D&B5

Day's birthday

Day walked into the office of the auto parts store and saw his lover sitting, looking at his phone with a stressed expression.

"What's wrong, Brick?" Day asked, causing Brick to flinch slightly before he put his phone down.

"You came in so quietly, you startled me," Brick grumbled good-naturedly. His eyes darted around a little, making him look suspicious, but Day didn't intend to pry.

"I saw you sitting there with that stressed look," Day said again.

"It's nothing. Just shopping online for the kids," Brick replied.

"Take it easy sometimes. With the online shopping, packages arrive every day," Day retorted with a light-hearted complaint.

"I have to. I can't go to the mall, you know. So I shop this way instead," Brick replied with a smile. Actually, just now, Brick wasn't online shopping. He had been looking up cake recipes because Day's birthday was approaching. For the past four years, they hadn't celebrated their birthdays in a big way. At most, they'd just have a meal together and a small cake because they had to take care of their young children. Now, Ob was four years old, and Anda was a little over two. So, he wanted to do something to surprise Day. Since having children, Day had been working incredibly hard, constantly managing all five stores, including the hair salon. Although Brick helped out sometimes, Day was primarily in charge. Brick's father also acted as a consultant and offered help in some matters. Simply put, Brick's father had handed over everything for them to manage. He might help look after the stores located near their home when they couldn't go, but the overall management was entirely theirs.

"Are you going to go? Let's go buy some things first, then we can pick up the kids," Day said. Because Ob was at school now, and Anda was with Brick's mother.

"Going on a date just the two of us?" Brick teased.

"Whatever you think, I'll go," Day played along. Brick then pouted at his lover.

"In that case, let's go then. We'll pick up Ob at the same time," Brick said, checking the time. Then they left the store together. Day gave a few small instructions and then drove Brick to the mall.

"You know, I haven't seen P'Nam in a while. Want to stop by?" Brick asked while walking and shopping with Day at the mall.

"Sure, it's on the way to Ob's school anyway," Day replied, making Brick break into an immediate smile.

"I know you're going to buy cake," Day teased, cutting his lover off.

"I haven't eaten it in a long time, seriously," Brick protested. Day chuckled softly.

"P'Day, Brick!"  both of them were called out, making Day and Brick turn to look. They then saw it was Ball.

"Hello, Ball. It's been a while," Brick greeted the other person back. Ball smiled at the little one.

"I've been out of town a lot recently. It's been a long time since I've been back to Bangkok. Are you both doing well?" Ball asked.

"We're doing well," Brick replied. Day just nodded in agreement. He was no longer jealous when Ball talked to Brick, because he knew Ball had moved on from Brick a long time ago. Now, there was only friendship between them, and Ball had earned Day's trust.

"The provinces, that's where you said you were going to develop a resort, right?" Day asked as well.

"Yes, it's just a few houses. It's officially open now. If you two are free, you can come stay. Just call me," Ball replied.

"Starting by finding clients among people you know, I suppose?" Brick chimed in. Ball chuckled shyly.

"If I have the chance, I'll stop by to stay," Day said. Ball smiled in return and stood to chat, asking about the kids for a while before excusing himself to continue shopping. Day and Brick also did their own shopping. Once they finished, they headed to Nam's shop because it wasn't time to pick up Ob yet.