Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~
Pakin might enjoy the numerous parties his close friends arranged for him, but that certainly did not include formal events like the grand opening for new imported products held by the company of Khun Chao Sua, the Phô of Nai Siraphop. However, he had to attend as a representative for his own Phô, who was not in Thailand. And now, he was standing in a corner of the event, watching the media reporters covering the news and interviewing famous people, though he was definitely not one of them.
The young man raised his hand and waved for the fifth time, signaling his subordinate to block and decline the reporters who were about to request an interview, because he disliked being in the media. His work was not in the newspapers, and he did not have a hobby of showing himself off like some influential people.
Many of Pakin's businesses were hidden behind his Phô's company name, and he was not ready for them to be dug up into the light, because there were many questions to answer, and of course, he was too lazy for the trouble.
This was in contrast to that Âi Seen.
You are having fun, are not you?
The tall figure could only shake his head slowly, using eyes full of boredom to look directly at his close friend who was being interviewed alongside a famous actress, whom anyone could tell at a glance was doing more than just presenting products for the brand owner's son.
But then his gaze had to stop on a somewhat familiar face.
“Bloody fucking annoying.”
Pakin muttered as he straightened his posture. His sharp face, clearly showing boredom, was quickly masked over, revealing a commercial smile as he raised his hands in a wai to a middle-aged man who approached him with familiar warmth.
“Hello, Khun Uncle.”
“You came too, Pakin? We do not often see each other at events like this.”
“Khun Siraphop personally invited me this time. If I did not come, I would probably be cut off as a friend right now,” Pakin said with a smile, while looking at the famous politician who was the biological Phô of Krittitee.
A man who never cared about his own son, even though that youth had been living at his house for months.
“Hahaha, I forgot that you and the eldest son of Chao Sua are close friends.” Uncle said.
More than the young man disliked parties like this, he disliked this cunning old man who still would not get to the point.
“How have you been, Khun Uncle?” Since he would not get to the point, he would wait and observe first to see what the other party wanted, because just by looking at his eyes, he could guess that he had not come just for a casual greeting between acquaintances.
This was not an election period, so the only thing he could think of was... that-brat.
“Just getting by. Lately, I have started to realize I'm getting much older. Walking around, his body aches like an old man’s.”
“If my Phô heard that, he would protest loudly. That man still acts like a young man in Florence.”
“I cannot compete with Khun Phanupong,” the other said laughingly, mentioning the name of Pakin’s Phô, making the young man smile faintly and wait for the person who fell silent for a moment, because he expected the other party was about to get to the point. And it happened as expected.
“Another thing, I miss that-brat Graph too. He has not returned home for several months now. How is Nong doing?”
The listener smiled slightly at the question, then answered with the most neutral answer, even though he already knew the other party must have heard something, and it probably was not good news.
“He is fine.”
“But I heard that my son caused trouble for Pakin, did he not?”
The young man raised his eyebrows a little, as if surprised about when that youth had caused him trouble, even though in his heart he had already predicted that someone must have carried news of that night to the other party. Which just by looking from the gleam in his eyes... he was not concerned about how much trouble Pakin had, but was afraid that his son would be dragged into involvement.
Hah, coming to worry about your son now, is it not a bit too late?
“Not at all. Graph is a good youth.”
If it was about his recent behavior, that could not be considered a lie.
The speaker said this while thinking of that stubborn youth who lately had not been very disobedient or argumentative, perhaps because of that incident where he had lost his temper so badly it scared him witless, combined with the reward promised for good behavior, so he was in a docile mode to avoid giving him a headache.
To be honest... It was unbelievably good.
“But I feel embarrassed. Nong has been staying at that house for a while now. I think... it might be time for him to come back home.”
Thud.
This was the first time the listener noticeably froze, even if only for a split second. But how could someone close not see it, and how could Pakin himself not observe his own feelings?
For a flash... his heart sank, and it was dismissed by the thought that... this was good, actually.
My necessary guardian duty would finally be over.
“Another thing, the big event is approaching soon. If you have to take care of another youth, I'm concerned that Pakin himself will be the one to get tired. My son is disobedient, always playing around mischievously, sticking his leg out to cause trouble for everyone.”
That is right. That Âi youth was always sticking his leg out to find dangerous trouble.
The thoughts of the person who still smiled outwardly, while his brain was interpreting what the famous politician was saying. The first flash, he thought the other party still had some paternal concern for his son, worried he might get caught in the crossfire while near him, especially in this unstable situation. But the more he listened, he became sure the man in front was more concerned about himself.
If his son stuck his leg out and caused things to collapse, the person who was the Phô would have to take responsibility too.
No wonder that Âi youth resisted his parents with all his might.
“So I would like Pakin to send Graph back home.” Once the middle-aged man stated his request, Pakin could only sigh, pretending to have a troubled expression, before slowly shaking his head.
“It is not that I do not want to send Graph home. I am fine either way. But Nong probably will not agree to go back easily. Khun Uncle knows what Graph’s personality is like... ” The person who was the Phô laughed loudly, even though his eyes showed a hint of irritation, thinking about how his own good son dared to use the matter of his Mia to threaten his own Phô, while the speaker continued.
“I myself do not want to force him. If Nong is to return home, this time I would have to trouble you to pick him up yourself, Ah. Graph would probably be happy too.” The young man said this as a conclusion. If that stubborn youth heard this, he would surely throw a tantrum until everyone had a headache, as he replied as if he did not care where he would go and was allowing his Phô to come pick him up. But Pakin knew well what he was doing.
No, he knew the habits of that stubborn youth better than his own biological Phô.
***
"Sit."
Woof!
"Wait, do not eat yet."
Woof! Woof!
"Okay, you can eat."
“Damn! That dog is clearly a genius reborn!”
During the lunch break, next to the football field, a large group of young men who had reserved the field since before the break bell were preparing to rush in to play football. But this did not include the two close friends from a different class who were sitting with their heads together, looking down at a mobile phone, which showed a video of a fierce-looking police dog strictly following every command, the kind that made the owner of the handsome Siberian Husky exclaim in amazement.
“Yeah, that Âi Ruthless is so damn smart. The dog trainer even praised him.” Graph boasted.
“Bloody fucking unfair. You even have a trainer come to your house to teach your dog. Look at my dog, he still does not know where to shit. Last time, my Mâe stepped on the damn dog and screamed so loud the house shook. I get scolded morning and night for not knowing how to raise a dog.” Gok complained, extremely fed up. His friend got a dog later, but his dog was so clever. His dog's hobby was even running around chasing its own tail.
“But he is still cute, right? And you look at my dog, so coldly-aloof.” Graph also chimed in, thinking of the purebred German Shepherd which, however clever he seemed in the clip, in reality, if he did not want to follow a command, you could call until you died and he would still just lie there looking at you. And his overflowing energy—sometimes he dug holes to play in the middle of the garden, making him have to catch him for a bath. And the most irritating thing was that when the person who bought him came home, that damned dog would wait right at the gate.
Grr! When you got home, he would just lift his head to look at your face and then go back to sleep. Bloody fucking it, just thinking about it.
“Yeah, but my dog is cuter than your dog. And handsomer too.”
“Screw that!”
“Hey, on this point, I have to argue. That Âi Ruthless is handsomer than that Âi Moo. Look at his face! Your dog just has a goofy grin.”
“Your eyes are the ones with problems. That Âi Moo is damned-handsome in a European guy style. And look at your dog’s nose, it is all black and smushed like it has been rolled in charcoal.”
“My dog’s origin is in Germany, you know!”
“So what? Is he a Nazi dog or something?”
At first, they were talking just fine, but when the other party used his dog to assert superiority, he could not help but assert his was better. When it came to looks, even more so. Everyone loves their own dog, everyone is infatuated with their own dog. Even if he was mangy, he would still be handsomer. Until the two friends, who had now joined the dog lovers’ association, began to stare intently at each other.
“Hey, hey, that Âi Graph and that Âi Gok are about to fight.”
“Fucking morons. Fighting over dogs?”
“Ugh, have you ever listened to them talk? They argue over whose dog is handsomer, acting as if they are women arguing about their own Phûa.” The friends on the field shouted loudly, gossiping from a distance with great relish.
“Like that Âi Graph, with a face like his, how many Mias does he have now?”
“But that Âi Gok, I think he would be okay. He is kind of small, easy to tackle.”
“Oh, then you guys should just get together. I support it.”
And it seemed they had gone a bit too far, because the two friends who were staring at each other turned sharply towards the field and cursed out in unison.
“You shit-lizard mob!”
That was it. The laughter of the people on the football field rang out loudly, especially when that little friend of theirs ran in to kick the people who said he had a Phûa, letting Graph shake his head and exhale heavily, putting his phone in his pocket while thinking they were arguing about something utterly pointless.
But anyway, that Âi Ruthless was still handsomer than that Âi Moo.
The dog-infatuated person still insisted as before, at the moment when.
“Oh, is Graph going to be unfaithful to me?”
“Janjao.” The young man turned to look behind him immediately and found his close friend leaning against the wire fence that separated the football field from the cafeteria, to prevent balls from flying and smashing plates everywhere, while her pretty, clear face wore a slight smile and a teasing look, making him laugh.
“I would not dare. You know I only have one Janjao.”
The two friends were used to playing as a romantic partner, so they often said things like that. But being in such a good mood that he spoke like this, making her think this way, caused the young woman to widen her eyes.
“Wow, saying that makes my heart flutter. What should I do now?”
“Hahaha, are you finished talking with the teacher?”
“All done,” the ponytailed girl nodded vigorously, before looking onto the field warily. “If I go sit in there, will I get hit in the face by a ball?”
“Come in. I will find us a place to sit.” At these words, Graph stood up immediately and walked around the fence to meet his close friend, whose face was glistening with sweat, bringing her to sit together on the football field side, even carrying her bag for her. Of course, such actions were bound to provoke the dog-mouth friends who had been waiting to tease them.
“Oho! The Mâe is here, everyone!”
“Âi Gok, Âi Gok, you are done for. The real handsome person is here.”
“Hey! I told you I am not Âi Graph’s Mia! Do you guys not understand human language or what?!”
The little one who had just finished running a lap around the field protested even more loudly, and started running around kicking people again, which made Graph shake his head, turn to Janjao, and say, almost apologetically.
“Do not be angry with them. They are just dog-mouths, but their personalities are worth befriending.”
“Well, if they had not convinced Graph to skip class, I would... try to see it that way.”
Of course, the young woman had not gotten over her irritation that they had gotten Graph sent to the administrator’s office before, but seeing that lately her friend seemed to smile more, was in a better mood, and whatever he did clearly showed he was happier, not to mention he had not been skipping class or recklessly seeking out danger anymore... she could probably forgive them.
“Where could I skip? Someone would scold me.”
“Eh, do you mean a Mâe like me... or who else, I wonder?” Seizing the opportunity, Janjao teased in a bright voice, not minding being called Mâe because she was getting used to it. She wanted to know about another matter more, until the young man paused for a moment.
“Ugh, that guy would not know whether I skip or not.”
“But Graph does agree to attend class following Phîi's words.” The more she teased, the more the notoriously handsome young man’s cheeks flushed crimson, making the onlooker unable to hold back her laughter.
I wonder what would happen if people knew that Graph has never had a Mia.
Other people might think she and Graph were romantic partners. Of course, their closeness was so great that her friend’s fan club talked behind her back, saying she must have slept with Graph already. But Janjao did not care. Let people say whatever they wanted. She and her friend knew the truth best themselves. And she also knew that Graph was... the cutest.
That Pakin, this man is too cute to be anyone’s Phûa. It is just right... for him to belong to Phîi.
“Are you shipping us right now?”
“You saw through me!” Janjao giggled, before saying bluntly, “Lately, Graph seems to be in a good mood. I am happy for you. Before this, seeing you cry like that, I was really upset.”
Back then, when her friend was crying as if his heart would break, she felt terrible that she could not help. But now everything seemed to have changed. Graph did not mock himself as much, and he smiled more, noticeably so. The cause was none other than... that one man.
Meanwhile, the young man was silent for a moment, then nodded.
“Thanks. I admit it, Janjao. Lately, I have been too happy, so much that sometimes I am afraid.” The person who had experienced the other man’s mood swings countless times said in a lowered voice, until the ponytailed girl quickly comforted him.
“No way. Show us your handsome smile, Graph. They say when people are happy, they should not be afraid first. Oh, but now that Graph is staying at Phîi Pakin’s house, have you not gone back home at all?” The questioner herself agreed to change the subject, afraid her friend would start thinking about old matters. The way things were now was good enough. And that made the listener immediately make a face.
“Why should I go back? No one at that house pays any attention.”
“Do not speak about your parents like that.” As the moon-like girl objected, Graph pulled out his mobile phone and opened the call history for her to see.
“Look and see how many times the names Phô or Mâe have called me.” The listener could only take the device uncertainly, but she slowly scrolled through with her fingertip, and found that the recorded history... did not contain a single entry with the saved names Phô or Mâe.
“Do you understand now? They do not care about me, as long as I do not damage their reputation.” The speaker shrugged indifferently, but how could an 18-year-old young man completely discard the feeling of isolation forced upon him by his progenitors? He could only let a lonely, sad gleam show in his eyes even more.
“Phîi Win is even more of a Phô to me than they are.”
Phîi Win... the person he could wholeheartedly say he was very close to, the person who picked him up when he had no work, took him out to eat together when Phîi Pakin was not around, and most recently had just taken him to see a movie. Even though there were people following at a distance for protection, whenever he went out with Phîi Win, the necessary guardian permitted it, and it was unbelievably fun.
“I only have Phîi Pakin, Phîi Win, Phîi Chai, Aunt Kaew... that is enough. It is even more than I have had my entire life.”
The young woman bit her lip a little when she felt the corners of her eyes grow hot and her eyes well up. Even though her friend said it with a nonchalant expression, it was still pitiful. But before she could say anything to comfort him...
Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz.
The phone, which had been on silent, vibrated intensely, making him startle and look down almost too late.
“Graph, Graph’s Phô is calling!”
Of course, the listener’s eyes widened even more, because what business would the person who never gave a damn have calling him now? But the name displayed on the screen was unmistakable... Phô.
“What does this mean? Why is my Phô here?!”
“I do not know either, Khun Graph. But right now, he is in the living room with Khun Pakin.”
***
“What the hell is he doing here?!”
Nai Krittitee rushed home immediately after receiving the call from his biological Phô, the person who said flatly that he was waiting at Phîi Pakin’s house. The young man decided to skip class, called his driver who seemed to know what was about to happen because he was already waiting, then jumped into the vehicle and came back as fast as possible to find that... Phîi Pakin already knew his Phô was coming.
The young man, whose temper had cooled down considerably, but when it came to matters of his family, his eyes shone with displeasure.
His parents only cared about benefits. That meant there must be something important that made the busy man willing to come see him at home.
Before, when I asked him to have a meal together, he always just said he had no time!
The thoughts of the person who took a deep breath and then strode firmly towards the living room, not noticing in time that Âi Ruthless was lying in wait at the front door of the house. And the moment he saw him, he trotted to his side and followed him into the living room together.
And he was not mistaken. The person laughing with a political smile was... his own Phô.
“Phô are you doing here?!”
The junior spoke up immediately, drawing the attention of both adults to look at him, especially the middle-aged man who frowned sharply and spoke in a curt tone.
“Is that how you greet your Phô, Graph?”
“I was just wondering what you are doing here.” The young man agreed to adjust his tone for the better, upon seeing the stern glare of the other man. He admitted he was afraid of Phîi Pakin, but he was not afraid of his own Phô.
“Come in and sit down, Graph.” Meanwhile, Pakin interjected, letting the person who had just returned home take a deep breath and walk to sit on a single sofa as far away from his Phô as possible.
“I am here. So, what is this about?”
“I am your Phô. Do I need to have some business to come here?”
You never have done so in a hundred or a thousand days.
The young man just shut his mouth, feeling that Âi Ruthless had come to lie at his feet, which cooled his temper a bit. He reached out to pat its head gently, as if saying, Do not leave me anywhere, and if the dog could talk, it would probably say its master’s hand was shaking.
And it shook even harder when the person who was the Phô said decisively. “I have come to take you home.”
The listener’s eyes bulged wide open. He turned sharply to look at the speaker’s face, unable to believe his ears, so shocked his heart almost stopped beating. And then he found it even harder to breathe when the other continued.
“You have been bothering Pakin for a long time. I think you should return home now... ”
Whoosh.
“I am not going back!!!"
Suddenly, the stubborn youth who had been behaving well lately jumped up immediately, shouting with a booming voice, shaking his head vigorously, and insisting without regard for his Phô’s face.
“No way am I going back!” Why should I have to go back to Âi-damned-house?
The thoughts of the person who turned to look at Phîi Pakin’s face as if asking for help, but the owner of the house... still sat silently.
Graph does not know what Phîi Pakin is thinking, but his heart is terrified.
What if Phô came because Phîi Pakin wants to kick me out of the house?
“You Âi junior! How many months have you been living in this house? Learn to have some consideration for Pakin, who has to deal with a snot-nosed youth like you. I am truly ashamed and embarrassed! You are grown up already, you are 16 now. Learn to use your brain and think more... ”
“Phô do not start acting like a Phô now!”
Graph was angry, unbelievably angry, so angry his blood rushed to his face when he found out the other party could not even remember his own child’s age. And it seemed the disrespectful words towards an elder made the famous politician jump to his feet immediately. No matter how hot his temper got when criticized, and he could remain cool in front of the media, he boiled over just because of the words of his one junior.
“Âi Graph!”
“Why? What did I say wrong? What grade do you think I am in now?”
“What does that have to do with anything!?!"
“You answer me! What grade am I in? Or do you not know?!” Phô and son were shouting at each other, neither willing to yield. One was angry beyond any semblance of being a good public figure, the other was angry but pitiful, until the head housekeeper had to clasp her hands tightly.
The young man who was arguing was on the verge of... crying.
“Answer me, what grade is this son of yours in now?!”
But the person who was the Phô fell silent, as if saying... he did not know.
He did not even know how old his only child was, what grade he was in, and that was the last straw for the person named Krittitee.
“You should also know that I am 18, not 16. I am in Mathayom 5. But you do not have to remember. You should take your time and go play your politics! With Âi-unlucky-junior who argues without end, just let him die! And remember this! I will not go back to that house ever again! You do not need to bother with me anymore! Take your time and go take care of your Mia!!!” Having finished, Graph swept a disappointed gaze over to the face of the homeowner.
The person who had not helped at all, and whose silence was no different from pushing him away to live somewhere else.
This Âi Graph has never had a place called home, has he? Just when I thought this place was it... the owner does not want me.
“Remember! Even if you come to drag me away, I will not go!!!”
“Âi Graph!!!"
Having said that, the young man turned and ran out of the living room, ignoring the booming voice of his Phô. The person who made a move to lunge and grab his ungrateful son, to slap him into remembering who provided for him, raised him, spent money on him until he grew wings and strong legs, but...
“Grrrrrrrr!!!!"
The large dog instead leaped to block his path. Its intelligent eyes shone with ferocity, and it even bared its teeth, revealing sharp, gleaming fangs. Its two front legs crouched, ready to pounce on the person who was about to follow and harm its master.
*Woof!! Woof! Woof!!!!"
Moreover, the loud, resounding barks created fear in the person who was about to rush after him. Pakin also moved to stand beside Ruthless, patting its head gently.
“Quiet!” A single word that made the large dog close its jaws, but it still looked with a malevolent gaze, ready to pounce the moment its master allowed it. Then, Pakin turned to look at the older man and pretended to sigh.
“I think it would be better for Uncle to go back for now. We probably cannot have a productive conversation today.”
The listener could only grumble in his throat, adjusting his clothes to be proper, trying to show he was not afraid of the large dog, even though he was already stepping back. Then he said in a strong voice.
“Tell that-brat that if he does not return home, I may cut off all his money. Someone like him will not get far anyway!”
“Khrap, I will tell him.” Pakin smiled slightly, watching the person who turned and left his house, while sneering in his heart.
It is strange that a person like this still dares to call himself a Phô.
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