Chapter 22 - Don't Miss Out - Weekly Horoscope for Sagittarius.

This week, if you've got something special, don't hold back! Show the world what you've got. Let them know you're not just ordinary. Go ahead and shine. Don't miss out!

Work: You've been overworking lately. Take a break, recharge, and then dive back into your tasks with full energy.

Finances: After some losses, you're set to gain. For those in sales, your luck is skyrocketing and unstoppable.

Love: Singles are still flying solo, enjoying their independence. For couples, a test of true love is on the horizon. Face it together, and your relationship will smooth out. But beware of a third party trying to interfere-catch them before it's too late! Don't-miss-out!

Intha repeated that line in his head while sweeping the outdoor area of the bar. His sweet eyes narrowed further as he shot a side glance at Akara, who was shirtless and busy scrubbing tables and chairs. The tattoo on Akara's shoulder stood out boldly. He swayed to the rhythm of a traditional folk song. It was nearly 2 or 3 AM, but the vibe remained lively.

"Eung!"

"What? Don't yell, you scared me."

"I was reading my horoscope. It says my partner might cheat. Are you cheating on me?" Intha called out, the distance between him and Akara forcing their conversation into a shouting match. After being accused of cheating, Akara pretended to clean his ear and casually walked closer to Intha. For today's fashion, Intha wore a T-shirt printed with the bar's logo, something he was oddly proud of. He'd ordered them in bulk to give away during the bar's opening week, costing less than ninety baht per piece.

As for the bottom half, he'd once worn ripped, faded jeans that exposed way too much. Now, he was down to polka-dot boxers and flip-flops of an unknown brand, which he got, no one knew. Don't judge him for his lack of sophistication after just over a month of running the bar. Focus instead on the solid gold Pixiu bracelet on his right wrist. If that's not enough, shift your gaze to his left wrist, where a Patek Philippe watch gleamed. The price was…Holy crap... I can't even read the price. My mind went blank for a second.

"What kind of horoscope is that?" Akara asked, snapping Intha out of his thoughts. Sweat glistened on Akara's forehead as they both cleaned up outside after closing the bar. Everyone else had gone home. It was just the two of them left. They argued every day. Akara always found ways to make Intha complain.

"It's a weekly horoscope."

"What's your zodiac sign?"

"My little pony."

"Do you wanna go to hell early?"

"Uh, Sagittarius, okay? Sagittarius." Intha gave a sheepish smile, pretending to be scared as Akara pointed the broomstick at him. But Akara had never hit anyone out of anger. Most of the time, he hit because he was laughing too hard and needed an outlet. Don't ask if Eung-eung's hits hurt. All I can think is-l'm-so-dead.

"Did you read it online?"

"It popped up as a notification on Line, so I clicked on it," Intha explained, handing the broom and hose back to Akara. Then he turned around, walking to put the items away, with Akara following close behind.

"So, the horoscope says your partner might cheat, and you believe it?"

"Well, is it true?"

"We're together all the time. When would I even have the chance?"

"I'm worried. My wifey's too good-looking."

"Ridiculous." Akara shook his head in exasperation, glancing at the phone tucked into the waistband of Intha's pants. "Read mine. Leo, please. Read it for me."

"Fine, but don't take it too seriously. It's not that accurate."

"Should someone who believes their partner might cheat because of a horoscope really be giving advice like that?"

"I was just teasing, okay?" Intha clicked his tongue, scrolling to find the weekly horoscope for Leo.

"Swear?"

"Fine, I believe in horoscopes. Happy now, darling?"

Akara shrugged indifferently. Then Intha pulled him closer, their bodies pressed together. Intha's lips trailed kisses across Akara's bare, sweaty shoulder. Intha loosely wrapped his arms around Akara's neck and brought the phone between them. His eyes focused on the weekly horoscope for Leo.

Weekly Horoscope: Leo

Forgiveness is the greatest revenge... Don't miss out!

Work: Support comes from those close to you. While there may be challenges, those challenges will lead you to find great allies and friends.

Finances: You're earning a lot but not spending much. You'll save more, and someone you trust will help manage your finances.

Love: Singles are magnetic right now. For couples, a little nudge will spark excitement. Keep the romance alive consistently. Don't miss out-we're warning you!

"Excitement, huh? Let's go. Shower first, and then let's get... excited," Intha teased, whispering softly into Akara's ear before flicking his tongue against the shallow curve of it. Akara shivered. Don't miss out-we're warning you.

"It always ends up in the pants."

"Our sex isn't as spicy as it used to be."

"This morning, when I hugged you, you didn't even hug back. You just lay there, making lazy noises."

"That's because you tried to hump me while I was sleeping! I was tired. By the time I realised it, you were already halfway in!" Akara snapped, glaring as he clawed at Intha's arm in retaliation. He was still annoyed. That morning at 8 AM, he'd been peacefully cuddling a stuffed toy, along with several others Intha had bought for him. Suddenly, he felt a strange pressure and a sharp pain in his backside. When he opened his eyes, there was Intha, mischievously smiling, his face flushed as he knelt between Akara's legs. It was clear what was happening, accompanied by a cheerful, 

'Good morning, gorgeous.'

...Well, that woke me up completely.

"You're the worst, Hia," Akara muttered, not entirely serious, as he tossed his T-shirt into the laundry basket and walked into the bedroom. He figured he'd shower before Intha and then head to bed. But tonight, he didn't feel sleepy at all. Plus, the bar was closed tomorrow since it was Monday.

"Hia, are you tired?"

"Not really. Why?"

"Wanna watch a movie? Or play a game? I'm not sleepy."

"Sure. I'll grab some snacks and beer. I know Eung-eung gets hungry often," Intha nodded, ever the indulgent partner. He watched Akara head into the bathroom, then grabbed a simple headband to push his bangs back. He removed his amulets and religious charms, yawning loudly before slapping his cheeks to wake himself up.

Time to get snacks and beer.

Intha stepped out of the bedroom and headed down the stairs. The surroundings were dim because he was too lazy to turn on the lights. This was his house. Did he really need to turn on the lights to know where everything was? Snacks were in the kitchen, and the beer? Just grab it from the fridge.

Akara mentioned that the beer for sale could be taken, but he should note it at the cashier counter. Intha followed the instructions without hesitation. He walked over, wrote a note, and stuck it on the computer. The spot where he stood was brighter than any other part of the house, thanks to the light from the fridge and the computer screen displaying footage from the security cameras positioned throughout the bar.

His sharp eyes glanced at the screen once, intending to ignore it as usual. But out of the corner of his eye, he caught something unusual near the front door. Intha placed the items he was carrying onto the table and shifted slightly to get a clearer view of the screen. Three people? Who are they? Thieves? Breaking into my house?

He pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, glancing away from the screen to search for a makeshift weapon to chase off the intruders. A rusted metal rod near the ice bucket seemed to do the job. Without hesitation, Intha grabbed it and headed outside. He couldn't help but think back to the fortune-telling session he'd recently had. It was oddly accurate...something unexpected was indeed happening. Alright, time to show these noobs they picked the wrong house to mess with. Creek...

Intha chose to use the bar's back door to circle around to the front. He dragged the metal rod along the concrete floor, creating a loud clanging sound intentionally to alert the group of thieves. Thankfully, the front door was locked tonight, so the thieves were taking their time trying to break in.

"Hi..." he greeted, gripping the metal rod firmly in his hand. The group of thieves froze and turned to look at Intha, their faces covered with balaclavas.

"Shit... Intha, why the hell are you here?"

"Huh? How the fuck do you know me?" His sharp eyebrows furrowed in confusion. That brief moment of hesitation gave the thieves a chance. They scattered in all directions. Intha, still puzzled as to how they knew him, made a split-second decision to chase after them. He forgot one important thing-he shouldn't stray too far from the bar...A big mistake.

"Leave him. Let's finish the job and get the money," a muffled voice came from one of the thieves, his words slightly distorted by the black balaclava. Two of them, who hadn't been chased, regrouped not far from the bar.

"Yeah, you keep watch. I'll handle this part."

"Just rough up the front of the bar. That's all we were told to do."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," the one pouring the kerosene replied irritably, dousing the wall of the bar, letting it spread to the bar's sign. When the can was empty, it was carelessly tossed aside. A flick of a lighter illuminated the area briefly before the flames roared to life, lighting up the surroundings.

"Let's go... the job's done, time to leave."

"Don't forget to call and report to Mr Athens."

"Yeah, I got it."

The sound of footsteps mixed with heavy breathing as Intha continued chasing the person he'd already deemed a thief. He pursued him all the way to a sharp corner.

The thief seemed to be losing stamina. Intha swung the metal rod in his hand, striking the thief's leg, knocking them to the ground.

"You're dead meat!" Intha growled, straddling the thief as he tossed the rod aside. His fists rained down on the face hidden beneath a mask, punch after punch, leaving the thief unable to get up.

"Stop... please, stop," the thief stammered, blood pooling in their mouth and the metallic scent of it filling the air. The mask covering his face had already been ripped off. Intha's eyes widened as he recognised the battered face, despite its swollen and bruised state. "You... you're the guy who got into a fight at my place last month."

"Please, stop... please."

"Spill it. What were you planning?" Intha demanded, his face furious as he grabbed the thief's collar, pulling them up to look him in the eye. Luckily, the area was deserted, allowing Intha to let his darker side show.

"Just.. just to mess with your bar."

"Why?" Intha snarled, grabbing the thief's hair and slamming their head against the ground. The helpless thief groaned in pain. "Spill it, or I'll bury you right here."

"Someone hired us, someone hired us! Don't kill me, please!"

"Who hired you?"

"..."

"Ouch!" The thief cried out as Intha yanked his hair again and slammed his head down once more. Intha didn't want to inflict too much harm, but he needed the name of the person behind this. He was almost certain it was Bomb, Akara's ex. But then...

"It was... Mr Athens."

Athens!?

That name was the last one he expected.

Why?

Before he could ask anything else, the sound of sirens reached his ears. The area around him seemed to brighten slightly. When he looked up, he saw smoke rising into the sky. A chill ran down his spine, and swallowing hard did nothing to calm his growing panic. He left the battered troublemaker lying on the ground and stood up to his full height. Turning back the way he'd come, he saw the glow of flames and black smoke billowing into the sky. He couldn't see the bar, but the smoke's location told him exactly where it was. The fire was far away, yet his heart burned and ached as if it were being scorched. Fear... pure, trembling fear consumed him.

"Eung... Eung-eung," he called out hoarsely, his voice breaking. Instinct took over, and he sprinted back toward the bar as fast as he could. Eung... Eung-eung is at the bar. No... please, don't let anything happen to him. He had no idea how long it took him to run back, but relief washed over him when he saw Akara's upright figure. It seemed Akara was safe. He was standing among a group of neighbours, watching the fire. The area had been cordoned off for safety, and the firefighters had already brought the blaze under control. Intha bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for breath from the run. Then he straightened up and walked toward Akara, who stood a short distance away.

"Eung..." he called softly. Akara turned to meet his gaze, his expression unreadable.

Intha noticed Akara was clutching a Smiggle notebook and a stuffed toy tightly in his hands. His grip was so firm that the veins on the back of his hands bulged. His hair was dishevelled, and soot smudged his body and face. When Akara realised it was Intha, a faint smile appeared on his lips...He could smile in a situation like this...

"Hia, is that you? Where did you go?"

".." Intha didn't answer, his eyes fixed on Akara, who seemed normal but wasn't.

"The bar caught fire... I saw a kerosene can. Someone did this... Are you okay, Hia? I was worried."

"I know someone did it."

"Really? Then where did you go? Why weren't you watching the bar? The sign's completely burned down and fell off," Akara's voice was muffled and barely coherent. His mind was hazy from inhaling too much smoke. He wasn't paying attention to the others or the noise around him. His focus was solely on Intha. He stepped closer until they were just a pace apart. "What do we do now?"

"Eung, I'm sorry for leaving you alone."

"Can't forgive..."

"..."

"Can't forgive myself. I was in the house, but I was like a fool... I couldn't do anything. The fire... it burned everything."

"Eung..." Intha placed both hands on Akara's shoulders as he leaned into him. Akara rested his head on Intha's shoulder before slowly sinking to the ground. Tears fell to the ground, and soft sobs reached Intha's ears. He glanced at the dying fire, his eyes burning red with emotion.

"Eung-eung, please don't cry. I've never made you cry before. Don't cry because of someone else."

"I'm trying... but I can't hold it in," Akara hiccupped through his tears.

"Then it's okay. If you can't hold it in, just cry." Intha shifted his gaze from the bar back to Akara. He knelt down slowly and pulled Akara into a tight embrace. The tighter he held him, the harder Akara cried. The more he tried to console him, the louder the sobs grew.

"But whoever made my wifey cry, I won't let them get away with it."

"Do you know who did it?"

"I do..."

"Who?"

"I'll tell you later." Intha gently stroked Akara's head, but his eyes glinted with a cold intensity. He clenched his jaw tightly and looked down at the now-quiet Akara. Akara had passed out... tears still streaked his face. Don't think I'll let this go easily. Athens... You're so dead!

"Mama, just killed a man

Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he's dead

Mama, life had just begun

But now I've gone and thrown it all away..."

Intha paused, taking a deep breath before shouting loudly into Akara's ear as Akara lay on his side, back turned.

"MAMAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" (Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen)

"Hia! Why are you yellin' at me?" Akara reluctantly turned over to lie on his back, his sharp eyes glaring up at the sharply dressed Intha in frustration. The arm he raised to cover his ear still had an IV line attached. The clean, square room carried the sterile smell of medicine, a clear sign he was in a hospital.

"I knew you were awake, but you wouldn't talk to me."

"I'm depressed. I don't want to talk to anyone yet. My heart still hurts."

"Is it about the fire at the bar?" Intha sat down on the bed next to Akara, his eyes glancing at the confused and pale face of Akara.

After Akara had passed out, Intha had rushed him to the hospital. He'd been terrified when the nurse informed him that Akara's fever had reached nearly 40 degrees Celsius... Thankfully, he hadn't gone into shock. Now, though, it seemed like things weren't as bad. Just a hoarse voice, red eyes, and a bit of coughing here and there.

"Yeah. What else would hurt me if not the bar or my hubby? But my hubby is so perfect, so I'm only stressed about the bar."

"Wow, such a compliment... Don't worry about the bar. While you were still out, I went to check the damage. Only the bar's exterior and the sign were burned. The main building only got a little scorched-just needs a fresh coat of paint, and it'll look like new. Nothing inside the house was damaged. But the tables, chairs, and plants outside were completely burned. We'll wait for the police to finish collecting evidence before we start repairs."

"Our house survived?"

"Yeah, it's fine. I even took pictures because I figured you wouldn't believe me." Intha handed his phone to Akara to show him proof that the fire hadn't consumed their house. Akara's face brightened a little.

"I can't believe it. I thought the whole place would've gone up in flames. The wood and leather catch fire so easily."

"It didn't burn because my amulet is powerful."

"Ugh..." Akara grimaced, staring at Intha in disbelief. Sure, the amulet might be powerful, but why was he dressed so sharply today? His face was clean and bright, his hair neatly styled. "Very powerful indeed- So, where were you last night when the fire broke out?"

"I was out dealing with someone. When I went downstairs to grab some beer and snacks, I saw on the security camera that someone was lurking suspiciously in front of the house, so I went to handle it." Intha paused after saying this, debating whether to continue. In the end, he decided not to hide anything from Akara and let out a deep sigh before continuing. "The ones who set the bar on fire were the same group that caused the fight at the bar last month. We caught all of them, but we couldn't touch the person who hired them."

"Who? Is it who you think it is?" Akara watched Intha shake his head in denial, then waited intently to hear the name of the person who had orchestrated the attack.

"It's not Bomb... It's Athens. I don't even know if Bomb was involved. Right now, I'm so frustrated because I can't do anything to Athens. Your junior has a lot of influence. His father is a big shot," Intha said, his voice laced with irritation.

"A big shot? I never knew that. All I knew was that his family is rich," Akara replied, turning his face away after hearing who was behind it all. He closed his eyes, his mind blank, unable to process anything. "Do you hate me?"

"Why would you ask something like that?" Intha frowned, puzzled by the question. He looked at Akara's conflicted expression and could guess what Akara was thinking.

"Because I always cause you trouble. If you were with someone else, your life would probably be better. If you want to leave me...I..I..."

"Are you the lead actress in a soap opera or something? Talking like you're reading from a script. Don't come at me with some nonsense about breaking up so I can find someone better. A good person and someone you love aren't the same thing, are they? And none of this is your fault, Eung. The crazy one here is Athens. Stop acting like a victim and return to being Eung-eung. I'm not breaking up with you... never. Got it?"

"Don't scold me, okay? I get it. Don't scold me," Akara pleaded softly.

"Well, you're the one saying stupid things."

"Sorry. Honestly, I don't want to break up with you either. It's not easy to find someone with... a dick as big as yours," Akara said, trying to lighten the mood after Intha's unusually serious lecture. He decided to crack a dirty joke to ease the tension.

"I love how sharp my partner's mouth is. If you weren't sick, I'd have already nailed you," Intha teased with a grin.

"Well, save the nailing for when I'm out of the hospital, okay? For now, let me ask-what's your plan, In-in, the devoted lover? Do you have a plan to deal with this?"

"Do you think I look handsome today?" Intha asked, flashing a broad smile as he slid onto the bed next to Akara. The movement spread his cologne throughout the room.

"You look handsome... very formal. But what does that have to do with this?"

"It's related. I dressed up to meet P'Aon and my sister-in-law. Does Athens think he's the only one with connections?"

"..Huh?"

"My sister-in-law is the daughter of a very influential family. My brother married into their family and took on a big role there. This kind of thing? He said it's a minor issue. P'Aon said he'd handle it today."

"They're not going to kill anyone, right?" Akara turned to face Intha, his sharp eyes filled with concern. After learning that Athens had ordered the bar to be destroyed, he was furious. But... if it escalated to murder, Akara thought that would be too much.

"I told P'Aon to just give him a warning and make sure Athens apologises to you."

"Honestly, just an apology and compensation for the repairs would be enough."

"I love how kind you are, but people like Athens won't learn unless they're taught a lesson. Don't be too kind and let people hurt us so easily."

"But forgiveness is the best revenge, isn't it?"

"I told you not to believe in the horoscope too much," Intha said, pulling Akara's cheek until it stretched. Then he pressed his forehead against Akara's, their noses brushing lightly. Akara snuggled into Intha's chest, letting the bigger man hold him loosely. Just as they were about to drift off to sleep, a knock on the door interrupted them. Intha sat up, straightened his clothes, and went to open the door. As soon as the door swung open, Intha was met with a tall man in a safari suit. He was momentarily puzzled about who it was until a smaller figure, somewhat familiar, stepped out from behind him. Athens...

"I'm here to apologise to P'Eung. Uh... and to you, too. I didn't know you were Mr Arayha's brother..."

"What happened to you? Why are you so bruised?" Intha asked, looking Athens up and down. The bruises and cuts scattered across his body made it seem like he'd been beaten badly. Aon wasn't the type to order people to beat someone up...

"My dad hit me. Mr Arayha had his secretary make one call, and my dad summoned me home. He was furious when he found out I burned your bar. But honestly, I don't feel guilty about it. I'm just here to apologise so this can be over with," Athens said nonchalantly.

"Well, then you deserved to get hurt," Intha muttered through gritted teeth. Any previous impression of Athens being cute had completely vanished, replaced by disdain.

"Move aside, will you? I need to apologise to P'Eung. I don't want to get hit again for taking too long."

Intha stepped aside to make way, watching Athens walk inside while clutching his stomach… He must've been hit pretty hard… For a brief moment, he felt sorry for Athens. Intha thought to himself as he walked alongside Athens toward Akara's bed.

But another part of him felt it served him right. Someone like Athens deserved to be punished every now and then.