Chapter 6: You're interested in him?

Pat laughed drunkenly against Tee's shoulder.

“The floor’s moving again,” he mumbled.

“The floor is not moving,” Tee replied, exhausted already.

“It definitely is”

Yut watched the scene quietly before setting his whiskey down.

Tee sighed heavily, trying to pulled Pat upright while reaching for his car key.

“You're impossible”

“I'm charming”

“You're heavy”

Before Tee could struggle any futher, Yut stood up from the booth.

“I'll help”

Tee hesitated instinctively

But Pat already leaning half his weight against Yut's shoulder uselessly.

Between the two of them, they managed to pull Pat upright. Together, they both guided Pat through the crowded lounge. His arm hung heavily around Tee’s shoulders while Yut steadied him from the other side.

Pat mumbled incoherent complaints under his breath.

Pat’s head dropped forward slightly.

“Tee…” he muttered weakly.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m here,” Tee answered softly.

“Wayu… Wayu, you know… he is a…” Pat stuttered drunkenly before suddenly blurting out far too loudly, “A motherfucker… ha ha ha!”

“Shiaa, you’re screwed, Pat,” Tee muttered under his breath, immediately glancing around in embarrassment to see if anyone had heard him.

Pat only laughed harder, completely unbothered.

Beside them, Yut couldn’t help but smile faintly.

For some reason, he found Pat unexpectedly cute like this, messy, drunk, emotionally reckless… yet strangely genuine.

The loud music and glowing lights of the lounge faded behind them as they carefully guided Pat outside.

Cool night air hit their faces immediately.

Bangkok’s streets shimmered beneath neon signs and passing headlights while luxury cars lined the entrance of Siam After Dark.

Tee unlocked the BMW remotely.

“Open the passenger side,” he told Yut.

Yut nodded and pulled the door open smoothly.

“Easy” Yut said quietly as Pat almost stumbled again

They both eased Pat carefully into the seat.

Tee crouched slightly beside him.

“You good?”

Pat gave a lazy thumbs up without opening his eyes.

“…I hate alcohol.”

Tee snorted.

“You say that every single time.”

Pat slumped instantly against the headrest, eyes barely open.

Dead asleep.

After shutting the car door, Tee exhaled deeply and ran one hand through his hair.

“I’m never letting him drink like this again.”

For the first time that night, Yut actually laughed softly.

“He’s surprisingly stubborn.”

“You have no idea.”

“Sorry you had to deal with that.”

“It’s fine,” Yut replied calmly, glancing toward the sleeping Pat through the window.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Tee opened the car door, he reached into Pat’s blazer pocket to grab his wallet.

A sleek cardholder slipped halfway out.

Tee paused before shutting the car door.

Then slowly looked up at him.

“You interested in him?”

Yut didn’t answer immediately.

But his eyes shifted toward the sleeping Pat inside the car.

That alone was enough of an answer.

Tee studied him carefully for a few seconds before pulling one of Pat’s contact cards from the cardholder.

He handed it over.

He pulled out a sleek cardholder, and removed one of Pat's contact card.

Tee studied him carefully for a few quiet seconds before finally pulling out the card and handing it over.

Pat Thanawat. Event Planner. Phone number neatly printed beneath.

Yut accepted it slowly.

“If you’re planning to play games with him,” Tee said quietly, his tone suddenly serious, “don’t bother.”

Yut looked down at the card once before slipping it into his pocket.

Then his gaze lifted back toward the sleeping Pat inside the car.

“I don’t think someone with eyes like his would survive another disappointment,” Yut said softly.

Tee’s expression shifted slightly.

Because for the first time that night,

someone else had noticed it too..

Yut gaze shifted back towards the sleeping Pat in the car.

For the First time that night,

his composed expression softened slightly.

“Drive safely” Yut said quietly.

And somehow, Tee suddenly had the strange feeling this wouldn't be the last time Yut crossed path with Pat.

Tee got into the car and pulled away from the curb, the engine fading smoothly into the Bangkok night.

Yut remained where he stood, his hands tucked into his pockets as he watched the car disappear gradually from sight beneath the glowing city lights.

For a moment, he said nothing.

But the faint smile lingering on his lips never quite faded.

………….

The room looked hazy and unsteady as Pat slowly struggled to open his eyes. His vision blurred for a few seconds while he scanned the unfamiliar stillness of the bedroom through half lidded eyes.

A soft groan escaped his lips as he stretched weakly beneath the covers before finally forcing his eyes open completely. He sprawled carelessly across the bed, leaving the sheets tangled and messy around him.

Morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, landing against his face and the dark strands of his disheveled fringe, making his fluffy hair glow faintly beneath the warm light.

Pat blinked slowly and glanced around the room again, checking instinctively for another presence.

Nothing.

He was alone.

Letting out a tired sigh, he pushed the duvet away from his body and moved toward the edge of the bed, sitting upright sluggishly. His gaze dropped to the loose pajamas he was wearing, and he sneered faintly in confusion, trying to remember when he had changed clothes.

But before the thought could settle, a sharp headache struck him instantly.

“Urgh… cheab,” he muttered under his breath, squeezing his eyes shut.

He lifted a hand weakly to his forehead, massaging his temple with the tips of his fingers as the painful throbbing spread through his head.

After sitting there for a while, Pat tried to stand.

The moment he got to his feet, his knees weakened beneath him.

He staggered slightly before collapsing back onto the edge of the bed with a frustrated groan.

The alcohol from the previous night still lingered heavily in his system, leaving his entire body drained and unsteady.

Pat remained seated at the edge of the bed for a few more seconds before finally forcing himself up again, this time moving slower and more carefully.

His body still felt weak from the alcohol, every step heavy as he dragged himself toward the bedroom door.

The moment he stepped out into the sitting room, he paused slightly.

Everything looked… spotless.

Unlike his own condominium that constantly carried traces of sleepless nights and emotional wreckage, Tee’s place felt warm, organized, and alive. The marble center table gleamed beneath the morning sunlight, the dark leather couch perfectly arranged with neatly placed cushions. Even the faint scent of coffee and clean linen lingering in the air made the place feel comforting.

Pat immediately knew it wasn’t his condo.

It was Tee’s. He sucked his teeth.

He walked tiredly toward the couch before letting himself fall onto it heavily, leaning his head back against the soft cushion with a quiet groan. His eyes wandered lazily around the silent condominium before shifting toward the kitchen area.

Empty.

No sign of Tee anywhere.

Pat frowned faintly.

Did he already leave for work?

Without telling him?

The thought unsettled him more than he expected. Tee was never the type to leave him alone without saying anything, especially after the state he had been in last night.

Pat rubbed his forehead tiredly, still battling the pounding headache behind his eyes.

Just as he was lost in thought, the sound of the front door unlocking echoed through the condo.

Pat lifted his head immediately.

Tee stepped inside carrying a plastic takeout bag in one hand. The moment his eyes landed on Pat sitting awake on the couch, relief flashed briefly across his face.

“You’ve sobered up,” Tee said as he slipped off his shoes.

Without waiting for a response, he walked straight toward the kitchen.

“Come to the kitchen. I got you hangover soup, Tom Kha Gai”

Pat watched him quietly.

“You were completely wasted last night,”

Tee continued while unpacking containers from the plastic bag. “Do you still have a headache?”

Though Tee wasn’t directly looking at him, the concern in his voice was impossible to miss.

Pat slowly pushed himself off the couch and dragged his exhausted body toward the kitchen.

He settled onto one of the stools beside the kitchen island, sitting opposite Tee while the warm aroma of the soup filled the air between them.

“I have a headache…” Pat admitted quietly as he picked up the spoon. “But I’m fine.”

Tee looked up at him immediately, clearly unconvinced.

Pat ignored the stare and slowly took a sip from the soup instead.

Warm.

Comforting.

And strangely enough,

it was the first thing that had settled his chest all morning.

Tee finally sat down across from Pat with his own bowl of soup, though his attention remained fixed on Pat rather than the food.

For a while, only the faint clinking of spoons against ceramic bowls filled the quiet kitchen.

Pat ate slowly, one spoonful at a time, his messy fringe falling slightly over his tired eyes.

Tee clicked his tongue softly.

“You scared the hell out of me last night, you know that?” he muttered. “I practically carried your dead weight through half of Bangkok.”

Pat let out a faint scoff without looking up.

“You exaggerate too much.”

“Oh really?” Tee leaned back against the stool with disbelief written all over his face.

“You were screaming about Wayu in the middle of the lounge like some heartbroken drama lead.”

Pat immediately froze mid spoon.

Tee pointed at him accusingly.

“And don’t even get me started on the way you kept asking for ‘one more shot’ when you could barely stand.”

Pat groaned softly in embarrassment and rubbed his forehead again.

“Please stop talking…”

“Nope.” Tee took another spoonful calmly.

“You deserve the lecture.”

Pat shook his head helplessly before quietly continuing his soup.

After a brief silence, he suddenly looked around the condominium again.

“Why didn’t you take me back to my condo?” he asked quietly.

Tee looked at him like the answer should’ve been obvious.

“You seriously asking me that?”

Pat frowned faintly.

“You were completely wasted, emotionally unstable, and barely conscious,” Tee replied firmly. “There was no way I was leaving you alone in that state.”

Pat lowered his eyes toward the soup.

“And honestly…” Tee sighed lightly. “I didn’t trust you to be alone last night.”

That made Pat’s chest tighten slightly.

He didn’t respond immediately.

Instead, he quietly stirred the soup with his spoon before muttering softly,

“Sorry for stressing you out.”

Tee scoffed.

“You’re my best friend, idiot. That’s literally part of the job.”

A faint smile finally touched Pat’s lips.

After they finished eating, Tee gathered the empty bowls and placed them into the sink before casually leaning against the kitchen counter.

“So…” he began slowly. “What do you think about Yut?”

Pat immediately frowned.

“Why are you bringing him up?”

“Because he spent half the night helping your drunk ass,” Tee replied. “And he seemed interested in you.”

Pat instantly shook his head.

“No.”

“Tsk. I didn’t even say anything yet.” Tee folded his arms.

“I’m not interested.” Pat stood up slowly from the stool and walked toward the living room, exhaustion still lingering in his movements. “I’m not ready for any of that.”

Tee followed behind him calmly.

Pat dropped onto the couch and leaned his head back tiredly.

“I don’t think I can love anyone again right now,” he admitted quietly. “It feels wrong.”

Tee’s expression softened instantly.

For a few seconds, he simply looked at Pat silently before sitting beside him.

“I’m not telling you to replace Way.” Tee’s voice was gentle now. “And I’m not saying it has to be Yut.”

Pat remained quiet.

“But Pat…” Tee continued softly, “you can’t keep locking yourself inside that pain forever.”

Pat’s fingers tightened slightly against his lap.

“You loved someone deeply. That’s not a crime.”

The living room fell silent again.

“You don’t have to rush into another relationship,” Tee added warmly. “Just… allow yourself to breathe again. Meet people. Laugh again. Live again.”

Pat stared quietly at the floor.

“And someday,” Tee said with a small reassuring smile, “when your heart is ready… maybe you’ll let someone love you properly too.”

Pat’s eyes lowered slowly.

For the first time in a long while, those words didn’t feel impossible to hear anymore.