Ephemeral: Love, Pleasure and Hidden Pains

One

TW: This chapter contains abusive relationship, implied noncon/rape, pls² don't read it if you can't take it.

Apo woke up from his sleep suddenly with a start, his body covered in cold sweat. Eyes stings with tears, his body aches. He watched the raindrop slowly dripping from his window. The bruises on his arms and leg were starting to fade away but it still hurt. He sat up and buried his face on his naked knees

"Morning Apo", mumbled into his knees. The bed beside him was empty. He knew Dan would leave him after they got into a heated fight yesterday night. It ended nicely in his opinion. Dan did not hit him, but he did choke him a little. The sore on his neck is a conformation, he did not need to see to know that it bruise now

He untangled himself from the bed sheets, and reached for his phone. No phone call or text from Dan but there was one text from the Bible, asking whether he opened to meet tonight. He has been asking to meet him for months but he did not have courage to ask Dan, he knew Dan would never allow it. But Bible has insisted on meeting him, Apo sighs, he had been thinking to go without Dan knowledge but he knew better. He needs to ask Dan, or it ends with a fight again. 

Slowly put his phone on the table beside the bed, without a noise. He walks slowly to the bathroom, he needs to go to his shop as soon as possible or Tong, his boss, will be super mad. 

Shower was a blur, it did not take a long time to be honest, he then walked in front of the mirror, the condensation covering his appearance, with his slightly trembling hand, he wiped the mirror clean. Water dripped down after he did that. In that sense, he saw his appearance now, bruises covering his torso, a handprint on his upper arm, forearms were red and his wrist was blue. It hurt but not as painful as his heart unfortunately. Apo scanned his face, fortunately, Dan did not touch his face, he loves his face. 

"I need to wear a turtleneck", Apo said absentmindedly. He trails the choking mark on his honeyed skin. Hand still slightly trembling. His eyes catch the sad eyes reflecting on the mirror. Instantly Apo smiles. "This is nothing, Dan was mad. I did something bad. It is my fault. Dan did what he needed to do". 

He found his black turtleneck and black slack, he did not have any energy to choose something more fancy and colourful. It was a hot day in Thailand but no one will question his outfits, it was one of many 'Apo style'. Quietly he slipped into his outfits and gathered his phone, wallet and pills before heading out of the house. 

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The new clients were a pain in the ass for Mile, they demanded so much for something so small. Headaches start forming due to this. His Monday morning was already a shitshow. It did not help when his ex kept on texting him, obsessing over their failed relationship. Being a bachelor in his late 20s has made him want to meet as many people. He yet found the one that truly stole his heart, to complete his heart. But, now Mile had enough with all the bullshit in the relationship, this last relationship gave him trauma. He prayed that he would meet someone suddenly, who genuinely appreciated his quirks and habits. All the other exs he dated only after his reputation or money, and some both

He opened his phone while his driver drove them. At least he could relax for the next 3 hour before the next meeting. 

***

Tong

MILE EXPLAIN WHY YOUR EX COMES TO MEET ME? DEMAND AN EXCLUSIVE DESIGN DRESS. WEDDING DRESS TO SAY THE LEAST. DON’T TELL ME YOU WANT TO MARRY THIS GIRL.

Mile Phakphum

Tong, called security. Ignore her.