"What happened? You've been absent-minded since yesterday. Did the boss kicked you out jack? Tell me."
As I arrived at P'Tap's shop, I saw P'Tee's face first, leaning over the grill with sizzling sounds. After Jack's motorcycle came to a stop, he swiftly placed the plate that Zo had prepared without paying attention to the questions from the older. Because eating was more important, no matter what.
"Should I get you a soda or plain water, Laem?"
He raised his faces, looking at his Phis, along with bacon and three layers of sandwiches that competed to bring deliciousness to his mouths.
"I didn't join the game for just one day, and you're already feeling bored, right,P'Tee?"
"That's right. No matter who I scold, it doesn't feel as satisfying as scolding you."
"Scold that jerk Zo."
"Ha, who would be crazy enough to curse their own boyfriend, right Jack?" P'tap turned to ask Jack, the depressed man who had arrived and sat down quietly, ready to light a cigarette before he could eat.
"You've scolded him many times in secret."
"Wait, I don't want to interfere or create trouble, but I want to help my friend build a career and profession." The person who brought up the topic turned towards their young partner, knowing that Nong Zo probably didn't care much, but Jack shouldn't create unnecessary conflicts between them.
"Je Ice and Nong nu are the same. You scolded them too when they found new husbands first."
"Jack, you talk as if you and Tee are competing to find husbands. But it might be true because these days, I also got myself a husband." After saying that, Tee turned towards Zo and winked at him, playfully teasing and provoking him.
"I understand you, Tap, to some extent. How are You not tired of it yet."
"I know that Zo is probably more concerned about him than the other guys sitting at this table. He wants to avoid everyone thinking he's lazy. He understands the kind of relationship they have. It's hard to explain. I'm glad that the two of them love each other. I hope they help each other and don't hurt each other. But on the other hand, he's not comfortable with the kind of love the two men have for each other. Maybe it's because those around him have never had such an example. When the change occurred for the first time, he didn't get used to it easily.
One part of him worries that the two of them won't survive together, afraid that in the future, they'll turn back into friends and disappear from each other's lives. He's afraid that Tee will go back to dating women because of its charming and deceptive nature. Many things have made him think too much.
But he tries to tell himself not to think for others too much. If they love each other, as an older brother, he should support and be ready to help when problems arise. He hopes that the feeling will develop naturally and adjust to a form of love that doesn't revolve around sex.
"Tap doesn't eat well because of Tee. Look, the plate has been full of vegetables since the beginning until now," Zo playfully nudges his older brother's plate, showing concern.
"I'm only eating vegetables, how can it reduce?"
"Well, I'll eat something heavy first and then tap on the food afterward. Is that okay?"
"Not a problem!"
"Uh-huh!" The elder brother and team leader exchanged punches with a blank expression before Jack walked back, feeling dejected, after finishing his cigarette. "How's it going? Are the two days of internship difficult for you?"
Tap was somewhat concerned about Jack because of his sharp personality, which was unlikely to make others feel comfortable. Yesterday, Jack did not enter the chat room and turn on the microphone to chat because he was in the office until three in the morning. When he returned home, he probably took a shower and went to bed. He and Tee did not ask how difficult it was to carry extra responsibility. How tiring it could be.
"It's not difficult. I will make sure that my Nong is comfortable in the next semester," Jack replied, and everyone turned to look at the boy with the same gaze, waiting for a reason in the world that would make Sad Man escape from the clutches of his boss. They could only speculate.
"Cher, did the company offer to hire you immediately after you finished your internship?!" Zo looked at the world in a positive light. He wanted to believe that, but the reality was so bleak that he had to face the fact that the boss only cared about the sound of his voice.
"No."
"Then there's nothing exciting, is there?" Tee pouted while still glancing at him.
"Seriously, our boss, is a fan of mine, really!" the sharp-faced kid exclaimed, and everyone couldn't help but show disbelief. The most severe reaction was Tee's, whose eyes, nose, and mouth all dropped. As for Zo, he seemed worried, just raising his hand to cover his mouth.
"Don't lie"
"Cher, if you're lying, let the heavens strike you down."
"Don't joke about sacred things. It's already the rainy season," Tap raised his face and looked up at the dark sky.
"Wow, how is it possible? What made the owner of a gaming company like your skills so much while I, a godlike person, stand aside you leading the team like this?" Tee couldn't believe it. If Jack said, 'The kid is joking, right now' it might be more believable than anything else!!!
"Well, um-"
"The boss just likes my voice."
"Huh?"
Unable to swallow or speak, Tee's face turned pale. Everyone looked at him as if they wanted him to elaborate more than this. But that's it. How can it be explained properly? Because even he himself didn't want to believe it.
"The boss has trouble sleeping, so he watches ASMR videos on YouTube, and he likes my channel the most. Now, whenever he hears my voice, he immediately knows."
"Grumble... Everyone except Jack frowned a little, as if trying to help their limited brains process how ASMR and the boss's golden-age mood were connected.
"It's simple. When the boss likes the sound, he wants me to do ASMR one-on-one."
"Huh... What do you mean by that? Does it mean you have to sit in front of him and eat?"
"If that's the case, it means Cher, you must be in a tough situation," Tap said, even though they weren't related. But Tap had a glimpse of concern because in normal circumstances, where would someone ask the intern to sit down and listen to them while eating?
"Almost, but now Boss has me eat and listen to it through the phone," the sharp-faced kid took a breath. Instead of spending time doing other things like playing games, trash-talking, trolling threads, or updating news on the page, Cher had to sit and talk to this boss. Is that really necessary?
"And tonight, we have to do a FaceTime too."
"Your details are thorough, Jack."
"True, my friend has a job tonight." Normally, they would occasionally give their opinions after listening, but today, the drumroll didn't stop.
"Jack, are you worried about Cher?"
"Nah, Zo, you might be looking at the world too positively. The truth is, Jack's current condition is restless, longing to pour out his heart. But the skin cells on his face have all died before he could come out like this," he said, and as he finished, he laughed, raising his hand to cover his friend's head in a playful gesture.
"Let's get back to the FaceTime issue. How does it work, really? Tap said, bewildered, shaking his head. Even now, it's still amazing to think that anyone in the world would want to hear this kid's annoying voice."
"Well, last night I ate dumplings for him, and I kept telling him stories non-stop. At some point, I thought he was asleep, so I took it easy. But who would have known that last night he didn't sleep, and today he even followed me to the som tam stall, showing off by paying for two servings without taking the change."
"Damn," said Tee and Tap in unison, "so who took the rest of the money?"
"Who do you think?" Everyone probably already knows, and Laem smiled slyly as he pulled out his wallet to show off.
"But it's possible, you know. Rich people can do anything. Especially with an intern like you" Tap said.
"How old is Boss, by the way?" Zo asked, genuinely curious. If he's in his fifties, he must be worried too, relying on Laem's voice to fall asleep.
"He's thirty-four, just like Tap,"
"Oh, not that old," Tee said, stroking his chin, imagining what the boss looked like. He had only heard his name mentioned by his friends several times, but he had never investigated what his appearance was like. It wasn't important to his life, unlike when he was trying to gather information about Zo back then.
"You're the same age, but your appearance has aged fifty years in advance. If you were reborn, you wouldn't have a child's face anymore because you've used up all the quotas in this life," Laem said to Tap
"Are you implying something with your words?"
"It's just a joke." Laem rubbed his head against the muscular arm of the elder brother and then got kicked like always.
"But if it were Zo, he probably wouldn't be able to do it. He would have to turn on the camera and eat while someone else watched. It's not easy, I'm telling you. We'll have to keep doing it until he falls asleep."
"What can you do with a crazy person? Boss only has good looks and a prestigious status. Besides that, there's nothing interesting about him," Laem murmured, moving his lips and then turning his attention back to the frying pan.
"I hope it turns out that way."
Tee whispered, looking at the speaker. He knew Jack better than anyone, and the way he spoke indicated that there was something hidden behind it, something...
"Are you implying a man's relationship with another man..."
"..." Laem raised his eyebrows and looked at the team leader who was still bringing up the topic again, even though it should have been settled.
"Is that right, Cher?"
"What's the matter..." Laem muttered as if knowing that his mischievous friend was thinking something.
"It's not the same as when you were shy and asked to turn on the camera to talk to us."
"It's not the same, Tap, That guy can't sleep. What you want is to catch Zo.""
"Well, Tap, no real man wants to ask another man to turn on the camera, except maybe for your friend who wants to prove whether his husband is in the room or not, but you and Boss Jack are not in that status."
"Conan still has to bow down (reference to detective Conan). He's the most clever in the world," Laem clapped his hands, accepting the thoughts of his Phi. He knew that Tap had firsthand experience, but this was a different matter. Smart move, that sly guy.
"The boss is gay."
"P'Jack, are you going to tease this issue and not let it go? Come on, spill it out and hit me right in the liver."
"Oh."
"Kiki, kiki, kiki." Tapp chuckled and tapped his foot like an anime character, as if he had been waiting for this moment for ages.
"Laughing at your dad?"
"Where's daddddy? Daddddy, where are youuuu?" Tap muffled his laughter, trying to contain his nerves, accompanied by the insults from the mischievous kid.
"No way. The boss repeatedly emphasizes that he enjoys my voice only. Those who appreciate such things only listen to fall asleep. There's no hidden meaning. You guys believe me."
Laem pounded the soft stone table, emphasizing the weight of his stance, sweeping his gaze across the line of people. But both Tap and Zo looked back as if they couldn't believe it would be like that.
*
("Why are you so late? The dorm is just in the main city, right?")
"I went out to eat pork with my friends, Boss. have you had your meal?"
("I don't eat dinner. Why do you ask?")
"It's not because I'm concerned. I asked because I didn't know what to talk about." He looked at the person on the phone, closed the door, and the boss had already finished taking a shower and put on pajamas. From the atmosphere around the boss, it seemed like he was clearing his work on the desk, so he placed the phone at a distance of about an arm's length.
Laem tossed the bag onto the floor and kicked it into the corner with precision before throwing himself onto the bed. He let the boss gaze up at the ceiling.
(You look annoyed.)
"Just a little bit."
(I'm not good at listening to other people's problems, but it wouldn't be good if you were to take it out on me like this, so I'll let you vent a little.)
"Just say 'you can vent to me,' that's it. Why do you have to make me feel bad about it?" Laem picked up the phone and stared at it so that the person on the other side of the camera could know that he was very dissatisfied.
(I'm just speaking the truth. Or do you prefer to hear lies?)
"No one likes that, but the boss doesn't have to be so harsh with his words. If it's like that, who would want to talk to you?"
("Do you want to hang up?")
"Definitely. I want to go take a shower or do anything other than talking to the boss."
("I won't let you hang up.")
"Well, since you're holding the line, go ahead, what do you want to talk about? I'll lay down on the bed with a pen and listen."
The young man rolled up his shirt sleeves, leaning on the table, but the other person only glanced for a moment from the documents on the table and then turned back to focus on work as usual.
("I already told you that I don't want to be treated with this tone of voice. Say whatever you want. Are you annoyed that I called you right after you said you were available?")
"It's not about that, I'm annoyed because my friends teased me."
("About what?")
"The fact that the boss is gay, and I'm about to be seduced."
("Seduced? What does that mean?")
"It's like being tricked."
"Tell them clearly. It's like what you told me to do to those people in the som tam shop."
" It's not the same. My friends won't stop teasing me. They tease me relentlessly."
("Are you a kindergarten kid or something to be sulking because you got teased?")
"Boss sulked during lunchtime too. Laem said it in case you forgot." Laem raised his eyebrow and deliberately teased the person on the phone, trying to agitate their nerves.
("That's called being dissatisfied, It's different. You're already in your early twenties.")
"Today you're bringing up the age twice, Boss."
("Why are you getting jealous of someone else? I haven't even mentioned the story you told others, saying that I'm gay. Is Jack involved in this?")
"You're overthinking, Boss. He's a good person, really."
("Don't be rude to me.")
"Boss, you were rude to me first. It's not just words, but actions, and also your current gaze."
Laem pointed at the person on the phone while glaring, before the other party took off their glasses and rubbed their temples, then looked into the camera again to make him envy their attractive appearance without lenses.
("My eyes just hurt from wearing glasses all day.")
"Just go to sleep."
("I'll wait for you. If you can fall asleep on your own, then you must have already done it.")
"Then go to bed."
("It's strangely romantic, isn't it? If we were together one on one, I would probably feel like I'm being invited.")
"Lucky for me, I'm in the main city. As for the boss...?"
("Satthorn.")
After hearing the answer, the kid licked his lips and pointed his finger to emphasize the distance.
("So, you usually get teased by your friends?")
"Nah, normally I'm the one teasing others." He reached over and grabbed a jelly packet on the bed and tore it open, while glancing at the serious expression of the person who had separated their nerves from work and engaged in conversation.
("When he get teased back, he got angry... Well, kids will be kids.")
"What about adults like the boss? Forcing a kid like me? Quite tyrannical."
("I won't explain the same story again. Alright then, I'll grab a towel and go take a bath.")
"What? You have to turn off the camera first. Boss can't come into the bathroom with me like this, I like my privacy, you know."
(Cher) The other person took a breath and looked through the phone screen with an exhausted expression. (Puts the phone upside down) I just wanted to hear the sound of water from the faucet. I don't want to see you bending down to grab the soap, even just a little."
"Oh... You mentioned the soap..."
"..."
"..."
("That was a good one.")
"What?"
The young man reluctantly stood up while still chewing gum. He was genuinely annoyed at Tee, today. He felt like he was being teased too much. Why can't he believe in his brother's manliness. When he returned to the dorm, he had to talk to the boss again. It felt like a never-ending cycle of frustration.
("You told me that you used to be a media father with your brother in the team. You cheered for him and said you weren't homophobic. But do you know that you're full-on homophobic towards me now?" )
"It's not about Homophobia. I don't like being teased about something I'm not. It's pointless arguing. I don't like losing."
("Fine, kid. I don't like it either)
But I'm not discriminating against the boss for being gay. I discriminate against the boss for his bad attitude."
("Sure, say that one more time, no matter how much I may like your voice, I'm older than you and I'm the owner of the company where you're interning.")
"I see. When things don't go well, you bring up this issue. Why? If the boss is good with everyone or shows me that it's okay, I'll respect him. I don't act like this towards everyone, Boss. But if you're not satisfied and won't let me pass the internship, fine. So be it."
Laem pouted and threatened to show the other person who he really was, both on the surface and deep down. If he didn't make it to the office tomorrow because he was asked to leave, his face would definitely be dry. The real boss wouldn't give in.
("Yes, I'm not friendly with others. I act poorly towards employees. You probably heard some things about me from your Phi.")
"That's it. Just accept the truth. It won't hurt, Boss. We both know it's only between the two of us. I'm not the type of person to spread it around."
The sentence gradually spread out, as the other person put the pen down and grabbed their phone, walking over to sit and lean against the bed.
Laem didn't turn the conversation back to what he had done minutes ago. He pondered for a moment about what to do with the information he heard from Jack. Jack had emphasized not to share it with anyone, as such actions could affect work negatively.
"Just a bit, Boss? Are you angry?" If he refused, the other party probably wouldn't believe him. "I read it online, so I asked Jack a little. I didn't delve into it, and I didn't care."
("I'm the reason they left.")
"..."
("Because of the personality I've had up until now Yes, I have a bad personality as you mentioned, and also, being the gender that makes you feel unsafe.")
"Wait, why are you acting like you're cutting ties afterward? Don't take offense, Boss. If we continue to have good conversations without picking on each other, I can be your beloved subordinate, you know." Laem spoke sincerely. How much we have hurt each other can change!
("Beloved subordinate? With someone who belittles your sexuality?")
"I told you I'm not belittling it." Laem sighed and said with a defeated look. Telling the story about why he was angry, but he couldn't argue with Tee.
("Well, if you're not belittling, why don't you try dating me?")
"Huh?"
("So, I will get to know if I have a worse personality than before or if I've changed for the better because of you?")
"Just a moment. Isn't this going a bit too far, Boss? We were discussing my hot-headedness because I can't argue with my teammate and also the issue of the boss's bad temper. The latest one is about your two friends."
("I remember.")
"Exactly, why are you asking me out? Did you get hit by a potion or something?!" The young man looked accusingly at the person on the other end of the line, who remained calm and unaffected, as if asking another man out was as normal as asking for a glass of water with extra chili from a rice stall.
("Being in a relationship makes it easier to get along.")
"Take it easy, Boss. We just started talking two days ago. Look at my fingers. This is one, and this is two." Lam raised his thumb and index finger.
("Making an 'L' gesture doesn't necessarily mean it's a romantic confession.")
"Well, that's disappointing. Is that all?"
("I just wanted to create a relaxing atmosphere because your eyebrows are furrowed together as if they're almost permanently stuck like that.")
"Does the boss know the meaning of relaxation? If you said it's when push yourself to the point where your brain's blood vessels burst, it's believable." The young man shrugged.
("That's true. We only started talking two days ago, but you seem obsessed with time. Okay, then tomorrow I'll come to the office and we'll talk a lot. We'll see each other often so you can forget about time. Wait for me in the room at ten o'clock, alright?")
"No, no, I don't want that. Who would wait to meet in the boss's room? Are you crazy? I'll resign instead." Laem resisted, trying to escape the situation. Normally, He is the one teasing, but now that he was on the receiving end, he fell flat on his face, much to his annoyance.
("If you resign, I'll drive my car out to find you in the room.")
"Come on, I won't open the door for the boss, so you'll just stand there in front of my dorm?"
("I'll tell PEA that I'm the owner of the company where you're interning, and I've come to retrieve the items you stole.")
"You're good at making up stories just to get that thing back? I don't want it, Boss. Don't even think about it. Otherwise, I'll kick your egg until it cracks." Lam raised his leg up to the screen level, but the other person just laughed as if they found it amusing.
("I'll wait for the answer until tomorrow if you're not really serious about being in a relationship. Starting today, and then ending it by the New Year, shouldn't be difficult, right, smart one?")
"You're so annoying. Whether it's about being gay or not, what does it have to do with being the boss's boyfriend? The boss doesn't like me, right? Or is it that you're just being stubborn and creating a situation that has to be true?"
("For now, yes, but in the future, who knows?")
"Don't say that. If you like me, just say you like me."
("It all started with the desire to conquer, right?")
"Keep dreaming. Once I know that the boss has this plan, I'd better back off. Because, anyway, the boss will probably give me a job. I've already passed the interview. This situation... and going to the som tam restaurant, it's not because you can't stand missing me, right? It started from genuine affection, right?"
("Take it easy. If we're in a relationship, you can get infatuated all you want.")
"Okay then. Open your heart and let's talk. Is the boss feeling lonely?"
("A little bit.")
"This shows a lot." The young man licked his lips and furrowed his brows, thinking of finding a way to let the other party off the hook. Because arguing wouldn't get him anywhere. It felt like being tricked and insulted throughout the show. Laem assumed a posture as if he was about to give a lecture and prepared to prod only once. He had to soften the blow first.
"I'm not actually homophobic, Boss. I'm okay with being gay. I've seen my teammates secretly kissing before."
("How do you feel about it?")
"I was surprised, but I understand. It's normal. Couples kiss, and those two men are a couple."
("If you think that way, don't you want to know how those two men feel? Is it different from when you dated women?")
"I'm not someone who wants to know and see everything, Boss. Thank you for the advice." Normally, he was someone who would accept a challenge and agree immediately, but now Laem had to be more composed than ever before, ten times more composed, because the opponent was the boss.
( Afraid of being teased by the senior, huh? )
"If the boss sees it, then he'll understand me."
( Referring to someone named Tee or Tap, because I don't think Jack is like that. )
"Wait, how do you know their names?" Laem furrowed his brows.
( I secretly searched for your team's names on Google a little. )
"So, you like researching, huh, Boss... Look, if you don't quit, I'll do the same, okay?"
The young boy smirked like a victorious person. Even though he didn't argue much, at least Laem won because he was the target. How satisfying!
("I just wanted to know what environment you're surrounded by. What makes you such a spoiled brat like this?")
"you said not to use those kinds of words."
"Why do you have to say things like that? Boss, You're making me retreat more than move forward. You know that, right?" He was chased and cornered heavily until his back hit the wall. He couldn't climb over and escape because, from the look of it, the wall seemed like the Great Wall of China.
("If you're shy, you don't have to let others know")
"Why does Boss want to be with someone like me, seriously?"
("I don't like people who tease, I don't like people who argue cleverly, I don't like people who use vulgar language, and you're a zero, combining everything I don't like. But there's one thing that makes me interested in you, and that's your voice. I'm not lying about this. I really like your voice, even in trivial matters that I find annoying, but I still want to keep listening.")
"This can be called a love confession, right? I'm easily swayed."
"If the boss doesn't have a partner, who is the person they're cozying up with?"
("Are you referring to the person I occasionally sleep with?")
"Yes, is there someone?"
("Yes.")
"Then why don't you date that person? Regardless, you both have a common goal." Confused or lonely, I can be the mother who lull you to sleep.
("If I want to be their partner and why would I invite you Your age is --")
"I'm in my early twenties." Laem interrupted and smiled before picking up his glasses and putting them on again. Annoyed!!! Are you happy now?!!!
("You learn quickly, quite interesting.")
"What else?"
("It's true that we've been talking for two days, but you managed to trap me faster than I expected. I like someone who can stop me.")
"Do you collect toll fees, Boss?" If you reply with, 'I use Easy Pass, you idiot,' this joke will be embarrassing instantly.
("You enjoy speaking nonsense, but it improves my mood.")
"As for me, I'm irritated."
("Don't overthink it. It's already been a year. If you keep holding onto the fact that we've been talking for three or four months before dating, it's a waste of time. I clearly expressed my intention that I want to be together until the new year. Trying talking to strangers like you once in a while won't hurt. And you'll come to realize if you're genuinely homophobic or just trying to Speak for yourself. to look good")
"You keep insulting me. Fine, if you really like my voice, I'll become the voice boyfriend for you."
("Do you mean a phone sex operator?")
"Well, that's terrible. I was just kidding. I meant an ASMR-style boyfriend. Boss, I can provide whatever role-play boyfriend you want. On Monday, I can be an anxious person. On Tuesday, a shy person. On Wednesday, a dominant person who likes to tease and play rough. Just request it. This way, it can soothe you, Boss." Laem thought to himself, amidst the intriguing charm of the person on the phone.
("Even if you speak like that, well, what you said is quite interesting. Agreed. From this moment on, I'll be a fan of your voice. I'm okay with talking romantically from Monday to Wednesday, but Thursday to Sunday, I prefer it to be 'erotic' until I fall asleep.")
"Just a moment, I was just joking, who would want to have that kind of conversation with a... Oops!!! If I say 'man' again, he'd call me homophobic again!!!"
("I'll hang up so you can take a bath. After that, you can do whatever you want. I'll go back to work and figure out how to sleep. As for tomorrow...")
"Boss, calm down. Take a deep breath. Who got to you like this?" Laem looked at the person on the screen tenderly. Damn, why did the boss have to be so damn attractive?!!!
("Tomorrow at 10 o'clock, I might get to see the face of my new boyfriend waiting in the office.")
TBC