"Ming, why are you doing this?" Phana's voice trembled as he looked at Ming, his heart racing with confusion and unease.
Ming leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "What do you think I'm doing, Phana?" he asked, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of amusement.
Phana frowned, his thoughts swirling into chaos. "I don't understand anything anymore. Ming, for the past month, you've been here—having lunch with me every single day, chatting with me like we've known each other forever. When Jen left me, I was shattered, broken beyond repair. I started drinking to numb the pain, but you—" he paused, his voice cracking.
"You were always there. You picked me up from the bar, took me back to my dorm, and listened to all my drunken ramblings. That one time I had a fever, you stayed up the entire night taking care of me. No one's ever done that for me before, Ming. Not even my parents. All they've ever cared about is their business; I was just left with a nanny while they pursued their ambitions."
Phana ran a shaky hand through his hair. "And then you...you cooked for me. No one's ever cared for me like this. I don't know, Ming, but all these things you've been doing—they make me feel so special. I've always been the one taking care of everyone around me. But this...this feels unreal, like I'm living in a dream. And the thought of waking up, of this dream ending...it hurts. I don't understand what's happening to me, Ming. I'm so confused. Why are you doing all these things? Why do you care so much about me?"
As Phana poured his heart out, Ming felt a surge of emotion rising in his chest. Elation, warmth, and a tinge of frustration all mingled together. This idiot, Ming thought, biting back a laugh. He has no idea what I feel for him, no clue about what I've been trying to show him all along.
"Phana," Ming called his name softly, snapping the younger man out of his thoughts.
"Yes, Ming?" Phana replied, his voice still uncertain, his eyes searching for answers.
Ming took a deep breath, leaning forward. "Listen to me carefully, Phana. All these things I've been doing—the lunches, the late-night care, cooking for you—I did them because I love you." He paused, letting the words sink in. "I've loved you for a long time. But back then, you were in a relationship, so I buried my feelings and stayed quiet. But when Jen left you and I saw how broken you were, I couldn't just stand by and watch. I wanted to heal you, to help you find yourself again."
Ming's voice grew firmer as he continued, his emotions pouring out. "Do you even know how I felt seeing you drown yourself in alcohol, hurting yourself for someone who didn't deserve you? It drove me crazy. You're going to be a doctor, Phana—a brilliant one with a bright future. How could you throw that away for someone like her?"
Ming shook his head, his gaze softening as he looked at Phana. "And do you even realize what you've been doing to yourself? You stopped eating, just poking at your food like it didn't matter. That's why I started joining you for lunch—to make sure you actually eat. But Phana, this isn't just about care or concern. I did all these things because I love you. I want you to know how much you mean to me."
Phana's eyes widened, his lips parting to speak, but Ming didn't let him.
"This time, I'm not backing down. I'm not going to give up on you or my feelings. From today onwards, I, Mingkwan Daichapanya, am courting you, Phana Kongthanin." Ming's tone was resolute, his words leaving no room for doubt.
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a tender murmur. "And I'm going to keep courting you until you say yes. I'm not giving up, Phana. Not this time. You're going to be mine—my love, my everything. And I'll make sure you know just how much you're loved."
Phana stared at Ming, his heart pounding in his chest as the weight of Ming's confession sank in. For the first time in a long while, something inside him stirred—a flicker of hope, warmth, and the unfamiliar but undeniable pull of love.
