Joong thought that he must be dreaming when he saw Dunk sitting at the beach. He was watching two boys playing in the sea. He had never seen him so relaxed.
"What brings you to Hua Hin?" Joong asked as he walks over to Dunk.
"Ai Joong! What a coincidence! What are you doing here?"
"I'm here for a shoot. We just wrapped up." Dunk nodded in understanding.
"Brought my brothers here to chill for the weekend. It's been too long since I last brought them out for fun. Just felt that I should be spending some time with them." He said while having a faraway look in his eyes. Before he could ask further, the two boys were heading towards them.
"Hia~~ We're hungry" Gemini whined.
"Would you like to join us, Joong? I know the best food in town. I'm sure you've not been there." Dunk smiled. Joong agreed not wanting to miss an opportunity to be with Dunk but he was worried that he was taking his time away from his family. Dunk dismissed his thought by asking him to look at their excited face. He introduced Joong to his brothers- Phuwin and Gemini. Gemini gushes that he can't believe that his brother knows a celebrity. He all but drag Joong along as they took a small path heading towards Dunk's car.
Joong was confused when Dunk stopped his car in front of an old wooden house.
"Bpaa khup~~" Dunk called out. A warm gregarious woman came out to great them. She led them to a table in the dining room.
"You brought a friend, Nuu Dunk?"
" Of course, your food is to die for." She laughed at Dunk saying that that was too much of a compliment.
" Am I really not intruding? This seems like a family event." Joong feeling out of depth.
"Don't worry Nuu. We are not related. We used to run the restaurant from our house but with Nuu Dunk investing in our business, my daughter has opened the restaurant in the city centre. But Nuu Dunk still prefers to come here whenever he visits." Bpaa explained.
"How can I meet Bpaa and Yaa if not here? How is everyone?" Bpaa updates Dunk on how everyone has been doing as she serves the food. Joong's mouth waters looking at the food in front of him. Dunk serves the rice for everyone, explaining food that may not be familiar to Joong. He makes sure to serve Phuwin and Gemini their favourite food. Joong noticed that Dunk had barely touched his food. He was busy listening to his brother as they gushed over their food and updating him on what has been happening in their lives.
"Dunk Dunk, you got to try this. Aroi loiiee (it's really delicious)." Joong puts a big scoop onto his plates. Dunk thanks him and eats politely. They shifted to an easy conversation among the four of them. Joong observes and makes sure that Dunk is eating during the conversation, refilling dishes for him whenever he stops.
When Dunk excuses himself to go to the washroom, he caught Phuwin staring at him. He nearly choked on his water when Phuwin asked him, "You like my brother, don't you?" Not mincing his words at all. Joong thought. Gemini looked on curiously.
"what makes you say so?"
"My brother may be dense, but I'm not. You've been looking at him the whole night. No one stares at their acquittance/ friend like that." Joong didn't know how to answer him. Unsure how this will turn out.
"I like that you take care of my brother, making sure he's eating. Gem and I would not be able to pull that through. You may see him as a strong CEO now but we were once very poor. He had always made sure we have enough to eat, not a care on whether he was full. This habit has been ingrained in him. None of us could change that but you did today. If you have any intention of pursuing my brother, I'll be watching you." Joong was unsure if it meant that he has Phuwin's blessing.
" Su su na, Phi Joong" Gemini grinning widely, liking the idea of Dunk having a faen. At least Joong knows that Gemini is on his side.
Bpaa had come over to check on them. Joong complimented the food asking for the address of her daughter's restaurant, hoping to bring his cast members there. Bpaa had proudly told him the address, mentioned how grateful she was in meeting Dunk all those years back when they were struggling. She told him to make sure to mention Dunk's name when he goes over there.
Dunk had came back telling his brothers that Yaa seems to be doing well and they needed to leave before it was too late for Joong. Dunk had drove Joong towards the small secluded entrance at the hotel, dropping Joong off first. Gemini was confused as to why he needed to drop Joong off separately. Dunk had to remind him that Joong is a famous celebrity and they can never be too careful. Joong was touched by his action.
If Joong he had liked Dunk before, he was sure he was in love with him now. He saw the considerate side of him. The family man, the loving brother, the compassionate man who was willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need.
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A/N: How does Joong looks at Dunk? I think we are all familiar with it but here's a reference if you need one:
I'm glad that many love the eye candy in the marketing plan chapter. My immediate reaction when I saw that pic, loorh maak (so handsome)! Couldn't miss the opportunity to share. I'll try to drop random eye candies here and there (if it fits) for those in support of this series. My thank you to you. 🥰🥰
Translation according to my understanding:
Hia- brother
Bpaa- aunt
yaa- grandma
nuu- referring to something younger from an elder perspective. Mostly used with kids
su su- Thai expression that is exactly the same to Korean's expression fighting! word of encouragement if you don't know what I'm referring to. that's the best I can explain. 😅😅