Personal Manager

9- They're a good match.

 

Waking up early is really unusual for someone like Kel. He keeps yawning and still hasn't reached his destination. That would be something if Gun hadn't gone last night.

Did you really think he'd come along if you told him to go back to sleep and didn't wake him up in the morning?

 

"You can go to sleep if you want," the driver said.

 

"Okay, then I'm going to sleep. I haven't woken up this early since I graduated," the shorter person said truthfully.

 

"I'll be able to wake up even earlier from now on."

 

"How so?" His slender eyebrows furrowed together.

 

"My filming schedule includes five [D-5] pieces, the ones I sent yesterday." I already figured he probably wouldn't see them. If we talked about other things, we could talk all day and night. But when it comes to work, it always needs to be emphasised. To this day, Gun is still wondering who's taking care of whom.

 

"Oops, I haven't read it thoroughly yet," the slender figure said with a guilty expression.

 

"You have to wake up early, okay?"

 

"Does my brother have the right to be upset, too? The chairman seems kind, but he reports every single one of their behaviours to my mother!

 

"Sigh..." After a long rant, he let out a sigh. Both his parents and his uncle still thought he wasn't mature enough.

 

"And does your mother know you're a good traveller?"

 

"I don't know," Kel shook his head.

 

"Then if you go out again, I'll tell your mother," he began to threaten.

 

"You talk as if you know them."

 

"I don't know her, but I'd like to," Gun replied instantly, making the listener feel flustered again. Why would he want to know his mother?

 

"Be a good boy first, then I'll take you to meet her," the little one challenged.

 

"I thought you had to be dating before you could meet her," the young model said, smiling while his sharp eyes remained fixed on the road.

 

"Kel blinked and pursed his lips tightly. He was speechless at being played with like that by the child."

 

"Hmm," Gun chuckled, sounding very pleased.

 

"Even if you're my boyfriend, I won't take you if you're not a good boy." 

 

If he stays silent, it means he's lost. Kel, like me, wouldn't give up so easily.

 

"Why do you keep forcing your childish behaviour on me?"

 

"Because Gun is younger."

 

"So, do you like younger people?" This time, Gun wasn't angry like before; instead, he asked what he wanted to know.

 

"I never liked it."

 

"But lately, I've been finding myself falling for younger people quite often."

 

"I've never liked older men, I don't like men who party a lot, I don't like men who dress provocatively." 

 

For heaven's sake, please tell me that what Gun is talking about isn't true.

 

"um"

 

"But right now, I want to be able to control people like that. I don't know why." He got a similar response in return.

 

"Maybe he wants to stop everything at Gun, who knows?" Neither of them specified who they were referring to; they both seemed to understand what the other meant, but didn't say it directly.

 

"That would be great. Then I wouldn't have to deal with all the jealousy."

 

"Are you good at being jealous?" The petite manager made a stubborn face.

 

"Normally not, because I've never had a flirty boyfriend." He said this truthfully.

 

"What if, hypothetically, there were?"

 

"I guess I'd chain him up in his room to prevent him from going out and flirting with other people."

 

"Wow, that's sadistic."

 

"If it's necessary, then I have to do it." Kel immediately bit his lower lip when the other person finished speaking, thinking to himself that if the person Gun was talking about was him, "That's bad.” Maybe he’d let him tie him up all day.

Ringgg...

 

An incoming call interrupted their conversation. A slender hand picked up the phone and saw it was an unknown number.

 

Lately, I've been receiving frequent calls from unknown numbers, mostly work-related.

 

"I told you it's better to have two phones," Gun said, glancing at an unsaved number.

 

"Too lazy to carry around a lot," Kel uses only one cell phone for both work and personal matters, to the point where his personal number has become his primary contact number.

 

At first, I didn't think people would be calling every day like this because they didn't know that Gun would be so popular and have so much work since I started working here.

 

As the model’s manager, I keep getting calls, and my LINE app is buzzing non-stop. There are calls from the G-Modelling management group and the series group I just got added to yesterday.

 

"Hello," the short person answered the phone. ("Hello, Mr Kel.") The voice on the other end said politely.

 

"yes"

("You don't have any work today, do you, Nong Gun? Actually, the series film crew wants to schedule a fitting for some of the costumes because they're worried that it takes only one day.")

 

"It seems we won't be able to make it as planned. Would you have time to come in around 1 PM?"

 

"Just a moment," Kel told the person on the other end to hold the line while he asked for Gun’s opinion.

 

("yes")

 

"Gun, the production team wants us to go for a costume fitting this afternoon. Will we be able to get back on time?" he asked the person next to him.

 

"Didn't we initially schedule it for Friday?" the young model asked back.

 

"They said they were afraid they wouldn't make it in time."

 

"Tell him we're out of town, but we'll try to get back in time." Kel nodded in agreement before picking up his cell phone to continue the conversation.

 

"Nong Gun is currently travelling out of town, but he'll be back as soon as possible." ("Then he can come in the evening. Nong Darin is also thinking of rehearsing, so they can come together.")

 

"okay"

 

("Thank you, Mr Kel. Goodbye.") The call was cut off.

 

"He said we could come in the evening. Darin has classes, so she'll probably come in the evening too," Kel reported. The model nodded. He understood and continued driving.

 

An hour later, they arrived at their destination. It was a province outside Bangkok, but not too far away. The car came to a stop. The person in the passenger seat was fast asleep, completely unaware. Gun gazed at the sweet face up close, wondering which aspects of this older man seemed more mature than him, and which aspects of him made him see him as not a child.

 

"Wake up," Gun whispered in his ear. The other person began to stir before opening their eyes.

 

"We're here already? Sorry, I slept for so long."

 

They both got out of the car but found the house completely closed. Gun had already called his former manager to say he was coming to visit, but it seemed like the house was gone.

 

Someone was inside. After peering around for a while, he rang the doorbell, but no one came out to open the door. Then, the neighbours shouted to tell him something.

 

"Everyone in that family has gone to the hospital, young man. They're going to give birth."

 

"What did you say?" Is she giving birth today? 

 

Why didn't they tell me that when I called?

 

“They just went there an hour ago."

 

"Which hospital?" Gun quickly asked and got an immediate answer.

 

It was a private hospital in the city, not far from Bim's house. When Gun and Kel went to inquire, they learned that the pregnant woman named [name] had already gone into labour. However, he couldn't wait to see her because childbirth takes quite a while. He could only send his regards.

 

"Thank you for coming here. I didn't expect her to give birth today. Bim suddenly started having labour pains," the middle-aged man said.

 

"Yes, congratulations," Gun replied.

 

"I'll tell my friend that you're here."

 

Kel listened to their conversation with a smile, feeling happy for the new father who seemed a little excited and probably couldn't wait to see his baby.

 

"Kel !" a voice called out from nearby. The person addressed quickly turned to look.

 

"Ohm," the slender figure's eyes widened when he saw his ex-boyfriend. There are so many hospitals; why did he have to run into him here?

 

"What are you doing here?" asked the tall doctor wearing a white shirt and slacks.

 

"Oh, I came to visit a friend who's giving birth today."

 

"How are you? I haven't called to bother you much lately." The two of them were still as close as ever.

 

"I'm fine. What are you doing here?" Kel remembered that Ohm didn't work in the province.

 

"I'm here to observe the situation with the medical team and the inadequate number of personnel."

 

"Don't tell me you're moving here."

 

"It's not certain yet. We need to have another meeting."

 

"Are you done talking? We need to go back," the young model's voice interrupted, causing both of them to turn and look at him.

 

Ohm looked at Gun with suspicion but didn't ask anything.

 

"This is the model I'm managing. The one I told you about, the one who'll I’ll be working as a celebrity's personal manager," Kel introduced him to the other person. He had told Ohm about this before.

 

"You said your mother forced you, right?" the young doctor said jokingly.

 

"That"

 

"I'll visit your father when I have some free time. Please tell him that."

 

"You can call and tell him yourself. He's closer to Ohm than he is to his own son."

 

"I will wait in the car," Gun said, then walked away. He knew what Ohm's relationship with Kel was and felt uncomfortable seeing them talk. It's been a long time since he said he would come back.

 

"Kel has to go back now."

 

"Let's have Dinner together."

 

The shorter man waved goodbye to the doctor before hurrying to catch up with the young model. Ohm worked at a hospital in Bangkok, but they rarely saw each other unless they had an appointment because of his demanding work schedule. When they did meet, it was easy. And if he were to move to another province to work, it would definitely be much harder to see each other.

 

"You didn't even get to say goodbye to your friend, Bim," Kel said as he got into the car.

 

"It's not surprising at all. I'm not even interested in talking to Bim's boyfriend," his tone was sarcastic, but he wasn't exaggerating.

 

Ever since someone else came and greeted him, Kel hasn't seemed interested in anyone else.

 

"Huh?"

 

"..." Gun remained silent even though the person next to him was staring at him so intently.

 

"Well, I met a friend."

 

"The name Ohm sounds like someone you used to fantasise about when you were drunk. He wasn't a friend, was he?" His sharp eyes stared back, demanding an answer.

 

"Well...that's him. We're friends now." He indeed said he found a friend, but I don't understand why he answered so hesitantly.

 

"Being friends with an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend?"

 

"What's so strange about it?" Why does everyone think it's impossible? Nee and Sai said the same thing.

 

"The way he looks at you when he talks to you isn't like someone who's broken up," the deep voice said again. They still talk like lovers. The smiles Kel gave were broad, and he even talked about his mother.

"Did you notice?" His slender eyebrows raised in question before he smiled slightly at the sight of Gun's displeased expression. He didn't want to jump to conclusions. But he really couldn't help it.

 

"I happened to see that it was over, so he drove off immediately.

 

"Hmm... I feel the same way. His gaze hasn't changed at all." I'll tease him a bit; maybe I'll find out more.

 

"Your eyes show you're happy, you two look good together. Why don't you get back together?" Anyone could tell that Gun was being sarcastic, which only made the listener feel even worse.

 

"No, it's better this way. Right now, I prefer younger guys," Kel said, trying to tease him as much as possible.

 

"How old is the child?" The tall man glanced briefly before turning back to look at the road.

 

"I like younger people too."

 

"Why are our opinions so different? You're starting to like younger people, while I'm starting to like older people." The listener heard that and felt a flutter in my body, and my heart was working overtime. But the purpose is definitely the same.

 

"We always have different opinions, it's like we're arguing all the time, but I think we understand each other." The meaning conveyed, however, is different.

 

"Is he very close to your family?" Gun brought up the same topic again, making the listener chuckle softly.

 

"I'm close to him, especially his mother. He's a warm-hearted man."

 

"I don't want to know the last part." Wow! I could sense the anger radiating from his words. This man is so harsh on the heart. This is what you call...Is it okay to be jealous?

 

"Don't frown. Can you please not react like this?" If you show any more emotion, you'll have a heart attack. Right now, it's impossible to tell who is more aggressive.

 

"Really? Okay, I'll try to restrain myself."

They stopped for a meal and continued their journey. In short, after waking up early and driving to another province, they didn't get to see their old manager; instead, they met someone Kel knew.

 

The longing from that night made today a day that Gunapong didn't enjoy very much.

At five o'clock in the evening, he arrived at the large production company for a fitting as scheduled by the team, still in his personal manager's car.

 

It was the same as usual because his car had been with Tin since last night. Not having a car wasn't a problem at all since he had Kel with him.

 

"Hello, Nongkan. Hello, Kel," the staff in the room greeted them.

 

"Hello, P'Gun," a beautiful young woman in a student uniform smiled at Gunapong.

 

"Hello, Darin," the tall man smiled in return.

 

Kel separated himself and sat at a distance, waiting so as not to get in the way of the other actors and crew. Several celebrity managers were sitting with him, and some People wouldn't stop talking.

 

"The lead actor and actress in this series are a perfect match," said Darin's personal manager.

 

"Yes, yes, yes."

 

"They're a perfect match, wouldn't you say, Kel?" another actor's personal manager turned to ask for his opinion.

 

"Yes," Kel could only agree politely, glancing at Gunapong and Darin. No matter what they wore, they looked good. The saying goes, 

 

"The beauty of clothes depends on the hanger."

 

"Darin is very cute."

 

"Nong Gun has such a great figure!"

 

Kel sat listening to others praise the actors for so long that he started to feel uncomfortable. Normally, he was very talkative, but now he doesn't want to speak. He immediately got up and left without saying a word. 

 

After leaving the room, he asked the staff to tell Gun that he would wait at the coffee shop downstairs and to call him if he needed anything.

 

He admits he used to get bored just sitting around waiting for Gun to finish work, but now he doesn't. Just looking at him...It's enjoyable being under his care, but I came down to wait downstairs because I don't like it when people say Gun is suitable for Darin.

 

Messages kept coming in, and Kel replied to everyone. His uncle messaged him about Gun's work. He wasn't sure whether he should be happy about receiving special treatment, since the president of the modelling agency was contacting him directly, bypassing his secretary. 

 

Another message was from Mind, inviting him to the pub as usual, but he was tired from the long drive and declined. He was playing on his phone until Gun came down from the pub with the series's leading lady.

 

Ringgg...

Another call came in. Kel answered the phone, getting up from the coffee shop to find the young model.

 

"Hey, Pao," he said while talking on the phone.

("Brother Kel, I'm waiting in the condo lobby. Come and treat my wound.") The voice sounded frantic.

 

"Again?"

("Can I sleep with you tonight?") The voice on the other end pleaded.

 

"We'll talk about it later. I'll hurry over."

 

"Kel, may I have your permission to invite Gun to have dinner with me?" the young woman in a student uniform said after Kel hung up the phone.

 

"But I didn't bring my car," Gun interjected.

 

"It's alright, you can go in my car."

 

"Then please give him a ride," Kel replied immediately.

 

"Oh," the tall man said, showing a displeased expression, as his personal manager pushed him aside.

 

"..." Kel looked at Gun.

"Is P'Gun busy?" a sweet voice asked.

 

"Are you going back? I'm in a hurry."

 

"Where are you rushing off to?" he began, his voice hardening.

 

"Returning to my room."

 

"Okay then, go ahead. I'll have dinner with Darin," Gun decided immediately when he saw the other person's expression. If he didn't want him to come back, he should have just said so.

 

Honestly, it's getting dark, so you probably have plans to go out like every night, right?

 

The atmosphere at dinner was tense, but they couldn't show it because Gun wasn't with the person who caused the problem. Darin started a conversation.

 

He's so talented that he feels he wouldn't be nervous if they acted in a series together. After they finished eating, they both left immediately.

 

He had Darin drop him off at the condo so he could make sure the other person had returned to their room as promised. They had exchanged key cards and agreed that he could come anytime, as long as he called beforehand, but Gun hadn't called. Before he could even knock, he could hear sounds from inside, even though such an expensive condo should have been soundproof.

 

"Ouch... stop! Pao's going to die!" The sound filled his ears. How loud must the scream have been? The young model couldn't bear to listen any longer. He opened the door and went inside immediately. His dark eyebrows furrowed when he saw his manager tending to the young man's wounds. The young man looked so youthful; it was obvious he was a junior colleague.

 

"Gun, why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Kel's eyes widened.

 

"I'm going to sleep in your room. I'm sleepy," the tall man stormed into the bedroom, leaving the two sitting on the sofa with their mouths agape.

 

Moreover, I'm feeling incredibly restless and agitated right now.

 

He knew he had no right over Kel. It was already too much to barge into his room without calling, and now he dared to burst through the door.

 

Crack!

Soon after, the room's owner opened the door and came in. Gun looked at the short person dressed comfortably in a loose T-shirt and shorts.

 

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Kel asked the same question again.

 

"Who did you bring? I'm sleeping here. Where are you going to let him sleep?" Gun didn't answer, but instead fired off a barrage of questions.

 

"He's gone." It was clear the young model was acting strangely.

 

"Why are you rushing me to leave?" He was aware that he hadn't been able to control himself today. He didn't know what was wrong with him ever since he met Kel's ex-boyfriend.

 

"He went back on his own. I guess he was afraid of Gun."

 

"You really like him, huh, junior?" (I know I'm provocatively asking this.)

 

"I already told you," Kel said, really liking it. 

 

It wasn't just that he liked his junior, but he liked seeing Gun get angry like this, even though they weren't even together yet.

 

"Hmm, they're a good match."

 

"Gun and Darin are a good match, but Darin, do you know that Gun prefers older women?"

 

"Only I know. Does that guy from earlier know that I like younger men? Does he know that he's exactly my type?"

 

"I wouldn't eat my own younger brother."

 

"Ha?"

 

"Pao is the younger brother of Copper and Kel. They're siblings who grew up together."

 

".."

 

“Can you at least ask me first if you're going to be jealous or possessive? I'm trembling with fear," he said, but secretly he wanted to walk over and sit on his lap.

 

He's so strong, but he's a total loser. A jealous man easily defeats him, and that man is Gun, too.