"Good morning Mr. Suthilak." Luke pushed off the wall he was leaning on.

"Good morning Luke. Let's jog together, and take the shorter route. Arthit is making my favorites today. He got up early just to make them." Kong said with a warm smile that's brighter than the freshly risen sun.

Luke was taken aback by Kongpob's sudden sharing. Kongpob has never provided any information, or spoken more than what's necessary to him. They have always had a mutual comfortable silence between them. For the most part that's how Luke likes it too. He likes to stay objective and focused at all times. Unnecessary chatting can be distracting and sometimes even annoying. He wouldn't tell it to Arthit's face, but he really doesn't care about the types of vegetables Kongpob likes, or the fact that Kongpob likes his eggs over easy instead of sunny side up.

However, Luke noted how happy Kongpob was as he popped in his earbuds to start jogging. Unlike Kongpob, Luke can't have earbuds or headphones on while jogging. He needs to be able to see and hear everything around them. Usually, Kongpob jogged ahead of him, so he's not sure why the sudden request for him to jog alongside. He only did as he was told.

Kongpob comes to a slow stop. They were still a couple of blocks away from home. He was excited to go back to meet Arthit for breakfast. Last night, they ended up eating just the soup with rice, and nothing else. Their bath took a lot longer than expected, and by the time they were done, he didn't want Arthit to cook anymore. He just wanted to lay around with Arthit eating ice cream, and watch some Korean drama series called Kingdom.

Kongpob never had time nor the interest in watching kdrama. He has invested in a few Korean movies here and there, but usually as a favor to an asking friend. He likes to invest more in the Thai entertainment industry instead. However, he must say, he sees the appeal of it. Everything from the cinematic effects, to the costumes, and settings were very well made. He thinks he needs to speak with someone at GMM. They can definitely do better.

At first, Kongpob had his laptop out while Arthit started the drama, and fed him ice cream. By episode two, he was too hooked to read his emails. There was so much killing going on, he couldn't afford to blink. The drama is addictive. They already have plans to try to get home as early as possible, so they can watch at least two more episodes tonight.

Kongpob smiled to himself again thinking of what his life has become. Never has he ever thought a day would come where he can't wait to go home to watch TV with someone.

Seeing a bottle of cold water, Kongpob comes out of his musing. "Thanks." Kongpob takes the bottle from Luke, and chugs the whole bottle down in one go.

Kongpob wipes the water dripping from his chin with the back of his hand. "Luke, I have a proposition for you. Next week, I need you to accompany me to Koh Samui for the Tycoon Chaiyut's Wedding. They need all attendee's information. So, please send them what they need. I plan on being there for four days. Also, coordinate the time with Miss Ruangroj's bodyguard. We should go together in one jet." Kongpob stopped in front of the driveway. "Do you have any questions?"

"No, Sir. I will make necessary preparations." Luke answered while wiping his sweat with the towel that's draped around his neck.

"Good. I will see you in about an hour."

"Yes, Sir."

Kongpob jogged the rest of the way back home. Upon entering the house, the delicious aroma hit him, and his mouth immediately started to salivate. He was about to head to the kitchen, but Popeye came running to him. Popeye was jumping and barking excitedly. He demanded Kongpob to pick him up. So, Kongpob obliged to the demand. Carrying Popeye in his arms, he walked into the kitchen where Arthit was standing in front of the island counter, plating some Gai Yang (grill chicken) and Khao Tom (rice soup).

"Hey, that looks so good." Kongpob said before pecking the chef on the cheek.

"Thanks. Eww... you're so sweaty. Do you want to shower first, or do you want to eat first?" Arthit asked while trying to keep himself from staring at his sweaty half naked boyfriend. Why must Kongpob always go jogging topless? Sachi told Arthit that she knew for a fact that there's two ladies in the neighborhood that made a habit of watching Kongpob jog every morning. Shameless.

"Let's eat now while it's hot, and maybe you can join me for a shower." Kongpob smirked, resting his chin on Arthit's shoulder. He loves teasing Arthit when he's a kitten.

"Don't say I didn't warn you. I'm taking your ass if we shower together Mr. Suthilak." With a smirk of his own, Arthit side glanced, and head bumped his boyfriend. Two can play at this game.

"Raincheck for tonight. I told Luke I'll be ready in about an hour." Kongpob said, putting Popeye down in front of his doggy bowl for breakfast.

"Come on. Let's eat." Arthit laid out the silverware.

Kongpob sat down next to Arthit at the counter. He reached over to remove Arthit's hair tie, and ruffled his hair to fix it. Arthit just smiled, and started eating.

"So, I thought about it last night. I'm going to take Luke to the wedding next week instead of Thak."

"Wedding? Who's wedding?" Arthit asked curiously.

"Tycoon Chaiyut's Wedding. It's been all over the news. I told you a while ago that I have to go. Nina is also going. She is going on behalf of the Ruangroj family." Kongpob takes a bite of the juicy chicken. It really is his favorite.

"So, you're setting them up?" Arthit turned to Kongpob, with a mischievous grin.

"Nope. Nina has a date for the event. What do you take my aunt for? I don't need to set her up with anyone." Kongpob scoffed.

"Then why are you taking Luke?" Arthit is now confused at what his boyfriend is playing.

"He needs to see what he is missing. If he wants it, then he needs to man up, and go get it. Besides, it's part of his job. So, will you go with me to the wedding?" Kongpob tears into another piece of chicken.

Arthit was suddenly quiet. What should he say? Now he remembers Kongpob telling him over the phone about this wedding. It was during his last business trip. He was too busy going over several proposals at the time. He has totally forgotten about it. However, that's not the problem. The problem is, he's not sure if he is ready to go public as Kongpob's lover, and no one brings a friend to these events. There's going to be a lot of important people there. And not to mention all the media and press. Even if Kongpob says they're just friends, people will speculate things.

Arthit looks away, and scoops spoonful after spoonful of rice soup in his mouth. Letting Kongpob's question hang in the air, not quite sure the right words to say.

"It's okay if you don't want to. I just need to know ahead of time." Kongpob could tell what Arthit is thinking in that pretty head of his. It's practically written all over his face. Kongpob had promised to give him time, and let him be until he is comfortable. So, that's exactly what he will do. As long as they are happy together, then everything else doesn't matter. Kongpob is just asking out of respect.

"Huh? Do you mean that?" Does Kongpob really mean he doesn't have to go? Then he is going to leave him at home by himself again. Arthit frowned at that thought. Paris Fashion Week was hard when Kongpob went with Davika.

"Yeah. It's not a problem. I'll just ask someone else to go with me. As a friend of course." Kongpob finishes his bowl of rice soup, and takes his empty bowl to the sink. "Are you done?" Kongpob reaches over the counter, offering to take Arthit's empty bowl with a smile.

"Uh, yeah. I'm done." Arthit gave a meek smile back, and pushed his bowl forward. "Why don't you go shower first? I need to give Popeye his new dental treats from yesterday." Arthit quickly walked over to the pantry without meeting Kongpob's eyes.

"Okay. I'll go first then." Kongpob walked away whistling an upbeat tune.

Arthit grabbed the treats for Popeye even though it was really just an excuse to give himself a moment to think. He took a handful of treats, and kneeled down next to Popeye who was more than excited to get his treats.

"Popeye, do you think I should go? Or should I let Kong go with someone else? Don't look at me like that. They will go just as friends. I trust Kongpob. Do you think he will ask Davika? Davika is okay, right? She has been dating that race car driver. Well, she might actually say no then. Oh, maybe he can bring Alexa. That would work, right? Can't you answer me for once?" Arthit squinted his eyes, and jutted his bottom lip at Popeye.

Popeye didn't know what Arthit expected from him. There were no more treats in Arthit's hand. It was clearly time to go look for Kongpob instead. So, he hightailed out of the kitchen.

"Traitor!" Arthit accused out loud before getting up, and heading for the bedroom himself.

Upon entering the master bathroom, Arthit saw Kongpob step out of the shower. He was wearing a towel around his waist while water was still dripping all over his body. Arthit wondered if anyone has ever even taught Kongpob the purpose of a towel. Obviously not, since water was dripping all over the floor.

Arthit walked over, and yanked Kongpob's towel off, and started wiping his body. "Kongpob, why don't you dry yourself properly?"

Kongpob was amused, but he didn't say anything. He was standing in front of the sink, so he went ahead, and brushed his teeth while his boyfriend fussed over him. He smiled at Arthit's reflection in the mirror. Arthit's dual personalities never cease to amuse him. Arthit still gets flustered when he sees him go to bed nude, but here he is yanking his towel off like it's nothing.

"Kongpob, who would you ask to go to the wedding with you?" Arthit asked hesitantly with Kongpob's towel still in hand.

"Hmm...I don't know yet. I'm sure I can ask a friend. So, does that mean you are for sure not going?" Kongpob turns to Arthit, and grabs him by the waist, pulling him against his naked body. Arthit pushed back a little, and attempted to wrap Kongpob's waist with the towel again. But Kongpob pulled him closer, and lowered his head to try to catch Arthit eyes that were casted down.

"Are you disappointed in me?"

"No. Why would you think that? I would be happy if you did, but I'm fine if you don't."

"There's going to be a lot of people there, and people are going to know about us if I go. Aren't you at least a little worried?" Arthit peeked up at Kongpob.

"I don't know how many times I have to say this, but it really doesn't matter to me. I'm ready whenever you are."

"What about the press and media? What will they say? Our faces would be all over the tabloids, and people will gossip. Won't that bother you?"

Kongpob chuckled. "First off, the biggest news would still be the tycoon couple. Second, I'll be in the tabloids with whomever I bring to the wedding anyway. It's either me with you, or me with Miss X."

"Who's Miss X?"

"I don't know yet. I was just making a point. Whoever I take will be my next rumored love interest, so if it's not you, then it's Miss X. But it would usually die down a month or two later if they can't find anything."

"But that's different. If we go together, the press will say you're gay. People will say derogatory things about you. I've had to deal with that all my adult life, and I don't want you to have to go through that. You might even regret being with me. I have seen people break up because of the pressure, and the strain it caused on their relationship."

"I'm not worried about what people say. Whether I am straight, gay, bi, or a monk, that's my business. I make my own choices. If someone wants to say no to money, and stop working with me, that's fine by me. It's their loss. As for the media, I can handle it. There's a reason why I can keep a low profile. While I can't stop all of it, I can control most of it. It's only you that I care about. I won't let it affect me, but I know it can affect you. If you're not ready, then it's okay. I can guarantee you that I will not regret us, but I am afraid you would dump me. So, it's okay." Kongpob smiled, he rocks Arthit a little in hopes of cheering him up.

"I'm not afraid if you aren't. I've been through this before, so I know what to expect. I've heard it all behind my back, and in front of my face. But you are a public figure. It's going to be so much bigger. Are you sure you want to take me?" Arthit looked up from his hands to Kongpob, and he saw the brightest smile he has ever seen on his boyfriend.

"Positive!"

Luke and Thak waited outside for another whole hour. "So, what's new with you?" Thak asked with a knowing smile.

~~~~~~
AN:

Sweets,

I'm kind of proud of myself for this chapter even though it's mostly dialogue. I'm aiming to kill two birds with one stone. It came to me while I was writing it. I'm a little excited. How about you? 😁

Stay safe,
Lana ❤️