Phoenix Operation (3)
[Guardian Spirit]: Someone created an Instagram account.
[Guardian Spirit]: Image sent
[Guardian Spirit]: @Lone Wolf
[Lone Wolf]: The first photo has the caption "mine."
[Lone Wolf]: @Jayden, are you two together?
[Jayden]: Not yet, not yet.
[Lone Wolf]: Then why "mine"?
[Jayden]: Dan said that if I post a photo on Instagram,
[Jayden]: people will know that this person is mine.
[Jayden]: So don't get close.
[Lone Wolf]: This kid is really brave,
[Jayden]: Dan said Nao also posts photos of Tiger.
[Jayden]: Because Tiger is handsome.
[Jayden]: And also very cute.
[Lone Wolf]: Oh my god, where am I?
[Lone Wolf]: Too sweet!
[Guardian Spirit]: Image sent
[Guardian Spirit]: Image sent
[Guardian Spirit]: This is North's Instagram. What do you think, Jayden?
[Jayden]: Boss North also posts a lot of photos of Johan.
[Guardian Spirit]: See? And he complains about love.
[Jayden]: Is love too sweet?
[Jayden]: And fragrant.
[Lone Wolf]: So, Dan is Jayden's love.
[Lone Wolf]: Back to the topic. Can you post a photo like this if you're not yet a couple?
[Jayden]: Dan said yes.
[Lone Wolf]: You have a lot of followers. You're a promising rookie boxer.
[Lone Wolf]: Why did you start Instagram?
[Jayden]: The coach told me to open an account to promote myself.
[Guardian Spirit]: And the first photo is Dan.
[Guardian Spirit]: Fans will be confused. Hahaha.
[Lone Wolf]: Promoting yourself as a boxer? > No.
[Lone Wolf]: Promoting that Dan is cute? > Yes.
[Lone Wolf]: But Dan hasn't posted a photo of Jayden. Why?
[Guardian Spirit]: Haven't you two become a couple yet?
[Jayden]: I already asked him.
[Jayden]: But Dan said wait until we officially date.
[Lone Wolf]: Then why haven't you two gotten together?
[Lone Wolf]: Everything seems fine.
[Lone Wolf]: Nao, do you know why Dan hasn't agreed yet?
[Guardian Spirit]: Dan said he wants to take it slow.
[Guardian Spirit]: I'll try asking gently.
[Lone Wolf]: Ask gently.
[Guardian Spirit]: Agreed.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
[Guardian Spirit]: Dan, why haven't you become Jayden's boyfriend yet?
[DanDan]: Did you guys talk about this in the group?
[Guardian Spirit]: North told me to ask you.
[DanDan]: I'm not fully ready yet.
[DanDan]: Everything's fine, but...
[DanDan]: I feel like I don't have enough time to take good care of him as a partner.
[DanDan]: I'm planning to quit my job.
[Guardian Spirit]: Wow.
[Guardian Spirit]: Agreed.
[Guardian Spirit]: Can I tell the group?
[DanDan]: Yes, of course.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
[Guardian Spirit]: Image sent
[Guardian Spirit]: Here it is.
[Lone Wolf]: Good question.
[Lone Wolf]: Ah, I understand. So, Jayden, wait a little longer for Dan.
[Lone Wolf]: Take it easy, don't rush.
[Jayden]: Okay.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
"Dan."
"Hmm?" I turned to look at him. "What were you talking about in the group?"
"Boss North said to wait, but I think you've been taking good care of me."
"But I'll have more time for you," I smiled, patting his head. "Just wait a little longer."
Jay nodded, understanding.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
The next day, I handed in my resignation letter, but my boss offered to finish the project in a month, working alone, with an additional bonus. I accepted the offer. This month will be very busy, but after that, I can rest.
Jay and I stayed the same, but now he's more attentive. He used to kiss my cheek once a day, but now, with his coaxing, he does it twice, morning and night. We went through our daily routine: Jay trained, I worked, we talked at lunch, and met in the afternoon.
Jay fought more frequently, gaining fame and money quickly. He had never lost, often winning by knockout. He even got his first championship belt. After each victory, he asked for a reward, often referring to himself in the third person. "Jay is tired, Jay is hurt, Jay needs encouragement before fighting." And then he'd ask for more rewards. Maybe one day my cheek will bruise, but I can't refuse his requests.
"Hey, when you win... You should get the championship belt," I said as he hugged me from behind. We were sitting on the bed, and Jay hugged me tighter.
"I gave it to the coach."
"That's your prize."
"My prize is this," he said, leaning in and kissing my cheek. Although he had kissed me many times, I was never used to it. It always made me blush and nervous. He pressed his lips harder, rubbing his nose as if he was savoring the scent. Finally, he pulled away. "Your cheek smells nice."
"You've said that before," I lowered my head, feeling my heart beat faster. "Enough for today."
"But I-"
"No," I cut him off, breaking free from his hug. Jay easily let me go. I sat at my desk. "I have to work."
Jay pouted.
"Sorry I don't have time for you."
"It's okay, I'll wait."
"Alright. You're so understanding."
I started working while Jay watched me, as usual. Soon, Fei came to ask him to play.
He seemed to want to stay with me, but I told him if he didn't want to rest, he should play with his friends. So, he left. Curious, I asked Nao through chat what they were playing. He said they were playing Uno, with Mom too. I sighed. I wanted to play, but I had to work.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Two weeks later, I was working at the office after several sleepless nights. My body felt so tired. I couldn't stand the headache, so I went to find some medicine. I stopped when I felt something wet coming from my nose. At first, I thought it was mucus, but when I wiped it with a tissue, I saw that it was blood.
"Boss," Nok called me in a panicked tone when he saw the nosebleed on my face.
He immediately came over to help. "Are you okay? I told you to rest." Nok scolded me while helping to clean the blood. Everyone in the office stopped working and stared at me. "I think they did this on purpose to make you upset."
"Nok, you're being too negative," I replied, trying to calm him down.
"It's not like that. The boss doesn't want you to leave because you're so good at your job. He's afraid you'll move to a competitor, so he offered you a raise, stock options, everything. And when you still decided to leave, he gave you an impossible project with a big bonus. Who can handle that much work? It's obviously a trap."
"Can we sue?" one of the team members asked. "This isn't fair."
"I don't think it's possible because I accepted the offer," I said.
"But this isn't fair. Originally, the work wasn't that much, but then they kept adding to it. This is clearly a violation of the agreement," Nok said, sounding frustrated. The team seemed to agree. "Let us help you."
"I can't. Everyone has their own tasks. I can't ask you to help me."
"Are you sure you don't want help?" Nok pulled out his phone and put his hand on his waist. I could guess what he meant. He was implying that if I didn't accept the help, he would tell Nao, because he and Nok had a deal.
"If it's not too much trouble..."
"Good." Nok put his phone away. Finally, all the team members helped me finish the task. I was really grateful, considering they had their own jobs too. With everyone's help, we finished the work ahead of schedule. But when I submitted the results, my boss didn't accept it. He said the agreement was that I had to do it alone without help.
He offered me another project, but I didn't accept it. I just sighed, frustrated, as I left his office.
"He didn't accept it?" Nok frowned. "Because we helped you?"
"Yeah, he said it violated the agreement."
"It's impossible to finish all that alone," one of the team members said. "In a month, it's impossible."
"So you won't get the bonus before you leave," Nok said.
"Right," I answered softly, packing my things on the desk, amidst murmurs of discontent from the team. Once I was done, we planned a farewell party. After setting the date, I loaded my things into the car and headed home.
That afternoon, only Mom and Nao were home. They seemed happy because I was finally unemployed.
"How's it going? Is everything alright?"
"Well..." I started explaining. After hearing me out, both of them went from happy to upset. Especially Nao, who had never liked my boss from the beginning. If I didn't stop him, he might have already planned something to fight back.
Nao protested and cursed at my boss before saying he would fix the problem.
"What are you going to do?"
"Talk."
"Talk?"
"Men solve problems with their hands."
"Even if he apologizes, I won't forgive him. Because in my house, men don't solve problems with apologies," Nao said angrily. Mom and I went silent.
"Is your house not our home, Nao? Here we solve problems with apologies," Mom said, confused. I couldn't help but laugh.
"Mom, it's just an expression," Nao flopped onto the sofa, annoyed. "But Dan, this isn't right."
"What do you suggest?"
"Do you want exclusive revenge or economic revenge?"
"What?" I furrowed my brow. "Give me more details."
"If you want an exclusive, talk to Tiger. With the company, we can buy it or become partners, then fire him or get revenge."
"That takes a lot of money," I said.
"So, economics."
"No."
"How cheap do you want it? We could mess with his tires or attack him. I've trained in boxing."
"What if we kidnap them?"
"Fei with a princess mask."
"Nao," I laughed. "Forget it. I'm pissed, but I don't want to make trouble. I want a full rest. Let's just celebrate that I'm unemployed now."
"Alright. Dan, you don't work that much anymore. Can we do a livestream together today?"
"Sure."
"Great! Let's do a livestream. Everyone wants to see you."
"Now?"
"Yes."
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
[Tg]: Where are you?
[Jayden]: At the gym.
[Tg]: Oh..
[Tg]: Ha, ha, ha,
[Jayden]: What's going on?
[Tg]: You're going to face an inevitable fate, young one.
[Tg]: Just like what happened to me.
[Jayden]: Are you talking about Damrong (ดํารง)?"
*ดํารง = the persistent one, the one who endures, the one who keeps.
[Tg]: Huh?
[Jayden]: Yeah?
[Tg]: Oh... yeah.
[Tg]: Link sent
[Jayden]: What is this?
[Tg]: Click the link.
[Jayden]: It says I have to register first.
[Tg]: Then register.
[Jayden]: What is this?
[Jayden]: Dan said I need to be careful when registering for something.
[Jayden]: I'll ask Dan first.
[Tg]: Good.
[Jayden]: Dan said it's fine to register.
[Jayden]: I've registered.
[Tg]: Alright, click the link.
[Jayden]: Okay.
[Jayden]: What are Dan and Nao doing?
[Tg]: Answer the call, I'll explain.
[Tg]: Calling
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
"Thanks for the 200 bits. Do you want me to pose like a cat? How do I do it?" I read the comment out loud.
"You have to pose like a cat," Nao said. "Make your hands like cat claws."
"Ah, in that case, better not," I said, before seeing the next comment. "The comments are moving so fast. Sorry if I missed some. Do you want to see Dan play a game? I'm not good at games, do you want me to play a horror game?"
"Dan's not scared of ghosts."
"Not really, as usual. Oh, wait," I saw a notification from Jay in the chat, asking earlier if he could register for the streaming site. I told him it was fine.
[Jayden]: Dan 😡
[Jayden]: Why are you talking to other people?
I smiled seeing the angry emoji. He just learned how to send things like that now.
[DanNuea]: I was just reading the comments.
[Jayden]: Tiger already told me everything.
[Jayden]: Because he's already experienced it.
[Jayden]: And Dan's in front of the camera.
[Jayden]: And you're talking to other people.
[Jayden]: You're funny, and everyone can see how funny you are.
[Jayden]: Nao too. Tiger doesn't like it.
[Jayden]: I don't like it either.
Oh my god, what should I do with this?
[DanNuea]: That's Nao's job.
[DanNuea]: Streaming game.
[Jayden]: Tiger said you don't need to show your face..
[Jayden]: And there will be people wanting to get close to you.
[Jayden]: I'll have a rival.
[Jayden]: I was going to ask Dan to be my boyfriend tonight.
[Jayden]: 😤
[DanNuea]: And you say that to me like this?
[Jayden]: Dan said when you stop working
[Jayden]: And if you have time, you'll be my boyfriend.
[DanNuea]: Oh.
[Jayden]: I'll be back soon.
[Jayden]: Many people want to get close to you.
[DanNuea]: Not true.
[DanNuea]: Don't worry, continue your training.
[Jayden]: I understand Tiger now.
[DanNuea]: Understand what?
[Jayden]: His pain.
[DanNuea]: What were you talking about with Tiger? Hahaha.
"Dan, what are you doing? Don't keep looking at your phone."
"Oh, sorry." I looked up and saw a scarf near me, so I wore it around my neck and covered my mouth.
"What are you doing?"
"It's cold."
"What?"
"It's cold."
"Huh?"
"I mean, I'm cold."
Nao turned from the game he was playing and looked at me confused, pointing at himself. "You're cold?"
"Do you want this scarf?"
"Yeah, it's cold because of the rain," Nao said, so I shared the scarf with him. It was big and long enough for both of us.
"What was that? I'm confused."
I read more comments, all saying we looked cute sharing the scarf. Then I replied to Jay in the chat..
[DanNuea]: Is it enough now?
[DanNuea]: I've covered my face.
[Jayden]: How about a hat and glasses?
[DanNuea]: I'll bring them next time.
[Jayden]: Okay
[Jayden]: I need to keep practicing.
[Jayden]: Wait for me, I'll be back in four hours.
[DanNuea]: Okay, hahaha.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
[Tg]: You did well, Dan.
[Tg]: Keep doing it naturally like now
[Tg]: Next time, you should wear a mask.
[DanNuea]: What were you talking about with Jay, Tiger?
[Tg]: Yeah, about the pain every son-in-law in this family has to endure.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
When it was time to pick up Fei, Nao ended his livestream. It was the first time in months that I picked up Fei from school. The little girl ran toward me in her school uniform, as cheerful as ever.
"Uncle came to pick me up!"
"Uncle has free time now."
"Yay! Uncle will have time to play with me."
"Yes, that's right."
On the way home, we stopped at a coffee shop to enjoy some desserts. When we got home, we prepared to celebrate something. Soon after, Tiger and Jay arrived. Jay walked into the kitchen where we were all gathered. I was drying my hands and was about to approach him, but I stopped when I heard him say:
"Dan, be my boyfriend."
I didn't know how to react. Everyone went silent, and the house was filled with a thick silence. I quickly took Jay outside to the garden.
"What are you doing?" I asked nervously. "Why didn't you wait for the right moment to confess your feelings? You came to my house, saw me, and then said it right away without considering the atmosphere. Everyone's here."
"I thought I should confess right away. I finished my practice and rushed home."
I covered my face, embarrassed, almost kneeling. "No, wait a little longer and then ask."
"As I said, I want to be your boyfriend right now."
"Why the rush?"
"I've been waiting."
"I understand."
Jay slowly took my hand. My face felt hot, and I didn't dare look him in the eye.
"You don't want to accept it? Dan?"
"...I do," I answered quietly, still keeping my head down. My hands intertwined with his. "I do."
"Thank you," Jay immediately hugged me. I was surprised by the sudden hug. I looked toward the window and saw everyone in the house watching us. I gently pushed him away.
"Are we a couple now?"
"Yes, but let go of me first."
Jay let go. I looked toward the window, and everyone inside the house immediately disappeared from sight. I invited him to sit on the garden bench because he was still reluctant to go inside. Why couldn't they eavesdrop more quietly?
"Dan, now we're a couple, can we kiss?"
"What?"
"Because we're dating now, can we kiss?" he repeated. It's not that I didn't hear him, I was just surprised because he said it so suddenly. "Boss North asked me to find out. I've found out. A kiss..."
"We'll talk about that later," I interrupted. "Let's rest first. Let's celebrate first, then we'll talk about this."
"Okay."
After calming down, we went back inside the house. The first thing everyone asked was, "Are you two a couple now?" They seemed very eager to hear my answer.
"Yes," I answered softly.
"Wow!" Nao said the word long and smiled. Then everyone congratulated us. They said this celebration was for both my resignation and our relationship. At first, I thought if Jay hadn't asked me to be his boyfriend, I would have asked him, maybe with a gift or a surprise. But this wasn't a problem. The feeling had been there for a long time, so it wasn't hard to accept.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
After the celebration, we went upstairs, showered, changed clothes, and sat down to talk.
"Have you been sleeping well lately?"
"Yes."
"No nightmares or waking up in the middle of the night?"
"No."
"Good," I said. In a few days, we had an appointment with Dr. TonFah. Jay had improved quickly, so the doctor's medicine must have been very effective.
"Dan, now we're a couple, what can we do?"
"What do you want to do?"
"Kiss you."
I smiled. This person was really honest, like a child.
"What did you learn?"
"A kiss is a way to show love. It's when your lips touch someone else's body. Each place has a different meaning. In some cultures, kissing is a greeting. From what I've read, kissing on the lips is something done with a partner."
"You did research, and now you want to do it with me?"
"Yes, but if you don't want to, it's okay. I'll still ask for a kiss on the cheek many times."
I gently shook my head. "Come closer."
Jay obediently moved closer. I slowly closed the distance, closing my eyes as our noses touched, and our lips gently met. I pressed a little and held the kiss. I could feel his warm breath mixing with mine. My heart was racing. After a moment, I pulled away and smiled at him.
Jay touched his lips, making my face turn even redder.
"Dan."
"What's wrong?"
"I really liked it."
I smiled at him widely. "I liked it too."
"Can I ask for another one?"
I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Say you love me first."
"I love Dan. I love Dan so much."
"I love you too. I love you so much."
Jay lowered his head and kissed me again.