The presentation went smoothly, and the results will be announced on the website in two weeks. Now that the contest is over, it feels like I've removed mountains from my shoulders. The pent-up exhaustion vanishes in the air. My chapped lips have healed, and I can't live without lip balm now. I've understood why girls use it all the time. When your lips aren't dry or cracked, everything you eat tastes superb. You don't have to peel it and make it bleed. It feels fantastic.

 

I was one of the first candidates to do the presentation, so I had time to stroll around Chatuchak right after. I take a deep breath in front of a girly gift shop that the big guy wanted to visit. Ket returns with a sheet of star stickers.

 

"Give me your phone."

 

I hand it to him obediently and watch him peel the tiny star sticker to paste on the right corner of my phone. Ket returns it to me and carefully does the same to his phone.

 

"We're matching."

 

My cheeks burn. These aren't our first matching items. We had those in the past. But after Ket was gone, I left home without taking them. We have to start again.

Mmmm, what did we own? Matching key rings, notebooks, pencil cases, shirts, and photo stickers. I freaking hated them because my eyes were too dolly, and Ket teased me that I was a dolly-eyed boy. The thought cracks me up.

 

The tall guy walks ahead of me. We spend the afternoon strolling to our hearts' content while Fou and the girls go somewhere else to buy souvenirs for the club members. I know it's Mi and Dalha's plan to let Ket and me be alone together. Since Ket's return, this is my first day hanging out with him outside.

 

After shopping, Ket and I take a taxi to the hotel, weary. I check the time on my phone that shows it's over six. The sky begins to darken. We probably won't go out tonight because Fou and the girls must be back late and are supposed to have a meal before heading back. Ket and I ordered room service as we can't be bothered to get out again to find something to eat.

 

While Ket showers, I check the stuff we bought. Even though he paid for it, most of the things are mine. New shirts, new sneakers, and cute key rings for the guys at the residence. I warned him not to overspend, yet he insisted on paying for everything. I eventually gave up, which is why there's a huge pile of stuff right here.

I slowly pack my things before unzipping Ket's backpack to transfer his new shirts. It's messier than mine. By 'messier,' I mean'unacceptably messy.' Is this A backpack or a rat hole? It's indistinguishable. 

 

Ket had always been well-organised, but he never folded his clothes during this trip. He tossed everything into his backpack. He crumpled his pants and threw them inside, too lazy to fold them. If he could roll his underwear, I would spot some fabric doughnuts. I shake my head at the mess. How did he become like this after disappearing for two years?

 

I pour Ket's clothes out of his backpack to fold them. A medicine box drops on the floor. I pick it up and find out that it's paracetamol, probably the one he bought back then. Does he need to carry it around? His headache must be terrible.

 

I toss the box of paracetamol into the backpack and cover it with folded clothes. I continue working on it until Ket walks out of the bathroom and settles next to me. He dries his wet hair with a towel.

 

"Are you arranging my stuff?"

 

"Yeah. Your backpack is damn messy. Back then, you packed your suitcase for the Scout camps so nicely that the teacher praised you for it." Ket goes silent and laughs meekly.

 

"Too lazy."

 

"Why didn't you eat before showering?"

 

"I felt sticky."

 

"You'll get dirty again after eating and have to shower again."

 

"I won't."

 

Oh, he's gotten dirtier. I can't be bothered to nag at him anymore. He used to help me fold my clothes for the Scout camps. Now I'm folding these for the young master.

 

Soon, the room service arrives. I carry the tray to the couch by the window. I ordered American fried rice while Ket got a simple pork omelette with rice and a cup of coffee. He drinks coffee regularly as part of his routine. He sometimes finished five to six cups a day while studying. I once asked why he needed that much, and he said he was sleepy. Even so, he fell asleep with no problem despite the amount of coffee. I wonder if it evaporates through his skin.

 

Ket sits beside me, and we start eating on the carpeted floor. The view is so impressive that I can't take my eyes off it. Bangkok at night. The lights reflect so incredibly that I capture them with my phone. I gaze up at the sky and see the glistening stars. 

 

Although there aren't many, they're as beautiful as the ones in Bang Saen. It was right. decision to book a room on one of the top floors. Otherwise, the view would've been concrete buildings.

 

"Time flies, doesn't it?"

 

"Mmmm," Ket hums a response, chewing.

 

"It feels like we've reunited for only a few days."

 

"Are you glad?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Are you happy?"

 

"I am," I reply. We have a hard time eating. There's a table that we wouldn't use. How down-to-earth we are to eat on the carpeted floor.

 

"When I came back, you were furious."

 

"I sure was. You disappeared and suddenly showed up. Who wouldn't be mad?"

 

"You're not mad anymore, right?"

 

"I still am."

 

"Oh." Ket flicks his eyes at me and furrows his brow. It cracks me up.

 

"I'm not mad anymore." I just wanted to mess with him. His dumbfounded face is adorable. "It's like we haven't grown up at all, freezing in the seventh grade."

 

"What made you think so?"

 

"We need people around us to tell us what to do. It's funny. We can't even handle our personal issues."

 

"Sometimes we need outsiders who see everything to tell us what to do."

 

"Why? Don't you feel like a nuisance?"

 

"No. People tend to see things from their own points of view. For example, you were angry with me because I'd left you and didn't realise you'd disappeared from me, too. That's why we all need friends and guardians to give us advice."

 

"You're talking sense."

 

"Not really. I usually talk nonsense."

 

Ah, why did he insult himself? I smile in amusement and watch Ket eat more messily than usual. The young master is gone. He wipes his mouth with his hand while eating. He spills some rice and leaves it like that. It annoys the hell out of me, so I have to clean it up.

 

"Didn't they teach you to clean up after yourself in England?"

 

"No. I had to take care of myself. No one told me what to do."

 

"Is that why you know how to make porridge?"

 

Ket goes quiet, his lips curling into a soft smile.

 

"Yeah."

 

I still remember the day Ket made me porridge because I was sick. I asked if a young master like him knew how to cook. When I took a bite, I knew it wasn't a ready-to-eat one. It was freshly made.

 

"It was good. The porridge."

 

"I could tell from your expression."

 

"What kind of expression?"

"You smiled a little." I thought I hid it well. We chat until we finish the meal, then I leave the plates by the door and take a shower.

 

A while after I've taken care of my business, I tell Ket to come in and brush his teeth. I stand in front of the mirror with the other guy in a huge tee and black basketball shorts. I look at my whale pyjamas and feel slightly embarrassed. Sorn bought these for everyone in the residence before Ket moved there. Tong and Tou also own the whale pyjamas. I like them because of their flimsy fabric, which is perfect for sleeping with the fan on. But since I didn't even shower sometimes at home and just put on whatever I had my hand on, Ket hasn't seen these pyjamas.

 

Ket brushes his teeth, looking at me in the mirror. He smiles so brightly that my face flushes. Should I get changed? The fabric is thin. I only brought one set of pyjamas, though. Besides these, I only have a towel to wrap myself with.

 

"Your pyjamas are cute."

 

"We all have them," I grumble. I pick up my toothbrush, squeeze a lot of toothpaste onto it, then shove it in my mouth, then jump onto the countertop sink. I brush my teeth while humming and swinging my legs in a good mood.

 

"It's nice to see you in high spirits again."

 

"Why wouldn't I be?"

 

"Because you're afraid I'll leave you."

 

"I'm not afraid anymore."

 

"How come?"

 

"You're still here, right?"

 

I smile brightly and continue brushing my teeth. Now that I've released something from my mind, I'm so happy that my body feels light. From now on, I'll pay more attention to Ket's feelings.

 

"Kieng, have you thought about what you want to be in the future?" Ket suddenly asks such a strange question.

 

Mmmm. I still don't know what I wish to be. I guess I'll do something I'm interested in after graduation. Maybe becoming an art teacher or opening my own gallery. I don't need to think about it too much since I enjoy painting right now.

 

"I'll be an art teacher, possibly."

 

Ket pastes on a bright smile. I'm not sure if it's in my head, but his smile feels forced. I'm glad I've changed your mind."

 

"Huh?"

 

"You would've said, 'I don't know,' before I came back."

 

Ket is right. Before he returned, my only goal was to graduate and land any job that allowed me to sleep a lot. I don't know when I changed my mind and wished to be an art teacher.

 

"What about you? What do you want to do? What are the jobs for political science graduates?"

 

"There are several things I want to do."

 

"What are they?"

 

"Stay with you, eat with you, brush my teeth with you, shower with you, and sleep with you."

 

I slap Ket's arm so hard he rubs it gently. The tall guy laughs in satisfaction, but I'm not amused because my face flushes again. He's a master of making someone's heart race.

 

Afraid my mind will wander to weird places, I rinse my mouth and continue packing up. Ket catches up, sits next to me, and watches Tom and Jerry without a care in the world, forgetting what he said earlier. We're alone in a dimly lit room. How can I not think of that?

 

I put my stuff into my backpack and found Dalha's lipstick. I assume I took it with lip balm. Thanks to Dalha, the contest was completed smoothly. Had I not received this cheeky girl's help, I would've had no idea besides some simple half-ass artwork.

 

I stare at the lipstick for a while and have an idea. I'll tease the guy beside me. Since I always carry the mirror Ket gave me, I raise it and apply lipstick. I turn to Ket and lift his shirt, making him cry out in alarm.

 

"Hey, what are you doing?"

 

Ignoring the flustered guy, press my lips on his broad back, leaving a kiss mark. I took a picture of it with my phone. As I thought. Ket was usually the one hugging me, so never noticed how broad his back was. I show him the photo on my phone, and he responds with a glare.

 

"What did you do?"

 

"Do you know why I submitted that piece for the contest?"

 

Ket shakes his head.

 

"Because that image appeared in my head when I saw you."

 

"Why?"

 

"Because you always keep everything to yourself, like someone who's in pain on the inside and can't tell anyone. When I see this broad back, I sometimes wonder why it looks so lonely."

 

Ket's eyes flicker for a split second before turning back to emotionless.

 

"Thank you. I'm glad you're worried about me."

 

"What I'm saying is you should let it out at times. Don't keep it to yourself." Ket ruffles my hair.

 

"Okay. Once I'm ready, I'll let it out until you're sick of it."

 

"Are you not ready right now?"

 

"No." Ket rises and turns off the light. Only the bathroom is still lit. I watch the tall man stride toward me. Something about him feels dangerous.

 

"But now, I'm ready to punish someone."

 

"Waaaait."

 

I wanted to tease him, but it backfired. I turn around and scramble away from Ket, who charges toward me, but that's more convenient to him. Ket wraps his arms around me from the back, grabs my left arm, and lifts my shirt with the other hand. The cool air hits my back. His soft lips kiss my skin gently, sending shivers all over my body.

 

"Wait."

 

Not listening, Ket kisses and bites my back like a dessert.

 

"Ket, I'm not joking."

 

"Neither am I."

 

Besides the kisses and bites teasing my back, Ket licks my skin with his hot tongue, making me retreat. The AC is chilly, yet I'm sweating as if I've just completed a lap. My heart pounds so hard I'm afraid he'll hear it. The heat from my body causes me to start panting. His warm breath brushes my neck as his nose caresses me playfully. Ket kisses the nape of my neck and whispers in my ear.

 

"Kieng."

 

"W…What?" I stutter, showing how nervous I am. Longing gradually comes back. Even though my brain tells me to get myself out of his grip, my body is weak. I've learned that my body is more honest than my heart.

 

"Can I do it today?"

 

Those words obliterate my will to resist. I let him do whatever he desires. Ket leads me to the massive window overlooking Bangkok at night and sits me down with him, settling behind me. I can feel the heat spreading from his large body. He caresses my back with his warm hands, moving them down to my hips, squeezing me gently as if he knows where to put more or less strength. He slides his warm palms over my stomach, exploring my ribs like a doctor examining his patient. Ket chuckles over my ear.

 

"You're as thin as ever."

 

Is it time to say that right now?!

Ket's exploring hands stop over my chest. At the moment they touch my nipples, he presses and kneads them as if familiar with them. My body tells me to move away, but the more I try, the closer Ket gets. He presses his body against every inch of me, leaving no gap.

 

"Ket, the window."

 

"Nobody can see us. It's dark."

 

"But..."

 

"Your heart's beating so fast."

 

Extreme heat rushes to my face and the places Ket's hands touch. He pushes me onto my knees. To avoid falling on my face, place my left hand on the floor to support myself. My heart drums. All sorts of emotions overwhelm me except fear. Ket moves his hand along my hips before slipping it into my pants and touching the sensitive part. I bite my lip, trying to resist but failing.

 

"Ket, can you close the curtains?"

 

My voice must be too soft for Ket to hear. His warm hand caresses it to arouse me. When I try to escape, he moves his hand up and down harder, like waves crashing on the beach, then receding repeatedly and slowly. It drives me insane.

 

"Ket."

 

Seeing me enjoying the touch, Ket quickens the pace. The small waves softly crashing on the beach at first turn into an intense downpour, sending shivers all over me. My body moves in time with the quickening movements from the other guy's hand. The faster Ket goes, the blurrier my vision is.

 

As I pant so loudly that it drowns out the television, the reflection in the glass window shows the flushed face of a stranger. My eyes flutter with several emotions. Those dark brown eyes that I used to wonder where I had seen them. Suddenly, the memory of that day flashes in my mind.

 

The day Ket kissed me at the university. The day I looked into those beautiful eyes and thought they reminded me of someone else. My eyes are identical to Ket's.

 

"Eek." I bite my lip hard, feeling the surging sensual tension. My hand on the floor goes feeble, so I have to hold on to something. As there are no objects in sight, I dig my nails into the pretty cream carpet. Ket showers my back with kisses in yearning, but the yearning feeling is full of gentleness and possessiveness.

 

The more Ket satisfies me, the more the burning discomfort in my stomach intensifies. I seize Ket's arm with my right hand, begging for mercy from the big guy who pushes me to the edge.

 

A few minutes later, I release what I've suppressed inside. It's the most painful yet blissful moment. My body twitches, getting my arms buckle. I drop to the floor in exhaustion. Before I know it, my face rests on the carpeted floor. My whale pants are stained because of that man.

 

I try to tell Ket to give me a break, but no words come out. Only the sound of my panting echoes across the room. Eventually, Ket pulls me up and slides his hands back on my stomach. He seems to love it so much. Like, why not? My stomach is the most sensitive part of my body. I thought that man would let me catch my breath. I was wrong. I think I'm a storm, but this man is a typhoon swallowing my body and mind.

 

And a small storm like me can't do anything...besides letting the typhoon attack me until it's satisfied