Eyes on me

023

Porchay waited.

Kim said he'll be here but it's half past 1 in the morning, and still, he was nowhere in sight.

Pete offered to send Porchay back home several times when he received no news from Big. He assumed that maybe something had cropped up and the young master had forgotten to inform Porchay who had been standing in the cold for 4 hours, with no news of Kim.

It was until Porchay was too exhausted to stay up that he finally agreed to head back but the ominous feeling in his stomach lingered.

When Porchay got up that morning, he peeked through the door creak of Kim's bedroom, but the brunette was nowhere in sight. The sheets were left untouched so Porchay figured Kim didn't return home last night and fear struck his face at the thought that something might have happened. No text from Kim either.

Porchay was about to call for Pete and Big as he rushed down the stairs, only to be met with an unfamiliar man at the dining table. Porchay didn't pay much attention to him, thinking he was just one of Khun Korn's guests. However, the man sure did notice Porchay pacing around frantically in his bedroom slippers.

"I'm Gameplay." The man introduced himself. But Porchay, preoccupied with thoughts of Kim possibly being in danger, was clearly distracted. Without the intent of continuing the conversation, he merely responded back with a short introduction out of courtesy.

"Are you looking for someone?" Gameplay asked. "Maybe I can help."

"O-oh." Porchay was slightly taken aback at the kind offer, considering that they literally met seconds ago. However, if Kim was in trouble, he needed all the help he could get.

"I think something bad might have happened to the young master." Porchay expressed with concern. "He...hasn't returned since last night."

"Are you referring to Kim?"

Porchay nodded anxiously.

"Not to worry." Gameplay reassured as he laid his hand on the poor boy's tense shoulders. "Kim went out this morning with Big and Pete but they should be back soon."

"Ah..." A sigh of relief escaped Porchay upon hearing Gameplay's explanation although he quickly became embarrassed when he realized he had been talking to a guest in slippers and pajamas. Cartoon ones, not to mention.

Porchay followed Gameplay to the dining table after the latter urged him to have some breakfast while they waited for Kim. Although Gameplay was a guest, Porchay was surprised that he seemed to be so familiar and comfortable with the house.

"Oh and feel free to call me Phi. I sound less old this way." Gameplay joked as he handed an omelet to Porchay's plate.

"Thank you..Phi." Porchay smiled. Unlike most of Khun Korn's guests, Gameplay was friendly and approachable. He made Porchay comfortable too, and the two quickly got acquainted.

"I didn't get to ask you earlier." Gameplay said, as he cut into his sausage. "Are you Kim's cousin? I have not seen you around before."

"Uhh..." Porchay hesitated. Kim did warn him that no one was to know of their pretense so..logically he would have answered "Kim's boyfriend". However, Gameplay seemed rather harmless and, Porchay honestly didn't think it was necessary for anyone to know about their play pretend status.

"I'm Kim's brother-in-law's younger brother." Porchay replied as he watched Gameplay took a bite of his sausage.

"Ah! No wonder I've not seen you around. When I left for the States, Phi Kinn wasn't married yet." Gameplay took a sip of his coffee. "I'm assuming you're in college?"