The Merger

Twenty Two

Another long day at the office for First. Since he returned from the island he had really tried his best to pay attention to his surroundings, his staff, his clients and his company, all to no avail.

The more he tried to forget Khaotung the more the memory of him, his body, their night together and now his son kept returning. Was there really no way to get Khaotung out of his system? Would he remain bonded to a man he didn't want to be with?

First chuckled at the bold faced lie he tried to convince his own heart of. You're a funny guy First. You dumped him even though you never had him and now you want him back even though he claims he never left. " What a funny pair we are," thought First.

By the time First headed home it was late. The night was dark and the temperature had dropped. Christmas was weeks away, but the joy of it eluded First. He was lonely and unhappy.

By the time he reached his front door he was so tired he almost didn't notice the figure sitting on his porch. As First neared, Khaotung moved into the light so as not to give First a fright.

"What are you doing here?" First barked at Khaotung. "Shhh you'll wake Tay. Can you please show your anger a little quieter. If you don't mind, could you hurry up and unlock the door. It's cold out here. Good thing I thought to get Tay something to eat earlier. Do you always work this late?" Khaotung immediately shot back.

First reluctantly opened the door. Khaotung struggled inside with both his and Tay's bags. First hadn't noticed the baby carrier strapped to Khao's back earlier, but he couldn't ignore it now.

"You haven't told me why you're here. Why are your bags here. I don't want you staying with me. There's no room for you here. This is not a hotel. Kindly call a cab and leave " said First in a bossy and rude tone to Khaotung.

" I would have left earlier if you had come home earlier. I assumed you didn't want me surprising you at your office so I waited here. It's technically your fault I'm still here. Now it's too late to get a reservation for any hotel so you'll just have to put up with me for the night. I haven't had anything to eat since I left the island. Do you think you could at least offer me a late dinner?' came Khaotung's response in an equally bossy tone.

"I'll find something in the fridge. You sit and don't move. You are not a welcome guest," was First's flustered answer. " Am I allowed to at least change my son into his PJ's? Which room am I allowed to use," countered Khaotung sarcastically.

"Follow me " said First before leading Khao to one of the guest bedrooms. It didn't take Khaotung long to wipe Tay down with a lukewarm cloth, dress him in warm pajamas and tuck him safely in to bed.

When Khaotung rejoined First downstairs, First had prepared a simple meal and coffee for the two of them. They sat down to a silent and tense late dinner. As soon as they were done First excused himself saying he was tired and he needed to sleep.

"First I came here for a reason. There are things I need to tell you. Things I should have told you two years ago. It's not excuses I wish to make but I want you to know why I made the choices I did," said Khaotung in a softer and kinder tone than before.

" I honestly don't want to hear you explanations or excuses anymore. I'm done with you and I don't care anymore. I'm afraid though that you'll keep coming after me saying we need to talk. So I'll give you one chance to speak your peace but not tonight. I need to rest. I will tell you when I'm ready to talk. And when that conversation is over, please disappear from my life," said First before he quickly turned away.

First had turned away so fast that Khaotung couldn't see the tears forming in his eyes. So hurried was First that he didn't see the pain reflected in Khaotung's eyes either.