Back to present.
Mhok's pov
It has been three hours since rome left here. Am i making a mistake by letting him go? Never mind. It's good for both of us. Atleast that's what I say to myself. It's good. We could survive it.
I shut my eyes briefly, inhaling slow, controlled breaths, the same way I do before missions. In through the nose. Out through the mouth. Calm the body first. The mind will follow. That's what my mentor says when u got My first injury in my training.
This is right, I tell myself.
It's necessary.
Rome deserves someone who doesn't hesitate every time he reaches out.
Someone who doesn't treat affection like a breaching the protocol. Someone who won't freeze at the edge of happiness because rules were written long before either of us learned how to want.
And I'm not that person.
Never have been that person to him.
I repeat it again, firmer this time. It's good for both of us.
He'll move on. He's strong, adaptable, surrounded by people who love him freely.
I swallow hard.
I don't let myself sit with it any longer.
Thinking is dangerous right now. It opens doors I've spent years reinforcing. So I do what I've always done when emotions start demanding answers I don't have.
I look for work.
My phone vibrates just as I grab my keys.
Khun Thee.
I took the call. He asks me to help nong plub in some work. But I got a pleasant surprise when I heard that khun thee is going to propose to peach from nong plub. She already loves khun thee like a brother. I smiled at her excitement. We both worked on some plans and drafted it to khun thee. But as I entered his space, it was full of scrunched paper tossed here and there with khun thee clutching his head.
" mhoookkk! Why it seems like nothing comes to my mind? " he wailed.
"just think calmly boss. You can do it " he looks at me like I've spoken in another language. Then he waves a hand at me . "Goaway. Mhok You're distracting me with your calmness."
I raise an eyebrow. "You called me khun thee."
"Yes, and now I regret it. Go before I lose my mind."
I smile despite myself and step back. As I leave, I hear him muttering under his breath again, already deep into his thoughts.
Poor Peach indeed.
Andd.....The proposal happens three days later.
Nong Plub won't stop counting down. She's buzzing from morning itself, practically vibrating as she drags me around, checking arrangements, confirming details, making sure everything is just right. She keeps smiling to herself, eyes bright, like she's holding a secret too big for her chest. It's like she is the one proposing to a guy. I laughed at her saying this.
"You're nervous," I tell her as we check the last setup.
"No," she says immediately. Then quieter, "Okay, maybe a little. But in a good way p'mhok"
She looks happy. Genuinely happy.
It settles something in me.
The evening air carrying the smell of flowers and something sweet. Peach arrives thinking it's just another family dinner.
He freezes when he sees Khun Thee standing there alone with a mike. He smiles at him.
Confusion crosses his face first. Then suspicion. Then realization. I and nong plub laughed at his reaction. It's so fun.
Khun Thee clears his throat. He looks... different. Less composed than the ARSENI ceo. More like ahuman.
"Peach," he starts, then stops, laughing softly at himself. "I had a whole song prepared."
And starts to sing it. Even we are hearing it for the first time. It's genuinely shocking how good my boss sings, he sand too well. And the song, it's so cute that it's about their love story, i can't even stop my blushes.
Nong Plub clasps her hands together beside me, eyes shining.
Khun Thee takes a step forward as the song ends.
Peach's smile fades into something softer.
"I don't know how to promise forever," Khun Thee says, voice steady despite the emotion in his eyes. "But I know how to choose you. Every day. Even on the days when I'm difficult. Especially on those days."
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box.
The world seems to hold its breath.
"Will you let me choose you for the rest of my life?"
Peach doesn't answer immediately.
He steps forward instead, closing the distance, eyes glistening. Then he laughs. "Yes. ."
Nong Plub gasps and claps a hand over her mouth, tears spilling freely now. I feel a strange tightness in my chest as the ring slides onto Peach's finger and Khun Thee pulls him into a hug that's a little too tight, a little too emotional for a man who usually keeps everything contained.
Applause breaks out as the fireworks start to decorate the sky in their union.
Their love is so, complicated and brave.
I smile.
Really smile.
They deserve it.
As the celebration continues, we step back, giving them space. The garden lights glow softly above, and for a moment, everything feels... balanced.
Some people fight for love.
Some people wait.
Some people choose it boldly, without apology.
I watch Khun Thee lean in to whisper something to Peach, making him laugh, and I think, not bitterly,but:
This is good.
This is how it should be.
And even though a part of me aches in a way I refuse to name, I stand a little straighter.
And breathe longer. Its for good.