case anyone might get confuse, Khun Than is what the employees call GlaiJai's father.
___________________________
"Khun Glai... Khun Glai, do you think the restaurant we went to with P'Fah at Yaowarat the other day was delicious?"
"..."
"Lee is thinking of recommending it to my friends."
"It was good. I liked it, especially the crab omelet. It was amazing!"
"Was it delicious because Lee's the one serving it to you?" Panlee asked with a smile. Khun Glai shook his head, smiling as well. "You little puppy..."
Panlee chuckled softly before lowering his gaze to his phone. Glai figured he was chatting with his friends about the restaurant at Yaowarat. Over the past few days, Panlee had started going home more often because P'Fah had returned from Hong Kong. He said he needed to show his face at home, but he still came to Glai's condo until late almost every day, sometimes staying over.
Now, even during exam season, Panlee still came over daily, though he would leave earlier than usual because Panlee wanted him to have as much time as possible to study.
And just like today, when he took a break from exam preparation, Panlee had been sitting quietly, offering his silent support since morning. Glai closed the last textbook and glanced at the time displayed on his phone screen,
7:30 PM.
This was their usual dinner time. They always ate together, and it had become a routine. Glai thought that if one day they didn't have dinner together, it would feel like something essential was missing from his life. He wasn't the only one who felt this way. Just yesterday, Panlee said something during their phone call after he had gone home.
'We're together every day, eating every meal together...'
'...'
'If one of us were gone someday... Lee thinks the other would struggle.'
'Glai won't struggle. Panlee won't struggle... because we'll stay together for a long, long time.'
'If we are closer right now, I'd be tackling you, you know that, right?'
The simple yet heartfelt conversation, spoken with genuine emotions, caused the already overflowing love to multiply exponentially. Glai glanced at the tall figure seated across from him, focused on his phone. The two of them were sitting on the floor with only a small table between them. Glai reached out with his slender hand to take the other's hand and pull it closer. The owner of the larger hand leaned forward slightly, still typing on his phone with the other hand.
"What does the little rascal want?"
"..."
"Acting all clingy... you must want something."
"I want to kiss your hand..."
Panlee looked up from his phone immediately. Glai smiled before pressing his nose lightly against the back of his hand. Panlee bit his lips like he was teasing him. When he was about to get up and kiss him, Glai quickly let go of his hand and asked....
"Puppy... what should we eat today?"
"You always do this. You like to tease me and then quickly change the subject." Glai laughed and said, "If I don't change the subject... I'll get tackled."
"Even if you change it, you'll still get tackled."
"No, no, Puppy... let's talk about food instead."
Panlee smiled and replied, "Okay."
"I noticed that Puppy has been craving pizza for days now, so how about we have pizza today?"
"Are you okay with that? I don't want you to eat something you don't like."
"I'm okay with it. Puppy, you go ahead and order. I'll go to the bathroom."
"Okay."
Glai got up and walked to the bathroom. He took only a short time to take care of his business. Having spent the entire day reading, he stretched his arms above his head and twisted his body to ease his stiffness.
"All done."
"..."
"Okay then."
Glai walked back and stopped behind Panlee, who had just hung up the phone after speaking with the pizza staff. The big puppy sitting on the floor, leaned against his legs and looked up at him. Glai smiled at the big puppy before leaning down toward him. His slender hands gently cupped his handsome face, and he pressed soft kisses repeatedly on his lips.
The big puppy, who was showered with kisses, chuckled softly in delight. Glai wanted Panlee to know that it wasn't just him who felt playful and affectionate toward Glai, Glai felt the same way about him.
Glai pulled back from his lips and let go of his face, thinking, ' I've had enough playing with the puppy now.'
"Khun Glai, feel my heartbeat. it's racing," Panlee said as he placed a hand on his chest.
Glai chuckled softly and ruffled his blonde hair.
"With your heart beating this fast, will you be able to wait downstairs for the pizza?"
"Just waiting for pizza? That's easy."
"..."
"But if my heart races while doing something else, then I'd have to take it slow."
"Puppy!"
"See? Glai, you're the one with the naughty thoughts again."
"..."
"I meant walking or running, things like that."
"Puppy, don't try to shift the blame onto me and make me look like the naughty one. I know what you're really thinking..."
The big puppy burst out laughing before saying, "I'm completely smitten, by someone who knows me so well."
Glai shook his head slightly with a smile before walking over to grab his phone and wallet from the couch.
"Puppy, how much is the pizza? I need to stop by the convenience store to withdraw cash because I don't have any on me."
"Five hundred baht, but Lee already told him that there's a thousand-baht note."
"..."
"Khun Glai, you don't need to withdraw money, Lee has cash."
"Okay."
Glai replied and placed the wallet back on the sofa, then nodded as if inviting Panlee to go downstairs to wait for the pizza. The big puppy got up and followed obediently. The two of them stood waiting in front of the condo for a while before the male staff in a green shirt arrived with the pizza. Panlee took the white bag with both hands. Glai opened Panlee's brown wallet to take out money to pay for the pizza.
However, a small silver envelope tucked beside a gray banknote made Glai furrow his brow slightly. Curiosity suddenly arose, and Glai took the silver envelope out of the wallet. It was at this moment that Glai sighed heavily when he clearly saw that what he had pulled out was a 'condom packet.' Glai knew that the big puppy was always ready to eat on him, but he didn't think the puppy would go so far as to carry a condom in his wallet.
"Puppy! This far already..."
"Khun Glai..." Panlee held back a smile while looking at the silver envelope in his hand, then continued, "Let's clear this up in the room later. for now, Khun Glai, give him the money."
As soon as Panlee finished his sentence, Glai swallowed hard and quickly put the silver envelope back in the wallet. He had completely forgotten that the pizza delivery staff was still waiting.
Glai gave a forced smile to the young man, who was grinning mischievously as hetook the money. After receiving the change from the staff, Glai felt embarrassed as his face turned red from the parting words...
"Thank you very much, Khun Customer... enjoy your meal, I mean, eat well."
Sigh-
Glai didn't want to think lewdly, but the words 'eat together' really made him think that way.
Panlee burst out laughing before looking at him with mischievous eyes. "Eating with this person is definitely tasty."
"Puppy! You'll get it..."
"Okay, okay, let's go up and clear things up in the room."
Glai frowned, raising his index finger in a warning. Panlee, who was smiling mischievously, followed him into the condo. When they got back to the room, Glai crossed his arms and looked at the tall figure who was placing the pizza on the coffee table.
"Puppy, you're being naughty!"
"..."
"Puppy, you really made me embarrassed, do you know that?"
Actually, Panlee carrying a condom wasn't unusual, and being prepared all the time was a good thing. However, the situation just now made Glai blush from embarrassment.
"Puppy didn't make Khun Glai embarrassed at all..."
"..."
The tall figure walked toward him. Panlee wrapped his arms around Glai's waist, then said, "Who was it that took the condom out earlier?"
Glai knew... Glai knew that he was the one who took it out.
Okay...
Glai made a mistake...
The one being questioned sighed softly and raised his hand. "It was me..."
"There you go..." Panlee said softly. He leaned down and kissed Glai's cheek before continuing, "... and you said Lee made you embarrassed?"
"Well..."
"Hmm?" Panlee raised an eyebrow while staring at him. Glai thought that when Panlee was in this calm, reasoning mode, Glai felt like he wasn't even half as grown-up.
"I won't argue, okay... this time I made a mistake." Panlee chuckled lightly before kissing his lips once.
"Normally, Lee doesn't carry condoms in my wallet."
"..."
"Because Lee likes it raw...."
"Puppy!"
The one being scolded laughed joyfully. "Lee is joking...."
"..."
"The truth is... Lee doesn't carry condoms in my wallet."
"..."
"But Lee thinks the nanny must have secretly put it in my wallet... because recently, Lee has been leaving the house a lot."
"..."
"And the nanny probably knows that Lee is falling for someone."
Glai bit his lip slightly when he heard this and then whispered, "If the nanny knows that Panlee is falling for me... would she be okay with it?"
"..."
"I never asked about this because I saw P'Fah is dating Teerak, who's also a guy."
"..."
"So, I thought Panlee's family would be..."
"They're okay. Dad, Mom, P'Fah, and the nanny... I believe everyone will be fine."
"..."
"They wouldn't be okay if they saw Lee crying like a dog."
"..."
"If Khun Glai breaks Lee's heart... my family probably won't be okay with it." Glai laughed softly before saying, "Because Puppy would cry a lot, right?"
"...crying like a dog. It must have been really hard"
"The puppy would never cry that hard..." Glai moved both of his hands to gently holdthe other person's face before standing on tiptoe to increase his height and give a big kiss on the puppy's lips. "...because Glai will never leave the puppy, ever."
"You've said it already..."
"Yeah, I've said it."
"..."
"...And I love you too."
Panlee smiled widely before tightening his arms around Glai. "...and I love you very much."
And...
I will never stop loving you. :-)
🌙🌙🌙
"Is the puppy worried?"
"Lee will get to meet your father today, Khun Glai..."
"..."
"It's natural to be a little bit nervous."
Panlee took his eyes off the road ahead and glanced at the person beside him who was smiling to himself. He sighed quietly and turned his attention back to the road. Today, Panlee wasn't just the chauffeur driving Glai, but he also had to fulfill the role of 'boyfriend' to Glai, even though Glai hadn't officially promoted him to that title.
However, Glai had said...
'The reason why Glai had to tell everyone at home that the puppy is Glai's boyfriend is because... Glai is afraid that people at home might start to feel possessive and not want Glai to have a boyfriend.'
'...'
'If that's the case... this puppy will have to prove yourself again. You only need to prove yourself to Glai, though.'
'...'
'So, Glai had to claim the boyfriend status first... because once we're officially boyfriend and boyfriend, no one at home can do anything about it.'
'...'
'Glai knows that no one at home is really a problem. They'll be fine with it... but it's better to be cautious. After all, don't forget that Glai is the only child in the family."
'...'
'But this puppy doesn't need to worry... the rest is something Glai will take care of.' Panlee understood Glai's reasoning very well. Even though Glai had told him to prepare for this in advance, before the last day of his exam. But, Panlee still secretly felt excited and a little anxious.
The title 'father-in-law' sounds intimidating to everyone...
"That house, right there..."
"Yes, yes."
Panlee turned the steering wheel to follow the direction Glai indicated, and the white Audi A5 moved into the large driveway, stopping in the usual spot. After the engine was turned off, both Panlee and Glai got out of the car, where the maid was waiting to greet them at the front door.
"Khun Glai...."
"Hello, P'Jeab."
Panlee stopped and watched Glai hug a middle-aged woman, who was likely the nanny who had raised Glai since childhood. She hugged and kissed Glai with much affection before releasing him to look at the stranger like him.
"Hello."
Not waiting, Panlee immediately raised his hands in a respectful greeting. P'Jeab returned the greeting and smiled warmly at him. Panlee sighed in relief.
"Hello... This must be..."
"This is 'Panlee,'" Glai said as he walked to stand next to Panlee. "He's Glai's boyfriend."
P'Jeab nodded and smiled warmly. "P'Jeab is finally meeting Khun Glai's favorite one."
It wouldn't be strange for Glai to be more polite and gentle than most men, considering the person who raised him was warm and gentle as well.
"Shall we go inside?"
"Yes."
Glai turned to smile at Panlee before linking his arm with Panlee's and wrapping the other arm around P'Jeab's. The small person, standing in between, led them into the house with a smile.
Panlee couldn't help but smile when he saw Glai laughing and smiling happily. He always thought Glai was a very cute person, but seeing him back in his own space, in his 'home, which means family,' made him even more adorable.
"When Glai called Dad earlier, he said there was a meeting today."
"Yes... today, Khun Than left with Khun Lin early in the morning."
"But just a while ago, Dad called to say he's on his way back."
"Khun Lin also called to tell P'Jeab to prepare the dinner table."
"..."
"And also mentioned that... Khun Than is very excited to meet the boyfriend of his beloved son."
Panlee glanced over at P'Jeab through the small person standing in between. She smiled warmly at him, though her eyes clearly showed some emotions...
But Panlee could sense that it was a good feeling...
"P'Jeab, should we take Panlee to eat butter cookies in the kitchen?"
"Sure..."
When they arrived in the kitchen, Glai let Panlee be free. He wandered around the large room as if he had missed this place for a long time. Panlee stood at the counter, watching P'Jeab and Glai laughing and chatting happily.
The scene in front of him made him happy without needing to do anything. At that moment, Panlee understood the meaning of Dad's words very deeply. Dad had once said, 'The happiness of the one we love becomes our happiness too, but if the one we love suffers, we suffer even more hundreds of times more.'
"Panlee... come try the freshly baked butter cookies. They're really delicious!"
Panlee nodded as he walked towards GlaiJai. He opened his mouth to bite the small piece of cookie that GlaiJai fed to him. GlaiJai tilted his head and looked at him before smiling wide, his eyes squinting...
"Is it delicious, puppy?"
"Ah, it's delicious."
So cute... incredibly cute.
But Lee didn't...
"You're the first boyfriend that Khun Glai has brought to try Jeab's cookies. Panlee nodded lightly while looking at P'Jeab, who was putting the butter cookies into a jar.
"Actually... I wanted to be the last one to eat P'Jeab's cookies."
His words made both Jeab and GlaiJai smile widely again. The little one turned and gave him a thumbs-up before saying...
"Good job, puppy... score some more points."
The one being praised smiled and then looked at someone who had stopped at the door. Panlee saw a maid bow slightly as if asking for permission before speaking...
"Head Maid, Khun Than and Khun Lin are back."
"Okay... then, Jum, please take the rice pot out to the dining table and call the others to prepare the fruit for dessert."
"Okay."
"Then let's go greet Dad and Auntie," GlaiJai said while turning to look at Panlee. He continued, "...Let's go, puppy."
"Yes."
Panlee responded and nodded. He followed the little one out of the kitchen, with P'Jeab following behind them. When GlaiJai saw his father, he immediately ran to him. Panlee stopped at the door to give the father and son some space. A smile appeared on his face as he saw the father embrace and kiss the top of his son's head with love. In addition to being GlaiJai's heart, Panlee thought that GlaiJai was also the heart of the family.
Because GlaiJai is the heart of everyone,
That's why GlaiJai grew up so well...
"This is... the heart of the Borirat family."
Panlee turned to look at P'Jeab, who had stopped beside him. "..."
"Jeab entrusts this heart to you..."
"Yes... I will take care of Glai to the best of my ability."
Panlee responded with firm eyes and voice. P'Jeab slightly pursed her lips before nodding gently. In her eyes, there was more moisture than usual. It was at this moment that Panlee decided to say something to her...
"The heart of the Borirat family will never be broken."
P'Jeab showed a faint smile, trying not to let the tears fall. "Jeab hopes that both of you will love each other for a long time."
"Thank you,P'Jeab."
"..."
"Thank you for raising him well... and thank you for allowing me to take care of
GlaiJai."
"..." Jeab nodded, and the moisture in her eyes seeped out.
As I told Khun Lin...
If someone must be sad, I will take the sadness for him.
And as I told P'Jeab...
The heart of the Borirat family will never be broken.
But if someone's heart must break...
That person will probably be the son of the Phisut family.
🌙🌙🌙
"Oh, then who will take over from Dad? Because Panlee's older brother also has his own business..."
"When we all finish our studies, we'll take turns looking after it. But about taking over, we have to wait and see. Dad said that if no one wants to take the business in Hong Kong, he might sell the hotel, and then Dad and Mom will return to live in Thailand."
"Ah... So you've divided the duties?" Khun Phon asked with a smile.
"Right now, we haven't really divided the duties, but P'Fah mentioned that when he graduates, he will help Dad take care of the hotel, and after I graduate, I will help as well."
"But you're not going to live there permanently, right?"
"Right, probably just alternate weeks."
"Ah..."
"Dad, why are we talking about such serious matters?"
"Because I have to ask now, so I can prepare myself in advance. If Glai has to move to Hong Kong to live with Panlee, I won't be so sad."
Panlee smiled as he watched the father and son talk. At first, he was quite worried about whether he would get along with his lover's father. But when Panlee sat at the dining table with GlaiJai's father, or 'his father-in-law,' his worries started to fade.
The other side welcomed him with warmth and spoke to him politely. Because Panlee and his father-in-law spoke with mutual respect, their conversation flowed smoothly. As he got to know the other person, Panlee didn't feel awkward at all. In fact, he felt very comfortable.
"So, the cookies Auntie brought over, are they finished?"
"Not yet, Auntie."
"There's still a lot left, right?"
GlaiJai frowned as if thinking before saying, "Actually, there aren't many left because last time Panlee's friends came over to watch football at the room. I gave them some cookies."
"Ah... Then, make sure to bring some more this time."
"Okay."
"Which football team is Panlee a fan of?" Father-in-law asked.
Panlee thought that... the relationship between his father-in-law and son-in-law wouldn't be shaken because of this matter. Once he realized that, he decided to speak up,
"Can I not answer this question?... Because I'm afraid my points will go negative if we don't support the same team."
Dad, who appeared calm, composed, and very polite, let out a loud laugh, causing everyone at the dining table to widen their eyes in surprise. P'Jeab, who had just walked out of the kitchen, stood frowning while looking at her boss. Panlee smiled when he realized he could earn points with his father-in-law. Glai's father, trying to stop laughing, reached out and patted his son's head.
"Glai... I like this person. I really like him."
"..."
"He has a sense of humour, manners, and knows how to behave..."
Glai smiled and looked at him. "No one doesn't like Panlee, Dad... Everyone who talks to him likes him."
"..."
"Especially Glai, who likes Panlee very much."
Glai is the 'little rascal' who knows... how to torment him.
And the little rascal also knows... how much he must endure not being able to drive the person away.
Glai is the very mischievous one...
🌙🌙🌙
After dinner, Khun Lin invited Glai to help P'Jeab make butter cookies in the kitchen. Glai's father, invited Panlee to come and see the koi pond that was just completed last week.
Panlee looked at the large and colourful fish swimming in the big pond. The water flowing from the waterfall created ripples on the surface. He gazed at the scene, before turning his attention to the person next to him, who had just pulled out a cigarette from his pocket. Khun Phon smiled and lit the cigarette.
Actually...
Father-in-law is probably someone just like him.
Polite, gentle, and kind to those he loves.
But when alone... he's a man with a certain rawness.
"Do you want one, Panlee?" He asked while offering him an expensive cigarette.
"No, thank you."
"Do you normally smoke?"
"Yes, but I don't smoke when I'm with Glai."
Khun Phon smiled in satisfaction before lifting the white cigarette to his lips. When the white smoke was released, he spoke, "Same here... I smoke when I'm alone."
"..."
"I made the pond just to enjoy while I smoke here."
"..."
"...Actually, it's to cure loneliness too. Because when GlaiJai is not home, I feel like something is missing."
"I understand that feeling very well..." Panlee averted his gaze from his father-in-law and looked at the ripples on the water. "...When I have to be apart from GlaiJai, I feel the same every time."
The listener chuckled softly, before speaking, "And now GlaiJai has to stay at home for three nights. Panlee, won't you be terribly lonely?"
"Just three days... I can still handle it, but if it's longer than that, I probably can't."
"I really like people who speak so honestly."
"..."
"Panlee... can I ask you something?" Panlee turned his gaze from the pond and looked at the person beside him. "Sure."
Khun Phon released another puff of white smoke, his sharp eyes gazing deeply into his. He then asked, "If one day... Panlee no longer loves GlaiJai as before, would you still be able to be friends with GlaiJai?"
Khun Phon's question hit like a huge fist to Panlee's face. Panlee felt a pang in his chest and a deep ache upon hearing this question. Because it meant that the other side was still fearful and worried. Khun Phon probably wanted to prepare himself, in case one day his beloved son got hurt, so that he wouldn't lose his balance.
Panlee remained silent before speaking, "Honestly... I can't imagine that day at all."
"..."
"I can't picture myself falling out of love with him."
"..."
"I'm not trying to make myself look good... and I'm not trying to make you feel better."
"..."
"But I truly can't imagine it."
"..."
"If you ask me... if one day Glai falls out of love with me, could I still be friends with him?"
"..."
"I can still imagine that question, because it's about his feelings. It might be possible that one day he falls out of love with me."
"..."
"But even then... I probably couldn't be friends with Glai. Because I didn't love him that way from the start. I couldn't stand seeing him with someone else."
"..."
"I wouldn't be friends with Glai... but I would be the ex who still looks after him from afar... and still loves him the same way."
"..."
"... Just like the first day I realized I loved him."
"..."
"But I focus on the present... I believe everything I do now will affect the future."
"..."
"If today we love each other enough, if we care for each other enough, if we take care of each other enough... then how can we love each other any less tomorrow?"
"..."
"It must be because I think like this... that I told you, Dad, that I can't imagine that day."
"Khun Lin told me that Panlee is a very sincere person..." Khun Phon spoke while looking at him before continuing "...but I didn't expect much."
"..."
"But... thank you so much for not disappointing me," Khun Phon smiled and lightly patted his shoulder "...thank you, really."
"What I asked Auntie to tell you... I was being sincere."
"..."
"I love your son very much."
"I believe in you, Panlee."
My Dad once said, 'If you want to know if he truly believes in what we say' Just look into the other person's eyes.
And... Dad believes in what he says.
🌙🌙🌙
After Panlee finished talking with his father-in-law, he prepared to go home because he didn't want to disturb the Borirat family's time for too long. Everyone invited Panlee to stay the night, but he wanted GlaiJai to spend as much time as possible with his family.
"Panlee... wait, I will take you to meet someone before we leave."
"Okay..."
"Panlee, wait for a second."
Panlee nodded and watched the small figure run into the kitchen. Shortly after, the person came out holding two flower garlands. He immediately realized that Glai was going to take him to meet his mother.
'Mother,' who Khun Glai always referred to as 'Angel.'
"We're going to see your mom, right?"
"Yes...."
Khun Glai replied with a smile before taking his hand. Panlee followed the little one who was leading him somewhere. The two of them stopped in front of a room. He guessed it was the prayer room because the golden brown wooden door was beautifully carved with Thai designs.
The small figure pushed the door open and took Panlee's hand as they went inside. He knelt down on the floor, just like GlaiJai, before they both bowed to the large Buddha statue together. When they lifted their heads, the small person pointed to the right.
It was then that Panlee saw a photo of a woman on a golden urn. The person in the photo had a beautiful, sweet smile like an angel. Panlee realized that what GlaiJai had told him about was true, and he also just discovered... where GlaiJai got that angelic smile.
Panlee moved closer to the photo, then placed the fresh flower garland on the golden urn along with GlaiJai. Afterward, they both stepped back. The room was square and peaceful, without any disturbances. Panlee glanced down at the delicate hand that had moved to hold his hand. The silence was soon broken...
"Mom, today Glai brought my lover to introduce to you."
"..."
"Glai's lover's name is 'Panlee'."
It was at that moment that Panlee took his eyes off the photo. He lowered his gaze back to their joined hands. A wave of feelings pressed against his left chest. Panlee bit his lips, feeling a burning sensation in his eyes. There was no warning that he might cry like this, in front of his lover's mother. Panlee hadn't expected to feel so deeply moved and touched. He wasn't sure whether it was because GlaiJai used to tell him stories about his mother before bed or if something else had caused all these overwhelming feelings right now. It was so much, that he couldn't fully explain it.
Panlee took a deep breath before nodding when GlaiJai gently squeezed his hand.
When he looked at the frame again, Panlee realized...
The long, long distance...
The distance the two of them had been trying to walk to reach the moon together...
That distance had finally come to an end.
They had arrived at their destination...
The delicate hand released his and moved to gently stroke his head. Glai was saying something through body language, telling him, 'It's okay, no need to speak.' Panlee exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the emotion rising up in his throat. He nodded slightly to signal that he was ready, before speaking...
"Mom..."
"..."
"I love GlaiJai."
"..."
Even though Panlee only said a short sentence, he was sure that the message conveyed all the feelings in his heart completely. But there was something else Panlee wanted to tell GlaiJai's angel.
However, this time, he could only send his message silently in his heart...
Mom...
I will love GlaiJai forever.
Maybe for so long, until the day I can tell you myself...
... That we are happy every day... and we still love each other until the very last day of my life.