The place where Nakrob took Kon Hin was a famous bar-style restaurant.
In the evening, the restaurant was lively with many people who had come out to socialize on their day off.
The live music in the center of the restaurant began playing a song that made people nod along, but for Kon Hin, he had no mood to join in the fun of the surrounding atmosphere.
"Come on, drink up, Ai Hin. At a time like this, you’ve got to drink up."
This was in contrast to his best friend, who was urging him to drink, causing Kon Hin to reluctantly take the glass.
"At a time like this, you’ve got to drink to forget," Nakrob insisted.
"But didn’t you just tell the kid in the council to cut back on drinking?" Kon Hin retorted.
This made Nakrob wave his hand dismissively, looking as if he had just heard about it for the first time.
"Who said that? At a time like this, you’ve got to drink up."
Kon Hin knew his friend was worried. He knew that Nakrob’s words were meant to help him forget about his Chao-nai, and that might be the reason Kon Hin reluctantly lifted the drink to his lips, smiling through his sorrow.
"Come on, drink up. Just drink it as my friend," Nakrob slapped Kon Hin's shoulder hard and lifted his glass to drink half of it in one go, nodding toward the glass in Kon Hin's hand.
Kon Hin paused for a moment, slowly closing his eyes.
"Sigh..."
Even though he sighed heavily, Kon Hin also lifted the glass and drank half of it in one go, just like his friend.
The truth was, maybe he did want to let go, just as his friend suggested.
B-ring... B-ring...
Gasp!
Suddenly, the phone that had been lying face down on the table vibrated violently, startling Kon Hin, causing him to spill the drink on his shirt. He turned to look at the phone in alarm, just as he had when he saw his Chao-nai call earlier that morning. Kon Hin both wanted to answer the call and tell the person not to see Khun Wadi, and at the same time, he wanted to turn away and forget everything.
Now, Kon Hin felt the same way.
The young man stared at the phone for several seconds, and when he reached out to pick it up...
Grab!
"Go to the bathroom, your shirt is all stained," Nakrob was faster, grabbing the phone instead, looking at Kon Hin with a serious expression.
"Now is not the time for you to check your phone, it's the time for you to wash your face."
Kon Hin realized then that it wasn't because his shirt smelled of alcohol, but because as soon as he heard the phone vibrating, he looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He paused for a moment, deep in thought, then nodded slowly.
"I'll be right back."
Even though he stood up, Kon Hin still looked at the phone with a sorrowful expression.
He turned to head to the bathroom, but...
Grab
"Ai Hin!"
Kon Hin yanked the phone back from his friend's hand and saw a short message...
...Thank you, Khun Hin...
The sender wasn't the person he had been waiting for, but a woman, who had attached a picture. Kon Hin's trembling hand scrolled to open the image, and there he saw... his handsome boss smiling widely at the camera, looking genuinely happy.
At that moment, it felt like the world was crashing down in front of him.
"Ai Hin?"
"Sorry, I need to borrow your phone for a moment."
Kon Hin almost threw the phone to his friend, not even bothering to lock it. He quickly walked straight to the bathroom, entered a stall, and locked the door. Then, he raised his hands to cover his face because... tears were pouring from his eyes.
What was he expecting?
A boss who would angrily ask where he had been?
A boss who called him to punish him?
A boss who said he wanted to be with him more than anyone else?
Why was he still hoping for something impossible?
The question caused Kon Hin to collapse onto the dirty floor, lacking even the strength to prop himself up. His head hung low as tears continued to fall onto the tiled floor. But what he saw was the photo.
"More... more..."
Kon Hin shoved his fist into his mouth to stifle his sobs.
In the picture, Khun Tul looked happy, sitting before a lavish spread, with his beautiful girlfriend. It was such a beautiful birthday party that anyone would envy. But why did his heart burn and ache so much? Why was it so painful, unable to stop the tears streaming down his face?
This was it. The person he had always prayed for... the woman who made Khun Tul happy.
So why, when she was brought into his life, did he feel this burning jealousy that almost drove him mad?
Isn’t Khun Tul supposed to be mine? Isn’t he supposed to be only mine?
And Kon Hin knew the answer all too well... there would never be such a day.
"Wadi sent the photo to your friends, right? To show she’s with Khun Tul?"
"Of course, yes."
Even though a lavish meal was served before him, paired with expensive wine, even though he sat in a restaurant with a view worth millions, even though he was surrounded by beautiful women whom everyone desired…
The birthday boy, who had everything this year, would rather celebrate his birthday with another man in the cramped bedroom of Kon Hin than in any luxurious setting.
No need for birthday wishes from others.
No need for surprises.
No need for expensive gifts.
Just having him sitting with him, cuddled under the same blanket.
"Happy birthday, Khun Tul."
Why did he think of those earlier days, back when he was younger, when it was just Kon Hin by his side? The small voice of the dark-skinned, lanky boy whispering excitedly, unlike Khun Tul, who held him tightly and asked why no one else was wishing him a happy birthday. And the boy always answered... "You have me, right? You have Kon Hin."
Why did he want to go back to that time?
"Khun Tul?"
"Uh, excuse me, what did you say, Wadi?"
"You weren't listening at all, were you, Khun Tul?"
Tul forced a smile at Napawadi, noticing her face darken immediately.
He responded in a soft voice, "It’s just that you are so beautiful today I can’t take my eyes off you."
The listener blushed deeply, giving him a small, playful glare.
"Such sweet talk, Khun Tul. Are you this sweet-talking with everyone?"
Yes, he was sweet-talking with everyone—everyone except Ai Hin.
"Oh, is it wrong for me to be sweet with my romantic partner?" Tul asked with a feigned innocent expression.
How would it feel for it to be Ai Hin sitting here instead?
"Then I guess it’s not wrong."
Had he ever made Ai Hin feel this happy before?
Tul grew irritated with himself for thinking about someone else, knowing full well this was an important moment. A proper ladylike Napawadi loved him so much that she had planned this surprise, showing everyone their relationship. Yet Tul felt no joy at all. In the beginning, deciding to date this woman shouldn’t have felt so frustrating. Now, though, he wanted to delete every photo Wadi had taken, whether she intended to show them off to friends or post them online, because… he didn’t want Hin to see them.
Tul clenched his teeth tightly.
He never thought that hearing Kon Hin say he loved him would have such an impact, making him want to ask, If you love me, why did you send this woman to me? Though he already knew the answer—it was all for what he desired.
He knew, but it still infuriated him.
"I will excuse myself to the restroom for a moment, Khun Tul."
"Go ahead."
Tul kept smiling, watching Napawadi walk out of sight before grabbing his phone, intending to call Kon Hin and demand, Where are you? His heart burned in torment as if he were in hellfire.
What he saw though was a message from Nakrob, who had sent him a picture. At first, he was going to ignore it, but something told him that they might be together, and this only added fuel to his irritation. He swiped his finger to open the image, and there it was—
A picture of Kon Hin leaning his cheek close to a beautiful woman.
If he wasn’t mistaken… Rose.
The man gripped his phone so tightly his knuckles turned white, staring at the woman in the photo as though he wanted to kill her. He had a suspicion since the last time they met that this junior didn’t genuinely intend to consult him. After investigating with Professor Danai, he found out that Rose was an exceptional student, brilliant beyond compare, and didn’t have academic issues warranting her seeking his help.
However, since he couldn’t figure out what she wanted back then, Tul had let it slide.
Now, he understood.
All this time, Kon Hin had never been involved with anyone else, and no one else had approached him. His social status, demeanor, and modest nature had always reassured Tul. Still it wasn’t as if Tul hadn’t considered the possibility that someone might one day take him away. That was why he repeatedly told Kon Hin, You’re mine. Only mine.
It was a deeply rooted fear in his heart.
Seeing Ai Hin with someone else made him so enraged he nearly lost his mind.
You’re mine, Ai Hin!!!
Tul roared in fury, glaring at the photo of the man and woman seemingly in a bar together. Even though he knew Nakrob was there as well, the sight of them leaning into each other like that was intolerable.
Ding!
...Ai Jit, is Rose, your friend, dating Phii Hin?...
The tall man froze, his eyes widening as he saw the notification from the student committee group. He quickly opened it to read.
...She posted a picture on Instagram like she’s Phii Hin’s girlfriend...
A junior had uploaded a screenshot from the app to the group, and Tul nearly threw his phone to the floor.
It was a picture of Kon Hin with his arm around Rose’s waist while the beautiful woman leaned against his shoulder. His face was flushed red, his eyes dreamy with the effects of heavy drinking, making his gaze even more alluring. Tul could almost hear a countdown timer ticking loudly in his head.
And then, Jitrid replied: No idea, but Rose has liked Phii Hin for a long time. She’s been pursuing him...
Tul immediately closed the conversation and slammed his phone down on the table.
"Khun Tul, is something wrong?"
"No!"
At that moment, Napawadi returned, her voice full of concern. Tul’s curt and harsh response made her face fall.
"Khun Tul?"
The man named Tul raised his head and locked eyes with the beautiful woman in front of him. He knew he should be attentive, aware that Napawadi expected something romantic and sweet. Yet, his patience had run out. Rising to his full height, he gave her a perfunctory smile and said with a tense voice,
"I’ll be right back. There’s a work issue I need to handle."
Without waiting for a response, Tul strode out of the dining room, searching for a quiet corner to make a call to the person currently with someone else.
I told you, you’re mine. You’re mine alone!
~~~
“Phii Hin, enough, please stop!”
At Nakrob and Kon Hin’s table, it wasn’t just the two men anymore. An hour earlier, Rose, the adventurous beauty, had joined them after Nakrob urgently summoned her. She was surprised to see the usually composed Kon Hin downing alcohol as if it were water, and mixers as if they were food. One glass followed another in an endless loop until Rose firmly grabbed her senior's hand. Looking over at Nakrob, she saw him busy with his phone, snapping pictures, and felt a surge of irritation.
"Phii Rob! Come over here and help stop Phii Hin!"
"Why stop him? Let him drink. It’s rare for him to do something for himself." Nakrob gave a wicked grin, then continued pressing buttons on his phone with a smug expression.
"Ugh, Ai Phii Rob!" Rose shouted angrily before turning her attention back to Kon Hin.
“Phii Hin, your face is all red!” she tried to warn him, holding his wrist tightly. Kon Hin turned to her with a drunken, alluring smile, his eyes reddened but glistening sweetly. Rose’s heart raced at the sight, but she remained determined to stop him before he passed out in the bar.
"Alright, alright. Since you’re here, take a picture with Ai Hin and post it on Instagram," Nakrob suddenly suggested with a mischievous tone.
"What’s with you, Phii?"
"Hey, didn’t you say you wanted a photo together? I’ll take one for you." Without waiting for an answer, Nakrob stepped in, pulling Kon Hin’s hand to rest on Rose’s shoulder and nudging Rose closer into his friend’s embrace.
Rose’s face turned a deep shade of red. Still, Phii Hin’s chest is so warm. Moving away didn’t feel right.
“Ha! Your face gives you away, Ai Rose.”
"One more word, Phii Rob, and I’ll slap you flat! Fine, just one photo. No, wait, a bunch of them, please!" Rose handed over her phone immediately, knowing such an opportunity was rare. Kon Hin didn’t react at all, staying in whatever pose Nakrob set until Rose had her collection of beautiful photos for keepsakes.
"Post it on Instagram," Nakrob ordered.
“Wait a minute, Phii Rob. Didn’t you say Phii Tul wouldn’t like that?” Rose protested, recalling how her senior had lectured her about wooing Kon Hin earlier.
“Oh, he won’t care. He’s with his romantic partner.”
Rose’s eyes lit up. At first, she had secretly worried that these two inseparable seniors might be romantically involved, but upon hearing that Phii Tul already had a romantic partner, her heart danced with joy. Encouraged by Nakrob’s teasing, she quickly uploaded the photos to Instagram, silently thrilled that Phii Hin hadn’t objected.
"Nong Rose."
Rose looked up from her phone, turning toward the drunk man calling her in a slightly slurred voice.
"Yes, Phii Hin?" Her heart nearly stopped when their eyes met, his gaze sweet and intoxicating. Yet she was utterly shocked when he asked his next question.
"Nong Rose, do you really like me?"
“Yes, I do!” Rose responded confidently.
“Even though I’m just the child of a worker?” Phii Hin’s eyes looked sorrowful.
“Yes,” Rose affirmed without hesitation. She had never concerned herself with whether the family of the person she liked was rich or poor; being a good person was enough for her.
“Really?”
Drip.
Rose was utterly startled when a tear fell from Phii Hin’s eye.
He wasn’t crying out loud, but a single tear rolled down from just one eye, an image so heartbreaking it made her chest tighten. His smile, his gaze, and his expression resembled someone drowning—someone who believed they were about to die.
“If I could love you, Nong Rose... If I... I’m sorry... I’m sorry for being like this... sorry for loving someone I shouldn’t love. I’m sorry.”
Rose didn’t understand, but she knew one thing: a drunk person doesn’t lie. Phii Hin, who looked as though his heart might stop, wasn’t lying about how deeply sorrowful he felt. It pulled at her heartstrings. A premonition told her he already had someone he loved, and he was about to reject her. She grabbed his hand tightly.
“Phii Hin, please wait. Give me time... please, let me process this.”
Whoosh!
“I’m sorry, Rose. I’m so sorry.”
At that moment, Kon Hin lowered his face onto the palm of the younger girl’s hand. Warm tears fell onto the back of her hand as he spoke with a voice filled with despair, repeatedly apologizing. Yet, Rose wasn’t certain to whom his apologies were directed.
“I’m sorry... sorry for being like this... sorry... sorry for loving you... I’m sorry... I shouldn’t... I shouldn’t love you. I’m so sorry.”
Rose felt his tears touch her hand, and it made her heart burn with heat. Her eyes stung and grew red. She couldn’t discern whether she was crying because he was rejecting her or because his overwhelming sorrow was now flooding into her heart as well.
At this moment, Phii Hin wasn’t composed or dignified in the slightest. On the contrary, he seemed utterly pitiful. The man who once stood tall now hunched his shoulders toward her hand as if it were his last anchor. His head pressed down without any semblance of pride. The atmosphere grew so heavy it felt suffocating. Rose questioned herself: could a person feel such profound regret?
Just witnessing it made her feel sorrowful. What, then, must Phii Hin feel at this moment?
“Ai Hin,” Nakrob suddenly moved closer, sitting beside him and gripping the shoulders of the man who was sobbing uncontrollably.
“Phii Rob,” Rose swallowed hard, calling the senior’s name with difficulty. When he turned to meet her eyes, she softly asked,
“Who?”
Who was it that caused Phii Hin such immense sadness? Who made the man she loved cry until he was utterly drained?
Nakrob met her gaze for a fleeting moment before turning his eyes toward Kon Hin.
“Sit properly. Your tears are all over Rose’s hand.”
Gasp!
“I’m sorry... I’m sorry, Rose. I’m so sorry.”
The man, sobbing with his head lowered, flinched and desperately tried to grab a tissue from the table to wipe the younger girl’s hand. Instead, he knocked over a glass, spilling liquor across the table. He kept mumbling repeated apologies, his eyes red and brimming with tears, until Rose grabbed his hand firmly.
“No, Phii Hin, you don’t have to do anything. Please stop.”
“But I’m wrong. I’m the one at fault,” Kon Hin stammered, frantically trying to wipe the table with his sleeve while still crying.
Nakrob roared sharply, “Stop it already, you damn fool!”
“I... I have to... I made a mistake.”
“You didn’t, Ai Hin! Just stay still, damn it!”
Together, Rose and Nakrob pushed Kon Hin back into his chair, forcing him to sit quietly. Nakrob then pressed a cool towel over Hin’s tear-streaked eyes and pulled him into a firm embrace.
“Take a break, man. Just rest for a moment. I’m begging you. I’m begging you.”
Even Nakrob’s voice trembled, and by this point, Rose was crying.
“I’m sorry... I’m sorry for loving you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Rose had never seen Phii Kon Hin like this before. To her, he had always been the cool senior who could handle anything. But now, he seemed like a man who had lost everything.
Rose turned to meet Nakrob’s gaze again, silently mouthing one word: Who?
Scrape... scrape...
Suddenly, the phone lying face-down on the table buzzed loudly, causing the man with his eyes covered to stir. However, Nakrob’s hand firmly pressing the cloth against his face prevented further movement.
“It’s my phone, not yours,” Nakrob said firmly.
That statement calmed the startled man back into his earlier state of despondency. Rose’s gaze shifted to the phone on the table. It wasn’t Nakrob’s phone—it belonged to the man still sobbing into the cloth.
“Answer it,” Nakrob nodded, his eyes signaling that the younger girl’s silent question was about to receive its answer.
Rose inhaled deeply, then turned the phone over to see the caller ID.
...Khun Tul...
Her eyes widened in shock, the realization striking her like a thunderclap. Nakrob’s words echoed in her mind: Phii Tul is with his romantic partner.
The phone in her hand trembled as her grip tightened.
Phii Tul and Phii Hin were always together.
Phii Tul guarded Phii Hin more fiercely than a cobra protects its eggs.
Phii Tul and Phii Hin shared a relationship beyond that of boss and subordinate.
Phii Tul was the one Phii Hin had said he shouldn’t love. And Phii Tul was with... his romantic partner.
Rose’s hands began to shake. Her sharp, beautiful eyes flickered between the man who had lost everything, crying like a child in Nakrob’s embrace, and the name on the phone’s screen. Anger surged through her chest, and without hesitation, she rose to her feet, inhaled deeply, walked out of the room, and answered the call.
"Hello?"
”Who is this?”
"It is Rose, Khun Tul, correct? Oh, Phii Hin, stop that! Khun Tul is calling. Lie down properly," Rose replied sweetly, letting out a soft moan as though a man beside her was playfully bothering her.
”Let me speak to him!”
Khun Tul’s voice was deep and forceful, almost a growl, but Rose’s eyes glinted with rage.
If you care so much, then why the bloody hell did you go after someone else?! Rose thought.
"Phii Hin, Khun Tul wants to talk to you. Oh, Phii Hin, stop for a moment. Khun Tul—ah," Rose continued, her voice laced with suggestiveness, stumbling over her words as if flustered.
"I’m sorry, Khun Tul, but now really isn’t a good time."
”Hand the phone to him immediately!!!”
The voice on the other end roared, but Rose’s anger only deepened.
"I cannot—ah—I really cannot," she retorted.
”Where is Ai Rob?!”
"He left. He has gone already, Khun Tul. I really must hang up now. Phii Hin, do not grab me! Stop that—oh."
Without hesitation, Rose ended the call, ignoring the furious shouting from the other end. She stared coldly at the phone, her expression icy, as though daring the man to call back.
When he did, she immediately hung up again.
At that moment, Rose reflected on the relationship between the two men who were always together. Coupled with Nakrob's demeanor towards Phii Tul, she began to understand something significant. This realization only amplified her hatred toward the student council president. Her anger surged even more when she returned to the table and saw Kon Hin curled up, sobbing on the sofa chair.
Phii Hin gave you everything. Why must you hurt him? Why isn’t the one Phii Hin loves me?
"Phii Rob," Rose called.
Nakrob slowly shook his head, still gently patting Kon Hin’s head to comfort him.
"Do you want to hear it?"
The story of this man, which made Rose cry out of pure sympathy.
~~~
“Khun Tul, I think you’ve had too much to drink,” Napawadi said softly.
Meanwhile, as Kon Hin fell asleep in tears, on Tul’s side, the man was downing alcohol like water, one glass after another, justifying to the beautiful woman beside him that it was to celebrate his birthday. However, the increasing number of bottles began to unsettle Napawadi. Tul, noticing her unease, turned to her with sharp, glittering eyes, a stark contrast to his gentle smile.
"Will you come with me, Wadi?"
Though surprised, she felt relieved when her boyfriend called for the bill. Assuming on her own that she would drive him home after he went to the restroom, Napawadi didn’t expect Tul to lead her upstairs to a hotel room. Her unease grew, but the warm embrace around her waist persuaded her to follow him into the room.
"Wadi," Tul said as he turned to look into her eyes.
"Yes, Phii Tul," Napawadi replied, her body trembling like a helpless bird. She gazed into his golden-brown eyes, caught between infatuation and unease.
Her womanly intuition warned her of what was to come, but the moment their eyes met, her heart melted. His voice, pleading yet sweet, left her legs weak and unsteady.
"Can I have my birthday gift?"
"W-what do you mean?"
Tul smiled, but in that instant, Napawadi thought she glimpsed coldness in his eyes directed toward her.
Yet, she couldn’t think clearly as his warm lips brushed against hers, touching her with a sweetness tinged with passion. The innocent young woman felt her strength leave her. All she could do was hold onto his arm, overwhelmed by the intoxicating kiss, mingled with the scent of expensive liquor.
A part of her mind resisted, reminding her that they had only been dating for a short while. However, the demanding kisses and the knowing caresses exploring her delicate frame dissolved her resistance. Napawadi only realized what had happened when he placed her onto the large bed, his tall figure leaning over her.
"Phii Tul, no, please," she murmured in a faint voice.
"Please... Wadi," he whispered.
Those beautiful brown eyes stared directly into hers, accompanied by an irresistible touch. Her hands wrapped around his neck without objection.
From that moment, she lost all sense of time and awareness, surrendering herself to the man she loved with all her heart. Her soft moans filled the luxurious room, blending with the lewd sound of bare skin meeting in rhythm. Napawadi couldn’t discern anything anymore, not even the chilling words he murmured into her ear:
"So wet like this... Do you want me that badly, Wadi?"
"No, ah, Phii Tul!"
"Everyone's the same."
"No, ugh."
"Don't even think about leaving me. Don't you dare!"
Napawadi was utterly unaware of anything, unlike Tul, whose eyes were bloodshot as he relived the moment he heard an explosion in his mind when another woman answered the phone call meant for someone important to him!
The more he thought, the harder he threw himself against the gender he despised most—the gender that had stolen his precious person from his embrace, the gender that had destroyed everything in his life. Tul moved without tenderness, his gaze fixed on the beautiful woman crying with tears streaming down her face, wanting to break her completely, to ruin her in his grasp.
Tul felt disgusted. He felt revolted. Still he couldn’t quell the rage erupting in his heart.
You wanted to be hugged by someone else that much, didn’t you? You wanted to be with someone else that much, didn’t you? You wanted to touch someone else besides me, didn’t you! I’ll do it for you, Ai Hin. I’ll do it for you right here!
This was the first time Tul had ever lost control like this.
Why was he holding this woman instead of Kon Hin?
Why wasn’t it him in his arms right now?
Tul Metthanun didn’t know the answer.
The only thing he knew in his heart was that what he truly wanted was... to be with the man named Kon Hin.
The birthday gift he desired most was for it to not be Wadi.
This thought caused Tul to roar with madness, invisible tears flooding his heart in torment.
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