It Started With A Contract

xoxo

"Ow."

It felt like any other morning, with the sun's warm rays caressing his cheeks as he slowly stirred from his slumber.

That was until Kongpob accidentally rubbed his eye against the foreign metal circle around his finger.

He waited for the pain to subside before opening his eyes to stare at the golden band.

Two months ago, his parents gave him an ultimatum. Get hitched or get ditched.

And so Kongpob chose to get married to their cherry-picked first choice in order to rise to the CEO position in their company's London branch.

Honestly, he had to give his parents props for trying. They probably thought that the precious son of their family friend was enough to stop Kongpob's debaucherous ways.

Little did they know, Arthit Rojnapat was at best a bandaid with a 12 month expiration date.

Kongpob yawned and stretched out his arms as he padded down the stairs, following the sweet scent of pancakes and freshly brewed coffee.

"Good morning P'Kongpob. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes." The younger man did not look up from his pan of scrambled eggs as he quickly rushed to piece together the rest of their meal.

He nodded even though Arthit couldn't see it and took a seat across the kitchen island.

"You don't have to make breakfast every morning. I'm used to making cereal and coffee."

Arthit turned around and set a plate full of pancake with eggs and sausage in front of him, along with a coffee. "I am going to eat anyway, and it's easier to cook for two."

With a meek smile, the fairer man took the seat across from his and started to eat.

Arthit was definitely a beauty of his own right. With a small lean frame, he had soft curves in all the right places. His snow white skin was accented further by the delicate wisps of silky chocolate brown hair. The most captivating and dangerous part of him were those honey doe eyes that shimmered brightly with hopes and dreams.

The younger man struck his own deal with his parents. If he could find work at a publishing house, he could stay in London. Otherwise, he would have to go home and take on their family's restaurant business in Bangkok.

Now they're here, eating breakfast together. He referred Arthit to his dream publishing house where Kongpob is a silent investor and in exchange, Arthit would agree to their parents' arranged marriage so that Kongpob could get his dream job.

They technically both benefited from this arrangement, so why did it bother him that Arthit just accepted all his terms and rules without any resistance?

"Hey Arthit."

"Yes?" Arthit's eyes widened with bewilderment as he looked up from the plate to meet his icy stare.

Damn those eyes.

"What is rule number 1?"

"Don't do unnecessary things." His brows furrowed as he tilted his head slightly as he pondered the question. "Was this unnecessary?"

Tearing his eyes away from the pouted pink lips, Kongpob took another bite of pancakes, savoring the sweetness that filled his palette. An unfamiliar warmth tinging his heart.

"No."

Arthit nodded and took a pensive sip of his still hot coffee, his mind wandering to how drastically his life changed course.

2 months ago, he was just a literature student hunting for any job at any publisher just so he could stay in London.

He knows his parents meant well, but they hatched up a crazy plan to find him someone to take care of him while he lived abroad.