Me and Thee: English translation.

Wake up call #25

Peach dragged himself home, his chest heavy with confusion and weariness that seemed to crush him from the inside out. It had been an incredibly long day for him. The physical and emotional exhaustion left him feeling utterly drained, unwilling to move or do anything. To make things worse, the low-grade fever he'd been nursing hinted that the effects of the medication he'd taken at lunch had completely worn off.

After sleeping through the night in one long stretch, Peach felt a bit better the next morning. While he wasn't fully recovered, the symptoms were far less severe than the day before. Once he got himself together and had a light breakfast, he headed to the café where he'd agreed to meet Mim. With no leftover work to clear today, he decided to leave the house earlier than planned. At least that way, he'd have time to grab a coffee beforehand.

The café they'd chosen was a medium-sized spot offering a full range of drinks, savoury dishes, and desserts. It was a place Peach had frequented often back when he and Mim were still together. But after their breakup, his busy schedule had kept him from visiting again.

Peach ordered a coffee and then searched for a seat. He chose a table by the window overlooking the garden, figuring it'd be easy for Mim to spot him when she arrived. Plus, the view of the green leaves was soothing, a welcome reprieve for his tired mind.

The young photographer set his coffee cup on the table and leaned back against the chair. His gaze drifted aimlessly to the garden outside as his thoughts once again circled back to yesterday. Normally, Peach was calm and level-headed, not one to lose his temper easily. But the mafia heir's words from the day before had managed to get under his skin. In the end, though, he'd softened and rescheduled his plans to accommodate him.

However, he was growing more confused by the moment. He was typically a calm person, but not one who was easily swayed, especially at work; he was stricter than anyone else. The only exception was Plub, for whom he would soften without hesitation. But who would have thought he'd find himself unexpectedly vulnerable to this mafia?

Peach gazed out the window, lost in thought. Yesterday, he'd received an apology from the young Mafia, the first of its kind. It was awkward and uncertain, yet somehow sincere and genuine. He could feel the true remorse behind those words.

Beyond the sincerity, there was something subtly sweet lingering beneath the surface.

He furrowed his brow, feeling his heart skip an unexpected beat. Earlier, when receiving that apology with such a serious gaze, he'd already felt a momentary flutter. He had dismissed it as a mere impression, but now his heart was wavering once again. Wavering? What nonsense! This was a man, and a mafia, so no less. Besides, Thee was the one he was interested in!

He dropped his head onto the desk with a loud thud, his inner confusion deepening. He repeatedly told himself to get a grip. Although he couldn't see how Mr Thee and Aran might be connecting, he knew Mr Thee would never be interested in someone like him. Wait a minute! Why was he even concerned about whether the mafia liked him? He wasn't interested in this guy at all!

He nearly pulled his hair out, feeling he'd been getting far too sentimental lately. He had always dated women. There was no way he could fall for this man, no matter how endearing he might be—like a large, stubborn dog trying hard to obey while still maintaining his pride, his fur standing on end. And that bell wind wasn't helping him gain any clarity, contrary to what any advertisement might claim.

The young photographer straightened up, letting out a long sigh. He slowly rolled his coffee mug, trying to calm his racing thoughts. At that moment, he was stuck in a haze of uncertainty, struggling to regain his emotional equilibrium as quickly as possible. He was taking another sip of coffee when a slender woman walked up to him. She was elegantly proportioned, with a full bust and curvy hips. Her face was striking and meticulously made up. In her form-fitting dress and four-inch heels, she looked even more stunning.

"Hey, Peach. Still married to coffee, I see," she greeted him casually, waving from a distance. Peach looked up and stood to meet her, his lips spreading into a bright smile. "Mim, looking as gorgeous as ever," he bantered back.

"Those four-inch stilettos don't scare you one bit, do they?"

"Don't even start," she warned, seeing he was about to dig up some old, embarrassing memory of her first attempts at wearing high heels. This made him chuckle softly.

Mim was about to say something more when another man entered the café. Her demeanour instantly transformed. She straightened up, becoming the consummate professional, extending her hand formally.

"Good morning, Mr Peach. This is Mr Touch, my boss, whom I mentioned earlier."

Peach gave a faint smile, momentarily tempted to tease his friend but deciding against it. He turned to greet the newcomer. 

"Hello, Mr Touch. I apologise for the last-minute change yesterday that inconvenienced you and Miss Mim."

"Not at all," Touch replied with a genuine smile. "I'm truly glad to meet you."

Peach simply smiled back, discreetly studying the other man.

Touch was tall, with well-defined muscles and fair skin. He wore rectangular glasses that framed his sharp, distinctly Chinese features, giving him an attractive, almost sophisticated look. While Mr Thee might be the rugged, untrustworthy mafia type with an international bad-boy aesthetic, Touch appeared clean-cut, more like a polished, intelligent young professional.

"I apologise for being so forward and calling. Mim mentioned you're not fond of business calls, but this matter is quite urgent." Touch said, bowing slightly, his politeness making Peach somewhat uncomfortable.

"I just want a bit of privacy, that's all," Peach offered a slight smile, quickly steering the conversation towards business. 

"So, what kind of project are you working on, Mr Touch? I'm currently tied up with a long-term project for Arseny, so I might not be able to take on big assignments or those requiring extensive travel at the moment."

"I understand," Touch replied, his eyes sparkling with an intense gleam, his smile smooth and slight. "Actually, I've just launched a new modelling agency. I have two or three models signed, and I was hoping you could help me shoot the promotional launch for them."

Peach nodded. In an era when online media held tremendous influence, the first promotional shoot for new models was critical—not just for individual reputations, but for the agency's entire image.

"I only have three models. We'd shoot in the studio, no out-of-town locations. Just two or three shots per model for promotion would be perfect." Touch continued enthusiastically, his earnestness making Peach smile.

"That should work. Probably can wrap it up in a day." Peach did a quick mental calculation. "But I might need to clear a few things first. I'd say in about three or four days. Are you in a rush, Mr Touch?"

"Not at all," Touch nodded vigorously, his demeanour serious.

"I'm a huge fan of your work. Having you shoot our launch would be an incredible start for my agency."

Peach glanced at that genuine smile and quietly sighed. He was hesitant; he didn't typically like taking on extra projects. But next week, he did have some free time while other teams were wrapping up their winter collections before moving to summer lines. Plus, after postponing their meeting yesterday and seeing Touch's continued effort to meet, a mix of guilt and consideration crept in. Finally, the young photographer offered a thin smile.

"I'm glad to work with you, Mr Touch."

Across the street, within clear view of the café, a sleek black European car with tinted windows sat motionless. Inside, a tall Russian mafia sat cross-legged, visibly irritated.

A large iPad rested in his hands, displaying documents he was supposed to be reading, but his smoke-grey eyes were fixed unwaveringly on the tall, slender figure inside the café. Damn it! He was furious seeing Peach dining with his ex, both of them smiling broadly. Thee could only stare, seething with frustration. He knew full well he'd messed up yesterday and deserved to be angry, but that didn't mean he was happy to see the other man sitting and smiling with his ex. And why was that little guy getting so close to Peach?! The young man clenched his teeth, his eyes narrowing dangerously. He was ready to burst into the café if that guy dared to touch his person.

Mok glanced at his boss through the rearview mirror and sighed softly, thinking about the morning's instructions to go for an "off-site visit." The young secretary, having checked the schedule, wondered exactly when this visit was scheduled. But with no meetings or appointments, he'd simply driven here without questioning it.

Not that he could argue. The large iPad in the young mafia’s hands was indeed open with work. And technically, they were outside the office.

"Boss, if you storm in now, Mr Peach will be furious," Mok warned in a flat tone, a hint of a smile dancing in his eyes. Thee curl his tongue against his cheek, knowing full well that as much as he wanted to grab someone by the throat right now, he couldn't risk making Peach angry again.

"Got any information?" Thee asked, his gaze never leaving the slim figure in the café.

"The information on Mr Peach's ex has been sent," Mok reported calmly, unfazed by the unusual request. By now, anything related to Peach had become Thee's top priority. 

"As for the client's background, I expect to have it by this afternoon."

Thee grunted in acknowledgement, still frowning as he reluctantly turned his attention back to the documents displayed on his iPad. From the driver's seat, Mok reviewed his own files on his tablet but couldn't help sneaking a glance at his boss. The tension on Thee's sharp, brooding face remained stubbornly fixed, prompting Mok to break the silence.

"You know this isn't normal, right?"

The shift in how he addressed Thee wasn't lost on either of them. This wasn't a subordinate speaking to his employer—it was a childhood friend cutting through the formalities. Though raised as an adopted son to become the right-hand man of the next head of the Arseny family, Mok was more than just a loyal assistant. He was the only real friend Thee had ever allowed into his guarded world.

"I know," Thee muttered, his anger simmering down into restless frustration.

"Good." Mok nodded, his tone steady but warm. He returned to his work but added casually, "I like seeing you two together. But if you're not careful... You might lose him."

He was fully aware that what he felt wasn't normal. He knew he had issues when it came to dealing with people—always had. He'd never cared what anyone outside the family thought of him. As someone perched at the top of the power hierarchy, he never needed to.

Mok was his friend, trustworthy and reliable. But what he felt for Peach went far deeper. Peach wasn't just someone he liked having around; he was someone Thee wanted to cherish... yet possess completely. Peach was sweetness wrapped in steel—a rare, precious soul Thee was desperate to protect... and far too obsessed with to let slip through his fingers. His gaze, his smile, his voice, even the smallest, most trivial details-Thee wanted them all to belong solely to him. For the first time, he understood what his younger brother had once said about falling for someone.

It seemed...he liked Peach. The moment he admitted it, his heart pounded wildly, as if affirming the realisation. A gentle warmth seeped into his chest, wrapping around him securely, leaving him willingly ensnared by the feeling.

Thee scowled deeply, unwilling to accept how real this emotion felt. His every action betrayed him. He'd never liked anyone before, not really. He'd been with men and women of all kinds, none of whom ever stirred anything within him. Yet here he was, utterly undone by a straightforward, no-nonsense photographer with not a trace of flirtation in him.

The vibration of his phone in his jacket pocket broke his thoughts. He pulled it out hastily, eyes narrowing in focus as he read the short message:

PE@CH Do you want coffee? I'm at a café and can grab one for you. I have to get one for Plub anyway.

Just like that, the corners of Thee's mouth lifted into a rare, genuine smile of warmth that reached his usually cold, sharp eyes. There was no helping it. He really did like Peach...a lot.

His gaze drifted toward the cafe, catching sight of Peach talking to someone with that familiar, gentle smile. In that moment, the vast world around him shrank until only one person remained in sharp focus. The first thing he needed to learn was how to respect what Peach wanted, no matter how frustrating that might be for someone used to being in control.

"Let's head back. I need to be a good boy and wait for my coffee at the office," he murmured with a faint smirk, not bothering to explain whether his secretary understood what he was saying as the car rolled smoothly down the street, leaving behind a far lighter atmosphere. 

For now, he just needed to be patient—a good boy waiting quietly. He would ease his way into Peach's life, seamlessly becoming an inseparable part of it until the day came when he could tie Peach to him, transforming completely, and never let him slip away again.