Me and Thee: English translation.

Wake up call #23

The afternoon meeting was a complete 180 from the morning — night and day, really. Things were so tense that even Mok, the ever-patient secretary, could only sigh inwardly if he had to trace the root of the problem. It undoubtedly started with what happened in the car at lunchtime. By the time Peachayarat, freshly dressed and ready, came down from his condo, he was already getting used to seeing Thee waiting by the front entrance. He didn't even question it anymore.

Thee greeted him with a cheery "I'm starving!" — a clear signal that he wanted company for lunch. Peach still couldn't figure out why Thee kept tagging along, but hey, free food was free food. He didn't bother arguing. This time, Peach suggested switching things up with some Thai food. As much as he liked Japanese cuisine, eating it every day was a bit much. He even considered suggesting a roadside food stall but, judging from Thee's polished appearance, opted for a proper restaurant instead. It's fine. No skin off his nose — he wasn't the one footing the

While Peach was busy breaking the runny egg yolk on his plate, Thee cleared his throat, looking awkward and a bit bashful. His ears turned slightly red, though he was trying hard to keep his face composed.

"That night... at the company banquet... You didn't attend," Thee began hesitantly. "So... I thought maybe we could celebrate tonight. You did great on the fall collection project." His lips tugged into a faint smile. "Don't bother thanking me. It's only right to reward good work."

Peach froze, mouth slightly open, caught completely off guard. His mind raced as he blinked in disbelief.

"Uh... sorry, but I already have plans tonight." As soon as the words left his mouth, Thee's expression turned stone-cold. His once-soft features hardened, and the room's atmosphere grew dark and heavy. His eyes narrowed like a predator locking onto its prey. Arseny the Mafia was back.

"I'm not letting you go. You're coming with me."

"Mr Thee, I already promised them. I can't just back out," Peach sighed inwardly.

The possessive, unpredictable Thee had resurfaced.

"Who's the meeting with? I checked your schedule - you've got nothing." Thee's voice was calm, but irritation seeped through. Feeling cornered, Peach reluctantly mentioned the client's company.

"They want to discuss a last-minute project, so they asked me to meet them tonight," he explained. "But don't worry - I already told them I have a long-term project to handle. I didn't commit to anything yet, and I won't let it interfere with your work."

"Since when do you meet clients at restaurants? That's not your usual way." Thee's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"A friend of mine set it up," he answered calmly. "I figured I'd combine work with catching up over dinner." Peach paused, realising where this was going.

"Am I not your friend?" he asked curtly. Peach stayed silent, thrown by the unexpected question. He wanted to ask, Since when were we close enough to be friends? But thought better of it.

Despite himself, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He couldn't deny the warmth he felt, like a foggy comfort settling in his chest. Ever since that day when Thee had let his guard down and cried in front of him, Peach had felt... something shift. Somehow, this complicated, intense man had become a strange kind of safe space. Even if being in that "safe space" came with a fair bit of emotional whiplash.

"The other meeting was scheduled first," Peach reasoned gently, knowing better than to fight fire with fire. "I already gave them my word. You didn't book me ahead of time, Thee. Could you maybe... ask next time before deciding something involving me?"

"Why... are they more important to you than I am?" Peach blinked at the sarcastic remark, feeling a sudden sting behind his eyes. What answer could satisfy Thee when he asked like that?

"It's not about who's important. I have a work meeting — it's a real commitment."

Peach explained, pressing his lips together. Thee's intense gaze locked onto him, sharp and unwavering.

"Maybe you shouldn't take the job. You're already overloaded."

"If I stop working, how am I supposed to eat?" He bit back the urge to point out that he wasn't wealthy like Thee. "Besides, for the past three months, all I've done is your projects."

Thee's expression softened, though he conveniently chose to hear only the words all I've done is yours. Satisfied for a brief moment, he pressed on, still unwilling to back down.

"I've seen your schedule. You've got plenty of jobs lined up. Skipping this one won't kill you."

"It's just a meeting. I haven't even agreed to take the project yet."

"Then don't go," Thee shot back immediately, tone leaving no room for negotiation. "I'm serious. You don't need to work anymore." Peach let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples to ease the growing headache. "And what would I live on if I stop working?"

"I'll take care of you." Thee's quick response was laced with satisfaction, as though he'd found the perfect solution. But Peach's brow furrowed even more, irritation creeping into his voice.

"You expect me to freeload off you? What kind of friend supports someone for life?" He exhaled slowly, struggling to keep his composure. It took every ounce of self-control not to snap at Thee's infuriating stubbornness. Mr Thee's intense gaze remained fixed, his expression hardening with determination.

"I can take care of you — for life if I have to."

Peach froze, sensing something off about Thee's declaration. Surely, he only meant paying for occasional meals. There couldn't be more to it... right? He forced a polite, distant smile.

"No, thank you. I love my work, and I already have plans tonight. I won't trouble you."

Thee's frown deepened at Peach's firm tone, feeling the resolve in his words. Reluctantly, he shifted his stance, though backing down was against his nature.

"I just wanted to celebrate you." His voice softened, though annoyance still lingered. He crossed his arms, looking away as if dismissing his own vulnerability. "I didn't want anyone saying you work harder than anyone else and never get anything in return."

Peach sighed quietly, his irritation melting into something softer. Dealing with Thee sometimes felt like navigating a stormy sea - unpredictable and relentless.

"You already raised my contract rate," he replied evenly, restoring his usual calm tone.

"That's different." Thee's eyes flicked back to him, glinting with something unreadable. His voice lowered into a grumble. "The restaurant tonight is nearly impossible to book. If you miss it, you might never get another chance."

"I have an appointment for work." 

Thee cursed under his breath, clearly frustrated. An uncomfortable silence settled between them, stretching through the rest of their meal and lingering even as they moved to the meeting room. Thee's scowl remained intact, his narrowed eyes radiating irritation as though still mentally battling the unresolved tension. Even now, while presenting the winter collection, Thee sat at the head of the table, his face dark and stormy, as if he couldn't be more disappointed with the designs despite not uttering a single word of criticism during the presentation.

The confusion wasn't limited to outsiders; even Thee himself couldn't quite grasp why he was so irritated. His blood boiled when he realised the photographer had chosen someone else over him. Deep down, he knew it wasn't Peach's fault—it was his own for not coordinating properly. But Thee was used to Peach choosing him first. Every. Single. Time.

This was the first time Thee had been flat-out rejected. It struck him hard. He hadn't realised that for the past three months, Peach had been working almost exclusively on his projects, leaving little room for anyone else. Would Peach disappear when this project wrapped up?

The thought hit Thee like a punch to the gut. His frustration morphed into restless anxiety, especially after seeing Peach's unwavering eyes when he firmly refused. The rejection unsettled him more than he cared to admit. And it wasn't just that. 

Something else gnawed at him—a bad feeling he couldn't shake. He'd looked into Peach's background before. He knew Peach didn't have many close friends, just a small circle of people he really trusted. And most importantly, the company Peach mentioned in passing? It was clearly noted in the background check that the workplace of Peach's most recent ex-girlfriend was where he'd broken up with her not too long ago.

Thee clenched his jaw. The presentation droned on, but nothing registered. His mind buzzed with restless thoughts, despite his attempts to reason with himself that it could just be a coincidence. Someone else from the company had reached out; it probably had nothing to do with her. But no matter how he rationalised it, his irritation burned hotter. He hated the idea of Peach running into that ex again.

"Boss, is everything all right?"

Mok's voice snapped Thee out of his thoughts. He shifted slightly, his eyes locking onto the image displayed on the screen. He recognised the photographer's work instantly. Peach's style was unmistakably hauntingly beautiful, even with minimal equipment.

Somehow, Peach had conjured a wintry, end-of-year scene filled with loneliness, the soft glow of scattered Christmas lights shimmering throughout the frame.

Thee's gaze softened without him meaning to. Seeing Peach's elegant signature in the corner of the photo eased the suffocating tension that had been weighing on the room. Everything about Peach still managed to get under his skin.

"No issues. We'll go with this," Thee finally said, nodding at his assistant and gesturing to the others. "Meeting adjourned."

Mok raised an eyebrow at his boss's unusually distant demeanour but didn't say anything. He mentally noted that he'd need to draft a thorough meeting summary later. Thee clearly hadn't heard a word that was said.

Once the room started clearing out, Thee casually skimmed through the meeting notes while waiting for everyone to leave. He finally stood up, ready to go as well, but just as he crossed the threshold, someone tugged lightly on his suit jacket. The pull wasn't forceful, but it was enough to make him stop. 

He turned, ready to bark at whoever dared to grab, but froze when he saw Peach standing there, looking hesitant and... vulnerable. Peach bit his lip, eyes wide and uncertain, almost pleading without realising it. Thee inhaled sharply, feeling like the air had been knocked out of his lungs. His heart pounded so hard it startled him.

"What is it?" he asked, clearing his throat, keeping his voice steady despite the flicker of emotion in his eyes. He lowered his gaze to the small hand still clutching his jacket, afraid Peach might notice the intensity burning in his stare.

Thankfully, Mok was nothing if not discreet. The moment he saw Peach grab Thee's jacket, he quietly slipped out of the room. He shut the door behind, ensuring no one else would stumble upon the sight of their usually cold, untouchable boss standing there with a faint, unmistakable smile lighting up his eyes.

Peach looked confused, as if he couldn't quite understand why he'd run after Thee and grabbed his jacket in the first place. His teeth worried his bottom lip, tight with unease. Without thinking, Thee gently brushed his fingertip across that tense lip, slow and deliberate.

"Don't bite. You'll hurt yourself," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. The warmth and softness that lingered on his fingertip felt far too good—too comforting to let go of so easily. His heart, which had just started to settle, kicked back into a faster rhythm. He wanted to touch him more and more.

Peach blinked, releasing his lip as requested, still looking unsure of himself. After a long breath, he fished his phone out of his pocket and dialled a number—his hand still clutching Thee's jacket, as though letting go wasn't an option. Thee made no move to pull away, not even considering telling him to let go. In fact, replacing that grip with hand-holding didn't sound half bad.

"Hey, it's me... Peach," the photographer greeted the person on the other end. Thee couldn't hear the response but stayed close, straining to listen.

"About our meeting tonight... Can we reschedule? Something urgent came up."

Thee's head snapped up, eyes widening, sparkling with something suspiciously close to hope. If he had ears and a tail, they'd be perked up and wagging by now.

Peach never cancelled appointments—never. Not unless it was something serious like an accident or sudden illness. His professionalism was practically legendary. Was it too much to hope... that Peach was cancelling for him?

"Tomorrow works, sure. Sorry about this, Mim."

The name slipped from Peach's lips so naturally, so softly, and in an instant, the warmth surging through Thee froze solid. His sharp eyes narrowed, suspicion howling louder than ever in his mind. He remembered that name all too well...Peach's most recent ex.

Thee stood with his arms crossed, waiting until Peach ended the call. When Peach finally turned around, he tugged lightly at Thee's jacket, silently asking for attention. Those wide, expressive eyes looked up at him with a touch of playful innocence, and his lips curved into a sweet, coaxing smile.

"I'm free tonight... Do you want to take me somewhere, Thee?" Thee froze, his eyes widening just a bit as he fixated on that smile. A soft blush crept up his cheekbones, trailing all the way to his ears. He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing visibly. Something deep within him stirred, unsettling and undeniable.

No matter how much he enjoyed the moment, the memory of Peach's ex's name still gnawed at the back of his mind, stoking a slow-burning irritation. Thee closed his eyes briefly, regaining his composure. When he opened them again, his expression was cool and unreadable, as though nothing had happened.

"Come on. I'll take you there."

He turned and walked ahead, feeling a faint pang of disappointment when Peach finally let go of his jacket. Slipping his hand into his pocket, Thee pulled out his phone and typed a message to his secretary with practised speed: A full report on all of Peach's ex by tomorrow!