Tin is back in Thailand to resume being the Medthanan heir. He is finally ready to deal with all of his past misdeeds, including the mess with Pete Pichaya and his boyfriend, Ae. He now has the skills to fight his brother, Tul, for the family compan...
The newspapers piled up around Tin like flotsam in the ocean. His once tidy room became a mess as he cut out articles and had them stacked in piles. Cleaning staff were told to change the bedsheets and do the bathroom. It became the stuff legends are created when one poor young maid, tried to neaten his papers.
Tin phoned the owner, Ms. Putch Pichaya directly, and insisted the young lady be fired for ignoring his post it notes. Vital research could have been lost and then could that young maid have the money to reimburse him his time and effort?
Pete only sighed. That was the Medthanan heir he was familiar with. The Tin from the past month, he was a complete stranger. He was flabbergasted when Can told him who helped him with his tie. The Tin Pete knew would have walked away in disgust. Complete disgust.
Petch and Pete discussed the Medthanan heir living in the hotel over breakfast one morning. "I'm not firing that young girl." She sighed deeply. "I'll transfer her to the laundry for the duration of his stay. Pete, find out how long his stay will be."
"Why me?" Unaware that he was whining, only that his mother gave him that glance. Pete straightened his shoulders. "No, seriously, why me?"
"Well, he's a difficult guest. You need to know how to handle all types. Second, isn't he your friend?"
Pete considered. "No, not really. At one time, I would have gladly called him my friend. Too much has happened for that to be true. Now? I'd call him more than an acquaintance but less than a friend, if there is such a category." He knew this wasn't true for Tin, he still had less than ten people of his own age in his friends list on Facebook. He wasn't even sure if he HAD any other social media platforms.
"All the more reason to do this. There is a reason that boy hasn't gone home to see his parents yet. Did you consider that, Pete?" Petch was tapping her long, slender fingers on the glass tabletop.
It drove Pete crazy when she did that. It usually meant there was no wiggle room. He had to do something, and it was unpleasant. Where was Ae when he needed him?
"Ma, I don't even want to think about what's going on in Tin's head. Since he returned, he's even more weird than he was before. At least, I understood him then. Now," Pete shook his head slowly, "I don't understand anything."
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The latest article in the The Thailand Times was the last straw! Tin threw the paper on the floor and stomped on it. Sure, it was childish. It was immature. It was stupid. It felt amazing to let steam off. It felt good to stomp up and down on the rabid, awful picture Tul must have given them since it was a family picture taken just after he returned from boarding school at 15.
The hotel room phone rang and Tin almost passed out in shock. In the 9 weeks he had resided here, other than expected calls, reminders, etc, the phone had never rang once. He strode over and answered it. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Medthanan, but we have received a noise complaint. We ask that you please keep it down."
"Of course, miss. My sincere apologies." Tin withheld the laughter bubbling over. He walked over to his cell phone and pressed Pete's number.
"Pete?" There was a long pause. Tin wondered for a moment if he had the wrong number. "Who is speaking, please?" Ah... Ae.
"Am I speaking with Ae Intouch?" His toe was tapping. It was a bad habit. He had been working very hard to break it, but so far had no luck. If you knew him well, you would know as soon as his toe tapped, he was beginning to feel strong emotions.
"Yes, and you are?" The voice was cold, tinny over the airwaves.
"Tin Medthanan. I can speak with you, Mr. Intouch. It doesn't need to be Pete." Tin was not familiar with how long Ae could carry a grudge. He was now, well before he said Pete's name, Ae had already hung up.
Tin sighed and called Ms. Pichaya. He did not want to go this route. He felt extremely embarrassed about his meltdown over the young maid. He put on his big boy pants and dialed her number.
"Ms. Pichaya, Tin Medthanan. I'm sorry to disturb you but I can't reach Pete. I won't take up too much of your time but I received a call regarding making a disturbance. I wish to extend my sincere apologies for being a long term nuisance. I will be checking out of the hotel tomorrow." He paused, and when she said nothing, continued, "If you provide me with the cleaning supplies, I shall take care of my mess. Please leave a housekeeper's cart outside the door."
He didn't wait for a response then, simply hung up. He was, after all, THE Medthanan heir. He was used to being obeyed, no matter who was on the other end of the call.
Putch stared at the cell momentarily and then dialed her son. "Pete, you are an ass! Stop picking up Ae's bad habits! Tin's checking out and I need to know why! If all that money is just going to another hotel, you better stop him from leaving."
Pete stared at Ae, who had a look of innocence on his face. "Ma, I have no idea what you're talking about. Why would Tin leave?"
"Find out. He said he called you first." Putch rarely lost her temper but Pete blowing off business was out of character. She missed the old phones where you could show your temper by slamming down the receiver. Pressing the disconnect button, she leaned back in her chair and pondered.
A slow smile began to cross her face as it dawned on her. Ae's jealousy. Pete really had no idea! Pete didn't know that Tin had called. Putch wished to be a fly on the wall in the condo while they re-hashed out Ae's intense jealousy.
Well, it wasn't her problem, the bottom line of her hotel was. It was up to Pete to ensure that the bottom line of his inheritance was stable. That was the goal of on the job training.
Pete glared at Ae, who was whistling as he backed up, refusing to meet his eyes. Since they began dating, years ago, Pete had slowly become more confident. Ae had worked hard to bring him out of his shell. There were many, many times he regretted it.
Like now. Still, there was no denying a confident, angry Pete was sexy as fucking hell. Ae held his hands up in defeat. "Pete, I'm sorry. I didn't know he was calling about business. I just don't want that jerk anywhere around you. He did try to blackmail you, break us up and he didn't even apologize for it... "
Pete's hand smashed the wall on either side of the shorter, dark haired man. "It's my phone, Ae. Not yours. I've never once doubted you. Not once. I've never answered it unless you are present. If you can't give me the same courtesy, perhaps it's time to break up? This is our livelihood that you seem intent on hurting?"
He dropped his hands helplessly and walked to the couch in defeat. "Three bar patrons medical expenses for "flirting" with me, plus settlement fees, and now I may be loosing a multimillion dollar account because of your jealousy?" He dropped his chin to chest and sighed dramatically. "I can't take it anymore. Can watches me like a hawk, teasing me whenever someone just talks to me. It's ridiculous."
Ae felt a tremor of guilt flash through his body. He couldn't loose Pete. He couldn't. It was time to call off Can, get down on his knees and beg forgiveness. He had to do better. Pete was the love of his life.
