Baramee let out a heavy sigh and turned to look at the person standing behind him. A gust of wind swept in for a moment, then stopped. The silence around them was so complete they could hear their synchronized breathing.
"What do you say, Baramee? I'll only ask once," Wittawin spoke softly. "Will you be my boyfriend?"
"And I'll only answer once." Baramee looked steadily at Wittawin's face, then turned back to gaze at the calm water before them—so different from the turbulence raging in his heart. "But first, let me ask you something. Have you really thought this through?"
"I came here to ask a question, not answer one." Wittawin remained where he stood, watching Baramee's broad back.
"No." Baramee spoke after several moments of silence. "The answer is no."
"Why?"
"Why, Wittawin?" Baramee turned to look at him slowly. "Because you don't love me. I can't bear living in that kind of situation. At first I thought I'd fight for you, thought I'd do everything possible to make you mine. But the moment I saw you and him looking at each other... I knew I shouldn't. I really shouldn't. I shouldn't."
"We could learn to love each other eventually. Court each other a little more." Wittawin's voice was soft as he turned to gaze at the water with flat eyes, beginning to realize he shouldn't have decided to invite Baramee out tonight to do something so foolish.
"Stop deceiving yourself." Baramee's voice began to shake, his jaw clenched, hands balled into tight fists, heart pounding erratically. "Even if it's inappropriate, so what? Love—you don't need to care about anything else. Follow your heart, Wittawin. Not what's right or wrong."
***
After work, Toey rushed to Sarayoot's house because when he'd called the office, Sarayoot's secretary said his boss had left early due to having a guest at home.
The first second he heard that Sarayoot had 'a guest,' Toey couldn't help but picture Wittawin's pale face.
The young secretary reasoned with himself that he couldn't help thinking suspiciously since Wittawin had also left the office early.
He would sneak a look with his own eyes to see if uncle and nephew had rushed home early to secretly meet at the house. Last time, he'd thought Sarayoot was with Pirayu from work, but it turned out to be Wittawin instead. And he'd seen that spark in Sarayoot's eyes. This time, he wanted to confirm the information for the third time, to be absolutely certain that Sarayoot really did love Wittawin.
Toey parked his car at the corner in front of the fence of the house next to Sarayoot's, then walked forward slowly. He felt strange—his heart beating irregularly—but he thought confidently that the moment he stood at the front gate and looked in, he'd surely see Wittawin's beautiful motorcycle parked beside Sarayoot's silver Volvo.
He was curious to see what expression Sarayoot would make. He would confront and ask Wittawin directly: So who do you love, who do you like—my uncle or Teeradon...
But...
Why was there no motorcycle or Sarayoot's car? No cars parked at all. Sarayoot was alone. No servants. But there was someone watering the plants...
Pirayu...
Toey didn't understand why he turned and walked straight back to his car the moment he saw that scene. He felt lightheaded, his mind confused, lips pressed tight with pain, hands clenched, muscles throughout his body tense.
He should be happy it wasn't Wittawin like he'd feared...
Happy, my ass. Finding Pirayu disappointed over Teeradon—what was there to be happy about?
His suspicions had been right all along. Sarayoot was playing the saint, comforting the brokenhearted. And bringing him home for comfort. He could picture Pirayu now—so gentle and soft, probably cooking, sweeping and mopping the house, watering the plants. As for making the bed, preparing towels for Sarayoot's bath, and laying out pajamas at the foot of the bed. He didn't know, didn't dare imagine. But one thing was certain—Sarayoot couldn't help but compare him unfavorably.
Pirayu was wearing oversized clothes. What did that mean...
Sarayoot had rushed home early when he usually worked until evening. What did that mean...
He had him completely, yet still shared his heart with Wittawin, and probably shared his body with Pirayu too. What did that mean...
Pirayu was heartbroken and probably cried on Sarayoot's shoulder. And Sarayoot, being kind and gentle, would comfort him...
Toey stopped walking, let out a heavy sigh, stood contemplating for a moment, then pulled out his phone to call the person he was beginning to think was turning out to be quite the playboy.
…
"I'm not home yet. Probably another half hour," Sarayoot answered softly after hearing Toey say he wanted to come over. "Better make it an hour," Sarayoot concluded.
"Why does it have to be an hour?" Toey asked. "Or is it inconvenient for you, P'Yoot? Oh right, when you get home, you'll probably need to change clothes, wash your face, take care of this and that first. I forgot—I've been thinking about nothing but coming to see you."
"Uh, I have a guest, so it's not very convenient. Once I get there, we'll talk business and then he'll leave. When you come, there won't be anyone to interrupt us." Sarayoot laughed softly before suggesting they cook dinner together, just the two of them.
"We should invite your guest to eat with us," Toey said with false cheer.
"No way. Just the two of us is better," Sarayoot objected.
Oh, of course. Who would want trains to collide...
He never would have thought it. Someone as calm and quiet as Sarayoot could be like this. Never showed any signs of being a playboy, but he could juggle multiple relationships so smoothly. No, not juggling with two hands—Sarayoot was holding one in his mouth too. Him, Wittawin, and Pirayu as well...
Sarayoot was a playboy just like Teeradon. A playboy just the same, only their styles were different. This one was quietly promiscuous, while Teeradon was openly so...
So why did he have to end up standing between two playboys? Damn it.
***