Like The Water That Sustains Me

Vodka On The Rocks

Jay is loving Chiang Mai. 

The cool, fresh air. The many temples in walking reach. And the city life that it offers, despite the simpler, cozier environment. It's very Bangkok in so many ways, yet still, be a break and a vacation from Bangkok. 

He's had few days off since he landed in Thailand. Not really days off, but definitely less work and less pining. Now that he's away from the Half-Brit boss. 

Although only a few days considering how long he started working for Khun Tan, it doesn't feel short. But back to reality, and his mini-vacation in Chiang Mai, with Solo and Khun Gui, had to be cut short cause his boss has finally arrived in Thailand.

He expected this, but he didn't want the day to come so soon. But it did anyway and now he has to go back to work.

He loves his job. He's not complaining about that. Being a secretary to a very powerful and very busy businessman has taken up all his time anyway, so he has no time to complain.

"Yes. Please bring all the documents to my room. Yes, the ones in the black bag. Yes. Please. Thank you very much," Jay sighs lowly, ending the 5th call in a row.

Every day, almost like clockwork.

But he's working for him not just because he's grateful for what the man has provided and done for him, but also because, he wants to be with him, beside him, behind him, anywhere near him. He has not just worked for him, he also cared for, worried about, and secretly loved him, ever since.

He can't be with the older man like how he actually wants to be, but because the Half-Brit boss trusts and needs him, he can be with him as a secretary. Just like the way he needs Khun Tan. Like water that sustains him.

He has worked for him and for him alone ever since he can remember. And so he only knows what this man likes in his coffee, or what color looks best on him, or what food makes him feel better when he just finished a particularly nasty meeting.

But with everyone around him seeming to be happy and in love made him realize the toll it has taken on him. And on his heart.

What woke him up from his Khun Tan-induced spell is when one time, sitting alone in an upscale bar in Chiang Mai, (because Khun Solo was back in Bangkok, busy late night talking with Khun Gui, and honestly he didn't want to be selfish and bother other people with his troubles), on his 3rd drink of Vodka on the rocks, a girl approached him and talked to him a bit. But, not much later, she realized he was not interested, so she left.

And on that particularly lonely night, he felt like he needed another person beside him. A friend would've been nice, but his only friends are Solo and a distant friend back in England. And very close colleagues, sure. But this isn't something you can just confide with just anybody.

So he opted for a stranger in a bar. Some drunken conversations, perhaps. Over bitter alcohol and even more bitter feelings. Hopefully to be forgotten the next morning.

But he hears footsteps behind him. It was getting nearer and nearer, so he turns around. And he didn't expect then to be approached by a man this time.