First Clash (Chapter 4)

Aroon’s fingers moved to Arthit’s shirt, slowly unbuttoning it, one by one… his gaze never leaving Arthit’s eyes.

Then, without breaking that gaze—

He leaned in and kissed him.

Soft at first.

But lingering.

An hour later—

Kulap sent the complete details about Thais.

Arthit got up from the bed, his shirt still partly unbuttoned, revealing his pale skin. Aroon was asleep, lying peacefully under the blanket.

Without disturbing him, Arthit walked toward the sofa in the room.

He sat down, lit a cigarette, and opened the file on his phone.

Cigarette in one hand. Phone in the other.

For the first time—

He saw Thais.

A photograph.

Arthit’s eyes paused.

Something flickered in them.

Not shock.

Not curiosity.

Something… unfamiliar.

Something he didn’t want to understand.

He looked away for a second, then continued reading.

Orphan.

Parents died in an accident.

Minimal background. No status. No power.

Arthit exhaled smoke slowly.

“Why him…?” he muttered under his breath. “Just an orphan… nothing more.”

He scoffed.

“A mouse… standing in front of me.”

Before he could think further—

“Are you really going to marry him?”

Aroon’s voice broke his thoughts.

Arthit turned.

Aroon was awake now, sitting up on the bed, looking at him.

“You don’t want me anymore?” he asked softly.

Arthit crushed the cigarette and walked closer.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“No, Roon,” he said calmly. “I chose you. And I will only choose you.”

He paused.

“This marriage… is just for Grandma.”

Aroon looked down, clearly unhappy.

“I don’t want you to marry anyone.”

“In this situation, I don’t have a choice,” Arthit replied. “It’s just for two years. After that… we’ll get married. Like we planned.”

Aroon stayed silent for a moment.

“…Okay.”

...🌙 Present — Thais’ Room...

Thais was asleep.

Arthit sat in the chair, watching him quietly.

After finishing his cigarette, he leaned back… and without realizing—

He fell asleep.

...🌅 Morning...

Thais slowly opened his eyes.

For a moment, he was confused.

Then he saw him.

A man… sleeping on the chair.

Arthit.

Thais quietly got out of bed and walked closer.

For a second, he just stood there, looking at him.

He’s… handsome.

The thought slipped into his mind before he could stop it.

He quickly looked away.

Then gently picked up a blanket and covered him.

As he turned to leave—

A hand grabbed his wrist.

Thais froze.

Arthit’s eyes were open.

Sharp.

Cold.

“I’m not doing anything,” Thais said quickly. “I was just covering you—”

“I didn’t ask.”

His voice was calm.

But heavy.

“Did you read the contract?”

Thais frowned slightly.

“If you did… sign it.”

Something inside Thais snapped.

He pulled his hand slightly, but Arthit’s grip tightened.

“What if I don’t?” Thais asked, his voice firm.

For a moment—

Silence.

Then Arthit’s grip became harsher.

“Don’t test me.”

That was it.

Anger rose in Thais.

He looked straight into Arthit’s eyes.

“Don’t think I’m weak,” he said, his voice steady but sharp. “And don’t think you can do whatever you want.”

For the first time—

Someone talked back to Arthit like that.

Thais pulled his hand free from Arthit’s grip.

Then turned—

And walked straight into the bathroom.

The door shut.

Arthit remained standing there.

Still.

Silent.

Something unfamiliar settled in his chest.

Not anger.

Not control.

Something else.

For the first time—

He felt it.

A loss of control.

Because except for his grandmother…

No one had ever dared to speak to him like that.

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