"Arthit?" the man clenching his stomach stared at Arthit with wide eyes.

"Chet?" Arthit is just as surprised to see his ex-boyfriend in front of him.

Kongpob cocks an eyebrow at the man standing in front of them. He is not amused. Chet better walk away now before he draws any unnecessary attention to them. Arthit is already nervous enough about the interview that's coming out by tomorrow. There's absolutely no room for more gossip or controversy right now.

"Hey, come on. You're up again." Another performer comes, and grabs Chet by the arm.

Chet looks at Arthit and Kongpob's joined hands as he reluctantly walks away. He turns back a couple of times looking at their faces before joining his crew for the next act. He has never seen Arthit look so polished. That man hardly ever gelled his hair up when they were together, let alone look like a million bucks. He has to admit, Arthit cleaned up good. Too good. What kind of sorcery is this? Is he in some kind of twilight zone? And who the heck is that guy with his ex? He looks like a fine snack dripping. He wants to know more.

"Hey, quit daydreaming. If you screw this up, you're not getting paid." The crew leader says to Chet who was still busy trying to peer through the stage curtains.

Arthit frowns knowing that his ex is in the same vicinity. He never wanted to see Chet's face again. Just his mere existence reminds him of his blindness and wasted time. Arthit absolutely can't figure out what he ever saw in Chet. The man is lazy, selfish, and a leech. Arthit still can't believe he had spent almost every hard earned penny supporting that jackass for five whole years. The way he kicked him out of his own paid apartment was despicable and humiliating. And oh, how can he ever forget the scene in his office. The boxes and bags of his belongings dumped in his office without warning. Gossips and rumors running rampant in the office. Pitiful eyes that followed his every step. Even after Kongpob had people remove all his belongings, and replaced them with beautiful plants, the damage was done. Some people in the office, mainly Jane and John had spread rumors that Arthit must have paid someone to put on a show to cover his humiliation.

Most of the time, Arthit couldn't be bothered with any of the gossip. He is used to people talking about him behind his back. Some even unabashedly made comments in front of his face. That's not even what bothered him the most. What bothered him the most was the fact that five years of his life was wasted on someone who absolutely had no regards for him. For five years he was simply a meal ticket, and a maid to an ungrateful asshole. Five years! Five fucking years! Not five days! How the fuck was he so blind? Arthit is glad his friends never said 'I told you so' in front of his face, but he knew that's what everyone was thinking inside. The more he thought about it, the more his blood started to boil. Oh, and then there's Popeye. That fucking bastard faked Popeye's death. He even....

Arthit's thoughts were interrupted by his boyfriend besides him.

"Hey, relax. I'm right here with you." Kongpob whispers by Arthit, rubbing his thumb back and forth over their joined hands before placing a chaste kiss to the back of Arthit's hand.

Kongpob may not be able to read minds, but he could sense Arthit getting upset just by the mere fact that Arthit was crushing his hand. Kongpob vaguely remembers Producer Nammon mentioning that Chet had finally quit when he was being asked to shave his head for the second time a few months ago. Kongpob remembers thinking that maybe Chet will finally give up on showbiz, and get a real job instead. He didn't give it much thought afterwards. It wasn't worth his time. Who would have known that the guy would show up here like this? Now, that jerk has soured Arthit's mood.

This is not how Kongpob wants Arthit to remember this event and Koh Samui. Despite all the stress, this event is meaningful to them. This event marks their readiness to acknowledge their relationship to the whole world. Now, the moment is ruined and Arthit is reminded of his past again. Kongpob has worked so hard to show Arthit that he is worth it, and love is about both giving and trusting each other. It took months to get Arthit to finally open up to him. It was so heartbreaking to hear that Arthit had never even opened up about his abusive past to Chet even though they had been together for five years. That only means that Arthit had to fight all his demons alone. A little selfish part of Kongpob is happy that Arthit only opened up to him, and nobody else. But for the most part he is sad for Arthit. Why of all places must Chet show up here tonight? And another thing that bothers him is the fact that Chet's presence has such a big effect on Arthit. Does Chet still matter?

After all the performances were over, the newlyweds said their thanks and bid their guests goodbye. On their way out of the resort, Nina wraps an arm around Arthit's. Arthit is caught by surprise, but looking at Nina's smiley face makes him smile too. Kongpob let go of Arthit's hand, and let his aunt steal his boyfriend for a moment. If anything, his bubbly aunt can probably cheer his boyfriend up. However, that left him and Warin walking awkwardly behind them. Thank goodness the walk on the way out is not as taxing as it was coming in. There were still paparazzi outside, but the excitement is much more tame at the end of the night. Also, guests no longer stopped and posed for the cameras. Everyone just smiled on their way out. Kongpob briefly wonders what the paparazzi will say about Arthit and Nina walking together.

"Arthit, sweetie, what's bothering you? Why are you upset? Is it that performer? How does he know you? I saw him constantly peeping at you and Kongpob." Nina asks, leaning close to Arthit.

"Am I that obvious?" Arthit asks, scanning around his surroundings before looking at Nina.

"You look like someone forced you to eat a lemon. What do you think? Kongpob has a frown stamped on his face too."

Arthit subtly glances back at Kongpob, and Nina is right. His boyfriend doesn't look too happy. "I'm sorry for spoiling everyone's mood. I didn't mean for it to happen."

"So, who is that guy? Is he a problem? I can fix it. I know people." Nina says matter of factly.

Arthit waits a few seconds to see if Nina laughs at her own joke, but when that didn't come, he realizes Nina might be serious. "Jeez, please don't talk like that Nina. You rich people can be so scary. He is just my stupid ex. There's no need to put him on a hit list."

Nina suddenly erupts into laughter. She can't keep her face straight any longer. Seeing this, Arthit realizes he has been duped, and starts laughing too.

"I gotcha, didn't I? Hahaha."

"Shut up. You're mean. Laughing at my misery." Arthit half-heartedly complained.

"Well, don't you feel better now? If he is your ex, that means he is your past. What's important is now, and the future. Ask yourself, are you happy now? Can you see a happy future?" Nina looks into Arthit's eyes. Arthit, you better not break my Kong's heart.

Arthit takes another glance at Kongpob who was making small talks with another gentleman he didn't know. Somehow, it's as if Kongpob can sense him looking his way, because the second their eyes met, Kongpob winks at him. Arthit quickly looks away. His boyfriend is so shameless.

"I've never been happier." Arthit replies to Nina with a shy smile. Damnit. He can feel his neck and ears getting red.

"Good. Just to let you know, I really do know people. That's no joke."
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

By the time they returned to the villa, it was already late at night. Everyone said goodnight, and retired to their own rooms to prepare for their early flight home the next morning.

Arthit comes out of the shower to find the room empty and quiet. The balcony lights are on, but there's nobody there. He walks over to the pool, and there is no sign of his boyfriend. Arthit frowns, he doesn't like this feeling. They didn't really talk on their way back since there were all these people around them.

Arthit takes the stairs down to the private beach from their room. There were no lights along the beach. The only source of light came from tonight's full moon, and the stars that are scattered all over the sky like a blanket. The sand beneath his feet is soft and still warm from the sun. The sound of the soft waves in the ocean is soothing and peaceful. However, Arthit is anything but at peace when he doesn't know where Kongpob is. Even with the moon brightly lit above, he still can't see too far ahead.

"Kongpob! Kongpob!" Arthit hollers to no avail. The ocean may sound peaceful, but somehow his voice sounds soft and muffled. Arthit kept walking down the stretch of the private beach. Then from a distance, Arthit can see Kongpob standing close to the ocean. He half jogged his way towards his boyfriend. He is so relieved to have found him.

Kongpob is staring at the moon with his hands inside his pockets. He is dressed in all white linen pants with a matching top that's open, exposing his chest to the soft ocean breeze. The closer Arthit got, the more captivated he was by Kongpob under the moonlight. God, his boyfriend is handsome.

"Kongpob! Why are you out here?" Arthit asks as he approaches Kongpob.

"It's just such a beautiful night, so I wanted to take a walk on the beach. I haven't been here for a long time now. I used to come here at least once a year with my father before he passed away. Just me and him, a 'boys trip' he called it. Here, my father would tell me stories about my biological mother, Lyla. That's something he didn't do when my stepmom is around. He didn't want to hurt her feelings in any way, but he felt the need to let me know more about my biological mother too. To me, those stories sounded just like bedtime stories. I didn't really feel any connections, but I can clearly see how much my father had missed my mother. Even though my father had come to love my stepmom, she was never able to take my mother's place. My mother was his first love, and his first everything. So, it was hard for him to lose her the way he did.

My stepmom was my mother's nurse at the time, and that's how they became friends. My stepmom told me that the doctors had advised my mother to abort me during the early stages of her pregnancy, but she was adamant about keeping me. She almost died giving birth to me, but she survived. However, there wasn't a single day she was strong enough to get out of bed after I was born. She passed away holding me in her arms in bed. My father was completely devastated. He was lost, and he didn't know how to love me. To him, I was the reason she was gone from his life. He couldn't even look at me. It was my stepmom that saved me and my father's relationship. For that, my father is forever grateful to my stepmom. But his true love is still my mother." Kongpob sighs, and turns to look at Arthit.

"I'm grateful for both your moms. One for giving birth to you, and the other one for raising you." Arthit steps closer to wrap his arms around Kongpob's waist, and lay his head on his shoulder.

"Did you get what I was saying?" Kongpob asks softly.

"You miss your dad, and this place reminds you of him. Also, you have two amazing moms." Arthit answers like he is being tested on a quiz for listening.

Kongpob takes his hands out of his pockets, and gently pulls away from Arthit. He looks into Arthit's eyes under the moonlight. "Arthit, what I'm trying to say is, it's hard to replace a first love. Tonight, I can clearly see how affected you were by Chet. I don't know what kind of feelings you still have for him, but maybe you should resolve them. Like closure or whatnot. Because unlike my mother who is gone, Chet is alive. No matter if it's good or bad, I don't want you to live with regrets. And I don't want to be a second choice or a replacement."

Arthit frowns, and takes a step closer. "Kongpob, it's nothing like that. I just hate him so much. No. Actually, I hate myself. I hate myself for letting him use me for all those years. I was too blind and stubborn to see how much of a heartless jerk he is. I was young and naive. I was too set on proving to my father that I could live a successful normal happy life being gay. Chet was my safety net. He helped me create the illusion. I was so stubborn that I ignored all the obvious signs that Chet was a jackass. There was no love involved. I don't think I ever loved him. Those words were empty when I said them back then. They were only uttered out of obligation. I've never felt anything for him like the way I feel for you. And closure? I don't even want him to come closer. If he comes near me again, he is going to answer to my foot. That ungrateful jackass deserves a good kick in the nuts. So, don't speak about this first love nonsense again. I didn't come out to the whole world harboring feelings for another man. I only love you, Kongpob Suthilak."

Kongpob's smile was brighter than the moon and the stars combined, but it was cut short by Arthit sealing their lips together.

~~~~~~

Somewhere on the other side of the island....

~~~~~~
AN: Sweets, I'm having trouble writing with everything that's going on around me. I hope you enjoyed this chapter nonetheless. Let me know if it's crap.  I'll do better next time.

I've also written another My Sotus one-shot based on the Our Skyy special episode when Kongpob comes back. It's called My Sotus (V) - My Boyfriend's Back. Please check it out.

#blacklivesmatter
#justiceforgeorgefloyd

Stay safe,
Lana ❤️