The afternoon sun beat down on the pool area where the trio lounged with the girls Neo had brought. Laughter and music filled the air as they sipped drinks and enjoyed the scenery.
First held a girl close, swaying to the beat as she giggled and kissed his cheek. Neo grinned, dancing with two girls. Earth sat drinking his beer, eyeing them.
Suddenly, Samruan's imposing figure emerged from the mansion, casting a shadow over the jovial gathering. His presence was met with wary looks.
"Ugh, here comes the old man," First groaned, not bothering to stand.
The group fell silent, watching Samruan approach with unease. He scanned the area, his eyes narrowing at the scantily clad women.
"First, I need a word," Samruan called out. His deep voice carried an unspoken authority.
First reluctantly stood, handing his drink to the eager girl. "Excuse me." He followed Samruan to a private corner of the pool deck, leaving the others to whisper among themselves.
"Finally decided to leave that boy?" Samruan asked, his voice low and laced with concern.
First raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
Samruan's eyes flashed. "Don't play dumb. Are you onto someone else or still hung up on Khao?"
First's expression turned icy. "My personal life is none of your business."
"You're my son," Samruan said firmly. "Everything you do is my business."
"Since when?" First retorted loudly, old wounds resurfacing.
Samruan's voice was laced with concern, his eyes pleading. "Don't change the topic, First. You're still involved with that young man, aren't you?"
First's jaw clenched, his fingers drumming against the table. "He's not married, Father. And he's consented to our arrangement."
Samruan's face contorted in pain. "Consent or not, it's wrong. He has a boyfriend, First. You're disrupting their relationship."
First shrugged nonchalantly. "That's not my concern. Khao knows what he wants."
Samruan sighed. "The relationship is unbecoming! It could tarnish our reputation."
First scoffed. "I expected that. You're only doing this because you care about your precious reputation. Let me tell you, I don't care about your fucking reputation."
Samruan reached out, his voice softening. "You're drunk so you won't understand, but I want to protect you, First. And Khao. You're hurting yourself and others with your reckless behavior."
First's eyes flashed with defiance. "No, I understand completely. You're the one who doesn't understand. You never have."
The air hung heavy with unspoken words, the weight of their strained relationship a palpable challenge between them.
Samruan's voice cracked. "I'm sorry, First. I failed you. But please, for your own sake, end this destructive path."
First's expression remained unyielding, his walls firmly in place. "I won't. So with all due respect, get the fuck out of my mansion, FATHER."
The others watched uneasily as Earth hurried over, placing a hand on Samruan's shoulder. "First, what's going on? Why are you shouting at uncle?"
Samruan gave a wistful sigh. "Don't bother yourself, Earth. I'll leave."
Samruan walked away, his heart aching. Thoughts plagued his mind: "I should have never let grief control me after your mother... I should have never neglected you, First. I should never have been such a workaholic. I should have never... First is like this because of me, I deserve every painful word he said to me."
Earth couldn't help but feel for Samruan. First was being reckless and showed blatant disrespect for his dad. He wished they could resolve their issues someday. Growing up, First and Samruan had gotten along so well, unlike now.
"First, you didn't have to shout at uncle like that," Earth said gently, trying to mediate.
"Then fuck you and your uncle," First spat, his eyes flashing. "Neither of you can dictate what I do with my life." He brushed past him and headed back to the others.
Earth sighed heavily. First could be so stubborn sometimes. He could tell First was upset, but hid it well. They had always been close; Earth could see through his facade.
◕◕◕
Khao and Podd lay entangled on the bed, basking in the afterglow of their intimate encounter. The air was thick with the musky scent of sex. Khao rested his head on Podd's chest, finding comfort in his boyfriend's warm embrace. Podd had been nursing a pounding hangover all day, but Khao's presence had eased his discomfort somewhat. The couple had missed each other dearly during their time apart.
As they enjoyed the blissful silence, Podd finally spoke up, his voice tinged with hurt. "Khao, I couldn't help but notice that you seemed a little distant during our lovemaking. It's like your mind was somewhere else."
Khao lifted his head, gazing at Podd with apologetic eyes. "Oh, baby, I'm so sorry. I didn't realize it, but I was probably just preoccupied with work and other things."
Podd's brow furrowed with concern. "Is work been stressful lately? I mean, your boss First is pretty young, so I'm sure he's not too demanding."
Khao's heart skipped a beat at the mention of First. He knew he had to tread carefully with his words. "Well, he is a great boss, but being young, he has to work harder to prove himself. That's all."
Podd nodded, his admiration for First still evident in his tone. "He's really cool. I wish I could be as successful as him one day, so I could spoil you rotten."
Khao forced a smile, feeling the weight of his guilt pressing down on him. "I'm sure that day will come, babe."
Podd pulled Khao closer, his sincerity almost too much to bear. "I love you so much, Khaotung. You deserve the world."
Khao's eyes welled up with tears, overwhelmed by the sheer injustice of it all. Podd was so devoted to him, so full of love and potential, and yet Khao was betraying him in the worst possible way. He knew his feelings for Podd had changed, and it wasn't fair to either of them.
As Podd wiped away Khao's tears, the latter looked up at him with those signature puppy dog eyes. "Stop, Podd. I can't..."
"What do you mean, babe?" Podd asked, his confusion written all over his face.
Khao took a shaky breath, trying to find the right words. "I can't keep doing this anymore. It's too much for me."
Podd's eyes widened, his confusion morphing into concern. "What are you talking about, Khao?"
Khao wanted to tell him everything, to confess his sins and beg for forgiveness. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. Podd loved him so much, and this revelation would surely break him.
"I just... I miss you so much, and I love you too. It hurts every day, not being able to be with you all the time," Khao said, his voice breaking.
Podd pulled him into a tight hug, his own tears mingling with Khao's. "Stop crying, babe. I love you too, and you can visit me anytime you want. I'm always here for you."
The two boys shared a deep, passionate kiss, pouring all their emotions into the intimate gesture. Khao's mind drifted to First, and he couldn't help but cry silently, knowing that he was slowly falling out of love with the man he had once adored so deeply.
As they settled into each other's embrace, Khao made a silent vow to himself. He would find a way to end this affair with First, without Podd finding out. He would look for a new job. He owed it to Podd, to himself, and to the love they had once shared so wholeheartedly. It was time to make things right.
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