Love of Silom

Chapter 7 - Old Flame, New Story. 

The life of a city dweller doesn't depend on the rising or setting of the sun. While many are resting from the exhaustion of work, the nightlife of some is just beginning.

 

Krit had just returned home. He headed straight to his bedroom, massaging his neck due to exhaustion. He took off his police uniform and placed the insignia, two stars on each shoulder, on the top shelf of the closet. He then noticed a brownish-black stain on the sleeve of his shirt, running from his shoulder to his elbow. During today's duty, his team and the local police worked together to raid a SIM box operation in a building in Pathum Thani province, dismantling a call centre gang network.

 

Krit smiled faintly, recalling a conversation between Rose and his mom about how his mom always insisted on ironing his dad's uniform herself, no matter how many years had passed. His dad had requested it, and his mom was happy to oblige. Rose would never be thrilled about having to iron his shirt like that.

 

Truthfully, Krit wouldn't ask for something like that. It wasn't that he wasn't proud of his honourable uniform, but he'd rather spend that time doing something else with his loved one. As for the laundry, he'd leave it to the housekeeper. Then Krit thought of Wayu. Just the other day, Wayu had called him in a complete breakdown. 

 

Krit could still recall the trembling voice, barely forming coherent words, and the tears streaming endlessly from those glassy, crystal-clear eyes. It was a moment of such fragility that Krit feared Wayu might shatter. He had held him carefully, supporting him with the utmost gentleness. The delicate back in his embrace and the soft touch of Wayu's cheek resting against his shoulder only deepened Krit's resolve to protect him, to keep him from truly falling apart.

 

Krit sympathised with Wayu. It seemed like Wayu kept getting hit by one misfortune after another, just as he was about to move forward, only to be pulled back down again. Krit glanced at the time on his phone. It was 9:45 p.m. Wayu was probably getting ready for work at the bar now, but Krit wasn't sure if the incident from the other day had left Wayu too shaken to focus. Krit sent a message.

 

'How are you? Did you go to work today?

Wayu replied almost immediately.

 

'I'm changing clothes in the dressing room right now.’

'Feeling better?'

 

A moment later, a sad cartoon sticker popped up in the chat, followed by a message.

 

‘I can't face mom. I don't want to see her or hear any explanations.’

 

‘Take it easy. If you're not ready to talk, just avoid it for now.’

 

'Okay. I'll return your jacket within this week, Krit.' Krit typed, 'No rush, it's fine,' but then he changed his mind. He deleted the message and wrote a new one.

 

'Okay. See you then."

'See you then, Krit.'

 

Krit grabbed a towel and walked into the bathroom. He admired Wayu's resilience. Wayu was like a small tree trying to stand firm in a storm. Life wasn't easy, but there was no choice but to keep fighting.

 

A while later, Krit stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. His strong chest still had a few droplets of water clinging to it. He used a smaller towel to dry his damp hair before glancing at his phone on the edge of the bed. There was a message on the screen. When Krit picked it up, he saw it was from Wayu.

 

'Thank you. I'm glad I had you with me on a day when I had no one else. I'm sorry for troubling you, but you were the only one I thought of..

 

But the message was cancelled and resent, this time shortened to just:

 

‘Thank you.'

 

Krit remained still, his sharp eyes hidden with a sense of hesitation. He was conflicted, yet deeply satisfied at the same time. He could tell that Wayu liked him. Every gesture Wayu made wasn't hard for Krit to read. Even though Wayu tried to hide and control it, it always showed in Wayu's eyes whenever the other looked at his eyes and smiled.

 

And now, the phrase "you were the only one I thought of" almost completely revealed Wayu's feelings. Krit didn't dislike the emotions Wayu had for him, but he was still unsure. He wasn't sure whether he should fully accept those feelings and respond in kind, or step back and maintain some distance.

 

The indecisiveness frustrated Krit. He liked many things about Wayu—his looks, his personality. Wayu was adorable, charming, and easy to be around. But it wasn't just that. Love wasn't simple for Krit. He didn't want to act on a fleeting emotion only to regret it later.

 

Krit distracted himself with other thoughts. He put his phone down and turned on some music instead.

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

Three days later, Wayu asked to meet Krit to return his jacket. Krit agreed because he also wanted to see Wayu. He was still concerned about Wayu's mental state and hoped it had improved.

 

Krit stepped from the scorching heat outside into the cool, refreshing air of a café decorated in clean, creamy white tones. Small flower vases and the aroma of coffee brightened the atmosphere. He had arranged to meet Wayu here, a cafe located in the building opposite the police headquarters where Krit worked.

 

Wayu was already waiting inside. He had chosen a table by the window, tucked away in a quiet corner. Krit walked straight toward him. Wayu was leaning slightly back in his seat, gazing out the window. Krit's lips curved up just a little, without him even realising it.

 

The scene looked like something out of an art gallery. A tall, slender young man sat alone, his fair face lost in thought as he stared out the window, with a single white lily in a vase beside him. It was so captivating that it was hard to tell whether the beauty came from the lily or the person.

 

"Wayu," Krit called softly as he approached. Wayu turned, and upon seeing Krit, he smiled, though his eyes still held a trace of sadness. Krit wanted to reach out and stroke Wayu's soft hair, to let him rest his head in Krit's palm like an affectionate cat. But all Krit could do was sit down across from him and ask,

 

"How are you? Are you okay?"

 

Wayu sighed softly, his face filled with frustration.

 

"Not okay. I can barely stand to see Mom. She seems to want to talk to me, but I don't want to look at her or make eye contact. I just want to take Singto and run far away."

 

"Where would you go?"

 

"I can't go anywhere. I know that. Working night shifts like this, someone has to take care of Singto when I'm not around."

Krit studied Wayu's face. It was still beautiful, but his eyes betrayed his exhaustion, likely from emotional fatigue.

 

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"Not really. I kept waking up."

 

"You need to take care of yourself. Try to eat well and get enough sleep. If you get sick, it'll only make things worse."

Wayu nodded understandingly, looking at Krit with gratitude.

 

"There aren't many people who care about me. Right now, it's just you and Thai who keep asking how I'm doing."

 

Wayu reached for the folded jacket beside him and handed it to Krit. It was the jacket Krit had draped over his shoulders that day.

 

"Here's your jacket, Krit. I washed it properly. Thank you."

 

Krit nodded and reached out to take it. He noticed another shirt folded beside Wayu—a black dress shirt with a logo and embroidered lettering on one side of the chest. Krit immediately recognised it as the uniform from the host bar where Wayu worked.

 

"Are you going to work now? It's only 4 p.m.," Krit asked.

 

"I have a dance rehearsal for the floor show today, so l came out early. Staying at home just stresses me out more."

 

"Hmm," Krit pondered. "What kind of dance?"

 

"Don't imagine anything wild, Krit," Wayu quickly interjected. "It's not a strip-down-to-your-underwear kind of dance. It's not that sexy. I dance in a boy group style."

 

"I didn't say anything," Krit said, laughing.

"You didn't have to. I know what you're thinking," Wayu said, giving him a knowing look. "There might be a little shirt-opening to show off some abs, but the clothes stay on."

 

"You have abs too?"

 

"A little. I'm working on it. Why are you making that face? Don't believe me?"

 

"Then I'll drop by to watch tonight. I mean, to watch the dance, not your abs. Why would I want to see baby abs?" Krit said, feeling glad that Wayu had temporarily stepped away from his sadness and shifted his focus to something more lively.

 

"No, not today," Wayu quickly objected. 

"I'm still learning. I don't want you to see me yet."

 

"But you're performing for so many customers already. Why be shy now?"

 

"It's because you'll be watching that I'm shy."

"What's with that..."

 

Krit leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. Wayu smiled shyly. The two looked at each other as a love song Wayu had once sent to Krit played in the background. Wayu's cheeks flushed slightly, and Krit watched him with a smile. But then, as if they both realised the atmosphere and conversation were getting a little strange, 

 

Krit cleared his throat softly and adjusted his expression to normal. Wayu averted his gaze, biting his lip before reaching for his coffee cup to take a sip. Why does he have to bite his lip like that?

 

Krit grumbled internally. There was nothing wrong with Wayu's actions, but they bothered him. Krit didn't want his feelings to sway any further. He reminded himself that this café was near the police headquarters where he worked.

 

After chatting for a while longer until they finished their coffee, the two walked out of the café together.

 

"Are you heading back to work, Krit?" Wayu asked.

"Yeah. How about you?"

 

"I'll take a motorbike taxi or a cab," Wayu paused for a moment, as if thinking, then decided to speak.

 

"Krit, I want to thank you for everything you've done for me since the first day we met until now. I don't know how to express my gratitude. You've been so kind to me in ways I never thought I'd experience. It really means a lot to me. I just want you to know that."

 

"You're praising me so much it sounds like we'll never see each other again."

 

"It's just..." Wayu hesitated.

 

"It's okay. You don't have to explain. Just call me if you need anything," Krit said gently. Wayu tilted his head and looked at Krit uncertainly.

 

"Can I really call you?"

"Why wouldn't you be able to?"

 

"Well... I'm concerned about Rose," Wayu said, avoiding eye contact.

 

"What does Rose have to do with this?" Krit frowned.

 

"I mean... I'm not sure if you and Rose are a couple. If I keep bothering you, I'd feel bad for Rose."

 

"Rose and I are just friends."

"Friends?" Wayu repeated softly.

 

"Hmm, we've been friends since day one, and not once have we ever thought about dating each other."

 

Wayu smiled. The weariness in his eyes faded, replaced by a glimmer of hope.

 

"Well then, if I call and bother you often, you'd better not complain. I'll take it as your permission. Just don't block my number later."

 

"As long as you don't make me change my number to escape you."

 

"I can't promise that."

"Okay. Take care of yourself."

 

"Yes, Krit."

 

Wayu stepped back, lingering hesitantly as if he didn't want to leave. But in the end, he had to make the decision. Wayu walked toward the parking lot to head out to the main road, while Krit turned the other way, crossing the open plaza to the back building.

 

Wayu walked slowly through the parking lot, feeling as if he were floating. Krit's words echoed in his head. Krit wasn't dating Rose and had even opened the door for Wayu to keep talking to him. Was this permission for Wayu to get closer to Krit? 

 

His cheeks burned, and he lightly patted them, smiling to himself. Then he took a step and spun around as if dancing, unable to contain his happiness.

 

The warmth of hope that lifted Wayu's spirits left him so elated that he didn't even notice the sleek black supercar parked in the lot—nor the person still sitting inside. From behind the dark-tinted window, a pair of eyes silently observed him, taking in every detail of his expression.

 

While their meeting had eased Wayu's sadness, Krit himself felt lighter as well. He recalled the look on Wayu's face when he had clarified that he wasn't dating Rose, how the younger man had hung on his every word, trying hard to hide his anticipation. But Krit had seen through it. It had taken every bit of restraint not to let a grin slip. Wayu had his unintentionally amusing moments, ones that Krit found oddly endearing, and that put him in a good mood, too.

 

But there was one thing Krit hadn't told Wayu. He had managed to track down a lead on Wayu's younger sister, Waii. According to the information he received, she was now living in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province with the boyfriend she had run away with. What worried Krit, however, was the man's history—he had a record of assault. That was why Krit decided to keep this from Wayu for now. He didn't want to add to his distress. 

 

Those sorrowful eyes flashed through his mind, strengthening his resolve to drive to that province himself and confirm the truth before saying anything. Krit had only walked a short distance from the café when he heard someone call his name.

 

"Krit."

 

Krit turned his head—and froze for a moment. A tall man was walking straight toward him, his striking figure impossible to ignore. He had flawless skin, a well-proportioned physique, and an air of effortless charisma. Just one glance, and it was obvious this was someone from the entertainment industry, a model or an actor. Even the sunglasses he wore couldn't fully conceal how good-looking he was. As he reached Krit, he removed his sunglasses, flashing a smile.

 

"Still remember me, don't you? Hope you haven't forgotten me."

 

That was impossible. Krit's gaze settled on his ex-boyfriend. He felt a sudden emptiness in his chest when he encountered someone he hadn't expected. Pete had changed quite a bit since their university days. His skin had become lighter, and his aura now radiated the unmistakable glow of a celebrity. But the one thing that hadn't changed was his beautiful smile and the sparkling, mischievous glint in his eyes that had once captured Krit's heart completely.

 

"What are you doing here?"

 

"Wow, it's been years, and that's all I get? What's with the lifeless greeting?"

 

Krit didn't respond. He just stared at Pete silently.

 

"You've gotten even more handsome, Krit. You've been doing well, right?" Pete's voice was so smooth and gentle that it felt completely sincere.

 

"Yeah." Krit gave a short reply, still wary of what Pete wanted.

 

"The guy just now—is he your new boyfriend? The pale, pretty one you were talking to in front of the café? Krit's eyes darkened instantly.

 

"How long have you been watching?"

 

"Long enough to tell there's definitely something going on between you two. What's his name? He looks good. Cute, too. But..." Pete paused, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

 

"Doesn't he look a little too much like me? Years have passed, and your type is still the same."

 

"What are you talking about? He's not my boyfriend. So... you don't actually have any reason to be here, do you?" Krit had no patience for small talk.

 

"Relax. I was just joking. Fine, I'm sorry." Pete raised his hands in mock surrender. "I actually came to ask for your help."

 

"What?"

"I have a problem."

 

Pete let out a heavy sigh, his expression shifting into something far more serious.

He had recently partnered with a few friends in the entertainment industry to open a nightclub. The business was booming, but a problem arose when a group of customers used drugs in one of the VIP rooms and were caught in a raid. Pete was about to face a closure order for drug use at his establishment, something he couldn't allow to happen because it would damage his reputation as an actor and TV host, as well as affect his contracts with production companies. When Pete finished explaining, Krit shook his head in disbelief.

 

"After all these years, you suddenly show up asking for my help? Don't you think that's a bit shameless?"

 

"You knew that I had my reasons for cutting off contact back then."

 

"And those reasons don't matter anymore?"

"Are you saying you won't help me?"

 

"Help you how? This isn't my department. It's not something I handle."

 

"Don't talk like this industry is every man for himself, Krit. You look out for each other. You're friends, you're colleagues—if you really wanted to help, why wouldn't you?" Krit met Pete's gaze directly.

 

"There's nothing between us anymore. Why drag me into this and force a connection that doesn't exist? Whatever mess you've made, deal with it yourself."

 

"You won't even consider it? Not even for the sake of what we had?"

"And what exactly did we have?" Krit let out a dry laugh.

 

"A disposable relationship? Something you use and throw away?"

"We shared a bed, didn't we?"

 

"Enough, Pete." Krit forced himself to stay composed.

 

"Think about your own reputation for once. You're an actor with millions of fans. Pulling something like this—it's not a good look."

 

"I'm so glad. You finally said my name." Pete smiled.

 

"So, Krit... what do you want in return?"

 

"What are you talking about?"

 

"If you help me, I'll return the favour however you like. Do you want us to go back to how we were... or do you just want... a night together?"

 

Krit stared at him, stunned by the audacity. Then, he scoffed. "Tell me, is this how you got ahead in the industry?"

 

"I've never done it before. But I wouldn't mind doing it with you."

 

They locked eyes. Krit leaned in closer and said, "Find someone else to help you."

 

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, never once glancing back. Pete let out a soft sigh. He watched the tall figure walk away, not intending to chase after him—not yet. Pete adjusted his sunglasses and put them back on, then walked back to his car leisurely, the very same black supercar that Wayu had unknowingly walked past earlier.

 

He opened the door and sat in the car. If Krit wanted it this way, that was fine. After all, they would still have to talk again, since Krit's phone number hadn't changed. Pete whistled softly. Some things needed a little more time to achieve better results. Right now, he had an entirely different plan for Krit.