A Book Called Desire

VIII. The Meeting With The Family

When Macau faces Kai's mother, his response is an automatic one. Even when he is in a great shock state, he's still giving a nice beautiful smile and a very elegant and polite way. It earns him great points from Kai's mother, who returns his smile with her beautiful one.

Of course, she knows who he is, just like he knows who she is. But a polite introduction still occurs, especially when someone's son's arm is snaking to his waist, before saying, "Mom, this is Macau Theerapanyakun, my boyfriend."

From the looks on Kai's mother's face when she looks at her son, Macau knows this is not a hundred percent coincidence.

Fuck that guy for ambushing him like this.

Macau manages to step on Kai's feet, with a smile still etched on his face. A sign that Kai's in pain is only a twitch in his eyes. Macau sees that Mrs. Chaimongkon is not even surprised by the label that Kai attached to his name. Someone is doing her homework.

She is delighted. Genuinely.

He's a Theerapanyakun. Having a Geum Jandi's moment is not in his book of fates. Even when he is a man instead of a woman, like probably every parent in Thailand hopes when their son is introducing his lover.

But still... He is hoping for some kind of resentment. Especially when Kai is holding that many bags in his hands.

His family sure is a scary one. He wonders how Phi Pete's family handles his Hia. They, except Yai of course, probably worship the ground he walks.

Yai, bless that woman, doesn't care about his Hia's impressive background. All she cares about is whether her Pete is happy or not. She still scolds and hits his Hia with her walking stick whenever his Hia messes up when she's around. But Yai also treats both of them, Vegas and Macau, like her own. She often spoon-fed Macau the food that she cooked for hours or ran her calloused hands on his hair until he was asleep. Macau finally tastes love from his elder Yai's hand.

The day that Phi Pete chose to be by his Hia's side is truly a blessing in his little family. He is so glad everything is working out between his Hia and Phi Pete. He even can say he is glad that his father died so he can't mess up with their love and relationship.

"My dear, have you eaten yet?" Mrs Chaimongkon asks with her soft voice. Everything about her is soft. Macau wonders why her son is more to the rough one.

Macau knows where this is going. He gives Kai a look, but his boyfriend merely smiles at him, letting him choose by himself. "No, I haven't, Khun Chaimongkon."

She giggles, "Oh, don't give me that 'Khun' stuff, Dear. Call me Mae. After all, we'll be family sooner or later."

Macau's mind travels to the elevator scene not that long ago. 'You are it for me'. Has he discussed this with his mom? This early? Is he crazy?

His heart begins to beat in a different tune, a worried one. He tries his best to mask that one. But Kai seems to be able to read it because he places all the bags in one hand so he can intertwine the other to Macau's, giving it a little squeeze. Mrs Chaimongkon's lips perform a little smile when she sees it.

Macau smiles again. "Yes, Mae."

Mrs Chaimongkon laughs happily. "Then you won't mind accompanying this mae of yours to dinner, right? I have booked a restaurant here."

Booked a restaurant? She means a table, right?

Macau follows despite being worried. When he is edging closer to Kai, the man casts a kiss on his cheek and whispers, "Don't worry too much. I'm here."

When they arrive at the said restaurant, Macau finds out that she really did book a whole restaurant. It's empty beside a big table at the center. If Macau is not mistaken, the whole nuclear family of Kai Chaimongkon is on that table.