Billionaire Biker Boy

Chapter 31 - Let Me Be Your...

 

The cool air-conditioning made the two of them feel too lazy to leave the house. Samut sprawled comfortably on the sofa with the homeowner, scrolling through the photos they'd taken earlier to post on Facebook. Wonchana leaned over to take a look, and when he noticed the relatively small number of photos in the album, he asked curiously,

 

"Where do you usually store your photos?"

 

"When they start piling up, I transfer them to my laptop and delete them from my phone. My phone doesn't have much storage, and it fills up quickly," Samut replied with a laugh.

 

“Honestly, I don't even know why | bother transferring them. I barely ever open my laptop."

 

"Why not use cloud storage? And where do you keep your contacts?"

 

"Uh... I don't know how to use it. I just saved my contacts in my email."

 

Wonchana then explained and demonstrated how to use iCloud, setting it up for Samut as he spoke. "It'll automatically back up your data. So, if your phone gets lost or damaged, you just log in and download everything onto a new device. And if your cloud storage is running out of space, just let me know."

 

"Wow, that's so convenient! Thanks, P'Win," Samut said, looking up with a sweet, radiant smile. The recipient of that smile froze for a moment, his own smile faltering.

 

...This isn't good for my heart. And sitting this close...

....How much longer can I hold myself back?

 

"Do you want to go for a walk at the mall?" Wonchana asked, his voice slightly awkward.

 

"Can I just sit here in the cool air for a little longer... pretty please?"

Wonchana agreed. How could he say no to that?

 

Samut leaned his head against Wonchana's upper arm, scrolling through his phone. The older man's heart softened at the affectionate gesture. When he glanced down, he saw Samut had finished posting on Facebook and was now scrolling through TikTok.

 

The self-proclaimed TikTok expert, then, boasted, "P'Win, did you know the video of us eating omakase went viral?! Tons of views and so many new followers!"

 

"I saw it. Let's find a new place next time. There are even more expensive ones, but you have to book in advance," Wonchana suggested casually.

 

The younger man, who had just experienced an eight-thousand-baht-per-head meal for the first time, whipped his head around, resting his chin on Wonchana's strong arm. His eyes, filled with disbelief, widen.

 

"Huh? There's something more expensive than that?"

 

"Yes, there are places where it's over ten thousand baht per head," Wonchana replied, deliberately avoiding the close proximity of Samut’s face by focusing on the smaller man's phone instead. "Let's try it sometime."

 

"No way, P'Win! That's way too expensive. The last place was already a one-time experience for me," Samut muttered, clearly concerned about the expense.

 

Wonchana chuckled and said, "Let's try it once in a lifetime. Think of it as buying an experience. We can save it for a special occasion, like when you agree to be my boyfriend." He decided to counter his fluttering emotions with a teasing remark.

 

"Oh, stop it! You're making me blush," Samut whined, scrunching his face at the grinning man. The smaller man turned his attention back to his phone, while Wonchana picked up his own to make a post. 

 

Samut continued scrolling through TikTok, mostly skipping videos after five seconds. The ones he lingered on were usually reviews or funny videos. Then, a particular video caught his attention, and a raspy voice played:

What's up, Joommeng? What's up? Oh, I couldn't sleep all night..'

 

Samut burst out laughing, catching Wonchana's attention. The older man looked over and asked, "What's Joommeng?"

 

"It's a talking golden retriever."

 

"Wait, what?" Wonchana was baffled. "What dog can talk?"

 

Samut laughed harder and clarified, "The owner dubs the voice. It's so cute! They have three dogs: Jedi, Jaidee, and Joommeng. Jedi's the oldest, and Jaidee's the dad. They're on a trip up north, probably for work. Joommeng has a huge fanbase."

 

Samut clicked on the channel to show more videos to Wonchana. The two huddled together, watching the videos. Wonchana noticed that almost every video included product placements.

...It's an interesting marketing strategy.

 

"Do you want a dog?" Wonchana asked.

 

"I used to, but not anymore. Raising a dog takes money and a lot of time. I'm not ready for that right now."

 

"If you were to get one, what breed would you want?"

 

"A Chihuahua, of course. I like golden retrievers, too, but I'd probably get squashed by one first. And don't you dare buy one to spoil me. I'm not ready to take care of a dog," Samut warned, wary of the older man's generous tendencies.

 

The generous man laughed and gently ruffled Samut’s soft hair. "Don't worry, I wouldn't surprise you with something like that. If the person receiving it isn't ready, it's just a burden." 

 

Samut, now bored with TikTok, switched back to Facebook to check the feedback on his post. He noticed he'd been tagged in a post by the person beside him. It was a picture of a small jar on the bedside table, captioned: 'Let me be your hero.'

 

Unsurprisingly, the post was flooded with hundreds of swooning comments. Thankfully, Samut had turned off notifications. He smiled to himself and liked the post, then scrolled through the comments with amusement. Suddenly, a thought struck him. His small fingers navigated to someone's profile. The timeline was as quiet as ever, with only the occasional generic post.

 

Samut began to wonder something.

 

...Does Oat really not use Facebook, or is this just a dummy account?

...Just how many people is he seeing?

 

Samut decided to close the app and push his thoughts away. Whatever the reason, it didn't change the fact that there was no way he could ever date Sirichok. Samut still had an itch at the heart, but it wasn't the kind of agony one would expect from a first heartbreak. It was more like disappointment in himself for trusting the wrong person for four whole years.

...Or is it because of P'Win?

 

Samut wasn't sure yet. He didn't know whether his growing affection for the older man was romantic or just admiration for someone who treated him so well. The man was kind, understanding, and always there to teach him things he didn't know. But most importantly, he was afraid that if he didn't truly like Wonchana romantically and forced himself into a relationship, he'd end up hurting the older man. He didn't want someone as good as him to get hurt.

 

The small man mulled over his thoughts for a long time. Eventually, Wonchana noticed the weight on his arm growing heavier. He glanced down and saw that Samut had fallen asleep. After a day of running around in the heat, eating a full meal, and then relaxing in the cool air, who could resist?

 

He gently shifted the Chihuahua onto his lap and adjusted the AC to a slightly warmer setting. Wonchana gazed fondly at the peaceful face before him. The once-bright eyes were now closed, long lashes brushing against soft cheeks. Samut looked like a mischievous puppy that had worn itself out and collapsed in exhaustion. Wonchana lightly traced his finger along the younger man's cheek, captivated.

 

Then his phone buzzed. Thankfully, he'd set the volume low. He quickly silenced it and began typing.

 

Vichai: @Win, you've got a boyfriend now?

Ranee: Is it that kid from Facebook?

Vicky: I didn't tell them anything.

(Send a Chihuahua eye-roll sticker): Win

I'm still courting him. : Win

He hasn't agreed to be my boyfriend yet.: Win

Ranee: Can we trust him?

Vichai: Yeah, what's he like?

Vichai: He looks so young in the photos.

I'll introduce him when I get back.: Win

He's a sweet boy, and his family's great.: Win

Ranee: Are you sure he's not just after your money?

If anything, I'm the one trying to win him over. : Win 

Dad, Mom, we've talked about this.: Win 

 

Didn't you promise not to meddle? : Win 

Don't you trust my judgment? : Win

Ranee: It's not like that.

Vicky: Dad, Mom, I can vouch for him.

Vicky: I've talked to him a bit.

Vicky: He's really sweet.

Vichai: Alright. We'll see when you get back.

 

Wonchana sighed quietly. While his parents weren't outright opposed, they hadn't fully accepted it either. Three years ago, when Varatchaya had just given birth to twins, his parents had started pressuring him.

 

‘When will I get a grandchild from you?' Vichai asked. 

‘Exactly. I want to see your kids already, 'Ranee said.

 

‘Why do I need one? Aren't Vicky's kids enough?' Wonchana retorted. ‘It's not the same. At least your child would carry on our family name... Should I introduce you to my friend's daughter?' Ranee tried to coax him.

 

Back then, Wonchana had fallen silent. He already knew his own preferences. Whenever he felt lonely, he'd visit gay bars to find someone he liked. But most of those were fleeting, one-night stands. No one had ever captured his heart enough to make him want to commit. So the young man decided to reveal the truth to his family.

 

‘Dad, Mom, I don't like women'

His parents froze for a long time, as if struggling to process his words. Wonchana repeated himself, his voice calm and gentle.

 

‘I like men. And nothing can change that truth. I can't live a married life with a woman. Even if you forced me to marry one, I wouldn't be able to have a real relationship with her. And if she couldn't bear it and have an affair with someone else, would the child born from that truly carry on our family name? Vicky's children, on the other hand, are the true bloodline of the Atcharangkul family. I think it's more reassuring to pass the family name to Vicky's kids than to someone else's.'

 

Seeing his parents still silent, he continued, …

‘And another thing, society today isn't supportive of raising children. To be honest, children shouldn't be born just to fulfil someone's desires. We shouldn't place the burden of expectations on a child's shoulders, expecting them to carry on the family name or inherit the family business. That applies to Vicky's kids, too.'

 

Finally, the Atcharangkul couple accepted the truth with quiet composure. Wonchana knew, however, that their acceptance wasn't a wholehearted embrace of his identity or his sexuality. It was merely a surrender to reason. But he didn't mind.

....This much was enough.

 

Wonchana then officially came out on Facebook. He updated his personal information, not just selecting the provided Nonbinary option, but explicitly stating that he was... Gay.

 

This caused a significant ripple among his Facebook friends and followers, most of whom were employees within the Atcharangkul empire.

 

During his school years, Wonchana had hardly formed close bonds with anyone. He had few friends from that time and no confidants who truly understood him. Whenever his classmates invited him out, he never joined, as he had to return home to study business under his father's guidance. He understood all too well how it felt to be a child burdened by adult expectations.

 

Fortunately, after coming out, no one opposed him. Even the women who used to flirt with him and send him suggestive glances significantly toned down their advances. This declaration improved his life in every way. He could live more authentically, free from the petty annoyances involving women. Still, he didn't expect to find love as most people did. But then, fate gifted him a little treasure.

 

Wonchana set his phone aside and looked down at the person curled up asleep on his lap, a contented smile on his face. The feelings in his heart grew clearer and clearer.

...He loved Samut.

 

Wonchana understood his own emotions well. Though he'd never had a boyfriend, he wasn't inexperienced. No one had ever made him feel this way before. And he believed that Samut felt the same for him, though the younger man was still confused about his first love.

 

...That's okay. There's still time.

...Even if I'm this impatient to become his boyfriend.

 

Wonchana gently caressed the soft cheek, placing his hand lightly on the smaller shoulder. He leaned his head back against the sofa and closed his eyes.

...Please, let me into your heart soon.