Kongpob and Arthit have been making quite an entrance every day for the past two weeks at work. The paparazzi has dwindled down significantly since the first day their interview came out. However, there are still a few persistent reporters that show up daily waiting for the couple's arrival. Asking all sorts of questions hoping to trigger a response from either one of the gentlemen. Both of them are careful not to react to anything no matter what. They only gave a courteous smile and went on their way. Seldom did they even make any body contact despite arriving in the same car. They didn't want to encourage the reporters to keep returning the next day.

And ever since that day Kohl was injured by the horde of paparazzi, Arthit has subtly started paying attention to his brother. He still hasn't initiated any greetings or conversations, but he does seek him out in the crowd every morning to make sure he is okay. Albeit only when Kohl isn't looking his way.

Kongpob has caught Arthit looking back for Kohl a few times before entering the elevator, but he hasn't said anything about it. He chooses to keep quiet and let Arthit take his time to accept his brother again. As much as Kongpob wants Arthit's family to be part of his life again, that's still Arthit's own choice to make. And Arthit has every right to take as much time as he needs, that is if he ever wants to forgive his brother at all.

Kongpob was never in Arthit's position, so he knows he has no right to tell Arthit to just forgive and forget. He can't even imagine what growing up was like for Arthit, so he would never trivialize his pain and say let bygones be bygones. Kongpob has simply given Kohl an opportunity to make amends and a chance to be a better brother, but whether or not Arthit will accept Kohl is still solely up to him. Kongpob would respect and support whichever decision Arthit makes.

"What's wrong?" Kongpob asks Arthit as the elevator door closes. Arthit has a slight frown and a pensive look on his face.

"Nothing's wrong. Have a nice day." Arthit fakes a smile and gives Kongpob a quick peck on the cheek seeing his floor is about to arrive.

"You too. I'll see you later." Kongpob says as he watches Arthit walk away and the elevator door closes.

Kongpob knew very well why Arthit was frowning. Today marks the third day Kohl hasn't shown up for work. Not one to waste time guessing, Kongpob pulls out his phone and sends Thak a message to find out where Kohl Ronajpat went. He hopes the man is not in any trouble. Even though Kohl may not have been a good brother to Arthit, he is very much also a victim of their despicable father Nawin Ronajpat. After reading Kohl Ronajpat's file, Kongpob can't help but sympathize the poor man. Kohl carried the weight of their whole family.

Nawin Ronajpat not only destroyed his own family, but he seemed to have made it his mission to completely sabotage any hopes of a decent future for Kohl Ronajpat. He showed up drunk at almost every job Kohl ever had, and caused a ruckus leading to Kohl's termination on the spot. With nowhere left to go, Kohl can only stay home and work odd end temporary jobs.

Kongpob can only think that Nawin selfishly did all this to keep Kohl from leaving him behind. He even took out loans on top of loans using that dingy little store of theirs as collateral. And since the store is under Nawin and Kohl's name, the loans ultimately fell on Kohl's shoulders. Kohl had to work multiple odd end jobs to keep up with the payments. However, there shouldn't be any more loan sharks after he cleared all his father's debt by selling their dingy little store. So, hopefully, the reason for his absence is nothing bad.

~~~~~~

"Boss, have you signed the documents I've left you last night? Knot says he needs them by noon. I want to go over them one more time before giving them back to him. Also, the DMP contract you sent me wasn't the latest version. I've sent you the latest version for you to sign again in your email. Please do that as soon as possible so I can send it to legal. Boss, are you listening?" Anjali finally looks up from her tablet after five minutes of zero response from her boss.

"Boss?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. What did you say?" Arthit snapped out of his reverie. His brother is a grown ass man. He shouldn't bother to worry about him. Kohl has been fine for the past five years without him, so why start worrying about him now? Stop being ridiculous Arthit.

"Boss, do you want me to start over?" Anjali can sense something is bothering her boss, but she's not sure she should ask. Instead, she places a small first aid kit on top of his desk.

"What's this?" Arthit picks up the first aid kit. It looks just like the one he asked Anjali to give his brother Kohl. Except this one, is brand new and completely sealed.

"It's a first aid kit of course. Kohl asked me to give it back to you just in case of an emergency. Although I did point out that this thing can't do much for emergencies."

"So you're on a first name basis with my brother?" Arthit eyes Anjali curiously.

"Boss, I mean no disrespect. Mr. Ronajpat insisted that I call him by his first name, and I guess I just got used to it. I'm sorry."

"No. You don't have to apologize. I was just curious, that's all. So, when did he give you this?" Arthit holds up the small first aid kit.

"Last night. He said he finally found the exact same one you gave him."

"Wait! You saw him last night? Where did you see him? Why hasn't he shown up for work?" Arthit sat up and leaned forward.

Anjali is taken aback by her boss's reaction. It's obvious that her boss cares about his brother, but she didn't expect his response to be so intense. "Well, he's a little under the weather, so I told him he should take a few days off to recover instead of spreading it to others."

"Oh. So you two have been talking? Actually, nevermind. That's your personal business. I shouldn't ask." Arthit shakes his head a little at himself. He shouldn't pry in his secretary's personal life.

"No, it's okay. Kohl just happens to live nearby my new house. I spotted him outside his house that same evening you asked me to give him the first aid kit. He said hi to me, and we have started talking since. But there's nothing going on between us in case you're wondering." Anjali quickly added the last part with a little blush flushing her cheeks. It's the truth that there's nothing going on between her and Kohl, but that doesn't mean she didn't find the man attractive and thoughtful. Kohl is the first man to hold an umbrella over her head on a rainy day like they do in the movies, making her heart skip a beat. She has always been too focused and driven by her career to think about romance. But lately, she finds herself thinking of that man a little more than she would care to admit.

"Oh, I'm not." Arthit lies. He's totally suspecting something at the moment. Anjali's blush didn't go unnoticed by him. He totally caught the rare slight nervousness in her voice. "So, is it serious? I mean whatever Kohl has. Has he seen a doctor?"

"He says it's just a cold, and he doesn't need to see a doctor. He told me he has leftover medicine from his old store that he can take." Anjali shrugs. Kohl was adamant about not going to the doctor. What can she do about it?

"Okay. Well, he's a grown man. I'm sure he can take care of himself." Arthit says more so to convince himself.

"Of course, Boss. Please sign the latest version of the contract I emailed you again. Also, I see you have signed the documents for Knot already. I will go to review them once more. All your files for today are arranged for you here." Anjali points to the prioritized folders on top of Arthit's desk. "If you need anything else, I will be at my desk. I will get to work now." Anjali gets back to business and takes the signed documents with her.

"Okay. Thanks." Arthit wonders if Anjali has a switch on her back or something. How does she switch on and off like that? It's bizarre and fascinating at the same time.
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Arthit checks his watch. The day has flown by with all his work. His lunch was only half-eaten and still sat on his desk. It's rare that it's not even seven in the evening yet. He takes out his phone to text Kongpob, and see how busy the latter is. Gone are the days where they were too afraid to disturb the other's work. Now they promise to be honest with each other. If either one is still busy, then they will say so. The other one can decide to stay or return home earlier. And sometimes Arthit did return earlier to prepare a fantastic dinner for Kongpob.

Messages

Arthit: Hey, I think I'm done for the day. How about you?
6:51 pm

Kongpob: Hey Tiger, I'm not so lucky. I still have to go over some things with M on SuSus. You can go home first, and relax a bit. It might take a while
6:51 pm

Arthit: Okay, I'll have dinner ready for you then
6:52 pm

Kongpob: Thank you. You can have something else ready for me too ;)
6:52 pm

Arthit: Nope. You come home and get ready for me :P
6:52 pm

Kongpob: I'm all yours, Tiger
6:53 pm

Arthit: Yes you are. Laters
6:53 pm

Kongpob: Laters
6:53 pm

Arthit smiles and puts his phone away. He closes the last file he was working on, and then shuts his computer off. He tosses his half-eaten lunch in the trash bin. He straightens all the strewn files on his desk, and uncovers the buried first aid kit Anjali gave him this morning. He picks it up, puts it in his drawer where he kept the original one before. Thoughts of his brother Kohl being sick comes to mind. He didn't say anything in front of Anjali, but he's sure that whatever medicine that Kohl is taking from the old store must have expired already.

The only things people bought from that store were beverages and snacks when he was around. No one ever bought medicine there. He can't imagine why anyone would when there's a proper pharmacy around the corner that's cheaper. And then he remembers his father beating him for tossing out expired painkillers from the shelves. His father called him wasteful, and told him he belonged in the trash can instead with the rest of the faggots. Arthit tries to push those memories away. He doesn't want to relive them.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

"Are you ready? If not, I can wait outside."

Arthit looks up to see Luke standing at his doorway. "I'm ready." Arthit puts his jacket on and leaves the office with Luke.

"Do you need to stop by the fresh market today?" Luke asks since that's what Arthit usually does when he leaves early. Kongpob and Arthit's relationship is sickeningly sweet to him. Completely unrelatable and gross. Thank goodness Nina has no such expectations of him. Not that what they have is a relationship. No. That's not what it is. They are just two consenting adults sharing a few meals, and spending some time under the sheets. Nothing more, nothing less. They are just getting each other out of each other's system. That's all.

"Actually, do you mind going somewhere else with me?"

~~~~~~
AN: Sweets, my update is early this time. It's only been five days since the last update. Yay! I wrote it while I was stuck in traffic. No, I wasn't driving. I hope this chapter isn't as boring as my ride though. 😅

Curtsy,
Lana ❤️