Me and Thee: English translation.

Wake up call #28

Theerakit Kian Arseny was infamous for being a cold, unyielding CEO—intimidating and intense. His presence in meetings created an almost suffocating pressure, with no room for compromise. Adding to his fearsome image were the persistent rumours of his ties to a Russian mafia underworld, painting him as a ruthless enforcer. But when it came to his family, the man who demanded perfection at work would abandon everything for their sake without a second thought.

 

The tall, broad-shouldered mafia heir stood with arms crossed at the airport, waiting with surprising patience. His face remained impassive, betraying none of the frustration one might expect after waiting for his younger brother, no matter how late he was.

 

Soon, another strikingly tall figure approached a man with striking golden hair that framed sharp features. His pale grey-green eyes glimmered with mischief, giving him a charismatic allure. Though his face bore a strong resemblance to Theerakit's, it was softened by a perpetual, playful smile that set him apart.

 

Who would believe that this easygoing man was destined to lead the Arseny Family—the largest mafia syndicate in Russia?

 

Despite their contrasting personalities, there was no sibling rivalry for power. Theerakit, resolute and unflinching, deferred to his brother Rome's cunning and expertise in navigating the shadows. For behind-the-scenes operations, Rome's natural guile made him a better fit for the role of leader. Thee had gladly stepped aside to let his younger brother take the reins, while Rome, in turn, entrusted the public-facing business empire to Thee without hesitation.

 

Rome strode toward his brother with a wide grin, throwing an arm around Thee's shoulders and giving a few light pats in greeting. Then, with an almost childlike charm, he turned his playful smile to his brother's secretary, stepping closer with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

 

"Now it's winter in Thailand, and since Mok doesn't like the cold, I came all this way just to keep you warm."

 

"Thailand doesn't have winter," Mok replied flatly, taking an intentional step back. 

 

"Besides, you've got a ton of work waiting for you. No need to worry about me."

Rome leaned in close, letting the tip of his nose graze Mok's cheek on purpose. He was ready to push his teasing further until his brother grabbed his collar and yanked him back with a calm but firm expression.

 

"Quit being inappropriate with my secretary."

 

"Then why don't you just give him to me?" Rome shot back, unfazed, his face lighting up with a cheeky smile.

 

Thee smirked faintly before instructing his brother to follow him somewhere less conspicuous. With two tall, strikingly handsome men flanked by a squad of men in black suits, they had become too much of a spectacle.

 

As they passed a coffee shop, Thee came to a halt. His usually sharp gaze softened slightly, and he eventually gave in to temptation, heading inside to place an order. Rome followed, a hint of confusion on his face.

 

"Did you not have your coffee yet, Thee?" Rome asked, trailing behind without protest. It was already late morning, and his brother, who typically had his espresso first thing, didn't seem like the type to skip his routine.

 

"Felt like it," Thee replied curtly, offering no further explanation. Rome shrugged and turned to the barista, ordering without missing a beat.

 

"Okay, one latte and an espresso, then."

"Americano."

 

"Huh?" Rome froze mid-sentence and glanced back at his brother, puzzled. "You only drink espresso. You've literally said Americanos taste like dishwater."

 

"I'm having an Americano. Got a problem with that?" Thee shot back, deadpan, shutting down any further questioning.

 

They seemed poised to continue debating coffee preferences when the secretary stepped into the shop with a tense expression. Mok walked straight up to his boss, leaning in slightly to whisper something in a low voice.

 

"Boss, Miss Plub just requested emergency leave."

 

After recently upgrading the photographer's importance in his mental hierarchy, Mok had also extended that priority to Peach's younger sister. Any sudden leave applications now went straight to his desk. Thee's brow furrowed slightly as Rome turned to listen with clear interest.

 

"She said her brother's been admitted to the hospital."

 

That single statement made Thee's smoke-grey eyes widen with alarm. The atmosphere instantly became suffocating, an oppressive weight filling the air. Mok swallowed hard, forcing his voice to remain steady as he continued.

 

"I've already arranged for a car, sir. I'll handle the afternoon schedule in your absence."

 

Thee nodded curtly before grabbing Mok's arm and tugging him toward Rome in one swift motion. Rome, ever quick on his feet, spread his arms and caught the startled secretary with a grin, pulling the smaller man snugly against his chest.

 

"Look after him for me," the young mafia instructed, giving his brother a single nod before striding out of the coffee shop without waiting for his drink. He moved with purpose to the exit, where his sleek black car was already waiting. Without a word, he slid into the back seat.

 

Another trusted bodyguard in the driver's seat acknowledged him with a single nod, needing no further instruction. The car roared to life and sped off immediately. As the icy atmosphere in the car thickened, the vehicle seemed to accelerate in tandem. Luckily, the hospital where the young photographer had been admitted wasn't too far from the city centre. About forty minutes later, after navigating the expressway, the car came to a smooth stop in front of the hospital.

 

As soon as Thee stepped out of the car, a young PR woman clicked her heels briskly toward him. Her confident stride couldn't hide the slight tremor in her forced smile, betraying just how nervous she was. If it hadn't been for the hospital director personally instructing her to provide the best VIP service possible, she wouldn't have dared come anywhere near him.

 

"Lead the way," Thee ordered curtly, offering no further explanation. He'd already called the hospital director directly to inform him of his arrival and the purpose of his visit. He had no intention of wasting another second.

 

After riding the elevator up to the private ward, he strode toward the last room at the end of the hall. He knocked lightly a couple of times before opening the door without waiting for permission, in case the occupant was still resting. He hadn't expected to find Peach lying there, wide awake, watching him with curious eyes. Apart from looking a bit pale, he seemed fine.

 

"Mr Thee? Don't you have business to attend to today?" Peach asked, tilting his head slowly—a gesture that made it clear he wasn't feeling his best.

 

"Why didn't you call me when you got admitted?" Thee demanded sharply, stepping closer while scanning Peach from head to toe. His gaze lingered on the bruised cheek and the cracked corner of Peach's lips, both visibly red and swollen. His brow furrowed even tighter.

 

"What happened? Why are you in the hospital?"

 

"The doctor said I've been overworking myself," Peach admitted sheepishly. "Got a bit dizzy... and I think my blood sugar dropped too, probably because I skipped dinner last night." He gave a weak, apologetic smile and lifted the hand with the IV still attached.

 

"They put me on a saline drip. The doc said I can leave once it's done."

 

"But didn't the doctor recommend staying one more night...just to be safe?"

 

The unfamiliar voice came from the other side of the room, startling Thee. A tall man he didn't recognise, emerged from the seating area reserved for visitors, which he hadn't noticed when he first walked in.

 

Thee's sharp gaze swept over the newcomer, a youthful-looking guy who couldn't have been older than twenty. He was tall and athletic, with a bright, wide smile that made his eyes curve charmingly. Objectively speaking, the kid was good-looking model material, with a promising future in the industry.

 

"For the trouble I went through carrying you here, at least stay one more night and make it worth my effort," the young man said with an easy grin directed at Peach. Thee's brow twitched. Irritation bubbled up, threatening to break through his calm facade. Mentally, he crossed out the kid's "promising future" right then and there. Whatever future this guy had, it definitely wasn't going to unfold anywhere near him. Carry who?!

 

He strode over, deliberately ignoring the younger man while suppressing his annoyance as much as possible.

 

"Why did he have to carry you?" His tone was clipped and firm, though the fingers brushing lightly across Peach's cheek were achingly gentle, like they were touching fragile butterfly wings.

 

"I passed out," Peach admitted sheepishly. "He was nearby, so he helped carry me." Then, as if remembering his manners, he quickly added, "I forgot to introduce you. This is Mr Thee, my boss. And that's Kin, a model I was shooting earlier today."

 

Peach's eyes darted away, avoiding Thee's gaze—a clear sign he was skimming over some details. But Thee decided not to press for now. Peach needed rest more than anything else. The things he wanted to know... he could figure out on his own later.

 

"Thanks for bringing my person here," Thee said coldly, shooting Kin a pointed look that radiated pure displeasure. "You can leave now. I'll handle things from here. No need to stick around."

 

"Happy to help." Kin's smile widened, but this time, his eyes didn't crinkle with warmth. They gleamed with a sharp, knowing edge.

 

"Oh, both of you just leave already," Peach interjected with mild exasperation. Neither man seemed to hear him. Thee had already turned his back on Kin, dismissing the younger man entirely as if he didn't exist. His focus was locked solely on Peach, lying pale and exhausted in the hospital bed.

 

"How can I leave when there's no one to take care of you?"

 

Thee muttered, his fingertips brushing the corner of his mouth. His sharp gaze darkened briefly before returning to normal, though he still paid no attention to the model in the room. His eyes stayed fixed on Peach's pale face. After just one day apart, here he was, lying weak and lifeless in a hospital bed. How could Thee possibly walk away?

 

"T'll be fine. I just have to lie here until the IV runs out." Peach sighed, sounding thoroughly bored. "I promise your project won't get delayed. Or better yet, give me a laptop—I can get some work done right here."

 

"What job could be more important than you?" Thee murmured, his hand moving gently from Peach's cheek down to his slender neck. The warmth of that soft skin tugged at his senses, making it almost impossible to let go. 

"Stay the night. Let the doctor monitor you. Think of it as getting some much-needed rest."

 

"There's no point staying. It's just a waste of time and money." Peach's voice took on a playful whine, making Thee pause. His eyes widened in mild surprise. He hadn't expected such a cute, sulky reaction and definitely hadn't expected the way it made his heart skip a beat. Ever since realising how he truly felt about Peach, keeping his emotions in check had become harder and harder.

 

"Stay. I'll cover the hospital bill." Thee insisted, pulling the blanket snug around Peach. His eyes landed on a bruise on Peach's arm, his expression hardening instantly. "What happened here?"

 

"Probably hit something when I fell. It's just a bruise, no big deal." Peach replied casually, moving his arm to show it off.

 

"And this one?" Thee's fingers brushed the faint mark on Peach's cheek, his chest tightening at the sight. The more he looked, the more it hurt. "I'm sure this isn't from a simple fall."

 

Peach's face tensed, clearly uncomfortable. Thee narrowed his eyes, his fingertips lingering near Peach's lips for a moment before pulling back reluctantly.

 

"I’ll arrange for you to be moved to a VIP room. Get some proper rest. Your sister should be here soon." Thee's gaze shifted to the other man in the room, his expression turning cold. "You should head out now. I won't trouble you any longer."

 

"No trouble at all. I'm happy to help," the young man replied with an easy smile, unfazed by the frosty atmosphere.

 

Thee frowned. He wanted nothing more than to kick the guy out, but feared upsetting Peach, lying pale and tired on the hospital bed. In the end, he signalled one of his bodyguards to keep watch and report any suspicious behaviour. Meanwhile, he would speak with the hospital director about transferring Peach to a better room. And while he was at it, he'd get to the bottom of what really happened.

 

With long strides, Thee left the room, determined to return quickly and deal with the annoying model once and for all. However, just as he was about to turn the corner past the hospital's common lounge, he caught snippets of a heated conversation. His steps halted. Folding his arms across his chest, he listened intently, completely unconcerned about eavesdropping. He wouldn't have cared if they hadn't mentioned Peach's name.

 

Peeking into the room, he recognised the two arguing figures: models currently working on a campaign for his company. Their angry voices carried even after the glass door slid shut.

 

"Why won't you listen to me? I told you nothing is going on!"

 

"Listen?" "You were practically kissing him, Run! All I ever hear is his name. The actor sneered, gripping the smaller model's wrist tightly and yanking him closer. "Why do you love him that much? Is that why you keep defending him?"

 

"The person I like is you, Tawan." Aran's voice dropped low, trembling with suppressed emotion as he yanked his wrist free from the actor's grasp. "Do you even know why I can't be with you, despite liking you this much? It's because of the way you act-just like this!"

 

Aran pulled away and shoved the actor backwards, tears spilling down his cheeks. Tawan stared at him, bewildered and hurt, utterly clueless as to why Aran looked so heartbroken.

 

Tawan was the only son of a rising business family. Both his parents ran successful companies of their own. Since he was a child, he'd always gotten whatever he wanted-just by asking or pointing a finger. He was used to being number one without ever having to compete. The only exception was the beautiful-faced model, Aran. No matter how hard Tawan tried, he could never win Aran's heart. Worse, Aran treated everyone equally—with that same warm, friendly smile. He was never special to Aran.

 

Fear slowly crept into Tawan's heart, the fear of losing the one person he couldn't control. Lately, he'd been hearing the photographer's name far too often. Every time Aran mentioned him, his eyes sparkled with joy, his entire demeanour lighting up. The jealousy burning inside Tawan refused to be tamed.

 

"Be honest with me. You like him, don't you? Why do you keep defending him all the time?" Tawan ground out, unable to believe Aran's previous declarations of love.

 

"I don't think of Peach as more than a friend. He's like an older brother to me. The one I like... is you, Tawan. But if you keep acting like this, then we're done. Get out of my life."

 

"No way. You're mine. I'm never letting anyone take you from me!"

 

He grabbed Aran's arm again, only for the model to wrench himself free, eyes blazing with determination.

 

"You think punching Peach proves you love me? That was the most disgusting thing you could've done. Get out of my life. If you can't figure things out, stop messing with me." Aran's voice dropped into a dangerous warning. Aran took a firm step back. 

 

"I'm not some possession for you to claim. I don't need anyone's permission to live my life. I already bowed my head and apologised to Peach on your behalf. That's as far as I'm willing to go. From now on... we're done. We don't belong together"

 

Aran turned his back and walked away, leaving Tawan shouting his name and chasing after him in vain. Neither of them noticed the towering figure standing in the shadows, arms crossed, having heard every word of their heated conversation. His stormy grey eyes darkened, glinting with a fierce, predatory light.

 

Finally, he understood everything.