Phum drove recklessly like he has nine lives so he wasn't afraid of dying. He drove as if he was a suspect fleeing from a police chase, or he wanted to ensure everyone knew that his car had an accelerator, or he feared being overtaken by others on the road, even at 3:00 a.m. So he pedaled hard until the mileage was over the legal speed limit. I could only focus on my breathing and keep praying til my body tensed. I thought of the faces of my father and mother, and chanted the Chinnabanchorn mantra in my mind. I was also wondering if this bastard driver's license was bought or stolen from the Department of Transport. He's such an outlaw driver. His driver's license should be confiscated for the rest of his life.

When will we reach our destination? I might die of a heart attack before we arrive. Maybe my fate isn't over yet. Finally, the beautiful Ferrari arrived and parked in a luxury condo, safe and sound. I turned to look at the driver with what kind of look that I couldn't tell. All I knew was that the capillaries in my eyes were about to burst. I really wanted to ask him if he was interested in racing in Formula 1 to use his skills in the right way, but my lips and throat were so dry that no sound could come out. I could only secretly run my hands on the leather seat to check if I pee in the luxury car without realizing it.

Before I've done, the owner of the car got out of the car and walked away without thinking of waiting for anyone, leaving me alone in the car. I had to hurriedly carry my trembling body and ran after him, then I heard the clicking sound of the car locking behind. Do you have an eye on your back?

As soon as I entered, I was dazed by the magnificence of the lobby of the condo in the heart of the city. The price of estate in this area is more expensive than gold. I was completely overwhelmed. This is just the lobby, damn it, so luxurious. Even though I do know a brief background of Phum from Tan, I could guess that he probably wasn't an ordinary person like us. But I didn't think that he would be so rich as to live in such a fancy place.

What type of family do you come from?

Even though I didn't have much knowledge in real estate, it didn't mean that I didn't know the reputation of land in the Thonglor area. Condo in this area, just an empty room, the price should reach ten digits, let alone the building that I had just set foot in. If you look at the decorations, just the chandelier at the entrance and the paintings by one of Thailand's famous artists, who used to be a special professor at our faculty. His artworks are priced at least several hundred thousand baht. And here are ten paintings, not counting the sofas, furniture, crystal lights in the reception lounge that I saw, and marble floors of which brand that I didn't know.

I would like to guess that all the decorations here, including the furniture, could reach one hundred million. As soon as I thought about it, I felt good. My legs suddenly became weak. I felt so exhausted that I wanted to ask for a glass of rice wine. I would drink until I got drunk and fell asleep. I didn't want to know anything anymore. I didn't want to admit that I was envious of the calm-faced man walking in front of me right now. In his past life, which Buddhist saint did he make merit and give alms to? So in this life, he has such a good fortune to be born on a pile of gold and silver like this.

I let out a sigh of regret because I probably wouldn't be able to gain merits in time in this life. All I could do was bow my head and guide my body that was numb and numb and my mind filled with jealousy and desire, following Phum into the elevator. But I still had some luck left with me. Two young women also walked into the elevator. Looks like they probably just came back from a trip. I moved closer to the marble elevator wall inside to create space for them to stand comfortably. I thanked both young women for making it possible for me not to have to endure the discomfort of being in a narrow place with Phum alone. Because just enduring it in the car was already enough. I wondered if tonight I will be so uncomfortable that my chest will burst and I'll die like Nang Pantharat when she searched for the Phra Sang. Let's see.

* Pantharat is a giant who disguised herself as a human in order to adopt Phra Sang (a human) as her son. When Phra Sang realized that his mother was a monster, he moved to disguise himself from his mother. He refused to return to his mother, despite her pleas. Pantharat then died because of sorrow that her chest burst.

I also couldn't tell you why I didn't want to be with Phum alone. Even though I wasn't afraid or thought he was a dangerous person like before. I wasn't worried that a ghost would possess him and ask me to do weird things again, because if he wanted to do it, he must have already done it at the pub. So I could trust to a certain extent that Phum would keep his word. But I still couldn't explain why I didn't want to be near him. It wasn't like I was afraid. It wasn't true to say I hate him. I didn't understand why I didn't want to see his face or why I didn't want to hear his voice. And why did it make me feel dizzy when I smelled Phum's perfume?

Damn it, I was nearly sober when I was startled by my own thoughts. Suddenly, it was as if I had woken up from a dream that I was falling from a great height. My heart pounded fast. I shook my head and chased those strange thoughts from my mind. I regained my composure before falling to the bottom of the valley. I didn't want to know what's lurking beneath the surface. Just this, the nerve system is to respond to cause goosebumps all over the body.

I was just drunk, I repeated to myself. It's just the feelings of a drunk person. Drunk people are usually sensitive. No need to try to think of an answer that would cause you pain. I had come to the conclusion that the cause of all these strange symptoms was alcohol. I was just drunk. End.

What did ancient people tell you? Don't be a freeloader. Don't be so obsessed with free stuff, especially free alcohol. You must know when you've had enough alcohol, because the end of those who like to drink for free was tonight I would definitely have to return it to the toilet. It's over, the last generation of Chuchok heirs.

* Chuchok, a greedy old  brahmin who lived as a beggar. He made a great fortune from begging.

I shook my head to chase out the dizziness but what went out were those two young women. Don't go yet. Please stay. But the cries and prayers in my heart were of no avail. The two young ladies had already abandoned me. When the two co-passengers left, Phum moved to touch the keycard on the control panel. An awkward silence reigned once again, then the number B25 appeared on the small blue screen.

The elevator moved slowly upward. I staggered a bit while holding back a hiccup. The person in front of me twisted his neck back and forth, left and right, as if to get rid of fatigue. I tried to tell myself to keep my eyes on the elevator door. Don't put them on Phum's white nape. Don't look at his straight back. Don't look at his left ear, which has three black earrings in a row. And don't look at his right ear, which has another one.

Even though the elevator was moving up, I felt like I was falling into the abyss again.

"Are you going to sleep in the elevator? As you wish." a calm voice said, causing the dreamy bubble to burst.

I regained consciousness and let out a loud breath. Hey, how can you be so good at being sarcastic?  Man, I'm getting shocked at your wealth. Can't I just calm myself down first?

I bit my lips and followed the loose-tongued man with my heart throbbing. I only started to feel like I was wrong when I stepped out of the luxurious elevator. Then the door closed softly. I looked left and right in case if anything happened I might run to ask for help from the neighbors. But it seemed like there were only four units on this floor. I probably couldn't rely on anyone. If you're this lonely, you're on your own.

"Has anyone ever told you that you look a little weird?"

The person who had just entered the code to open the door turned to tell me before walking into the room. I blinked, thinking about his words for a long time before I understood that I had been insulted.

"Wow, that's so luxurious!"

The anger that was rising in my chest was pulled back down by shock. I couldn't help but exclaim when I saw the splendor of Phum's room. Oh my Gosh! This is the Ban Sai Thong* that I dreamed of visiting. I heard the oohing and ahhing in my head over and over as I looked around the two-story penthouse, where the ceiling was about twice as high as Phra That Phanom.

* Ban Sai Thong (บ้านทรายทอง) lit. 'Golden sand house' is one of the most popular Thai romantic novels of all time. Ban Sai Thong is the name of the mansion where the story happened.
** Wat Phra That Phanom is a Buddhist temple in the That Phanom District in the south of Nakhon Phanom Province.

I felt so blessed for my eyes and feet to have been able to experience this place. I had only seen beautiful rooms like this in House and Condo magazines. I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to see the real thing, see a one hundred and eighty degree view of Bangkok through the glass wall in the living room. Oh, there is a large balcony outside? The next thing that catched my eye was a bizarre modern chandelier hanging from the ceiling. When I saw the furniture and decorations in the room, I had to admit that even though Phum is a badass, his taste is unbelievably good. In fact, I don't know if his taste is good or he just has similar preferences to mine. For sure, he has money. First he must have money to decorate his room like this.

I surveyed around. The left side must be the kitchen area. There was a marble wall separating the living room and a small pantry bar. On the right-hand side was probably a bathroom or a bedroom. But another interesting and surprising thing was that there were many paintings hanging in this room. There were also some sculptures. I pursed my lips and laughed in my throat. I couldn't believe that people like Phum like art. Or maybe he doesn't really like them but just puts them as a high-end finish, who knows?

Then an idea popped into my head. That is, should I hit Phum in the head and rob his house? Just a chair or a painting should last me for years. If I take all of them away, I'll be rich in ten lives. He he, I laughed at my own thoughts. Turning around, I looked up at the spiral staircase that spiraled up to the second floor. A few minutes later the monitor turned off. Damn, who turned off the lights???

I was standing there admiring the excitement, and suddenly something flew up to cover my face. It was probably a towel or a rag. I prayed it's the first. I lifted the soft, fragrant cloth from my face and looked up at the man standing with his arms crossed on the mezzanine. On his shoulder was a blue towel. It is assumed that he was the culprit.

"Stop prowling around like you're going to steal things from my house. Go take a shower."

"Shouldn't you hand it in nicely? Do you have any manners?"

I was annoyed, not annoyed that he threw the towel at me. I was annoyed that I was caught thinking I was going to be a thief. End of my dream to become an overnight millionaire. This guy must spend a lot of time practicing meditation to know everything like this.

"I have." Phum paused before continuing in a slow voice, "But I don't want to use them with you." He raised his eyebrows in a teasing manner.

After speaking, he walked away. I gnashed my teeth as if Phum was still standing there. I really wanted to use the rose in my hand to stab both his eyes.

I hiccupped again as I went to find a container to put the roses in. And then I could only sigh. The kitchen was like a sample kitchen room. Because it was clean and neat like it had never been used. I dug it out and found a tall glass, filled it halfway with water and put the whole bunch of roses into it. Tomorrow I'll find some sugar to feed you. Today you drink only water. I finished speaking to the flowers and stumbled into the bathroom with the question still lingering in my mind: Why do I have to take a shower at 3 a.m.? Shouldn't I go to sleep right away? But when the owner of the house ordered me to bathe, I had to bathe. Sigh.

I picked up the pajamas that His Majesty graciously gave me and threw them on the floor and went into the bathroom. And then have to be stunned by the luxury for another round. Is this really a bathroom? It's wide enough to host a gala dinner. After all, the shit of a rich person has to be this huge? After admiring the beauty of the bathroom to my heart's content, I undressed and took a shower for almost twenty minutes. Actually the shower was only three minutes, the rest was spent trying to figure out how to turn on the shower and adjust the water temperature. I was so confused. Dammit! Before I can figure out how to use it, I'll shower by butt spray.

[T/N: Oh well 🥲. I think it's fine. In fact, the butt spray is more useful, Peem ná]

Warm water is very good at relieving hangovers. I felt so relaxed and comfortable that I almost fell asleep. After taking a shower, I'd like to stand in front of the mirror and admire my handsomeness a little more. Is it a trick of the mirror or is it because of the light and the expensive mirror that make me look better? I tilted my face back and forth, smiling to myself while drying my hair. I thought I was good-looking, but I didn't think I'd be this good. Damn, it's hilarious. I'm teasing myself until I'm satisfied. I opened the door and almost died of a heart attack.

"Oh shit, fuck you, I'm shocked. What are you doing standing here? Why don't you turn on the light? Oh Khwan, come back!" I complained while rubbing my chest. When I opened the door, I saw Phum standing in front of the bathroom. Your enthusiasm had really shorten my lifespan.

"I thought you died in the bathroom."

"Almost just now." I teased, rubbing my wet hair hard to get the water on Phum. "I'm sorry for disappointing you. Then why are you standing here? Are you waiting for your turn to take a shower? Why have you already put on a nightgown? It's so dirty. You haven't taken a shower yet."

"You're probably not that stupid to think that there's only one bathroom here, are you?"

"It's better to be stupid than to be evil." I mumbled softly to myself. "And where Khun Chai are going to let this stupid man sleep?"

I hurriedly changed my tone and smiled sweetly as grass jelly and immediately asked for a place to sleep. When Phum looked at me fiercely, my RAM was very low. Right now I was exhausted, I could hardly keep my balance. I didn't have the energy to start a late-night battle with him.

I stood facing the house owner in front of the bathroom, waiting to see where he would let me sleep. Phum's long, slender, beautiful index finger passed my face at eye level. I slowly turned my head to follow his finger in slow motion. And do you know where his white finger stopped in this 100-bedroom penthouse? Yes, the sofa, brothers and sisters. He let me sleep on the sofa. Exactly as I had planned. Phum's evilness was no longer surprising or unexpected to me.

[T/N: 10 points deducted]

"OK, then bye, good night."

I didn't know where I got the courage from. When I walked past him, I slapped Phum's chest a few times, made a slightly annoyed face and then slowly floated to the living room with the intention of turning off the lights to chase the dog away. But I pressed the wrong switch and turned on the chandelier on the ceiling instead. The whole room became bright. I secretly heard the dog barking and laughing. My face blushed again. Well, it's not my room. Why? I just left it and let the electricity bill exceed 10,000? I hurriedly lay down and went to sleep without turning to look at Phum's face. Actually, I was really embarrassed. And soon the light in the living room went out.

Along with the sound of footsteps walking up the stairs, followed by the sound of the door closing. That bastard must have gone into his bedroom. When I opened my eyes again, I just noticed that the glass wall was completely obscured by curtains. The morning light was starting to shine outside, but no light could penetrate the room through the thick curtains.

[T/N: One point for Phum]

Not long after, my eyes began to get used to the darkness. A dim light surrounded me which was the soft yellow light from the pantry bar. It's enough for me to see. I didn't know why he left the light to waste electricity. Rich people are causing global warming because they use resources like this. I admitted that I was angry and annoying. Even though I was sleepy, drunk, and dizzy, when I lay down, I kept tossing and turning, forcing my eyes to close but still couldn't fall asleep. Maybe because there was something to think about or maybe because it was the first-night effect. But the main reason was probably because I was cold. I am a person with low blood pressure.

I was so cold. And why the fuck did he set the air conditioner like he kept penguins in the room? He didn't give me a blanket. I didn't know where the air conditioner remote was. Damn it, are you building the North Pole? Or is this a secret murder plan to make me freeze to death? Yes, that's it. He is rotten to the core.

At first I was just cold. Then I began to shiver. My body was freezing. It was so cold that I had to curl up and wrap my arms around myself. Phum you bastard! You won't give me a blanket, will you? I thought about taking the towel but it was damp. Afraid that if I was covered by it, it would be even colder than before. While I was considering whether or not I should go look for a blanket in the other bedroom, something happened that made me have to gasp and scream in fright.

"Fuck!"

There was a loud hissing sound that pierced the air as a thick blanket floated on top of me. I immediately sat up. There were expletives popping up in my head when I saw the shadow of Phum standing with his arms crossed on his chest, leaning against the balcony railing on the mezzanine. I'm going to have a heart attack and die because of this bastard one day. Just wait and see.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? Throw things all the time. And will you die if you tell me first?" I cursed as I unfold the blanket. "The blanket isn't light. What if it hits my face? Even if it doesn't hit my face, it could hit a lamp, hit a vase, and fall and break my head."

"You're talking so much. I'm annoyed."

"Do you think you're the only one being annoyed? I'm annoyed with you too. No one wants to be around a heartless, cruel, spoiled person like you. You know that?" I said, pacing with emotion.

But my ears heard a sound like someone walking down the stairs. Damn it, Phum probably didn't come to do anything to me, right? I stopped and pulled the thick blanket to cover myself, then looked up at the shadow of a figure walking towards me.

"What did you say just now?"

"What did I say? I didn't say anything. The air conditioner is cold."

"Do you dare curse me?"

"Yes! I cursed you. Who can be tolerant of you? Look at everything you did to me. Just cursing is not enough. You should be dragged to jail to learn fear. You're as bad as..."

"Hey/Ouch!!!!!"

The last picture I saw was Phum walking towards me. Then the picture was cut. I heard the sound thud (someone stumbled), along with a feeling of pain all over my body. Holy shit! What happened? Is my bone broken? The force of the impact from a heavy object that fell on my body made me choke to the point I couldn't cry. Even with a thick blanket protecting me, it hardly helped. Importantly, the feeling of pain in the body was not as frightening as opening the eyes and seeing Phum's face only a few centimeters away.

It was just a fraction of a second, like riding a roller coaster, I was carried up to the top of the first hill before being dropped down at high speed. There was a flutter in my chest, as if the thing inside was pounding at an irregular pace and throbbing louder than usual.

How did this shocking event happen? I myself was at a loss to find the answer. All I know is that now Phum has fallen on top of me, like a scene of desperation in a cheesy soap opera after the news, and a classical scene of Thai dramas that I really hate.

We locked eyes in the dim light. But damn it! It was so dark that only bats could see each other. And it wasn't romantic like in the drama at all. Why? Because I was hurt 😭.

[T/N: It was supposed to be romantic but the bats ruined everything.]

"G...g.. get off me! Fuck! You're heavy. You throwed yourself on top of me. My breastbone might be broken and stabbed my lung. Ouch 😭! How did you walk?" I spoke quickly, carelessly, and then heard the other person clearing his throat. " Why did you walk here? What did you plan to do?"

Phum and I locked eyes again. Those sharp eyes flashed an undisguised look of boredom. "Crazy, I just came to get a cigarette." Phum grabbed the thing on the low marble table then turned and walked back up to his room. I waited until I heard the sound of the door closing. I lay down and let out a big breath.

I lay there staring at the chandelier like thousand drops of water on the high ceiling, while gently patting my chest, ordering my heart that was beating like a drum to slow down. But hold on, what? Is my heart thumping hard? Damn it! My heart flutters for Phum? Holy shit! I was silent for a long moment as I tripped over my own thoughts and hit my head hard. Before I could settle down I had to convince myself that my heart was pounding because I was shocked. Even if someone else or something else fell on me like that, I would probably be as startled as I was. That's it. It's a reaction of the body. Well, if my heart doesn't beat, then I should be worried.

When I found a way out for myself, I smiled brightly. But I've been lying there smiling for several minutes, so why can't I fall asleep yet? I started counting sheep, then switched to counting goats, then to counting pandas, but it didn't seem like the upper and lower eyelids were reunited at all. When I couldn't sleep, I felt so irritated that I started pinching and pulling my own hair, kept tossing and turning but still couldn't fall sleep. I considered releasing a Sleepless Society album. Tonight I couldn't sleep. My eyes were wide opening, staring at the marble walls of Phum's room. I grunted, annoyed at myself, not knowing what to do.

* Sleepless Society 1-3 By Narongvit, popular albums in Thailand

Oh, let's imagine that if you were me, suddenly one day you were abused, blackmailed, trolled, all sorts of evil things that you could encounter until you dare to stretch out your chest and admit that you really hate that person. But one day, you catch yourself knowing that you have a strange feeling when you make eye contact with that person, when you are close to that person. This is no different from the classic scene of Thai dramas that you used to laugh at. Haha. If you weren't so stressed to the point your head almost exploded like I am right now. I allowed myself to put my foot on Q's face.

Haiz, the human heart is truly wondrous and unfathomable. Even my own heart's too deep to fathom. This is why they say that even if you know everything, you can't even know yourself. So I had to suffer like this. Or should I just run and hit my head on the pantry bar to escape the chaotic feeling and let it end?

Even though it's faint, I vaguely remembered falling asleep while repeating to myself strange words that a beating heart is better than a non-beating heart. Beating. Pounding. Throbbing. And the culprit, has he fall asleep yet? Oh, here it is again. Why do I want to know if he sleeps or dies? What the fuck is wrong with me??? Enough. Peem, enough, stop thinking, stop thinking, stop thinking...

TBC >>>>>>>