"Cough, cough."

 

I choke on my saliva. I've moved from the carpeted floor to the spacious bed. The giant pillow and the soft mattress relax my body to some extent, though someone is on top of me. The crashing typhoon is unstoppable.

 

"Ah.."

 

Ket's thrusts jolt me. My arms flail around as I try to grab the bedsheet, wrinkling it with my grip. Ket's movements aren't concerning, but it's the innermost part that the big guy reaches. Every time he shoves it in, I cry out indecipherably and have to cover my face with my arms.

 

"Kieng, don't hide your face."

 

"No."

 

"Don't cover your face."

 

It's embarrassing, letting Ket see me in this state. Not to mention my reflection in the glass window. If Ket says, 'Because you made that face,' again, I'll recall my expression today. I try to stifle my moan, but it doesn't work. My panting is even louder than my moan. Every time I bite my lip to suppress my embarrassing voice, Ket touches my lips with his long fingers, pressing them and stroking them until my moan slips out again.

 

Aside from my panting, Ket groans in a low voice as he pounds inside me. There's also the mortifying sound of our flesh hitting against each other that makes me want to turn up the volume of the television. I'm not wondering if the walls are soundproof because when I try to speak, the huge storm wipes everything out of my head

 

I can't argue that Ket is good in bed. When I moan like crazy, Ket slows down and kisses my lips to relax me. He caresses my face and every sensitive part he remembers except my stomach. If he touches it, I won't be able to hold back.

 

"Kieng."

 

Ket whispers in my ear after putting his weight on me, his sweat dripping on my body. Despite only having the light from the bathroom and the television, I clearly see the faint aura emanating from Ket's body. The warm blue aura envelops his body, so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off it.

 

"Ah!"

 

The massive storm crashes so hard that I cry out. Ket interlaces his fingers with mine and presses my hands against the mattress. My body is shaking, but not out of fear. My muscles are screaming that he's too aggressive. When I'm about to climax, Ket pulls out and kisses my lips as I plead in pain. He kisses me softly and gently as if fooling me that he's a kind man when he's actually cruel.

 

Ket moves down between my legs and takes my nearly exploded part in his mouth. The warmth and softness of it are awfully painful. I can't do anything except arch my back to accept the sensation, clutching his soft hair with my hands. When my voice is louder, Ket stops everything until I calm down, then starts over and repeats. It feels like I'm on a rollercoaster. 

 

The sensual tension shoots up and down, making my heart beat faster and faster. When I reach the top, Ket leaves me there. When I slowly slide down, Ket brings me back up. My body wiggles like a fish on land. My legs tremble so hard that I doubt I'll be able to stand tomorrow. It's all because of Ket.

 

Noticing I start to calm down like still water, Ket attacks me again. This time, the man in front of me crushes me with all his strength, not giving me a chance to bite my lip to stifle a moan. Ket presses my stomach, signalling that I can let it go.

 

"Kieng...Kieng."

 

The man on top of me keeps calling my name. His low voice is the fuel to my burning body. I pull him into my embrace, digging my fingers into his skin.

 

"Kieng."

 

I shut my eyes tightly. Ket's heavy pant over my ear is mixed with my breathing sound, louder than ever. Besides the manic, relentless thrusts, Ket's warm hand carries out its job so impressively that I'm nearly losing my sanity. The crashing waves and the typhoon are driving me wild. My back rubs against the mattress from the pounding harder and harder...And harder.

 

"Hic."

 

The growl fades. The typhoon is content with the attack. I retreat from the warm liquid shooting onto my stomach. What I've been suppressing spurts out all over my belly. Everything blurs in a split second. The ceiling is black in the dark, but it turns white like a flash in my head. I slowly remove my arms from Ket's body. I don't know if I hurt him, but I cut my nails.

 

I open my eyes slowly. A drop of something falls on my face. I assume it's the sweat from the man who crushed me like a ravenous typhoon, but I'm wrong...Ket is crying.

 

4 pm.

We're reaching Bang Saen, judging by the pinkish-orange sky over the horizon as the sun sets. I'm waiting for the other four in the car as they shop in the convenience store. My body is covered in a huge sweater, shielding me from the cool air. It's not tiring to sit in a car. just got exhausted because Fou drove so crazily that he shouldn't be allowed to touch the wheel. Not to mention the intense sexual session last night. Once I'm home, I'll lie down and sleep through dinnertime.

 

Last night, after Ket cried, he disappeared into the bathroom for around an hour. He took so long that I couldn't wait and fell asleep. I wondered if he was that overjoyed to make love with me, but his hurt expression and gaze contradicted it. Ket wasn't happy about having done it with me, but he didn't regret it either. There's just something...hidden behind those eyes. Something Ket is keeping from me.

 

The car door opens, and most of the view outside is hidden behind the tall guy. Ket bends down and pulls out a wet wipe to clean my sweaty face. What happened last night made my entire body sore, especially from the hips down. They ached so terribly that I took two painkillers.

 

"Feeling better?"

 

"Um," I respond in my throat and rest my face in Ket's warm palm as if asking for love. It brings a smile to Ket's face.

 

"I'm sorry for being a little aggressive."

 

A little, my ass. My hips would have broken in his hands had he pushed slightly harder.

Ket passes me an orange-flavoured Fanta and a hot aromatic sausage. The tall guy enters the idling car and feeds me the sausage.

 

"Is it good?"

 

"Yeah." I chew in contentment. I haven't smelled Ket's perfume for a while now. I can only sense the fabric softener and his regular shampoo. When we had sex last night, I also didn't smell his perfume.

 

"You're not wearing perfume?"

 

Ket seems to realise it right then. He lifts his left and right arms to check his smell and smiles.

 

"I forgot."

 

"Hmm? You forgot? Don't you wear it every day?"

 

"Yeah. You like it?"

 

I lean my head on his shoulder in exhaustion.

 

"Yeah."

 

I like Ket's perfume. When we're not together, it's the only clear thing that assures me he's still here. The other three come back soon after. Fou, Mi, and Dalha haven't asked what happened last night, but Fou keeps glancing at me with those sparkling eyes. I know he'll tease the hell out of me once we're alone. Mi has also had that delighted smile on since we left the hotel. Meanwhile, Dalha has been quiet since she got into the car.

 

"Dalha, is everything okay?"

 

I ask the long-haired girl softly. The girl with big, round eyes flicks her gaze to me.

 

"No." She scowls at Ket. "Be more gentle next time. Kieng's body is sore all over!"

 

That motherfucker Fou bursts out laughing, and my face burns like a fire. I shift away from Ket, but he pulls me back to his shoulder. These assholes. I'm mad. Hmph!

 

The car reaches the residence in ten minutes. They wake me from my sleep, and head inside like a ghost with Ket supporting me. Fou waves at us with a knowing smirk. It annoys me so much that I wish to stamp his face with my foot.

 

"Kieng, are you sick?" Sorn is the first to rush to me as soon as the door is pushed open. I shake my head.

 

"I'm fine."

 

Mee is another one checking on me. The chef touches my neck with his fingers and frowns at Ket.

 

"How many rounds?"

 

"Mee!" I plead for sympathy. Please don't ask about this. I want to rest so much.

 

"He almost fainted after one round."

 

I slap Ket's arm, drawing a soft laugh out of his mouth. Mee grabs the opportunity to flex.

 

"Unlike Sorn. He can't get enough even at daybreak."

 

"Shut up!" Sorn smacks both Mee and Ket and tells Ket to take me to my room. Sorn understands me the most. He's my only angel.

 

Ket helps me get to my room and prepares my bed nicely. He sets the pillow slightly higher and lays me on the mattress. Once my head touches the pillow, my body is washed with relaxation. It feels different from the bed at the hotel, but it possesses this warmth that I can't find anywhere else. I love my tiny bed and the smell of my regular shampoo.

 

"I'll be right back."

 

The tall guy spins around to leave, but I grasp his arm.

 

"Hmm?"

 

"You forgot your backpack."

 

"Oh, again." Ket laughs to hide his embarrassment and carries his backpack out of my room. 

 

Is there something wrong with his brain? After the exam, Ket has been spacing out more often. He's become forgetful, and his habits have changed. He forgot to wear his regular perfume, packed his backpack with any clothes he had on hand, ate messily like a child, and even forgot his phone before we left the hotel in the afternoon. I don't want to think about it right now. My brain commands me to sleep.

 

No fever. I almost jump for joy in my room because I have no fever. It's all thanks to the two painkillers. Despite my sore lower body, I can walk like normal.

 

It's afternoon now. I quickly distribute the key rings to Sorn and the guys. Even if Tong complains about why I bought something that can be found in Bang Saen, he hooks it to his backpack. I'm so touched. I go to the rooftop of the residence in the evening after Sorn decides to clean up and create a garden up here. Therefore, I help him sweep the floor, install artificial grass, and set up a cute small tent. Mee lays a mattress inside it so we can hang out here at night when the weather is pleasant. We also set up thin wooden poles and decorate them with string lights for a cosy vibe. Fortunately, Mee installed a canopy for his cactuses, but they died since he had no time to tend to them. As a result, we have a canopy to shield ourselves from the rain.

 

I've had this question in my mind since I was a kid. Why are there no mosquitoes in high places? I still don't know the answer, but I'm glad they can't fly up here. We don't need to smack them, get itchy, or be worried about dengue fever.

 

The constant breeze on the rooftop at night feels wonderful. It feels like I'm on the beach. Today, I call dibs on the tent to chill out before anyone.

 

The restaurant is closed today since it's a school break. During this time, Sorn only opens it on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the tourists staying in the neighbourhood. That's why the slim man brings his pillow and blanket to hang out with me.

 

"Do you still want to work, Kieng?" Sorn asks, making me an orange soda. I hug a giant whale plush on the mattress.

 

"Yes."

 

"'Want to' and 'need to' are two different things."

 

"I need to pay rent."

 

"I have a secret to tell you."Sorn hands me a glass of orange soda. accept it and watch him move to the front of the tent.

 

"Ning covers the rent for you every month."

 

"Hmm?" Ning pays rent for me with her salary? "She has to pay for the apartment and daily stuff. She also lives alone. How can she do that? Are you kidding me?"

 

"No. I'm serious. Your tuition fees, school supplies, art equipment, rent, and food expenses. Ning pays for it all every single month. I told her I'd take care of you, but she wouldn't let me."

 

"How much, Sorn?"

 

"Thirty thousand a month." Wow, that's a lot. I don't spend that much. Why does she have to pay that amount?

 

"How does she have that much money for me?"

 

"I asked, but she refused to speak." Sorn smiles. "Ning told me to keep it from you because she wanted you to try taking care of yourself, in case she couldn't do it one day." Sorn's eyes darken.

 

"Why wouldn't she be able to take care of me? She came back even if I said I hated her."

 

"Right. But you know what? Ning loves you dearly. She calls me every day to ask how I'm doing. Do you sleep well? Do you eat well? Is the money enough for your tuition fees and paints?'

 

"Did she bribe you to say this?"

 

"Are you crazy? I'm speaking the truth."

 

"What about her having a crush on you?" The question leaves Sorn in silence.

 

"It was my fault for leaving her behind, so I didn't decline when she asked me to look after you. Even if others think of her negatively, I know she's just a lonely person."

 

Sorn pats my head with his warm hand. "Ning might not have told you about her childhood, but she was treated just like you."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"I remember it well. That day, Ning came to school crying with bruises all over her body. She was strong, never making a sound when hit by the teachers, but her mom hit her with a hanger that day to the point her entire body was bruised. Ning said she didn't cry out of pain. She cried because she knew her mom was pregnant with you."

 

That takes me aback. I hope Sorn is joking. If not, the old memories would put me in deep guilt.

 

"Ning didn't want you to be born to be your mom's child. She wasn't ready to have children, though she had no choice but to comply with her husband's family's command. You might've believed Ning was her favourite child, but she was unwanted, too. That was why when she knew her mom was pregnant with you, she decided to take care of you and not hurt this baby the way she was hurt."

 

"So, please, don't resent her, Kieng."

 

My eyes feel hot, as if tears are about to fall. Sorn pinches my nose. I've never known that my mother didn't want Ning. All I knew was that my oldest brother had all the privileges of the first son of the family, a child meant to be born and pampered. Unlike him, I wasn't meant to happen. She wished to get rid of me, but I got to open my eyes to this world since my father's family insisted

 

Even though my relatives wanted me, they didn't help raise me or anything. And so, my mother had no reason to pay attention to me. She didn't care if I lived or died. Her only wish was for me not damage the family's reputation because my oldest brother was her pride and had manners. He had a perfect life, never once looking at his

two siblings.

 

That explained why my parents and brother loathed me. They hated me so much that they told me to die. They also hated Ket and his family. The fact that I was gay ruined our family's reputation. My family believed homosexuality was sinful and forbidden, especially in this household.

 

Due to our huge age gap, we had no bond. I only knew his name, Kangfah, and never spent time with him. Ning was the only one taking care of me, especially when I caused trouble. I was at a transitional age. I only cared about myself and the fact that my mother didn't love me, and that I was a worthless youngest child. I never thought that Ning was also in the same nightmare.

 

I never knew Ning always cried alone. When she was with me, she'd smile like there was no worry. I never knew her bruises and wounds were from our mother because Ning said she fought with some kids at school. I never knew how much pain she hid behind that smile.

 

The faint purple aura I saw on that rainy day was real, apparently. Ning didn't look happy, but she seemed to keep her sadness inside all the time. I misunderstood that she loved our mother. Ning probably never loved her. It was simply her duty as a child. How could she stand our mother, that wicked woman? Was she a superhero?