The Merger

Nineteen

The season had changed. The days were cold and wet. The only thing thriving was the weed patches being fed by the constant rain. Winter wasn't just outside, but also inside, between First and Khaotung.

Following his mom's funeral First had thought Khaotung would take some time off, rest and maybe strengthen his mind and body for the despair he is bound to feel upon losing his mother. That had not happened, in fact the contrary was happening.

Yes Khaotung was mourning but he was also planning. Nobody knew for what though. He seemed somewhat like a mad man preparing for snowstorms in the dessert. He made notes, he made calls, he called in favours and he sold his house.

This was what surprised First most. Khaotung loved the home where he and his Mae lived for years. There were many memories attached to the place, both good and bad. Khaotung had always said he would never get rid of the place and now it's gone.

Most of its furnishings had gone into storage. Khao himself had changed drastically. He sold his car and sold Tungmeow to First. Of course First refused and this led to an argument which in turn led to no contact, no visits, no relationship. In the end First relented and took over Tungmeow, with the promise that Khaotung could reclaim it whenever he was ready.

First saw all the signs but he never thought the day would come when Khaotung would say the words First most dreaded hearing. "I'm leaving ."

The words dropped like boulders in a calm pond, each screaming with voices of fire and torture. First was so stunned that for the first few minutes he couldn't respond, couldn't even formulate a straight thought.

"What do you mean?," was all First could utter. Khaotung slipped his arms around First and held him close. " I know I'm not keeping my promise to you. I'm giving up our love without fighting for it. You must be feeling very angry with me but please don't hate me. The choice I am making now is for all our sakes. There is something that I must do and only I can do it. I don't know how long it will take, but I cannot expect you to wait indefinitely for me, so I'm letting you go. Be happy First," was the last words Khaotung said before kissing First gently on his cheek and walking away.

By the time First realised what Khaotung had just said, Khaotung had already hailed a cab and left. First frantically tried to find Khaotung, to call him., but Khaotung had vanished.

That was months ago. First had gone through grief, anger, blame, self-doubt and eventually depression. Adi, his constant companion and Dao, his ever-present brother were the ones who kept First's head above water.

When First felt strong enough to face the world, he buried himself in his work. He took bigger risks and his company grew. His company became world renowned in its field because it's chairman worked constantly, never resting, never spending time with loved ones and never falling in love ....

Because after everything that happened, First still loved only Khaotung. Khaotung was still gone. Two years, three months, two weeks and a day.... And counting.....

First hated Khaotung every single day, spent the day being so angry at him and in the quiet loney hours of the night, cried for him. By midnight First was praying for Khao to come back to him but Khao didn't......

Eventually even First realised that he needed to move on. As much as he loved Khaotung he couldn't spend every day just waiting. He was alive and he needed to keep himself healthy if he was ever to have a fighting chance at searching for Khaotung because that's what First had decided to do. It's what he had to do to bid farewell to the ghost of Khaotung. First wasn't sure if he wanted Khao to be happy or miserable without him.

Before all of these plans came his business, now the most important thing to First. His next venture included a range of luxury hotels on serene islands surrounded by lush forests and also offering trips to casinos, theatre productions , sport events and much more. The drawcard would be island cuisine presented in a top star Michelin way, the best of the best. Each different island being represented by a different star meal that was to become it's signature and also that hotel's ace.

First travelled all over to find the right candidates, he needed top chefs on whom he could depend and whom he could trust. At first glance you would think that First had finally buried the ghost of Khaotung but no, this entire venture, millions and millions of dollars worth, all of it, was inspired by the fact that Khaotung had once wanted to be a chef.

" I can't get over this beautiful view First ," said Adi completely in awe. "This high up Adi, I'm expecting to see only birds fly," commented First. "Now now First, appreciate your one and only assistant will you. You never know where you'll find another diamond like me," Adi threw back with all the sass of a drama queen.

"Who are we meeting today Adi?," asked First. "Apparently it's one of the most renowned Culinary Cuisine Schools in this hemisphere. Even Gordon Ramsay would eat his hat to be associated with this bunch. I believe the head of this establishment wishes to introduce to us his star chef of the year. He says if we miss the opportunity we will never forgive ourselves. Honestly I seriously doubt that but you know when a man brags this much, about another man no less., then I am intrigued," continued Adi in his usual non-stop manner

"Are you saying that I, First Kanaphan, undertook a three hour flight, half hour on a boat that barely managed to float, ten minutes on an airplane, and I use the word airplane very loosely, ten minutes on an airplane which gave the priority seats to the chickens, because you were intrigued?" said First in pure astonishment. " I would love to continue this conversation but our guest is here," gushed Adi quickly.

The gentleman they received greeted them warmly. He was handsome, friendly and jolly. His laugh made you feel you were in the presence of your most favourite Phi. "So how do you love our island so far nong First? Do you mind if I address you as such", he asked humbly.

"Of course not, " answered First. " Your island is absolutely beautiful. I've never experienced something so calming and relaxing. The views are truly stunning," replied First awestruck. "Wait till you meet my chef. He is the real gem. He's right outside if you'd like to meet him," said their guest. "Why not," replied First. "No time like the present."

When the door opened and the young chef stepped inside, First's world tilted on its axis. First and Adi were both rendered speechless. The shock weakened their knees considerably. With grace and dignity a right hand stretched out to shake theirs but instead grabbed First's arm as his legs had finally given up trying to keep him standing

"Falling for me again I see, " said Khaotung.

"My chef is quite handsome is he not Nong?" said their guest jokingly. "Why don't we start the interview?," said Adi eventually, hoping that First will quickly recover from his shock in order to conduct this interview.

Before anyone could speak there was a knock at the door. A young newly employed secretary entered asking if Khun Thanawat was one of the guests as there was an urgent message for him. "Thats me," Khaotung immediately responded . "What's the message?"

" The school called and said your son had an accident," answered the young lady. Without another word Khaotung jumped up and ran out of the office.

As shocked as Adi was he leaned over to First and said "did she say son?"

"I need to know," said First. He turned to their guest and asked him where he could find Khaotung. Without further explanation First set off after Khaotung.