"P'Oab, everything's settled," Khaosuay chirped, her voice slicing through the bustling kitchen like a well-honed knife. She stood with her hands on her hips, a blend of excitement and concern etched across her features. "Are you sure you're ready, Phi?"
Chef Oab leaned against the marble counter, staring into the swirling depths of his espresso. The aroma filled the air, grounding him in the moment as memories rushed back—memories of laughter, love, and betrayal. It had been three years since he left Thailand, three long years spent chasing a dream that had morphed into a relentless obsession.
"I have to be," he replied, the weight of his own determination heavy in his voice. "It's time."
For too long, Chef Oab had chosen the path of distance, burying himself in the culinary world of France. After the fallout with Plawan, he had thrown himself into his studies, fueled by anger and the need to prove his worth. Each plate he perfected, each Michelin star he earned, was a reminder that he was more than the omega's fleeting affections.
In the heart of Paris, he had become one of the leading chefs in the country, his name whispered in reverence among food critics and investors alike. Opportunities to open his own restaurant flooded in, but he turned them down, unwilling to dive into the chaos that ownership brought. "It would only lead to heartache," he corrected himself, recalling Nubnueng's gentle admonishment.
He was content, or so he told himself. Settling in France had its perks—an apartment with a view of the Seine, a demanding clientele, and the freedom to explore culinary innovations. But there was always a nagging itch in the back of his mind, an undeniable pull toward something left unfinished. The specter of the past haunted him, reminding him that while he had thrived professionally, a part of his heart remained tethered to Thailand.
Chef Oab's fingers brushed against the cool surface of the countertop, memories flooding back with a rush of emotion. Plawan had chosen money over their dreams, a betrayal that had cut deep. How could someone who had once held so much promise become a mere shadow of his former self?
"You'll be fine, Phi. Just remember why you're going back," Belle said, breaking his reverie. Her eyes sparkled with hope, as if she could see the pieces of his heart he had buried beneath layers of success.
"To show him what he lost," Chef Oab murmured, his voice steady. "To remind him that he chose wrong."
With a final glance at the bustling kitchen—his sanctuary and battleground—he straightened, pulling himself to his full height. It was time to return, not just for closure, but for the chance to reclaim what was his.
As he stepped out into the crisp Parisian air, the city buzzed around him, oblivious to the storm brewing in his heart. He was ready to face the ghosts of his past, ready to confront Plawan, the omega who had once held his heart. After years of mourning someone who was not dead but had betrayed him in the most profound way, Chef Oab was finally prepared to return home.
—---
As Chef Oab stepped foot in Thailand, the familiar warmth of the tropical sun enveloped him, igniting a mix of nostalgia and resentment within his chest. He inhaled deeply, taking in the scents of street food and the distant sounds of laughter, each note pulling him back to simpler times—before betrayal had soured everything he once cherished.
"Phi! Welcome back!" came a voice, bursting with energy.
Oab turned to see Nubnueng, his longtime friend and fellow chef, bounding toward him with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever. The alpha's infectious smile and boundless energy were hard to resist, even for the moody chef that Oab had become.
"Hey," Oab replied, a noncommittal hum escaping his lips.
Nubnueng's expression faltered for a moment, the vibrant spark dimming as he recognized the changes in Oab. The once-cheerful and passionate chef had been replaced by a man burdened with anger and disappointment. The light in his eyes had dimmed, and the warmth that used to radiate from him had grown cold.
