Me and Thee: English translation.

Special Last Wake up call #0

Theerakit Kian Arseny, a Thai-Russian heir and owner of several companies under the Arseny corporate empire, was the eldest son of a notorious Russian mafia boss. His strikingly handsome face, often set in a stern, no-nonsense expression, only added to his commanding presence, making Thee's name impossible to ignore.

 

Besides his sharp mind and captivating looks, Thee's fearsome reputation spread far and wide, making him someone people didn't cross lightly.

 

"What are you doing here, Kian?" a familiar voice interrupted.

 

Thee slowly lifted his head, his expression tinged with mild annoyance. He held an iPad, its screen filled with business documents, a stark contrast to the laid-back atmosphere around them. Without a word, he gestured for his younger brother to sit, casually pouring himself a drink.

 

They were at an upscale restaurant-lounge in the heart of the city. The second floor housed a private glass-enclosed room with a clear view of the lower level, reserved only for the most exclusive patrons. Since Rome, his only younger brother, was a major shareholder of the place despite being a silent partner-Thee enjoyed special privileges, including access to the VIP section.

 

"Where's Peach?" Rome asked, surprised his brother had let Peach out of his sight.

 

Thee shot his brother a sideways glance before shifting his gaze downstairs, wordlessly urging him to follow. On one of the lounge's plush couches sat a stunning model, legs elegantly crossed. Across from her, Peach worked with effortless focus, snapping photos with practised precision.

 

Today's shoot featured a sexy nightlife concept, and Thee had suggested using Rome's venue for the perfect ambience while also helping promote the place. Peach initially offered to shoot the campaign for free, but Rome flatly refused. Meanwhile, Thee sat drinking whiskey, clearly there just to keep an eye on his boyfriend at work. Rome chuckled, already guessing that Peach had probably kicked his brother out of the shoot area.

 

He was about to strike up a casual conversation when a slender woman sauntered toward them, moving with practised grace. She smiled sweetly and asked if she could sit next to Thee as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Rome raised an eyebrow, glancing at his brother. Thee's intense gaze stayed locked on Peach downstairs, utterly indifferent to the curvy beauty practically spilling out of her tight dress while openly eyeing him. This might be entertaining. Rome thought with faint amusement but kept his tone polite as He addressed the uninvited guest.

 

"I don't think that's a good spot for you," he said, flashing a cool half-smile while his stormy grey eyes narrowed slightly, sending a subtle warning. 

 

"My brother's not the type to be... accommodating."

 

He wasn't eager to play the protector—if anything, he was curious to see how this would play out —but everyone on the second floor was a VIP client. Avoiding unnecessary trouble was better for business, except when it came to his brother. Thee was way above the VIP level.

 

"Maybe he'd be more open-minded if we got to know each other," she giggled, unfazed by the warning.

 

With a playful sparkle in her eyes, she reached out, fingertips poised to brush against the back of Thee's hand as he casually traced the rim of his whiskey glass. The instant her fingers grazed his hand, Thee snapped his wrist sharply, smacking her fingers away with a loud crack that echoed in the quiet room. A vivid red mark bloomed on her delicate skin.

 

"Don't touch me," Thee growled, casting her a fleeting, razor-sharp glance. His piercing eyes gleamed with a dangerous edge, sending a chill down her spine and freezing her in place.

 

A crucial thing to remember about Thee was that he despised lies, manipulation through personal relationships, and, above all, physical contact. The woman flinched, her delicate hand blooming with a vivid red mark. Her full lips pressed into a tight line as she cast a wounded glance at Thee before retreating, clearly considering throwing a fit. But with all the VIP clientele around, she wasn't foolish enough to make enemies here. Rome, observing the entire scene like a disinterested spectator, exhaled a long, weary sigh.

 

"Still can't shake that touch-phobia, huh? It's been years, Kian."

 

Thee idly rolled his whiskey glass in slow circles, watching the amber liquid swirl hypnotically. His sharp eyes dimmed slightly, lost in memories of a time long past.

 

He was fifteen when their father sent him and Rome to an elite boarding school in Europe. It was one of the continent's most prestigious institutions, renowned for its brilliance, exclusivity, and an aristocratic student body composed of heirs and heiresses from prominent families.

 

Despite his youth, Thee walked through the school gates with a commanding, cold intensity. His smoke-grey eyes swept over the grand campus with quiet calculation. His mere presence exuded power, making it impossible for others not to notice, even if it was out of fear. Whispers followed him like shadows:

 

"That's the eldest son of the Arseny family"

 

"He's terrifying! I heard he could kill without even blinking."

 

"He's only fifteen! Isn't that a bit exaggerated?"

 

"He's a mafia heir. What do you expect? Just stay away from him."

 

Thee paid no attention to the murmurs. He tightened his grip on his bag and strode forward without a second glance. He was used to it by now—gossip and dark rumours spreading like wildfire. They only got worse with time.

 

"Thee!"

 

A voice called out just as a strong arm looped casually around his neck. He cast a sidelong glance, silent but not bothering to shrug it off. 

 

"What's this? Already famous on your first day?"

 

"Annoying," Thee muttered flatly, though he didn't seem particularly upset.

 

Tris was a tall, good-natured European with a charming smile fit for a storybook prince. He couldn't have been more different from Thee's intimidating, sharp-edged persona. Yet, somehow, Tris was the only person Thee could call a friend in this place.

 

"C'mọn, it's the first day of the semester! We should have some fun," Tris chuckled, giving Thee a friendly pat on the shoulder.

 

"And guess what? We're roommates! That calls for a celebration!"

 

"Not going. Pointless." Thee's blunt dismissal came without a trace of tact. Parties and social events were never on his agenda.

"No way! You have to come!" Tris exclaimed, grabbing his broad shoulder before he could walk off. 

 

"You can't survive this school without making any friends, Thee. Trust me, I've got your back." Thee sighed, his eyes narrowing in mild irritation. Still, when Tris eagerly jogged up and draped his arm around him again, he let it stay.

 

They walked into their classroom and settled into their seats. This elite school wasn't just a playground for the ultra-wealthy; its academic demands were notorious. Classes were intense, with a gruelling curriculum taught by top-tier instructors. Each class had a ten-to-one student-teacher ratio, emphasising critical thinking, debate, and structured analysis.

 

For Thee, who was groomed to take over his family's vast business empire, academics came first. Anything outside that realm was trivial in his eyes. As the day's last class finally ended, Tris sprang from his seat, practically vibrating with excitement.

 

"Thee! So, are you coming tonight or what? I already got some others to join us. Let's meet some new people!"

 

"I'm not going. It's annoying," Thee replied in a flat tone, his hands busy packing his bag without so much as a glance upward.

 

"Don't be so cold! Come on, if you don't go, I'll die of boredom," Tris complained, throwing him a dramatic look.

 

"I've got stuff to do today. Just go with the others," Thee said, slinging the bag over his shoulder. Noticing how dead serious Thee looked, Tris sighed and gave him a light pat on the shoulder, as if to say, Fine, I get it.

 

"Alright, if you're busy, I can't argue. But next time, no excuses!"

 

A faint smirk tugged at Thee's lips before he turned on his heel and headed downstairs. Outside, a sleek black luxury car was already waiting for him. It didn't take long for the vehicle to pull up in front of a corporate building. Thee stepped out with his usual stoic expression, giving a brief nod to the person already waiting at the entrance.

 

The Arseny network was massive. When Thee decided to take over his family's business empire, his father immediately arranged for him to start training. At just fifteen, Thee didn't have the maturity or experience to make fully informed decisions. Still, his dad was adamant that he needed to grasp the bigger picture of the Arseny operations.

 

Starting with the European branch near his school, Thee began shadowing the branch manager. Whenever their schedules aligned, he was expected to learn everything from scratch, understanding the company's foundation and how each department functioned. His dad never forced him into this path. It was Thee's own choice, which made him take it all the more seriously.

 

The young heir trailed behind the branch manager, exploring floor after floor, learning the ins and outs of every department, right from the ground up. He needed to understand what kept the Arseny empire running.

 

Hours passed as Thee pored over documents, his focus unwavering. Eventually, he glanced at the clock-10 p.m. Realising how late it was, he set the paperwork aside and leaned back in his chair, visibly drained.

 

"Thank you," he said to the executive assistant, who was one of his father's most trusted aides. With a small nod, Thee acknowledged the assistant's effort. The man bowed slightly in return before confirming the details for their next meeting.

 

Thee checked his schedule, packed his stuff, and headed back to the dorm. Each room was meant for two people. When he opened the door, darkness greeted him, making his brows knit in confusion. Why isn't Tris back yet?

 

The dorm had a strict curfew, and throwing a party came with loads of annoying rules. Breaking them could affect behaviour evaluations, something serious for students aiming for top grades.

 

Thee mentally calculated the time. Tris had always been punctual, so this felt out of character. With curfew closing in and no sign of his roommate, worry gnawed at him, though he hated admitting it.

 

There was a restaurant nearby with private rooms for parties, just a five-minute walk from the dorms. Deciding to check it out, he grabbed his jacket. Better safe than sorry. As he reached the hallway, a familiar voice called out.

 

"Kian, just got back?" He turned to see Rome, his younger brother, strolling from the dorm's right wing, lazily rubbing sleep from his eyes.

 

"Why aren't you in bed?" Thee asked, striding toward him. Rome yawned wide, looking as worn out as he sounded.

 

"I needed a quick walk before crashing. Exercise, you know?"

 

Rome's excuse was half-hearted at best, and they both knew it.

 

"You've been pushing yourself too hard. You're lucky I'm not ratting you out to Dad." Thee smirked at his brother's attempt to dodge the obvious. Choosing not to press further, he casually shifted the conversation.

 

"Tris hasn't come back yet. Thought I'd swing by and check on him."

 

Rome's expression sobered as he nodded. He gestured for Thee to lead the way and followed close behind.

 

When Thee reached the private room, he was met with a conversation he never expected. He stopped just outside the door, his ears catching every word clearly. Inside, the voice of the one person he considered a friend echoed, bragging to a group of unfamiliar people.

 

"Who'd wanna be friends with someone like Thee? He's so stuck-up, it's annoying."

 

"But you two seem close," someone else teased. 

 

"I saw you with your arms around each other this morning."

 

"That's just to make him let his guard down. A rich brat from the Arseny family is useful."

 

Through the frosted glass door, Thee could see blurry figures inside. The bright lights in the room made their movements clear against the darkness outside. He recognised the broad shoulders of the one he thought was a friend, relaxed and casually shrugging.

 

"Actually, I'm planning to sell him off. Do you have any idea how much a mafia heir like Thee Arseny is worth?" Tris continued, his mocking tone sharp enough to cut. "I was gonna lure him here, get him drunk, and hand him over. Too bad he's so damn uptight. He's probably sulking off somewhere."

 

"Come on, at least pretend to be his friend. You guys share a dorm room," someone suggested half-heartedly.

 

"Friend? Don't be ridiculous. I only hung out with him because no one else would."

 

Laughter erupted, glasses clinking together in a noisy toast. Thee's hand clenched around the door handle, knuckles turning white. His lips pressed into a thin line, face tightening into an icy mask. A wave of nausea surged inside him, his chest twisted with disgust. Every hand that had patted his shoulder, every arm slung around his neck, every sparkling smile was all a filthy lie.

 

Slowly, he loosened his grip on the door, dark eyes burning with cold intensity. Just then, he noticed Rome ready to charge into the room, fists clenched. In a swift motion, Thee grabbed his younger brother, holding him back firmly before he could act on impulse.

 

"Let me go, damn it! Why are you holding back, Thee? Let me beat the crap out of him!" Rome growled, struggling in Thee's grip.

 

"Someone is pulling the strings, someone who wants my head," Thee said coldly, his voice steady but his eyes burning with intensity. "We deal with them first. After that, he's all yours."

 

Rome scowled but eventually stilled, his stormy grey eyes narrowing as he fixed his gaze on the figures inside, memorising every detail. One day, he'd come back for them.

 

"Let's go," Thee ordered, his voice low and controlled. He turned away from the door, leaving behind the only person he'd ever called a friend without a second glance.

 

One day, he'd settle the score with his own hands. Though they eventually untangled the complex web of betrayal, and Rome got his long-awaited chance to exact his revenge, some wounds within Thee never healed. He stopped trusting people. He despised being used. And worst of all, he loathed being touched. It was as if he'd locked himself away from the world entirely.

 

Rome sipped slowly from his glass, contemplating whether he should say something, but before he could speak, the VIP lounge's glass door slid open. A tall, lean figure strode confidently into the room.

Peach smiled faintly, exchanging a few casual words with Rome before making his way to the large leather sofa where Thee sat.

 

Without hesitation, he settled next to Thee, deliberately pressing close. Thee blinked, momentarily puzzled, but warmth spread through his chest, eclipsing the confusion. His lips curled into a rare smile as he lifted his arm, wrapping it around Peach's slender frame and pulling him close. His broad hand gently traced soothing circles over Peach's shoulder in an instinctive, familiar gesture like he'd done it a hundred times before.

 

It wasn't like this was new for them—it had practically become their signature sitting position. The only difference was that Peach usually kept some distance when they were out in public.

 

"Everything okay? Are you tired?" Thee asked, gently cupping Peach's cheek to check on him. Peach pressed his lips together, shaking his head slightly. His cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, though his eyes couldn't help but dart toward the group of girls behind them.

 

Thee followed his gaze silently and spotted a cluster of young women, including the one who had been sitting next to him earlier. They were now staring, wide-eyed and stunned. He lowered his eyes back to his lover just in time to catch the fleeting smirk tugging at him instantly.

 

Peach's lips a quick, satisfied little smirk that disappeared almost Adorable. How could his Peach be this adorable?

 

A wide smile spread across Thee's face, his eyes lighting up with joy. Just knowing that Peach had gotten jealous enough to ditch whatever event he'd been at downstairs and climb up here to snuggle into his arms made Thee's heart practically wag its imaginary tail in delight.

 

Unable to resist, he leaned in and planted a firm kiss on Peach's soft lips, pulling back only to nip at them playfully. Peach's eyes widened in surprise, his cheeks and ears flushing a deeper shade of red. Thee chuckled low in his throat, teasing him with a few cheeky remarks until Peach playfully swatted at him—earning himself another passionate kiss in return. Totally worth it.

 

Rome watched the whole scene unfold with a faint smile before raising his glass and slipping away quietly, leaving his brother and Peach to enjoy their moment together. Even though Thee's old wounds hadn't fully healed, today he seemed... happy. He'd let someone into his life, someone who truly mattered. And for Rome, seeing his brother smile like that again was the only thing that truly mattered.