Chasing Our Lost Stars [Completed]

Day six and a business party. part 1

The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle light across the hotel room as Krit stirred awake. The crisp Paris air had made the night cool, but the warmth of Vel next to him under the covers was comforting. Krit blinked his eyes open and stretched his arms over his head. He turned to his side, seeing Vel still peacefully asleep. Krit couldn’t help but smile at the sight—Vel’s usually sharp features softened in the quiet of the morning.

Krit carefully slid out of bed, making sure not to wake Vel. He moved to the window, pulling the curtain aside to take in the view of the Paris skyline. The city was alive, with the early morning sounds of people heading to work, the hum of traffic, and the distant scent of freshly baked bread drifting up from the streets below. He let out a soft breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. Paris had always felt like a different world—far from the pressures of business, his father, and the constant weight of expectations. But that peace was always fleeting.

As Krit stood by the window, Vel stirred behind him, slowly waking up. He turned over, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and noticed Krit standing near the window. "Morning," Vel mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep.

Krit turned, smiling softly. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"

Vel stretched out on the bed and nodded. "Yeah. I could get used to waking up like this."

Krit chuckled and moved back toward the bed, sitting on the edge near Vel. He leaned down and kissed Vel’s forehead, his hand resting gently on his chest. "Good. I’m glad."

Vel shifted, sitting up slightly and resting his back against the headboard. "What’s the plan for today?"

"I was thinking we could head downstairs, grab some coffee, and just relax for a bit. We don’t have any big plans yet, so we can take it slow," Krit said, brushing a hand through Vel’s hair.

Vel smiled at the thought of a slow, lazy morning. "That sounds perfect."

They took their time getting dressed, both opting for casual clothes since it was just a morning coffee. Vel grabbed his jacket, and they headed down to the hotel lobby. The lobby was stylish and modern, with sleek furniture and a cozy atmosphere. Krit ordered coffee for both of them, and they sat by one of the large windows, watching the world go by outside.

The atmosphere between them was comfortable as they sipped their coffee, talking about random things. Vel mentioned how different Paris felt from other cities he had been to, and Krit agreed, reminiscing about his past trips to the city. They joked about all the pastries they had tried and how Vel had sworn off carbs, only to immediately break that promise the moment he saw a croissant.

As they laughed, Krit’s phone buzzed on the table, interrupting their conversation. Krit glanced at the screen, seeing his father’s name. His smile faded slightly as he picked up the phone, giving Vel an apologetic look. “It’s my dad.”

Vel nodded, understanding the change in Krit’s demeanor. Krit stood up from the table, walking a few steps away before answering the call. “Hello?”

“Krit,” his father’s voice was sharp and to the point, as always. “Where are you?”

“In Paris,” Krit replied, keeping his tone even. “Why?”

“I know you’re in Paris,” Lek snapped. “Pon told me. Why didn’t I hear it from you?”

Krit’s jaw tightened. He had purposely not told his father about the trip to avoid exactly this kind of confrontation. “Because I didn’t think it was necessary,” he said, keeping his voice calm.

Lek’s irritation was clear. “It’s always necessary, Krit. You’re still tied to the family business, whether you’re on vacation or not.”

Krit didn’t bother to argue, knowing it would only escalate things. “What do you need, Dad?”