Title: Shadows of Deception: A Tale of Love

Chapter 9: New world

After their sweet night at the beach house, the morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Billy and Babe. They shared loving kisses, savoring the intimacy of the moment before getting ready for the day. Billy, as always, made sure Babe had the best clothes picked out and ready.
"Do you like the clothes I picked out for you?" Billy asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Babe smiled as he looked at himself in the mirror. "You do have an eye for good things, I must say." He admired the YSL backless blouse and the perfectly tailored loose-end pants that accentuated his fabulous figure.
Billy hugged him from behind, his arms wrapping around Babe's waist, pulling him closer. "I love seeing you like this," he whispered

, his breath warm against Babe's neck.
Babe turned around, his heart skipping a beat at the tenderness in Billy's eyes. But before he could say anything, Billy pulled out a small red Cartier box, his expression turning serious and heartfelt.
"I know it might be too quick to ask," Billy began, his voice soft but steady, "but I don't think I want to wait any longer. The heavens have blessed me with such an intelligent, funny, adorable, and most importantly, the prettiest man ever existing. So, Babe Warin, will you be my boyfriend?"
Babe's eyes widened in surprise as he looked at the luxurious white gold necklace inside the box. It was elegant and exquisite, sparkling in the morning light. Tears welled up in his eyes, overwhelmed by the sincerity and love in Billy's gesture.
"Billy..." he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "It's beautiful."
Billy gently took the necklace out of the box and clasped it around Babe's neck. "Not as beautiful as you," he said, his fingers brushing against Babe's skin.
Babe looked into Billy's eyes, seeing nothing but love and devotion. He reached up, cupping Billy's face in his hands. "Yes," he whispered, his voice filled with happiness. "Yes, I'll be your boyfriend."
Billy's face lit up with a radiant smile. He pulled Babe into a deep, loving kiss, their hearts beating in sync. "You make me the happiest man in the world," Billy murmured against Babe's lips.
"And you make me feel like the luckiest man," Babe replied, his eyes shining with joy.
They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other's embrace, the new necklace glistening around Babe's neck as a symbol of their newfound commitment. The world outside could wait, for now, it was just the two of them, basking in the love they had found.
Billy finally pulled back, a playful glint in his eye. "How about we celebrate our first day as boyfriends with a delicious breakfast?"
Babe laughed softly. "I'd love that."
Hand in hand, they made their way downstairs to enjoy a meal together, their hearts full of love and their future bright with promise.
The morning had started so perfectly, filled with warmth and affection over a romantic breakfast, but everything changed in an instant. Babe's phone buzzed with relentless messages before a call from his new assistant interrupted their peaceful moment. Apologizing to Billy, Babe stepped aside to answer.
"Babe, there's been an emergency. It's your dad. He had a heart attack at the office and has been rushed to the hospital. Saran and Dawn are already on their way. You should hurry back, quickly."
Panic gripped Babe as he rushed upstairs, grabbing his things. Billy followed closely, his face etched with concern. "What's going on?" he asked.
Babe barely managed to choke out the words. "It's my dad. He just had a heart attack. We need to go quickly."
Without hesitation, Billy grabbed his car keys, and the pair sped toward the city, the tension in the air palpable.
At the hospital, chaos reigned. Saran was sobbing uncontrollably in front of the doors, her perfect composure shattered. Dawn paced back and forth, his face pale and drawn.
"Where is he? Where's my father?" Babe demanded, his voice sharp with fear and frustration as he glared at Saran. But she could barely speak through her tears, clutching her chest as if the weight of the moment was too much.
Dawn stepped in, his tone steady yet tinged with worry. "He's in the ICU. The doctors are with him now. Let's hope it's not as bad as it sounds."
As Babe processed the news, his gaze drifted down the corridor. At the far end stood a tall, familiar figure—Billy. He hadn't left Babe's side, his eyes scanning the scene, concern evident in his stance. Dawn noticed the man as well, recognition flickering across his face, but he said nothing.
After taking a moment to compose himself, Babe approached Billy. "I can't have you seen here with me," he whispered urgently. "It'll become news, and reporters will swoop in any second. Let's talk after this is over."
Billy reached out and discreetly held Babe's hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "I've got you. Call me when you can," he said softly, his voice grounding Babe amidst the chaos. In a quiet stairwell nearby, the two shared a fleeting yet tender kiss on the cheek, a silent promise exchanged between them. Unbeknownst to them, Dawn watched from the shadows of the doorway, his expression unreadable.
Nearly half an hour later, the tension broke as the doctors emerged from the ICU. "He's stable now," one of them informed the family. "We'll be transferring him to a regular room for further observation, but he's out of immediate danger."
Relief swept over the group. Saran collapsed into a chair, tears still streaming down her face, while Dawn exhaled deeply, his pacing finally coming to a halt. Babe leaned against the wall, his hand trembling slightly as he covered his face in quiet relief.
Billy, though unseen by most, lingered nearby. His presence was a comfort Babe carried with him even as their worlds collided in unexpected and unpredictable ways.
As expected, the media swarmed the hospital grounds, their cameras flashing and microphones ready to capture every detail of the Warin family's crisis. Saran, ever the actress, emerged from the hospital room clad in a somber black dress and scarf, her expression a picture of grief. Spotting Dawn at the reception desk, she walked over and leaned in close, her voice a hushed whisper.
"Did you get Dispatch to come?" she asked, her tone sharp yet controlled. "We need to spin this into a blessing in disguise. If the board sees how 'dire' his condition is, they might start considering him stepping down. And who better to take his place than you?"
Dawn nodded subtly, his face unreadable. Saran continued, "Call Chairman Yoon and the rest. Make it sound as grave as possible. We need them to see this as an opportunity for a change in leadership." She snatched the bottle of water from his hand, offering him a fleeting smirk before heading toward the throng of reporters outside.
The moment she stepped out, Saran's demeanor transformed. Her face crumpled into a mask of despair as she clutched the bottle and began to sob hysterically for the cameras. "My husband... he's in critical condition. Please pray for him!" she implored, her voice cracking with perfect precision, knowing each tear was being broadcast across the nation.
Meanwhile, Babe sat at his father's bedside, watching the scene unfold on the TV in his father's room. His stomach churned as Saran's crocodile tears played out like a well-rehearsed performance. His father, Non, lay peacefully in bed, his chest rising and falling steadily under the soft beeping of the monitors.
Babe's hands clenched into fists as he whispered fiercely, "I don't know what you're up to, Saran, but I won't let you win this. You've fooled everyone, but not me."
Turning to his father, Babe's anger melted into sorrow. His voice trembled as he clutched Non's hand tightly. "Dad, please... get better soon. I know I haven't been around as much as I should have, but I need you. Please don't leave me. I'm not ready to lose you."
Tears streamed down his cheeks as the man who had always seemed invincible now looked so fragile. The sound of Saran's cries echoed faintly from the TV, a stark reminder of the battle Babe knew he would have to fight—not just for his father, but for the legacy that Saran was already scheming to take away.
Coo and Tack, Babe's ride-or-die friends, burst through the hospital doors carrying an extravagant fruit basket that looked more like a miniature orchard.
"Aww, honey!" Coo cooed dramatically, opening his arms wide as he spotted Babe's sad face. He pulled Babe into a comforting hug while Tack looked on with her usual no-nonsense demeanor.
"How's your dad doing?" Tack asked as the trio stepped outside the room to chat, giving Non some quiet rest.
"He's stable now," Babe replied with a small smile. "I'm just relieved he's going to be okay."
"Well, thank heavens for that," Tack said, crossing her arms. "But can we talk about that performance Saran just gave on live TV? What an actress! The tears, the melodrama—she's gunning for an Academy Award. You better watch your back, Babe. She's already laying the groundwork for her next big move."
Babe sighed, leaning against the wall. "Honestly, I'm just happy Dad's fine. That's all I care about right now."
Coo's eyes suddenly sparkled as they drifted downward. "Wait a minute," he exclaimed, grabbing Babe's hand and lifting the necklace draped around his neck into the light. "Is that the new Cartier white gold rare-piece collection?!"
Babe blinked in confusion. "Rare-piece collection? What are you talking about?"
Tack gasped. "Oh, honey. That's not just any necklace. There are only two in existence. The Princess from the Royal Family has the other one. I wanted it so bad, but it sold out the second it launched!"
Coo gave Babe a sly look. "Wait. You didn't know it was rare? Meaning...you didn't buy it yourself?" His face broke into a mischievous grin. "Okay, spill! Who is he? Is he royalty? A mining tycoon? A mafia boss? Gurl, give us the tea NOW!"
Babe blushed, trying to deflect, but his two besties were relentless, leaning in eagerly like detectives closing in on the truth. Finally, with a shy smile, Babe gave in. "Well...I haven't told you guys yet, but Billy asked me to be his boyfriend."
Both Coo and Tack froze for a moment before erupting simultaneously.
"W.H.A.T.?!" Coo shrieked, his voice a perfect mix of disbelief and excitement. "Like Billy Mars? The guy from the beach? The oil king's son?!"
"I KNEW IT!" Tack shouted, smacking Coo on the shoulder in triumph. "I told you they were going to hook up, but commitment? That's new!" She turned to Babe with a teasing grin. "So, how's the rare jewel feel around your neck? Comfortable? Expensive? Like a symbol of pure devotion?"
Coo rolled his eyes, already gearing up for more dramatics. "Honey, I knew you were special, but a Cartier-level romance? My poor wallet can't compete. Oh, and Tack owes me 10,000 baht."
"Wait, what?" Babe asked, confused.
"I bet her you two would end up in bed before Christmas," Coo said with a wink. "But this?" He gestured to the necklace. "This is a whole other level. I'm upgrading my stakes!"
The three friends dissolved into laughter, their voices echoing down the hospital corridor as they teased Babe mercilessly, their joy a brief reprieve from the family drama swirling around them.