Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
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Perspective Gok
I just learned that having a romantic partner who is a baker is good.
"This is Mille-feuille aux Marrons, this is Yogurt Berry, and this is Blueberry Cheesecake, Khrap."
What is so good about it?... It's good because I get to eat cake for free every day!!!
I have always dreamed of tasting any cake I want. But because I am a young man who does not dare to enter a dessert shop alone, not to mention the fact that my Mâe would never be kind enough to buy many slices for me to eat at once, this is heaven for me as I look at the three cakes of three different styles arranged in a row before me.
Today is a Ror Dor training day, so it is a day I get off early. I am a survivor!
Do not ask me why I am not in the Ror Dor program. No, I am not afraid of looking uncool. I do not have a reason like that Graphic guy, who said that because his body was very weak when he was a youth, he would get a fever from any impact, so his parents did not permit him to join. But that is not me.
My reason is... showing off.
Yes, that's right, showing off. I don't want to writhe like an earthworm scalded by hot water!!!
Just thinking about it makes me want to cry. Back when I first started High School, because I was a little one who could not win a fight against anyone, I wanted to join that group with that Pae, even though I had that Ton backing me up, I was still like their sidekick. I finally made a decision without considering my own future...
"Do you all dare to skip Ror Dor like me? Do you dare to risk a red or black mark on your record like me?"
That was it. I leveled up my status instantly. But now... let's not talk about it. Just thinking about it gives me a migraine. I should go back to comforting myself with sweet cakes instead.
Since I got off early today, I secretly came to Phîi Pong's shop early. But I did not go to the front of the shop. I do not want to brag, but now I have the privilege of entering the back of the shop anytime I want.
Right now, on the table in front of me, there is a creamy brown Chestnut Mille-feuille with piped lines around the soft, fluffy cake topped with a delicate white cream, beautifully adorned with a small piece of white chocolate with the shop's name written on it. Next to it is the Yogurt Berry cake, with plump, juicy berries placed on the delicious-looking cake base, glazed with syrup that gleams under the shop lights. And that is not all! There is also this freshly baked Blueberry Cheesekcake; I can still smell the tantalizing aroma of cheese wafting from the oven, topped with blueberries that look sweet and juicy.
Forget about the Ror Dor training. I should just focus on eating this properly.
"What would Nong Gok like to drink, Khrap?"
"Anything is fine, Phîi Pong." I am only looking at the cakes, so I am not careful.
Whoosh... Smack
I look up immediately and see... the warm smile of the person who just stole a kiss on my cheek!
Who gave him permission!? Nowadays, Phîi Pong is so bloody fucking bold!
I can only rub my cheek coyly and look into the eyes of the person who is smiling.
"Why is Nong Gok so cute?"
"Gok is not!"
No, I am not! I am not cute at all, not one bit! I argue in my heart, but my hand is covering my cheek very tightly. I only learned today that when love is fulfilled, everything blossoms like this.
I might have another secret that I am keeping now... I have a male romantic partner. But never mind that. If the secret gets out, I will think of an excuse later. Right now, I am in love.
"You see, your eyes sparkle like a youth's when you look at the desserts."
"My eyes are not sparkling at all. If Phîi Pong gives them to me to eat, I just eat them, that's all." I act evasively, and that makes Phîi Pong turn to open the refrigerator, pour milk into a glass, and then place it next to me. He then pulls a chair to sit close to me.
"Do not lie. Do you know that what impressed me about Nong Gok was your expression when you eat desserts?"
Gulp
The berry I just put in my mouth stops with a gulp. Because if I remember correctly, the first time we met... I had a bloated stomach right in front of this shop!
"Nong Gok had a very blissful expression, with bright red cheeks and a smile on your lips. Anyone could see you love eating desserts."
Is my secret out already?
The fact that I love eating desserts is not a secret anymore. It is even better to have a baker as a romantic partner. If I love desserts, we are both happy. But how do I tell Phîi Pong that I am such a psycho that after eating cake, my dearest friend pops puffs up like puffed rice hitting heat!
Let me die, I cannot tell him. I am a bloody fucking horny mess!
"Phîi Pong, you must not tell anyone that Gok likes to eat desserts." So I preempt him so he will not ask further.
But he seems to still be suspicious. I look left and right, not wanting to tell him that my brain is thinking of how to explain. Luckily, it is working today, and a mature answer comes out.
"Well, Gok is a young man. How can I let others know I like sweet things like girls do? And Gok's friends are dog-mouths. I do not want them to tease me too much, so I never told anyone."
My answer today is really good. I truly respect myself because Phîi Pong also nods in understanding.
"That is true. But it would be better if you do not secretly peek into anyone else's shop again. Someone this cute should be careful, or the shop owner might catch you to be his Mia."
Clatter
The virtue of my answer falls and shatters on the plate of desserts. I turn sharply to look at the shop owner he mentioned, my eyes wide, my mouth open, almost showing the bits of cake inside. And that makes Phîi Pong laugh. He places his hand on my head and shakes it gently.
"Do you think I did not notice the cute youth who came to peek every evening?"
"B... but... but you never said you remembered!"
"Because Nong Gok acted like you did not want to tell, so I did not bring it up, Khrap." Phîi Pong smiles with a warm, adult-like smile, making me bow my head deeply, ashamed and embarrassed. So it turns out Phîi Pong knew since the day he invited me into the shop. The more I think about it, the more embarrassed I am. How could I have thought he just came to buy cake like me?
"Let's just say, do not do that at other shops."
"And what if Gok does?" I retort, damn it, because I am so embarrassed. But... I am wrong.
Phîi Pong's smile disappears. The hand on my head lowers to his side. He lets out a long sigh before smiling again, but it is a smile... of sadness.
"I also want to say that I would punish you, but if Nong Gok goes, I can only watch."
Oh my! Where did this male lead come from, Phîi!
Grab
"Just kidding, Phîi Pong. I am really kidding." I grab his arm firmly and shake it, looking up to tell him I will not do it, I was just joking. And that makes Phîi Pong... laugh.
"Hey, you tricked me." This time, I shake his arm off and stare at him with wide eyes, making Phîi Pong suppress a smile.
"Well..."
"Ahem, Shop Owner Khrap, you are still on duty, Khrap. This is not the time to flirt with a youth." But before Phîi Pong can say anything, Phîi Pam comes in first, teasing us with her voice, making me quickly turn my face away.
To be honest, I am not used to people knowing my secret affairs. But this is not just that Graphic and Janjao; even Phîi Pam herself says she has seen it from the beginning.
Now that we are together, she teases without restraint.
"Yes, yes. I will get to work right now. I have to earn money to raise a youth now, right?" Phîi Pong answers her back.
"Yeah. Are you free now, Phîi Pong? Come look at the coffee machine for me. Something is wrong with it. I have tried unplugging and plugging it in many times."
"Then I will look at it for you." I think Phîi Pong will just follow Phîi Pam out nicely so I can go back to savoring my cake. Where did he...
Whoosh
"If you go act cute somewhere else, I will force-feed you cake until you choke. But I will not feed you with my mouth..."
Gulp
I get a chill down my spine and brace my buttocks when Phîi Pong sneaks up behind me and...
Grab... he grabs my butt!
"Right here."
Do not ask how it is. I sit stiffly, not daring to move a millimeter, listening to the kind adult's soft laughter. But why, why! Why does Phîi Pong's laughter sound a bit evil this time, a little cunning, and the smell of horniness is so strong it overpowers the smell of the cakes?
Phîi Pong leaves, leaving me flustered, mumbling to myself...
"Since I am free today, can we do the force-feeding today?"
I confirm that I am not a pervert. I am just at an age where I want to know, want to try, want to learn the process of deep, heart-piercing techniques... that is all.
A few minutes ago, I was in a good mood. But now, I am annoyed!!!
I always understood that in the afternoon, Phîi Pong's shop would be quiet. I have seen him go out shopping several times. But who would have thought that Phîi Pong would be busy, spinning with the many cakes coming out of the oven? I know that having only one assistant is tiring, and Phîi Pam also has to handle customers at the counter. But I do not know if I am imagining it; why is it unusually chaotic today?
Is it almost exam period or something? Why are there so many people in the shop? Coming to study?
"Phîi Pong, the chocolate mousse is finished. Is there more inside?"
"Not ready yet, Pam."
I want to help, but in my whole life, my Mâe has only rarely made me fried eggs, let alone these beautiful cakes that the shop owner specifically went to study in France to learn. So I can only sit and watch from a corner of the kitchen, blinking. And why am I annoyed, you ask?
"Phîi Pong, someone is asking for the shop owner again."
"Huh!"
No, do not think I am the one who yelled. No way! It is Phîi Pong who yells loudly. His manly, sweaty face looks completely puzzled because this is the fifth time someone has asked for the shop owner.
Not only is Phîi Pong surprised, Phîi Pam is also completely confused. And moreover...
"Another young woman." I am not jealous. I am not that foolish. It is just that a customer wants to see the baker. I am really not jealous!!!
"Haha, a young woman... yes."
Squeal
Damn, I am squealing! I am squealing so much! A young woman is asking for my Phîi Pong!!!
I immediately frown. I do not want to act out and let him think I am foolish. But I cross my arms tightly, press my lips together, and turn to look at the baking oven. Phîi Pam quickly adds,
"But do not worry, Nong Gok. This one is from the Mâe generation."
Who is jealous? Ah, whatever. I do not care.
"Sigh..."
My heart says I do not care, but my body lets out a huge, heaving sigh, startling even myself. I can only avoid Phîi Pam's eyes in a fluster. As for Phîi Pong... I will not look! I might soften.
What is it with him turning to look at me with a troubled expression every time? I am not that much of a youth.
"Pam, is today strange or not?" Phîi Pong probably also wants to know the reason why it is so unusually chaotic today.
"The youth are in Ror Dor, that is true. Customers come to the shop early, that is true. But it should not sell out this fast." Today, the young men are in Ror Dor, so the young women only have a half-day of school. It is not strange that they stop by here after school, as it has become a popular spot in the school. But it is true, as Phîi Pong says. The desserts go out and are sold out, go out and are sold out. And...
"Some people even buy the whole cake, Khrap. We cannot even cut and wrap the slices fast enough before she says to just take the whole cake. What will be left?... Hurry, Phîi. Pam wants to come help back here, but customers keep coming in front." Phîi Pam finishes speaking and quickly goes out to the front of the shop. I hesitate greatly.
I want to help because I see Phîi Pong looks busy and tired. But if I go out front and meet someone I know... I have worked so hard to keep it secret; for it to break now would be terrible.
If they ask what my relationship with the shop owner is, I would not know how to answer. If I say I am a part-time worker, my family gives me more than enough spending money. So if I show up and meet someone I know, I really do not know how to explain.
Phîi Pong... knows what I am thinking.
"Do not make that face, Nong Gok. It is okay. Just Phîi and Pam can handle it. We do it every day."
I feel guilty... so much.
I am hesitating about what to do. I want to help, but what if I make it more complicated? Phîi Pong is not listening anymore. He turns to handle his work. I think Phîi Pong is enjoying himself. Even though his expression is serious, focused, and his hands keep whipping the chocolate into lines without stopping, the look in his eyes... seems satisfied.
Phîi Pong told me himself that he used to sit and watch the empty shop. When people come in, he must be happy, which is normal.
So I take a deep breath and tell myself, so what if they are female customers? I am manly enough, broad-minded enough, if their buying makes Phîi Pong happy. But I cannot help craning my neck to look toward the front of the shop, wanting to know what is going on. And... it is unusually crowded.
Usually, the shop only has students. Office workers or housewives would come to buy and take it home. But why does it seem like there are so many office ladies today? Maybe even more than the students.
And I pop out just in time to see a beautiful young woman asking at the counter.
"Is the shop owner not here?"
"The shop owner is busy in the back of the shop."
And why do you look disappointed not to see the face of my Phûa!
I feel a little irritated as that office lady sighs when she receives the cake she ordered to take home, but she still cranes her neck to look inside. Her friend next to her asks,
"They say the shopkeeper here is very handsome. What a pity we came and did not see him."
"Yeah. We came all this way."
Who is this 'he' they are talking about? I really want to see his face.
Those two beautiful young women leave, leaving me to turn and look at the face of this handsome shopkeeper.
Has Phîi Pong's handsomeness spread that far? I do not understand.
I can only frown in confusion. At that moment...
Phîi Pong's phone rings, making him turn and grab it quickly. He glances at the screen for a second before answering the call.
"Hello... Hmm, Ann?"
Ann. The name sounds familiar, like I have heard it before.
I frown, trying to search for a person named Ann in my brain. But the point is, the name is common. Who can figure out which Ann? Phîi Pong goes quiet for a moment, nodding a few times.
"We were just wondering why our shop is so crowded. So it is because of the interview from the other day... Hmm. We can go buy it ourselves... You want to come? No need..." Phîi Pong looks troubled somehow, but I think he has gotten the answer about the crowd. And it seems the person on the other end is very eager because he finally just says...
"Okay. Come in the late afternoon then."
Phîi Pong hangs up and turns to make eye contact with me, then lets out a long sigh.
"Did I ever tell Nong Gok that our shop was interviewed for a women's magazine? It hit the stands yesterday."
Ah. I get it! That is why there are so many women of marriageable age filling the shop!!!
I think I remember now which Ann this is.
As soon as I hear the name Ann, the memory from several weeks ago flashes into my head like a rocket at light speed... Well, how could it not be light speed? This is the Phîi who drove the car that scraped me!!!
That Phîi who went 'Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!' and accused me of being from the 'Sip-Paet Mongkut' gang cutting in front of her car to beg for money!
"Pong, dear, we are here."
But it seems that Phîi does not remember me.
Since the desserts sold out quickly today, Phîi Pong went to flip the shop sign to 'Close' just after six o'clock. Not even ten minutes after the last customer left, that Phîi arrives with a magazine as big as something that could kill a buffalo. But that is not the point. The point is that Phîi walks briskly, opens the shop door without regard for the sign, and greets only Phîi Pong, passing right by both me and Phîi Pam without a glance, making me just blink rapidly.
No matter how stupid you are, you know she is aiming for Phîi Pong.
"Hey, Ann."
"I brought the magazine. Try reading it. I praised everything, you know."
"You should not have troubled yourself to bring it."
"Oh, it is no trouble. I wanted to come. I wanted to eat cake too. Ah, but it is all gone today, right? What a pity."
Oh my! Are you not afraid your Mâe will scold you for expressing yourself like that, Khrap?
I am really curious. I am not even brave enough to express myself like that. Even when I am jealous, I am not brave enough. I can only stand there holding a chair in the same position, watching the two of them talk. Phîi Pam sidles three steps closer and leans in to whisper.
"What do you want to eat? Last time she came, she was still calculating how many calories the strawberries had." Phîi Pam must definitely not like this Phîi.
I think to myself while looking at the woman wearing a tight-fitting sack dress that shows off her curves. I have to admit she is stunning for a woman probably approaching thirty, with a face as beautiful as a doll just stepped out of a car. Overall, this Phîi Ann is very beautiful. So much that I... look down at myself.
I am a young man, but Phîi Pong did say I am cute.
I mumble in my heart, still not moving, only turning to look at the counter where Phîi Pong is talking with his friend... Are they even friends? She is staring like she wants to devour him.
"Are they friends, Phîi Pam?"
"Yes. As far as I know, they have been friends since high school. They met again when Phîi Pong returned to Thailand. But I do not know other details. I just know that last month she came to request an interview, saying she would put it in a magazine."
Ah, so that means when I got scraped by the car the other day, she was coming for the interview. I do remember hearing something like that, but I was in shock and could not compose myself.
"So how was it today, Pong? Business is good, right?"
"It was busier than usual."
"See? My interview worked... Pong, do you know, the other day when I took the cakes to give to the youth at the office, everyone praised them, saying Pong's cakes are delicious, worthy of being a student of a three-Michelin-star chef. Not to mention you have won so many competitions. Speaking of which, it is such a pity, Pong. If you were still working there, you would have gone very far." I just learned, is Phîi Pong that skilled?
I only know that he makes the most delicious desserts I have ever eaten, but I had no idea he was that good.
"Not really..."
"But it is good, because Pong came back and found me."
Gulp
It is not just Phîi Pong who is stunned. I am stunned, amazed, and nervous. I never thought I would encounter such an aggressively forward type.
By the time Phîi Pong says he is happy he decided to open a shop and met me, he has already gotten me as his Mia. What is this? And that, hand! Hand! Do not you dare touch Phîi Pong's hand!
I can only stand and watch as that Phîi reaches out to touch Phîi Pong's hand. I have to say, it is very smooth.
"I heard that, hmm... back in high school, Pong liked me. I was also interested in Pong, you know. But because I was very shy, I never said it out loud. Who would have thought fate would make us meet again? And when I was going to do a special feature on successful men who cook, someone recommended that a famous chef had returned to open his own dessert shop. It was interesting already. When I found out it was Pong, I was so excited... See? I did the interview to the best of my ability."
Shy? What? Was she really such a shy person before?
I can only look at that Phîi in amazement as she talks nonstop, not at all like when she was screaming at me. She even holds up the interview page until it is visible... a full-body picture of Phîi Pong in a white chef's uniform.
There is a lot. Oh my, a full-body picture that is extremely handsome like that. Now I understand why girls are swarming.
"Thank you for your help." Phîi Pong just gives her a smile and does not pay attention to that magazine.
"I was happy to do it. I am glad my work as the editor could help Pong. If customers are this plentiful, you will probably have to hire more people and expand the shop..."
"Not really. People are just excited in the beginning. It will probably go back to normal." Phîi Pong does not seem excited and says it in his same soft voice. But that Phîi is not finished.
So many words. This woman is so bloody fucking verbose.
"Hmm, that is true. But I have many connections in publishing. If you keep advertising, keep having interviews, believe me, you will definitely become famous. People these days follow trends like crazy. And Pong makes such beautiful desserts, perfect for those who like to take pictures and show them on social media. Oh, plus a handsome chef like this, the young women will spread it by word of mouth."
I am not an observant person, but Phîi Pong... his face is becoming tense.
"Ann."
"Yes?"
Oh my, I am even secretly startled by the quiet voice of this kind person. Why does this dense person not get the hint? Or is she blinded by Phîi Pong's handsomeness?
Then Phîi Pong speaks in an even more serious tone than before.
"I make desserts so, that people who eat them feel happy. They are not things to be used for showing off to others. If you are going to write, I want you to talk about the taste of the desserts I make, not put my picture taking up half the page like this... I sell cakes. I do not sell myself." Phîi Pong gives her one last smile before closing the magazine.
"Pong, I did not..."
"Ann, sorry. I'm very tired today. Let's talk another day."
Phîi Pong returns to his kind smile again, but I do not know if I am imagining it, the gentle look in his eyes is very cold, very still, and pressuring in a way that makes that woman press her lips together, clearly dissatisfied. But after a moment, she adjusts her expression back to normal, gathers her luxury brand bag close to her, and lifts her chin.
"Then I will go back for today. I will come again another day."
"Hmm. Thanks." Phîi Pong only replies with that, watching until that Ann person walks out the door. Then...
"Pam, lock the door."
"Received, Khrap." Phîi Pam bloody fucking runs to lock the door right after that Phîi, in a way she must definitely hear. I turn back to look at Phîi Pong, who lets out a loud, heaving sigh and opens the interview page again, making me walk over to look too.
I think I cannot be jealous. When I see him looking so tired like this.
"Phîi Pong has won so many awards. Gok had no idea." I see the list of awards with English names in the lower right corner, going on and on.
"And what would happen if Nong Gok knew?" I frown.
"It's strange."
"It would not matter. Gok does not really understand. I only know Phîi Pong makes delicious cakes. Getting awards probably is not strange."
I do not care where Phîi Pong used to work, how many awards he has won, or who he studied under. I only came to this shop because I wanted to eat. And when I got to eat, I knew it was delicious enough to make me break out... I broke out in a line, you see.
Pat
"Hmm." I can only turn to look when Phîi Pong places his hand on my head and...
Whoosh
Phîi Pong leans his forehead down to touch my forehead as I hear a soft whisper.
"Thank you."
I do not think I did anything. That Phîi Ann did more. Just today, there were many customers, profits were booming. But why does Phîi Pong thank me, who did nothing, with such a warm voice that makes my heart melt? But I... bury my face in the crook of his neck.
Hey, or is Phîi Pong going to play here? Interes... No, not that! We cannot. This is the middle of the shop!
"My, my, so sweet without any consideration. Maybe I should have my romantic partner pick me up. I am jealous."
Push
I push Phîi Pong away immediately, even though I was almost on my tiptoes to bite his neck, because I forgot Phîi Pam was here. Meanwhile, the unashamed adult just smiles widely. He probably knows I am shy, so he helps change the subject.
"Come on, Pam. Let's clean up the shop. We can go home a little earlier today."
"Sigh. I do not know if tomorrow will be as busy as today. If it is like this every day, the two of us probably cannot handle it."
"Let's wait and see first."
I can only exile myself to sit in a corner of the shop because helping would only make it more chaotic. Even though in my heart I think... Phîi Pong's shop doing good business is fine. But please, I beg you, I am praying, it is okay to come and buy, but please do not come eyeing the shop owner!
It took me so much effort to get him; I shed so many tears!!!!
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