From Something To Everything (Bounprem)

156. Reasons

Prem stretched himself, yawning as he huddled comfortably on the soft couch. The movie he had been watching was already over but there was no sign of Boun showing up.

He wondered if Boun had cancelled the plans with him. He was frustrated that he couldn't give him a call to enquire.

He felt tired and sleepy at the same time. It had been a long day for him. Starting from the shooting session he had since early morning to the dance practice with his on-screen partner in the afternoon to the anniversary party in the evening. Everything was so energy-draining.

He was so exhausted that he badly wanted to hit the bed. But since he had plans with Boun, he couldn't do that. He waited patiently for Boun's arrival.

Prem made himself another bowl of popcorn and picked out some non-alcoholic drinks from the refrigerator. He still had to work the next day, so he left the alcohol collection alone.

Having stayed over at Fluke's condo several times, he was well versed on what was placed where and he certainly knew that things that he might need for the night if Boun actually came over were unavailable in that condo. That was why he had to stop by the pharmacy before he headed to the condo.

Prem yawn once again, settling on the couch with the popcorn and drinks. He was choosing which movie to watch next when he heard the doorbell ring.

"Finally!" He groaned in happiness.

He happily skipped to the main door. He made sure to take a peek through the peephole to make sure that it was Boun. His whole being lit up seeing Boun outside the door. He immediately opened the door with a huge smile.

His excitement quickly faded when he saw Boun standing in front of the door with a blank expression.

"Hia?" Prem called out.

Boun finally looked at Prem. The next second, he stepped forward and hugged him.

Prem hugged him back, feeling a little confused. Something seemed off with Boun. He quietly closed the door behind them, while still hugging Boun with one arm.

"Hia, what happened?" He asked pulling away from the hug. He helped Boun to the couch. "Hia, tell me what is going on."

Prem grew worried seeing Boun's silence. He started gently patting Boun's back trying to ease his tension up.

"Pao, would it have been great if we hadn't gotten to know each other?" Boun asked softly.

Prem's hand froze. He stared at Boun.

"Would it have been great if I didn't trick you into sleeping with me? Or if I had kept a professional relationship with you?" Boun didn't dare to look at Prem.

"Do you want to die, Khun Boun?" Prem asked threateningly. It was too late for regrets, they have come a long way.

"If I hadn't come into your life, you would have been happy. If I knew where to draw my lines, your life would have been much better..." Boun kept on muttering.

"What the fuck are you talking about, Hia?" Prem lost his cool. He had been looking forward to spending at least a few hours with Boun and the older was speaking as if he regretted ever knowing him.

"They know, Prem. Mom and Dad know that we are still in touch. They-" Boun was on the verge of a breakdown. He didn't want Prem and his family to get targeted again.

"Stop. Stop it right there." Prem covered Boun's mouth. "Is this all about your mom and dad knowing about us?"

Boun nodded with glossy eyes.

Prem heaved a sigh of relief. "I thought it was something big."

Boun was bewildered by Prem's reaction. He was sure that Prem knew the consequences of his parents knowing that they were still in touch with each other.

Prem noticed Boun staring at him with a weird expression. He turned, with his body facing Boun. "First of all Hia, I met your dad on the way out of the party."

Boun was shocked but let Prem continue.

"Since you got that report from Fluke, I assume that you already know that Chris is your stepbrother."

Boun nodded.

"I met your dad at his place when I went for a party. So, today wasn't actually my first encounter with him." Prem held Boun's hand. "Trust me when I say this, our trick worked. He is pretty much convinced that we are nothing more than colleagues now. But still, I wouldn't recommend lowering our guard."

"But, Khun Tessa said that she visited your family and-"

"Second." Prem shushed Boun again. "I met Khun Tessa the last time I visited Chiang Mai. Remember Noeul, my cousin who was getting married? Turns out, he is getting married to the son of your Mae's maternal cousins."

Boun was dumbfounded.

"She was there along with the groom's family to fix the engagement date. I think she wanted to talk to me, but my Mae took her away. They are now close friends. It was as if she found her long-lost phi-saao.

They bonded so well that they talk to each other over the phone almost every day on a regular basis. No, no. Talk is the wrong word. Gossiping. That's the right word."

"You mean K- Khun Tessa-a didn't-" Boun couldn't believe his ears.

"She was really happy that you were with me." Prem smiled reassuringly.

"She isn't against us? I mean... we are both men so..."

"No, Hia. She seemed pretty open-minded. And did you forget that she came to Chiang Mai to fix a gay wedding? She was a little bit awkward in the being but all of that changed when the topic of the conversation became you."

"She talked about me?" Boun was stupefied.

"Of course, what else do you think the two ladies gossip about? She was very interested in knowing things related to you. She was both delighted and proud after hearing everything. Especially about your career and stuff, the things that my Mae also knows."

Boun grabbed the drink in front of him and drank it in one go, trying to calm himself. He needed time to process everything. He started coughing vigorously when the liquid went down the wrong pipe.

Prem tapped Boun's forehead to stop the cough. He grabbed a bunch of tissues and helped Boun wipe his face.

"You must be kidding me, right?" Boun's voice was hoarse from coughing.

"What makes you think that I am kidding, Hia?" Prem asked back.

"I can't believe this. She... she never cared about me, Pao." Boun was defensive.

"Hia, she might have had her own reasons to behave like that." Prem gently squeezed Boun's palm.

"What reasons, Pao? What reason can a Mae have to completely ignore and disregard the piece of flesh she gave birth to?"

"I have no idea, Hia. But I am one hundred per cent sure that there is some reason we don't know. "

Boun snorted at Prem's words. The younger was talking as if he had known the lady as long as he did. He wouldn't even dream of Tessa caring for him.