WESTTHESUNFROMANOTHERSTAR, Chapter 37: One More Time
Daotok
(THE NIGHT BEFORE)
I tossed and turned on the bed for almost half an hour because I couldn’t fall asleep. I spent a long time soaking in warm water, hoping it would help me relax a bit. Phii Cream, who was in the bathroom, tried to chat with me as usual. She said she heard some noise near the door when I came back, but she couldn’t go out to see what it was.
It was good that she didn’t see it; the more she asked, the more I thought about what happened, involuntarily biting my lip every time I remembered it.
When I say it was bad, I mean it. From now on, it’s definitely going to be worse.
My heart, which was already starting to flutter repeatedly, now felt even more so. Because I’m someone who is generally indifferent to everything, my face and personality have become like that too. People say it’s quite rare for me to smile, but I think it’s even rarer for me to get embarrassed enough to lose composure.
And it’s happened because of him, over and over.
It seems like he enjoys it when it’s like this, looking happy every time he can make me blush. No matter how much I try to hide my expressions, I can’t stop my cheeks and ears from turning red.
I intended to punish him for the kiss by not talking to him, for as long as I’m not satisfied. The first reason is to punish him, the second is because I probably can’t face him or talk to him yet.
I didn’t know I was this easily embarrassed. No, it’s only with him. Is this what they call easily embarrassed? Lately, it’s become like this uncontrollably. If my friends found out, they would tease me a lot, especially North who’s ready to mock me almost every second.
After taking a shower, I glanced at the bag of things we bought today, opened it to put everything away, including clothes, shoes, and hats. Seeing these items made me inadvertently smile; this guy just does what he wants, even when it comes to buying stuff for me.
After finishing all my tasks, I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted. At that moment, I thought I would easily fall asleep, but it didn’t happen. I curled up in the blanket even though the room wasn’t that cold.
I felt like the bed was too big…
This is what’s scary. In just a few days of sleeping with him, I’ve become accustomed to his touch.
I closed my eyes trying not to think about it, and it took almost half an hour before I decided to get up and use my phone to kill time.
I found that my senior, who had just left a few hours ago, had sent a flurry of messages. I smiled again. I saw all the notifications but didn’t actually read the messages.
☀︎: Have you showered yet?
☀︎: What are you doing? Working?
☀︎: Why aren’t you reading, is your internet down or something?
☀︎: I’m playing a game.
☀︎: I’m done playing, but you still haven’t read.
☀︎: Are you working or sleeping?
☀︎: What time is your class tomorrow? But I have rounds at work in the morning, so I can’t take you.
☀︎: Spend a little time to reply, it’s not a big deal.
☀︎: Are you mad about the kiss?
☀︎: Don’t be mad. I’ve been trying to hold back, you know.
☀︎: What’s this? Embarrassed? You’re definitely embarrassed.
☀︎: K, I saw you were embarrassed, so I won’t call yet. I’ll give you until tomorrow to be embarrassed!
☀︎: I’ll play one more game then sleep, you should sleep too.
* : Goodnight
Someone who can ask and answer themselves completely.
Uh…good night to you too.
I put my phone back in its place and lay down to sleep again. This time, it only took me a few minutes to fall asleep. Waking up in the morning, I went to class as usual. There were plenty of messages from the same chat, not any different from yesterday; reading through them, I could summarize that he had a morning ward round and was complaining about not getting enough sleep. Plus, he didn’t want to do the ward round. The rest of the messages were just complaints.
During the lunch break, KhunKim sent a message saying he was around here. If it’s convenient, could we meet? I remembered that Phii Arthit told me to finish KhunKim’s work quickly, so I arranged to meet him to discuss the work right away.
And if I met KhunKim without telling him, I would definitely get scolded. So, I sent him a message first. He told me to go to a certain coffee shop, and I went, not really understanding why. When I saw Phii Meen working there as a server, I understood immediately.
Because there were no other customers in the shop except me. So, I got to talk with Phii Meen for a while before KhunKim arrived. Phii Meen said she wanted to keep busy so she wouldn’t have time to think about Phii Donat.
Phii Arthit was watching KhunKim a bit. I guessed Phii Arthit had Phii Meen keep an eye on him, but I didn’t mind. Today, KhunKim seemed to be in an exceptionally good mood. We ordered coffee and started discussing work. Initially, it shouldn’t have taken that long, but KhunKim insisted on seeing the current drafts so we could work on improving them to meet his requirements. The work he ordered was three illustrations for his horror novel, including the cover. He explained the story to me and briefed me on the images. I always carry pencils and paper with me, so I could sketch for him. As we talked about the work and I drew, KhunKim began to chat about various things unrelated to work. He told me about his travels with enthusiasm and even invited me to go with him, before circling back to ask about me.
“Really, since the first time I met you. I think you’re very talented.” He said with conviction while I was bent over sketching, “You have a lot of charm, do you realize that?”
“Uh…no.”
“Sometimes you should smile more, you know. I’ve never seen you smile.”
“…”
“You’re not good at talking either, huh? Maybe that’s another charm of yours.
Do a lot of people hit on you?”
“No, KhunKim, can you help me check this background over here?” I answered before asking about work and handing him a piece of paper. He took it, looked at it for a while, then handed it back.
“I think changing it to a scene in front of a large door might be better, you know, for the scene I described.”
“…” I didn’t respond, just picked up another sheet of paper and started sketching.
“If you have some time, would you like to go look for inspiration together?”
“I don’t have much time; I’m also studying.”
“Oh, I see. How about on weekends then? There are some interesting places not far from here, you know? Come with me. Having someone like you, Yu-Seong, with me would make me feel much better.”
“I’ll have to decline, sorry.”
“Why? Or are you afraid Tae-Yang will get upset? You’re not even dating, right? Besides, you didn’t seem too happy at the restaurant either.”
“…”
“Uh, sorry for being so blunt, but watching him bother you, I feel…quite uncomfortable for you. Why don’t you just reject him outright?”
“I’m not uncomfortable.”
“If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know, or is he forcing you?” KhunKim furrowed his brows, looking concerned. I looked up at him, puzzled about what he wanted, pulling my hand back when he tried to touch it lightly. He seemed a bit taken aback when I pulled my hand away, giving me a slight smile. “Because I travel a lot for work, I’ve met many people, but I’ve never met anyone as interesting as you. You caught my attention from the very first time we met.”
“…”
“At first, I didn’t realize how long I’ve liked you. Maybe it was from the very first time we met, but after seeing you with him yesterday, I’ve thought about it.” KhunKim spoke earnestly, “Would you give me a chance? I’m sure I can take better care of you than he can.”
“No.” I replied immediately with my usual calm tone, “I’m sorry, KhunKim, but you shouldn’t think like that. I’m worried it might affect our work.”
“Why, Yuseong?” the other person’s voice got slightly louder. I let out a small sigh of boredom, “Because of him?”
“Yes.”
“But I won’t give up.”
“Give up.” I said with a calm but firm tone, my face devoid of any emotion, which made KhunKim look disappointed, “I’ve never seen you in that way and I never will, so let’s just work together as we used to.”
The other party was stunned for a moment before frowning and pursing his lips tightly.
“I really don’t understand why you would choose a man who seems so indecisive and insincere. Plus, he looks rough and vulgar.”
“Does this have anything to do with our work? Also, you’re speaking badly of him. I’d like you to apologize.” I said with a firm tone. He paused, his face paled before he sincerely apologized.
“I’m sorry. I was wrong. I won’t think like that again.” He sighed again, “Even if
I try to buy your affection, it would be pointless, right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you like him that much, Yuseong?”
“Yes.”
KhunKim let out a small laugh. I looked up at him, not understanding.
“I guess I realized it too late, even though I thought I met you before him.” “No, even if you had realized it sooner, my answer would be the same.” I said in a flat voice, “It has to be him.”
“I’m so jealous of him.” KhunKim smiled, “We can still work together as before, right?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t feel uncomfortable around him, do you?”
“Definitely not.”
“Then it must be me thinking too much, I’m sorry, please don’t think badly of me. I was just worried about you.”
“No need to apologize, let’s forget about it. Let’s go back to talking about work like before.” I said to cut the conversation short, bringing our discussion back to just the work. KhunKim nodded slightly before following what I suggested.
…
(PRESENT)
“Huh?” “Yes?”
I quickly glanced at him without realizing it, and he burst out laughing loudly.
“Why do you look so shocked?”
“Just surprised.” I said softly, then turned my face away again, “Why did you suddenly say ‘yes’?”
“Hmm? I don’t know, why? Don’t you like it?”
“No.” I shook my head, “Just not used to it.”
“That’s right, I’m not used to it either. Come to think of it, I’ve never asked you if you wanted me to speak nicely to you.” He said, “But I thought you probably wouldn’t want me to force it.”
“Force what?”
“Speak more politely.”
“No need.” I replied, “Just be yourself.”
“I thought so.” He gently squeezed my shoulder, looking quite pleased, “But that
‘yes’ wasn’t so bad, you looked cute being all surprised by it.”
“…” I stayed silent, not responding until we walked out in front of the store. After a while, Phii Meen followed us out.
“Arthit, you forgot your car keys.”
“Oh, thanks.” He answered, taking the keys. Phii Meen turned to give me a sweet smile when she saw that the person next to me had his arm around my shoulder,
“And did you bring your motorcycle?” He asked me. I nodded slightly in response,
“And you, are you dazed?”
“I came by car.”
“Could you take my motorcycle back for me?” He said, tossing the car keys to Phii Meen, who caught them in confusion.
“Your big bike? You want me to drive it back?”
“Yeah.”
“And you?”
“Going back with my wife, isn’t that right, you’re coming back with me.” He said.
“Huh?” I looked at him immediately, equally confused. What does he mean by going back with me on Phatcharamon? “Why don’t you take your own motorcycle back?”
“I want to ride on the back and hug your waist.”
“No way, Pacharamon will get a flat tire.”
“I’m not that heavy.” He said stubbornly, while Phii Meen stood there holding back laughter. I looked back and forth between the two of them and let out a big sigh, “Where’s your motorcycle? I’ve never even seen it.”
“That one.” I pointed to the Pacharmon parked in front of the shop.
“Huh, you ride a Scoopy, nong? You really want to ride with him?” Phii Meen asked while laughing, “And you, Arthit, are like a buffalo. It won’t work.” “It will work, okay, I’m ready to ride on the back, I’m excited. I’ve never ridden on a motorcycle like this before.” He said with a broad smile. I looked at the tall man in the gown, not feeling too comfortable. I couldn’t understand why he would want to ride on my motorcycle, especially since he initially said he would come to pick me up, and now I have to take him back somehow.
“I feel sorry for your motorcycle, Phii. Go back and ride your cool big bike, I beg you.”
“I’m just caring for a friend, worried that she’ll have to struggle to take the bus back. Please keep my big bike parked where it was.”
“Screw you, caring about me? That’s a clear excuse. And how would I know where ‘where it was’ is?”
“The very end, don’t scratch my bike anywhere.”
“Ugh, are you serious?” Phii Meen furrowed her brows, looking disgusted, “I feel sorry for Nong Dao, why do you have to deal with a crazy person like him ? he said you’d come to pick you up.”
“Come on, can we go back now?”
“Will you drive? I’m afraid the bike will fall.”
“No, I want to ride on the back.” He insisted firmly. I let out a resigned sigh, got on the Pacharamon, put the kickstand up, and turned the key to start the engine.
After a while, someone heavily got on the back, nearly causing the bike to fall; thankfully, he held it steady, “Take it easy, or the bike will fall.”
“You’re heavy, Phii.” I said with annoyance, hoping only that Pacharamon’s tires wouldn’t go flat. I sighed again, feeling down, in contrast to the person behind me who seemed to be in a good mood for some reason.
“Sorry, may I interrupt?” Phii Meen said. I turned to look at Phii Meen, who was covering her mouth, trying not to laugh, almost crying from laughter, “It’s just…you have to see the picture I’m seeing now, the brother is tiny but you, riding behind him, are like a bear or a buffalo. It’s really a pitiful sight, I can’t even watch.”
“You really get on my nerves, don’t mind her, let’s go, hurry up.”
“…You are heavy.”
“Ugh, I’m annoyed. Your face isn’t cute at all. Nong Dao you face is so annoying, I don’t even know how to describe how much I hate it.”
“Huh? Why? What do you mean by hating me?”
“You dare to ask again? You look like shit right now, dude, driving with a buffalo on the back.” Said Phii Meen, “Oh, little me, I’m just so small, and now
I’ve been pranked by that jerk Arthit again.”
“Do you want me to elbow you in the face, you idiot? Coming to annoy my wife, look at me instead.”
“You jerk.”
“Here, take a photo for us.” He said, handing his phone to Phii Meen. She took it, held it up in front of us, and he made me look at the camera. I looked at it with an expression of annoyance, contrasting with his happy smile.
“And put on the gown, you jerk. Oh, I want to gouge my own eyes out.” She sighed, handing the phone back, “I’m happy if my friend is happy.”
“Yeah, right, stop being a pain and support me for once. But just now, I thought I heard you call something, the name of the motorcycle?”
“Uh, Phatcharamon.”
“Go, Phatcharmon! Hurry up, I want to get back to the room.”
“Uh.” I slowly revved the engine to move the bike out. Honestly, I felt terrible. I had to tense my arms to keep the bike steady with such a heavy passenger. The sight of us must have looked as bad as Phii Meen described.
“Be careful not to fall.” I heard him shout from behind, but I had no focus to pay attention. I was concentrating hard on keeping the bike upright. Even though we were moving, it was still swaying.
I was startled when suddenly the person behind me tightly hugged my waist, resting his face on my shoulder.
I sighed again, helplessly. Never in my life had I found riding a motorcycle this difficult.
“Here.” He spoke, and because his face was so close, I heard him clearly, “What did you talk about with Kim?”
“Work.”
“Why did you talk for so long?”
“He also talked about other things.”
“What did he talk about?”
“Can I answer later? I’m trying to focus on driving.”
“Haha, okay, okay, sure. Keep your hands steady, will you? You’re swerving like a reckless kid.”
“You are heavy.” I said with some annoyance, not only was he heavy, but he was complaining too, “Don’t hug my waist.”
“No way, I came here to ride with you because I wanted to know how it feels to be the one riding on the back and hugging someone.” He said cheerfully, resting his face on me again, “You smell nice.”
“Let’s just go.”
“Don’t chase me away, do you know how much this is opening up my experiences? I’ve never ridden like this before.”
“Sigh.”
“Does it feel bad when I hug you?”
“No.” I answered. I didn’t feel bad about him hugging me; I felt bad that he was riding on Pacharamon. If the tire burst, it would definitely be a big hassle, but there was no need to think about that now. Just this moment was troublesome enough. “Hey, let me drive for fun.”
“No way.”
“You’re so stingy, I’ve let you drive my car before.”
“…”
“Just ride around, I’ll be your pillion!”
“Sigh.”
“Turn here.” He said, pointing in another direction, “There’s not much traffic, it’s a slight detour, but it’s like going for a ride.”
“Sigh.” I reluctantly turned where he indicated. At first, it was just supposed to be a work meeting with KhunKim, but why did the return trip turn into this? In the end, we made it back to the condo. I got off Pachar looking exhausted, only now realizing how cold it felt once he let go of the hug. All the way, I was focused on driving and didn’t have time to pay attention to anything else.
Now, there’s still a faint pleasant scent of him lingering.
“Why do you look so tired?”
“…” I stayed silent, not responding, just walking into the condo with him following. Earlier, I checked both the front and back tires of Pacharamon, and found they weren’t flat, just the air was starting to get low.
“Being the one riding on the back feels good.”
“Why?”
“You didn’t even notice, I was messing with you a lot.”
“Sigh.”
“And why didn’t you reply to my messages all day?” He asked while we were in the elevator. I stayed silent because just thinking about the kiss from yesterday made me feel confused. I glanced at him slightly and saw him smirking, pleased with himself. I immediately looked away, and silence filled the elevator. Before we reached my room, I reached out my hand, indicating for him to give back the things he was holding, but he didn’t return them and even raised an eyebrow at me.
“Stay with me.”
“No.” I answered immediately.
“I won’t do what I did yesterday.”
“Still no.”
“Why?”
“No. I don’t want to stay.”
He picked up my room key card and opened the door. I was pulled inside, confused, he closed the door, walked over to sit on the sofa, and pulled me down to sit. Before I could react, I was startled and let out a soft cry, realizing I was sitting on his lap on the sofa.
He lifted both of my arms around his neck. I tried to resist and stand up, but he held my waist firmly. With our bodies so close, my heart started beating fast again.
I turned my face away, but he grabbed my chin to make me look into his eyes.
When our eyes met, those deep black eyes looking at me with such intensity, it felt like I was being drawn in again.
“Mad about yesterday?” He tightened his embrace, pressing our bodies even closer, our faces closer because I was sitting on his lap, our eyes at the same level. He buried his face in my shoulder, moving up to my neck and ear, planting light kisses that made me tense up without realizing it. His hair tickled me a bit, but more than that, it was the touch and his warm breath that enveloped me.
“No…not really.”
“Then why won’t you let me stay?”
“…” I pressed my lips together, still avoiding his gaze, feeling my face and ears growing hot uncontrollably…Oh, damn it. What’s wrong with me? Why am I blushing?
“Hmm?” His deep voice spoke near my ear as if he was teasing on purpose. I tried to push him away, but it didn’t work.
“You said you wouldn’t do it like yesterday.”
“I’m not doing it at all, and what’s wrong with you that you have to hide your face?”
“Then move back.”
“Why?”
“…” I frowned in dissatisfaction, he let out a soft, amused laugh.
“Okay, let’s talk face to face first.”
“Can’t we talk normally?”
“And this isn’t normal?”
“It…it’s like this.” I said with furrowed brows, trying to stand up again but failing, because sitting like this was quite embarrassing, it was too close.
“Why?”
“…” I didn’t respond but decided to lower my head, burying my face into his thick shoulder, sliding both hands to grip his gown tightly at the chest. I could feel my heart beating hard right now and hoped he wouldn’t hear it. He paused, looking surprised at my sudden action, “Uh, Phii.”
“…”
“Let me go for a moment.”
“Are you teasing me or what?”
“No, I’m just being cute.”
“Alright, you look this cute, but I’m not letting you go anywhere, we’ll talk like this.”
“…”
I let out a hidden sigh when he said that. Burying my face like this wasn’t just because I wanted to try being cute, but if we didn’t make eye contact, it would be better for my heart. He tightened his hug as if pleased with me being like this.
“Tell me what you talked about with Kim.”
“At first, we talked about work.”
“Hmm.”
“And then…uh, he said he liked me.”
“What?” He asked with a displeased tone that made me feel inexplicably uneasy, causing me to hold my breath without realizing it.
“KhunKim said he’s probably liked me for a long time.” I explained further, “Since last year, but he didn’t realize it.”
!!
He lifted me off his lap and pushed me down onto the sofa, then flipped over to straddle me. I opened my eyes wide in shock at this sudden change. When he leaned his face down, I quickly raised my hand to block him.
“Calm…calm down.” I said hoarsely, breathing heavily, “You said you wouldn’t do what you did yesterday, didn’t you?” Even though I was losing my composure, I still tried to negotiate with him.
He bit my wrist lightly. Though it didn’t hurt, it gave me a strange sensation in my heart before his deep voice spoke.
“And what did you say back?”
“I already rejected him.” I answered softly but firmly.
“Rejected how?”
“I told him I already like you, and it has to be you.”
My response made him smile broadly with satisfaction before he leaned down to kiss my cheek, then moved to nuzzle my neck, making me try to move away, but the sofa wasn’t wide enough for me to escape.
“Did he see this mark?”
“Huh?”
“The mark that says you’re mine.”
“Ugh.” I let out a small sound when I felt a sharp pain on my neck, reminding me of last night after the kiss when he left a red bruise.
Last night, I couldn’t sleep well because I kept thinking about that kiss. In the morning, I was distracted and forgot to cover the red mark. Oh…damn, everyone must have seen it by now.
“Just thinking about how he was staring at you in the coffee shop earlier made me so annoyed.”
He bent down to kiss my collarbone, then trailed down slightly below my shirt collar, leaving another red bruise.
I clenched my teeth against the pain, pushed him away with all my strength, and he let go willingly.
He frowned, not looking too pleased, before leaning down to gently kiss my forehead.
“Don’t make that face.”
I pulled up my collar to cover the red mark, not even sure why I was doing it, then moved to sit on the edge of the sofa, knees up. He stood up and took off his gown, leaving just a plain white T-shirt underneath.
“Give me your hand.”
“Why?”
“I’m not in a good mood.”
“Uh.” I extended my hand to him. His thick hand gently held mine before lifting it to his lips for a kiss. My heart skipped a beat seeing that. He then placed my hand on his lap but didn’t let go.
“And did he understand when you refused?”
“Hmm. Seems like he did.”
“It won’t affect your work, right?”
“Hmm.”
“Will he give up on you?”
“Hmm.” I nodded because after refusing and talking for a while, I told KhunKim to give up since it was impossible, and he agreed, “There’s nothing more.”
“Hah, I should’ve not let you go then.”
“Impossible, it’s work.”
“Yeah, I’m trying to understand.” He said, clearly annoyed, looking at our hands still clasped together. I couldn’t help but smile, “So, how was the work?”
“Just drawing illustrations for a novel, as usual.”
“Hah, just for that work, but he dragged it out so long.” He said with a grimace,
“But it’s good that you’re not mad about yesterday.”
“I…I’m not mad or anything.”
“So, you were just embarrassed, right?”
“Uh…yeah.”
“You’re cute.” He said, pinching my cheek playfully, “So, when you said you didn’t want to be with me, it was just because you were embarrassed, right?” “Ugh…I, I don’t know what to do.” I frowned slightly, speaking just as my heart was beating too fast, making me feel lost. Seeing that, he slowly moved closer and pulled me into a loose embrace.
“You don’t need to do anything, I’ll handle it.”
“…” Hearing that, I instinctively raised my hand to lightly hit his arm.
“Oh, hitting me now?”
“Irritating.”
“Then hit me harder.”
“Really hit you?”
“Go ahead, how hard are you going to hit?”
“I’ll hit you with a chair, wait here.” I said, pretending to get up, but he held me back.
“How irritating am I that you want to hit me with a chair?” He laughed, and then we sat there chatting. No, it was more like he was telling me stories, which I was happy to listen to, unlike a few hours ago.
When we were at the coffee shop, KhunKim was also telling me about himself, which is why our work conversation took so long. But of course, I barely listened to what KhunKim was saying, just heard the gist of it – something about what he did during the year we didn’t see each other.
“And then…damn it, I don’t want to do rounds tomorrow, I’m exhausted as hell.” “Uh-huh.”
“What’s that? Not going to comfort me?”
“Either way, you’ll have to do ward rounds.”
“I know, but I want some encouragement.”
“Want me to pat your head again?”
“No, I want a kiss.”
“Can’t do that.”
“Oh, come on.” He immediately looked disappointed, getting up from the sofa, “I’ll go back to my room with a heavy heart, like this. After a tiring day of studying, I have to watch you with another guy. Plus, that guy likes you, he couldn’t take his eyes off you, when it should have been me there. This dog has to go lick its wounds now.”
Hearing him talk with such a dejected expression, I couldn’t help but shake my head slightly.
“Bend down a bit.”
I straightened up, grabbed his shirt with both hands, and pulled him down, pressing my lips lightly on his cheek before slowly pulling back, my heart pounding as if it would burst. He stared at me, stunned.
“Are you no longer upset?”
“Not yet! Do it again!”
“…”
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