Me and Thee: English translation.

Wake up call #39

 

Thee's condo shouldn't even be called a condo. It didn't take long for the sleek luxury car to pull up at an ultra-luxurious condo smack in the middle of the city. After parking the car, Thee, ever the composed mafia boss, led Peach straight inside. The lobby alone was enough to make Peach feel like he'd walked into a five-star hotel, with its lavish decor and attention to detail. 

 

When they stepped into the oversized glass elevator, which offered a perfect view of a beautifully landscaped garden below, Peach couldn't help but gawk. Thee walked over to the elevator's control panel and tapped a sleek black card against the scanner. Instantly, the button for the highest floor lit up. If Peach had to guess, they were heading somewhere around the 40th or 50th floor.

 

The elevator shot up at a dizzying speed, and in no time, they arrived at their destination. Peach swallowed hard, trying to pop his ears from the pressure change as he trailed after Thee. What lay before him was surprising, even for a place like this: a short corridor with just two doors, one on the left and one on the right.

 

Thee strode confidently to the left door and pressed his thumb against a fingerprint scanner. There was a soft click as the lock disengaged, and the door swung open smoothly, like it was greeting its owner.

 

"This is my place. The one on the right belongs to my brother, Rome," Thee said. 

 

While walking to Peach, he suddenly stopped and turned back to the door. He reached out and gently grabbed Peach's wrist, tugging him closer.

 

Thee adjusted something on the high-tech smart lock, then pulled Peach's hand up and pressed his thumb against the scanner. They waited a seçond until a green light flashed. Only then did Thee give a satisfied nod, like everything was just as it should be.

 

"What are you doing, Thee?" Peach frowned, his confusion clear. He could see what was happening, but still felt the need to ask anyway. The mafia boss didn't even blink, answering in his usual deadpan tone as if this were the most normal thing in the world.

 

"Saving your fingerprint in the system. Now you can come and go as you please. This is your place too."

 

"Do I really have to scan my fingerprints? I'm only staying for a week," Peach asked, clearly sceptical.

 

"It's just in case," Thee replied with a faint smile, his tone light but evasive. Peach wanted to shake him and demand, In case of what exactly? But Thee looked so genuinely pleased with himself that Peach decided not to press further. Instead, he smirked to himself, finding the whole thing oddly endearing.

 

Why did this mafia boss in front of him seem to get cuter by the second?

 

The entire floor of Thee's condo had only two units. The place was massive compared to Peach's, with soaring ceilings, a perfectly divided layout, and even a staircase leading to a mezzanine level. This isn't a condo. This is more like a penthouse.

 

Peach's jaw dropped as he took it all in, glancing around in stunned silence.

I mean, sure, I knew he was rich, but does he have to be this rich?!

 

"The guest room is downstairs. My bedroom's upstairs," Thee explained, leading him further inside. There was a door to the right, tucked beneath the staircase, which opened into a guest room. Peach's eyes widened-this "guest room" was nearly the size of his entire apartment. But Thee frowned as though unimpressed, his displeasure clear. He looked like he wanted to grab Peach and drag him out of the room immediately. 

 

"It's kind of small," he muttered. "No one's ever used it before, though. The housekeeper keeps it clean just in case. If it feels cramped, you can always stay upstairs in my room with me."

 

"No, thank you," Peach blurted out quickly, rushing to set his bag down on the bed before Thee could get any more ideas. His heart was already racing just from being in Thee's space and sharing a room with him? That would definitely send him into cardiac arrest.

 

Thee tried to convince him a couple more times, but Peach firmly refused, standing his ground. No way was he going to sleep in Thee's room. Eventually, Thee relented, though his brows furrowed slightly, clearly displeased but willing to let it go.

 

"The bathroom's over there," Thee said, gesturing toward a door in the corner of the room. Then he paused for a moment and added, meeting Peach's eyes, "There's a bathtub upstairs, you know."

 

"Mr Thee, do you happen to have any spare toothbrushes?"

 

Peach decided, for what felt like the millionth time, to ignore the constant teasing. Instead, he shifted to something far more practical.

 

"I left all my stuff at Plub's place. Didn't bring a single thing with me."

 

"Well then, let's go shopping. We'll pick up some personal items for you while we're at it," Thee said matter-of-factly as he quickly pulled out his phone to cancel tonight's dinner reservation. For Thee, booking another table was never an issue, but ensuring Peach's comfort in his condo? That was priority number one.

 

Peach gave a small nod, heading to his temporary room to grab a few things. But when he came back out, he froze in place. The mafia boss had already shed his suit jacket, which now hung casually over the back of the sofa. His tie was gone, and the top three buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of a toned chest that looked unfairly perfect. Both sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, exposing strong forearms where faint veins snaked along the skin.

 

Peach instinctively took a deep breath, then immediately turned his eyes away, trying not to make his reaction obvious. His heart was pounding so loudly he was genuinely worried Thee might hear it.

 

Damn it. Mr Thee in this effortlessly rugged look was too much for him to handle. It was weird he'd always thought Thee was good-looking, sure. But Peach had never felt anything about it before. He'd never even been attracted to men in his entire life. Yet now, standing here in front of this half-Russian mafia boss, he could feel his heart racing and heat spreading through his body.

 

Yeah, I know you're hot, but did you have to go and flaunt it like this?

 

"Shall we go?" Thee's deep voice snapped him out of his thoughts. The mafia boss walked up to him, completely unaware of the internal chaos he'd just caused. "So, does this count as a date now? I'd say it's officially our first one."

 

"Buying toothbrushes counts as a date?" Peach chuckled, the sound light and genuine, as he followed Thee back downstairs. The casual vibe Thee carried relaxed Peach a little.

 

Never in his wildest dreams did he think he'd ever find himself in this kind of moment-laughing and shopping for toiletries— with a mafia boss who usually looked so intimidating.

 

"If I'm with you, anywhere feels like a date," Thee said firmly, his voice low and steady. He glanced around briefly, noticing that Peach was heading outside the condo instead of taking the elevator to the underground parking lot. "So, where are we headed?"

 

"I saw a small supermarket not too far from your building. It's late, the weather's nice... How about we walk there together?" Peach replied with a warm smile, gesturing toward a bright pink sign visible in the distance. 

 

Thee followed Peach's gaze to the sign and nodded without a second thought. No arguments. No objections.

 

"If I'm with you, I can go anywhere," Thee repeated, this time with a faint softness in his tone. Then, after a brief pause, he turned to Peach with an almost comically serious expression. 

 

"So... What exactly do I need to do for it to count as a date? Teach me."

 

'Didn't you say it starts with flirting? Teach me how to do it."

 

The memory of Thee's earlier words played on repeat in Peach's mind, making him chuckle. Without hesitation, Peach stepped closer, took Thee's hand, and tugged him gently forward. "Come on, let's go. I'll show you how it's done."

 

"I think I deserve a fee for these lessons. So, how much are you wiring me this time, Mr Thee?"

 

"Take my credit card. And tomorrow, we'll go on another date." 

 

Before Peach could process what had just happened, the mafia boss strode ahead toward the medium-sized supermarket, clearly in an excellent mood. Peach, on the other hand, was left frozen in place, staring after him like he'd just lost a game he didn't even realise he was playing. Did I just mess something up?

It didn't take them more than five minutes to reach the supermarket. Thee walked up to the shopping carts and yanked one out with a confidence that didn't match his usual image. He started pushing the cart with surprising ease, his movements smooth and practised. 

 

Peach couldn't help but quip. Thee just smiled, clearly pleased with himself, and said that he had often been here with his mother, so he's basically a pro at this."

 

Peach snorted and started picking out his personal items, tossing them into the cart as they went. But when it came time to grab shampoo and body wash, Thee stepped in and swapped the travel-sized bottles Peach had chosen for full-sized pump bottles instead.

 

Peach tried to tell Mr Thee that he would be there for a week, so the full-sized ones aren't needed. However, Thee, on the other hand, completely unbothered, responded in his usual deadpan way.

 

"If you're worried about wasting it, just stay until you finish them."

 

Peach pressed his lips together tightly, doing his best to keep a smile from slipping out. His cheeks were burning, so he quickly turned his face away. Why on earth did small gestures like that suddenly seem so endearing?

 

"Are we grabbing dinner somewhere after this?" he asked, glancing at Thee, who was casually pushing the cart behind him. Peach was confident he'd gotten everything he needed, and the shopping trip was finally wrapping up. 

 

"It's already dark. Do we need to go far?"

 

"Do you have anything in mind you feel like eating?"

 

Peach shook his head. He was never picky when it came to food, though Thee's habit of taking him to fancy places lately had him worried he might get too used to the luxury. Thee gave a small nod.

 

"Let's just grab something simple, then. That way, we can get back to the condo quickly."

 

"Do you have work to finish tonight? If you do, you can head back first."

 

"No, I just want tomorrow to come faster."

Peach froze mid-reach, his hand hovering over a pack of instant noodles that he'd been eyeing for dinner. His cheeks, which had just started to cool down, instantly flared up again. Damn it! I'm not gonna make it at this rate!

 

The next morning, Thee woke up to the sound of his alarm. He groaned, reaching over to turn it off before sitting up in bed, his mind still a little hazy. Rubbing the back of his neck, he took a moment to gather himself before heading to freshen up. 

 

After a quick internal debate, he pulled on a short-sleeved shirt that had a relaxed vibe and left the top three buttons undone, just enough to look casual but still put-together. He paired it with fitted brown slacks that hugged his frame just right.

 

Once he was dressed, Thee headed downstairs. Last night, he'd tried every trick in the book to persuade his brand-new boyfriend to stay in the same room with him. But Peach had stubbornly stood his ground, insisting on sleeping in the guest room. In the end, Thee had to reluctantly give in, though not without a good amount of sulking.

 

As the mafia boss descended the stairs, he froze mid-step. His eyes locked on Peach, who was moving around the kitchen, clearly in the middle of preparing breakfast. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint, comforting scent of butter wafting through the air. It seemed like someone had gotten up early to make breakfast for him.

 

Thee raised a hand to his chest, feeling the unusually strong rhythm of his heartbeat. He'd always been possessive, whether it was with things, places, or even his condo. No one aside from his family had ever been allowed inside. But watching the slender man move around his space filled him with an unexpected warmth. It tugged at his heart, and before he realised it, a small smile crept onto his face. 

 

Along with the warmth came an unfamiliar sense of protectiveness, one that made him feel like he had something precious to call his own. The thought calmed him, steadying his heart in a way he couldn't quite explain.

 

"You're up?" Peach turned to greet him with a smile, setting a cup of coffee down on the table. "I hope you don't mind—I kind of helped myself to your kitchen."

 

Peach looked different this morning, almost effortlessly charming. He was wearing a simple V-neck T-shirt that gave off a laidback vibe, paired with slim-fitting black jeans that somehow made him look even slimmer. His slightly grown-out hair was messily tied back to keep it from falling into his face as he cooked.

...Adorable.

 

"You don't need to ask. Feel free to use anything you want," Thee said, clearing his throat to cover up his smile. He strolled over to the table, where a simple yet neatly plated breakfast awaited: toast, ham, bacon, sausages, sunny-side-up eggs, and two cups of coffee. The presentation was so good that it made him raise a curious brow. "You can cook?"

 

"Does frying eggs and bacon really count as cooking?" Peach laughed, handing him a knife and fork. "This is about all I can manage: survival food for when I'm too lazy to leave the room."

 

Thee nodded, accepting the explanation as he began spreading butter on a perfectly golden slice of toast. "So, where should we go today?"

 

"Where do you want to go, Mr Thee?"

"On a date,"

 

Thee's quick response made Peach freeze for a second, his cheeks flushing slightly before he sputtered out a protest. "I meant a place, Mr Thee. Where do you want to go?"

 

The mafia boss paused, recalling the extensive research he'd done the night before. After working late into the night to clear his schedule for today, he'd spent hours reading about the ideal places for a date. He had no prior experience in this department, and he'd never taken anyone on a date before. But he wanted this to be perfect, something that would leave a lasting impression.

 

Thee, armed with confidence from his hours of research on "how to plan a date," declared without hesitation, "An amusement park." Peach raised an eyebrow, his expression filled with curiosity.

 

"You want to go to an amusement park? I didn't know you were into that."

 

His hesitation, laced with a hint of doubt, made Thee's confidence waver. His thick brows furrowed in concern. Had he not done enough prep? The article he'd read last night said amusement parks were a classic date destination, didn't it? Even TV shows made it seem like a must.

 

"Or.... an aquarium?"

 

This time, the photographer frowned, his face showing an odd mix of realisation and exasperation. He let out a long sigh, which only heightened Thee's unease.

 

"What do you think a date is?" Peach asked softly, his tone laced with amusement and warmth. The kindness in his gaze eased Thee's anxiety, loosening the tension in his chest.

 

"For me, a date is about spending a day together to learn more about each other, to see new sides of the person you're with." Peach began, not waiting for an answer.  His voice was calm and sincere, each word carrying the weight of thoughtfulness. "It's a way for two people to understand each other better and gain insight into one another's perspectives. That's why the word 'date' shouldn't have fixed rules about what to do or where to go. It should be a mutual decision, reflecting what both people enjoy or dislike. It's not about forcing yourself to follow what others do or think a date should be."

 

Thee lowered his gaze, processing Peach's words. His brows furrowed even deeper as if lost in thought. "Then, where do you want to go?"

 

"How about we pick a place that both of us would enjoy? To be honest," he hesitated, looking a little uneasy, "I don't like places with blazing sun or huge crowds. Amusement parks, aquariums, definitely not my thing."

 

"Me neither," Thee nodded in agreement, relieved to find common ground. He wasn't a fan of those kinds of places either.

 

"So, what do you usually do on your days off?"

 

Thee's gaze dropped again, his frown deepening as he thought hard. After a pause, he answered, though his voice carried a hint of uncertainty. "...Probably watch movies."

 

"I figured as much," Peach chuckled, clearly unsurprised by the response, his laughter warm and contagious. "I love watching movies too! How about we go to the cinema? There's this movie out now that looks so good!"

 

He slid his phone across the table, showing a film poster. It wasn't a light-hearted rom-com or some easy-to-digest blockbuster; it was a serious drama, heavy on life philosophy, with an intense and intriguing plot. 

Thee stared at the poster, mildly confused. Wasn't going on a date supposed to mean watching a romantic movie? But before he could voice the question, he caught the excited sparkle in Peach's eyes. The way Peach lit up just talking about it—his enthusiasm practically bubbling over made 

 

Thee's hesitation disappears in an instant. Instead of asking, Thee's lips curved into a faint smile. If this were what Peach wanted to do, if this movie was something he was looking forward to, then Thee would gladly go along with it. Anywhere Peach wished to go, he'd be there. 

 

"Sure. Let's go watch the movie." He responded. Thee's mind started mapping out the rest of the day to make this date as perfect as possible.

 

The countless articles and late-night research on how to plan the perfect date hadn't been for nothing. ...And wasn't a date supposed to end with a kiss?