Me and Thee: English translation.

Special Last Wake up call #3

A chic rooftop restaurant-bar in the heart of the city was where Plub decided to bring them. The young woman flashed a wide smile and said it was her favourite spot. The only downside? The prices were so steep they'd practically make you bleed. But hey, a semi-fancy place selling A5-grade beef wasn't going to come cheap, was it?

 

"When have you ever been here? How come I don't know about this place?" Peach crossed his arms, eyebrows furrowing in mild annoyance. Plub always called him whenever she went out drinking, not that it was a rule or anything. Still, knowing she hadn't told him stirred up a mix of irritation and worry.

 

"I came with my team," Plub replied innocently, her doe-like eyes blinking up at him as she hugged his arm and rubbed her cheek against him, trying to butter him up. 

 

"It was a farewell party after wrapping up a project with Shohei's company. The team was from another company, so I didn't know anyone well. I just sat there like a wallflower and didn't even touch any alcohol. I came and left in a flash, so I didn't think to call you. But I loved this place so much, I wanted to bring you here this time!"

 

Peach let out a long sigh, waving at her inside the restaurant. Walking alongside Plub was Touch, who stuck close to her like a shadow. His ridiculously handsome face was plastered with a smug smile, so smug it was almost infuriating.

 

"You like this place, huh?" Touch asked, leaning down slightly, his eyes glinting with interest.

 

"Yeah, I love it. The food's amazing, the vibe is great, and the music's nice. I'm not a fan of crowded, cramped places, but this place is just perfect."

 

"Would you like to own it?" Touch asked smoothly, his tone almost teasing. "If it were yours, you'd get to eat here for free, you know. Plus, if you feel like hanging out after hours, there's a privaté suite ready and waiting for you 24/7."

 

Plub leaned back slightly, narrowing her eyes in mock suspicion. A teasing smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. "What's this? Planning to buy me the place? I can't afford to pay you back in instalments, you know."

 

"Who said anything about instalments? I wouldn't charge you a single penny." Touch shook his head, his grin growing even wider.

"All you'd have to do is date the owner. That's practically the same as owning it, don't you think? Come here whenever you like, eat whatever you want, stay as late as you feel like it, it's all yours."

 

Plub froze for a moment, blinking rapidly as if trying to process his words. Then, her jaw dropped, and she pointed at him in shock.

 

"Wait! You're the owner?"

 

"Yep," he said, his smile broadening until his eyes sparkled with mischief. "I started this place before I got into modelling. I'm really glad you like it." He leaned in slightly. "Just say yes to dating me, and this place is yours."

 

"That's called bribery," Plub said with a soft laugh, though her tone was more amused than accusatory. Touch responded with a sly grin, his eyes gleaming with playful intent.

 

"I'd call it a special promotional offer," he shot back, puffing out his chest like he was proud of his pitch. "Date me, and I guarantee you'll get more than your money's worth."

 

"I think it's time we actually went inside."

 

Peach interrupted with an exasperated sigh, arms crossed as he watched the sickeningly sweet exchange unfold. As much as he grudgingly approved of Touch as a potential brother-in-law, seeing him whisper sweet nothings to his little sister still grated on his nerves.

 

"My apologies, big brother," Touch replied cheerfully before turning to Thee, who was standing close by with his own partner. "And my apologies to my future brother-in-law, too.

 

Thee's lips quirked into a faint, satisfied smile. Without a word, he nudged Peach forward, urging him to follow the pair inside. If Touch was going to acknowledge him as a brother-in-law, Thee figured he could tolerate him as a future brother-in-law for now.

 

Touch led them to the mezzanine level, which was reserved entirely for VIPs. The space oozed exclusivity, with only the kind of people whose net worth couldn't be easily calculated lounging around.

 

The open area featured about seven matching sofa sets, all spaced out enough to allow for privacy. In one corner, there was a modest-sized bar counter where drinks were prepared for the high-profile guests.

 

The moment the four of them stepped onto the mezzanine, it was as if the air itself had frozen. For a brief instant, all that could be heard was the faint sound of the cool evening breeze whistling through the night. Almost every pair of eyes in the room turned toward the newcomers, though most dared only to sneak glances from the corners of their vision. Who could demand more attention than members of the Arseny family—infamous Russian mafia royalty—arriving alongside the heir of a major yakuza clan and the owner of this very establishment? Weren't these two supposed to be rivals?

 

Thee glanced down at the person next to him, noting Peach's slightly furrowed brows and the uncomfortable tension in his posture. Saying nothing, Thee simply lifted his gaze and swept the room with a slow, icy stare. The silent warning was enough to make the onlookers drop their gazes in unison, retreating into their own spaces. The eerie grin Touch wore as he led the group didn't help matters; it was the kind of smile that sent a shiver crawling up your spine.

 

Neither Peach nor his sibling seemed aware of the heavy atmosphere hanging over them, only noticing that the prying eyes had finally backed off. Peach exhaled softly, relief flickering across his face as he turned his attention to the view around them.

 

Touch guided them to a semi-private corner where a matching set of sofas waited near the balcony. The spot offered an unbroken view of the city lights, sprawling out below like a sea of glittering stars. From the lower level, the soft strains of live music drifted upward on the breeze, just loud enough to set the mood without drowning out conversation.

 

Peach quietly observed the couple seated on the opposite sofa. Their voices were gentle, the woman's head resting naturally against the man's shoulder. His arm stretched along the back of the couch, not quite touching her but close enough to feel protective. It was intimate without being overbearing, like they fit together effortlessly. His gaze lingered on his sister's smile, her carefree laughter echoing softly. For a moment, his eyes softened.

 

"It's not so bad, is it?" Thee wrapped an arm around his shoulders, gently pulling him to lean in closer. His deep voice whispered near his ear, as if reading his thoughts. "From what I know, his background checks out. He's ambitious, sharp, and a rising star worth keeping an eye on."

 

"I can't help worrying, that's all," Peach admitted, though the corner of his lips tugged into a small smile. As long as Plub could keep smiling like that, he wouldn't stand in her way.

 

"It's okay," Thee reassured him, his tone calm and steady. His fingers traced soft, soothing patterns on Peach's shoulder. 

 

"We'll look out for her together. You're not in this alone."

 

Peach's smile widened as he leaned into Thee's shoulder, feeling the tension drain from his body. A chuckle slipped from his lips as an old conversation with the mafia boss popped into his mind. He once said he had to teach his son not to learn languages from soap operas.

 

Before long, the food arrived, mostly light bites and appetisers since they'd already eaten earlier. Still, every dish screamed luxury, nothing remotely close to being cheap. Plub's eyes sparkled as she fixated on the vibrant cocktails listed on the menu. Slowly, she glanced up at her brother seated across from her. Peach pretended not to notice at first, but the moment she shuffled closer and snuggled into his side, he let out a long, resigned sigh.

 

"One drink," he relented.

 

"But tomorrow's a day off!" she protested, wrapping her slender arms around his. Looking up at him with a wide, hopeful grin, she added, "Make it three. I promise to pick the lowest-alcohol ones. Scout's honour."

 

"You'll just end up complaining about a headache tomorrow," Peach said, exasperated, but in the end, he sighed again, this time looking over at Touch, who was watching the scene unfold with amused eyes. "Whatever she picks, you've got to approve it by Mr Touch first. And remember, just three, as agreed."

 

The young woman eagerly nodded before scooting over to her boyfriend with the menu in hand. Peach stayed in his seat, sipping his soda quietly, his ears tuned to their conversation, when he heard Touch firmly vetoing any drinks with too much alcohol. A wave of relief washed over him.

 

The group continued to chat over their food, the atmosphere gradually easing into a more relaxed tone. The mafia heir and the young yakuza animatedly exchanged business ideas. Despite technically being competitors, there was no enmity between them; instead, mutual respect made their discussions engaging and productive.

 

"Peach, let's go take some pictures!" Plub suddenly turned to her brother, clearly done trying to follow the high-level business talk. Her slender fingers tugged at his arm with excitement. "The vibe here is so gorgeous, I have to post this on my story!"

 

Peach nodded, standing up and briefly placing a hand on Thee's as if to excuse himself. Thee raised an eyebrow but then gave a slow nod of approval, letting the siblings leave the table. Plub started by taking pictures near the balcony, snapping almost ten shots before she was finally satisfied. Then, she dragged her brother down to the lower level.

 

The music was louder downstairs, the heavy beats causing Peach to frown slightly. The crowd wasn't suffocatingly packed, thanks to the well-spaced tables, but it was still busy enough to make weaving through people a bit of a challenge.

 

The siblings eventually reached a charming little spot under a large tree. A swing made of woven rattan hung from its branches, with strings of tiny fairy lights draped above, twinkling like stars against the leaves.

 

Plub beamed and immediately hopped onto the swing, giggling as she swayed. Peach chuckled softly, pulling out his phone to snap a few pictures for something he'd done so many times it felt second nature by now.

 

"Hey there, beautiful. Free for a chat?" A deep, unfamiliar voice from behind made Peach lower his phone, his body turning toward the source instinctively. Standing there was a young man, not particularly tall, with pale skin and brown hair slicked back, revealing a sharp forehead. A faint whiff of alcohol reached Peach's nose. The guy wasn't outright drunk, but he was definitely tipsy enough to cause trouble.

 

"Do we know each other?" Peach asked, his voice calm and steady, while subtly taking a step back and pulling his sister behind him. The air around them was far from friendly.

 

"No, not yet," the man replied with a slick grin, his slightly glassy eyes evidence of the alcohol fixation on Plub. He stepped closer, closing the gap bit by bit. "But I'd really like to. Name's Porsche Tanisorn. And the lovely lady behind you-would you mind introducing us?"

 

Peach's brows knitted briefly. Tanisorn? The name rang a bell. It belonged to a wealthy family in the luxury car import business, a big name in the industry. Peach had encountered it before during some of his past modelling gigs with car promotions. But why would someone like him want to meet Plub?

 

Without missing a beat, Peach discreetly pressed a button on his phone to make a call, slipping the device into his pocket as he forced a faint smile. His tone remained calm but carried a subtle edge of warning.

 

"Pleasure to meet the heir of Tanisorn Enterprises. But my sister and I are just regular folks, not exactly anyone noteworthy enough for someone like you to bother with."

 

"Oh, is that so?" Porsche chuckled, feigning casualness, but his steps didn't stop. He was getting closer. "Funny, though—you two just came down from the mezzanine, didn't you? That's the VIP section. How'd you manage to get in there?"

 

"Someone invited us," Peach replied flatly, his expression unchanging as his eyes quickly scanned for an escape route. His priority was to keep Plub safe, no matter what.

 

"Oh, I get it. You're an escort." The accusation snapped Peach's head toward him, the faint smile vanishing in an instant. His face darkened, his tension palpable.

 

"Watch your mouth when you're talking about my sister," Peach warned, his voice low and sharp, cold enough to freeze the air around them. Porsche faltered for a moment, visibly taken aback by Peach's sudden shift. But the surprise quickly turned into irritation, his expression souring.

 

"Why? Did I say something wrong?" Porsche snapped, his voice rising in a desperate attempt to mask the fear creeping into his tone. 

 

"A VIP probably hired you as an escort, right? That's how you managed to get up there." His words were venomous, but it was clear he was trying to regain control of the situation. "What do you say? If you're free, why not take a job with me? I'll pay well, I promise really well."

 

Peach's hands trembled with barely contained rage, his jaw tightening so hard that his cheekbones visibly tensed. Deciding it wasn't worth the argument, he grabbed his sister's hand, intending to walk away. But Porsche lunged forward, his arm darting out to grab Peach by the shoulder, spinning him back around with a rough yank.

 

The sharp pain sent a jolt through Peach, leaving him momentarily stunned, his body cold and his face draining of colour. Before he could react, Porsche's grip was gone. Out of the corner of his eye, Peach saw the man go flying. One moment, Porsche was sneering, and the next, he was airborne, though Peach didn't even catch what hit him. 

 

Before the shock could fully register, Peach was pulled into a firm, familiar embrace that blocked out everything else: the noise, the people, even the lingering fear. The scent of soft cologne and aftershave, a scent he knew well, wrapped around him, as did the steady warmth of Thee's arms. The tension in his body began to ease, though his hands still shook.

 

"Peach, are you hurt anywhere?" Plub asked, her voice laced with worry as she tried to check on him. But her efforts were thwarted by Thee's unyielding hold. The mob boss had him wrapped up so securely that there was barely room for anyone else to breathe.

 

"You handle it. This is your place," Thee said, his voice low and ice-cold, almost a growl. Peach couldn't see Thee's face, but the aura radiating from him made it clear he was furious-angrier than Peach had ever seen him.

 

"No worries, I'll take care of it. Please take care of Peach, Mr Thee." Came Touch's reply, his voice carrying a chill that sent a shiver down Peach's spine. Though Peach was still tucked against Thee's chest, he could feel the firm, grounding strokes of Thee's hand moving soothingly along his back. Thee barked a few more orders, his tone so sharp that Peach couldn't quite catch the words, and then those strong arms began guiding him away from the scene with deliberate care.

 

Peach came to his senses when the mob boss gently eased him down onto a sofa. It seemed Thee had brought him to one of the guest rooms in the club. The larger man moved back slightly, then knelt on one knee in front of him. Thee's strong hands cradled Peach's trembling ones, kneading them softly as if to coax away the lingering fear.

 

"It's okay now," Thee murmured, his deep voice tender and soothing. The icy edge from moments ago had melted away entirely.

 

"There's nothing to worry about anymore. I'm right here, Peach." Peach stayed quiet, his gaze fixed on Thee's face. The man knelt before him with such care, gently rubbing and pressing his palms in a calming rhythm, all while murmuring reassuring words.

 

Truthfully, it was Thee's embrace earlier that had steadied Peach's fluttering heart. The fear that had consumed him moments ago seemed to evaporate in the warmth of that hug. It was as if he'd found an anchor in the storm. Thee had an undeniable influence on something vast, overwhelming, and undeniable.

 

"Thank you. I'm feeling better now," Peach said softly, curving his lips into a small, sweet smile. He tugged at Thee's hand, urging the man to sit beside him. Once Thee complied, Peach leaned his head on the sturdy shoulder, letting himself relax as Thee's arm came around to hold him close.

 

"Plub must've told you," Peach guessed, his voice gentle but teasing. Thee hesitated, unsure if Peach would be upset. Noticing the slight shift in Thee's demeanour, Peach gave a light pat to the back of his hand, offering a quiet reassurance before speaking again.

 

"I'm not upset. I've always known I had... issues. I just never talked about them. I didn't think they were serious enough to interfere with my daily life, but I guess Plub could tell."

 

"She told me because she's worried about you," Thee explained softly, concerned, still lacing his tone. "I've hurt you before," she warned me to be careful. She's right. I'd never want to do anything that might hurt you again."

 

Peach's lips curved into a tender smile. Hearing those words made his cheeks heat, though he wouldn't admit it. He tilted his head, resting it against Thee's broad chest, savouring the feeling of calm that settled over him without the need for more words. Peach was afraid that he was addicted to this warmth.

 

"The new husband of that woman is like a vicious demon," he said quietly, his eyes distant as if lost in a deep, ancient memory he had long hidden away. "In the eyes of a small child, that man is enormous, like a giant. His hands that strike, his legs that kick— everything is terrifying. It hurts so much, like I can't breathe."

 

Peach felt the tension in the person he was leaning on, but he simply smiled softly, continuing as if nothing had happened.

 

"When I face moments like that again, sometimes I feel like seeing the other person grow into something massive, and I'm left so small. It's like being that child again, with that monstrous giant haunting mę, making me powerless. No matter what I do, I can't fight back. I'll hurt until I can't breathe, just like back then."

 

"I'm sorry," Thee murmured, pulling Peach into his embrace. His chin rested lightly on Peach's head, swaying gently in a comforting motion. Peach pressed his nose against Thee's neck, absorbing the familiar, gentle scent that helped his body relax.

 

"Sorry for what, Kian? You didn't do anything wrong," Peach replied softly, tilting his head up to meet Thee's eyes. His smile was wide, his eyes slightly squinting to ease Thee's worry.

 

"I've caused you those painful memories," Thee said with a quiet sigh. "I should've known you sooner"

 

"If we had met in a different time or place, maybe we wouldn't have become lovers," Peach said gently, his smile reassuring. "But it's okay now."

 

"It's okay now. You've been so strong. You've broken free," Thee nodded seriously, his hand gently brushing through Peach's hair. Peach shook his head lightly, a small smile still lingering.

 

"Peach broke free because of you. I know you'd never hurt me. That terrifying giant will never return as long as I'm with you."

 

The mafia boss gazed into Peach's clear, bright eyes, his large hand gently holding his cheek. His sharp demeanour softened into something tender and comforting-an expression only he could witness.

 

"I swear to protect you no matter what," Thee said softly, leaning in close. His lips brushed gently against Peach's, a tender, sweet touch like a drop of morning dew.

Peach accepted the kiss willingly, his chest warm and full. He could feel the love in Thee's touch.

 

This might not be a fairy tale where happiness lasts forever, but at least, if the terrifying giant appears again, he won't have to face it alone anymore.