The Gossip of BL [E-book on MEB]

CHAPTER 26 : New Friends

The weekend atmosphere at Chatuchak Market appeared unaffected by the hot air and harsh sunlight that caused Book and Kan to sweat profusely all over their bodies. The bustling crowds could still be seen, but the vast majority were foreign tourists. As expected, no native Thai person would come out to burn in the sun. Book and Kan were the only people who made it through the difficult circumstances.

"It is so hot," Book grumbled, swinging his palm in front of his face, hoping for a break from the heat.

"Should we go find a cafe to sit in?" Kan inquired, feeling he could not go much further. He was dizzy and in desperate need of something tasty.

"Yeah, let's go."

"But I told you earlier to go somewhere else, and you did not listen," Kan mocked Book. He had warned about the heat and suggested arriving late at night or going somewhere with air conditioning instead. Not in the middle of the afternoon, wandering around Chatuchak.

"I just wanted to come see the fish," Book said.

"Okay, okay," Kan said hastily, not wanting to get into a fight with Book. They may end up fighting before it happens.

They had kept in touch on a regular basis since they appeared in a series together about a year ago. They appeared to be the only co-stars who remained close even after the series ended. Perhaps it was because Book and Kan were close in age that they got along so well and eventually became best friends.

Kan followed Book inside a well-known cafe within a mall near the market. He went straight to the desk to order coffee, and happily, there was no line. Kan received a medium iced Americano, while Book got a big iced matcha latte. Kan got a free drink from Book because he offered to pay for the coffee. Book joked that it was payback for suffering the heat together. The younger man couldn't help but sneer at the man in front of him when he heard that. He would have gone somewhere more expensive to get treated if he had known the coffee was a thank you.

But Kan could only think about it conceptually; he would never do it. He realized that, as a gesture amongst close friends like them, this was more than enough. He didn't need any extravagant gifts; simply having Book by his side made everything better. Finding a sincere friend like him in show business was as difficult as finding a needle in the sand.

Kan took the seat next to Book at the bar facing the street because all of the regular tables were taken by foreign tourists. Book took out his phone to snap the countryside outdoors; he enjoyed photography. The majority of his Instagram photographs were not selfies but rather landscape shots. Kan had previously asked Book why he rarely posted images of himself on social media. The response he received was that, despite being a real actor, Book was not very secure in his own appearance.

"Hello?" An incoming call caused Book to interrupt his conversation with Kan.

Kan's gaze shifted away from Book as his name was called for their coffee order. So he stood up and took his and Book's drinks, placing them on the counter where he had been sitting. It arrived just as Book was about to end the phone call.

"Thanks so much, little brother," Book said gratefully, reaching for his cup.

"Who called, big bro?" Kan was intrigued and inquired. He was well aware that he should not inquire about such personal matters, but he was unsure what prompted him to do so. Perhaps it is just curiosity, but he is wondering if the phone call Book received was from his boyfriend.

"P' Wandee called," Book said flatly.

"Huh!?" The name surprised Kan. Why would P' Wandee suddenly contact Book in this manner? "Why!?"