When Macau faces Kai's mother, his response is an automatic one. Even when he is in a great shock state, he's still giving a nice beautiful smile and a very elegant and polite way. It earns him great points from Kai's mother, who returns his smile with her beautiful one.

Of course, she knows who he is, just like he knows who she is. But a polite introduction still occurs, especially when someone's son's arm is snaking to his waist, before saying, "Mom, this is Macau Theerapanyakun, my boyfriend."

From the looks on Kai's mother's face when she looks at her son, Macau knows this is not a hundred percent coincidence.

Fuck that guy for ambushing him like this.

Macau manages to step on Kai's feet, with a smile still etched on his face. A sign that Kai's in pain is only a twitch in his eyes. Macau sees that Mrs. Chaimongkon is not even surprised by the label that Kai attached to his name. Someone is doing her homework.

She is delighted. Genuinely.

He's a Theerapanyakun. Having a Geum Jandi's moment is not in his book of fates. Even when he is a man instead of a woman, like probably every parent in Thailand hopes when their son is introducing his lover.

But still... He is hoping for some kind of resentment. Especially when Kai is holding that many bags in his hands.

His family sure is a scary one. He wonders how Phi Pete's family handles his Hia. They, except Yai of course, probably worship the ground he walks.

Yai, bless that woman, doesn't care about his Hia's impressive background. All she cares about is whether her Pete is happy or not. She still scolds and hits his Hia with her walking stick whenever his Hia messes up when she's around. But Yai also treats both of them, Vegas and Macau, like her own. She often spoon-fed Macau the food that she cooked for hours or ran her calloused hands on his hair until he was asleep. Macau finally tastes love from his elder Yai's hand.

The day that Phi Pete chose to be by his Hia's side is truly a blessing in his little family. He is so glad everything is working out between his Hia and Phi Pete. He even can say he is glad that his father died so he can't mess up with their love and relationship.

"My dear, have you eaten yet?" Mrs Chaimongkon asks with her soft voice. Everything about her is soft. Macau wonders why her son is more to the rough one.

Macau knows where this is going. He gives Kai a look, but his boyfriend merely smiles at him, letting him choose by himself. "No, I haven't, Khun Chaimongkon."

She giggles, "Oh, don't give me that 'Khun' stuff, Dear. Call me Mae. After all, we'll be family sooner or later."

Macau's mind travels to the elevator scene not that long ago. 'You are it for me'. Has he discussed this with his mom? This early? Is he crazy?

His heart begins to beat in a different tune, a worried one. He tries his best to mask that one. But Kai seems to be able to read it because he places all the bags in one hand so he can intertwine the other to Macau's, giving it a little squeeze. Mrs Chaimongkon's lips perform a little smile when she sees it.

Macau smiles again. "Yes, Mae."

Mrs Chaimongkon laughs happily. "Then you won't mind accompanying this mae of yours to dinner, right? I have booked a restaurant here."

Booked a restaurant? She means a table, right?

Macau follows despite being worried. When he is edging closer to Kai, the man casts a kiss on his cheek and whispers, "Don't worry too much. I'm here."

When they arrive at the said restaurant, Macau finds out that she really did book a whole restaurant. It's empty beside a big table at the center. If Macau is not mistaken, the whole nuclear family of Kai Chaimongkon is on that table.

To say Macau is furious is an understatement and Kai knows it.

He retracts his hand from Kai and decides to walk by Mrs Chaimongkon's side. The woman happily accepted his hand. She is the one who introduces Macau to Kai's dad and siblings, 2 sisters and 1 brother. All younger than Kai.

The conversation is the same as any other family dinner with the purpose of getting to know the boyfriend of the family's son. Macau has been trained for this kind of conversation for years. Not to mention, he is also charming and the life of the party on a weekend basis.  It seems that everyone is approving. A smooth sailing.

"I saw you on a cover of Vogue before and thought you were handsome, but they didn't do justice to your real face. No wonder my brother is head over heels for you," Aranya, Kai's teenage sister says. She is 16, the youngest. "Do you mind taking an Instagram post with me? I want to brag!"

"Ara!" Kai's scolds.

"What? I asked permission. Right, Phi?" Ara is clinging to Macau cutely. Kai's clicking his tongue intimidatingly. Macau smiles and nods. "You want to do this now?"

"Baby, don't spoil her even more, please."

"It's just a post," Macau tries to defend Aranya who fidgets under Kai's glare.

"Yes, but she will take a hundred takes and ..."

Macau is only giving him a look to make him shut his protest. That doesn't go unnoticed by everyone on the table. Before Macau, there is nobody who makes Kai like that except his father. So they all know this relationship is serious.

"Alright, alright," Mr. Chaimongkon says, defusing the scene, "Take it after eating, Ara, and try not to take your Phi's time too much. I'm sure your phi and your Hia have better things to do."

Your Phi.

Ok.

Macau feels a stare. He tilts his head sideways to meet Chanthra's eyes, another sister of Kai. They are the same age. In fact, they went to the same school from kindergarten to high school. But they don't have the same friends circle. Chan smiles at him, "I can't believe you're with him. Like actually with him. I thought you would be with someone from a foreign country."

"What makes you think that?"

Chan shrugs. "It just fits with your personality more."

Kai interrupts, "You don't know his personality."

"I think I know, maybe even better than you."

Kai tilts his brow. "Pray tell why is that?"

"Because I used to have a crush on him for years."

To say Macau is surprised is an understatement. "Really?"

Chan nods. She smiles like she hasn't just dropped a big statement. But that smile also said the crush is a thing of the past.

"You don't know?" Kai asks, curious. Macau shakes his head. "You haven't confessed then?" now he directs his question to his sister.

"I wouldn't dare! He's like royalty in school. King of kings. Also, he never dated someone from school. Why is that?" she asks Macau.

"Too much hassle, too many problems."

Everyone gives in agreement, especially Chakrii. That guy, with that look and that money, seems to have the same philosophy as Macau. Rii is a handsome man. If Kai is a bit on the rough side, Rii's handsomeness is tilting to the sophisticated one. He looks like a prince from an older era.

His dating habits are also different from Kai's. He doesn't like to sleep around. He likes non-romantic relationships in the form of sugar babies. Macau has dug deeper with Rii than with Kai's other siblings because Rii is set to replace his father. If Macau decides to stay with Kai, Rii might be a problem in the future because of it. Money and power are the roots of all evil after all.

"Stop staring at my brother," Kai whispers.

"He's nice to look at."

"Mac."

Macau doesn't back down. Rii smiles at him, knowingly. Giddy looking at his brother's jealousy.

He is amused. His brother never brought someone to his family before, let alone formally introduced him as his boyfriend, to marry him. Kai's own words, not his.

His family knows that Kai is dating Macau long before this day, of course. His mother is almost shouting in delight, more because someone is finally able to catch Kai and make him a decent human than the guy being a Theerapanyakun.

But still, a Theerapanyakun. They win in terms of wealth and looks. Superior genes they have. Of course, his father instantly approved when Kai told them. If Rii doesn't see how Kai looks at Macau in person, he probably thinks Kai is pursuing Macau for business. But he thinks everyone who laid eyes on Macau will forget about the business aspect of his family name.

Before they part ways, Macau goes above and beyond to take Instagram photos for both of Kai's sisters and mother, following and being followed on every social media he has, exchanging phone numbers, and promising to visit the family home, with or without Kai.

He feels drained. So he closes his eyes when he leans back on the way down in the elevator. He doesn't even acknowledge when Kai calls for him.

Outside, Vegas is already waiting for him. He steps inside the car without saying goodbye to Kai. When his boyfriend wants to hold him back, Vegas interrupts him. "Let him cool down for a while, Kai," he says, taking the bags from Kai's hand. "May I ask why are you doing this? As his brother, not as your friend."

Kai hesitates before telling the truth. "Because I know he won't meet my family unless I force him to."

"Because he has doubts?"

"No. Because he is scared."

***

Another candidate for Mr. Eakasit Chaimongkon: Pavel Naret Promphaopun.