The street was empty except for a few shops that were working. Not many customers were seen in those shops. Perfect place to do something remotely illegal. There was a building that looked like it would fall any minute even with the slightest nudge. But it still stood perfectly intact. The only sound that came from the street was Mew's shoes hitting the concrete road. He looked back to see someone was following him. When he confirmed it, he started walking towards the almost fallen building.
"P'Mew."
Mew stopped in the tracks and looked back. He turned back slowly and sighed as he saw the face of the person. "What are you doing here, Gulf?"
Gulf shrugged and pointed at one of the shops. "My friend owns this restaurant. It is a classic Thai restaurant and I usually come here when I miss Thai food." He waited for Mew's reaction but when nothing came, he smiled, "Do you want to come in?"
Mew was surprised at first but then nodded, "Sure."
When they went in, a man came out of what looked like the kitchen. "Oh, P'Jame. How are you?"
The man was way too white to be Thai but from his features, he looked like he was from Thailand. He smiled, "Ai'Gulf. Long time, huh? Are you that busy?"
Gulf nodded, "I have my finals coming soon. And you know I am not that bright so I need to study hard."
Jame laughed, "You are underestimating yourself." He looked behind Gulf and saw Mew. "Did you bring in a date?"
Gulf's eyes went wide and his ears started to turn red, "No-"
"Awe, are you shy now?" Mew came closer and lightly placed his hand around Gulf's waist. "I told him we could book a table at a five-star hotel, but he wanted to show me an authentic Thai restaurant."
Jame smiled brightly, showing his pearl white teeth, "Owe! N'Gulf is promoting my restaurant, huh?" Gulf remained silent. "Anyway, please sit wherever you like, I'll be there to take your orders soon."
Mew and Gulf sat in one corner that had a brick wall on the side. Gulf huffed, "Why did you do that? Now he is going to tease me more."
Mew chuckled, "Your ears turned red as soon as he mentioned a date. I loved watching your reaction."
Gulf just pouted and started reading the menu. He closed it immediately as if he knew what he wanted. Mew scanned through the menu and pondered on what he would order. Jame came back to them with a notepad, "So your orders..."
As they were done ordering, Mew turned to Jame, "Isn't this a very dangerous place to keep your restaurant? Do you get enough customers?"
Jame looked at Gulf and then at Mew again, "The rent is low and I get enough people to run the restaurant just fine." He paused a little and looked at his notepad as if embarrassed, "On a good day."
Mew pulled out his wallet and produced two cards from it, "This is my card, this is the card of the chairman at JM Groups. We are opening a mall in a few weeks. You can get a place here at a low rent. Kim Seokjin loves to try out different cuisines. So call him and let him taste one of your dishes. He will surely give you a place. And if he doesn't agree, call me."
Jame's eyes went wide as he took both the cards. He joined his palms and bowed, "Thank you so much. I was searching for a different place, but I think I will go for this."
Mew smiled as Jame went back to the kitchen. "What?" He asked when he saw Gulf staring at him.
"Aren't the Kim brothers supposed to be rivals?" Gulf raised an eyebrow.
Mew laughed a little, "Of course we are."
Gulf narrowed his eyes, "Then why do you have his card?"
Mew smirked, "I usually dump his card at places where I mess up. So he has to silently clean up after me."
Gulf was shocked, "Wow. So selfish."
Mew just shrugged. "So, you said you have finals. That means Namjoon would have them as well."
Gulf nodded, "We have a month before finals. He will have them before me. But I am already stressed. The law here is complicated." He pouted.
Mew chuckled, "Everywhere the law is complicated. That's why we find loopholes one way or the other. If the law was perfect and simple, the world would be a Utopia, which is practically impossible."
Gulf nodded, "But still. It takes double effort for me to remember them."
Mew was confused. Wasn't he brought up in Korea? "Why?"
Gif huffed, "My father thought we would eventually move to Thailand, so they taught me that culture from childhood. But somewhere down the line, he changed his mind and I had to suddenly learn everything from the start to fit in Korean culture. So I tend to mix up the laws of Thailand and Korea."
Mew nodded. He understood it well. Juggling between two completely different languages, cultures, ideologies was hard. It was harder when you had pressure from both cultures to ace them to not lack in any sorts. People may think that life as a rich brat was easy, ordering around and throwing tantrums. But what they didn't know was being in the constant limelight. One mistake and you are taken down from the boards. Being under the watchful eyes of the opponents who were waiting for one chance to chew down whoever was on the top.
Shortly, their dishes were served. As soon as Mew took the first bite, he closed his eyes. He put the spoon down and covered his face with his hands. "Fuck."
"Are you okay?" Gulf asked, worried about what suddenly happened.
Mew looked up, "This is so fucking good. I have never eaten something so delicious."
Gulf smiled brightly, raising his cheeks cutely, "Right?"
Mew smiled sweetly at the younger as he was busy eating. Though Mew had lived in Thailand and heard stories about the youngest son of Traipipattanapong, looking at him in flesh was a completely different story. Just like what he had heard, Gulf was sensible, sweet, helpful and observant. He was also very smart and humble. It always irked him when he heard that Gulf's family wasn't really fond of him. He never knew why and he thought this wasn't the right time to ask.
When they completed their food, Gulf and Mew exited the restaurant together. "How did you come here? I mean, did you bring your car or something?" Mew asked.
Gulf shook his head, "I came by bus. I don't like driving in traffic."
Mew nodded, "I'll drop you home, then."
"No, it's fi-"
"I insist." Mew smiled at him.
Gulf sighed but agreed at last. He sat on the passenger's seat as Mew drove through the streets. The car was silent and the only sound that came was from the radio. "Why do you fight with your brother?"
Mew was taken off guard by this question. He cleared his throat, "Everyone knows why we fight."
Gulf shook his head, "If that is the reason, then I don't believe that you hate him."
Mew chuckled, "Him taking up my place in the company isn't a strong enough motive for you?"
Gulf shrugged, "If that was the reason, you wouldn't be so calm right now."
Mew sighed, "Let's not talk about that." He focused on the turn that the GPS mentioned before speaking again, "Don't go to that alley again. It is very dangerous. I am sure your friend will shift his restaurant to the mall when it opens. So avoid going there from now on."
Gulf blinked a few times before nodding. A pink hue settled on his cheeks, "Okay."
Mew didn't understand his reaction. Why did he react like that after getting the warning? Mew brushed the thought and focused on driving. Soon they were at the destination which confused Mew more, "You live in a college dorm?"
Gulf smiled and nodded, "Yeah. It is liberating here." Before Mew could ask anything, Gulf got out of the car.
Mew got out of the car with Gulf and stood between the door and the car's body, resting his hands on the roof of the car. "Stay safe. And if you need something, you have my number. Call me anytime."
Gulf nodded, "I will. Then, I will go first."
Mew gave a nod. As he saw Gulf going into the dorm, he sighed, "Why are you impressed by small things? Aren't you rich enough for these things to not bother you?"
