KIMCHAY TALES: BITTERSWEET EXCHANGE

CHAPTER 11

Man differs more from Man than Man from Beast.

—

"Phi Big, there are boxes in my room. Do you know whom they belong to?" Chay asked when Big was on the balcony.

Big's eyebrows furrowed together, "What boxes?" he asked back, not even looking at Chay and still focused on his phone.

"There are like 3 or 4 huge boxes cramming in my room," Chay complained. His quarter is not that huge and those boxes were like obstructions on his way. At first, it was fine but after a while Chay got annoyed by it. He tripped multiple times because of those boxes, and now he has a prominent bruise on his arm as a result.

Big finally looked at him, glowering. Chay backed down a little bit. Why does everyone glower at him? He didn't do anything wrong, did he? "It must be from the former housekeeper," Big answered.

"Who?"

"You should ransack your brain to remember, Porchay. Khun Kim told you about him." Big said nonchalantly. Chay did ransack his brain as Big told him. What did Kim tell him?

"Because the last housekeeper is a nosy piece of shit so I had him killed."

Oh. Oh.

Before Chay could even ask more, a voice spoke behind him that startled both him and Big. "What are you two doing? Aren't you supposed to be working?" Kim's voice said. Chay immediately turned and slightly bowed as well when he saw Big bowed in Kim's presence.

"Khun Kim," Big said in an automatic response. "Porchay just has some concerns. It could be handled. Everything is fine, Khun."

Kim glanced at Chay, briefly looking at each other, before looking back at Big. "What is it?" he asked.

"It was Brent's belonging, Khun Kim," Big answered. Chay saw Kim's eyes darken the moment the name was mentioned. "They're still at Po–"

"Throw them away." Kim immediately demanded. His voice is quite scarier than usual, it made Chay shiver. He was used to Kim's demanding voice, but not like this. There's something behind it.

"Yes, Khun Kim," Big said, head still low. Kim left, not even looking back, but Chay was already right behind him.

"How are you feeling, Khun Kim?" Chay asked cheerfully, almost running to catch up with him. Kim didn't respond, but Chay was persistent. "Are you feeling better, Khun Kim? The doctor said you're getting better."

Chay might find himself persistent, but Kim finds it annoying. However, he's used to it. He might actually prefer it this way, rather than the agonizing week he had when the house was so quiet. Kim stopped in his tracks, and so did Chay. He sighed and faced him. Chay smiled at him. Kim found himself staring at him. Damn it.

Kim composed himself, "Yeah. I'm feeling better. Now, leave me alone." he grumpily said. Suddenly, something caught his eye. A bruise on Chay's arm. He grabbed the bruised arm and stared at it. The purple lesion is marking Chay's skin. "What happened? Did someone hurt you?" he asked, the worry evident in his voice.

Chay hissed in pain as Kim held him. The bruise is still fresh and aching. Chay shakes his head, "No. No one hurt me, Khun Kim. I just tripped over those boxes that I told P'Big." he said. Chay saw Kim lick his inside cheek in irritation. He smiled softly, he could see how worried Kim was about him. See. The beast isn't a beast at all.

"I'll call someone to throw those boxes away," Kim said, clearly annoyed.

"It's fine, Khun Kim. I can do that." Chay said. "Are you worried for me?" he teased with a smile.