Fahsai walked over, stripped off his clothes, and stepped into the spacious, luxurious bathroom. No matter how he stretched his arms or legs, he didn't bump into anything like he would in the tin-shack bathrooms back in the slum.
After a full day of makeover work, he turned on the cold water, washing away the scent of poverty and scrubbing his long-neglected rough skin with silky, creamy body wash. Although he wasn't yet used to the luxury, a comfortable life was certainly better than the harsh, gritty reality of the slum any day.
The sound of water hitting his broad body echoed off the tiles, and he whistled lightly, feeling a relaxation he had never known before. It was as if heaven had eyes, rewarding a hardworking, honest, and dutiful grandson with a taste of a good life at last.
The steady sound of water hitting the tiles continued, and he hummed a tune, completely unaware that someone with access to this room had quietly approached, catching him off guard.
Beep beep beep… Crack!
"Hey, Ming? Khwan? You guys there? Who's in the bathroom? Can I get some water? Mine's all gone."
A muscular figure, dripping with sweat, made the black T-shirt cling tightly to every chiseled curve of his freshly worked-out body. He strode straight to the fridge, grabbed a colorful bottle, popped it open, and gulped it down.
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
The shirt was tossed over his broad shoulder, revealing a bare upper body inked with black tattoos in various patterns—diverse, yet somehow perfectly complementing his sculpted muscles. His long legs were clad in tight black stretch pants, hugging his hips and thighs, forming a striking silhouette, almost like a living artwork.
Though his face could be called soft and delicate, paired with his muscles and tattoos, the result was undeniably sexy—he could easily pass as a male lingerie model.
Accustomed to having his close friends around, Ung-ing wandered through the room and out onto the balcony, sipping liquor and relaxing as he admired the carefully arranged garden below.
The cool breeze on the balcony made him think of someone else again… No matter how much he tried to improve himself, become sharper, or look tougher, the person he once loved never noticed. Every time they met, there was always a big, protective partner by their side—how could he possibly smile freely like he used to?
Clink…
"Meow~ meow~"
"Where did this cat come from? Why's it climbing up here?"
He reached his long arms down toward the cat that had scrambled up from below—just as a broad-shouldered, sweaty figure stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel barely covering anything, swinging back and forth.
"Man, showering in a rich person's bathroom is the life—smells so good! But where do I hang this towel… on the balcony maybe? Huh… wait… who's that? Standing there… what the—?!"
The street-food guy's eyes went wide as he spotted someone leaning over the balcony.
Meow~
The cat yowled, thinking someone was playing with it, while chaos erupted behind. A slightly confused Aung-ing reached for the cat but didn't stand up fully.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
"Don't jump!" a voice shouted, just as he finally grabbed the cat and straightened up.
Wham!
Somebody's broad frame collided with his, pinning him to the balcony floor with a loud crash, sending the cat leaping away and vanishing.
Meowwww!
Whoosh! His black T-shirt fluttered down to the floor below the condo, but the man beneath slammed into the tall figure, trying to steady himself and see which friend was playing so rough.
Swoosh!
The towel slipped away, leaving them in a compromising position, pressed together as if doing something scandalous right on the balcony.
"Uh… P-P'Fia?" The person above tilted his head to look at the one in front, but someone's gaze froze on his smooth, perfect face.
(Fah-sai: Whoa… such a pretty face.)
Gasp!
(Damn… solid body, and smooth too… and heavy!)
"P-P'Fia, why…?" Big round eyes stared down, lips twitching as a tiny voice squeaked.
"What the hell do you think you're doing? Almost fell off the balcony! Do you know how scared I just got?!" He shouted at the figure collapsed on top of him.
"I-It's not… who are you? Why are you in my friend's room?" The pretty-faced guy pushed up, but he held him down, not letting him get away. Usually so bold, now he was embarrassed in front of a handsome guy.
"Uh… don't get up yet."
"Why?"
"I-I… uh… I'm naked." His eyes darted downward to the figure pressed on him, face bright red as he caught sight of the towel lying nearby.
"Huh?"
"Just got out of the shower and only have this one towel."
"I'm getting up don't hold me!"
"Can't… I said… don't move, I'm naked!"
"I won't look, I'll close my eyes…" The other guy shut his eyes tight, so he released his hold and guided him toward the room—a funny scene, considering they were both guys.
"Okay… okay… just… keep your eyes closed."
"Mm."
The tattoos on his chest were stunning. What kind of guy is this? Skin so fair it's almost pink… damn it, he's a guy, right? So why does he have such pretty features and curling lashes?
"Are you leaving?"
"Ah, yeah, getting up… my leg hurts a little."
Click, thud thud thud!
Whoosh!
I grabbed the towel to wrap myself up and dashed to pull on a T-shirt immediately.
"Finished?"
"Done."
"Who are you? And where are Ming and Kwan? Where did they go?" The kid, a friend of those twin monkeys… that must mean…
"Ah, well… they're at home, not sure why. I… I just got back from abroad, so they let me rent this place temporarily. And you… who are you, and how did you get onto the balcony? And what were you doing just now?" I was embarrassed as hell. Normally I'd speak casually, but now… damn, I was blushing like crazy.
"…A cat," the beautiful-faced guy replied shortly, keeping it brief… what the hell, I couldn't understand a word.
"Huh? A cat?"
"It wandered up here, so I pulled it up." Ah, so he's a true animal lover.
"I'm Farsai. And you?" I felt like a kid introducing myself in class—stiff and awkward as hell.
"I'm Ung-ing."
"Oh."
Ah, now it clicked. This was Ung-ing, Ming and Kwan's friend. Gorgeous face, built body… damn it, why is someone with a muscular physique and pretty face so damn sexy? And standing there half-naked, showing pink nipples in someone else's room…
"My shirt…"
"Fell downstairs when you charged in just now."
"Why were you charging?"
"Uh…"
"I've known Ming and Kwan for ages, but I didn't know they had a friend who looks like… someone I know."
The guy was starting to dig into my history, and he looked smart as hell. Was I about to get busted?
"Ah… I just got a nose job, so my face changed a little. Heh, heh." Nose job? I haven't even eaten lunch yet!
"Oh, Ming said you can freely come here for water. Make yourself at home." I didn't care about the water—I wanted to get close to him. That would make my plan easier.
"Thanks… I'm twenty-five. How old are you?" Younger by five years, but way richer… maybe five hundred times over?
"Thirty."
"…Nice to meet you."
The small talk with this stranger continued. Ung-ing was irresistibly charming. Sitting upright, drinking water, looking like a male model… so cute, so sexy, it was impossible to look away.
"Ung-ing, since we'll be neighbors, can you show me around the city sometimes?"
"Me?" Isn't it obvious? I'm talking to a guy… not a dog.
"Yes. By the way, are you hungry?"
"I don't eat at night. Unless I'm at a party or out at night, I only eat out of courtesy. And I can't cook. I used to have someone cook for me, but now they cook for someone else."
Just mentioning the ex made the beautiful guy's expression gloomy, like storm clouds forming. Why waste time thinking about someone who doesn't love you?
"When I was abroad, I cooked for myself often. People said I was good. Want to try my cooking? In exchange, I'll take you along somewhere." My grandmother always said people who can cook are always wanted everywhere… seems she was right.
"Yeah… I guess life abroad is pretty free. People make new friends easily."
"Yeah… since we became fast friends, there's no overthinking like in Thailand. We share the same close friend, live next door… we can help each other. Or… do you dislike me because I look like your ex?"
Ah, so just teasing could make him think that? Didn't expect that at all.
"No… it's just…"
"Feeling uneasy because someone who looks like your ex is getting close?" Fake dramatic much. If you keep this up, I'll smear eye drops to make you cry just wait.
"I thought I could forget him… but it's unavoidable. We're in the same elite company circles. Our dads are close, and in a few days there'll be a company event where we'll have to see each other."
"And you'll have to go?"
"Yes, I'm moving into management to replace my dad, so I have to attend."
"And… the other side?"
"My ex and their partner will also be at the event."
So it's the couple going together, and you're just the lonely garlic clove… kind of pathetic. Ueng-ing replied, voice tired, body looking strong and sturdy, but inside probably felt like old wounds being stabbed over and over every time facing that person.
"Can I come with you?" The words slipped out as fast as the thought loud and blunt. I'm straightforward like that; even if I'm faking it in this little drama, I can still feel for others, you know?
"Uh… you… are you free?"
My job is literally to stick to you, so "free" here means not free at all.
"I'm always free. If Ueng-ing doesn't mind, and people gossip about me tagging along with a new partner who looks like the ex, you can take me anywhere. It's all yours."
"You're kind of funny… always tilting your head, moving around. I don't really see anyone in the business circle act like this. It's… unusual."
Yeah, I'm a regular guy, not some high-society stiff I can't go around all stiff and serious like you lot.
"Right. Anything you want me to do, just tell me. I don't like people who betray those who trust them."
I'm just playing the part to survive, really.
"…I don't want to go alone either… I'd like you to come with me, Farsai." His lips lifted in a small, almost shy smile.
Damn it! Even just a little grin looks ridiculously beautiful. My heart's pounding like crazy. I'm supposed to be the predator here, but why the hell is my heart shaking? Offering help like some drama's leading man it's supposed to make the other swoon, not me!