Like The Water That Sustains Me

Flight #016546 (Part I)

They arrive at the airport and Jay is confused to see they are at the private air jets area.

Okay, he admits he was a little distracted, answering email, and looking through his back-up cloud for the reports, so he didn't notice where they were going. But-

"Sing, there's been a mistake," He looks at the man in the driver's seat.

"No. there isn't" Khun C answers.

He looks back at the elder, attempting to talk, but Khun C adamantly looks at the window, as if he can't look anywhere else.

"Hmph," Jay pouts as subtly as he can.

This isn't part of their schedule or their itinerary, and it makes him a little fidgety. He's being paid to know stuff, and he has no idea what's happening.

He goes back to his phone and finishes his emails.

'Since when did Khun Tan charter private planes anyway?'

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"This is private flight number 016546 one way to Railay, Krabi. Time is 10000 hours landing in 11500 hours. Attendants, please prepare for take-off. Passengers please remain seated and have seatbelts fastened until we get to the air and cleared. There are refreshments available as requested, and private quarters for resting while we are in the air. Thank You Khun C Sirawokin for having me. It is my pleasure to fly for you tonight. This is Oon Atid Chaimongkhon, your captain for tonight. Thank you and enjoy your flight"

"Khun Tan, if I knew you wanted to fly private, I could've arranged everything. It's my job." Jay says.

Khun C is seated opposite him on the large seat, as the man he's speaking with is looking out the window.

He rolls the blinds down before turning to Jay.

"I told you I would speak to our men from now on. I just called some colleagues, bought this plane, then asked around for the best pilot. No biggie," C says.

'No biggie? NO BIGGIE?! How was this not big? This is astronomical. This is his job. Something he's being paid to do,' he thinks.

"I'm not sure I understand what's happening, Khun Tan," he says.

C's face remains void of big expressions, stoic but not rude. Jay sees his answer more than he hears it.

"You'll see," the older man said.

Jay suddenly remembers there's an important matter he needed to tell Khun Tan. About Solo and Gui and a little boy.

"Khun Tan, there's something about Khun Chaai and Khun Gui that I needed to talk to you about. Would now be a good time?" Jay asks.

He looks at the elder's face when he says it, and if he didn't watch him all along, he would've never seen it. A small shift on his face. A look of hidden interest and curiosity, and a look of longing to know more about his only son's life.

Jay smiles and continues- "When we went to Chiang Mai, we stayed at a village that Khun Gui's mother used to stay. She used to be the principal at their school and their only teacher, and she helped the villagers live better. She was teaching the children in the day, and when she can she helps the elders find better ways to grow food so they can have a more sustainable livelihood. And because of that, they've grown quite fond and dependent on her over the past years, and Khun Chaai asked me to help them. I would've loved to help them on my own, but I can only do so much. It's a good thing Khun Chaai asked me to help him. He told me to contact some people so he can send volunteers to teach the children basic education. He sponsored to give the children scholarships for college if they wanted to pursue higher education. And he and Khun Gui will be helping the elders with projects to start planting fruits and raise animals so they can become suppliers in the city," Jay says.

Khun C was listening, albeit defying nonchalance, a small smile was decorating his rather still lips, and Jay continues-

"And there's a boy,"

Khun C looks at him, his interest more obvious this time,

"They wanted to take care of the little boy that Khun Gui's mother basically adopted. He's living with the other villagers for now because he was living with the Principal. And-and I thought about- about adopting him," Jay says.

He looks down because he didn't want to see how Khun C will react so he looks down and continues-

"Since Khun Chaai and Khun Gui won't be able to legally adopt the boy yet because they're underage, I will adopt the child, and take him under my wing," Jay finishes.

He knows he can barely look after himself properly with how much work he has, the child will be basically living on his own, with minimal guidance from him, but he will do his best to give the best life he can to a wonderful young boy.

"Have you told him you'll adopt the kid?" C asks.

Jay nods his head gently and- "Yes and no, Khun Tan. I told Khun Chaai I was interested in fostering Nong Moon until they can legally adopt him. But I'm planning to tell him I will do it so he doesn't need to worry. Khun Chaai can actively take care and see Nong Moon anytime he wants, of course. Maybe he and Khun Gui will be babysitting him a lot of times cause we're mostly overseas or on business trips, anyway. But I'll do my best to not bother Khun Chaai about those matters. I'll do my best to take care of Nong Moon."

"Do you like him? The boy?" C asks.

Jay nods.

"The children reminded me of Khun Chaai a lot when he was younger. All the kids in the village are very lovely and very kind. Even if they like to play around, they're very attentive in class whenever I, Khun Chaai, and Khun Gui taught them, and they help out their parents in the field a lot. They adored the Principal, and they adored Khun Chaai and Khun Gui just the same. "

Jay smiles dazedly.

"They called Khun Chaai, teacher Handsome, Khun Gui, teacher smile and they called me Teacher Hia," Jay giggles.

"Oh yeah? And who's Teacher Jae?" C teases.

His mirth reaching from his little smile all the way to his slender eyes. And Jay flushes. He's never been insecure about his pale skin, but now is a good time to curse it as any. The damn flush must be reaching all the way to his neck.

"Khun Tan," Jay says.

"Okay, okay. I'll stop" he stops and looks out the window again.

"We'll do it," Khun C says.

Jay looks up from his lap and tilts his head in question.

"Let me do it," C says. Then looks outside the window again.

Jay thinks, 'Of course. I mean, I can never provide the best life to Nong Moon. What was I thinking?'

"It's not like that Jay. It's not what you're thinking," Khun C says.

"You know what I was thinking?" Jay asks.

"You were smiling, like the world forced you to smile. Which you only do when you start self-deprecating," C answers.

Jay pinches his hand as subtly as he can to scold himself for being unprofessional.

"Jay, I said stop it. You aren't obvious at all,"

Jay can't help but feel amazed that the elder is observant and compassionate to his subordinates. Even if he was a cold and smart businessman, he was a very caring boss.

"I'm sorry Khun Tan. I'll be more professional next time," Jay answers.

C clicks his tongue, and Jay shuts up for good throughout the whole flight.

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The 'then my father must be a Jae' remark from Solo is tooo tempting. I needed Khun C to say that too. Welp, here's part 1. Part 2 is next. Hehe hehe

All comments, suggestions, criticisms, fangirling, are very welcome! Please tell me what you guys think. Haha

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Until then,

Ciao!