ADDICTED: NICOTINE

CHAPTER 4

*in call*

Arthit: By the way, is Knot and Third coming?

Toota: I just texted them. They said they were busy and can't come.

Arthit: Oh, okay then. Let's just call them later I guess, I have a ton of shit to rant about.

Arthit dressed up for the night, he was wearing a lightly loose black blouse that he had purposely unbuttoned and skin tight jeans that displayed his beautifully sculpted thighs. He met Toota in front of the bar they agreed on, and just like what his friend told him the guards weren't allowed to enter the venue which made Arthit feel at ease. The only times that he only had 'privacy' was when he's inside his room or when he's inside public restrooms. When he was still in college, the guards were even inside the classrooms standing at the back. It really gave him a nerve wreck until he got used to them just following him around wherever he went.

Toota: "Your parents are real dicks you know that?"

Arthit took a sip from his drink, closing his eyes so he can feel the burn inside his throat.

Arthit: "Yeah, I don't even know how I even keep up with them. I wouldn't even be surprised anymore if one day they end up drugging me to death because one of their business partners asked them to."

Toota: "You know what? Let's forget about those fuckers tonight and have fun. It's not everyday you get to go anywhere without those stupid pets."

Toota raised a glass towards his friend, waiting for him to clink it.

Arthit: "You know what? You're right, those monsters don't matter right now. I'll enjoy my life tonight, thanks man." raising his own glass and clinking it on the other.

Toota: "Anything for you Arthit. NOW LET'S GO PARTY."

Arthit couldn't help himself but laugh at his friend. Toota got up and started dancing, he pulled up Arthit to make him dance too. Arthit hesitated for a while but still danced along with his friend. When they finally got tired from all the dancing, they sat back at the bar to drink some more. The two men talked about anything they could think of. Until they ended up with a certain topic that made Arthit feel sad again.

Arthit: "Maybe if the one I was going to marry was a boy maybe just maybe I would actually agree to a loveless marriage. Why don't they just get that I'm as gay as a bag of popcorn."

Toota: "I mean, it's already been six years Arthit since you last dated anyone seriously. Why didn't you just try looking for someone to date, if you were dating someone now maybe those loud ass bitches wouldn't have set you up."

Arthit: "I tried dating other people, it's just that everytime I try to date anyone, they would suddenly disappear or maybe turn me down, even when they were the ones who approached me first. My parents wouldn't even let me date anyone. And..."

Toota: "And what?"

Arthit: "Everytime someone shows interest in me and I try to entertain, I suddenly just feel guilty."

Toota: "Is this because of your ex?"

Arthit looks down at his drink and weakly nods.

Toota: "You know what honey? You need to move on. You see that guy over there? He's been giving you THE Look since we entered."

Arthit just sighed but didn't bother to look at where his friend was pointing at.

Toota: "Are you even listening to me? Arthit, get this, if you get to find someone tonight who'll be willing to help you get out of hell that would be me. We've been friends since third year college, come on. Give it a shot, maybe if you present someone better to marry your parents might change their mind and finally let you go."

Arthit gave his friend a thought, he was staring at the drink he held in his hand and drank it in one go.

Arthit: "Okay, I'll try." he said raising his head to face his friend who now had the proudest smile on his face.

Toota: "Okay, now look over there." pointing to a guy who was sitting at a table not far away from theirs. Arthit had to turn behind to look at where his friend was pointing out. And when he finally saw who it was, Arthit accidentally dropped his drink on the floor and slowly stood up. He was having so much mixed emotions at that moment, his friend was starting to look worried at his friend.

"K-Kongpob?" the pale boy says. The owner of the name staring back at him and slowly stood up from his seat. Both men left their tables, Kongpob stopped a few steps away from his table, smiling warmly at the other, while Arthit almost ran to him. The tanned man spread his arms when he saw the distance between them narrow down. Arthit fastened his pace, dodging everyone who was in his way.

Kongpob felt the warmth Arthit's body radiated when he finally reached him, hugging him tightly. Arthit felt like crying, but he had to control his emotions, it wouldn't be okay if he ugly cried in a public place.

"Well that was fast." Toota said standing next to his friend who was being caged in Kongpob's embrace. "Oh yes, Toota you are air. And no one can see you." he added rolling his eyes at the two koalas in front of him. The two men continued to ignore him for a few more seconds, until Arthit finally let go of the other, his eyes a little teary.

Kongpob: "So are you going to introduce me to your friend?"

Arthit: "Oh, uhm well this is Toota. Toota this is Kongpob."

Toota's face was in utter surprise when he heard his friend say that it was Kongpob. But then changed his face to a sassy one.

Toota: "Ah so you're Kongbop?"

Kongpob: "Yes, I a- ouuuchhh"

Kongpob's sentence was cut off when he suddenly felt a sting on his ear. Toota was pinching his ear and pulling it.

Toota: "How dare you hurt my best friend, you cheated on him."

Arthit: "Toota, Toota, stoooop." he said trying to calm down his friend, too afraid that he might tear the other's ear off his body. When Toota finally let go of Kongpob's ear, Arthit faced him and told him to go have some more fun and that he'll just catch up with Kongpob. Toota asked him if he was sure and Arthit nodded at him and gave a reassuring smile, so Toota left the two men.

"Kongpob." Arthit says smiling warmly at the other.

"Arthit." Kongpob said back, looking straight into Arthit's eyes.