Prologue
Love is such an annoyance, and those who are in love are the most irritating of all.
It’s so boring.
“Connor, I’ll do the dishes myself.”
“Oh, baby. You cook, I clean. Don’t worry about it.”
Annoying.
“Khom, I think you’ve lost more weight. Look, your waist is even smaller.”
“I think you just came up with an excuse to hug me. Let me go, Rak is here.”
“Fuck him. He wasn’t invited anyway. Khom, you smell so good.”
Kiss!
That’s so annoying.
“Connor, stop it. That’s enough. I told you not to.”
"You crazy Farang*.”
(*Farang means Caucasian or white people. Can be used as a derogatory term depending on the context.)
When the lovebirds were getting cozy in the middle of the luxurious condo, delving under each of their shirts, they couldn’t escape the bored gaze of the man who’d slept on the sofa for an hour. Rak lifted his head to curse his blond, green-eyed friend, who wouldn’t stop hugging his young boyfriend.
And that made the sharp-featured southern man, now with flushed cheeks, quickly grab the large hand sneaking under his shirt, stopping him urgently.
“Connor, let go.”
But what was Connor Warrington doing? He looked into his partner’s eyes as if to obey, only to say, “No.”
“Connor!”
After that brief protest, Connor buried his face in the nape of his lover’s neck, pressing his lips heavily onto the smooth, dark skin, eliciting a wave of protests from Khom, which went unheeded. The more Khom tried to escape, the more Connor attacked his sensitive spots, leaving the other person in the room feeling invisible.
And that person didn’t hesitate to confront Connor.
“Shameless.”
“If shameless means someone who comes over uninvited, doesn’t help clean up after eating, lies sprawled in the middle of the house without permission, and can’t be chased away, I think a Thai like you should know exactly who the shameless one here.”
As soon as the young man on the sofa spat out his words, the Canadian, who couldn’t stop playing with his boyfriend, retorted with a melodious voice, contrasting the sharp words that were understood perfectly in Thai. Then, Connor looked up, his sparkling green eyes full of love as he gazed at his bewildered partner, ending with a heavy kiss on the forehead.
“Look at that face, so adorable.”
If Khom hadn’t heard the previous sentence, he might’ve been shy, but all he could do was glance at the person on the sofa with a wry smile.
“Connor!” The only guest in the house suddenly stood up with an annoyed expression.
But soon enough, he flashed a sweet smile, knowing that getting angry wouldn’t help anything.
“You Farang, psycho, spoiled brat, asshole, fuck boy!”
“Wow, I think the last one is how you describe yourself, Rak,” the house owner replied with an equally beaming smile.
The charming smile they exchanged starkly contrasted with the combative glint in their eyes, signaling that neither was willing to back down. This led Khom to conclude that... they were both as bad as each other.
After knowing the two for over six months, Khomgrich knew better than to get in the middle of two best friends in their verbal sparring because...
“If I were you, Khom. I’d break up with this psycho.”
...He could end up being pulled into the argument, too.
At this moment, Rak, or Tongrak, turned back to look at the southern man, a decade younger, with an attractive smile. Khom wasn’t surprised that so many young men and women wanted to get Tongrak into bed. Beyond his handsome and pretty face, his skin was so fair it seemed to glow, and when combined with his well-shaped body that was lean rather than bulky, this man’s allure was hard to resist. With those bold honey-colored eyes, people were willing to give him what he wanted.
Khom might be one of them, but not in this case.
That thought made Khom glance at the person hugging his waist and say shyly, “I won’t.”
“Did you hear that? No matter how hard you try, Khom won’t break up with me,” Connor didn’t miss the chance to raise an eyebrow at his friend. His arms wrapped even tighter around Rak’s waist, nearly burying him in his chest, unlike Tongrak, who pouted.
Khom continued with a smile, “Because who’d pay for my tuition?”
“Wait, what? Babe!”
Tongrak burst into laughter. Especially when he saw his friend, who used to be too proud to bow to anyone, now looking all puppy-eyed at the kid. The sight was just too funny, and the gloom that had been present before began to dissipate bit by bit. He had to admit, he really liked this kid.
About a year ago, when his close friend, Connor, called to ask him to find a private university and a condo, Tongrak thought jokingly that his friend would adopt a kid. He could hardly believe that not long after, Connor was indeed supported Khom—not just temporarily but for life. He even went so far as to tattoo Khom’s name over the tiger tattoo on his back. This made Tongrak curious about what was so special about Khom.
When he finally met Khom, he understood. Khom had an innocence and purity that neither he nor Connor possessed.
Tongrak admitted he was charmed, but that was it. He wasn’t the type to steal a friend’s lover. Besides...
“Do you think all I’m good for is paying your tuition, Khom?” The Canadian’s whiny tone was downright horrifying. “Even when I love you this much.”
Connor was so obsessed with his boyfriend.
Tongrak glanced at the other young man, whose cheeks were flushed, looking like he was about to retort, prompting Tongrak to interject quickly.
“Enough, that’s enough. I can’t listen anymore. I give up, okay? Go makeup with each other somewhere else. That’s so nauseating.”
He’d break out in hives if he had to listen to them being lovesick any longer.
“You should go now,” The Canadian said dismissively, to which the listener just smiled, and then...
Thud!
“No.”
Tongrak lay back down on the plush sofa, pulling a pillow under his head and hugging another, signaling that even if the room owner kicked him out, he wouldn’t leave. His cheeks puffed up in a way his bedmate would never see as he used his beautiful eyes to scrutinize his best friend.
Before Connor had Khom, this crazy Farang wasn’t much different from him—love was nonsense, and fun was what mattered most. And maybe Connor was even worse than him. He’d made people cry countless times. But look at him now.
His friend had changed so much.
From a carefree playboy who used to take anyone he wanted to his room, he now found himself with eyes only for one person—a love so foolish or insane, but somehow... it was endearing.
Here we go again.
It was at that moment that the emerald green eyes met his, causing him to avert his gaze inadvertently.
“Khom, could you check my luggage to see if I’ve packed the gifts?” Connor gently pushed his boyfriend’s back, smiling softly.
“Sure.”
After the kid with the beautiful skin disappeared into the master bedroom, a silence clouded the room for a brief moment until Rak abruptly sat up, only to be outpaced by Connor, who stepped closer and placed a hand on his head more swiftly.
“Are you lonely?”
“I’ve told you before, don’t mess up my hair,” Rak said, brushing off the other’s hand. His voice was tinged with irritation.
Connor wasn’t the least bit offended. Not only did he not care, but he also plopped down beside him and casually draped an arm over his best friend’s shoulder, his eyes twinkling with understanding.
“If you’re lonely, find someone to keep you company.”
“I don’t see the need,” Rak stubbornly retorted.
“I’m in a relationship now, Rak. I can’t sit and listen to you complain three times a day after meals.”
“I’m not an after-dinner pill, and you don’t have to pretend to be nice. These days, you hang up on me after three minutes anyway,” Rak pouted.
“And I’m also the pillow you lean on when you can’t write your novels,” Connor continued teasingly.
“That’s why I said don’t pretend to be nice. You haven’t been my pillow for half a year now,” Rak couldn’t hide the hurt in his voice. It wasn’t that he was jealous of his dear friend. It was just...
“I’m not your toy anymore.”
Yes, Rak was just like a child whose favorite toy had been taken away.
He’d known Connor since they studied abroad, drawn to both his looks and his free-spirited personality. He could confidently say that Connor was an important friend—just a friend, a real friend with whom he’d never had a physical relationship and perhaps the only friend with whom he told everything.
When that friend decided to settle down with someone, all he felt was a sense of being adrift, without purpose. He wasn’t the least bit envious.
Not because Connor had a significant other. Not at all.
“If you’re jealous, why don’t you find someone for yourself?” Connor said in a tone that was half-teasing and half-serious.
“I never said I was jealous of you.”
“You don’t want a boyfriend. You don’t want anyone. You’re just lonely, huh?”
“You know too much.”
“Well, how many years have we known each other?”
Tongrak turned his face away before a sly smile crept onto his lips.
Snap!
“That’s right, how many years has it been? Do you think Khom can compete with me?” Tongrak joked, wrapping his arm snugly around Connor’s waist, leaning his head against his broad shoulder, but his eyes were on the young man clinging to the doorframe. Then he glanced back at his best friend, who hadn’t moved an inch.
Ugh, these guys are so boring.
Why did he think they were boring?
“I’m not competing with you, Rak. I came later, and besides... I know that you’re Connor’s best friend. You always come first,” Khom replied earnestly, but it made Tongrak laugh out loud.
How could he not find this kid endearing? The kid was taking everything so seriously.
Maybe he came first, but nevertheless, he was just a friend.
“Have you asked this guy yet? I came first, you say? How many times has he ditched me since he met you? Don’t make me count how many times he’s hung up on me, bailed on plans, and even had me book plane tickets for him. But rest assured, even if you paid me, I wouldn’t take him. Having him as a husband would be horrifying,” Tongrak pushed himself out of the strong embrace, making room for Khom to sit where he had been, and then reached out to pinch the kid’s cheek mischievously.
“I’d rather have someone like Khom.”
“Tongrak,” Connor’s green eyes deepened in hue.
“What? I didn’t even say I’d want your boy. I want to know if any more guys like him are on the island. Introduce me to someone, will you? But I prefer someone reasonable. I’m tired of those living off their parents’ dime.” The speaker said while playfully tugging at Khom’s cheek, thinking it might be time for a collagen refill to keep up with the youthful glow of these fresh-faced kids.
I’m 31 this year, huh?
Tongrak frowned at the thought, his hand instinctively touching his own cheek.
Do my cheeks look saggy?
“My friend?” Khom asked, a bit confused, to which Tongrak nodded.
“Yeah, introduce me to someone,” the beauty queen said, still tracing the lines of his cheek. He was growing uncertain, especially seeing Khom’s smooth, honey-toned skin up close.
Better call the doctor for an appointment tomorrow.
“Hey, and about packing your bags, where are you guys off to?”
Connor would probably be heading to the beach again, as usual...
“Visiting my parents.”
This time, Tongrak paused, turning sharply to look at his best friend as if to say, ‘What’?
While Connor laughed heartily and declared clearly, “Yep. I’m taking Khom to Canada for a month.”
“A month?!”
“Don’t die of loneliness before I get back, okay?”
Connor’s voice was overly sympathetic. He patted Tongrak’s head as if consoling a three-year-old.
“If you get too lonely, just find someone to keep you company. You can glance at them, and they’ll run right after you, haha.”
At this moment, Tongrak could only think...
I’m not that kind of person, your crappy friend.
The midday sun glinted off the azure waters, sparkling brilliantly. The breeze carried the scent of the sea, and the sound of waves lapping against the boat’s hull was like a soothing symphony. The white sandy beach stretched to the horizon.
A vision of a southern paradise.
Yes, That would be what most people might think.
“This is hell.”
But unfortunately, Tongrak wasn’t like most people.
At this moment, on the deep-water pier with a bridge stretching out to the azure sea, a large passenger boat on which Tongrak had embarked alone stood out prominently, attracting the attention of the locals who’d come to fish. Ordinary passengers would’ve boarded at the island’s main pier. Renting a large boat all to oneself like this meant one thing... wealth.
The wealthy man in question paid no mind to the gazes of others. His fair hand pulled off a pair of branded sunglasses, revealing his handsome face, twisted and contorted in frustration.
“I should’ve known better.”
And if anyone listened closely, they’d hear Tongrak grinding his teeth in irritation.
He’d been outsmarted and made a mistake, but what really stung was being bested by his own friend.
“While I’m away, go and rest up. I’ll take care of everything. Your new project is about the beach, isn’t it?”
Indeed, Tongrak was a writer, and not just any writer, but a popular one with multiple pen names. His works were adapted into TV dramas and translated into foreign languages. This time, he was about to finish the manuscript for his latest story about a beautiful sea. Initially, he was worried because if his friend wasn’t around, the help he needed to complete the work might disappear. So, when he heard the offer while in a foul mood, he inadvertently accepted. But who’d have thought that after flying for hours, he’d still have to endure over two hours on a boat!
Two hours of the boat rocking back and forth, no less.
He wasn’t in his early twenties anymore, like when he went shark diving with Connor.
Tongrak was thirty, edging into thirty-one, and he was a thirty-something who stayed up late, woke up in the afternoon, couldn’t live without caffeine, and considered drinking alcohol a hobby. So, with insufficient sleep and a slight hangover, encountering something like this was enough to make his mood turn sour.
Not to mention the sweltering heat of the southern climate.
When’s someone going to come get him?
The handsome man scanned the area but didn’t see anyone who looked familiar.
Tongrak just wanted to take a shower and jump into bed already.
Vroom!
Just then, the sound of an engine grew loud enough that he had to look up, and there he saw a motorcycle speeding along the bridge, prompting him to sigh.
It wasn’t his problem.
That’s what Tongrak thought, but as he was searching for a vehicle to pick him up, that very motorcycle came to a halt right in front of him, causing him to squint in suspicion.
“Ah yeh Rak, sir?”
Tongrak’s brow furrowed sharply.
It wasn’t the thick Southern accent that was hard to understand, but rather the moment the man in front of him stood up, revealing a towering and burly figure that almost completely overshadowed him, with messy hair, worn pants, and a shirt in a faded color that made him double-check he hadn’t heard wrong.
“Are you the one picking me up?”
As soon as the other man nodded, Tongrak auTongrakatically looked down at the motorcycle.
“Are you crazy? How am I supposed to load my stuff onto your bike!”
The fair-skinned man protested, gesturing towards his two large, expensive suitcases worth nearly a hundred thousand baht. He then flicked his gaze back to the small vehicle.
The listener bowed his head, pondering for a moment, then raised his hand as if to say, ‘Just a minute.’
Then the big man walked over to an old man fishing, patted his shoulder, and said something while pointing back at him, making Tongrak want to jump on a boat and return to Bangkok right then and there.
His gut told him this wasn’t going to be good.
Hell no.
But before the hungover man, who hadn’t even had his caffeine fix, could decide what to do, the large man walked back with a wide grin.
“No worries, sir, I’ve got it sorted,” he said and then gestured towards... a tricycle.
Yes, a motorized tricycle with a sidecar, perfectly counting three wheels, was what’s known as a cargo bike.
And as if that wasn’t enough, he had the nerve to flash a wide smile, revealing neatly aligned white teeth, making Tongrak clench his jaw.
Connor, if you ever come back to Thailand... You’re dead!
