Autumn is a second spring

85. Information

In the peaceful silence of the luxurious VIP hospital room, Boun carefully peeled an apple, its crisp aroma filling the room. 

Ohm watched his cousin with a bemused expression, breaking the silence with a chuckle. "You are way different from how I imagined you would turn out, you know," he remarked, shaking his head as he leaned back on his pillows.

Boun looked up, curious. "Oh? And how did you think I would turn out, then?"

Ohm shrugged, smirking. "Honestly, I figured you would end up a total party freak. The type who would live in clubs, hitting on girls, running wild. Nothing like this serious, apple-peeling family man I see now."

Boun laughed, finishing the apple and slicing it into neat wedges. "I can see why you would think that. I probably would have turned out exactly like that if I hadn't met Pao."

"Oh," Ohm replied, surprised, "care to tell me who this Pao is?"

Boun nodded, smiling softly as he thought of his partner. "My boyfriend. Pao and I have been together for about four years now. He changed everything for me, really. He has been my support system through all the ups and downs, and he makes me want to be a better person every day."

Ohm's brows raised in surprise. "So, what else have I missed in the life of Boun Noppanut Guntachai?"

"Well," Boun replied, smiling, "I have taken over the Guntachai family business. I have taken over Guntachai family and it's business, and honestly, life is good."

Ohm was visibly shocked, nearly sitting up straighter. "You took over the Guntachai family? What happened to Lung Saen and P' Alan? Weren't they always set on keeping the business under their control?"

Boun's expression turned serious. "They are both gone, Ohm, out of picture."

"Gone? What do you mean by gone?" Ohm asks frowning.

"P' Alan... well, he died in a road accident. He was on the run from the cops when he got hit by a truck and died in spot. And Dad... he passed away in prison."

Ohm absorbed the news in silence, eyes wide with disbelief. "Wow, Boun," he finally said, letting out a low whistle. "A lot really has changed."

Boun nodded, somber. "Yeah, it has. But one thing hasn't changed: family means everything to me. Pao and I... we adopted P' Alan's youngest. His name is Bew. We are raising him as our own. P' Alan used to really hate Bew when he was alive. Bew looks  lot like me when I was young."

Ohm nodded thoughtfully, just as the room's heavy door suddenly burst open. Kao and Earth entered, smiles on their faces as they greeted Boun and approached Ohm's bed.

"P' Kao! Earth!" Boun greeted, turning his chair slightly to face them.

Kao's smile softened as he looked at Ohm. "So... it's true? You lost nine years of memory?" he asked gently.

Boun nodded. "Doctor Darvid confirmed it. Ohm's memories from the past nine years are gone. He says that it's temporary but it might take a while for him to get it back."

Earth stepped forward, studying Ohm's face. "So, does that mean you don't know who I am?"

Ohm looked at him blankly, an apologetic smile forming as he shook his head. "I... sorry, but no. I don't."

Kao wrapped an arm around Earth's shoulders, his voice warm with affection. "Ohm, this is Earth. My husband."

Ohm's brows shot up, his mouth parting in surprise. "Wait, husband? Weren't you married to Shelly?"

Earth chuckled, finding Ohm's bewilderment rather endearing. "I was," Kao said, "but we divorced. A few years later, Earth and I... well, we got married."

Ohm managed a sheepish smile, looking at Earth. "I am sorry for the confusion. I am still processing all of this."

Earth shook his head, a kind smile on his face. "No need to apologize. I can imagine how overwhelming it must be."

Earth then pulled out his phone, unlocking it as he moved to Ohm's bedside. "Here, let me show you a picture. This is Art, our son."

Ohm took the phone, looking at the image of a bright-eyed boy with a shy smile. "He is so big now," Ohm said, a hint of wistfulness in his tone. "Last I remember, Shelly was still pregnant with P' Kao's baby and he was being forced to marry her."

Kao and Earth shared a smile. "Time flies, huh?" Kao replied.

The three of them continued to chat, Earth and Kao sharing little anecdotes about their lives and Art's antics, making Ohm smile and laugh. After a while, however, Kao checked his watch, his expression turning regretful.

"We have got a meeting we need to attend," he said, standing up. Earth followed, giving Ohm's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Get some rest," Earth said. "We will visit again soon."

As Kao and Earth left the room, Boun stayed behind, keeping Ohm company. They had just resumed their conversation when a polite knock interrupted them.

"Come in," Boun called out.

The door opened, and James entered, holding a stack of documents. "Khun Boun, here are the files you wanted. I have highlighted the urgent ones."

"Oh, thanks, James," Boun said, gesturing for him to place the files on a side table. He then turned back to Ohm with an apologetic smile, as if silently excusing himself for a moment.

"Oh, um..." Ohm cleared his throat, glancing at Boun and then back at James. "Is this... is this your Pao?"

James's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly shook his head, his cheeks tinged with a faint blush. "Oh, no, Khun Ohm. I am Khun Boun's secretary, not his boyfriend," he clarified with a polite smile.

An awkward silence followed before James politely excused himself and left the room.

As the door clicked shut, Ohm turned to Boun, a wry smile on his face. "So, that's not Pao?"

Boun shook his head, chuckling. "No, that's not Pao."

Ohm let out a small laugh, eyeing his cousin knowingly. "You sure he is okay with you working with a secretary like that? I mean, James is exactly your type. The Boun I used to know would have made a pass at this one for sure."

Boun rolled his eyes, pretending to look offended. "I am very happy with Pao, thank you. I don't need anybody else."

Ohm raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning. "Hey, I am just asking. Don't get so defensive."

Boun smirked. "And just so you know, Pao is not the kind to doubt me. He trusts me and he trust my love for him"

Ohm chuckled, nodding in approval. "That's good to hear."

Boun's smile softened, a small glimmer of relief in his eyes as he thought of his partner. He really missed his Pao so much.