The dimly lit room where Kongpob sat was filled with an air of anticipation. The soft glow from his laptop screen highlighted his eyes, the only visible part of his face above the black mask and beneath the cap. He took a deep breath and clicked the "Start Meeting" button.

One by one, the faces of his 30 loyal readers popped up on the screen, their expressions ranging from excitement to awe.

"Hello, everyone," Kongpob greeted, his voice steady yet warm. "Thank you all for joining my first online fan meeting. It means a lot to me to see so many of you here."

A chorus of greetings through messages and enthusiastic waves filled the screen. Among the faces, Arhan sat in his chair, staring at those eyes, shell-shocked.

"Merlin's hairy balls!" He would recognize those eyes anywhere. His favorite author Yayavar, whom he had followed for the last five years, is his soon-to-be brother-in-law!

Arhan leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. "This is interesting," he muttered to himself, leaning forward slightly.

The meeting began with Kongpob answering a few general questions about his work."So, Kong, what's the next book about?" a fan asked.

Kongpob chuckled softly. "I'm currently working on a new project. I've got a sudden bout of inspiration. You will soon get to read it. I don't want to spoil too much. I can tell you this much...it is an office romance. Let's just say it involves a lot of emotional twists and turns."

Another fan chimed in, "What's your favorite food?"

"That's an easy one," Kongpob replied, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "I love spicy food—the spicier, the better—and if I can have ice cream at the end, it's all the better. Ice cream makes me forget my worries."

"Ice cream at the end of the meal," Arhan jotted down on the paper. He strained his mind, remembering what more he knew about Kongpob's likes and dislikes.

Kongpob was digitally signing his book, "Nightmares to Daydreams." It was a book that his fans loved and pleaded with him to make available in hardcover. But after his first publication disaster, Kongpob didn't have the courage to go through the torture again. So he gifted a digital ebook of the same to his oldest and most loyal fan base—the Terrific Thirty. They even have an online group chat where they talk and support each other. Most of the members don't know each other by face, since only a few are comfortable enough to show their faces, but they know each other's struggles and share their joys and sorrows.

The questions continued, each fan eager to know more about the mysterious writer behind the mask. "Do you have a favorite travel destination?" someone asked.

"Yes, I do," Kongpob said thoughtfully. "I love visiting places rich in culture and history. States in the Northeast are on my wish list. I wish to visit at least Meghalaya someday. I have heard it feels like you can touch the clouds there."

As the meeting progressed, the questions became more personal. "Are you in a relationship?" a bold fan asked.

Kongpob hesitated for a moment before answering. "No, I'm currently single," he said, his eyes reflecting a hint of melancholy. "But I have recently agreed to meet someone. Let's see where it goes."

"Ooh...who is he?" another fan asked.

"I have just seen a picture of him. He has his own business."

"Is he handsome?"

"Yeah, very much so," Kongpob agreed, ducking his head to hide the blush, forgetting that he had a mask on.

Arhan leaned closer to the screen, paying extra attention. He found the Q&A session both amusing and enlightening.

"What inspired you to write your books?" another fan inquired.

"My inspiration comes from many places," Kongpob replied. "My own experiences, the people I've met, and the stories I've heard. Sometimes it's from news, or books that I read."

A fan with a curious look asked, "You write a lot about romance. Who was your first love?"

Kongpob's eyes softened, and he took a deep breath. "My first love was someone from my teenage years," he said quietly. "It was a bittersweet experience, and it taught me a lot about love and life."

Arhan couldn't help but smirk. This Kongpob was an enigma, and his answers only added to the mystery. As the meeting continued, it was Arhan's turn to get his copy of Kongpob's book digitally signed.

"Hello, Authornim," Arhan said, his voice smooth. "I've been a fan of your work for quite some time. Could you sign my copy with a message that will inspire me?"

Kongpob nodded, his eyes meeting Arhan's through the screen. "Of course," he said, typing a message into the chat box. "Thank you for your support."

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Your characters are perfect lovers, perfect men. I am curious about your thoughts on life mates. Are those the same qualities you are searching for in a life partner?"

"I do have some qualities I would like my partner to possess, but I try to be realistic. It's a person, not a thing. If we go ahead with a list of attributes we want to have, we are bound to be disappointed. It's a person, not an appliance.A character is man-made—a figment of our imagination—no matter how much I try to make them realistic, they will still be two-dimensional. It is wrong to project it on a living, breathing person. A person is a product of his environment, his experiences, his successes, and failures. By casting them in a certain box, I think we are being unfair.While looking for a life partner, I think it is important to have friendship, understanding, and honesty...also respect for each other's opinions. You see, life is never balanced. It is not a fifty-fifty deal. One always will have to give more than half. We just have to make sure to choose a partner for whom we won't mind that extra work and who will also be ready to give more when necessary, when we need it."

"So no tall, dark, handsome for you?"

Kongpob smiled. "Tall, dark, and handsome is not in anyone's control, but being a polite, kind, and balanced person is."

Arhan smiled. "Your thoughts are more beautiful than I imagined them to be while reading your book. I pray you get your happy ending. You deserve it."

Kongpob smiled. "Don't we all deserve to love and be loved in return?"Everyone nodded.

"Arhan," came Arthit's voice while Arhan's microphone was on. "You better not be slacking.""Are you on duty?" Kongpob asked, apologetic.

"My duty ended an hour ago," Arhan sighed pitifully. "My boss is making me work overtime—without payment."

"That's barbaric," one fan said in the chatbox.

"You have no idea," Arhan replied. "He thinks I am his personal servant."

"I think you should not give your boss a reason to fire you..." Kong said, pitying his jolly-looking reader. "Your boss sounds like someone who would have no qualms doing that."

Arhan nodded, switching off his mic.

"Who are you talking to?" Arthit's footsteps came close, and Arhan hurriedly looked at his own e-book. Under the dedication, Kong had written in his beautiful handwriting:

Dear Arhan,

May your life be as unpredictable as a bestseller and as fulfilling as a classic. Remember, the best stories are written with a brave heart. Write your own with passion and heart.

Yayavar

"Thank you, Authornim. This means a lot," he texted in the chatbox, knowing he had uncovered a secret that would surely make things interesting. Soon, he saw Arthit's shoes and quickly signed out of the meeting. "Nothing," he said innocently.

"Hurry up," Arthit said, annoyed. "I want to go home sometime today."

Arhan made a face. "You just want to go home and ask Dad for the twentieth time today if Kongpob has given his approval or not?"

"Just so that I can plan this meeting Dad wants me to do properly and not ruin our family's image," Arthit countered.

Arhan rolled his eyes. "I'm sure Kongpob's picture has no role in that."

"None."

Arhan raised an eyebrow. "So, you wouldn't mind if I tell Kongpob that you found his picture bland and dull and ugly?"

"I never said that..." Arthit clenched a fist. "It is not bland or dull."

"Ugly then? Let me enlighten him about the boorish guy he is about to get married to."

"You do not have his contact."

Arhan shrugged. "I can always slide into his DMs."

"I can always twist your little chicken neck," Arthit threatened.

"If you do that, Bhai... how will you know that Kongpob likes ice cream at the end of his meal?"

"He does?"

"I have it on good account that he does."

"And how do you know that? Who told you that?"

"I have my own ways... I am A.A. - Awesome Arhan, remember?"

"Source," Arthit growled. "Now."

"Common sense," Arhan retorted. "Everyone likes ice cream, especially omegas."

"Assumption and stereotyping," Arthit slow-clapped sarcastically. "Great!" His tone was simultaneously earnest and chiding. "I will not assume Kongpob likes certain things just because he is an omega. Everyone is unique, and we can't cast them into boxes—it's wrong and unfair to him. And it is sexist. I will take my time to know his likes and dislikes."

"Are you two cast out of the same fabric?" Arhan asked, shocked at how similar Kongpob and his brother think.

Arthit rolled his eyes at his brother's antics. "Just finish up early. I have some files at home I need to review."

"You go, Bhai... I will come later."

"So you can slack again... hurry up and complete it."

"Help me then."

Arthit sighed, pulling a chair and sitting beside Arhan.

Arthit paced back and forth in his room, his mind swirling with questions and doubts. He needed to know if Kongpob had conveyed his approval for their upcoming meeting. Gathering his courage, he approached his father, who was reading in the study.

"Dad, has Kongpob said anything about...about his approval?" Arthit asked, trying to sound casual but feeling his nerves getting the better of him.

"He has sent his approval."

"Personally?"

"No. Uncle Kamon has said so."

"Are you sure he isn't feeling forced?" Arthit asked. "You said you would talk to him..."

"And I did, Arthit. He did not refuse."

"That means he did not explicitly give his approval," Arthit couldn't hide the disappointment.

His father looked up, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Why don't you ask him yourself, Arthit? It's important you hear it directly from him."

"Will it be right?"

"You wanting to make sure your intended isn't coerced? Definitely. Let me first speak to Kamon for your peace of mind."

"Okay..."

Arthit's father informed Kamon Sutthiluck about his son's worries, and Kamon found Arthit's concerns endearing. "Arthit, my boy," Kamon said, chuckling, "are you really saying you don't trust us old folks?" he joked.

"I tell you, these children," Arthit's father joined in, "they think we're playing matchmaker just for fun? As if we don't have more important things to do."

Arthit blushed and quickly replied, "I'm sorry, Uncle. I just wanted to make sure we're all on the same page."

Kamon laughed heartily. "I was just teasing you, son. Just give Kong a call. You'll find he's quite approachable. And if he teases you, just know it runs in the family."

Arthit nodded, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. "Alright, I'll call him. Thank you for allowing me, Uncle."

"You're welcome."

Arthit's father gave him a pointed look. "What are you waiting for? Muhurtam? (auspicious time)"

"I'll call Kongpob tomorrow at an appropriate hour," Arthit said.

His father raised an eyebrow in amusement. "In which dictionary is seven-thirty in the evening an inappropriate hour, son?"

"I...uhhh," Arthit's ears blazed in embarrassment. "I'll call Kongpob now."

His father gave him an encouraging nod as he walked back to his room, his heart pounding.

"If he thinks I'm a weirdo or, worse, one of those desperate, lecherous alphas... I'll just tell him I was blackmailed into this."

Arthit's father chuckled. "Just call him already."

Arthit took a deep breath, wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers, and dialed Kongpob's number. He listened to the ring, each passing second amplifying his anxiety. After a full bell, there was no answer. He hesitated, unable to gather the courage to call again.

"I told you it wasn't the right time," he said to his father.

"Why are you sweating?" his father asked.

"I don't know... I wasn't this nervous at my first board meeting."

"Little nervousness is fine," his father advised. "It is a question of your life after all."

Arthit nodded, suddenly feeling exhausted. He wondered if he could do it.

"I have some reports to study, Papa," he said, taking his father's leave.........

For half an hour after entering his room, Arthit checked his mobile every two or three minutes— but it was futile. Kongpob might have dismissed it as a wrong number or spam call.

Just as he was about to put his phone away, it buzzed with an incoming call.

Kongpob was calling back. Arthit took a deep breath and answered."Hello," Arthit said, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Hello, I saw a missed call from this number," Kongpob's voice came through, calm and composed.

"Yes, sorry about that. I wanted to ask you something."

"Okay... May I know who I am talking to?"

"Oh! Sorry, sorry," Arthit rubbed his temple. He hadn't introduced himself and had started demanding answers from Kongpob. Kong must think he's some weird control freak. Could he make any worse first impression? Today was probably not his day.

"I'm Arthit... Arthit Rojanapat." Arthit clenched his fist, controlling his stammer. "I'm sorry for calling you without notice... but I took permission from your father. I have a question for you," he said in one breath.

"Okay... I'm listening."

"Are you ready for marriage?"

Way to go, Arthit! Just cut the call before you make more of a fool of yourself than you already did.

There was a brief silence before Kongpob answered. "No, I'm not. I haven't seriously thought about marriage until I was presented with the proposal. Are you ready for marriage?"

Arthit let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "I don't think so... actually, yeah, I'm not ready either. I don't think anyone is fully ready for marriage," he admitted. "I wanted to know if you're amenable to meeting."

Kongpob paused before replying. "Yes, I'm open to meeting."

Arthit felt a wave of relief. "Are you agreeing of your own volition or under pressure from your family? You can say no, and it won't ruin the friendship between our families. I give you my word."

Kongpob's tone was thoughtful as he replied, "I appreciate your concern, Arthit. But no, I'm not under any pressure. Although, it's true that if our families weren't friends, I wouldn't have agreed to meet you. You should know that I'm not meeting you with only marriage in mind. You'll someday take over your family business and occupy a seat on the district development board. I am very much invested in our town development projects. It wouldn't hurt to have a known face there."

"I agree." Arthit appreciated Kongpob's honesty. "So... what kind of atmosphere would you prefer for our meeting?" he asked.

Kongpob chuckled softly. "I have no preference."

"Your preference for food?"

"Spicy. The spicier, the better."

"Great. Any preference for a restaurant?"

"Any place that serves delicious food. I'm not picky."

"That's nice. Should I run the list of restaurants I'll be considering by you?"

"A list of restaurants?" Kong wondered. Arthit seemed like one of those perfectionist, overachiever types, and it filled him with anxiety already.

"No, you can choose for us."

"Okay," Arthit sounded a little disappointed.

"What kind of—"

Kongpob chuckled. "Shouldn't we save some of the twenty questions for the actual meeting?"

Arthit felt his face heat up with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bombard you with questions."

"Oh my god," Kong realized his mistake. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm really sorry, I meant no offense." Kongpob quickly apologized, his tone lightening. "I was joking. I have a bit of a dry sense of humor. I'm sorry if it came off wrong."

Arthit smiled, feeling the tension ease. "A sense of humor is always an attractive quality in a person. And don't worry, I am a very curious person; I have another fifty questions prepared. Prepare yourself."

Kongpob's laughter was warm and genuine, and Arthit wanted to hear more of it.

"No special preparation needed. I'm used to answering questions. I assure you it will be right in my comfort zone."

Arthit grinned, feeling a bit more at ease. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. I'll make sure to bring my A-game then. Who knows, maybe I'll stump you with one of my questions."

Kongpob's laughter was light and genuine. "Challenge accepted. I'm sure it'll be an interesting conversation."

Arthit felt a warmth spread through him. "I'm looking forward to it. It's not every day you get to meet someone who can keep up with your curiosity."

Kongpob's voice held a smile. "Likewise."

"See you then," Arthit replied, feeling a little lonely.

"See you soon," Kongpob's voice turned soft. "Thank you for checking with me. Although you didn't need to, I appreciate your concern."

"I needed to... for my peace of mind. I'm kind of a worrier," Arthit replied, embarrassed.

"Some would call that caring..." Kong replied, and adorable.

"And you? What do you call it?"

"Chivalrous," Kong answered, smiling. "Gentlemanly," he added, imagining Arthit squirming uncomfortably. He seemed like a guy who couldn't take a compliment proudly with a smile.

"I...ugh," Arthit tried to search for an appropriate reply but failed.

"Good night," Kong replied, relieving Arthit from finding a proper response.

"Good night," Arthit replied. "See you soon."

As Arthit hung up, he felt a mixture of excitement and hope. Although it started as a disaster, they had a good talk. He felt he succeeded in bringing a smile to Kongpob's face.