The Red Thread of Destiny

Chapter 5: The need

"What you want is not always what you need."

Phayu stared out of the window of his sprawling condo right in the heart of Bangkok. Although the family had several homes, including two large mansions on the same estate, Phayu had moved out 6 years ago, not wanting to connect with anyone. Eventually, he had moved back, but this place was his retreat, the place he could be himself, his refuge in a way. He came here to escape any kind of turmoil and found peace every single time. But today, his heart and mind refused to settle. All he could see was the black haired boy, his smile that lit like a thousand suns, his skin sparkling like sun-kissed dew, his lips a perfect Cupid's bow, lushly curved and perfectly pouted. 'Perfectly kissable,' thought Phayu.

He was jolted out of his reverie by the bell. He went to the intercom and saw it was Pai. Maybe he just needed this dose of his cousin, who could be loud and gregarious, but a calm to his storm as well. He quickly let him in. "What's up cuz?" Pai asked, smiling. "Nothing," Phayu started, but Pai cut him off. "Nothing? Seriously? You have your 'brood mood' face on. And it's quite obvious. Let's go, get you out of it," he said. "Go? Go where?" Phayu was disgruntled. "Our friends are waiting for us. We are going to our new updated and refurbished pub that reopened in the city centre. C'mon, no excuses at all, let's go, let's go!" he pulled at Phayu's hands. "Okay, okay, give me a minute to get changed," Phayu said, and went inside.

Pai knew very well why Phayu had been brooding. He was holding on to a stupid and childish promise that made no sense to him at all. He had talked to Phayu again and again, but there was nothing that got into his thick skull. Pai could not blame him, after all he was also like that. Like their dads. Kinn and Vegas had the same stubborn set to their minds, which they had passed on to their sons. In spades, according to their 'Pa's. Papa P always said that Khun Kinn and Vegas would have been much better off if they had been kicked on their backsides when they were babies. Pai had always found that trait irritating in Phayu, because he found the stupidest things to be hard-headed about.

Pai was hell-bent on taking Phayu out to this club. After giving the bouquet, and receiving thanks from Rain and Sky, Phayu had abruptly left, saying he had an urgent meeting. Oh, he had been polite and all that, but Pai had sensed both his extreme reluctance to leave and his absolutely strong desire to stay. He also understood very well that he would find Phayu here and was going to drag his cousin out, whatever it took. Because Nong Sky had said that they wanted to celebrate their first big event in the college, and Papa V had not hesitated a second before offering their new and improved club. "It will be the safest club for the young ones, since we have the top end bouncers and bodyguards stationed around. No harm will befall these kids. Plus, we will ensure no one bothers them," he had said, in his most convincing tone.

Both set of fathers had looked at each other and then at the pleading expressions on the faces of their children and had reluctantly given in. "Phayu and Pai will be there as well, because it's opening night. So they will also keep an eye on the boys," Pa had said, his tone polite and concerned. At that, Papa P had had brushed his hands against Pai's, a question in his eyes. He had nodded, knowing his assignment really well. And honestly, it would not be a hardship to keep an eye out for the boys, because just like Rain had caught Phayu's interest, Sky had caught his, and he was very keen to pursue the beautiful boy!

Finally Phayu came out of the room wearing his trademark leather jacket in a buttery tan. 'He is just burying himself in his misery, instead of living his life as he should,' Pai thought, feeling terrible for his brother. The two finally reached the club, and were greeted in loud voices by their friends. As the two boys were making their way to them, Phayu felt the fine hair on his body stand on end. There was an electric feel to the air again, as his heartbeats started to race frantically. He looked around, wondering why he felt this way. His eyes directly fell on Rain, who sat the corner table with his friends.