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NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 6 part 1

Chapter 6: Anxious

   In the end, I found myself back at the dorm, utterly confused.

Despite initially planning to go to work and even getting ordered not to by Phii Johan, I tried to argue, tried to negotiate! But when he threatened me with the money issue…

Well…I guess I’m not going, T^T

I don’t know why he doesn’t want me to work that badly. Is he messing with me? For what reason? If I don’t work, where will I get the money to pay off my debts? Wouldn’t it be better for me to work and pay off my debts quickly?

I sighed as I trudged upstairs to my room, feeling downcast. Who could possibly understand Johan? Once in my room, I dropped my bag on a chair and switched on the computer to play something to lift my spirits.

I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook until I came across yet another post by a page that had shared a picture of Johan.

Cute Boy & Girl – MU – posted a new photo about an hour ago

   Here we go again today, it must be fate. Plus, today I’ve been thinking about Dr. Joe all day. How lucky was I to spot him around the medical faculty parking lot, (actually, someone secretly sent this photo to me, haha) he looked like he was in a hurry to go somewhere. And Joe’s Audi is just so gorgeous, super luxurious and looks expensive, truly befitting my Johan, both the car and the man are perfect, sigh, I wish I could get a ride in that car too. Honestly, this photo isn’t that clear, but I wanted to show off the car, to show off my husband’s wealth, oops! I accidentally called him my husband, now everyone knows about us, what should I do @JohanCt.

   The picture was a side view of Johan about to get into the car, the same one he drove to pick me up. I’m not sure if this was before or after he came for me, but the car is beautiful, I admit. The page mentioned it’s an Audi. I wouldn’t know since I’m not into cars, but it’s definitely good-looking, it’s like a blessing to ride in such an expensive car, T^T.

: The car is so beautiful! I really want to ride in it. Usually, he doesn’t bring the Audi, right? I thought it was a Benz. Ah, or is that Benz Hill’s car?

   : This angle is great, man. His profile is so sharp. If you stroke his face, would it cut your hand, haha? The man and the car match perfectly, I bow to his wealth.

   : I saw him today too, near the medical building, his husbandly aura was blinding, everyone with him was just so handsome, I’m practically melting on the road.

   : The car looks familiar, like I saw it for a split second because it was going so fast. If I were to ride in it, I’d probably have a heart attack, lol.

   : Sigh, he’s so cool, the real bad boy husband, Johan. Please don’t get a real girlfriend too soon, stay as our university’s treasure for a while.

   : They say this car was seen around the Engineering Faculty, picking someone up.

   : @Comment above, elaborate, don’t leave us hanging like that!!!

   : Really? What was he doing at the Engineering Faculty? And who was he picking up?

   : Does Phii Johan have a new person at the Engineering Faculty?

   : Picking up someone with initials O, a third-year engineering student?

   : Johan has stopped talking to that person, right? I’ve heard that.

   : Oh, does he have someone new? How did I miss this? Waaaah, I knew but still lost to his brutal handsomeness, I surrender, do whatever you want to me, I give up!

   : Please step on me. I’m used to the pain, Johan, do what you will with me. I’ve already lost to you. Please step on me again. I sat reading the comments, chuckling to myself. Why are the comments under Phii Johan’s photo so heated? Are people really this smitten with his bad boy charm? But Phii Johan is genuinely fierce. I’ve never met anyone as fierce as him. Just look at how he treats me, T^T

Oh, Phii Hill commented too.

HillRatchakit: Is the coffee at the faculty not good? Do you have to go all the way to the Engineering Faculty for coffee? @JohanCt.

   Phii Hill’s comment, with the tag to Phii Johan, feels like dropping a bombshell. Everyone’s reactions are quite dramatic.

: @HillRatchakit, Oh no, Phii Hill is here too. Let me go hug Phii Hill for a bit. Phii Johan is so mean, I’m going to report him, why can’t he be gentle like Phii Hill?

   : My doctor Hill, I miss you so much, lately the page has only been posting Phii Johan, I’m upset with the admin.

   : It feels like a husband coming to take his wife home, but I’ve fallen for the bad boy Johan. What should I do now?

   : So, Phii Johan went to the Engineering Faculty just to buy coffee? Is it that far just for coffee? Is it really that good? I guess I’ll have to try it next time.

   : The Engineering Faculty’s coffee is definitely going to sell well now that Johan likes it. I’ll stop by next time for sure.

   PowarutTf.: @JohanCt. Did you rush to buy coffee? Were you afraid it would run out? You even forgot about the work you left with me.

   This seems to be Phii Tonfah, who’s friends with Phii Hill and Phii Johan. I heard they’re a group of four, including Phii Arthit.

PowarutTf.: @HillRatchakit. You too, where are you?

   HillRatchakit: @PowarutTf. Eating now, will come later. ArthitSw: @HillRatchakit, @JohanCt. Hurry up, Fah is angry. You guys left work.

   : Oh my, everyone’s here now, who should I scream for first >///< Phii Fah don’t get mad at your junior yet.

   : Did Dr. Hill and Dr. Johan leave work? Should we go do it instead? >w<

   : I saw Fah and Arthit sitting under the medical building, waiting for Hill and Johan.

   : Can I help with anything? / Offering a little.

   HillRatchakit: @Arthit Sw, Yeah, about to leave now, taking Ter back to the dorm first.

   ArthitSw: @HillRatchakit. I understand you went to eat with your boyfriend, but I don’t get the other one. You went to buy coffee? @JohanCt.

   ArthitSw: Rushing like the house is on fire. They don’t sell out that fast, and where did you go for so long?

   ArthitSw: @JohanCt. Fah asked if you rushed out to buy coffee or pick someone up.

   HillRatchakit: @JohanCt. Yeah, what’s up with you, went to pick him up.

   Wait a minute…

I think Hill already knows that Johan came to pick me up, so why did Hill say that? Don’t tell me Ter whispered something to him to help pair me with Johan again! T^T

JohanCt.: @HillRatchakit, What do you hate about me?

   JohanCt.: @PowarutTf. Almost at the university. Stuck at a red light.

   PowarutTf: Anyone, please stop by and buy something, I’m hungry, get a lot.

   JohanCt.: What do you want?

   PowarutTf.: Anything. You pay. HillRatchakit: Joe. Did you stop already? Then I won’t stop.

   JohanCt.: No, Hill, turn the car back, help me choose something.

   ArthitSw: @HillRatchakit, @JohanCt. Oh, you’re together?

   HillRatchakit: @ArthitSw, Yeah, happened to meet him when I was taking Ter back to the dorm.

   JohanCt.: Hill, turn the car around!!

   HillRatchakit: Cool down, man!!

   ArthitSw: @JohanCt. What were you doing near your friend’s girlfriend’s dorm?

   : SCREAMING! Phii Johan is calling Phii Hill to come! >w<…Anyone on the #HillFanboat with me? Let’s hear you!!

   JohanCt: You don’t have to come then.

   HillRatchakit: Hmm, okay, I’ll go then.

   ♣♣♣

Crack!

Ter opened the door with a smug grin on the corner of his mouth, looking at me until he closed the door.

“You can smile so wickedly.” I said, but it seemed like he wasn’t fazed, putting down his bag and plopping down next to me, “It’s nothing.”

“I haven’t even asked anything yet!”

“Your voice is so high-pitched it’s terrifying.”

“So what? Tell me. Earlier you told me Phii Tharn would pick you up.” Yes…this morning when Phii Tharn said he would pick me up, I texted to tell Ter. Ter complained a lot, saying he’d rather have Phii Johan pick me up.

   “Wait…you didn’t go and tell Phii Joe to pick me up, did you?”

“Are you crazy? Was I joking? Just out of the blue tell him to go pick you up?” Ter said, shaking his head vigorously, “But seriously, when I found out Phii Johan picked you up, I was like…yay, my ship!”

I sighed slightly at his reaction, feeling like no matter how many times I sighed at Ter, it wouldn’t change anything, and then I recounted everything that happened to Ter.

   “Aww…You, I’m glad you chose my captain.” Ter said, tugging at my sleeve to hide his embarrassment. Why do people get embarrassed and take it out on others? “Even though you complain, in the end, you chose Phii Johan.”

“Maybe it’s more accurate to say I didn’t have a choice.” I said with exasperation, “And you told Phii Hill about this too, didn’t you?”

“Correct! A good crew member is useful, right? But why didn’t Phii Johan let you go to work?”

“That’s what I want to know.”

“You didn’t ask?”

“I did ask. But got no answer.”

“And you’re not going?”

“What can I do? But I do want to go. Or should I sneak out? I’ve been thinking, I’m starting to feel bad about the bar owner, we had a good talk, and then suddenly I’m not going.” I said, following my thoughts. Johan didn’t even explain why I shouldn’t go.

“Sneak out? If Phii Johan finds out, he’ll be furious.”

“Maybe not. I’m just going to work on my own. There’s no good reason for him to stop me, really.”

“There is, he might be worried about you.” Ter said after pondering for a moment, “He must be worried about you working so hard, afraid you’ll come back late, what if you meet bad people, Joe must be so worried he can’t even sleep.” “Wow, you’re really pushing it.” I said, shaking my head slightly at him. As for Johan, if you meet him, you’ll see, from my perspective, the word ‘worried’ seems far too distant.

“Oh, I’m just a crew member, rowing alone in the vast sea, on a small boat with a captain like you who not only doesn’t row but also kicks up water.”

“Skater said he’d join your ship too, for heaven’s sake, what are you guys playing at?”

“Oh yeah, I forgot, Tharn also messaged me, asking about you, he said you didn’t reply to his Line.” Ter said, reminding me. I hadn’t replied to Tharn yet, “He said he’s worried about you, and noticed you were replying to him strangely.”

“Replying to what?” I furrowed my brows in confusion, the last time I replied to Tharn was before I got into Johan’s car.

Ah…or could it be

North♣: Don’t be nosy

   T-Than: …

   T-Than: North?

   Oh no…

Phii Johan

But Phii Joe said he didn’t know PhiiTharn before, so why would he insult Phii Tharn like that? And the point is, it was my chat.

T-Than: Is this North typing again?

   T-Than: Or is it Johan?

   T-Than: This isn’t North typing, right? It’s not nice to use someone else’s phone.

   T-Than: Where’s North?

   T-Than: North, please reply. I’m worried here.

   T-Than: Where are you?

   T-Than: You’ve vanished.

   T-Than: Let me know when you’re back, okay?

   Sigh, is Phii Johan doing this on purpose to tease me?

North♣: I’m back.

   T-Than: Is this North?

   North♣: Yes.

   T-Than: And what was that message about?

   North♣: Oh…

   North♣: I accidentally typed it in the wrong chat.

   North♣: Sorry about that, Phii.

   I decided to lie and say I typed in the wrong chat. If I said Phii Johan was the one typing, things would get complicated, potentially causing more trouble.

T-Than: Oh, okay then. So where are you?

   North♣: At the dorm.

   T-Than: Then I’ll come pick you up for work.

   North♣: I probably won’t be going to work today, Phii…T^T

   North♣: I’ll call Phii Chain to apologize again.

   T-Than: Why not?

   T-Than: Did something happen?

   North♣: No.

   …

“What did Phii Tharn say?” Ter asked after peeking at my phone screen, “And why do you look like that?”

“I’m annoyed, I want to work.” I replied, making a slightly sullen face.

While I was thinking this over, the bar owner, Phii Chain, called me and asked me to come to work because they were really short handed. Since I was already eager to go to work, I finally agreed. “Ter…”

“What?”

“Ter…”

“No…don’t look at me like that.” The person whose name was called shook his head rapidly as if he knew what I was about to say, “I won’t conspire with you.”

“I’m not asking you to conspire. Just don’t tell anyone I went to work, that’s all.”

“Are you serious?” Ter asked to confirm while I was packing my bag to get ready for work, “Really, Johan must have had a reason for telling you not to go. I’m kind of worried about you, man. It’s a bar after all.”

“I can take care of myself.” I said confidently.

“Alright, if you say so. Is Tharn coming to pick you up?”

“No, I’ll go on my own. I feel bad making him wait for me until I finish.”

“Okay, okay. Ride carefully and let me know when you get there.”

“OK, bye.”

…

@Soul Out!

   Even though they call it a bar, it wasn’t quite what I expected. It wasn’t really a place for heavy drinking but more of a venue where people come to enjoy the atmosphere. It’s an open-air spot with fairy lights strung between trees, live music, and a steady stream of customers. What surprised me was why such a nice place was so short-staffed.

“Just take it easy. It’s not much, just serve and clear the tables.” Phii Chain said as he gave my shoulder a light pat. Phii Chain, the bar owner, is a bit on the heavier side, probably in his thirties. I nodded, “If you have any questions, ask Phii Pan. She’s at the cash register.”

After saying this, Phii Chain walked off, and I approached Phii Pan who was playing on her phone.

“Oh, the new guy, huh?”

I greeted her with a bow, and she smiled back. During our chat, I found out that the reason they were short-staffed was because the profits weren’t great, and the old employees had all quit due to not being paid well. Phii Pan mentioned this has been the case since Phii Chain took over the shop, suggesting Phii Chain might not be the best at management.

Well, now I wonder if I’ll even get paid…

“Things might get better, I hope. I’ve been putting up with it. Not much money coming in.”

“Wow, that sounds tough. Will I get paid?”

“You will, but if the shop gets a new owner, things would be much better. They use the money for who knows what. Oh, I shouldn’t have said that out loud.” Phii Pan said, quickly covering her mouth. I couldn’t help but chuckle a little at her reaction.

 

10:04 PM

   “Tired? There were a lot of people tonight.” Phii Pan asked after I sat down to rest on a chair near the counter, “First day on the job and it’s already this busy. But why did you decide to take on a part-time job? Isn’t studying hard enough?”

“I just wanted to do it. I’m already working part-time.”

“And what are you studying?”

“Engineering Faculty.”

“Oh, that’s hot.”

“Not really.” I said honestly. Who said engineering students are popular with girls? I’m as dry as can be.

“Really? No girlfriend?”

“No.” “You’re too picky, aren’t you?”

“Wow, if someone were interested, I wouldn’t be picky at all.” I said jokingly.

Ding!

The notification sound from my phone startled me. The reason I kept the volume high is because there’s someone who gets irritated if I reply late.

I opened my phone, praying it wasn’t from someone whose name I’d rather not see while I’m at work.

God must really hate me! T^T

Johan: Where are you?

   I’ve started to notice that Phii Johan often texts me with the question, “Where are you?” which seems like he’s not interested in what I’m doing. Like this evening, when he asked where I was, and after I answered that I was at the faculty, he just told me to go buy coffee without even asking if I was free.

But now, I can’t say I’m at the dorm. What if he calls me to check up on my work? I’d be in trouble with the noise level in this place.

North♣: I’m outside.

   Johan: ?

   North♣: Went out.

   Johan: With who?

   Damn…what should I do?

North♣: With a friend.

   Johan: At 4 PM?

   Johan: Where are you?

   Johan: Not answering me?

   North♣: Calm down, T^T.

   Johan: So where are you?

   Johan’s messages came through rapidly, it seemed like he was angry. No, he must be angry now. Why can’t I just go out with a friend? T^T

“Serve this to table six, and clear table eight too, customers are here.” another voice rang out, causing me and another server to jump up to work almost immediately. I put my phone away and continued working, while amidst the chaos, my phone notification sound went off again, and I had to mute it because I got scolded.

 

   NORTH HOW MUCH IS YOUR LOVE CHAPTERS HOME

NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 5 part 2

Cute Boy & Girl – MU – Posted a new photo 15 minutes ago Hello everyone, the second day of the new semester! I’m so happy because now I’ll get to see my beloved more often, ><. Today, I want to introduce you to someone great from the Faculty of Medicine, Johan, second-year medical student. I’ve been posting a lot of his pictures lately because I’m totally smitten with this bad boy. And here’s the photo you asked for…How to take photos in Thailand that look like they’re from Korea, How to wear a student uniform in a way that looks like it’s a brand name. I can’t take it anymore, I’m about to faint, Johan, please step on me @JohanCt.

   It’s a picture of Phii Johan wearing a not-so-tidy student shirt, with one side of the shirt out of his trousers, one hand holding the lab coat over his shoulder, the other hand in his pants pocket, his hair styled messily as if he’s just woken up, with an expression that seems to say he’s bored with the world.

“Caption is scary, please step on me.” Skater said. I nodded in agreement. Why step on me, because he’s so full of himself? Lately, the cute boy cute girl page has been posting pictures of Phii Johan a lot because the admin is heartbroken that Phii Hill already has a partner.

“The comments are terrifying too.” Skater said, scrolling through the comments for me to see.

: Oh my God, why is he so dangerously handsome? I fainted at the pose with the shirt over the shoulder.

   : Phii Johan, I love you. If I were rich, I would buy you to live with me!

   : Admin. You didn’t take a photo when he styled his hair too. At that time, I couldn’t handle it, I would have fallen over!

   : Let’s campaign to keep Phii Joe single, to protect the faculty’s treasure with our lives. Just Phii Hill having a partner already broke my heart. : How can someone be so handsome with his shirt out of his pants? If it’s not Phii Joe, it can’t be done! Looks like he just woke up but still so handsome, I give in.

   : I like it, I want it, attaches a picture of a thousand baht bill

   :. We probably can’t pay for Phii Joe because he’s richer than us, so instead, we’ll have Phii Joe pay for us, the wildest imagination in the world, LOL.

   : Actually, that day Phii Johan was hanging out with me, sorry everyone, LOL.

   :. At first, I wanted to complain about the unstyled hair, but looking at it again, it’s super handsome. I won’t complain anymore, I still love you though.

   : Wow, nicely shot, the lighting is beautiful, and the model is also very goodlooking.

   “Each person, I think many people want to be in debt to him instead of you.” Said Skater.

“Wait, who would want to be in debt? You’re crazy.” I said, shaking my head lightly, “They need to experience what it’s like when he uses his sharp tongue on them like he does with me, then they’d want to take back every compliment they’ve ever given.”

“Not necessarily, he’s got that charm.”

“Really? With that attitude, girls would still like him?”

“You need to be handsome too.”

“End of story.” I cut Skater off, summing up that being handsome ends all arguments, no need for any other reason.

Before I turned my attention back to the board.

 

4:08 PM I finished my last class. Everyone was filing out of the classroom just now when Phii Tharn sent a chat saying to wait in front of the faculty building; he was coming to pick me up. I’m not sure if I’m imagining it, but it seems like Phii Tharn is really making an effort to come for me. He’s been asking if I’m done yet, saying he didn’t want me to wait long.

“Is Phii Tharn picking you up?” Kyu asked.

“Yeah.” I nodded in response.

“If he does anything weird, call me.” Skater said with a hint of jest, causing me to tap his head once. He always talks nonsense like this, “Alright, we’ll head back first, don’t work too hard.”

“Yeah, yeah, see you tomorrow.” I waved goodbye to my three friends before we went our separate ways, and I went to sit on the marble table near the gear square.

Ding!

T-Than: Just finishing with a professor, I’m heading out now.

   T-Than: Where are you?

   North♣: I’m at the front of the faculty, near the gear square.

   T-Than: Oh, really? That’s disappointing, I was going to be the one waiting for you, North.

   North♣: Why wait? Haha

   T-Than: Want to score some points, haha.

   T-Than: Just kidding.

   T-Than: I don’t like making others wait.

   North♣: I can wait, I just finished.

   T-Than: Okay, okay, I’m on my way, just wait a bit.

   North♣: Sure.

   North♣: Sends sticker Heh, tell me I’m not overthinking this, T^T. He said he was joking. Yeah, he was joking. Try not to think too much about it, or else it’ll just feel awkward.

Dong!

What now? We just talked, didn’t we?

Johan: Where are you?

   Oh…It’s Phii Johan texting me. When it’s this name in the chat, it doesn’t feel good at all. He’s not going to ask me to do something for him again, right? T^T

North♣: At the faculty.

   Johan: Go buy coffee at the engineering faculty.

   North♣: ?

   North♣: The coffee at my faculty?

   Johan: Yes.

   North♣: Okay, and don’t tell me you want me to deliver it?

   Johan: No.

   Johan: I’ll come pick it up.

   Pick it up…

What’s this all about now?

North♣: Pick it up for what?

   North♣: I mean…I’m not free.

   North♣: But I’ll buy the coffee for you.

   Johan: Why?

   North♣: Someone is already coming to pick me up.

   Johan: Who?

   Johan: Fuck it.

   Johan: But if I go, I have to meet you.

   North♣: Oh, Phii-

   Johan: Go buy the coffee, I’m leaving now. It’s like I’m talking to a wall!

What should I do now? Phii Tharn is already out, and Phii Joe is about to come out too, but it looks like Tharn will get here first since the medical faculty is on the other side. What should I do? I can’t split myself to go with both of them.

And can I choose anything? T^T

But right now, I need to go buy coffee first.

I walked into the area under the building, where there’s a coffee shop in the engineering faculty. They have a recommended menu called “Engineering Coffee.” not sure if it’s some special recipe or not. I ordered one cup.

While waiting for the coffee, I had to quickly tell Tharn that I couldn’t go with him. I had to choose the creditor first; that’s a big deal if I upset him. As for Phii Tharn, I guess we can talk it out.

And Phii Johan is the most self-centered creature in the world!

North♣: Tharn, sorry, but I can’t go with you anymore.

   I decided to type out the chat and send it; calling wouldn’t work because he’s driving.

North♣: I have some business to attend to.

   T-Than: Oh, how come?

   T-Than: We already agreed, didn’t we?

   T-Than: I’m just one traffic light away.

   North♣: Really can’t this time, can we do it next time?

   T-Than: Sigh, I rushed over because I didn’t want you to wait long.

   North♣: I’m sorry, TT^TT

   North♣: Sends sticker

   T-Than: Alright, alright, next time let’s go eat together.

   T-Than: Okay?

   North♣: Sure. T-Than: And how will you get to the shop?

   North♣: I can go on my own today.

   T-Than: Really? I could still give you a ride.

   North♣: It’s okay, no trouble at all.

   Before I could even finish talking with Phii Tharn, I heard the sound of tires screeching on the road, so loud it was painful to the ears, and then a luxurious sports car pulled up in front of the gear area. This is within the university, for God’s sake! Why the need to drift burn?

Johan: Get in.

   Huh?! Don’t tell me this is Phii Joe’s car. Hey! That was too fast. Isn’t the medical faculty on the other side? Did he get here even before Phii Tharn, or could it be Phii Joe studies in another faculty building? No, that can’t be, all the medical students study over there.

I put my phone in my pocket and walked towards the luxury car that had just parked amidst the gazes of everyone at the faculty. Bringing such a fancy car because he likes it, and now he’s the center of attention, wow, such a fancy car.

I didn’t dare to touch it.

I opened the passenger door and got in as instructed.

“Here’s the coffee.” I said, handing over the coffee cup. Phii Johan took it and placed it next to the steering wheel, “Uh…where are we going?”

“Who was supposed to pick you up at first?”

“Phii Tharn, you probably don’t know him.” I answered truthfully. The phone in my pocket vibrated strongly; Phii Tharn must have sent another message.

“Hmm. Don’t know him.” Phii Johan said, his eyes glanced at the side mirror, started the car, turned the steering wheel, and the car moved off faster than I expected, startling me.

Oh my God, holy shit, the driving is terrifyingly bad!! “And where were you going with him?” Phii Johan asked, his eyes still fixed on the road. I, sitting next to him, was starting to tense up, feeling like I might step on the brakes myself. I had heard Ter complain that Phii Johan drives terribly, and now I understand why.

“Just…going to eat.”

“…”

Phii Johan didn’t respond. I didn’t say anything either because I was too busy praying silently. Oh God, please help. I’m done, let me out, I suddenly thought of Phii Hill. Phii Hill drives very smoothly, smooth enough to fall asleep, but try falling asleep in Phii Joe’s car, and you’d surely fly out the window.

I didn’t even get a chance to look at the route, and the car stopped in front of a restaurant. Phii Johan turned off the engine and got out of the car. I had to follow, even though my legs were still shaking from fear.

“Are you going to eat?” I asked softly.

“Hmm. You said you were going to eat with Tharn.”

…?

Oh, he’s talking about when I said I was going to eat with Phii Tharn. I followed him into the restaurant, which was more ordinary than I expected. When I think of Phii Joe, I imagine an upscale restaurant, but this is fine, it’s much more relaxing.

“Isn’t the coffee at the medical faculty good?” I asked curiously when I saw the person in front of me drinking the coffee I bought.

“Hmm.”

“Usually, Hill takes me to eat like this. I didn’t think you’d like this kind of place too.” I said. Ter and I agreed that these ordinary places are better, mainly out of consideration.

“What has Phii Hill treated you to?” “Just the usual stuff, a simple place like this, but he likes to stop for sweets too, only Ter bought them.”

“And you didn’t buy anything?”

“No. I felt bad about it.”

“That explains why the money in the card lasts longer.”

Huh?

What does that mean…

The money in the card lasts longer?

“Give me your phone.” Johan suddenly said. I tilted my head slightly in confusion.

“Sorry?”

“Your phone.”

“Yeah, what for?” Even though I asked that, I still had to hand my phone over to him. What could I possibly do to resist? T^T. Johan took it and started scrolling through my phone for a while.

But wait a minute, how can he use my phone with his fingerprint? When did he register his fingerprint?

“Where are you going?”

“Sorry?”

“He said he would drop you off.” Phii Johan handed me his phone to see a message from Phii Tharn stating he would drop me off at the shop.

“Oh…I’m going to my part-time job.”

“…” I felt awkward when suddenly Phii Johan seemed displeased. Sitting across from each other like this, with him being so quiet, made me even more uncomfortable. I was starting to get scared. Why was he so irritated?

“I’ve got a new part-time job. Phii Tharn is related to the shop owner, so he offered to drop me off.” “And who is this Phii Tharn?”

“He’s the owner of the coffee shop where I work, sir.”

“Where’s this new place?”

“It’s called ‘Sold Out,’“ I answered softly, wondering why Phii Johan was questioning me so harshly.

“A bar?”

“Yes, do you know it?”

“Just a bit.” Phii Johan said before standing up from the table, paying the bill to the staff, and leaving without waiting for his change. When I followed him out, the staff handed the change to me instead.

“Are we going back now?” I asked after getting into the car. But why didn’t Phii Johan give back my phone yet?

“I’ll drop you off.”

“Drop me off? At the shop?”

“Back to the dorm.”

“You don’t need to go anywhere, you.”

T-Than: Are you going with Johan? Why didn’t you tell me? Did he threaten you or something? Where are you going?

   T-Than: North, I can really drop you off at the bar. Don’t feel shy.

   T-Than: I can also pick you up afterward; I’ve cleared my schedule.

   T-Than: Let me know if anything happens.

   T-Than: I’m waiting for you; I’m worried.

   North♣: No need to worry.

   T-Than: …

   T-Than: North?

  

   NORTH HOW MUCH IS YOUR LOVE CHAPTERS HOME

NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 5 part 1

Chapter 5: Who is he?

   “Did you go all the way to Chiang Rai to deliver coffee?” That was the first thing Ter said when I opened the door to the shop. I gave him a frustrated look before slumping into the chair next to the counter where Ter was practicing making coffee as instructed by Tharn.

Can we stop with the coffee making for now…

It’s Phii Johan, he doesn’t know what, but he kept telling me to make it again. I’ve made so much coffee I’m now drunk on the smell of it, and finally, after what felt like forever, it was good enough for him, that’s why I was allowed to come back.

“You were gone for so long, it’s like you skived off, can I dock your pay?” Phii Tharn turned to me with a teasing tone.

“Oh come on, Phii, don’t do this to me.” I said with the most pleading look I could muster. What’s this? When I come back here to work, Phii Johan wants to dock me, and when I’m over there, Phii Tharn wants to dock my salary…

Can I choose something else, please?

   “Come make coffee with me, it’s fun.” Ter said with enthusiasm, which was in stark contrast to me who was already dizzy from the smell of coffee. T^T “No, maybe another day.” “Oh, North, I’ve asked my relatives about it.” Phii Tharn suddenly said as if he just remembered, and he handed me a small piece of paper with a phone number, “This is Phii Chain’s number, my relative who owns the shop. I asked, and Phii Chain said it’s okay, try contacting him first.”

“Oh, thank you, why are you so kind?” I said with a heartfelt tone before taking the piece of paper.

“When you’re going to work, just tell me, and I’ll drop you off.”

“Thank you, but you don’t have to trouble yourself, I can go by myself.” I said, feeling awkward.

“And what about Ter, will he go too?” Phii Tharn turned to ask Ter, who immediately shook his head.

“I’m not going, Phii Hill definitely won’t let me…just here, it’s already hard to get permission…”

“That’s typical of people with connections.”

“And can you handle it alone?” Phii Tharn turned to me with a slightly concerned look, “Should I pick you up and drop you off at first, since the place closes late?”

“Oh…it’s a bar, right?” I asked to confirm. I’ve never worked at a bar, “Like, an alcohol shop or something, Phii?”

“Not that kind of bar, it’s more laid-back, but let me drop you off, at least at first, you’re not familiar with the route yet.” Phii Tharn offered again. So I agreed, it’s also Tharn’s relative’s shop, so I wouldn’t feel too out of place.

“Alright then. I’ll call you when I’ve spoken with brother Shane.” I said, and he gave me a kind smile while ruffling my hair. I could only give a wry smile in return, why does he like to ruffle my hair so much? I’m not a dog! Ter looked at me with a similar blank expression, as if he found Phii Tharn’s head-rubbing gesture odd.

Ding!

Someone else has texted…

Please don’t tell me it’s Phii Johan again. Don’t tell me he’s going to make me do something else. I’m done with that. I’m exhausted from making coffee today, T^T

Oh. It’s not Phii Joe but Phii Hill. Phii Hill rarely texts me. No, let’s say he never has before, how could he? I’ve never had anything to talk about with Phii Hill.

HillRatchakit: Don’t do this again, please.

   ?

What’s that?

“Ter, what’s this?” I turned the phone screen to show Ter, who looked at it in surprise.

“What is it?”

“I don’t know, your boyfriend just sent it.” I said, confused.

“What did you talk about with my boyfriend? Are you trying to flirt with him?” Ter said, glaring at me suspiciously, making me give him a confused look before he burst out laughing, “What did you do?”

“What did I do?” I asked myself while trying to remember, “Maybe Phii Hill sent the message to the wrong person, he might have been talking to his flirt before sending it to me by mistake.” I said. Right after, Ter gave me a light smack on the head.

“You liar, always trying to make trouble in other people’s relationships.”

“Shh.” I shushed Ter, then turned to see Tharn smiling slightly at our playful argument.

“Cute.” “Huh?” “I mean the two of you, it’s cute how you play around.” “Cute what? If we’re in the same room, we’d kill each other. North is such a pain.” Ter complained before turning to wipe glasses grumpily.

“You’re slandering me.” I said, sticking out my tongue.

“Slander what? I have proof.”

“Let me see it then.”

“Bring out your car key.” Ter said. I laughed when I successfully annoyed him, then took out my car key as he instructed.

“What’s this?” Phii Tharn asked after I placed my car key on Ter’s counter, and Ter took out his as well, “Are they a matching set?” The keychains. Both mine and Ter’s were figurines of little boys, but they’re not really matching.

“No, they’re not.” Ter said, “This North, what a bastard, always trying to meddle in other people’s affairs.”

“Yeah, so what? I went to the mountains and bought these keychains. What’s wrong with that?”

“The problem is you did it on purpose.”

“What’s going on?” PhiiTharn asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

“Well, Ter uses this keychain as a pair with Hill, right? When I went to the mountains and saw these keychains, I bought some too, and it just so happened that the last one matched mine, so I ended up using it as a pair as well.”

“You bastard.”

“Oh, so what if I use it too? It’s not like they only made two of them.”

“Because you did it on purpose, I wanted to use it as a pair with my boyfriend, and now I have to use it as a pair with you.”

“Just think of me as another boyfriend.”

“North, you bastard…I’m not surprised that Skater saved your number as ‘the bastard’. But really, why did Skater do that?” I don’t understand why he did that. Was he upset because I ate the snack he intended to give to a girl from agriculture? It was just a little bite. The agriculture girl didn’t mind anyway.

“Oh, I just found out that North you are this kind of troublemaker.” Phii Tharn said with a face that looked like he didn’t want to believe it.

“Hey…why am I suddenly getting ganged up on?”

“Serves you right, you always ask why people curse you out. It’s because of things like this.” Ter said before sticking out his tongue at me, “Change your keychain too.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier if you change yours? Get one that’s just for two people, custom-made or something.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“You have to change, I won’t.”

“See, you just want to win against me.”

“Ha, just wait until you get a girlfriend, you’ll see me, I’ll even wear matching outfits, I swear.”

“You’re so petty.”

And our pointless argument began again, until we realized how much energy we were wasting and stopped. Phii Tharn said that Ter and I are the most chaotic roommates in the world, which might be true. By ten in the evening, we finished work. The first day went well because I hardly did anything, just drained Ter’s energy.

“Drive safely, and let me know how it goes with you, North.” Phii Tharn said before driving off, leaving me and Ter at the parking lot in front of the shop, getting ready to head back to the dorm.

“Hey.” Ter called out while I was about to get on his motorbike as a passenger. “What?” “I…um…” “What is it?”

“Phii Tharn, he…what do you think, like…”

“Are you gossiping about the shop owner?”

“No! I was just wondering, sharing stories, like…he likes to ruffle your hair, so I thought…”

“Thought what?”

“That you look like his dog or something.”

“Bastard.” I sighed in frustration before starting the motorbike. Riding back to the dorm, “So, you’ve been talking all this time just to insult me?”

“No, no, seriously, it’s just weird that he ruffles your hair so much, he’s always ruffling your hair.” Ter said, “And he also said he’d pick you up and drop you off at work.”

“So, what are you trying to say?”

“He definitely likes you.”

“Pfft!”

“Hey, I’m serious. When you went to see Phii Joe, Phii Tharn didn’t seem too pleased, especially when you said you’d be late, he looked even more displeased.”

“Well, I am his employee, anyone would be mad if I skipped work.”

“Really…If it were me, I might not have been mad, admit it, you’ve thought about it when I say it like that.”

“…”

“Doesn’t it seem a bit self-centered?” It didn’t take long to get back to the dorm. We talked about this all the way until we got to the room, “It’s just…we’ve only just met. I don’t think so, and there’s nothing about me for him to like.”

“He might like assholes.” “You’re insulting me again.” “But he does say ‘cute’ a lot when he’s around you, you know that, right?” “I kind of know, but…it’s nothing, right?” I sighed slightly, why is Ter so intent on discussing this?

“Seriously. You know. You just don’t want to admit it.”

“Yeah. Don’t think like that, or it’ll just make things awkward for everyone, we still have to work together.” I said with another sigh. It’s not that I haven’t thought about it, but let’s say I’ve been trying not to think about it. I don’t know if Phii Tharn likes me the way Ter says. I also feel a bit odd about both his words and actions.

But I chose not to care, one reason being that he might not actually like me. Ter and I might have just imagined it. Second, I don’t like him either, and I think it can’t be anything more than a sibling relationship. I felt that way.

   “So, you didn’t choose Phii Tharn, right?”

“Well…aren’t we like senior-junior?” I said, very puzzled by Ter’s reaction. Why is he acting so weird?

“Wow, Phii zone.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“That means my ship isn’t going to sink, my Johan-North ship.”

“Spit, I’ll launch torpedoes at your ship.” I said, annoyed, now understanding his exaggerated reactions. He was trying to pair me up with Phii Joe!

“Don’t, captain, or I’ll drown. I can’t swim.”

“Annoying. If you knew what Phii Johan did to me, you wouldn’t say that.”

“What, what? So, what exactly did you do at his place for so long?” Ter asked eagerly. What’s with him? So, I told Ter everything. From delivering the coffee, Phii Johan making me watch him work, me accidentally falling asleep, until I had to make coffee until I was dizzy. “You suddenly feel dizzy, huh?” Ter said, furrowing his brows. “What’s wrong?” “Seasick, I guess the ship was sailing too fast today.”

“Sigh…If you’re happy, then I’m okay.”

 

Start of the semester

   Just a few days had passed since then. I haven’t talked to my creditor again; Phii Johan didn’t message me, and I didn’t see the point in messaging him either. Only Phii Prang, Phii Johan’s secretary, added me on LINE, saying she would handle the accounting of my debt. If I wanted to pay back, I should tell her, or if Johan deducted my money again, she would keep a record because Johan is too lazy to remember.

Phii Prang was complaining a lot about being used, but there was nothing she could do because of the words ‘salary’ and ‘bonus’ hanging over her head.

Not much different from me, huh…T^T

MaPrang: Last time Joe deducted twice, six hundred and sixty-two baht, so that makes a total of one hundred ninety-nine thousand four hundred twelve baht and fifty satang.

   MaPrang: It’s a lot, the numbers are scary. Don’t let it reach two hundred thousand, North.

   North♣: Wait, how can you break it twice? I only remember once.

   MaPrang: I don’t know, I’m going back to work. Study hard, I heard the second term has started. Good luck!

   North♣: Yes, Phii~, TT

   I told my three friends everything. They seemed troubled too, saying they wanted to help but I refused, and they teased me about my new phone. At first, they thought I had stolen it or found it and didn’t return it to its owner. But when I told them Phii Johan had thrown away my old phone and bought me a new one, they were all stunned.

“Our North’s friend has someone paying for him.”

“Should we call him ‘Daddy’ then? I feel like crawling to him on my knees, oh my.” I hate Skater’s teasing, can I throw him away?

“How mad does someone have to be to throw away someone else’s phone? And then buy a new one, that’s beyond words, especially when he threw away mine.” Said Duennao.

“I think there must be something…ever since he picked up North.”

“Enough with the teasing. No need to brew coffee for that animal.”

“Can’t not brew it now, your Ter is on your North-Johan boat, right? We’re here too, we’ll help row the boat.”

“You bastards, I’m about to fall off the boat.” I said before shaking my head slightly.

“Oh, so you admit there’s a boat now?”

“You guys!” Before I could complain any further, my phone rang.

Phii Tharn is calling…

   “What’s up, Phii?”

(Today’s your first day at work, right?)

   “Oh, yes, how did you know?”

(I asked Phii Chain, what time do you finish class today?)

   “Around four o’clock.”

(Then I’ll pick you up, you study at the engineering building, right?)

   “Yes, but the shop opens at six-thirty.”

(I could pick you up for dinner, is that okay?)

   “Hmm? Yeah, that’s fine.” (Study hard, and see you later.) “Yes, you too.” “Who was that?” Skater asked immediately after I hung up, his curiosity was piqued completely.

“Phii Tharn.”

“Which Phii Tharn?”

“The third-year business faculty student, he owns the cafe where I do part-time work.” I replied, “He’s going to pick me up and drop me off at my new workplace. He’s related to the shop owner.”

“Why would he pick you up? Normally, he doesn’t do that.”

“I don’t know, he said he would.” I said, pulling a slightly annoyed face.

“So how will you get back to the dorm? Will he wait until you finish work and then take you back?”

“Yeah, that’s what he said. If he doesn’t take me back, how else will I get back?”

“Is Phii Tharn hitting on my friend or what?” Skater said, “Choose between a second-year med student and a third-year business student, North.” and he held a pen to my mouth like he was conducting an interview.

“…”

I didn’t respond, just gave him an annoyed look. It felt familiar, like Ter had interrogated me like this before.

“North, look at this.” Skater whispered beside me while I was trying to study. Studying doesn’t last long anyway, just during the first week of the semester. Skater was always sneaking looks at his phone. I turned to look at the screen he was showing me.

“What?”

“Look at this.”

 

   NORTH HOW MUCH IS YOUR LOVE CHAPTERS HOME

NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 4 part 2

“Are you crazy…” I started to protest. Even if he’s my creditor, he can’t do this to me. I’ll lose work time, lose money, and then how am I supposed to pay him back?

“…”

“Wait, you’re not going to deduct this from my debt, right?” I protested after seeing Phii Johan take out his phone and start typing.

“Almost.” The other side gave a slight smirk.

“Oh, come on, how can you do this?” I said with a straight face, secretly sighing once before deciding to message Phii Tharn.

North♣: Phii Tharn, sorry, but I might be late getting back.

   T-Than: Why?

   T-Than: Something wrong?

   T-Than: Did he do something to you, North?

   North♣: No, sir.

   North♣: Just have some errands to run.

   T-Than: He’s not making you do anything weird, right?

   North♣: No, no, I’ll be back soon, sir.

   T-Than: Alright, don’t be too long, we’ll have more customers soon.

   North♣: Yes, sir.

   After letting Phii Tharn know, I slouched down onto the sofa, stealing a glance at Phii Johan who was busy with a pile of documents on the table. Ah, so why am I here? To watch him work again? “Still not done with work, sir?” I asked. “Do you have eyes?” His tone was as sarcastic as yesterday, ugh.

“So, I have to sit here quietly again, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

Here I am, just sitting here again. Wasting work time, just like last night when I lost sleep time. After sitting quietly for a while, I started to get bored and took out my phone to play with. As I played on, I unwittingly leaned back and fell asleep without realizing it.

And because of the exhaustion from not sleeping enough last night,

I ended up dozing off without realizing it.

“Umm…” I rubbed my eyes slightly as I groggily woke up. Oh no, did I fall asleep in Phii Johan’s room? What time is it now? Where’s my phone…where did my phone go?

“Looking for this?” Phii Johan asked, handing it over.

Why did he take my phone?

   I was a bit startled when I turned to see a woman sitting on a smaller sofa nearby, smiling at me. Even though I was still confused, I smiled back.

   Don’t tell me she’s his girlfriend?

   She’s been sitting quietly here, waiting for Phii Joe to work? And why didn’t they wake me up? T^T

   “Are you done?” The woman looked up and asked, to which Phii Johan nodded in response, “Have you been overworking lately? The work isn’t that urgent.”

“I just wanted to clear it up before the semester starts.” Phii Johan said before sitting down on the sofa next to me. The Americano I had brought had completely dissolved. If he wasn’t going to drink it, why order it?

“And what about what I asked for, did you get it?” “Yeah, I did.” “Yay! That’s how it should be!” “You can go back now, go.” Phii Johan said with a slightly annoyed tone, and the woman’s face immediately soured.

“What? I’ve been waiting for so long, and now that you’re done with work, you’re sending me away…hey, where are you going?” She asked when she saw the person beside me stand up and walk away.

“Shower.” Phii Johan replied before disappearing into another corner.

Leaving just the two of us…

This is awkward.

“Uh…you’re Nong North, right?” I nodded when asked, “I’m Prang.”

“Ah, okay.”

“I came to see Joe and saw a friend sleeping there. Plus, Joe was working, which made me too scared to move, afraid of making any noise.” Phii Prang said, thinking maybe it was too comfortable…Maybe too much at ease. Normally, when people are dating, seeing someone else in their partner’s room wouldn’t make them so casual.

“Stop it already, you thought we were dating, right?”

“Yes.” I replied as per my thought, which made the other person chuckle a bit.

“Sorry, I’m just an assistant…or you could say a secretary. I’m just here to listen and help with work, as Joe’s father asked me to. And I have a kid too, look, cute, right? I left my child at home just to follow up on work.” Phii Prang said before showing her phone screen with a lock screen photo of a baby.

“Your child, Phii Prang?” I raised my eyebrows and asked, “So cute.”

“Right? But lots of people misunderstand that me and Johan are dating, it’s so annoying.”

“Oh.” I nodded to acknowledge her point, “And how long have you been here?” “Not long, I just got here and saw you asleep. I was quite surprised. Wondered who was sleeping on the sofa like that.”

“Haha, you could have woken me up.” I said while scratching my head in embarrassment.

“Joe said not to wake you.” Phii Prang said before standing up and walking towards Johan’s desk, “Wow, all the work is actually done, that was quick.”

“Uh, but…why were you sleeping on the sofa?”

“I was just delivering coffee, Johan ordered it.” I answered truthfully.

“So you ended up sleeping on the sofa?”

“Joe didn’t let me leave, for some reason. So I just sat there and accidentally fell asleep.”

“Oh, right…Are you the one who owes Joe money?” Phii Prang suddenly remembered. I nodded and sighed, “Ah, I remember now. I went to Joe’s house, but you weren’t there. He said you went back to your condo. Your matter is still a hot topic among the house staff.”

“Really?” I sighed heavily again, oh dear…T^T

“Yeah, heard it was quite a mess, the chairman was pretty upset.”

“What!?” I widened my eyes and turned sharply to her, “Phii Joe’s father?”

“It was about the wine, you know, it was for a client welcome party. It was premium wine, but the whole cabinet got destroyed. Johan got an earful for it.”

“Oh, really?” I felt guilty, remembering Ter saying I knocked over the wine display, but I still don’t understand how I could have done that, T^T, “And why was Phii Johan the one being scolded, not me?”

“Joe said he made it himself, you know. And I have to go find wine to replace it too. Some of the bottles are really hard to find, so it’s not going to be easy.”

“Oh, that’s bad.” I said in a weak voice…guilt creeping up on me until I felt completely deflated…But looking at the price of the wine I have to pay, it’s not that expensive, I mean, not outrageously expensive, right? That’s what Phii Johan said about it being generous to keep just that much.

“Okay, all done…finally sorted out. Hey…have you known Joe for a long time? Why haven’t I seen him before?” Phii Prang asked while stuffing documents into her bag.

“No, we don’t know each other, I met him for the first time when I was drunk.”

“Oh.” Upon hearing my answer, she furrowed her brows in extreme surprise, “You’re not dating, right?”

“No.” I shook my head firmly.

“Oh, now I’m totally confused.”

“Aren’t you going back yet?” Phii Johan, who seemed to have just finished showering, walked out and said, “You can go back now.”

“I haven’t cleared things up with him yet.” Phii Prang said.

“No need to talk, go back.”

“Oh, so strict, see you later then.” Phii Prang said before she grabbed her document bag and left. I waved goodbye, still not having had a proper conversation with her. I turned to Phii Johan, who no longer looked as worn out after his shower.

It’s truly miraculous.

“Sorry, I fell asleep.” I spoke to break the silence, “The work is done, right?”

“Yeah, finally done.” Phii Johan said as he slumped onto the sofa next to me, leaning back tiredly.

“Should I go to bed? I’m about to leave.” I’ve been away from work for a while. Ter and Phii Tharn will definitely complain like hell.

“Who said you could leave? I haven’t had my Americano yet.”

“Oh. Here it is. You didn’t drink it yourself, it’s all melted.” I pointed at the coffee cup on the table. “You didn’t make it yourself.” Phii Johan said, a hint of annoyance in his eyes. “I told you I haven’t trained yet.” I repeated, “I’ve never tried making it myself, not even once.”

“Go make some, the coffee machine is in the kitchen.” The person next to me said. Was he ordering me to make coffee? And if he has a coffee machine, why did he make me go out in the sun and wind to bring one here?

I sighed quietly to myself, complaining that it wouldn’t help, so I decided to get up and head to the kitchen corner, spotting the coffee machine on the lower shelf. I picked it up and put it on the counter.

 

I let out a small sigh, just complaining to myself, then decided to get up and walk towards the kitchen corner. I saw the coffee machine sitting on the lower shelf. I picked it up and placed it on the counter.

How do you use this thing?

Johan had followed me in at some point. He reached out and helped by pressing various buttons.

You act like you’re not going to do it yourself!

“Will my room explode?”

“Oh come on, at worst, it’ll just not taste good.”

“Probably.” I muttered the word ‘probably’ quietly. I’ve seen Phii Tharn use it often, but it’s a different model with lots of stuff I don’t know about. And do you have to pour the coffee beans first or what, you’re supposed to be a barista, right? T^T

   “Uh, can I ask something?” I said while fiddling with the coffee machine, without turning to see what the other person was doing.

“No.” “Uh, about the wine cabinet, did you tell your dad that you did it?” I asked, “If you didn’t say it was me, you got scolded instead.”

“Saying you did it would have made things more complicated.”

“…”

“Uh, thanks, I guess.” I thanked him again, for, uh…can we call it protecting me? And for being kind enough not to ask for more money for the wine.

“…”

Johan didn’t reply.

“But are you going to drink more coffee? I thought you’d rest since you said the work was done.”

“Hmm. Not exactly, there’s some faculty work.”

“Oh, so the work you said was yours, but Phii Hill is doing it for you?”

“How do you know?” One espresso shot was ready. I carefully placed it on the nearby table before turning to look at him. Phii Johan stood there, arms crossed, leaning against the table, looking at me.

“Well, Ter told me, he said if you’re busy…Phii Hill has to do the faculty work for you.”

“Ah.”

“Should I just add water, or do you want milk?”

“Add water.” Phii Johan said before turning to sit on a chair instead. I proceeded to fill the machine with water to make an Americano as instructed. I like coffee too…but I’d prefer it with some milk.

I placed the first Americano I’d ever made onto the table, and Phii Johan looked at it with a slight suspicion before picking it up for a sip.

“How is it?”

“Do you really work at a coffee shop?”

“Yes, I do.” “Where do you work?” “Marry Me, why?”

“I’m going to buy that shop.”

“…”

“And then fire you.”

That’s harsh!!

“Why? Is it that bad?” I asked while inadvertently making a grumpy face.

“Uh-huh.”

“Like this, do you think I’d let you make coffee for others?”

“Oh, come on, Phii.” I muttered under my breath, really wanting to shout out why Phii Joe wasn’t gentle with me at all! It was really disheartening.

“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it, that you’re friends with Phii Hill.” I said with a sigh. Phii Johan took another sip of the coffee, furrowed his brows, and looked at me.

“Why?”

“Well…your personalities are so different. You don’t share any of Phii Hill’s gentleness.” I said, “Phii Hill, he’s incredibly warm.”

“What game are you playing?”

“Huh?” I raised my eyebrows in surprise at the question from the person in front of me. What does ‘what game are you playing’ mean? “Last time, Hill called to yell at me about Ter.”

“Huh?”

 

“Ter complimented me to Hill, and then Hill got mad.”

“Oh…I see, and then what?”

“And then here you are.” “Huh?, Oh…where are you going?” I didn’t even finish my sentence before Johan put down his coffee cup and walked out to the balcony. Then I saw him take out his phone and call someone.

(What’s up, is the work done?)

   “Hill, you bastard.”

(What?)

   “I’m annoyed.”

(With whom?)

   “With you, of course.”

   NORTH HOW MUCH IS YOUR LOVE CHAPTERS HOME

NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 4 part 1

   Chapter 4: Hot Americano

   08:27 AM

   “Is it too early?” I yawned and grumbled while swaying back and forth like I might collapse any moment. It wasn’t really early, but it was far too early for someone like me who didn’t get much sleep, and the reason for that lack of sleep was Phii Johan himself. I ended up accidentally falling asleep on the table. And, man, sleeping like that for a long time really makes you sore.

“This job is killing me.” Ter complained as he was mopping the floor. We were now at the coffee shop where we were about to start work. The shop opens at nine, but we had to come early to set up.

“Just a moment, still feeling groggy.”

“Why are you so sleepy anyway?” Tharn, the shop owner who was wiping glasses, turned to ask.

“Oh, he was on a call with someone, who knows who, tsk, annoying.” Ter said with an openly annoyed expression, which made Tharn look at him in surprise.

“Oh? Got a new someone to talk to already? Last time, you were still pining over your ex.”

“No, it’s not like that…” I denied before letting out a small sigh, “It’s nothing, really.”

“Why the long face then? You can tell me if there’s something, I can give you some advice.” Phiii Tharn put down the glass and turned his attention to me, his concerned voice making me want to open up. Really, it wasn’t something that needed to be hidden. Phii Tharn is in his third year at the same university as me. He’s here to help run the shop in place of his sister, who’s busy. We’ve known each other since we started working here, and I consider him one of the trustworthy seniors.

I gave Phii Tharn a brief rundown, skipping the small details. The core of the matter wasn’t much.

“Oh…Johan, huh? I kind of know him.” Tharn said, pondering.

“We’re at the same university. It would be weird if you didn’t know him, he’s that famous.”

“It’s tough, getting into debt like that out of the blue.” “Yeah, it’s going to be even tougher because the creditor…he’s so damn bossy.” I grumbled, thinking back to last night. What an autocratic bastard. Not allowing sleep, not wanting to talk, couldn’t make noise, and got scolded for anything I said. Honestly, I got scolded so much last night, I was worn out.

“Let me know if there’s anything I can help with.” Tharn offered.

“Then how about a raise? I’m really in need of money.” I said, making a pleading face.

“I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Oh, didn’t you say I was to tell you if I needed help?” I sulked while making a disappointed face, and Phii Tharn smiled slightly at my demeanor.

“You’ve always said you’re frugal, how come you treated your friends to drinks?” Phii Tharn asked.

“I won the lottery. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have treated them. But now I’m starting to think, maybe I shouldn’t have bought the ticket in the first place.” I sighed. If I hadn’t bought the ticket, I wouldn’t have won, wouldn’t have drunk, and wouldn’t be in debt, “And you don’t have any savings? You’ve been telling me you’ve been working part-time for a while.”

“I do have some.” I nodded, “But I’d rather keep that for emergencies, for anything unexpected at home.” I explained, the main reason I work is to lighten the burden at home, especially since my father passed away. Now it’s just my mom and my aunt. Even if we’re not in dire need, helping out would be good.

“Then I might be able to recommend something. A relative of mine has a shop; they’re looking for more staff.” The other person’s words made my eyes widen, “But it’s more of a bar scene, you might have to work late.”

“I can manage, definitely.” I answered without thinking, only to be stopped by Ter first.

“Can you really? You’re already working at two places.” “I can handle it, Phii Ya’s place isn’t every day anyway.” I said without much thought, “And which days would I work? If I can alternate with my current place, that’s okay with me.”

“It won’t be every day either, I’ll ask for you.”

“Yay, thank you, Phii Tharn you are the best.” I said happily.

“Of course.” Phii Tharn said, looking at me with affection, then reached out to gently ruffle my hair, “You’re so small but so capable.”

“Oh, Phii Tharn, what do you mean by ‘small’? That’s rude.” I said, looking slightly annoyed.

Ah…and should I message Phii Johan? I haven’t checked the messages since last night.

   I forgot, I have to check messages constantly, or I’ll get in trouble for slow replies, not just annoyed but fined too!

   02:40 AM

   ‘End of call: 3 hours, 20 minutes’

   Johan: I told you not to sleep.

   Johan: Go lie down properly on your bed.

   03:15 AM

   Johan: message cancelled

   There were two messages that Phii Joe left last night, and one other message that was canceled. Canceled what, and why cancel it? I’m so curious, but if I ask, I’d probably just get scolded again.

“Oh, a new phone?” Phii Tharn remarked when he saw me take out my new phone.

“Uh…yes, sir.”

“Wow, the latest model, I was saving up to buy that. You really didn’t have money, huh?” “Show off a bit, North, since someone bought it for you.” Ter teased while still holding the mop. I gave him an annoyed look. What’s the point of teasing?

“Really, I bet someone paid for it?”

“Yes, Phii Tharn, and he’s pretty generous too, bought it without thinking twice. I’m still wondering why he bought it for me.”

“You sure make a strong brew.” I said, giving him a side-eye. Ter has been teasing me about my connection with Phii Joe since last night. I don’t know what he’s up to, teasing like that. He was told to keep quiet but wouldn’t listen.

“Good crew members are like that. As the captain, don’t abandon ship often.” Ter said. I only understood these terms when Ter explained them to me. The term ‘captain of the ship’ was something he heard from other girls.

“I’m doing my best to stay aboard Johan’s ship, you know.” He said and then chuckled softly, seeing my annoyed expression.

“Oh, so Johan bought it for you?”

“Uh…yes, sir. He broke my old phone, so he bought me a new one.”

“Wow, he must be rich. If I were him, I’d just pay for the repair.”

“Exactly, right? Normally, people would just cover the repair costs. Who would buy a new one? And an expensive new model at that.” Ter teased again. I was getting quite annoyed; it’s like he’s getting back at me for all the times I’ve teased him. Teasing others is fun, but when you’re the one being teased, it’s not, T^T.

“Ter really loves to tease.” Phii Tharn said with a slight smile, “But you know, it’s good to be cautious. I’m not saying Johan is a bad person or anything. He’s friends with Ter’s boyfriend, but he’s known for being a bit of a playboy, right?”

“Yes, sir.” I nodded, “Hey, you think me and him are like what Ter is joking about? That’s funny, sir. No way.” I shook my head vigorously, understanding what he was implying. “That’s good then. Look at this.” Phii Tharn said before taking out his phone, swiping through it, and then handing it over to me.

It was an Instagram story from someone named Jao.pangg. The screenshot showed an outgoing call, but it was busy on another line, with a message next to it that read:

“Maybe he is stuck on a call with someone, but one thing’s for sure, I really want to talk to him.” : (

   Upon closer inspection…

The person Pang is calling…isn’t it Phii Johan?

Oh no, that’s a disaster…

Suddenly, I feel a bit unsafe, why on earth…

“Jaopang?” I double-checked the name I saw.

“Her real name is just Pang, she’s a third-year in the management faculty. She’s been talking with Johan, don’t know if they’re dating or what, but I’ve seen Johan in Pang’s Instagram stories.”

“And this one too.”

Tharn scrolled through his phone again to show me.

This time, it was an Instagram post of food with the caption, “Someone kind treated me to this, thank you, let’s do it again next time 😉 #myJ”

   “Jay?”

“That’s Johan, he’s another one Johan has been talking (flirting) to, but…it seems like Johan might have dumped her.”

“Wow, so many.” I exclaimed, and each one was so stunning, wow, what a cheater, does he think being handsome and rich means he can talk to anyone? “And like this, doesn’t it cause any trouble? They all seem to be posting and flaunting it.” I said, normally when you talk to multiple people, you try not to get caught.

“He’s an openly flirtatious playboy, even you know about it.” Said Ter. “Whatever, whether he’s a playboy or not isn’t my business, but using me as his dog guard isn’t okay. I didn’t think someone would actually call Phii Joe. If Flour finds out, won’t she come after me?” I complained.

“North, just don’t call him then.” Phii Tharn said with a disapproving look, “If you refuse and actually listen, it would be better.” I sighed. Soon, it was time to open the shop, and since it was a holiday, it was particularly crowded. We brought our work to the coffee shop early in the morning. Phii Tharn was in charge of making drinks since neither Ter nor I knew how yet, but once we learned, it would be our job.

We work here only on weekends. Someone else works on weekdays, and they study on weekends, so it’s like a switch-off. I didn’t even know there were special programs where you only study on weekends. Tharn comes to check on the place on some days, or so I’ve heard.

“North”

“What?” I responded to Ter’s call while I was busy washing cups.

“I’m really interested in this, you know?”

“Huh?”

“We’re in the same boat now. I’ll row the boat myself, trust me, Captain.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, Phii Joe is friends with Phii Hill.”

“So you’re shipping me with your boyfriend’s friend?”

“Yeah, partly, but I like talking to him, he’s kind of cute, I ship it.”

“That’s messed up, he’s crazy when we talk, just scolds me.”

“Normally, Phii Johan isn’t that harsh.”

“Try getting scolded by him, then you’ll see how Phii Hill scolds you.” I said, sighing at Ter again. What’s wrong with him? I’m not usually this headacheinducing, “Wait…how did you hear that? I remember I had my headphones on last night.”

“Oops!”

“Your shocked face is so fake.” I said, annoyed, having to see Ter’s fake shocked expression. He’s such a good liar. “Eavesdropping?” Ter is good at eavesdropping, and he’s probably quite proud of this skill. But is this kind of skill really necessary?

   “Crazy, he heard it himself.”

“Come on, tell the truth.”

“Alright. I didn’t hear the conversation, but I heard you muttering to yourself all the time, complaining about how you’re going to curse out Phii Johan, why he hates you so much, why a doctor has such a foul mouth, and how Ter should remove the dog from his mouth or whatever.”

“I was ranting that much? I didn’t even realize.”

“Yeah, and he wouldn’t have heard it?”

“No, I had the sound off.”

“Oh, I thought you were sure, secretly badmouthing him.”

“Who would dare scold him to his face?”

The notification sound from my phone made me check it immediately, and there it was, the name of the very person we were just gossiping about.

Why is it so hard to refuse!

Johan: Where are you?

   North♣: At the shop.

   Johan: ?

   North♣: The coffee shop I told you I work at.

   Johan: One Americano.

   Johan: sends location

   Wait a second… What the heck is this!!

North♣: The shop doesn’t deliver…

   Johan: But you do.

   North♣: I don’t.

   Johan: In 30 minutes.

   Hey! What’s this!! Listen to reason, please!

“Dammit.” I cursed, causing Ter, who was wiping glasses, to jump slightly.

“Hey, why are you cursing at me?”

“Not you, I want to curse someone else…but that hundred thousand debt is hanging over my head.”

“Huh? Phii Joe? Alright, go, go.”

“He’s crazy, and where did Phii Tharn go? He’s been gone since a while ago.” I asked, wanting to ask Phii Tharn to make the Americano.

“He went to the bathroom, why?”

“It’s your dear Phii Joe, he wants an Americano, wants me to deliver it…this is a coffee shop, not a pizza place, since when does a coffee shop deliver?”

“Well, some do.” Said Ter before he started thinking, “Wouldn’t be that strange.”

“Fucking beast!”

“Are you scolding Phii Joe?”

“I’m scolding you, why are you siding with the other side?” I said, irritated. Damn it. From the location Phii Tharn shared, it wasn’t that far, but I didn’t want to go, too lazy.

“Come on, people get angry and then it passes.” Phii Tharn came back after a while. I told him about Phii Johan ordering coffee.

“Our shop doesn’t do deliveries.” Phii Tharn said, frowning in surprise.

“What can we do…I’ll deliver it myself.” I sighed, “It’s hot outside, sitting in the cool air conditioning is nice anyway.” “Should I deliver it for you then?” “No, it’s fine. I’ll do it.” I insisted, and Phii Tharn sighed slightly before letting me go alone to deliver the coffee. The place really wasn’t far from the shop. I got a bit lost before arriving.

North♣: I’m here.

   I messaged the other party while standing bewildered in front of the condo, still wearing my shop’s apron. What a luxurious condo, how many floors does it have anyway?

Johan: 12th floor.

   North♣: Which room?

   Johan: Come up.

   Not telling me the room number, how am I supposed to know? Whatever…I’ll ask when I get there, better than standing here in the heat. I walked into the condo, feeling a bit tense, and pressed for the 12th floor.

Wait, this is…

Why is it so open?

And here…why is there only one door?

Don’t tell me…

He owns the entire floor? Oh my, I give up. Accepting his wealth, forget about my debt of a hundred thousand or so.

I stood there dumbfounded in front of the door again; should I knock or is there an intercom…Ah, where’s the intercom?

While I was still puzzled,

Click, the door opened, and the room’s owner appeared in a just-awakened state…

But still looking better than me, who’s been up for a while.

T^T “Uh…I’ve brought your Americano.” I suddenly felt out of place standing in front of him, even though we were just talking last night. Phii Johan is about as tall as Phii Hill, around 180 centimeters. He had just tousled his hair without styling it, yet he looked good in an indescribable way. His thick eyebrows were slightly furrowed, indicating he wasn’t in the best mood.

“Just woken up?” I asked, but Phii Johan didn’t reply before turning around and walking back into the room, “Oh, the coffee?”

“Leave it there.” Hearing that, I took the liberty to step inside…can you even call this a room? It’s so spacious because it’s a whole floor of a condo, complete with a kitchen area, a living room with all amenities. If there could be a shrine room, there probably would be one. Wait…is there one?

I placed the Americano on the table in front of the sofa, feeling oddly out of place having come here just to deliver one cup of instant coffee.

“Did you make it yourself?” He asked as he slumped down on the sofa, taking a sip of the Americano.

“No, the shop owner made it.”

“You said you’d make it for me to try.”

“I haven’t started training yet.” I replied, inadvertently looking away from his gaze. Why am I starting to feel scared? T^T, Is he mad at me because of the instant coffee? That’s not my fault, blame the weather for spoiling it.

   “Then I’ll head back now.” I began to excuse myself, feeling so uncomfortable. Why isn’t he saying anything? It’s like he’s angry he should at least say something like yesterday, that would’ve been better.

“You’re not allowed to leave.” I halted immediately upon hearing that, then saw Phii Johan get up and move to his work desk instead.

“Sit down.” “But I have to hurry back.” “Why?” “I have work.”

“Quit.”

That’s easy for you to say!

T^T

 

   NORTH HOW MUCH IS YOUR LOVE CHAPTERS HOME

NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 3 part 2

   “Yes, sir. I won’t sleep.” I said, my voice groggy as I tried to keep my eyelids from closing. So he just wants me to stay awake while he works?

“Should I talk to keep you company, sir?” I asked.

(Why?)

   “I thought you might get sleepy. Normally, when someone watches over you, they would talk, right?” I said, thinking back to the times I stayed up with my ex while she studied.

(Really?)

   “Um, yes, sir. When I used to keep my ex…my ex-girlfriend company, I always talked to her.”

(I’m not your ex.)

   Oh, why so harsh again, T^T

   “So, I shouldn’t talk then, sir?”

(Right.)

   Ah…okay. I’ll just stay quiet.

…

01:17 AM

“North, I’m going to bed now.” Ter said, getting ready to turn off the light. I nodded at him. “Ah, sweet dreams then.” Ter said before turning off the light and flopping onto the bed, leaving me with just the desk lamp on, scrolling through the computer screen, feeling extremely sleepy, just listening to the sound of the keyboard.

“Phii Johan, sir.” I called out, “I’m sleepy.”

(…) Phii Joe didn’t respond, but if he did, I guessed it would be something like, “Your problem.” Would someone like this really be a playboy? I mean, with such an abrasive demeanor, do women really find that appealing? If I were a girl, I definitely wouldn’t dare approach.

“How much longer for work, sir? Just asking, don’t scold me.”

(A little while longer)

   “Do you work like this every day, sir?”

(No, just some days)

   “Should we take a break? Seems like you’ve been working for hours.”

(No)

   “Phii?”

(What)

   “Can we chat for a bit? My eyes are closing over here.”

(You’re supposed to watch over me, but I have to start the conversation?)

   “Uh, I can’t think of anything to talk about.” I said with a sleepy voice. Normally, I’d be asleep by now, especially after a tiring day at work.

(Oh, then tell me about yourself.)

   “Is that a good idea? I’m quite private, you know.” As I got sleepier, my speech became more rambling.

(Hmm, then something not about you.)

   “But you seem so eager to know. I’ll force myself to tell you if you want.”

(No, I don’t want to know anymore.) “My name is North, my real name is Natthachanan, I’m studying Electrical Engineering, first year. I’m roommates with Ter, who’s in Veterinary Medicine, which is Phii Hill’s boyfriend, and Phii Hill is your friend, right?”

(…)

   “I’m pretty laid-back, not too serious, cheerful, bright, but respectful to elders, considerate to others, and I try to be a good friend.”

(Did you get someone else to say that for you?)

   “Yes, that’s what my teacher wrote in the parent-teacher notes.”

(Messy, when you’re drunk you’re messy, when you’re sleepy you’re messy.)

   “Just a little, oh yeah, I’ve washed your shirt for you, when can you take it back?” I asked, referring to the shirt of Phii Joe that I borrowed to wear back.

(Don’t need it)

   “What? I’ve washed it till it smells good.”

(Don’t need it)

   “Can I ask why?”

(No)

 Ah…okay then. If you don’t want to, you don’t want to. What’s with him anyway? His clothes are so expensive, isn’t it too much to be this annoyed? I even washed them for him.

  

01:36 AM

   (Hey?)

   “Yes, sir, I haven’t slept yet.”

(Hmm?)

   “You thought I would sleep, right? Not yet, sir, you won’t charge me interest that easily.”

(That’s good.) “And how’s work going, sir?”

(A little while longer.)

   “Until dawn?”

(Annoying.)

   “Heh heh.” I gave a dry laugh to the person on the other end of the line. Honestly, I’m easy-going and easy to talk to. That’s probably obvious without me saying it. After talking, I didn’t feel like Phii Johan was that scary or bad. Just that some things about him were more than puzzling, like his temper and sharpness, which made my face twitch several times a day.

“I have something I want to ask, can I?”

(No, I told you to stay quiet.)

   “Oh, come on, that’s going to bore someone to death watching over you.” I said, “Do others complain about being bored, sir?” I managed to ask what I was curious about. I just wondered, for someone like Phii Johan, wouldn’t there be a line of people wanting to call to keep him company? Why me? And if he didn’t want someone to talk to, why not just not call from the start, so he could work quietly?

(Not really.)

   “What do you mean, sir?”

(I’ve never had anyone call to keep me company.)

   “Oh, then why did you have me call?” I asked with a raised eyebrow, even though my eyes were already half-closed.

(They would call, it’s annoying.)

   “Oh, so you left your phone on so when someone called, it would go through to me like this?”

(Yes.)

   “And you didn’t turn it off or put it on do not disturb?”

(In case of urgent business) “Oh, so I’m like your emergency contact for dog disturbances?”

(Hmm)

   “Alright, I’m also a very sleepy emergency contact.” I nodded in understanding, even though no one could see me. Wait, or could they? I turned sharply to see Ter sleeping, probably because he read too many ghost stories and got scared. …I’m the type who’s super scared of ghosts but loves to watch and read about them, so I can’t sleep alone. Ter always complains. No matter where he is in the world, he has to come back to sleep with me, or I have to crash with another friend.

“Oh, I was thinking of asking you something, I have a lot of questions.”

(Wait)

   “Uh, okay.”

(Are you on your bed?)

   “No, I’m sitting at the desk, about to turn off the lamp because my eyes hurt.”

(Why not go to bed?)

   “I’ll fall asleep, this way is better, at least I can stay awake a bit.”

(Hmm)

  

02:06 AM

   “Um, on another note, I won’t get beaten up by your girlfriends if they find out you’ve been on the phone with me, right? If I get ambushed, you better take responsibility.”

(…)

   “Are you still there? You’re not asleep on the job, are you?”

(Still here.)

   “Oh, then why aren’t you answering?”

(What did you say?) “I said; what if your girlfriend ambushes me and hits me on the head. What if she found out I was on the line with you, sir?”

(You could fight back)

   “Oh, come on, sir. I wouldn’t hit a woman.” I said.

(Then just stand there.)

   “That’s too much, it would still hurt, and she’d definitely call for backup to beat me up.” I said, unwittingly making a slight grimace, “Would she bring a gang to slap me like in the dramas?”

(Really nonsensical.)

   “Hey, I’m serious. If I get attacked, I’ll claim damages and compensation for the scare, and deduct it from the debt.”

(Yeah, yeah.)

   “That’s great, then. Tomorrow I’ll announce that I’m the one who called you. If I get threatened, I’ll come for that compensation.”

(You, my friend’s family runs a psychiatric clinic, should I get you in touch?)

   “Oh, what? Just kidding. Who would do that?”

(You might.)

   “I’m not that crazy, but you, sir…what made you decide to study medicine?” I tried to start a conversation, especially since I was super sleepy now. If we talked a bit more, maybe I wouldn’t be this sleepy.

(Told you to be quiet.)

   “Oh, come on, people talk to pass the time. I’m sleepy, sir. Who can be a caffeine addict like you?”

(You know?) “Just guessing, especially doctors, they’re often coffee addicts. Given you work so much without getting sleepy, it’s pretty safe to assume…I also guessed you like Americano.”

(Smart.)

   “Enough with the ‘smart’, thank you. I guess I’ll have to practice making coffee then.” I went on, naturally being quite talkative and good at engaging in conversation, “If I brew a good one, I’ll let you try it, sir.”

(Flattery?)

   “You got me, hoping for a little kindness to reduce my debt.”

(Keeping it this low is kind enough.)

   “Why, is there anything else you want to charge for?”

(Lots.)

   “Okay, thanks for not charging anyway.” Initially, I wanted to say I felt bad, but on second thought, just this is enough. Thank you so much for only charging this much, T^T

(And why are you learning to make coffee?)

   “Oh, well…for work. I’m looking for more jobs, got one at a coffee shop, and I’m going to start training there.”

(With Ter?)

   “Yes, Ter is quite stubborn about it, he insists on doing it. I guess I’ll have to have a big talk with Phii Hill about this.”

(Hmm, and why do you need to work?)

   “Uh, to make money, of course. With the increasing debt, I want to take on two or three more jobs. I’ve got a huge debt on my shoulders.”

(I’m not charging interest anymore.)

   (Don’t rush.) Why does Phii Johan sound so relaxed? There’s no rush for him, he’s not the one in debt like me. How can anyone feel good with hundreds of thousands of debt? T^T

   “What if one day you decide to charge interest again?” I said. It’s true, what if one fine day he decides to start charging interest or even increase it? What can I do? He’s quite capricious.

(Where are you working?)

   “At a coffee shop near the university, it’s called Marry Me.”

(…) Phii Johan didn’t respond, before the sound of writing on paper came again, he must have started working again. I then scrolled through my Facebook, doing some more reading, and before I knew it, it was 2 AM. I should have been sleeping for a long time now, T^T.

I’m so sleepy, my eyelids are so heavy. I can’t take it anymore…

02:40 AM

   ‘End of call: 3 hours, 20 minutes’

   Johan: I told you not to sleep.

   Johan: Go lie down properly on your bed.

   03:15 AM

   Johan: Don’t take on any more part-time jobs, understand?

   Johan: canceled message

   NORTH HOW MUCH IS YOUR LOVE CHAPTERS HOME

NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 3 part 1

Chapter 3: His Voice

   23:20 PM

   I unlocked the door to our room with Ter, feeling exhausted. Normally, we finish work at 10 PM, but it was past that after dealing with the last customers and cleaning up. Phii Hill came to pick us up and took us for a meal before heading back, which he always did when he picked us up. Honestly, it’s quite embarrassing, but Phii Hill insists on treating us.

I quietly asked Phii Hill about Phii Johan, wondering what I could do to soften him up to reduce the interest. Phii Hill said he didn’t know either, and advised me not to worry too much, just to talk to him. Just don’t irritate Phii Joe, especially during this period. That’s the problem…I saw that Phii Johan sent messages around 11 PM, but I hadn’t checked them yet, so I didn’t know what they were about.

“Hey, if I reply late to Phii Johan’s messages, will he get annoyed?” I asked Ter, who looked a bit puzzled by my question. “He sent them at 11 PM, and I didn’t take my phone with me. Even if I had, I couldn’t reply while working.” I explained, wondering why I was even justifying myself to Ter, T^T.

“Oh, that’s what Phii Hill emphasized, not to annoy Phii Joe, right?” Said Ter, “I’ll ask Phii Hill for you.” He then picked up his phone and messaged Phii Hill.

“Here.” Ter said, handing the chat over to me.

HillRatchakit: He won’t get annoyed.

   Phew, that’s a relief. I let out a big sigh, I wouldn’t feel this nervous if Phii Hill didn’t keep emphasizing it.

HillRatchakit: If it was me.

   HillRatchakit: But if it’s North…not so sure…

   HillRatchakit: He bought you the phone. Haven’t you replied to him yet?

   Oh my, the sentence from the other side left me speechless, T^T. I handed the phone back to Ter, took a moment to compose myself, then opened the message to read.

Johan: No interest charge then.

   Johan: Will you agree to do everything I say?

   I immediately made the most puzzled face upon seeing the message from Phii Joe, staring at the screen for a while before my brain started processing.

What now?

No interest charge?

No interest charge!!

And what does he mean by doing everything he says? Does he want me to be his servant or something? This sentence is super suspicious!

North♣: sent a sticker

   Not knowing what to say, I sent a confused sticker, but Phii Johan didn’t read it. So I showed the chat to Ter instead.

“What does that mean?” Ter furrowed his brows, looking equally surprised, “What does he want you to do?”

“Exactly, but the part about not charging interest is really tempting, it saves me thousands.” I said, pondering a little, “If it’s about being a butler or something like that, it might not be so bad…I guess.”

“Would it be good? But he said everything, what if he wants you to kill someone?” “Now, Ter, you’ve made me think. He does seem like someone who could really do that.” I said, voicing what I thought, feeling like anything could happen if it’s Phii Johan, T^T.

…Phii Johan has read it.

But he hasn’t replied.

North♣: What do you mean by everything?

   Johan: Not telling.

   North♣: Come on, khrap, TT

   North♣: Sorry, I was working.

   Johan: Who?

   North♣‘: Who’s asking?

   North♣: No, I wanted to tell you.

   Johan: Who cares about what you’re working on?

   North♣: Come on.

   Did I just imagine that you are secretly annoying, at least a little…

North♣: So, what’s the deal with everything? If it’s not too heavy, I can handle it. If I have to pay that much interest, it’ll never be paid off, seriously, T^T

   North♣: At least reduce it a bit, man. These days, if Phii Hill didn’t feed me occasionally, I’d be malnourished.

   Phii Johan read but didn’t reply for almost ten minutes, or am I making too big a deal out of this? But it’s not that exaggerated. Even if I’m not really malnourished.

“Phii Joe isn’t responding.” I sulkily walked over and sat down next to Mr-Ter.

“Is he working or just annoyed with you?”

“Oh, just annoyed with me, this is a big deal for me.”

“He’s probably working, too lazy to type. I heard Phii Hill say that Phii Johan has been busy lately, so Phii Hill often takes over the duties at the faculty or the labs.” “What does he do for work?” I raised my eyebrows, asking curiously. Come to think of it, people say Phii Johan works for himself, but I still don’t know what he actually does.

“Lots of businesses, he splits time working at home too, does it himself. I don’t really know much about it.”

“Wow, that’s impressive.”

“You look like you don’t believe it.” Ter turned to look at me, as if he caught me out.

“Well, he doesn’t really show it. If you told me he spends his days partying and chasing girls, I’d be more likely to believe that. That’s why they say don’t judge a book by its cover.”

“Yeah, he parties with girls and works too. They say Phii Joe is quite the playboy.”

“Ah, I can believe that.” I said, not too surprised. He has this bad boy look, unlike Ter’s boyfriend, who’s handsome and rich. So, being a playboy fits the bill. Are all good-looking, rich guys playboys? Not necessarily…Phii Hill isn’t one.

“Would it be bad if I texted again?”

“Go for it, it seems like you’re really anxious.”

“Yeah, he suddenly says no interest, then changes his mind and disappears. It’s stressful.” I said before picking up my phone and deciding to type again.

North♣: Are you working, sir? I don’t mean to disturb.

   North♣: But could I have a moment, please?

   North♣: sends a sticker

   He read it, but still didn’t reply…

Johan: Pick up, don’t take more than five seconds.

   North♣: Huh?

   I frowned at the phone screen in confusion. A call from ‘Johan_’ came through.

I quickly answered when I remembered he said not to take more than five seconds, and tried to speak as politely and naturally as possible, “Yes?”

(…)

   “Uh, Phii Johan…” I tried to call out when I received no response from the other end.

(What?)

   “It’s nothing, sir, you called…”

(Too lazy to type)

   “Ah, yes, sir.” I turned to look at Ter for help because I didn’t know what to say, and he seemed equally perplexed by the sudden call from Phii Joe.

“Are you working now, sir?” I decided to ask a general question first.

(Um)

   “…”

(…)

   “Uh. I’d like to talk about the interest, sir.”

(Are you going to agree or not?)

   “Does that mean the offer to do anything and everything?”

(Yeah)

   “I want to know what that entails. Like I said, if it’s not too extreme, I should be able to handle it.”

(What do you consider extremely heavy?) the voice on the other end asked evenly.

“Um…Like, if you tell me to kill someone, smuggle drugs, rob a jewelry store, snatch a purse, that kind of stuff, I really wouldn’t be able to do that.”

(…)

   “Getting scolded feels better than this.” I said. I was just joking earlier. Even though there was a bit of seriousness in my jest, being met with silence made me feel guilty for playing around.

(Is that so?)

   “Yes…but it’s not better.” I replied. Just being called a stupid duck would sting less. “So, what’s the conclusion then? You’re not going to make me do anything weird, right?”

(Such as?)

   “…”

(What you just mentioned.)

   “…”

(Do you have the capability to do any of that?)

“No, I don’t.”

Ohhh, why is Phii Johan so harsh with me? T^T, I’m already feeling hurt all over.

(Hmm. I won’t ask you to do anything beyond your capacity.)

   “Yes, and my capabilities aren’t that extensive either, so it’s all good.” Playing myself down hurts less!

(Then forget it.)

   “What?”

(Useless.)

   Phii Johan, why do I have to deal with someone like this? Ohhh, I feel like crying again.

“Come on, just kidding, sir. I’m versatile; please waive the interest for me.”

(Sure?)

   “Yes, I’m sure…I think, I mean, I’m sure. Just as long as it’s not something weird, right, sir?”

(Define ‘weird’ for me.)

   “Well, weird…how do I explain? Just generally weird, you know.” I said…because how else do you explain it?

(Um…okay, weird as I understand it.)

   “Yes, just as you understand it. So, to sum it up, no interest, right?” I said with a joyful tone, thinking there’s nothing better than saving thousands every month.

(Yes, but…)

   “But?”

(If you don’t please me, I’ll charge daily interest instead.)

   “What!? How can you do that?” I protested immediately upon hearing that.

(Why not?)

   “Nothing, sir.” I softened my voice a bit when met with the blunt tone of the other party. Thinking it over, it seemed fair enough. Phii Johan was waiving the interest with the condition that I follow his orders. If I didn’t do it well or didn’t follow them, the deal would be off.

“So, if there’s a day when I don’t please you, you’ll charge interest, right, sir?”

(Yes)

   “How much would you charge?”

(Five percent monthly, which comes out to what daily?)

   “Uh, oh, just a moment, sir.” I said before grabbing paper and a pencil to calculate. Even though I study engineering, not everyone can do math in their heads, and I’m one who always needs to work it out on paper, it’s become a habit.

(What are you doing?)

   “Calculating on paper, sir.”

(Drawing lots to get into class?)

   Man, why is everyone around me so sarcastic? It’s unbearable, my heart feels like it’s made of tissue now. T^T “More than three hundred, right?” I said, “It would be bad if I keep upsetting you.”

(Yes, including today.)

   “Ohhh, can I negotiate that? I was at work.”

(And you didn’t take your phone with you?)

   “Yes, I left it charging in the room.”

(I bought you that phone so you wouldn’t forget it) the voice from the other end reminded me of what Phii Hill had said earlier, “He bought you a phone, and you still didn’t reply?” Okay…I’m at fault. T^T

   “Yes, I won’t do it again.” I said, feeling guilty. I wouldn’t feel this guilty if I wasn’t being charged for it. Charging me money just for replying late, really?

(Hmm)

   (And don’t use the phone I bought you to chat with others.)

   “Huh?”

(Don’t understand?)

   “I…understand, I guess.” Why is my creditor so harsh? “Can you tell me what might annoy you?”

(That’s your job to figure out.)

   “Oh, okay, then I’ll hang up now, thank you.” I made sure to thank him and was about to hang up, thinking the conversation was over.

(No)

   “Huh?”

(Don’t hang up)

   “Yes, is there something else?”

(Don’t ask too many questions, just stay quiet.)

   “Huh? Oh…okay.” I decided not to ask anything else since Phii Joe said not to ask. After a while, I heard the sound of scribbling and typing; he must be working. (Stay close to your phone)

   “Ah, yes, sir.” I then went to get my headphones and put them on. Initially, I was worried about the noise so I planned to place the phone far away, but with this command, I had to use the headphones. Then I muted the game sounds from Ter, fearing they might leak through.

(No sleeping either.)

   “…But I’m starting to feel sleepy.”

(What did I say?)

 

   NORTH HOW MUCH IS YOUR LOVE CHAPTERS HOME

NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 2 part 2

 

“You too, Skater, acting like you won’t have any issues.”

(Less than the two of you, I know you’ll apologize, but you don’t have to. Just apologize to Kyu, me and Nao don’t need it. Especially Nao, no need, he seems totally fine, I’m confused.)

   “But Kyu doesn’t accept my apology, why? What’s wrong with everyone?”

(It’s creepy, better to treat us to drinks instead.)

   “I’ve already said I’ve stopped, I’ve renounced the world.”

(Alright, then I’ll go eat. Oh, and thank the person who broke up the fight for me.)

   “Yeah, I will do it.”

(Kyu already told me. But can you tell me what happened?)

   “A senior I know.” (You answer like he’s a celebrity, come on, tell me, what’s his name or whatever?)

   “Why does it matter? Just someone I know.”

(Okay, your senior is intense, huh? At the time, I was out of it, but I remember when he walked in, the whole bar went silent, like he was there to kill someone.)

   “You always exaggerate.”

(Not exaggerating, but I think I’ve seen his face before. Is he a senior from our university?)

   “Yes, Phii Joe, second-year medical student.”

(Oh, the famous one, Ter’s boyfriend’s friend.)

   “Yeah, you know him?” Skater, being someone who follows gossip, in simple terms, he’s nosy, knows about everyone. It wouldn’t be surprising if he knew Phii Joe as well.

(He’s someone who keeps up with the news.)

   “He’s just nosy.”

(Mouthy, but he really is famous. Well, I wish I got carried like that.)

   “Carried?”

(Yeah, he carried you out of the pub, princess-style. Well, if not, why would I tease you like this?)

   “I hate you for that. And why carry me? He could’ve just dragged me, I wouldn’t have minded.”

(Well, after he placed you on the table, you just sat there and fell asleep, so he had to carry you, I guess.) Why does it feel odd when he says ‘placed you’? Like I’m some object that was set down. Oh right, there’s also the issue of the debt. It’s not really something you’d want to talk about, but I thought it might be good to discuss it, though I wouldn’t ask them to help pay for it. After all, it’s all because of me.

“Yeah, I have something to tell you guys too, but let’s wait until everyone’s here. Nao’s missing.”

(Probably playing soccer.)

   “Soccer! I give up. What kind of person is he?”

(The blood of a soccer player runs thick, you’ve got to understand. So let’s meet at the dorm. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Ter too.)

   “Miss him?”

(A lot, he is my side chick, pfft! His boyfriend would have my blood for breakfast. Don’t tease me so much, I feel like I’m getting closer to death every day.)

   “We’re just joking, but I secretly want you to get caught too.” I like to tease Skater about Ter because, back when we didn’t know each other well, Skater said my roommate, meaning Ter, was quite cute. Not that he liked him, just that he found him cute. When I told him Ter was dating Phii Hill, he turned pale. So I like to tease him about it often.

(Please, North, you’re getting it all wrong. If Phii Hill hears about this, you’re dead.)

   “Alright, I’m hanging up now, see you later.”

(Sure, see you.)

   “How did it go?” asked Ter.

“Phii Joe came to sort things out, just as expected. As soon as Phii Joe stepped in to calm things down, the fight really did end.” I replied. “That’s good then. I told you, if it wasn’t for Phii Joe, things wouldn’t have been settled so smoothly. And don’t forget to add him on Line and his Facebook, here, Phii Hill sent it.”

“Got it.” I agreed easily, adding him as instructed. As a debtor, I shouldn’t make a fuss, right? T^T

“Phii Joe is kind of strange.” Ter suddenly said.

“Your boyfriend is even stranger.” I teased. From my perspective, Phii Hill really was strange. He seems hard to approach, yet approachable in some way, though I’m not sure how.

“He’s strange, but in a different way.”

“How so?”

“Sometimes Phii Joe seems approachable. I’ve seen him joking around with Phii Hill, but there are moments when he looks scary. Phii Hill says Phii Joe gets angry easily, and he doesn’t want to mess with him when he’s mad. Look, this morning when they were in the room together, they hardly spoke at all.”

“Yeah, he seems to talk little.”

“He was probably angry.”

“But Phii Hill talks little whether he’s angry or not.”

“That’s normal.” Said Ter, slightly furrowing his brows. I made a face at him. How many times do I have to tell you that he only talks to you?

“So, what’s he like then?” I asked.

“Interested?”

“Well, I should know my creditor, right? Might end up in debt for life. Not that I can’t pay him back, bastard.”

“I don’t really know, he’s talkable, he talks normally, just don’t make him angry as Phii Hill says.”

“And how am I supposed to know what not to do to make him angry?” “I don’t know. You ask like I know everything.” Ter exclaimed, “Like I said, he has aspects I don’t understand. Friends like Phii Hill, Phii Fah, Phii Arthit know when to mess with him and when not to. What do they call it again? Having depth, too deep to fathom.”

“I still don’t get it, so basically, he’s someone who gets angry easily, right?”

“Um, probably. I’ll ask Phii Hill for you, and have you added him on LINE yet?”

“I’ve added him, but he hasn’t accepted it.” I said.

“Let me see, wow, that’s cool, the black and white tone really suits Phii Joe.” Ter commented on the black and white profile picture where his face wasn’t too clear, “Send him a message.”

“Shouldn’t we wait for him to accept my friend request first?”

“Will he even accept you? And that profile picture is so childish.” Ter said. Childish? It’s cute. I use a picture of a silly duck as my profile picture because I really love that stuffed animal. It’s now sitting on my headboard.

“You really don’t get the charm of the silly duck.” I said, deciding to wait for him to accept before messaging. Even though I don’t fully understand Phii Joe’s personality from what Ter has told me, I thought it wouldn’t be an issue.

After a while, the notification sound from my phone went off.

Johan has accepted your friend request.

Ah, he accepted it.

Ding!

Johan: Who?

   Johan: That profile picture looks like a heel.

   I’m so sorry, T^T

North♣: North here, T^T

   I quickly replied to the message and went to change my profile picture. Why does he have to be so harsh? No one has ever criticized my duck so harshly, T^T, this is my beloved duck!

North♣: Thank you again, khrap. My friends also asked me to thank you.

   Johan: Um

   Johan: And here I am, suddenly out of hundreds of thousands.

   North♣: Yes. I might be a bit slow in paying you back, khrap. I don’t have much money.

   Johan: I’ll charge interest.

   North♣: Can it be 2 percent, please?

   Johan: …?

   North♣: …

   Johan: Ha, interest is calculated monthly.

   North♣: I don’t even have the means to pay the principal yet.

   Johan: That’s your problem.

   Oh…please, T^T

North♣: Can it be 3 percent? Otherwise, the interest will be nearly ten thousand.

   Johan: That’s high.

   North♣: Please.

   Phii Joe read the message but didn’t reply. I guess negotiation is out of the question. With a debt of almost two hundred thousand, at 5 percent interest compounded monthly, my debt will increase by ten thousand every month…

Wow, suddenly I feel like crying…T^T

“Ter, comfort me, Phii Joe, he’s squeezing me dry, he’s so harsh, such a ruthless creditor.” I went over to complain to Ter who was playing games at his desk.

“Why?” Ter took off his headphones and turned to me. “He’s charging 5 percent interest.”

“That’s better than 20 percent. I thought he started with 20 percent.”

“Bastard, am I dealing with loan sharks or what?”

“Generally, it’s 6 or 8 percent, 5 percent is good enough.” Ter said, looking completely unbothered.

“I asked for 2 percent at first.”

“You’ve got some nerve.”

“Hey, don’t be too harsh, I’m sensitive right now.”

“Come on, you usually make quite a bit each month from work.”

“It’s not even up to ten thousand, and I can’t afford the interest, let alone food, rent, and other expenses.”

“Right, let’s try talking again later.”

“He seems hard to talk to somehow, he should be kind like Phii Hill.”

“Don’t connect them like that.”

“Ha, you’re really jealous, aren’t you?” I teased a bit and got a sigh from Ter, “I’ll think of some good words to plead with him again later. Let’s go eat, I’ve got to go to work soon.” I said. I’ve been working part-time since high school, and even after getting into university, I’ve continued. Ter works too, at a Japanese restaurant, some evenings to late at night.

Considering my studies, I do study hard, but I think I can manage if I take on more work, especially now with all this debt, T^T.

“Can you really work in this condition?”

“I’m fine, the injuries aren’t that bad.”

“And you’re not dizzy or anything? You drank a lot.”

“Yeah, my head hurts, I’m a bit dizzy, but I don’t want to miss work. Sister Ya would kill me.”

“Okay.” Ter said as he got up from the table to put on his shoes, “Aren’t you taking your phone?” He asked after noticing I left it charging at the bedside.

“Nah, it’s expensive, I’m not used to it yet, don’t want to lose it.”

“Ugh, you’re such a worry. Alright, let’s go.”

“By the way, I meant to tell you but forgot, when Phii Hill came to pick me up at the shop that day, after we talked, I whined about wanting to work, and Phii Hill sighed and called Phii Joe.” Ter shared.

“Why would he do that?” I raised my eyebrows in curiosity.

“Exactly, I was puzzled too. They talked about something for a while, and after that, Phii Hill didn’t really fuss about me working anymore, just said he was worried about this and that.”

“Yeah, and after that, he’s been picking us up and dropping us off. If he could, he’d probably come every day.” I teased with a bit of sarcasm. Since then, Phii Hill often picks us up and drops us off at the shop, and when we finish, he comes to pick us up. I’ve really benefited from this. Some days, if he’s free, he almost stays to watch over us, “It’s good that Phii Hill comes, Sister Ya loves it, him staying over brings in more customers, but she says she feels bad so she doesn’t want to disturb us often.”

“Don’t want that, people stare at Phii Hill a lot.”

“Jealous?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, you used to say you didn’t like him, and now I feel like slapping you around the world.” I teased again, only to get a hard slap on the arm from Ter, “You blush so violently.”

“Shut up, or I’ll wish you to fall down the stairs and break your neck.”

“Look at you, getting all aggressive when embarrassed, what kind of person are you?” After dinner, we headed out for our part-time jobs. We got scolded by our boss, Phii Ya, for the fighting incident, but in the end, I was allowed to work as usual.

21:32 PM

   ‘Johan: (New Notification (2))’

   Johan: I won’t charge interest.

   Johan: Will you do everything I say?

   NORTH HOW MUCH IS YOUR LOVE CHAPTERS HOME

NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 2 part 1

 

Chapter 2: Duck’s Cuteness

   ‘Jaja: (New Notification (120))’

   I wasn’t too surprised that Jaja had messaged me. After all, just yesterday, I had an altercation with her boyfriend, but this flood of messages was unprecedented for me.

I opened the messages without much thought. Even if she was scolding or lecturing me, it wouldn’t affect me as much as the debt amounting to hundreds of thousands, right?

Jaja: North!!!

   Jaja: Why haven’t you replied to me at all? Last night you read my messages and then disappeared again.

   Jaja: Temp told me everything.

   Jaja: You’re still as hot-headed as ever, and you told me you could take care of yourself.

   Jaja: Temp said you suddenly picked a fight. I’m half believing, half doubting. I want to hear it from you. What really happened? You’re hotheaded, but I believe you have your reasons.

   Jaja: Please tell me your side of the story.

   Jaja: Oh, and who was the person that came for you last night? Temp said it was his senior from the faculty, and Temp didn’t continue the fight out of respect for his senior. Jaja: I’m waiting for you. I’m worried, we’re still friends, right? Jaja: Don’t ignore me, please reply. Jaja: I’m waiting for your response. Jaja: I’m waiting…

   Jaja: sends sticker

   Jaja’s messages were numerous. I skimmed through them; most were just a string of stickers. We haven’t really talked much since we broke up, and seeing those old pronouns we used to use, which she liked to refer to her in the cutest way and ‘you’, I didn’t like it. We’ve broken up, why talk like before? I’m not sure if she’s genuinely worried or what, but the constant emphasis on being friends just irritates me.

North♣: …

   I typed out dots because I didn’t know what to say, sneaking my phone away from Ter, who would definitely be annoyed if he knew I was chatting with my ex.

Jaja: Yay, you replied. How are you?

   North♣: Just fine, nothing special.

   Jaja: Good to hear. Can you tell me what happened…last night?

   North♣: What did Temp say? It’s just as he said.

   It’s not that I don’t want to explain, but I’m just too lazy to talk much. If I told her the real reason was because I saw Temp with someone else, she might not believe me anyway. Temp seems like such a good guy in front of others. Right now, I’m just too lazy, thinking about other things, including homework and what happened yesterday.

Jaja: That can’t be true. You just saw Temp out with friends and went to start a fight?

   Jaja: That’s not like you. I know how you are, tell me.

   Jaja: Is Temp seeing someone else? North♣: You know? Jaja: No, I guessed. Was I right? North♣: Ask North, he’ll tell you the truth, believe me. Damn…I accidentally used my own name instead of just saying ‘I’.

Jaja: I don’t know. I’m confused. I really don’t know, honestly, I’m a bit scared. I just agreed to date Temp. If what you’re saying is true, I don’t think I could handle it.

   North♣: Maybe I just misunderstood. I was really drunk at that time.

   Jaja: TT

   North♣: Don’t cry.

   Jaja: Ugh, sob sob

   North♣: So, what about Temp?

   Jaja: He’s pretty bruised up, and so are his friends. They said you hit really hard, haha. Everyone was scared of the guy who came to pick you up. Who was he, by the way?

   North♣: A senior I know.

   Well…Can I really say I know him?

Jaja: Oh, a medical faculty senior, right?

   North♣: Yeah, yeah.

   Jaja: Temp said he probably won’t dare show up at the faculty for a while. That senior is quite famous, even among his friends. Do you have any connections these days? Haha.

North♣: No, just a friend of my friend’s boyfriend, that’s how we know each other.

   Jaja: Oh, okay. I gotta go now, I need to check on Temp. Let’s talk again soon.

   North♣: Sure. Jaja: Can we talk? Just as friends, talking to you makes me feel a lot better. North♣: …I don’t know, I’ll reply when I’m free. Jaja: Okay, bye then. “North.”

“Hey, you scared me!” I jumped at Ter’s voice who had somehow snuck up behind me. When I realized he had seen me chatting with Jaja, I quickly hid my phone.

“I saw that.”

“Saw what?”

“Jealousy.”

“Ter, that’s creepy.” I said, giving him an annoyed look.

“Why are you talking to Jaja?”

“Am I being interrogated here?”

“Yeah, didn’t you say you weren’t going to talk to her anymore?” Ter said, looking at me with a slight hint of displeasure.

“She texted me, we talked about me going after her boyfriend.”

“And then what? Swear to me you won’t waver.”

I didn’t respond.

“Here you go, and you’ll drink again, I’ll smack you.”

“I’m done with that.” I said before letting out a deep sigh, thinking about the problems I’m facing now made everything else seem trivial, “But I don’t get her. She acts like nothing happened, like leaving me was just a small thing.”

“Well, she feels comfortable talking to you like friends.” Ter emphasized. Ter and I have often listened to each other’s problems. We always talk things out. Jaja keeps texting, trying to talk like we’re just friends, saying that talking to me makes her feel at ease. How can she not be troubled? We’ve been together for so long.

The problem is, I’m still the one who’s emotionally weak and easily swayed.

“But you promised me you wouldn’t go back to her, and one day, when you’re strong enough, you need to stop talking to her.” Ter said. “Yes, sir.” I nodded in agreement.

“I don’t want to see you like this anymore. Do you want me to remind you how disastrous last night was?”

“No need, sigh, it’s stressful just thinking about it.” I said, flopping back onto the bed again, “But at least it’s someone you know, your boyfriend’s friend, so we can talk. If I had debts with the mafia, yakuza, or a bank, it would be even more stressful.”

“Yeah, I’ll ask Phii Hill to keep talking to him for now, at least you won’t be rushed to pay.” Ter said before lying down on the bed next to me.

“Thanks, man.” The other guy looked slightly surprised when I suddenly said that.

“For what?”

“For worrying about me. What happened made me realize a lot of things.” I said softly, “At least I now know I’m not as strong as I thought, I’m not someone who can just take care of themselves. Still like a hot-headed, impulsive kid.”

“You’re just realizing this now?”

“I’m having a moment.”

“Don’t thank me. Everyone has their rough patches in life, I’m no different. You’re actually stronger than you think, you know that? Don’t overthink it, things will get better, isn’t that what you told me?”

“Damn you, I feel like crying now.” I said, making a face like I was about to cry at him.

“Make that ugly crying face.”

“Hey, you said you were going to cry, be gentle, will you?”

“Don’t cry, you look terrible when you do. Call Kyu, you’ve been told to call him for ages. Don’t sneak off to chat with Jaja.” “Yes, Dad.” I said in a drawn-out, annoyed tone. Honestly, I had more to say to Ter, but I knew he wouldn’t want to listen. We’re both embarrassed, I guess. I immediately called Kyu without checking the messages he had sent earlier.

(Hey, you good now? Recovered?)

   “You call me cutely, huh? Yeah, I’ve recovered. Got all thirty-two bruises, split lip, split eyebrow, a bit battered, it hurts but it’s bearable.” I preempted it because I knew Kyu would ask. “What about you, and the others?”

(I’m bruised, and got a small cut on my lip.)

   “What do you mean by ‘small’?”

(Just a small one, not much. Your punch wasn’t hard enough, sorry about that.)

   “Wow, not enough? Want another?”

(No more. Good thing it’s the break, going to class like this would make all the girls run away.) It was the break after the first semester ended, but I’m not sure if you could even call it a break because it’s just a few days.

(Skater’s pretty beaten up, Duennao was way too cool, barely got hit at all. At first, I thought we’d all get more hurt, but since both sides were drunk, it looked like a big fight, but there were more misses than hits.)

   “So, how did last night go? I can’t remember much, Ter said you called him.”

(Yeah, you told me to call him, but he said he couldn’t come out because of the storm. He only has his motorbike, so Ter said he’d handle it. I thought his boyfriend would come, but…)

   “But?”

(Someone else came, I was totally confused. Suddenly this person walks into the bar and drags you away from frolicking with Temp.)

   “Frolicking? That’s creepy, don’t use that word.” (Alright, alright, what word should I use then? Whatever, I can’t think of one. He just pulled you guys apart. Temp was yelling about some nonsense, and he was about to punch you again.)

   “…”

(The guy grabbed Temp by the collar, with one hand too, it was such a cool scene, I tell you. Then he pushed Temp away, and Temp stumbled and fell to the ground.)

   “…”

(It was really scary. Is he part of the mafia or something? By the way, who was he? Forgot to ask.)

   “Just a senior I know, go on.”

(And then you were about to go after Temp again, right? I mean, Phii Joe, he held you back, told you that was enough. But you were still ranting, so he carried you over his shoulder. He then sets you down on another table.)

   “What? Carried over the shoulder?”

(Yeah, because you were ranting. If it was me, I would’ve punched you in the gut.)

   “Harsh, huh? And then what?”

(Once he managed to stop the main fight, the owner and others took that moment to stop the others from fighting. Our brawl ended naturally after that. Then he asked me if I could take the other two back, and I nodded. He told us to head back first.)

   “…”

(I asked, ‘Oh, what about North?’ He said he’d take care of it. I figured it was probably Ter who asked him to take you.)

   “You…didn’t you worry about your friend? What if he was taking me to kill me?” (Yeah, I didn’t think of that at the moment. And then I saw him paying for the damages at the pub, plus the medical bills for Temp and his gang. They were demanding a lot, but they weren’t that hurt, yet he paid anyway. He even added more money for hush money, just to get it over with.)

   “How much is ‘just a little’?”

I sighed inadvertently; it would’ve been great if Phii Joe could’ve negotiated a bit with them since ultimately, I’m the one paying, T^T.

(Tens of thousands. Medical bills that high? I just found out. Did they stay in a special ward or what? Temp’s family is rich, so they probably wanted to get back at you. At first, he even said he’d report it and tell the university.)

   “Oh, the bastard. If he did that, he’d be in trouble too, right?”

(But you started it. You’d be in more trouble. There’s CCTV footage too, and the cost to delete that footage was also quite a bit, I guess.)

   “Sigh, and then what? Was he going to tell?”

(No, no, initially he said he wouldn’t take the hush money, but then Phii Joe said something to Temp, and Temp went pale and took the money quietly. From what I saw, I’d guess he won’t tell anyone now.)

   “Sigh, sorry, guys, for putting you through all this trouble and getting hurt because of me.”

(Nah, we got involved on our own, you didn’t force us.)

   “But I was the one who started it.”

(Yeah, but we got involved by choice. Nao was the first to jump in, saying they were going to gang up on you. Whether they actually would or not, I don’t know, but he just went and started punching, even quicker to get heated than you.)

   “Nao might have been confused, but anyway, sorry about that, and thanks. I won’t cause trouble again.”  (…)

   (Hey, Kyu, come listen to this)

   (What?) Kyu’s voice.

(North says he won’t cause trouble anymore, be a witness.)

   “Bastard.” I said.

(Really? Tell me something to cheer me up, North.)

   “Yeah, yeah, I’ll be cool-headed now. No more trouble. And I’ll cut down on the booze too, it’s not good, I won’t drink, I’ll try not to.”

(I’m glad you’ve turned over a new leaf, but not completely happy though.) said Skater.

“Why?”

(Everyone else will still cause trouble. Look at Duennao, he said you were hot-headed, but he’s even worse. He hasn’t learned his lesson at all. You should remind your friends too.)

  

   NORTH HOW MUCH IS YOUR LOVE CHAPTERS HOME

NORTHHOWMUCHISYOURLOVE, Chapter 1 part 2

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to…um.”

“Vomit?” Phii Joe said with a slight raise of his eyebrows.

“Yes.” I bowed my head in genuine remorse.

“It’s okay. Just pay for the damages.”

“Pay?”

“For the damages.” Phii Joe clarified, pointing to a piece of paper in my hand. I looked at it and then turned to Ter again, seeking a clearer explanation.

“The list of things you broke. You have to pay for all of that.” Ter explained.

“…”

“Are you crazy? This is hundreds of thousands! What did I break to cause this much damage? It was just a little scuffle at the pub.” I exclaimed loudly. Normally, I wouldn’t make such a fuss, but the figures on the paper were way too much!

“No, I was helping the housekeeper check the bill this morning. You really made a mess.” Ter said with a serious tone, looking grim, which made me feel grim too.

“And what about this list of liquors? I don’t remember drinking that much.”

“You didn’t drink them, but you broke the bottles, and they were expensive ones at that.”

“How so?”

“They were on someone else’s table, and I guess they were within your reach.” Phii Joe explained. That was all I needed to hear to understand how bad it was…

“And what’s this ‘hush money’ for?”

“To keep the staff and the people at the pub quiet. If the university finds out, you might not just get suspended, you could get expelled.” “And the medical expenses?”

“Those guys are asking for a lot, plus there is this thing about the compensation for their shock.” Phii Joe answered, sounding exhausted, like he was scolding me, T^T.

“And the clothes, why are they so expensive, in the tens of thousands?”

“It’s for the shirt of Phii Joe that you threw up on.”

“That’s insane. Wearing clothes worth tens of thousands.” I muttered to myself quietly so Phii Joe wouldn’t hear. And why does it have to be included in this? It’s just a shirt. I’ll buy him a new one, T^T.

“For the fight you got into and the damage you caused at the pub, that’s under ‘other charges’.” Ter said, pointing to the last line. That ‘other charges’ part is pretty heavy too.

“And why am I paying for it alone? They were fighting with me too!”

“They’ve already paid.” Phii Joe said.

Damn fate…Temp’s family must be rich…

   “And this, the vase, wine, and other stuff?”

“You broke a lot of stuff in Phii Joe’s house. From vomiting on the floor, breaking expensive vases and various items, even the housekeeper couldn’t clean it all up. She said you probably got up looking for the bathroom at night, wandered around, and broke stuff along the way.”

“…”

“I even knocked over the wine display cabinet.”

“Shit…”

There was nothing else to say but ‘shit,’ really.

   I took a deep breath to regain my composure, wishing this was just a dream, but it was too real…Everything happened so fast. I wasn’t even prepared. Just went out to drink, got the drunkest I’ve ever been, had a small…no, quite a big scuffle, and now I wake up owing hundreds of thousands.

   I should’ve listened to Ter from the start not to drink too much.

   North, you idiot…

   Life’s gone to crap.

   When I glanced at the numbers on the paper again, I had to look away, almost too afraid to face the truth. Why were the numbers so large? Just thinking about having to pay that much sent chills down my spine.

   “Um…but you broke my phone too.” I said, remembering, thinking maybe I could knock a thousand or two off my debt…though, a thousand or two wouldn’t even make a dent in the number on the paper, T^T.

Upon hearing that, Phii Joe tossed something in a bag towards me. I wasn’t quick enough to catch it, so I looked down at the bag that landed in my lap, confused.

“That’s not included in the debt.” Phii Joe said. When I opened it, I found it was a new phone, still in its plastic wrapping.

So, you bought a new one because you’re saying a phone isn’t a big deal, right?

“You could just cover the repair costs.” I offered. Even if he did break it, buying a new one was too much; the cost to repair the old one would’ve been much less.

“It’s cumbersome.” He said, showing a slight sign of annoyance.

“Take it, it’s just this.” Phii Hill chimed in, probably because he noticed I was uncomfortable. His words made Ter and me exchange looks.

Using the phrase, ‘just this’…

You can’t call a phone worth tens of thousands ‘just this’…

I fell silent for a moment, gathering my thoughts. I probably needed to tell Phii Joe straightforwardly that I really didn’t have that kind of money. Who would have that much? I’m just a student. No, even if I was working, that amount of money… Asking for the debt to be waived or reduced might not work; all this happened because of me, and Phii Joe is just covering the costs upfront. “Can I pay in installments, like a thousand a week…?”

“You can, but with interest.”

!!!

“How…how much?”

“It’s not that high…I guess.” Phii Joe said, pausing to think, “Twenty percent…?”

“No way!” I interrupted before he could finish. That’s insane! Twenty percent interest! Are you some kind of loan shark?

   Phii Joe gave a slight smirk, seemingly pleased by my outburst. Is he in the mood for games at a time like this?

“Then we’ll figure it out later.”

“See ya.”

“You are leaving already?” Phii Hill asked as the person sitting next to him stood up from the sofa.

“Yeah, take care.” Phii Joe said as he left the room.

What’s with him, leaving so suddenly…

“You got homework, wanna head back?” Phii Hill asked.

“Yes, let’s go back!” I nodded quickly, making Ter chuckle, “In such a hurry?”

“I better hurry back. Who knows, maybe I’ll rack up more debt if I stay.”

“Hahaha, poor guy, but it’s kind of funny, don’t make that sad face.”

“Try waking up with debts in the hundreds of thousands like me.” I said with a pout, feeling rather annoyed before standing up with some effort. The hangover was still there, but not as bad as the body aches.

“You’re still standing strong. When Kyu told me, I thought it would be worse.” Ter looked me over from head to toe, guessing I probably had a split lip, a bruised eyebrow, and some bruises. “Just a typical day, dude.” I said, raising an eyebrow at him, “By the way, whose clothes am I wearing?”

I asked after checking myself out. Not asking about what happened to my old clothes, I was more concerned about whose new clothes I was wearing so I could return them properly.

And I didn’t ask who helped me change clothes either.

Ter mentioned that a housekeeper came to clean me up, which means it must have been her who changed my clothes…That’s embarrassing to think about; better not to dwell on it.

“They are Phii Joe’s, so you can ask.”

“Well, it might have been the butler’s clothes too, right? They’re expensive clothes, and he still lets me wear them.”

“Good at being sarcastic, huh?”

“Give me a break. I can’t do anything else anyway.” I said, and then the three of us left the room. This place isn’t just a house; it’s more like a mansion or a castle. I believe now that he’s very rich; those rumors weren’t exaggerated. I couldn’t look around for long before I had to focus on walking, or I’d risk falling over and damaging something else.

Along the way, we encountered the house staff, and they all looked at me. I was so embarrassed I had to hide behind Ter, silently repeating to myself:

“Just this.”

“I’m sorry for causing trouble.” T^T.

Phii Hill’s luxury car slowly drove us back to the dorm. After letting the couple say goodbye, Ter and I headed back to our room.

“Oh, add Phii Joe on LINE too.” Said Ter after I flopped onto my bed, exhausted both physically and emotionally.

“What?” “You’re his debtor now, don’t make a fuss.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I grumbled slightly, picking up the new phone I had received, feeling out of my element with such an expensive device, not knowing what to do with it.

“You don’t seem too stressed about it. I thought you’d cry, too bad.” Said Ter.

“I’ve run out of tears, man, I’m empty now.” I said, “Sure, I’m stressed. Who wouldn’t be? But part of me still can’t believe it.”

“I couldn’t believe it either. If I hadn’t seen the state of the living room downstairs at Phii Joe’s, oh, I’d think Godzilla had attacked.”

“That bad?”

“So bad. Do you usually go wild like this when you’re drunk?”

“Not like this, maybe I was just really angry. Angrier than I’ve ever been.”

“You get angry when you play games too.”

“That’s different, Ter.” I sighed at him, “Seriously, I feel more guilty. He’s just fronting the money for me, it’s like I owe him…just a lot more than usual.”

“So what are you going to do? It’s not a small amount.”

“If your boyfriend’s friend decides not to charge interest, I’m thinking of paying a thousand a week.”

“Bastard…”

“Hey, I’m serious. My job could handle that.”

“A thousand a week, until you graduate.” Ter shook his head slightly at my idea, “But if he just charges a little interest, it’s okay. You have to understand where he’s coming from, he works for his money, suddenly losing hundreds of thousands without getting anything back, it’s a big opportunity cost in business terms.”

“Did Phii Hill tell you that?” I asked. No doubt about it. If Ter says something with such reasoning, Phii Hill must have taught him. “Yes. At first, he explained it at much greater length, but that’s what I remember. Otherwise, I’d have gone berserk about the interest on my friend’s debt.”

“Yeah, yeah, I understand. Sigh, should I sell this phone? It’s worth tens of thousands at least, and these clothes too, they’re expensive.”

“North, use the phone, he bought it for you. Just return the clothes.” Ter said.

“Okay, okay, I know. Just kidding.” I was just joking anyway. Selling the phone he bought to pay him back would look bad, wouldn’t it? “But why did Phii Joe have to pick me up? This part is still unclear.”

“I told you, I don’t know, but if I had to guess, it’s because Phii Joe is responsible, maybe?”

I looked puzzled at Ter after he said ‘responsible’.

“Like…I don’t know everything, ask Kyu. But if I had to guess, Phii Joe probably went to handle the brawl situation. Remember the medical and hush money? He probably sorted it all out. Don’t worry, if they had left you there, you’d have been expelled before you could even shift gears.”

“Don’t curse me, but you’re right. Never had issues at university before, it’s more complicated than high school for sure.”

“Have you learned your lesson?” Ter asked, his tone slightly mocking, or maybe I was just imagining it.

“Absolutely, I’m not drinking again, damn it.” I said, lightly ruffling my hair.

“Good. Call Nao and the others, they must be worried.” Ter suggested, reminding me I should check on them too. I quickly opened LINE, logged into my old ID.

There were tons of new message notifications.

But what’s most important is:

‘Jaja: (New Notification (120))’ When I opened it, Jaja sent even more messages. Or maybe this was the person Ter was talking about who was bombarding me with messages.

Before Phii Joe threw my phone against the wall…

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