THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 5:
A kiss may be sweet, but sometimes it’s bitter.
“What the hell are you thinking!”
It took Namnuea several minutes to find his voice again, and when he did, the young man asked in a furious, harsh tone, staring at the handsome man who showed no trace of remorse. That sharp, intense face was still adorned with a slight smile, and he answered in a full voice, as punchable as ever.
“I just wanted to calm you down, that’s all.”
“But this is…” Namnuea trailed off, mutual understanding hanging in the air. He glared at the other man without holding back, because right now he was angry, furious, dissatisfied, and most importantly, deeply confused by the kiss just moments ago. Who in their right mind kisses to calm someone down? And let’s not forget the fact that the other guy is a man about to marry a woman!
What kind of straight man dares to kiss another man! “What’s the problem?” Sailom raised an eyebrow slightly, making the listener fall silent for a moment. His fists clenched, he took a deep breath to regain his composure.
You already know, don’t you, Nuea, that this groom hasn’t been cooperative about the wedding from the start?
“Whatever. I’ll just forget what you did just now… Alright, Khun Lom. I’m calm enough. We should get back to the matter that made me drag myself from the office, not to mention spending money to get into this damn gym just to track you down,” he said, claiming to let it go, but throwing in a hefty dose of sarcasm. The listener chuckled in his throat, stirring up the simmering anger again.
“Yes, I’m listening.”
Damn it, didn’t he already know why he came here?! Namnuea cursed loudly in his mind, but because he was too fed up to argue, he had to mentally replay what he’d just said. “I’m here about the guest count for the wedding. Has Khun
Yiwa told you that the number has jumped to 1,200, and Khun Yiwa’s mother wants it all to be Chinese banquet tables?” he asked, glaring fiercely until the other finally toned down his smile and nodded.
“Yiwa told me already.”
“Then why didn’t you call me?! If you’d told me earlier that the guest count was increasing, I could’ve found multiple solutions, or at the very least, before we booked the hotel. And you do realize, don’t you, that with more guests, my event costs go up too? But you’re telling me now, with just over two months left, Khun Lom. Do you think a wedding organizer is some kind of wizard who can magically make everything happen?!”
At first, Namnuea thought he’d calmed down considerably, but learning that the groom knew everything yet didn’t bother to contact him made his fists clench tightly. He wanted to punch the guy’s face, not caring how godlike his looks were—just one good hit to the nose, and he’d probably sleep like a baby.
But Sailom sighed and looked at him with disappointment.
“You forgot what I told you, didn’t you?”
“Forgot what?!” This time, he couldn’t hold back his shout, but the other just shook his head and muttered, “You really forgot… Fine. How do you feel right now?”
“I want to punch your face.”
It’s not that Namnuea didn’t know how to control his emotions, but this situation was truly unbearable. So when the other asked, he snapped back curtly, fully expecting a complaint to the company and a scolding from his boss. But that’d be fine—if they replaced him on this job, even better. Nuea would gladly abandon ship immediately.
Yet, the other laughed, and after a moment, it softened into a charming smile.
“Then punch me.”
And he gave the most bewildering response.
Whack!
“Harder than that.” Whack!!
“Too soft. Is that all the strength you’ve got?” Whack, whack, whack!!!
“I still don’t feel like you’re hitting me.”
“Huff, huff, huff, you’re such a jerk, you know that, Khun
Lom!”
Namnuea couldn’t believe he’d been told to punch… and this guy meant it!
But it wasn’t a straight-up fist to the face. They were wearing gloves, on a ring with ropes on all sides, while the other guy held padded mitts, ready to take the hits. Of course, with both the puncher and the mitt-holder protected, it didn’t hurt—just exhausting, plain and simple.
Thud.
“Huff, huff… I’m done. I’m not playing with you anymore.” Less than five minutes in, the guy who wanted to punch his face collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air, body heaving. He hadn’t expected a few punches to make his heart race and leave him this winded. His voice came out in broken bursts as the mitt-holder gave a faint smile and crouched beside him.
“Feeling better?”
The guy who rarely exercised met his gaze and saw sharp eyes looking at him with concern, gently removing the gloves. “Getting to let loose like this—has it helped with your stress?” So all this was to get him to channel his energy into punching, not venting, huh?
“You’re such a jerk,” he couldn’t help but say bluntly, feeling like everything he did played right into the other’s hands. “I’m just worried about you,” Sailom said with a serious tone, handing over a water bottle while continuing, “Do you realize what your face looked like when you showed up? I thought you were so stressed you’d have a stroke.”
“So you baited me into throwing punches, huh?”
“It works for me, so I figured it might help you too.” Not just words—Sailom’s large hand reached out to wipe the sweat off his forehead gently, making Namnuea freeze and dodge in surprise, staring into the other’s eyes with a mix of emotions. Sailom understood, pulling his hand back with a faint smile and speaking in a soft tone that was hard to resist.
“Alright, are you calm enough to hear me out now?”
Honestly, he wanted to snap back that he wasn’t, that he still had more to unload. But the anger that had been building from the start had somehow fizzled out. Namnuea sighed, feeling like he was following a path the other had laid out perfectly. Finally, he nodded slowly.
“Do you remember what I told you the first time we talked?
No matter what my family or Yiwa says, trust only my words.”
“But…”
“I’m not done talking,” Sailom snapped, as if they were on completely different wavelengths. Moments ago, he’d been unloading furiously, barely catching his breath, but now he could only stand silent, staring at the man speaking with a serious tone.
“Yiwa and I agreed we wouldn’t throw a huge event like our parents expected, but not so small that they’d lose face. So we settled on the guest count ourselves and gave each family a quota for invitations. I initially said five hundred, then bumped it to six hundred to accommodate them. So you understand now why I told you to trust my word alone.” His words left the listener stunned.
Yes, Sailom had mentioned this from their first meeting, but who would’ve thought it meant something like this?
“And your parents and Khun Yiwa’s aren’t furious about it?” A wedding is like a public declaration of social status. It’s no surprise that many families want to be involved.
“Of course they’re mad,” Sailom replied.
“What?”
“But we’d be even angrier if we invited everyone they wanted.” The more he heard, the more confused Namnuea became, but the groom seemed unwilling to elaborate further.
He stood up and extended a hand.
Namnuea hesitated but took it, letting the other man pull him to his feet. “So, no need to add more banquet halls, right?” he asked, just to be sure. The other nodded slowly, and Namnuea let out a relieved sigh, feeling like everything was finally cleared up. Except for one thing.
“Then why didn’t you answer my calls?”
If he’d just picked up from the start, Namnuea wouldn’t have spent days stressed out, practically sprouting crow’s feet.
The response left him even more dumbfounded.
“If I hadn’t done that, you wouldn’t have come to see me, would you?” Sailom flashed a smile, his sharp eyes glinting with a sly, indescribable charm. Though it vanished quickly,
Namnuea couldn’t miss the hidden meaning in those words.
Khun Lom was flirting with him.
Whether it was playful or serious, this man was flirting with another man. Namnuea looked away, repeating the same mantra to himself.
He’s getting married, and I don’t want to get involved with someone who’s already taken.
“You know how I’m feeling right now?” Namnuea changed the subject, meeting his gaze again. Seeing the other raise an eyebrow as if to ask, he continued in a firm tone.
“I want to punch you square in the face!”
He wanted to knock down this guy who kept giving him false hope, make him hit the ground hard, just to remind him that he has a beautiful bride waiting. But…
“Go ahead. I’ll be your sparring partner until you’re satisfied,” Sailom said with a laugh, and Namnuea… softened in a way he couldn’t forgive himself for.
Why did it feel like he was slipping deeper into the trap this man had set?
…
“You know you’re pretty good-looking when you’re eating.” “And do you know it’s rude to stare at someone while they’re eating?”
“Hahaha!”
The friendly banter unfolded in a corner of a bustling barbecue restaurant filled with smoke from charcoal grills, the aroma of beef, pork, chicken, and endless side dishes wafting through the air. The place was packed with people, noisy and chaotic, hardly somewhere you’d expect someone like Sailom to stop by for a meal. But how did it happen? Rewind a few dozen minutes— after washing off the sweat and feeling refreshed, Namnuea had planned to head home. That is, until the client insisted on repaying him for the temporary gym membership fee. Of course, he wasn’t shameless enough to accept it, even if it was the other party’s fault. After some back-and-forth, it came down to this: if Sailom didn’t do something to make up for it, the poor guy would lose sleep.
“Then let me treat you to a meal.”
“I’m not hungry today.”
“Not today, then. Any day you’re free.”
“No thanks, I’m busy these days.”
Who would risk getting closer to this guy? But…
Grrrrrr
Physical exertion made his body too honest, too straightforward. His stomach growled loudly, embarrassing him in front of everyone. And with the groom-to-be looking at him with an amused smile, he wanted to bury his face in the ground.
The words that followed made him freeze.
“Looks like your body’s already agreed to my offer.” To others, it might sound like his body was agreeing to the meal. But anyone who caught the look in this man’s eyes… it meant so much more. “Just eating, okay?”
In the end, he had to give in, but not without a bit of teasing. The two of them ended up settling things at this hot pot restaurant.
No, scratch that—Namnuea dictatorially declared that if it wasn’t this restaurant, he’d go home, hoping the classy guy would back off. But instead, Sailom was surprisingly thrilled. Whenever anything on the grill ran low, Namnuea didn’t even have to get up, as the perfectly handsome man went to refill it for him, leaving him free to focus on his second favorite thing after good-looking guys… food, of course.
“You know, I’ve been hooked on watching you eat ever since that day at McDonald’s.”
“When I got sauce all over my mouth, you mean? Just say I was a mess and be done with it,” Namnuea shot back quickly, not wanting to relive that moment. If work hadn’t been so hectic afterward, Nuea would’ve been haunted by dreams of wiping sauce off his face with his finger.
“Before that, actually.”
“Before?” Namnuea repeated, turning to look at him in confusion, only to be met with a mysterious smile from the man pointing at the grill.
“The pork’s burning.” “Hey!” At the warning, the guy who’d been grilling a full spread yelped softly, quickly turning to flip the meat into the dipping sauce and popping it into his mouth with a look of pure bliss.
“After exerting all that energy, eating feels amazing. And I didn’t say you were a mess—I genuinely like watching you eat. It’s oddly satisfying.” No kidding—the big guy who seemed to prefer beer over food kept piling stuff from the grill onto his plate. Namnuea wrinkled his nose slightly, unable to resist muttering.
“You’re probably crazy.”
“I heard that, you know.”
I meant for you to hear it.
The young organizer told himself, then slowly let a smile creep out, feeling an inexplicable sense of ease. Maybe it was because the other was smiling more, laughing more, and flirting more. Sure, sometimes it felt a bit much, but it was worth it after all that drama.
“Hmm,” Namnuea, happily munching away, made a sound in his throat, glancing at the guy casually sipping beer, sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
“Worth what?” Sailom chuckled, but this time he elaborated. “Worth riling you up to make you work up an appetite so you’d eat a ton, and I’d get to watch you eat as my beer’s sidekick.” He turned with a dazzling smile that made Namnuea’s heart skip a beat.
Seriously, is this guy flirting right now?
The one outwitted could only grumble inwardly, wanting to be mad but unable to. Instead, his face flushed in a way he couldn’t explain, and he countered softly.
“I’m a person, not peanuts to be your beer snack.” This time, Sailom burst out laughing, making the onlooker glance over briefly before turning away. That handsome face, with teacolored eyes sparkling as he laughed, was seriously bad for his heart.
If Khun Lom weren’t about to get married, he might’ve played along.
“By the way, can I ask you something, Khun Lom?” The thought suddenly struck him, and Namnuea looked at the other man, who nodded.
“This question might be a bit rude. If you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to,” Namnuea prefaced, knowing his curiosity wasn’t exactly polite but burning to ask.
“Go ahead,” Khun Lom permitted after the warning. Taking a deep breath, Namnuea asked, “Are you being forced to get married?” Thud.
Sailom, mid-sip of his beer, froze, turning to meet Namnuea’s gaze. The man visibly stiffened, his sharp eyes glinting briefly before dimming. Then, in a flat tone, he said, “Why would you think that?”
Because you made me think it.
Namnuea had been suspicious for a while. He’d noticed the groom’s lack of cooperation and the bride’s claim of trusting him completely, yet she avoided involvement in her own wedding. How many women would skip planning their big day?
Even when sent drafts and details, she’d say to let the groom decide because she didn’t have time to check emails.
It felt… odd from the start.
“If you don’t want to answer—”
“No, it’s not that I don’t want to,” the other interrupted, growing serious. He took a big gulp of beer, his furrowed brows relaxing slightly.
The sight felt inexplicably heavy, the once-light mood now strained. “There’s a lot between me and Yiwa that makes it unsurprising you’d think that. But to your question—no, I’m not being forced. I’m willingly marrying Yiwa.”
Namnuea wasn’t sure what answer he’d expected, but the moment the taller man said he was willingly marrying, something shattered inside his chest. Disappointment seeped from the cracks, spreading through every fiber of his being.
Even smiling felt impossible, but he forced one.
“Right. I shouldn’t have asked something so stupid.” What were you expecting, Nuea? Did you misread his friendliness? Maybe he’s just a flirty guy, comfortable with men or women. It’s not like you haven’t met charming types like him before.
Namnuea tried to convince himself, tried to tell himself that the man in front of him wasn’t as kind as his handsome face suggested. That way, he wouldn’t be too disappointed. But Sailom seemed entirely uncooperative, gazing at him with concern before speaking.
“I’m sorry for answering like this.”
The groom-to-be must have sensed that Namnuea had started to catch feelings, even if just a little. Naturally, there was some disappointment. So, Namnuea forced a laugh.
“Why are you apologizing to me?” The listener let out a heavy sigh, then spoke with a serious tone.
“I should be the one apologizing… at the very least for not telling you about a lot of things.”
Like the fact that you’re bi and flirting with me while you have a beautiful fiancée waiting.
Nuea kept up his strained smile, looking down to continue eating, hoping to end the conversation. But he gripped his chopsticks even tighter when the man who’d just apologized spoke again, softly.
“I told you before that I like how you are, how you eat, your figure. I meant every word.”
The man who knew he had no right to give anyone hope was shaking the heart of someone who had no right to hope either. This is exactly why I hate flirty guys.
…
On the way there, Namnuea’s mind had been consumed with the sudden doubling of the guest list. On the way back, all he could think about was the groom-to-be, who was increasingly influencing his heart.
Was it the other man’s good looks that made his heart waver so easily? Or was it his own susceptibility, daring to hope for something he shouldn’t?
He’d managed to relieve some stress through sheer effort, but now his mind was weighed down with even heavier thoughts. He pretended to be so exhausted that he fell asleep, just to avoid any further conversation with the car’s owner, who’d offered to drive him to his condominium.
Nuea was furious with himself for leaving his car at the office. When Sailom offered to drive him, no matter how much he refused, the man always found a way to tag along. So, Nuea solved the problem by slumping against the car seat, resting his head against the window, and closing his eyes.
We’ll meet again at the pre-wedding photoshoot. I’ve got a month to make my heart stronger.
The young organizer told himself firmly that the next time they met, he’d be more professional. He wouldn’t let any words stir his single-for-years heart again.
Or maybe it’s time to get a boyfriend, Nuea.
The young organizer’s thoughts spiraled, exhausted and sleepy as he was. But in truth, he couldn’t sleep. He just kept his eyes closed, fidgeting restlessly, unaware that he was so lost in his thoughts that the sleek car had already pulled up in front of his condominium.
By the way, something warm…
Suddenly, the cool breeze from the air conditioner turned warm, brushing against his fair cheeks. But it wasn’t just the breeze… the faint scent of alcohol lingered at the tip of his nose, mixed with the intoxicatingly sexy fragrance of cologne, making him feel a bit dizzy. That scent… it drew closer, catching him off guard. Gasp!
“!!!”
Too late. A soft, pliant touch landed on his beautifully colored lips, sending a surge of warmth through his body, chilled by the air conditioner. His eyes flew open, and what stood out before him… those sharp, intensely captivating eyes.
Those eyes locked onto him, unblinking, matching the warm lips that pressed even more firmly. A large hand moved to touch the nape of his neck, making the fine hairs stand on end. Shock jolted through his chest as he realized what was happening.
He was being kissed… again.
This kiss wasn’t to tease or snap him out of something. The person kissing him didn’t just want to press lips together—Khun Sailom was… nibbling.
Gasp!
Push!
“Wha… Khun Lom, why would you do this?” Namnuea quickly gathered his wits, pushing at the other’s shoulders, but they barely budged. Realizing he was weak in the moment, he asked in a startled tone, confused and bewildered, staring into those eyes that sparkled with the reflection of the outside lights. “You were pretending to sleep,” the stubborn man said, giving Namnuea the strength to push harder.
“But you shouldn’t joke like this.”
It’s not good for my heart at all, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“Then if I tell you the truth, will you listen?” The tall man asked in a deeper voice, his other hand somehow already wrapped around Namnuea’s waist, while the first gently held his fair cheek, forcing him to look up and meet his gaze. Namnuea’s voice came out hoarse as he asked, “Why are you doing this?” The response, one he didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about, rang out: “Because I like you.”
“Khun Lom,” Namnuea could only groan in his throat, staring at the other in disbelief, his senses scattered. But one thing he remembered clearly:
“But you’re about to get mar—”
“Shh,” before he could finish, the man in front of him hushed him with a low sound, his sharp eyes glinting as he moved even closer.
“Don’t say it,” Sailom said in a deep, husky voice, their eyes locked in a steady gaze. He continued, “Because I’m about to kiss you.”
“You…!” Warm lips pressed down, silencing all protests. Namnuea could only widen his eyes, but some devilish impulse made him… slowly close them.
He knew he shouldn’t give in, but his body ignored his brain’s commands.
Nuea’s hands moved up to wrap around the other’s neck, returning the searing kiss pressed against him. He yielded to the teasing nibble of sharp teeth on his lips, responding to the tongue that traced and savored his sweetness before boldly delving inside.
The moment their warm tongues brushed against the softness within, all sense of right and wrong scattered. He could only surrender to the increasingly sweet sensation.
“Mmm.”
A faint moan escaped his throat, enticing the larger man to reach over and recline the seat. He shifted to straddle him, pinning him down with calculated precision, leaving no room to breathe. Panting filled his chest, their tongues still entwined as one, sweet droplets spilling messily at the corners of their mouths, unnoticed by either.
The kiss was fiery yet tender, making Namnuea feel like he was walking on clouds before plunging down a rollercoaster. A flood of emotions overwhelmed him, forcing him to slowly but firmly push against those broad shoulders, signaling… enough, no further.
This time, Sailom didn’t resist. He pulled back slowly, locking eyes with him, and gently wiped his lips with a fingertip. “You shouldn’t have done that,” Namnuea said, voice breaking, gazing at the man who closed his eyes wearily. “I know,” the other admitted, yet didn’t move off him, instead leaning down to touch their foreheads together.
“I know… I have no right to kiss you… no right even to like you.”
Then why did you do it? Don’t you care how Khun Yiwa would feel?
Namnuea wanted to shout, but the words wouldn’t come. Guilt lodged in his chest because… he was just as guilty, having craved and returned that kiss. So he turned his face away, lightly pushing the other’s chest and forcing a smile.
“It’s fine, because it’ll only happen this once.” He wasn’t sure if he said it to warn the other or to convince himself, but he turned back to meet his gaze, asking firmly.
“Right?”
There won’t be another time, will there?
“…” The other stayed silent, then sat up straight, letting out a heavy sigh, as if his heart were exhausted.
“You’re right… I shouldn’t have kissed you like that,” the other turned and smiled, not addressing the earlier question, but saying in a softer tone, “It’s late. You should rest. I’ve troubled you enough.” The listener wanted to ask more, but words failed him. He just turned, opened the door, and stepped out of the car quickly. But before closing it, Sailom spoke up.
“Will we see each other again?” It was a question that made Namnuea hold his breath, managing only to say, “Yes… but next time and every time after will be just about work. Good night.” With that, Namnuea hurried into the building, not looking back, having made his rejection clear.
Someone like Nuea would never be a third wheel.
Only when he reached his room and leaned against the door, exhausted, did he press his face to it, raising a hand to touch his lips.
Namnuea had known since high school that a kiss could be sweet, but this was the first time he learned it could also taste so bitter, piercing the depths of his heart.
Not bitter from the beer, but from a heart… grieving.
“I really don’t like this kind of kiss.”
A kiss that would likely be the last with this man.
“So foolish.”
This Nuea was such a fool… a fool for letting his heart fall for a groom-to-be. Truly, such a fool.
