The Right One...

-9-

Bright watched his brother in silence, having his eyes followed Paing, moving back and forth in that hotel room. Obviously, Paing looked upset because of the guilt. But the damage had been done. He couldn't take back his accusation. It was wrong of him to address Thanit as a whore. But, he couldn't help it. He was furious when Thanit wanted to sacrifice himself for Man.

"You!" Paing suddenly stopped and pointed to Bright. "Don't ever sacrifice yourself for a friend!"

"Why can't I? It's a noble thing to do."

"Yes, I do agree it's a noble thing to do. But...offering yourself, your body to a stranger so that a friend of yours could have what he wants, that, I will never approve. That is against our morality." Paing added in anger.

"Why are you mad at me, Phi?" Bright queried. As far as he knew, he didn't do anything wrong.

"I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at myself, and at your Man and also at Thanit. Well, maybe I am mad at you too. Because of you, I got to know Itthipat."

"Woah! You can't pin that on me. You met him first before you found out that I knew him. I'm not the one who introduced him to you, remember?" Bright uttered in defense.

Paing sighed and slumped himself on the sofa in that hotel room. "What have I done, Bright? I have hurt a person. Why did I accuse him as a whore? I've never cared about a person before except for you. So, why now? Why am I so pissed off when I learnt that he is willing to let other man ravishing him for Man's sake? Am I attracted to him, Bright?"

"Obviously." Bright rolled his eyes. "Just like how I am attracted to Phi Man. I wonder who is his ex-boyfriend. I wish to beat him to death for hurting Phi Man. I still couldn't believe that he almost died because of his ex." He clenched his fists, wishing that he got to meet the person face to face. "You know what...we should blame Phi Man's ex for all the mistake you've made. If he didn't hurt Phi Man....Phi Tha wouldn't even have to offer himself to anyone. And you would have the chance to have him as your lifetime partner because I know that's what you want."

"But Bright....you're missing a point there."

"What?" Bright cocked his left brow, waiting for Paing to relay the point.

"If his ex didn't hurt Man....that means they would stay together, and your crush for Man would never be revealed to Man. And you wouldn't have a chance to be with him."

Bright grimaced. "It's okay. He never meant to know about my crush in the first place. Besides...I rather see you have a happy life than worrying about my life. You have sacrificed so much for me. It's time for me to give it back to you and do the same."

"No. You don't have to. No need to give it back to me. You're my brother. My responsibility. So, it's my job to give you everything. However, I think...I have failed you. I've taken your happiness away because of my anger. Earlier....I was just testing Man, to see how far he would beg just to talk to you. But...I couldn't hold in my temper when Thanit got involved. It totally ruined everything. Please forgive your brother, Bright."

"Hmm...I will forgive you, but....not until you make amends with Phi Tha."

*****

"Why did you say that, Thanit? You like him. And I can tell that he likes you too. Do you think any man would want to hear those words coming out from the person he likes?" Man scolded Thanit for not thinking straight before he spoke. "And do you even think that I want you to make that sacrifice for my sake? No, Thanit. You are not allowed to do that anymore. Yes, I know, I've made a big mistake back then, wanting to end my life because of Ben, but I've learnt my lesson. I would never be that stupid anymore." He stared at Thanit who had his face buried in the pillow inside their hotel room. "Now, I feel so guilty that I have ruined everything for you."

"Stop..." Thanit said as he turned his head aside while hugging the pillow on that comfy bed. His face was wet with tears. "Let's...let's not talk about this. I...I'll be fine. Just leave me alone."

"Sorry...I can't do that." Man retorted firmly.

"But I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to be reminded as a whore!"

"You are not a whore, Thanit!" Man yelled.

"Then, what am I? I offered my body to him. Doesn't that make me stand on the same level as a whore?"

"This is your first time doing it. And I know, you were doing it because it was Bright's brother. You like him, don't you?"

Thanit said nothing but buried his face back into the pillow.

"I know you, Thanit. You would never give your body just to help me out. You could have done that just to get Bright to meet me ever since the moment I asked for your help. But you didn't. So, you are not a whore." Man let out a deep sigh as he gingerly rubbed Thanit's back. "You know what. I promise, I will make things right again. Bright's brother will never ever think you as a whore again." He uttered as he got up to leave.

"Where are you going, Man? Please don't make it worse." Begged Thanit.

"I won't. I promise." Said Man, assuring Thanit before he left. He took the elevator and went straight to the reception counter to find out the brothers' hotel room. But who would have thought, he would bump into Paing. "We need to talk. We need to resolve this matter quick." He said, crossing his fingers, wishing that Paing would agree.

"Yes, we do. Let's talk like civilized people." Paing agreed. "Let's go to the bar, because I need the booze to calm me down."