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Follow your passion they said. Which Chay followed, only to realize passion sometimes doesn't pay the bills.
A graduate in art degree, Chay was taught the hard lesson, without contacts or financial back up, chances of making money out of the degree he majored in was almost nil.
Imposing himself on Porche was not an option, especially now with Porche's new relationship with Kinn.
Chay met Kinn just once and it was enough to know he was not only a gentleman, but he also came from an influential background and was sorting Porche's life out now. Porsche is finally getting the break he needed.
He didn't want to give the impression he was tagging along because of the money or connection.
Time has come for Chay to surrender his dream and join one of those private art museum where he will be helping promote the art work of those who made it instead.
Maybe one day, his art too would be on those walls.
He could however only join them 3 months later as he will be replacing another member who is leaving to the Paris to further his studies.
Meanwhile, Chay really needed a filler job for this 3 months.
He called P'Big, his senior from uni to follow up about the personal assistant job he mentioned previously. It was a PA job with one of the stars.
The previous PA apparently fell in love with the star and resigned because the unrequited feeling was getting too much in the way of their work. Chay was not given the details about the who as it was all very confidential.
They set an appointment to meet the following day.
The next day, Chay decided the whole job was a quack. He would have never accepted this job if he was not so desperate.
He had to sign a non disclosure agreement first even before the interview.
The job stipulation stated that Chay needed to stay with the star (they still did not reveal the who) and be available 24 hours (that's slavery!). He will be allowed one off day and that too following the free schedule of the star which is subject to change.
There was also a set of questions asking Chay of his relationship status and preference, cullinary skills, his sleeping habits, his hobbies, his favourite singers and actors/actressess.
There was also a fine print if he was found lying about this details, the contract termination will be effective immediately without any severence pay.
Most of all, he was not, under any circumstances allowed to sue his employer during and after his contract has ended.
Next, he was given a folder with the daily routines and preference of the star. It also had the do's and don'ts.
Chay stopped a second to re-read one of the sentences. Stated was the star's preference of condom brand, size, and flavour. Dear mother above. He was supposed to buy condoms too?
Chay also had to sit for a post test after and was only employed as he scored 80% and above.
Chay moved in to a two story penthouse condominium the following day. Before moving, he was given a temporary access card for parking and his facial and fingerprints were scanned and recorded as the house security operated with fingerprints and facial recognition.
Unless emergency or to supervise the cleaners, Chay was not allowed to go up to the second story. It was the star's private area.
With this overload of information, Chay entered the house and his jaw dropped, hanging, as he saw a huge black and white poster of pop idol Wik from his latest Valentino campaign staring at him.
Everyone in Thailand knew him. He is so much in demand that each of his concerts sold out and they even added a day 2 at some countries.
But Chay also knew this Wik had an equally flashy love life. Like how could he not with the visuals and the sexual magnetism in him just oozing out right?
The condom reference actually made sense now. He also understood why the PA couldn't stop from falling in love.
Chay was lucky in this. He knew there was no risk of him falling in love like the previous PA though . He liked Wik's music but he was not a serious fan.
Chay silently dragged his trolley bag and went to the room he was instructed. It was spacious and was decorated with navy blue and white theme, giving out an airy vibe. He had his own rain shower with a bath tub included. It felt like he was in a 5 star hotel.
He had 3 days to go through the schedule P'Big given him and other notes (separated in four folders) as Wik was currently on vacation.
One of the folders was on house rules and the cleaners roster. There is also a visiting housekeeper who does the groceries and fills up the fridge according to Wik's preference.
Chay couldn't relate to this kind of high end lifestyle. Felt like the stars's feet does indeed not touch the ground.
Chay made himself an omelette rice for dinner and slept off, setting the alarm early to go through his notes the following day.
He was in the midst of deep sleep when he heard it. Something crashed and he heard groans. Chay woke up with his hand clutched to his chest in panic.
He slowly walked towards his room door with his phone in hand in the dark. He leaned closed, with his ear on the door and listened. He didn't want to alert any potential robbers.
"More Wik, now! God!" Chay heard a male voice gasp and some hardcore grunts. Another crash. Chay winced and he couldn't believe this was freaking happening to him on day one here. He made a mental note to get himself ear plugs soon.
They went a few rounds more before there was some blessed silence. Chay gave up sleeping and had his earphones up but it only partially covered the noise from out as Chay didn't want to go deaf either blasting music.
The following morning, Chay tip toed out only to retreat immediately back to his room once he saw two very naked bodies asleep on the carpeted living room.
Based on the schedule in his folder, the cleaners would not be here for another 3 hours. He hoped the bodies infront will shift themself up before that.
Chay really didn't want to be the person waking those two up. Chay skipped breakfast and restlessly paced in his room, trying to listen for any movement. They were still dead asleep. Maybe he should reschedule the cleaners?
He texted P'Big and asked if it was alright to reschedule the cleaners and P'Big obviously had to ask why and Chay explained.
P'Big instead just asked Chay to wake those two up and get used to this. He also asked Chay to pass a bottle of water to Wik when he woke him up.
There was an hour more to go before the cleaners show up. Buddha didn't listen to Chay's heartfelt prayers. Taking few courageous breaths, Chay stepped out and went to the two sleeping bodies.
He squated and woke up Wik with a gentle nudge over the shoulder. He carefully avoided looking at parts which he had no business looking at. The other guy sleeping a few inches away was an up coming rising BL actor.
He always portrayed as if he was mild mannered during the interviews and Chay realized that was just a mask. The guy moaning yesterday with sexy filthy words was not mild mannered in any way.
Chay didn't expect for Wik to suddenly grasp his wrist and pull him forward, making him lose his balance and fall on Wik. A very naked Wik.
"Who are you?" Wik asked, his voice deep and husky. His eyes was sharp on Chay. Chay tried to pull back but Wik's hold was unrelenting. He was stronger than he looked.
"I...I am Chay...your new PA..P'Big hired me. I was informed you were on vacation.." Chay stammered.
Just like that, Wik released Chay's wrist and Chay clumsily stood up and stepped back. Wik sat down, unbothered about his nakedness and extended his hand. Remembering, Chay passed the water bottle.
Wik nudged the other actor's calf till he too got up and took in his surroundings. Seeing Chay there, the actor blushed a little and started dressing up.
"Thanks P'Wik for last night. Call me." The actor said as he hurriedly left while still buttoning his jeans and shirt.
Uncomfortable in the silence, Chay took the cushions from the floor and placed them on the sofa. He saw Wik standing up and stretching himself. Chay kept his back facing towards Wik to give him the privacy he needed until he dressed up at least.
Which turned out to be a mistake as Wik just slid his arm over Chay's waist and brought Chay's back closer to his chest, with no barriers between them.
"You are cute, Chay. Still a virgin are you?" He grinned before sauntering off upstairs.
Chay felt his whole body heat up and refuse to settle down till the cleaners came.
After the unconventional introduction, to Chay's everlasting relief, Wik didn't poke on Chay again. Chay was able to find his rhythm to work with Wik.
Wik was mostly flirty with everyone but not crossing boundaries except for that one time with Chay.
He was enigmatic with his responses, always polite no matter how tiring or packed the schedule was and when they were just alone, he was intensely quiet.
Chay did catch Wik looking at him from time to time. It was Chay who was always the first to break their eye contact though.
To Chay, it felt like flirty Wik was his star persona. A persona he deliberately projected to hide the real Wik.
He was surprisingly reasonable to work with. It could also be because Chay made sure he followed the instructions in the folder and asked P'Big if he needed any clarification.
Chay was entering his second week of his term with Wik when they had to attend an after party of an award show. It was Chay's first time and he did ask P'Big on how to go about it.
Chay also prepared himself in case Wik decided to bring someone back home tonight. He bought few boxes of condoms and stored it in Wik's bag pack.
Chay will also need to book Grab to go back home if Wik was going back home with a partner.
Chay was sitting with P'Big in the corner, watching everyone who is someone mingle around, laughing, and taking selfies with each other. It was all so glamourous. None of it appealed to Chay though. It felt so draining.
Taking a tissue paper, Chay started drawing random sketches.The actor he saw last week with Wik greeted him before approaching Wik.
Chay saw both of them talk but Wik smiled with a small shake of his. A gentle rejection. The actor lost some of his smile before he excused himself and moved away. To the actor's credit, he didn't make any scene.
Chay realized the rumours he heard during their working hours was true. Wik doesn't sleep with the same person more than once. Despite knowing that, many of them kept trying, hoping to capture Wik's elusive heart.
"Chay, my man!!!!!" Macau, his high school friend came and hugged him. It has been over a year since they last saw each other.
"What are you doing here, Cau?" Chay asked right back.
"My friends and I are the DJ here. You?"
"I am currently working as a PA for Wik." Chay shrugged.
He was surprised to see Macau burst laughing.
"You are working for my couz? He is a mood, that one." Macau continued snickering.
"Wik is your cousin? Wow.." Chay knew Macau was from a rich mafia family but he was always cool about it. He never lorded his riches in front of them or held himself above the rest during their high school.
It figured his boss was also from a very rich family. The way Wik carried himself was from an upbringing of old money, not new money.
"You hurt me, Chay." Macau said suddenly serious. Chay knew what he meant.
Chay didn't want to meet anyone until he was employed. He was in a depressive slump and kept ghosting all their invites.
"I am sorry, Macau." Chay sincerely apologized. He forgot Macau was one of the good ones who truly cared for Chay.
"Fine, make it up to me by replying my texts and calls next time." Macau smiled back and handed him a bottle of beer.
Chay shook his head and claimed he was working but Macau managed to convince him to drink that one bottle which went higher in numbers as the night progressed.
Retrospectively, Chay shouldn't have drank that one bottle of beer.
Chay woke up with a pounding headache. His mouth was dry and his throat was hoarse. The whole room was dark with blackout curtains. Chay slowly crawled out of the bed.
He wanted to howl when he noticed he didn't have a single stitch of clothing on him. His lower back was on fire and it was too sticky and damp between his thighs.
He squinted, trying to see through the dark and found clothes on the floor. He dragged his pants and fished for his phone. It was in his back pocket.
His phone showed it was 0817 a.m. He knew this was Wik's room. Almost hyperventilating, Chay stepped out the room and ran to his room downstairs.
The first thing Chay did was to browse through his calendar to see their schedule. He exhaled only after he saw they had a radio interview at 2 pm later.
Chay gulped down a bottle of water with pain killers before entering the shower stall and just sat down on the tiles, letting the rain shower wash away the remnants of last night.
Chay ignored some of the blood stain he saw fading with the water.
Try as he might, he couldn't recall last night's events clearly as he wanted.
He remembered drinking another bottle of beer and Macau dragging him to the dance floor. He remembered Macau saying its alright to let loose once in a while, he is there to take care of him if he becomes too drunk.
Chay trusted Macau as he had taken care of Chay before and went ahead seeing Wik was dancing with one of the actress. It didn't look like he was needed today.
Despite all that, he should have just stopped at one. Chay had low alcohol tolerance.
He remembered dancing with Macau and it felt so good to just have fun and not think of anything. Then there was a firm pair of hands grasping his hips and grinding against him.
Under normal circumstances, Chay would have moved away but he realized it was Wik and his body lost his usual inhibition.
He was curious and he wanted to experience this with Wik, just this one time. To let go and not think of consequences.
Chay who always prided with his self control and principles, broke his rules for Wik.
He decided he wanted more and touched Wik freely with a boldness he usually lacked. Wik for the funniest reason felt safe.
"Are you sure about this Chay? I can't stop if I start now." Wik warned.
"Yes, please." Chay remembered begging Wik.
He gave away his virginity, which he wanted to share with a loved one one day to a playboy pop idol, in a meaningless one night stand.
Chay admitted he was no different than the rest who wanted Wik. How dumb.
Chay spent about an hour in the shower crying his heart out. He didn't do things like this. He couldn't even call in sick and not see Wik as they were staying together.
Chay wore his comfy pajamas as there were still few hours left. He saw few texts from Macau last night and multiple missed calls and texts from P'Porche and P' Big during the time he showered.
Macau: Chay, hope you are ok. I only left as Kim (that's Wik's real name by the way) said he will take you home. He was sober.
Macau: Do you have something else going on with my couz? Both of you were glued to each other.😏
Macau: I have not seen Kim going back home sober with anyone.
Macau: Call me whenever you are good. Don't ghost me.
P' Porche: CALL ME CHAY!
P'Porche: WHERE WERE YOU LAST NIGHT?
Chay called Porche, which he answered at the second ring.
"Chay, where are you right now?"
"I am at my boss place, Phi. I am working as a PA to Wik remember?"
"Chay, your picture with your "boss" is circulating online all through IG, FB and twitter." Porche was freaking out. His voice was shrill on the other hand. He could hear Kinn trying to ask him to calm down.
"What pictures, Phi?" Chay
"I am sending you the links. And Chay, Wik is Kim, Kinn's youngest brother." Porche added.
Chay needed a pause. Things were blowing out of proportion here.
He scrolled through the link titled "Wik and his new lover?" and saw pictures of Wik (Kim now in Chay's mind) deeply kissing him as he held Chay's face.
Some pictures were of Kim hugging his waist as he brought Chay to their waiting car.
They ended the article with :
Here is to hoping Wik finally found love for a lifetime instead of love of the day.
P'Big called and Chay had to disconnect from Porche.
"P'Big, please let me explain, I am really sorry and.." Big interrupted Chay's apologies.
"Chay, calm down. It's not your fault and I wanted to say I am truly sorry for bringing you into the mess."
Chay frowned in confusion. Why was P'Big apologizing?
"I tracked back to the writer who released this article to retract it back but he said he had Wik's consent to take those photographs and release it. I didn't believe it as first till I saw Wik's signature in the consent form."
"But...why?" Chay didn't understand any of this.
"I think you need to discuss this with Wik. I will see you both later at the radio station. Let's discuss about this further then. If possible, deactivate all your social medias. The anti's can be very harsh." Big advised and ended the call.
Chay waited for Kim to come down. After the night they had, calling him Kim was acceptable he supposed.
Kim came down soon after, freshly showered.
Usually, Chay and Kim only talked about the schedule ahead and mostly spend their time in companionable silence.
Chay felt Kim needed the breathing space after a full day of meeting and entertaining people.
"P'Big called." Chay opened the conversation first.
"How are you?" Kim asked at the same time, studying Chay's face.
"I..I am alright." Chay knew Kim's bed partners were sophisticated and they easily moved on. Just like them, he was going to try to not make a big deal of it too.
"There are pictures published from last night." Chay informed. Kim didn't look surprised.
"P'Big said you gave your permission to publish those pictures." Chay clenched his fists. With too many information earlier, Chaye didn't realize he was angry about it.
Kim just shrugged, fanning Chay's anger even more. He understood he was angry with himself more than he was with Kim, but Kim was not helping either.
"I need to know why. You never consented to publish the pictures of other people you slept with. All the articles only referred to them with their acronyms. Never pictures."
Chay wanted to laugh at the irony of having the most emotional discussion with Kim, of all people.
Kim was silent for a moment before he came to stand right in front of Chay.
"Maybe because I wanted the world to know I was taken."
"If you didn't want people coming after you, there are many other ways to go about this than using me." Chay gritted out. He was going to lose his job after this. All because of one night of him wanting to break loose.
"I was not using you. I was claiming you, in public." Kim gave one of those enigmatic looks he had to Chay.
Chay's headache which subsided with painkillers resumed back.
"If this was about last night, you don't have to feel responsible. I wanted it. We can move on from this." Chay was an adult. He could handle a one night stand with Kim.
Instead of answering, Kim walked towards Chay without stopping. He gently pushed Chay to walk backwards till his back hit a wall.
Kim slowly unbuttoned Chay's top.
"This is where we have a problem, Chay. I don't want to move on from this."
Chay gripped Kim's wrist, stopping him.
"I can deal with this only once. I am not equipped to have a no strings attached sex a second time."
"Good, then we are on the same page." Kim replied huskily, undettered by Chay's protest. He nuzzled Chay's neck as he moved to Chay's lips.
This time when Kim took Chay, Chay was sober and it felt as if some invisible bonds were tying them together.
"How do you know Macau?" Kim asked much later as they were headed to the radio station.
"Macau is my friend from high school." Chay replied. He had a lot to think about but his body was feeling too floaty to think anything seriously.
"You are never to drink if I am not there, Chay." Kim ordered even as he took hold of Chay's hands and interwined their fingers.
Chay grinned. "I only drink when I am with Macau or my brother, Porche."
"No baby, you are not drinking if I am not there after this. You are too sexy when you let loose and I have to kill any one who comes near you. So for everyone's sanity, drink only when you are with me." Kim insisted.
Chay couldn't stop laughing. It was too funny to hear Kim speak as if Chay was some man eater.
2 and a half months later
"What do you mean your contract with me is ending?" Kim crossed his arms and asked Chay. Big was there too and looked like he was finding a chance to escape.
"I signed a 3 month contract. This was just a filler job while I was waiting for my other job in the art museum." Chay explained.
"No, we are going to renew your contract here and double your salary. Big will speak to the museum people." Kim was going to be difficult about this. No way he was letting his baby work away from him. Not if he can help it.
"I can speak to the museum people. Don't need to involve P'Big. We shouldn't work together. It's healthy to have some space between couples." Chay quoted this out of something he read recently. He didn't want Kim to get bored of him.
"Are you planning to leave me, Chay?" Kim frowned, his mood darkening.
Big took this as his que to leave and moved away.
"No, but I don't want you to get bored of me. Maybe not now when it's all nice and rosy, but later." Chay mumbled.
"Do you want to work in the museum, baby?" Kim asked, trying to be logical. With Chay, he was usually irrational. Chay asking for space was equalent to Chay wanting to break away from him.
"No, but.."
"Then there is nothing to discuss. I remembered you saying you wanted to offer free classes for the children from lower income families after school hours, Chay." Kim hugged Chay. His hugs usually relaxed Chay.
His baby tended to overthink things and shouldered his burdens by himself.
"Continue being my PA, and hire another to assist you when I have programmes during your classess. I never had a more efficient PA than you, baby." Kim squeezed Chay until he agreed.
Chay's initial fears of dating Kim, a former playboy was slowly dissolving. Kim was too devoted and clingy. It was as if Kim too was releasing all his bottled up love with Chay freely.
Chay turned to face Kim, his own lucky star.
He gazed at Kim and smiled. Kim was still sulking.
"Don't get bored of me, please?" Chay traced Kim's cheeks with his fingers.
"I don't know why do you even think like that baby, but news flash, I am so irrationally in love with you that even when you are with me, I want to be closer."
They both laughed and cried as they kissed. They were definitely fools in love.
The End.