THEWEDDINGPLAN, Chapter 13:
No one’s ever completely honest, not even the manliest of men.
“I can’t believe Yiwa would do something like this. I have to apologize on her behalf. I never thought she’d cause such a scandal,” Yiwa’s mother said.
Sailom had been back in Bangkok for several days, but the issue of the “rain-fearing” bride who’d fled abroad still lingered. Today, Yiwa’s mother showed up at his house, her face heavy with sorrow, apologizing for her daughter’s actions. Sailom’s mother responded cautiously, her expression teetering on the edge of explosion.
“I have to apologize on Yiwa’s behalf too, dear,” she said, turning to the one most affected by this mess. Sailom sat with his hands loosely clasped on his knees, his sharp features shadowed by a scruffy beard, his dry, lifeless eyes betraying a lack of spirit. The woman who’d come to apologize could only sit there, uncomfortable under the weight of his silence.
“It’s fine. Maybe it’s my fault for not knowing she was already with someone else.”
“Lom.”
The young man turned to meet his mother’s pitying gaze as she called his name, reaching to place her hand on his. But the tall figure pulled his hand away, shaking his head slowly, signaling he didn’t want any sympathy. Then he turned to the other person.
“Auntie, has Yiwa contacted you at all?”
The other hesitated briefly before raising a handkerchief to wipe away tears.
“Not at all. Yiwa hasn’t reached out. And when she flew off, it seemed like she’d planned it thoroughly—got a visa, carried her passport. This is all because of that so-called friend of hers! If Yiwa hadn’t gotten involved with that… wrong-gender friend, this wouldn’t have happened!”
“Wrong-gender friend? What does that mean?”
The only one still clueless—that the bride didn’t run off with a man but with a woman—asked in confusion. The bride’s mother was stunned. Sailom, sitting quietly, let out a heavy sigh and broke the silence.
“In truth, she never loved me, did she? I was just… a front for
Yiwa.”
“Lom, you knew?”
The young man locked eyes with his mother and asked in a dry, hoarse voice.
“Do you think I’m that stupid, Mom? I had my suspicions, some inkling that Yiwa and that friend weren’t just friends. But because I loved her, I believed she loved me too. I tried to overlook it, lied to myself that she had to love me… but she never gave in to me. Not once.” His deep voice trembled with pain as he lowered his head, as if holding back tears. Both mothers pressed their lips shut.
One felt heartbroken for her son.
The other… feared her daughter would never get another chance like this.
“Lom, don’t give up yet,” the aunt said. “I’ll try to reach Yiwa. It might not be as bad as we think. Don’t be mad at her yet, give her a chance. I’m sure she knows how much you love her.” Her words went in one ear and out the other for the listener, but they struck the other mother’s heart. A chance? So her daughter could hurt her son again? “What? Why would you say that?”
“Or is it not true? Yiwa’s done this much wrong, and you’re still asking for forgiveness? Of course—her daughter’s fled abroad! The ones left here to face the shame are our family, just Lom. How’s he supposed to face people as the foolish groom who was used by a woman all along?”
“Hey, don’t talk about my daughter like that!” The two, who’d gotten along like peas in a pod for over a decade, began arguing over whose fault it was. And neither seemed willing to back down.
“Where did I go wrong? I never should’ve let Lom get involved with that girl!”
From “Yiwa” to “that girl,” the change in pronouns seemed to snap the listener’s patience as well.
“I shouldn’t have gotten my family involved with someone as narrow-minded as you!”
“Huh, you dare insult me?!”
“Enough!!!”
As the two adults argued immaturely, a deep voice roared loudly. Sailom shot to his feet, glaring at the two adults who could only fall silent, exchange glances, and turn away from each other. Sailom then spoke firmly, with resolve.
“I’m going to call and cancel the wedding.”
“Lom!!! Don’t, son, give her a chance…”
“And if she doesn’t come back, are you going to let me stand there like a fool at the ceremony alone?!” The young man didn’t mean to be rude, but he couldn’t hold back and spoke harshly, staring at the other party, who was on the verge of tears and raised their hands in a wai.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful, but I’ve lost hope. Waa isn’t coming back… I’ll take my leave now. I have work early tomorrow.” With that, the young man strode quickly back to his bedroom, so fast that no one dared stop him. Especially the bride’s mother, who knew her hopes of having this young man as a son-in-law were fading, because he had made it clear: I’m going to tell everyone we’re canceling the wedding.
“Wait a moment, please…”
“No. Seeing my son like this, and you still tell me to wait? There will be no wedding between Sailom and Yiwa. Is that clear enough?!”
The adults’ argument echoed up to the second floor, reaching Sailom, who was about to enter his room. He paused briefly at the doorstep, letting out a heavy sigh. His younger sister, who had come to check on him, called out softly.
“Phii Lom…”
But Saifon was surprised, because the person she thought would be stressed and disheveled… was smiling broadly as he walked into his bedroom.
“Why is you smiling?”
“Hey, did you watch the drama last night?”
“Look, when the heroine chose the hero and dumped the second lead… I was crying!”
“Same, I went through a whole box of tissues…”
..
Thud
“Ouch, oh, Khun Sailom, I’m so sorry… I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
During the lunch break, two female employees were walking and chatting enthusiastically, analyzing the latest drama episode with gusto. They didn’t notice a young man coming around the corner and crashed right into him. The moment they looked up and saw who it was, one of the women quickly apologized in a panic.
The sharp eyes glared down with displeasure, his voice curt.
“Watch where you’re walking. You have eyes, use them to look at the path, not just to watch dramas.”
“S-sorry!” The boss had already disappeared around the corner, but the two scolded employees, staring after him dejectedly, turned to face each other. And then… the gossip fest about the boss began.
“What’s up with Khun Lom? He’s usually so kind, but lately, he’s been acting like a menopausal grump.”
“What, you haven’t heard the news? They’re saying Khun Lom’s wedding fell apart because the bride ran off with her lover!”
“What? Are you serious or joking? Is there really a woman who’d ditch someone like Khun Sailom? Is she stupid or crazy?”
“Maybe both. People have been warning everyone to steer clear of Khun Lom lately. His mood’s all over the place, so don’t take it personally. He seems pretty heartbroken. They say he dated his fiancée for over ten years, but she got pregnant with someone else and fled abroad.” One asked, another answered, and they went on, embellishing the story with glee.
This made the listener’s eyes widen.
“Poor Khun Lom. I kinda want to go comfort him.”
“Daydreaming, huh? He’s head over heels for his fiancée.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have let himself go like some bandit.” As one told another, the story spread further, until everyone in the company was endlessly discussing it. The jilted second lead became the ultimate object of pity, more dramatic than the evening soap operas. It even reached the point where someone claimed they saw Khun Sailom trying to kill himself.
Now, the pity for him multiplied exponentially.
“Lom, can I talk to you?”
Sailom was sitting in the living room, sighing heavily, the television blaring through the house though he wasn’t watching it at all. His mother approached hesitantly. The “bandit” who’d let himself go grabbed the remote to mute the TV, saying in a low voice,
“No, Mom. I don’t have anything to talk about.”
“Lom, don’t be like this, son,” said the woman who’d always controlled her son, sitting beside him. She rubbed his back soothingly, looking at him with such pity that Sailom shook his head.
“What are you going to say now, Mom? Console me not to overthink when my fiancée ran off with someone else, and you know it?” The would-be groom spoke with a pained tone, letting out a heavy sigh. His mother clenched her fists, unsure how to comfort him, especially since she’d been complicit in supporting that woman all along.
Who would’ve thought that the sweet, proper Yiwa could do something like this?
“I’m not going to tell you not to overthink. You loved Yiwa for over a decade, and this has hurt you deeply. You need time to heal, but…” His sharp eyes met his mother’s as she took a deep breath and continued.
“There’s not just one woman in the world, son. There are plenty of women out there ready to take Yiwa’s place…”
“But in my world, there’s only one woman—Yiwa!”
Before his mother could finish, the young man cut in sharply, glaring at her with barely contained fury. He continued in a low, dangerous tone, signaling she’d touched a nerve.
“Even though I knew about Yiwa and her friend, I kept lying to myself for years. Why do you think I did that, Mom? Because I love Yiwa and only Yiwa. She’s the only woman, my entire world. Didn’t I tell you I’d only marry once in my life, to a woman named Yiwa? Now that she’s gone, who do you expect me to turn to? Who else is there?!”
His words stunned the listeners, who could only watch as he breathed heavily, struggling to keep his grief from exploding further.
“Lom, calm down, dear. I didn’t mean you need someone else right now. I meant later…”
“There is no later, Mom. There’s nothing left. You got what you wanted, didn’t you? I’ll only have one woman in my life, and it’ll stay that way forever.” His mother’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t realized that her outspoken support for her former would-be daughter-in-law, to the point of keeping her son from other women, had hurt Sailom so deeply.
Sailom won’t open his heart to anyone else? He shouldn’t hold on like this.
“But didn’t you teach me to hold on, Mom? Enough. I have nothing more to say.” With that, the man who’d been venting in the living room stood to his full height, turning as if he’d changed his mind and was heading out.
“Where are you going, Lom?”
“Got dumped, so I’m going to drink, aren’t I?” he said, raising his voice.
“You can drink at home.”
“No. I’m going to see Khun Nuea.” The organizer’s name slipped from her son’s lips—a name she’d heard so often lately it was familiar. Feeling too guilty to stop him, she understood why. Namnuea had been there when Sailom returned to Bangkok, and her son had grown close to the former wedding planner, consulting him and visiting often.
Her son trusted Namnuea more than he trusted her.
“It’s fine. Lom’s angry now, but it’ll pass. Once he’s feeling better, he’ll find someone good,” his mother said hopefully, unaware that her son had already found that “good person.” The problem was, she might not approve, because that person wasn’t a woman… but a man.
…
“And you’re hiding out here. Jerk,” Namnuea said.
“How am I a jerk, Nuea?”
“Every single part of you, that’s how.”
At Namnuea’s condominium, today welcomed a young man who’s been coming over so often lately it’s almost like he’s moved in. The guy wrapped his arms around Namnuea’s waist as he set down a plate of food—bought on the way home—on the table. Being a man himself, having a bigger guy clinging to him… was pretty inconvenient, to say the least.
“Man, I’m supposed to be heartbroken here. Not only did my fiancée dump me, but she’s also pregnant and ran off with another guy!”
“Whoa, how far has this rumor spread?” Namnuea said warily, eyeing the guy who was still grinning widely, clearly pleased despite being the talk of the town.
Of course, at his office too.
The sudden cancellation of the wedding between the dashing groom and stunning bride—before invitations were even sent— spread like wildfire. People speculated wildly, their creative minds spinning tales so vivid that Namnuea didn’t know whether to go along with them or cry for poor Khun Yiwa. One thing’s for sure: Khun Sailom seemed utterly pitiful.
Pitiful, my foot! The “pitiful” guy’s been cuddling up to me every night.
Namnuea scoffed inwardly, glancing at the man who told his family he was coming over to drown his heartbreak in booze. Yet here he was, helping serve rice, pouring water, and sitting in his usual spot. And yeah—no alcohol involved whatsoever. Just a casual dinner together, like any couple.
“Let the rumors spread as far as they want. The further, the better. Make me the most pathetic, miserable guy alive,” the man said.
“I don’t see the point in you sitting here spinning lies to fool everyone, Khun Lom,” Namnuea replied.
The listener smirked, chuckling low in a way that screamed villainous mastermind, not some tragic second lead. Then, in a clear, pointed tone, he said:
“From now on, I’m the guy who’s sworn off women, scarred by a wound so deep no one can heal it. And right at that moment, you, my dear friend, step in to comfort me at my lowest. You pull me back, make me see the light, and that’s when I accidentally fall for you… I love this script the most.”
“Were you a sculptor in a past life or what? You’re way too good at spinning tales,” Namnuea quipped.
“If I were a sculptor, I’d be a master potter with golden hands, my work displayed in museums. My creations are tangible, realistic, and everyone believes they’re masterpieces… even if I just slapped them together,” the “heartbroken” guy shrugged with a charming air, flashing a smile and reaching to pinch Namnuea’s cheek. “When that day comes, I’ll bring you home, tell my mom straight up that I love you.”
It sounded touching, heartfelt even—if it weren’t for the fact that this drama had already been scripted by someone else.
“You’re luckier than you deserve. Before Khun Yiwa left, she paved the way, saying she used you, kept you as a front, turning you into ‘the most pitiful guy.’ When in reality, you’re probably the biggest liar of all,” Namnuea shook his head slightly, though deep down, he couldn’t help but agree with the plan, at least a little.
In the end, Sailom remains the good son in his mother’s eyes, but a turning point in his life revealed he’s gay—something he’s been all along. It seems the role he’s playing fits perfectly, and it’s even a good thing… a dear friend who pulls him back to a better life.
“But you went and fell for a liar like me,” the confident man said with a smirk, letting go of his hand and inviting the other to eat. He went on to share company gossip, leaving the listener unsure whether to feel exasperated on his behalf.
Poor Khun Sailom wasn’t even fazed yet, so why should he worry for him? But still…
“That handsome guy? Hard to believe he’s that good at lying.”
Sister Eim, who knew a bit of the story, could only shake her head and whisper in disbelief. She recalled the day Sailom walked into the office, announcing the cancellation of the wedding with a face full of pain. But behind the scenes, he whisked away the talented organizer somewhere unknown, even having the audacity to call and say he was “borrowing” them first. “I can’t believe I ended up with such a master liar for a husband,” Namnuea chuckled softly, muttering to himself, “But
I’m already in love.”
Hearing the murmur, the listener smiled faintly, reaching out to gently wipe sauce off a fair cheek.
“Thank you for understanding me and loving someone as problematic as me,” Sailom said with a serious tone, making the listener smile too. But then he teased, “Is this a drama or real life?”
That was enough to make the serious man’s face stiffen. He stood up from the chair, pulled the person eating to the sofa, wrapped both arms around a soft waist, and nuzzled into the smooth, fair shoulder he adored. He loved burying his face there, inhaling the sweet scent and kissing the soft skin regularly. Then, with a slightly sulky tone, he said,
“With you, everything is real… Don’t you believe me?”
“Well, knowing you’ve been acting to fool everyone at home and the company, I can’t help but wonder a little, Khun Lom.”
“But I’m serious about you, really,” the cunning man, who was just a clingy softie to Namnuea, insisted. The listener turned to look, but all he saw was a fluffy head buried in the crook of his neck. A fair hand reached out to pat it gently, and a small smile appeared.
“I believe you, Khun Lom… At least you haven’t lied to me, right?” When asked like that, the other lifted his face, met his eyes, and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
“You can be sure you’re the one I’ll always tell the truth to… I’ve told you everything, Nuea. Every lie I’ve told, every deception I’ve pulled on everyone—I’ve only shared the truth with you,” the confident man said, still holding his waist, his sincere tone softening Namnuea’s heart.
Truthfully, Namnuea believed him. If he intended to lie, he wouldn’t have shared every detail of his plans like this. “Thank you, thank you for telling me the truth,” he said, his round eyes shining with trust, making the man who had staked everything on their future smile widely with satisfaction.
Sailom truly poured everything into their shared future.
Everything he’s doing now is to pave the way for his mother’s acceptance in the future.
If his current state was like someone on the brink of death, unable to move forward no matter who tried to pull him up, yet one person could step in and fix it all, that person would be nothing short of a hero. And he wanted Nuea to be that person.
Now, his mother no longer dared to meddle in his life… a good sign. A very good sign.
“By the way, can I ask something?”
“Hmm?” Namnuea narrowed his eyes slightly, not meeting his gaze. “When are you shaving that beard? It’s all scruffy and patchy now,” he teased, playfully tugging at the whiskers.
Sailom raised an eyebrow and said coolly,
“You make it sound ugly. Everyone says I look like Johnny
Depp.”
“Funny.”
“You don’t think so?” When the other teased with a smile, Namnuea finally let out a laugh. He looked at the man claiming to be as handsome as a world-class actor and wanted to shave off that beard, but… he couldn’t bring himself to. Because, well, he was actually pretty handsome.
Ruggedly handsome, undeniably so.
“I’m not shaving yet. It gives me that heartbroken, fallen-man vibe. Plus… it’s necessary for some things,” the speaker said, his eyes gleaming mischievously, scanning the soft figure up and down until Namnuea grew wary.
That look definitely had something to do with him. Sailom pointed at the crook of his neck and demonstrated.
“Eek, no way, Khun Lom! I told you it tickles!” The sharpfeatured face nuzzled into the pale neck, rubbing the beard against the smooth skin, making Namnuea shrink back, tingling all over. After a few rubs, the fair skin turned a soft pink, as expected from someone so pale.
Khun Sailom’s favorite.
“But you always tell me to keep going,” a husky voice whispered close to his ear, slyly. Namnuea pouted but couldn’t resist arguing back a bit.
“Just admit you like it. Look at the beard marks all over me. If I weren’t this pale, would you even like me?” The listener couldn’t help but laugh, pushing Namnuea to lean back on the sofa, raising an eyebrow again.
“Alright then, I’ll prove I don’t just like your skin.”
“Stop, stop, stop right now, K…kun Lom, STOP!”
Namnuea could only yell, pushing at the broad shoulders frantically, his round eyes pleading.
“I’ll give in, I swear, but not now! It’s the middle of the day, and I haven’t eaten yet, Khun Lom. Let me eat first, I’m starving! After that, you can have me all you want,” he whined, glancing longingly at the food on the dining table. It must’ve been a pitiful sight because the handsome man leaned in and planted a firm kiss on his pale cheek.
“Alright, I’ll hold you to it.”
“Stingy, huh?”
“It’s called being prudent, Nuea,” Sailom said, standing up and pulling the other man to his feet to resume their late dinner.
The meal, now quite delayed, started again. Sailom watched his lover eat with a smile, unable to resist smiling himself, his thoughts drifting to the day they first met.
Namnuea’s smile had truly captivated him. It melted away so much stress, making him want to get to know the man. If Yiwa hadn’t interrupted, or if there hadn’t been that meeting about the wedding, who would’ve believed Namnuea would end up being the one in charge of his event? It made Sailom grin, especially recalling those frustrated looks when he kept interrupting.
“I’m still curious, Nuea. That day we met… what were you looking for?”
Pause
Namnuea looked up instantly, eyes wide.
“Looking… looking for what? Nothing.” Of course, who’d admit they were spending their lunch break checking out guys passing by? But Sailom’s persistent, curious gaze seemed to fluster him, sparking an idea.
“What I was looking for doesn’t matter, Khun Lom,” Nuea said with a smile, scooping the last bite of rice into his mouth. Then he stood, walked around to the man sitting opposite, and leaned down to whisper in his ear.
“What matters is that, in the end… my eyes found you.”
Just like now, as Sailom looked up to meet his gaze, the man before him grinned widely. Unable to resist, Sailom pressed a firm kiss to his lips before pulling back.
“Alright, that’s the end of twenty questions. Get up and help me wash the dishes properly… wait, no. I bought the food, so you’re washing. I’m going to shower so I can pamper you sooner. So… are you staying over tonight, Khun Lom?” The long-winded spiel made the guest obediently stand to clear the plates, responding with a broad smile.
“I’d stay even if you didn’t ask.”
But before Namnuea could head to the shower, a deep voice followed.
“I’m glad I almost got married. Because that… led me to you.”
That made Namnuea smile to himself.
This wedding mattered to him too… even if it ended in spectacular failure.
A magical wedding where the groom found his true match… a wedding they’d never forget.
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