Krist wrinkles his nose. Something is bothering him. He rubs his nose with his hand. A gentle smile forms on his lips as he notices a subtle nice scent around him and the warm comfortable sheets against his skin. Then a slight frown forms on his face as his nose gets itches again. He rubs his nose again but there's no relief. Something is tickling his nose and it's irritating the shit out of him. He opens his eyes to meet a pair of big round eyeballs staring right back at him.

"Ahhh!" Krist suddenly jerks back.

"Hehehe..." A little girl giggles at him with a mischievous grin.

"Who are you? Where am I?" Krist looks around an unfamiliar room.

"I'm Kitty. You're in my uncle's house of course. Because you're sleeping in his bed." The little girl knits her brows together, looking at Krist, deciding if he's dumb or what.

Uncle? Who? Then it dawned on him that he was at Tay's birthday party last night. Did he leave with a man? Hold on. He looks down and peeks under the cover and notices that he's only in his boxers. He clenches his asshole and it doesn't hurt. So that didn't happen. Or did it happen the other way? He can't remember. And just as he's about to ask more questions, a beautiful woman walks into the room.

"Kitty? Oh, good morning there. I'm Kathy, but everyone calls me Kat since I'm Kitty's mom. Krist, right? I'm a huge fan." The woman smiles completely unabashed to the fact that Krist is half-naked in bed. She takes hold of her daughter's hand.

"Thanks." Krist awkwardly nods and smiles at the strange woman. Who the hell is she and seriously where is he?

"I only sent Kitty to wake you up for breakfast. It's actually closer to lunchtime. Anyway, Sing is almost done cooking. Sing says he laid out some clothes for you in the bathroom. You should get dressed and join us." Kat and Kitty leaves and closes the door behind them.

Krist facepalms himself. It's Singto! Of course, it's Singto. They were at the party together. Then flashes of a girl dancing with Singto comes to mind. Ah, yes! He was trying to rescue Singto. But wait! How did he end up in Singto's bed? Oh my God! Did anything happen? Krist racks his brain trying to think. He shakes his head a little, and surprisingly, his hangover is very mild. So, why doesn't he remember anything? Okay. Calm down. Chill. It's just sex. Maybe it didn't even happen. And even if it did, it's just sex. It's not like he's never had sex with another man before. And it doesn't have to mean anything. Pfff. He's not Singto. But wait! The other person is Singto! As if working together hasn't been a challenge already. Krist runs a hand through his hair. Did I really do Singto? Then flashes of him pulling on Singto's shirt comes to mind. Ugh! He can't remember anything else.

Krist sees two pills and a glass of water on the nightstand, so he takes them right away. He finally gets out of bed and goes to the bathroom. He can't believe he couldn't tell this place was Singto's at first. It screams Singto. The place looks like a page ripped out of a modern decor magazine. All white, grey, and splashes of blue here and there. Based on the sheer size of his bedroom and bathroom, Singto's place is much bigger than his. Then Krist spots the clothes on top of the vanity along with a new toothbrush. He wonders if Singto always provides five-star treatment to all his guests. Whatever.

After a quick shower, Krist stands in front of the bedroom door with his hand on the doorknob. He's not sure if he's ready to face Singto and whoever that woman and that little girl are. Come on, let's just get this over with so you can leave. Krist takes a deep breath and turns the doorknob. He emerges into an empty hallway and he can hear chit chat going on not far away. As he walks down the hallway towards the living room, he is awestruck by the floor to ceiling glass wall looking out to the Lumphini Park. He looks around and it's no surprise that the whole place is a continuation of the same color theme he saw in Singto's room. What's surprising is that it's actually not that much bigger than his place. Okay, it's bigger, but really not that much bigger.

"Hey, you care to join us?"

Krist immediately spins around hearing Singto's voice. Then he looks at Singto and looks back at himself. They freaking match with the same white t-shirt and grey sweatpants.

As if he can read Krist's mind, Singto smirks crossing his arms seeing the look on Krist's face. "It's what I usually wear at home. Yours are new though. You can keep them if you want."

Krist looks away awkwardly. "Uh, that's okay. It's not my style." Why does it feel so weird? This is why he hates staying over or letting others stay over. The morning after is just so awkward. Like, should you kiss or should you not kiss before leaving?

Singto raises an eyebrow at Krist. It's just a t-shirt and sweatpants. Does Krist really not wear casual clothes? Whatever. Does he have a hangover?

"Uncle Sing, can we eat yet? Does your boyfriend want to eat or not? I'm hungry." Kitty yanks the hem of Singto's shirt and looks between the two men.

Krist instantly blushes. He has definitely never been caught the day after by any one-night stand's family members. And this is absolutely a one-time thing. This is so embarrassing. And here he thought he's bold, but this little girl is extremely forward.

Singto tries to pick Kitty up but winces in pain when he bends down. So he just pinches her nose instead. "This is my friend, Krist. He's not my boyfriend. Okay?"

"Ouuu...but the last time the boy in your bed was your boyfriend." Kitty pouts. She's hungry and her favorite sprinkle pancakes are getting cold. This 'not boyfriend' is taking too long to get ready and her mommy won't let her start eating.

"Well, that boy was, but we broke up already. Didn't we have this discussion before? That's why you can't call him to buy you ice cream anymore. But Krist here is just a friend that had a sleepover. Now, go start eating." Singto pats Kitty's head. His cousin and niece just have to pop up whenever he has someone over. It's like they have some notification set.

"Yay! Mommy, Uncle Sing says I can start eating!" Kitty runs back to the kitchen.

Singto's wince didn't go unnoticed. Krist feels terrible and curses himself. He doesn't remember what he did last night. Was he really that rough?

"Come eat something. You can go after." Singto smiles and turns around.

Singto actually can't wait for everyone to leave and give him some peace. Krist was a handful last night. He even bruised his back by hitting the taxi's door while trying to get Krist out of the taxi. Then getting Krist to lay down and sleep was no small feat either. After refusing to keep his clothes on, Krist kept trying to undress him too. To placate the guy he finally gave in and let him take off his shirt. Only then Krist was willing to go to sleep. Singto feels bad for all those who have to deal with a drunk Krist all the time. But wait. Krist doesn't keep anyone around long enough for reoccurrences.

"Sure, thanks." Krist hesitantly follows Singto into the kitchen area where the mother and daughter pair were eating.

"Krist, this is my cousin Kat and that's her daughter Kitty. Everyone, this is Krist from the show." Singto sets two mugs down to pour some coffee.

"Have a seat, Sexy Krist. I used to listen to you on your late-night show. And I've got to say, you seem to have it all figured out. You're so funny and wise beyond your age." Kat gushes as Krist settles down across from her.

"Thanks for listening. So do you listen to Singto every morning?" Krist beams his dimple smile and tries to move beyond the awkwardness. He's Sexy Krist after all. This is nothing. Besides, he loves hearing praises.

"Ugh, as if I don't hear enough of him preaching all the time already. His voice stays rent-free in my head. I grew up with Mr. Perfect here. I can't even sleep for once without showering because I can hear his disapproving voice chiding me in my head." Kat dramatically rolls her eyes.

"It's called 'the voice of reason' for your information. And you're welcome for the free counseling and reminders my voice gives you." Singto sits down at the head of the table chuckling while he pours some cream into Krist's mug of coffee. After working together for the past few months, he has noticed that Krist doesn't take sugar in his coffee despite liking super sugary drinks such as pink milk. Yuck! He can feel his teeth rotting just by thinking about the drink.

"But mommy, you always ask 'what would Sing do?' So who would you ask if Uncle Sing's voice disappeared?"

"Hahaha. Give it here." Singto raises his fork and Kitty excitedly clinks her fork with her uncle's.

"You know, I'm the one that gave birth to you." Kat narrows her eyes at her giggling baby.

"Sorry, mommy. But you can't make sprinkle pancakes like Uncle Sing."

Krist laughs and sips his perfect coffee while he watches the scene before him. It's been a while since he's seen his own family. Now, that he has a more normal schedule, he really should make a trip home. The conversation flows around the table and Krist comfortably interjects once in a while. Usually to join forces with Kat to mock Singto. He smiles as he takes another bite of his fluffy pancakes. Krist has never had sprinkle pancakes before, and he must say the colorful pancakes do make them more fun to eat. He's with Kitty on that one. Sprinkles make everything better.

"So are you two dating, or just, you know?" Kat asks while she bites the end of her fork, looking between the men.

Krist waves one hand in the air while covering his mouth with the other. He almost sprayed the whole table with the coffee in his mouth. Luckily, he manages to stop himself. Okay, it's definitely back to being awkward.

"Oh stop it, Kat. We're just colleagues." Singto shakes his head at the absurd idea. He hasn't even completely erased the possibility that they are mortal enemies based on the dates Krist has been setting up for him. Krist really can't even be considered a friend. They're complete opposites, a nemesis for sure. There hasn't been a day gone by that they didn't argue with each other. Although, he has come to secretly welcome Krist challenging his thoughts and opinions. And he would never admit it, but Krist has changed some of his views on things.

"Yeah, we're just colleagues." Krist tries to collect himself. He steals a glance at Singto, and the thought isn't completely impossible he thinks to himself. He hates to admit it, but Singto does live up to his name, Charming Singto. He can appreciate being pampered like this. Singto is quite handsome and witty too, but he's not Krist's type. And Krist is not the committed relationship type that Singto wants. So, it's best to not go down that road. But it would be nice if he can remember their night together. It might never happen again after all.

"Are you still hung up on Jamie? I think she's dating some actor now. You should move on, you know. I think you two look hot together." Kat takes a big bite of her syrup-drenched pancakes.

Whoa! Come again. Singto had a girlfriend? But didn't he have a boyfriend before? Krist unconsciously frowns as he tries to wrap his head around this new information. So, does that mean...oh my God. Singto swings both ways. So he got it all wrong. Krist isn't sure why, but he didn't really like the sound of this. But it's really none of his business. It shouldn't matter to him, he tells himself.

Singto glares at his cousin who couldn't care less. Fortunately and unfortunately, Singto's whole family is like this. They're really open-minded in terms of sexuality. They don't even think of social norms. That's why when he strolled home with his first boyfriend when he was sixteen, his mom only asked for a picture. So, they don't think it's odd to talk about dating any gender. Even seven years old Kitty is the same. But not everyone is accepting like that. And Singto can tell Krist's brain is turning its gears right now.

Why can't Kat just keep quiet for a change? He wishes there was a mute button on her. "I've moved on. I'm going on all these soul searching dates, aren't I? If only someone would set me up with non-weirdos." Singto says dripping with sarcasm as he looks at Krist pointedly.

Krist snaps out of his musing. "I'm sorry. I really didn't know they would turn out that way. I'll try to do better with the next one. I promise." That's the least he can do, right?

~~~~~~

After that day, Krist honestly tried harder to pick more decent or what Krist would consider boring candidates for Singto. He even included males in his selection now. Fiat didn't even question the new addition.

Candidate #4
Name: Ryan
Age: 30
Occupation: Financial Advisor/Stock Broker

Ryan talked Singto into buying everything under the sun. Singto came back with a new retirement plan and four new stock portfolios. He even opened a college fund for Kitty. Now Singto checks his stocks before he sleeps, eats, and breathes. But no more follow-up dates because the rest of his money is in long-term investments. However, Ryan is officially Singto's broker now.

Singto came back and tried to educate Krist and Fiat on the importance of investments too. Krist found the whole situation too amusing. Singto even started preaching to their listeners to start making retirement plans early. Krist also noticed Singto skillfully and respectfully kept his date's gender neutral on the air. Krist kind of admired that.

~~~~~~

Candidate #5
Name: Mike
Age: 28
Occupation: Physical Trainer

Singto went to work the next day half-dead. He could barely lift his arms or legs to do anything. Getting in and out of his car was excruciatingly painful. Two hours at the gym with Mike had nearly killed him. His whole body was so sore that he wanted to die. Mike promised that he would be a completely new man in thirty days. However, Singto had to politely decline the offer. He's happy with his lean physique and Mike's bulky muscles didn't appeal to him at all. After listening to Singto's strenuous date, Krist was so sympathetic that he gave poor Singto a massage while enduring Singto's painful screams. Fiat even had to feed Singto during lunch because he was so sore he couldn't even lift a finger. Poor guy.

Now, don't go blaming Krist for these two unsuccessful dates. Fiat and he really thought they had potential. They even conducted a phone screening before setting Singto up with those candidates. Sigh. Singto's standard might just be too high, Krist tells himself. And as entertaining as it may be to hear Singto complain about all his miserable dates, Krist's matchmaking skills are being challenged. He really does want to find Singto a match. Really!

~~~~~~

Candidate #6
Name: Anna
Age: 25
Occupation: Pastry Chef Instructor

Singto walks into the office with a great big smile and four different pies. A strawberry, a peach, an apple, and a chocolate French silk pie. Every pie had a different type of crust. Everyone in the office crowds around to get a slice of pie and the latest scoop on Singto's date. Everyone gushes over the way Singto describes his amazing date. They made all these pies from scratch together. He dreamily describes the wonderful aroma of fresh-baked pies and the beautiful glossy sheen of decadently rich chocolate ganache. And how they basically had dessert for dinner, and how they ate out of each other's hands. He described Anna as cheerful and cute as a button. She dreams of becoming the best pastry chef in Thailand and someday to compete internationally. Singto is all smiles talking about his date. Anna simply sounds perfect.

Perfect, except to one person.

~~~~~~
AN: Sweets, I thought about cutting this chapter into two because I think it's too long. But I couldn't find a good cutoff point. 🤷🏻‍♀️

So, Singto has finally had a nice date. Anna sounds sweet and lovely. Now what?

Curtsy,
Lana ❤️