I hope you had a lovely day
Anyway, without too much chit-chat, let's dive right into Chapter 9!
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Nani was about to step out of his quarters when he nearly collided with one of the security guards from the main building. The man stood stiffly outside his door, holding a black suit bag in one hand like it weighed nothing.
"Good morning," Nani greeted politely, a crease forming between his brows.
The guard didn't return the greeting. Instead, he extended the suit bag toward Nani. "Wear this. Be at the main building tomorrow. 6 p.m. sharp."
Before Nani could open his mouth to ask anything, the guard added, "And don't be late," then turned on his heel and walked away without another word.
Nani stared at the suit in his hands, confused. Saturday was the 57th birthday celebration of Sky's father. A massive event-polished, prestigious, and private. He had never been invited to any Thamnithit function before, let alone one of this magnitude.
He dropped the bag on his bed and stepped out, walking the familiar thirty-minute route to school. His thoughts, however, weren't focused on the road.
Is that why he hasn't contacted me this week? Sky hadn't responded to any of his messages. Not even a single call. Nani thought it was because he left without permission that night? Did I push him too far?
The last time they were together, things had spiraled rough hands, cruel words, and a kiss that felt like punishment. Then silence. Nani had convinced himself that Sky's coldness was retaliation... but the party invitation sparked a flicker of hope.
Maybe it's just stress. Maybe he's been busy preparing for the celebration.
A sharp honk yanked him from his thoughts.
A sleek black car rolled up beside him. The window lowered with a hum, revealing Win's face behind dark sunglasses. "Hey, hop in. Let's go to school together."
Nani hesitated. "Phi', good morning. Thank you, but it's fine. I'm almost there."
Win smirked, resting his arm on the window frame. "You really think I'd drive past my Nong like that? Or... did someone tell you not to get involved with me?"
Nani tensed. "No, Phi'. It's not that. I just don't want to trouble you."
"Then get in," Win said, his tone suddenly flat. "Unless you want me to assume that bastard Sky ordered you to stay away from me."
Nani's heart skipped. The last thing he wanted was to fuel another explosion between Sky and Win. The school hadn't recovered from their last public altercation-neither had he.
Reluctantly, he opened the passenger door and slid in, gripping his bag a little tighter.
As Win pulled into traffic, a satisfied smile played at the corners of his lips.
As they drove to school, Nani sat anxiously in the passenger seat, barely able to relax. His eyes flicked nervously toward the windows every few minutes, silently praying none of Sky's friends-or worse, his watchdogs-saw him getting into Win's car. And getting out of this car? That was another risk entirely.
When Win pulled into the school's parking lot, Nani fumbled with his seatbelt immediately, hands shaky and clumsy. The click wouldn't come.
"Hey," Win said smoothly, not taking his eyes off the steering wheel, "what's the rush?"
"I-I can't unpin it," Nani muttered, tugging at the stubborn buckle with rising panic.
Win gave a low chuckle, then unfastened his own belt and leaned across the console. His face came close too close and for a second, Nani stopped breathing. Win's scent, subtle but expensive, wrapped around him like a warning. The heat of his breath skimmed Nani's cheek as his fingers worked the buckle loose.
"There," he said, voice low, almost amused. "Wasn't so hard, was it?"
Before Win could say anything more, Nani pushed the door open and bolted out of the car like he was escaping a trap.
But fate had other plans.
The first person he locked eyes with was Dew, who was just getting out of his own car. Their gazes collided for a second too long Dew's expression unreadable, almost guarded. He offered Nani a small smile.
Nani smiled back out of reflex, but it came out tight and awkward. There was something off in Dew's look. Not quite anger... but certainly not warmth.
Nani didn't have time to dwell on it. He turned and hurried off, praying no one else saw him climbing out of Win's car.
The faint smile that curved on Win's lips as he watched Nani walk away vanished the moment his eyes met Dew's. That cold, sharp stare cut through whatever warmth lingered in Win's expression. He turned, about to walk out of the parking lot, when Dew's hand clamped firmly around his wrist.
"Phi, are you really going after him?" Dew asked, his voice low but heavy with restrained emotion.
"Let go of me," Win snapped, refusing to meet Dew's eyes.
"Why?" Dew stepped closer. "If it were Nani holding you, would you be asking him to let go?"
Win's jaw clenched. "Dew, let me go." His voice held more warning than plea, but he could feel the power imbalance. No matter how hard he tugged, he couldn't break free. Why the hell is he this strong? Win thought, trying not to show how it unsettled him.
"You said you weren't into men." Dew's voice cracked just slightly. "So what's so different about him, Phi? I've told you. Nani's with Sky. You should stay away."
Win remained silent, jaw locked tight.
"Tell me what you see in him," Dew demanded, the mask fully gone now. "Tell me, and I'll be it. I can be whatever you want."
"You're not my type," Win muttered, wrenching his arm free at last.
"Are you sure about that?" Dew said, stepping even closer. So close, Win could feel the heat of his breath mint and cigarette smoke mixing in a heady, dizzying way. Win instinctively pressed a hand to Dew's chest to push him away, but Dew caught it, dragging Win's hand slowly across his torso.
"Are you sure this isn't what you want?" Dew whispered, his lips barely a breath away.
"Dew, stop," Win murmured, voice cracking with something that sounded far too much like weakness.
But Dew didn't stop.
His mouth crashed into Win's wet, unrelenting, like something ravenous. It wasn't a kiss it was a claim. Win moaned into Dew's mouth, not from pleasure but frustration. Rage.
"I hate you," he growled between breaths.
"I know," Dew murmured back, licking the edge of Win's lips. "But I've missed you, Phi..."
They devoured each other biting, panting, pulling-two beasts starving for something neither would ever admit.
It wasn't until the sound of a car engine echoed from the far end of the lot that they finally tore apart, gasping, eyes wild.
Reality came crashing back.
Disgusted with himself, Win spat to the side, shoved Dew away, and stormed off-leaving behind Dew, who watched him go with a crooked, satisfied smile.
He'd gotten under Win's skin again.
And he wasn't letting go this time.
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And that's a wrap for Chapter 9, guys!
But before I go Dew, who is the phi between you and Win?! Because honestly... Dew is radiating top energy like no one's business. I'm obsessed.
This is what I love about being a writer. I didn't even plan to write about Dew and Win, but somehow, the characters just came to life and took over. It's like they whispered, "We're next," and I couldn't resist.
Writing this chapter felt like magic-like it was all unfolding somewhere real, and I was just lucky enough to witness it. Seriously, I had so much fun.
If you enjoyed this chapter (or even if you didn't), please don't forget to like, comment, and let me know your thoughts.
How's the pacing for you? Too fast? Too slow? Or just right?.
Love you all, see you in Chapter 10!