It was you all along

05

"Urgh.." Gulf woke up with a groan and a stretch of his arms. The time was 7am and Gulf got up to the sound of his alarm blaring, before he turned it off mechanically like he did every morning then headed to the common bathroom by the corridor with reluctant feet.

Just when he was about to push the door open, eyes drooped as he repressed a yawn, the bathroom door swung open, catching Gulf by surprise as the latter took a step back.

Perhaps what had shocked him even more was that Mew Suppasit was standing by the doorway and he-

Gulf gulped as he allowed his eyes to take in what was in front of him.

-was shirtless with a towel thrown over his shoulder and hair damp from the shower. Though Gulf was indeed embarrassed, for a split second, his eyes couldn't help but scan the man's tone abs and firm muscles which looked like they were sparkling almost as rivulets of water flow down Mew's six packs, making them look extra fine (if Gulf was going to be completely honest). But thankfully, Gulf had still some self-awareness so he scrambled to cover his eyes as soon as his brain registered that he was staring inappropriately and it took a whole lot of self-control to calm his thumping heart. Gulf cheeks were red as he coughed out hastily, "God put on some clothes!"

Gulf had his hands over his face but he could tell that Mew was smirking through the slits between his fingers. "What are you laughing at?" Gulf retorted, before he pulled his hands away from his eyes when Mew had taken the decency to put some clothes on.

"You." was Mew's reply and Gulf swore that at this point in time, he would really love to wipe off the smug look on the man's face as it irked him so.

After the -coughs awkward encounter, Gulf headed downstairs for breakfast and Mew followed behind after. It was a sumptuous feast and Gulf drool at the sight of pancakes, muffins, cookies and of course his favorite of them all - hashbrowns downed in maple syrup. Gulf's stomach was already grumbling and he made a dash for a seat at the dining table. As expected, Gulf was on his first hashbrown by the time Mew took his seat adjacent to Gulf. Unlike Gulf, Mew didn't look at all surprised if anything, it seemed like this was a norm for someone of privileged social status like himself, something that Gulf could never relate to coming from a humble background.

"You're going to choke if you eat this fast." Gulf could hear Mew commenting but he ignored the man nevertheless as he continued wolfing down the remaining of his hashbrowns and chocolate muffin. Although Gulf would really much like to enjoy his breakfast for once, he was still rather conscious of the time as he kept looking at his watch, afraid of running late again for the second time in a week. For all you know, that time might be a one off and Mr Johnson could go back to his unreasonable self any minute.

"Rushing to somewhere?" Mew asked as he took a bite off his pancake.

"Duuuh. I still have work, remember?" Gulf stated it as a matter of fact, as he hurriedly devoured what he could before he really had to leave for work.

"Ah." Mew said, "I've called in sick for you the next couple of weeks."

"You did what?" Gulf nearly spat out his food, as he stared at Mew blankly. "Are you being serious? I still got a rent to pay off, Mr Suppasit."

"You mean the rent for the apartment you and sister share?" Mew inquired while he took a sip of his coffee, "I already bought the apartment down so rent is free for a lifetime."

Gulf stared at Mew incredulously. Yes, Gulf is well aware that the man in front of him is Thailand's billionaire but still, it shocked him nonetheless that he could say such things so nonchalantly almost like Mew was buying groceries at the supermarket except that it was a god damn building. Even though his apartment probably won't even cost much given its rundown state, it's still rather hefty (well to commoners like him at least) and Gulf is seriously wondering if Mew is always so careless in his purchase.