Loved But Forgotten

The Man Clad In Red

“First off, take a bath.” Pete mumbled lazily as he rose up from the bed.

It’s already past 9, he doesn’t know when did he start waking up so late. As a bodyguard, he often wakes up around 5 to 6 o’clock in the morning but lately, he’s been acting strange… as if his body got accustomed to being lazy.

“Grandma Jui said I should serve the family with a grateful heart. It is because of them that people in the island are living a good life. It’s also because of them that my grandparents are living well.” He nodded as he talked to himself.

Whenever he gets indolent, Pete reminds himself that he’s too lucky to have a job with good benefits and bosses. The Theerapanyakul’s main family did a lot for his grandparents and the least he can do is to provide them protection.

“Khun Tankhun, even accompany you to visit your grandparents, how many boss will do that for their employee?!” He imitated his grandma’s words during his recent visit.

Khun Korn was too kind to give him a two-week vacation. He said he needed it after all that he’d been through. He was hospitalized for 3 days and a bit lost in himself when he came back to the mansion. The doctor said he had the shock of his life, any other discussions in the hospital, he’s forgotten them all since he was still a bit disoriented by that time.

It was actually funny, he thought that since he’s already used to Tankhun’s mouth, his heart and mind are always ready to face any appalling situations he may experience. It was evidently wrong.

Pete doesn’t even remember what shocked him. He just knew it’s during the war of two families, he’s forgotten most of what happened during that time.

In the first 2 weeks, he keeps forgetting things, did a lot of mistakes and he often stares at nothingness. After the turnover ceremony for the minor house and when Porsche finally became the official head, Pete was granted vacation.

This gets him to the topic that he has no roommate anymore. He kinda misses Porsche’s sassy triggered ass.

He sighed and did some stretching. “Now get ready before your young master started looking for you.” He laughed and entered the bathroom.



- TOK TOK

As Pete was fixing his shoes, a frantic knock on his door disturbed his peace.

“Yeah? Who are you?”

Instead of answering, the door to his room swung open and it was followed by Pol’s whining.

“Peeetttee!”

“Spending too much time with young master makes you whiny too, huh?”

Pol ignored his jokes and he keeps fidgeting. “I’ve been in and out of the bathroom since early morning and I was tasked to deliver the tea to the meeting room but I really need to take a dump.”

He cringed. “Why are you telling me this? I don’t carry the toilet, do I?”

“Idiot!” Pol threw a tissue box on him. “I need a substitute, what else?”

He rolled his eyes. “Fine, fine, do your business. I don’t have anything to do anyway.”

Being reliable is what makes him loved.

--

“No, it’s all simple math. Funding a weapon like this is costly yet what’s the percentage of it actually working? 30? 40? Why don’t we take what we usually does, observe a bit more and when the cost decreases, that’s the time we’ll go for it? If it won’t work, then at least we didn’t lose a ton of profit.” Vegas suggested as he’s lazily sprawled on his seat in the meeting area.

They’re talking about new weapons they want to fund. New business ventures. Kinn is nowhere to be found and he can say he’s very pleased.

“This is all about who’s the first one who gets it. Authenticity, originality. The Suwanamas kept getting more deals… and they also keep funding projects lately, we have to compete heads on.”

“Wrong, authenticity? Hah! You’re ego is too big to be a businessman.” Vegas mocked a member of the branch family. “It’s not all about who got it first, it’s all about who made it work.”

The door to the meeting room slides open but everyone was too immersed listening to him to even take a glance.

“And if they make it work?”

“Then we’ll recreate their work.” He answered, nonchalant. “Maybe it’s not really about who made it work… but who did it best.”

The man who’s debating with him shook a head but on his lips was an amused smile.

“That’s… that’s nearly like making profit using other people’s idea.”

Vegas shrugs. “It’s not illegal, the first mobile phone was created by what company? But now, how many other companies make phones?” He said as an example. “It’s how business works. And we’re a family of mafia, who the fuck cares if it’s illegal or—”

“Ugh! Fuck!”

His momentum was lost when he heard a curse and some cluttering noises. Before he can even look, Vegas already felt the burning sensation on his right arm, down to his hand.

“Aww! Fuck!”

--

“Rise and shine beautiful!” Tankhun greeted when he passed by the mirror in his room.

Another day, another drama.

He started it just like any other

He took a bath

He ate breakfast

He fed the fishes

And of course, he'll bitching everyone he encounters.

“When you’re a simp but you’re also emotionally unstable so you have nothing but your guitar to kiss.”

He chanted when he passed by Kim on the living room who’s currently tuning his guitar.

“I heard that.”

“You do have ears, I expect you to.”

When he finally reached the bodyguards’ quarter he immediately spotted Pol who’s walking strangely.

“Who the fuck hit you in the ass, Pol? Did you receive some flogging?” Then he inched closer to his ears. “Or you received a prodding?”

“Kh-Khun Tankhun…”

“Where have you all been? Where’s Arm and Pete?”

Pol sighed. “I was in the meeting room and the boss ordered to bring some tea.”

“Huh! And?”

“I really need to go to the bathroom again, Khun.”

“Not so fast!” He tugged on Pol’s suit to stop him. “What are they meeting for? Is Kinn there?”

“They are meeting about the family business and Khun Kinn has a prior commitment.” His bodyguard squirmed in discomfort. His stomach must have really hurt.

Tankhun made a face. He’s not that much interested about their family business, he only likes involving himself if it concerns taking down the minor family. At this point, Uncle Gun’s branch already met their downfall so, there’s no reason to antagonize Vegas any longer, he’s not gonna attend any more meetings.

Speaking of that bastard, he last saw him two weeks ago and his Pa is accepting of him. When they talked, his old man said that he’s gonna need to take care of Macau and Vegas since they are still family. If only he wasn’t his father, Tankhun would think he’s an idiot buffalo.

“That demon is not there, right?” He asked Pol just to be sure.

“D-Demon?”

“Who else but Vegas!”

Pol frantically shook a head. “Khun Vegas is there, he still manages some of the family business so—”

“That devil!” Tankhun didn’t let Pol finish. “Once you’re done with your business, find Pete and don’t ever let him step out of his room. They can never meet.”

But as he rambles on, Pol gets paler and paler. “What’s the matter?”

“A-Ah…” then a small guilty laugh and a scratch on the nape. “Khun, I forgot about it… H-He’s actually the one who’s bringing them the tea—”

“WHAT?!” Tankhun draws his top lip back far enough that the tips of his canine is almost visible “Pol, you dumb child!”

That and he runs while pulling out all his hair.

--

As Pete walks into the room, everyone is too busy to even throw him a glance as all of them seems to be absorbed on whatever the man clad in red velvet shirt is saying.

‘A new face’ He thought. He’s curious what branch is he from. Although his suggestions sound a bit cunning, he actually makes sense. He sounded accustomed by the way he talks and handles the conversation.

One by one, he places the teacups in front of the guests but when he’s about to walk up to the man who's still debating with a member of the branch family, it all happened so fast. He somehow tripped and his mind can only shout one thing.

"Ugh fuck!"

Yeah fuck because the tray he was carrying slipped out of his hands and from the corner of his eyes, he saw the teapot was thrown over to the direction of the man clad in red.



“Fuck! Damn it!”

Pete’s immediate reaction was to lower his gaze and when he did, his eyes narrowed at his shoe tie. Fucking Pol! He forgot to tie his shoes when that bastard suddenly barged in his room. That’s what happened, his left foot stepped on the knot of the right shoe and when he was about to take a step using his right, the knot was stuck and he stumbled.

He’s getting forgetful recently.

“What’s wrong with you man?!” The man muttered as he waggled his affected hand up in the air while muttering a string of curses.

The curses made him tremble a little. He tried to steal a glance at his face. His brows were knitted into a frown. His jaw was chiseled like a fine marble but it was clenching in annoyance. Pete swears his cheekbones were protruding pretty nicely. And his chest—Pete felt the hotness of his cheeks. Two buttons of this man’s shirt were left open, exposing his bare chest.

He thanked the heavens that he only spilled the tea over his arm, not on his chest or Pete would have to do something about that and it would be awkward.

‘Wake up bastard! Say sorry!’ The smart part of his brain yelled.

“It fcking burns. Next time, watch where you’re—”

When the guest lifted his head to glare at him, he wasn’t able to finish his words. Somehow the man looks… astonished?

“Ah… h-hehe K-Khun…” Pete wanted to slap himself for his fake laugh sounded so edgy. “I’m sorry. Here, let me help you.”

Pete then took out a handkerchief from his suit and started patting the injured skin. Strangely enough, the guy remains quiet. Where did his smart mouth go? Pete has no idea.

Khun Korn cleared his throat and gestured at the guest he’s tending to. “Pete, this is Vegas, son of my deceased brother, Gun. Macau’s older brother.”

There are two things Pete finds weird.

First, Khun Korn and Khun Gun just had a war recently so what is Khun Gun’s son doing here?

Second, shouldn’t he at least know the name of the minor family’s first born?

The main & minor family often do business together but why can’t he remember this certain young master? Did he live in a foreign country for Pete not to be aware of his existence?

‘Vegas..’

Yet if he’s to try to speak the name in his head, the sound of it seems familiar.

“I’m sorry Khun Vegas.” He bowed, puzzled why his lips slightly quivered when he uttered the name.

“Hmm…” All the annoyance in Khun Vegas’ face faded without trace, it was replaced by a smirk. “You’re lucky I’m in a good mood today.”

In a good mood? Since when the fuck is he in a good mood? Just a moment ago, he was gritting his teeth so hard, it would fall off anytime and right now, he’s gazing right at Pete that it sends a tingling itch on his skin.

It was an intense stare. This Vegas, he looks at him as if he’s staring right into his soul… it makes him feel naked and Pete has the urge to cover himself in shame.

“Is that a serious burn?” Korn asked.

“Oh yeah, it’s actually painful… too bad that I need to apply ointment immediately.” Khun Korn's nephew answered but he’s not setting his eyes off Pete and there was a hint of playfulness dancing within his dark orbs.

“Okay then. Pete see to it that he’ll receive proper care.”

He nodded. “Follow me, Khun Vegas.”



Vegas wanted to laugh at how his uncle’s concern sounded so fake and no one seemed to notice he’s spewing bullshits! But he’s different. He’s always been suspicious of him.

He has no plans to claim the position of being the head of the minor family, Porsche can eat the title if he wants. Vegas just wanted to annoy his uncle during the meeting and impress the branch families so he could at least gain a little bit of control that were all lost after the war with the main house.

However, Pete suddenly popped out of nowhere and his plans have to change.

A man has priorities.

“Follow me, Khun Vegas.” Pete told him with a big smile and his eyes were in the shape of crescent.

How he missed those! When he woke up from the coma, all he wanted was to see that smile again because right then, he’ll know that even if life is a series of misery, it’ll be worth living anyway.

If only he can smuggle him out of here.

“Do you know who am I?” He asked just enough for Pete to hear.

“Ah….you’re Khun Vegas?”

He grins. “And do you remember what—”

“Ayeeee! Where’s Pete?!”

He was cut off when someone barged in to the meeting room, yelling like a madman that almost everyone inside clutched their chests from shock.

Korn could only shook a head. Of course, who else but his hysterical child.

“Tankhun you moron, what are you shouting for?!” He yelled.

But Tankhun just waved a hand on his Pa and turned his attention to Vegas and Pete who are on their way out.

“Where do you think you’re going? I’m looking for you everywhere?” He raised a brow at his bodyguard.

“Khun… I accidentally spilled the tea over his hand.”

“Hah! And that’s a good job! Now, let’s go. You will help me feed the fishes.”

Pete shakes his head. His boss has always been against Macau so maybe he hates his brother too. “Later Khun, I have to mend his burns first.”

“You changed Pete!” He pouted.

“It was my mistake so it’s my responsibility…”

Tankhun glanced at Vegas and the little devil looks at him triumphantly. “Aren’t you enjoying your burn too much, huh, Vegas?”

Korn cleared his throat again, and Pete gets alarmed. He quickly held onto Vegas’ hand and led the way out.

‘He’s handsome but he got sweaty hands’ Pete noted. ‘Or is he nervous?’

--

“You can leave now, Pete. I will mend him myself.” Tankhun said when they arrived at the seating area.

“But Khun—”

“Because he’s the cousin I love very much, I will take care of his wounds.”

Pete cringed at Tankhun’s words. Although his words were sweet, he looks like he’s asking Vegas for a fight.

His young master roughly stole the first aid kit from his hands and hit his bottom.

“Now go and bring that little butt of yours somewhere else, we need to talk about something so, no eavesdropping.”

“O-Okay, boss.” He bowed at him then turned to Vegas. “You are in good hands now, Khun Vegas. Again, I’m sorry.” That’s it and he left the two.



When Pete was far enough, Tankhun hastily turned to Vegas with eyes so wide as if they’re gonna come out of their sockets. “Pete is not a nurse. He’s my bodyguard!”

“And neither are you! Give me that!” Vegas attempted to get the kit from Tankhun but his cousin just wiggle it out of his reach.

“What are you up to Tankhun?”

“As you can see, I’m protecting Pete against you. Everything I do is out of love.”

“Everything you’re doing is out of love for chaos, idiot.” Vegas muttered. “Your mind-conditioning him to hate me. I won’t allow it.”

“Hah! The nerve of you! Even if I won't talk shit about you, you're already hateful as it is. What can you do about it? Do you think I’m scared of your little burnt ass, Vegas?”

Instead of ointment, Tankhun opened a bottle of alcohol and poured it down on his burns. Vegas almost screamed in pain, but he can only yank his arm away. He’s miffed! This blockhead is really testing his patience.

He forced himself to grin smugly. “Just give up. Pete already chose me.”

But Tankhun met his eyes with confidence and his cunning devilish smirk annoys the hell out of Vegas.

“Well, why don’t we let him choose again? Right now?”

Pete just met him for like 10 minutes ago, how the fuck is that fair?!

“He will choose in time.” He rose to his seat. That’s enough for Tankhun’s craziness for today.

“Hah! How sad. Loved but forgotten.” He even heard the madman’s chant as he walks away.

On the way back to the meeting room, he passes by Pete who’s looking at him carefully.

“K-Khun Vegas.” He bowed a bit as a sign of respect. "Your wounds?"

Vegas sighed and reached out to stroke his hair much to the bodyguard’s surprise.

“Don't worry about it. It's nothing serious.” He whispered and left to return to the meeting room.

Patience. He needs longer patience so even if he’s itching to go for Tankhun’s vocal box, he will have to stop himself if he wants to get Pete out of this mansion.

--

“Aren’t we going to the pond?” Pete asks when Tankhun walks to the direction of his room.

“Actually, I already fed them, I was just saving you from that monster.”

Pete knows Tankhun is a walking drama. He exaggerates everything but this time, he feels like his act meant something more.

“I tell you Pete, if you see him anywhere, always go for the opposite direction. You can’t let his rabid charms get to you.”

Pete forced a laugh. “I’m a straight guy, Khun…” Yeah for what happened earlier during the meeting, he wasn’t checking Khun Vegas out. It’s just really the first time he saw that man… and he’s really out of the ordinary, of course he will get curious!

“I don’t think you are.”

“I am.”

“Right, if you will have weird taste in men, don’t ever think you have the rights to be gay. You can’t be gay Pete, I won’t allow it. And even if you are, you should be asexual and aromantic."

“But why though? You like Dr. Top yourself, right?”

Tankhun’s face immediately lightened up at the mention of the name.

“I have a good taste in men so I can be gay all I want. It won’t kill me."

Pete just nodded and forced another laugh. He doesn’t understand a single thing he says. His boss’ crazy button is obviously on—seriously, when is it not?