Me and Thee & Calm down Mr Rome Special.

Wake Up Call Special #13

"Peach, are you really not coming back with me?"

 

The young photographer bent down to tie his shoelaces, using the moment to hide his smile as he listened to his lover's soft grumbling. By the time he straightened up, his expression was carefully neutral, though the same couldn't be said for the man in front of him, who looked absolutely devastated, as if the world were about to end. 

 

Thee's work schedule was packed. He didn't have the luxury of playing the doting male lead in a romance novel, the kind who had endless time, never worked, but somehow had an unlimited supply of money to spoil his lover. Even though he'd boldly declared he was taking a whole month off to travel abroad just to be with Peach, the reality was far less romantic. He barely managed a few days before duty came knocking. Now, it was time to go back.

 

Peach chuckled softly, reaching out to straighten the lapels of Thee's long coat, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "It's only a few more days. I'll be back before you know it."

 

"But I want us to go home together." Thee was still resisting, even though he knew full well he was fighting a losing battle. "Mhok and Marn miss you. Don't you miss them? How can you leave your husband and kids behind, all alone and miserable, while you run off having fun by yourself?"

 

Peach pressed his fingers to his temple, feeling the beginnings of a headache. Maybe it was time to stage an intervention before Thee's obsession with soap operas got any worse. If Mhok or Marn picked up this dramatic streak, there'd be no saving their household.

 

"It's called working, not running off to have fun," he sighed. No matter how exasperated he felt, one look into those pitiful eyes and his frustration melted away, replaced by nothing but fondness.

 

A man built like a tank, carrying a gun at his hip, standing there looking like a rain-soaked puppy-how was he supposed to be mad at that? Thee, still rooted in place by the door, only doubled down on his theatrics. "I know they say the seven-year curse makes relationships grow cold, but I still love you, Peach."

 

Seven-year itch? What nonsense was this now? Peach folded his arms, lips twitching with amusement. He was starting to get a pretty good idea of what was going on here. This wasn't the first time he'd been away for work. Normally, Thee would just call him; never had he gone this far, skipping work just to follow him around. It looked like he had watched something strange, which set his thoughts off on a wild tangent again.

 

The young photographer had an idea, his eyes lighting up with excitement. The smaller figure stepped closer, reaching up with delicate hands to tilt the president's chin.

 

"There's no curse here, even after seventy years, Peach will still love you, Kian," he said in a deep voice, before standing on his tiptoes and planting a hard kiss on the other's lips, catching him completely off guard. Peach kissed back, biting down firmly out of sheer mischief. When he pulled away, he was breathing lightly, their noses brushing together as if they were sharing the same breath.

 

"Be a good boy. Go wait at home. I'll come back to you soon."

 

Theerakit's eyes slowly widened in surprise, his gaze sparkling with delight, his cheeks flushing a soft shade of red, as if he were embarrassed. Peach couldn't help but smile even wider, feeling a smug sense of victory for finally making the other person shy. 

 

However, just as he was about to pull away, strong arms wrapped tightly around him, pulling their bodies closer. Peach jumped a little, startled by the sudden closeness, but before he could protest, his lips were claimed once more in a heated kiss, almost as if Thee was getting back at him for earlier. It wasn't until the struggle from the smaller figure began to fade that Thee finally pulled away, taking his time to do so. Still, he couldn't resist planting a few more lingering kisses on the swollen lips, his voice low and husky, almost a whisper.

 

"Alright. Hurry back. I'll be waiting for you."

 

The short sentence made the photographer, who had thought he was in control of the situation, feel his face turn red in an instant. He quickly stepped back, giving Thee a sharp look before practically running out of the room. The low chuckle following him only made his cheeks burn hotter. Just wait. He'd find a way to get back to Thee for this!

 

Peach walked into the same meeting room as before, the one from their last session. After exchanging a few words with the team leader, everyone else trickled in. He greeted everyone, noticing some of them looked tense and uneasy. It seemed like this photoshoot wasn't going to go smoothly.

 

Nathan stood at the head of the table, holding an iPad. He looked serious, almost grim. "Thanks so much, everyone. We're past the halfway mark now. Special thanks to you, Peach, for taking care of the two models."

 

"No problem. I'd be fine with double the usual rate," Peach joked, a light laugh escaping him. Nathan smiled faintly, and the atmosphere in the room relaxed a little.

"Alright, deal. But if that's the case, I might have to add a bit more work for you." Nathan's smile faded slightly as he handed over an A4 sheet of paper. Peach took it, puzzled. When he saw the details on the shoot for the cover models, his eyes widened in shock.

 

Peach wasn't exactly internationally famous. He'd been invited only to shoot a column for the magazine. But shooting the main and back covers was usually reserved for much better-known photographers. So why on earth was he being asked to do the back cover? Nathan clearly saw the shock on Peach's face. He sighed, looking conflicted. Meanwhile, Lawrence, the only female photographer on the project, was quietly laughing to herself.

 

"Actually, Jeff, the guy who insulted you the other day was supposed to do this shoot," she said, a smirk almost playing on her lips. "But his work didn't meet the deadline, and the first set he sent back had to be redone." She shrugged slightly. "If he knew you were the one taking over for him, he'd probably lose his mind."

 

It seemed like Peach was about to get dragged into another mess. He thought, but he wasn't too worried. While he didn't like to wield his influence much, he knew who his partner was. So, there was really nothing to be concerned about. Nathan sighed again, brushing aside that conversation, and shifted his focus to the new assignment.

 

"Even though it's an important job, it's just for the back cover, not the main one. Don't stress," he said, handing over another piece of paper. "Here are the details for the shoot. The model will be here soon, so if you're ready, you can use the studio downstairs."

 

Peach thanked him and took the document. After exchanging a few more words, he got up and headed downstairs, reading through the details as he walked. As he carefully scanned the concept for the shoot, his attention faltered when he flipped to the second page and saw the name of the model he'd be working with.

 

"Peach!"

 

Peach looked up, his smile wide and bright, his eyes twinkling as he waved back at the beautiful young model running toward him. He pulled the model into a loose, friendly hug. This was a model he'd personally helped break into the industry, someone he was proud of.

 

"Run," Peach greeted, walking toward him, arms outstretched for a casual embrace. He gave the model a couple of light pats on the back and shoulders, just to show how much he'd missed him. "It's been a while! How's everything? Doing alright?"

Aran, the stunning young model who could easily switch between looking beautiful and handsome, was someone Peach had brought into the industry. He was currently signed with Shoei Group. Shohei is an agency that specialises in managing models. The agency's president was a young Japanese businessman who had settled in Thailand, mainly because he had married a beautiful Thai woman. And that beautiful Thai woman? She was Peach's little sister.

 

"I'm doing well, but right now, I'm super nervous," Aran replied, his hands cold and trembling slightly. "Mr Touch signed with the magazine, and my first job here is with them. I almost felt my knees give out, but when I saw your name on the photographer list, I felt so much better."

 

Peach's smile grew wider, his gaze soft and gentle. He placed a hand gently on Aran's head. I'm relieved too. I'm really happy to be working with you again."

Peach grinned mischievously, raising an eyebrow in mock suspicion. "So, you're single now, huh?"

 

Aran pressed his lips together, his cheeks flushing slightly, but his voice remained firm. "Yes, I'm single, Peach. You don't have to worry. There's no problem at all."

 

Peach nodded without pressing further. It wasn't like he was deaf or blind-everyone in the industry knew that Tawan, the former famous model who'd left the industry after an injury to take over his family business, was seriously pursuing this younger model. Peach had been watching from a distance, worried for Aran. He feared the situation might repeat itself, just like before. This time, though, Aran had an agency, a contract. If anything went wrong, he could easily have his work frozen or, worse, have his contract terminated.

 

Luckily, it seemed like Tawan had matured. His thoughts, actions, and overall demeanour had changed. Even Thee had said that Tawan's family was unlikely to go bankrupt. Though his tone had been laced with a hint of regret.

 

"Got it, got it. You're single, right?" Peach chuckled, giving Aran a light push on the back. "Well, you better get to work, then. The married guy's ready to go home."

 

"Are you showing off now, Peach?" Aran puffed out his cheeks, but after a moment, he quickly grabbed Peach's hand, pulling him along. "Let's go already. I'm scared your husband will rip my heart out."

 

Peach laughed softly, not bothering to argue. He walked toward the photo studio with Aran, the younger model's voice still chatting away happily behind him. Life was always moving, always changing. At one point, we're thrown into each other's lives, and a few chapters of a story unfold-some good, some bad. Then, in another moment, the world pulls us apart, sending us down separate paths, only to bring us back together again at just the right time.

 

Peach's smile softened as his shoulders relaxed. His thoughts drifted to Thee and their child, who were probably waiting for him back home by now. Life is constantly moving, always shifting. At one moment, we're tossed together, caught in a whirlwind that creates a few chapters in our story-some good, some bad. Then, just as suddenly, the world pulls us apart, sending us on our own separate paths, each walking our own journey, following the choices we make. Until, one day, in the right place and at the right time, the world brings us back together again.

 

Peach smiled softly, his shoulders relaxing as his thoughts wandered to Thee and their child, who were probably already waiting for him back home. In the crowd of faces, there are still those we're meant to meet, the ones we're destined to be with, and who we never have to part from. He was truly lucky to have found Thee.

 

He took a deep breath, his smile widening even more. He just needed to put in a little more work so he could get back to his family sooner. Because right now, he

was missing them more than he could bear.