Chapter 11
1397 Words
"Phoenix Prapai Theerapanyakul! Where the h*ll have you been for an entire day, huh?!" Porsche snapped, tugging sharply at Prapai's ear.
"Ah-! Ow, ow, ow! Pa, not my ears!" Prapai pleaded, wincing in pain.
"Not until you tell me why you disappeared for a whole day!"
"So, you really don't know, Uncle?" Dia suddenly entered the scene, dressed like a celebrity in a dazzling, glittering outfit. He tapped his chin theatrically, pretending to recall. "Pai has been sneaking out with... what's-his-name again...?"
"Don't you dare!" Prapai warned, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
Dia snapped his fingers dramatically. "Ah—Sky! Uncle Lian's son!"
Kinn and Porsche both whipped their heads toward their son, eyes wide in shock.
"So that's why you're always vanishing?!" Porsche exclaimed.
Unable to meet their gaze, Pai dropped his head low, glaring instead at Dia—who was sticking his tongue out in mock victory.
"When did you two even meet?" Kinn pressed, his tone stern.
"Actually, Pa..." another voice cut in. It was Prapai's older brother, Kharin, stepping into the room. "They've been dating behind your backs for a while now."
"Phoenix Prapai Theerapanyakul!" Porsche roared, his patience finally snapping.
"Do his parents know about this?" Kinn demanded.
"...They do," Prapai admitted quietly, though the words were a complete lie.
"And we don't?!" Porsche's voice boomed, his anger flaring up even more.
Prapai forced a sweet smile, tilting his head innocently. "My handsome, kind Papa... could you please let me off the hook this time?" he asked, widening his eyes in an exaggerated puppy-dog plea.
"Sure," Porsche said with a smirk. "But—we still need to meet them."
"What?!" Prapai's voice shot up in panic. "But you already know them!"
"You have a problem with that?" Porsche placed his hands on his hips, staring him down.
"Nope." Pai instantly backed down, his tone turning meek as his expression softened.
"I'll text Kuea about this," Porsche sighed, rubbing his temples as the weight of it all sank in. "And! You're banned from leaving this house," Porsche declared firmly.
"No!" Prapai shouted in protest.
"Ha! You deserve it!" his brother and cousin chimed in unison, grinning widely.
"You snitches! I'll kill you both!" Pai roared, his brows furrowed in mock fury as he lunged at them. The two yelped and bolted, laughter echoing through the house—until Pai finally caught up, tackling the pair of "traitors" to the ground.
Venice was buried in paperwork that morning when his younger brother arrived for a visit.
A soft clack echoed through the office as a small vase was set down on the table, holding a handful of bright, golden sunflowers.
"I brought you some sunflowers," Saifah said with a grin. "The florist told me they're flowers that can make someone happy."
"Thanks, Sai," Venice murmured, offering him a faint smile. "By the way, why did you suddenly come to the company?"
"The house is too noisy," Sai pouted, then leaned closer to his Phi with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I also heard P'Pai has a boyfriend—but Uncle Kinn and Porsche just found out today."
Venice smirked knowingly. "So that's why I always catch him sneaking out."
Sai chuckled and nodded in agreement before straightening up. "Phi, I have to go now. I'll visit again next time." With a small wave, he turned and walked toward the exit.
Venice's eyes lingered on his brother's back until he disappeared from sight. Only then did his gaze drift back to the sunflowers. Their golden faces drew him in, scattering his focus.
"Sunflowers..." he whispered, smiling faintly. A distant memory stirred within him.
Flashback
"If you became a flower, what flower would you be?" I once asked, waiting for his answer.
"Hmm..." He had tapped his chin, pretending to think hard. "Everyone says I'm bubbly and bright, so... I'd choose to be a sunflower. It's my favorite." He had smiled then—a smile so full of life, as if tomorrow would never come.
End of Flashback
Venice plucked a single sunflower from the vase, holding it close to his face. His fingers gently brushed over its soft petals.
"Rain was right," he whispered. "Sunflowers really can make someone happy..."
His voice trailed off, softer now, carrying a hidden ache deep within his heart.
"...and they remind me of you."
I left the paperwork to my secretary, instructing them to handle everything in my absence. Without wasting another moment, I made my way to the parking lot, slid into my car, and drove away from the company.
An hour later, I arrived at my private home—one I built in secret, a place no one else knew about. I named it Pink Carnation, because I had filled it with fields of pink carnations, sunflowers, and every flower that reminded me of him. If one day I were to forget him, I wanted this place to keep his memory alive for me.
On the center table, I carefully set down the small vase Sai had given me, the one that held the sunflowers. I set my phone aside as well, keeping it out of reach—far from anything that might weigh me down.
If Rain were here, I knew he would love this place—the peace, the endless beauty of the flowers he cherished, and above all, the safety. A haven where no harm could ever reach either of us.
Venice lowered his voice, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips.
"You once said sunflowers could make someone happy. Maybe you were right... because every time I look at them, I see you smiling back at me."
He let out a small breath, his smile faint yet tender.
"If only you could see this place... I think you'd call it beautiful. Just like you always did with the little things I never even noticed until you showed me."
His gaze softened, as if waiting for an answer that would never come. "Do you think... I could bring you here someday?" I whispered to the empty room.
Before, I never needed this place—because you were always there beside me, ready to give me all your care and everything I could ever need. But now? This place... it's where I go whenever loneliness finds me. Yet even here, the comfort fades quickly, because it can only ease the pain for a short time.
Rain...
His name is music to my ears. One day, I want to say it out loud—but only when he is standing right in front of me.
The bell above the entrance of the flower shop jingled, signaling that someone had entered. Rain carefully stepped out from the back, ready to greet his first customer. But his bright expression faltered the moment he heard the voice.
"What are you doing here? Don't tell me you're trying to snatch this shop from me again."
Rain instinctively stepped back, stopping near the cashier's table.
"You're right," the voice replied coldly. "And guess what? I brought my friends along."
Rain couldn't see exactly how many there were, but his instincts told him enough.
One by one, the group advanced, cornering him. "Come on, blind guy. Just hand over the shop."
"No!" Rain's refusal was firm and unwavering.
Anger flared in one of the intruders, and he raised his hand to slap Rain—but then froze instantly as someone arrived.
"Try to hurt Rain, and you'll end up behind bars."
His Uncle Lian appeared, flanked by Sky and a group of guards. Sky rushed straight to Rain, checking him over frantically. Meanwhile, Lian handled the aggressors with ease.
"Good thing we got here in time," Sky said, relief evident in his voice. "Otherwise, they would've already hurt you. You know how Papa would react if anything happened to you."
"Are you jealous?" Rain teased, smirking slightly.
"No! If I were in Papa's place, I'd do the same," Sky replied proudly.
"Then... thank you, my dear friend Sky," Rain said with a small, genuine smile.
"No one's hurt?" Lian asked as he approached, concern clear in his eyes.
"I'm perfectly fine, Uncle," Rain replied calmly.
"Let's go home. I'll ask P'Klay to take care of the shop today."
Sky gently took Rain's arm and guided him toward the car, while Lian allowed the two boys to go ahead before following them himself.
- Writer
