The Shores: An MM One Night Stand/ Pretend Couple Romance [BL]

If Akira had another choice, he would never go back home. Some things in life are too painful to face, and even after ten years, the memory of what happened just months before he was set to graduate as Head Prefect and Best Student at Stewart High School still caused him agony. When the only scholarship that wasn’t withdrawn was from a school in the US, Akira took the chance to start over and try to forget the scars of the past. He didn’t even return when his father passed away, convinced that his father never wanted him back. The memory of his father’s words haunted him: “I don’t need a useless faggot son who has fallen from grace.” He understood his father’s disappointment. As the only son, Akira had been his father’s pride, especially when he earned a scholarship to the ultra-exclusive Stewart High School. His father had bragged about it to everyone in the neighborhood. How embarrassed must he have been when the incident became public? Now, driving his newly purchased black Mercedes G-Wagon toward the place he once called home, Akira was filled with apprehension. He couldn't leave his mother alone, no matter how much he wanted to avoid returning. Despite everything, his mother had always reached out, reminding him that he was still her beloved son. For ten years in the US, he had gone by the name Alex, but his mother never gave up on him. So here he was, hoping that his arrival wouldn’t spread too quickly—preferably not until he was already on a plane back to the US. He wasn’t ready to face anyone. As Akira arrived at their modest seaside home, a wave of nostalgia hit him like a tsunami. The flood of memories was overwhelming, and his heart constricted so tightly he feared he might die right there in the driver’s seat, staring at the place he called home for the first eighteen years of his life. He placed his head on the steering wheel, whispering to himself, “You’re a grown-up now, Aki. You’ve made your peace with all this.” Finally, feeling calm enough, he stepped out of the car and retrieved his suitcase and backpack. His now-frail mother appeared at the door, smiling widely, not even noticing the tears that had already begun to fall before her familiar warmth and scent engulfed him in a tight embrace. “Mae... I missed you so much. Why are you standing? Let’s sit, Mae,” Akira said, assisting his mother back into the house. “Oh, Akira! My baby! I thought I would never see you again in this lifetime. You’ve grown so much and still so handsome, my Akira!” His mother hugged him again as they sat on the bamboo sofa in the living room. Akira let her hold him close, savoring the familiar affection, while he took in the sight of his childhood home. Not much had changed. Perhaps it was just that his father’s overbearing presence was no longer there, and his mother looked so much more fragile now compared to the active woman who used to leave before dawn to fish with his father. Akira had never forgotten to send money home every month. He wanted to be a good son and take care of his parents despite everything. When his father got sick, Akira ensured that all the medical and funeral expenses were covered. But it seemed his mother had not spent the money he sent, as the house looked just the same. He made a mental note to fix everything that needed fixing and to buy whatever his mother might need before he left. Life in the US had been tough, especially during the first four years. Working part-time while maintaining high grades at university was draining. He barely managed five hours of sleep each day. However, his stellar grades and glowing recommendations from his professors eventually landed him a lucrative position in a trading corporation. The fast-paced life suited him; it left little time to dwell on the past. But when the pandemic hit, everyone was forced to readjust, and working from home became the new norm. Now, Akira could work from anywhere, as long as he had his laptop and internet. His income placed him well above what would be considered middle-class in Thailand—he could be considered successful. As they sat down to eat, Akira grew curious. “Mae, why so much food? Wasn’t it hard for you to carry so many groceries? They must have been heavy.” “Don’t worry, son. Griffin did the shopping for me. He’s such a sweet boy and has been helping me since I haven’t been feeling well,” Mae responded. “Griffin? I don’t recall a neighbor by that name,” Akira pondered. “Remember Pok’s old place? He sold it to Griffin, and Pok moved in with his son in Chiang Mai since he was getting old and needed care. Griffin renovated the place—it looks quite charming and rustic now. He moved in about four months ago, dear,” Mae explained. It was surprising to hear of a young man moving to Chonburi; usually, young people left rather than moved in. But it was none of Akira’s concern. His focus was on ensuring his mother’s health improved. He would get her the best doctors and care possible, and he hoped that while he was there, Weber and Kevin wouldn’t find out he was back. He wasn’t sure he dared to face them. Later in the afternoon, Akira walked down to the seashore, appreciating the beautiful sight of the sea and the setting sun. The sunsets in Chonburi had always been story-worthy. The sky would turn into a wild mix of colors—fiery reds, deep oranges, and dreamy purples—painting streaks of light across the horizon. It felt like nature was throwing a party in the sky before calling it a night. Once everything settled down and his mother’s health concerns were addressed, Akira promised himself he would take another walk along these shores before returning to the US. He had always loved the long stretch of white sand and wanted to take new memories with him when he left.