"Hey, did you see Suthilak with a man? Un-fucking-believable!"

"I know. Who would have guessed he swings that way?"

"Do you think all those models and actresses he dated were just decoys then?"

"Who knows? But why would he choose such a big event to come out like this? You know the media will go crazy after today."

"Actually, I think he just doesn't give a fuck. He has never addressed any of his dating rumors in the past. Remember that scandal about him being a homewrecker? He never addressed it either. He just doesn't care what people speculate. He's cool like that. He is my idol."

"Well, he is Kongpob fucking Suthilak. Of course he doesn't care. He has enough money to shut anyone up. So, you going to swing that way too?"

"Shut up. Even if I did, I wouldn't look your way. What I mean is, the man is brilliant. In a span of ten years, he has not only turned his family's bankrupted business around, but he became the youngest billionaire in Asia. So, who cares which way he swings? Maybe he's into both. It doesn't matter."

"I guess you have a point. Whatever."

The soft closing of the restroom door can be heard as the group of men exit. Arthit carefully steps out of the stall. He walks over to one of the basins, and places his hands under the auto faucet. Icy cold water came out rinsing over his soap lathered hands. He rubs his hands together vigorously to rid of the long gone soap. His hands soon turn bright red, and only when they start hurting did he remove them from the icy flow.

Arthit can't say he's shocked to hear people gossip about them. He expected it, and prepared himself for it too. And if you asked him, he would tell you it wasn't even nearly as bad as he expected. This was way better than what he had heard people say about him back in college or at work. He can still hear the word 'faggot' ringing in his head. Even his own father and brother called him that. He is just glad Kongpob wasn't in here to hear those guys.

Arthit looks in the mirror. He shakes off the excess water, and fixes his hair. Will Kongpob really be okay when the gossips start going wild? What if people start calling Kongpob nasty names? Arthit hunches forward, holding himself up by the ledge of the basin.

"Hey, what's taking you so long? Are you okay?" Kongpob says as he pulls Arthit up by the arm to face him.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just needed a breather." Arthit looks into Kongpob's concerning eyes.

Kongpob's hand slides down from Arthit's arm to hold his hand. "You know, you're a terrible liar."

Arthit nods, and looks away. He hesitantly let his boyfriend pull him in for a hug. He slowly raises his arms to wrap around Kongpob's waist, resting his chin on Kongpob's shoulder.

"Today is the last day. We will leave first thing tomorrow morning. Okay?" Kongpob spoke softly against Arthit's ear.

"I'm fine. Are you okay?" Arthit asks in the same soft tone.

"I've never been better because I've got you. I know what you're thinking, and it's all just noise. Okay?" Kongpob kisses the side of Arthit's neck.

Arthit pulls away, feeling a little embarrassed to be acting this way. "Have you heard anyone say anything?"

"Mmm...some whispers here and there. Nothing too bad. It's Tycoon Chaiyut's Wedding after all. Everyone is very careful about what they say."

"Does it bother you at all?" Arthit stares into Kongpob's eyes looking for the truth.

"Nope. I never cared about gossips, and I won't start now. Besides, for once it's the truth. I am dating a man. Do you know last year there was a rumor that I ruined someone's marriage? All I did was stand next to that woman by an elevator at a hotel where I had a meeting. Turns out she was some actress that I've never heard of. Then she became obsessed with me. She started spreading rumors and fed the media a bunch of lies. Bie had to send her a defamation warning in order for her to stop. So, at least this is the truth. And people just seem surprised or curious. I've haven't heard anything bad, and even if I did, I can handle it. Okay?"

"Okay. So, you really weren't a homewrecker? I have no respect for that. You know? Hahaha."

Kongpob rolls his eyes, and pulls Arthit out of the restroom. Arthit tries to take his hand back, but Kongpob tightens his grip. He wants Arthit to know that he is not embarrassed, and they are not hiding anything. They've come this far already. They might as well kill everyone's curiosity.

"Come on. We have really good seats for the performances. I know you will like it."

~~~~~~

Luke stands outside the hallway waiting for Kongpob and Arthit to come out of the restroom. He briefly wonders what the two men were doing inside for so long, but he stops himself from thinking any further. Instead, a familiar voice around the corner catches his attention. He takes a couple of quiet steps closer to the familiar voice. He turns back to check and make sure that he still has a good view of the restroom entrance from where he is standing. Then he carefully peeks around the corner. It was indeed the voice of Warin Pankarn. He is talking on his phone. But what is strange about it, is the fact that he is talking in a secluded dark hallway that leads to the resort's maintenance room. He is hiding. Luke pulls his head back, leans against the wall. The way Warin is half whispering sounds suspicious to him.

"No! I haven't had the chance. I can tell she is starting to fall for me. I just need a little more time..........Well, you need to be a little more patient..........She's not as easy as we thought..........I don't know how involved she is with the business.......Her father is too stubborn and conservative. He can't see the big picture......Yeah, I know she dated a lot of men............Hey, why don't you try getting in her pants.........I wouldn't mind keeping her around for a while. She's hot as fuck. Don't worry, I won't fall for her."

Luke balls his hands into tight fists at his sides, knuckles turning white. He knew it. That fuckard is playing around with Nina, and he is after her money. Luke gets off the wall, and takes a step closer.

"Come on. We have really good seats for the performances. I know you will like it."

Luke hears Kongpob saying as he pulls Arthit along. Luke has no choice but to follow Kongpob and Arthit. That's his first priority. He will have to deal with that scumbag later. Luke needs to make Nina see Warin's true colors before he gets his way with her. Ugh. Just the thought is maddening. That dumb woman is a magnet for trouble. He saw this coming a mile away.

~~~~~~

"Here, you can sit next to Nina." Kongpob let's Arthit go down the aisle first. Today's agenda is mainly to entertain and thank the guests that have come to attend Tycoon Chaiyut's Wedding. Everyone enjoyed an extravagant feast in the presence of the new couple, and now an evening of wonderful entertainment. The program included professional singers, traditional Thai dances, acrobatics, and Muay Thai arts.

"Hey, Arthit, Kong. Have you guys seen Warin? He's been gone for a while." Nina looks behind the two men, but there was no sign of her date. She looks to the other side, but instead of finding her date, her eyes are locked on Luke's. It's the first time their eyes have met since leaving Bangkok. Luke usually hides behind his shades, but at this moment his naked eyes are piercing into Nina's soul. Their intense gaze finally breaks as Warin takes his seat next her. Nina quickly looks away, and smiles at her date. She is unaware of the invisible daggers that were flying behind her for the rest of the evening.
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They are down to the last program of the evening. The Muay Thai Live show is famous across the whole Thailand. Instead of just demonstrating Muay Thai fighting techniques, the show gives a theatrical performance of the history behind the 300 years old art.

Arthit is most excited for this performance of all. Throughout the evening, Kongpob held his hand, and he didn't care anymore. The cat is out of the bag, like they say. There's no point in hiding. Everyone will know by tomorrow when their interview comes out anyway. So Arthit decides to let himself enjoy this remarkable evening instead.

"Wow.... that's got to hurt." Arthit says excitedly to Kongpob without tearing his eyes away from the show.

"I'm sure he's okay. It's just part of the act." Kongpob says calmly. He himself who have been practicing Muay Thai for over ten years can tell if that kick was real, the man's light would be out already. However, Kongpob doesn't look away for even one second. His eyes zero in on one individual performer that's covered in sweat and panting his every breath. He looks familiar, but he can't be sure with the dim lighting. Then suddenly that performer gets knocked to the ground, and rolls to the front of the stage. Holding his stomach with one hand, he pushes himself right back up in front of Arthit and him.

"Arthit?"

"Chet?"

~~~~~~
AN: Sweets, here's a quick update. I hope you enjoyed it.

Love you lots,
Lana ❤️