They had just finished dinner, so many side dishes with rice varieties and not to mention noodles, soups, meatballs and desserts. The crowd was more languid now taking up seats, trying to relax and shed the inertia after eating...

"That was a fine spread, but a man can never get enough.." Papa Boon sighed..

"Nobody stopped you from eating Papa Boon, though there's something called decency and you look quite full to me too."Namtarn replied sarcastically looking at the old man's belly..

Papa Boon gave her equally killing looks, it was no secret that he hated her as much as he had hated her sister.."Shows how much u know girl..I still weigh the same as I did 30 years ago."he scoffed puffing out his chest proudly..

"It's just distributed differently, right dad?"smiled Singto, teasing him, taking the bite from the cold looks being exchanged...

"Careful boy ur not gonna stay young either.."he laughed back punching his son in the arm playfully..

Namtarn ignored the by play and started scanning the crowd for Khun Chan..she found him near the balcony doors bending attentively, listening to wat his wife was saying...

Seeing her opportunity Namtarn turned to Singto "I ll be right back P'Sing, I need to talk to Khun Chan about something, "she said and started walking.

Singto knew she was not asking him for permission but he nodded anyway...

He then started scanning the crowd, and suddenly he heard the all too familiar bubbly laugh..

"Kit's here.." he smiled at his dad..

"Krist? Where? Come on let's go say hello" Papa Boon said,finally spotting him and making a beeline for the group of people laughing carelessly..

Singto followed his father,his heart clenching at seeing the man again.

Krist saw them approaching and walked forward to hug Papa Boon.."Papa you look handsome as ever..why don't u have a bunch of girls squabbling over you yet?"he asked laughingly..

"You're the perfect medicine for an old man's heart Kit..how have u been?",he asked smiling at the boy he loved as much as his son...

"I am doing great Papa " Krist said smiling and then nodded at Singto who stood by his father's side.."P'Sing wadee ".

"Hello Krist ", He nodded back his eyes threatening to disappear in half moons at his joy of seeing him..but he controlled it..

Anyone who saw Singto and his dad could say that they're truly father and son, cut from the same cloth right down to the last detail..

"Aren't you going to introduce us Krist? " Mike prompted, he was eyeing Singto rather curiously..

"Sorry," Krist said as he went to stand between Papa and Singto linking his arms through both theirs .."Guy's I would like u to meet two men who have known me since the day I was born..Papa Boon's the owner of Fah lahwy stud farm and P'Sing is his son, he practices law but the farm is his true passion..they're my neighbors..

Papa, P'Sing..these are my movie friends from Bangkok. You must be knowing P'Earth,  he's obviously famous. This is Mike my friend from GMMTV,  this s Tutah my manager,P'Jane our film's director and P'Yui our publicist."he finished as they waiied each other or shook hands.

"Were you down in the meadow when our plane flew over your farm today? We sure saw some men and horses.."Mike asked Papa..

"So it was you who pulled the stupid plane stunt and spooked the horses?"Papa pretended to glare at Krist, who in turn hid behind Earth..

"Am really sorry Papa I just wanted to look at the aerial view of our property and the pilot obliged..I didn't know you would be having the herd out.."he said bowing low with folded palms..

"True you couldn't have known we were out with the herd..fine..I forgive u this time.." Papa smiled..he couldn't remain angry at Krist for long.. who could resist those puppy eyes..

"Papa I think they're playing our song..Want to dance? just like the old times.."Krist asked extending his hand to the older man...

"You bet, let's show ur frens some Phuket energy..come on.."he grabbed Krists hand and they both hit the dance floor...

Earth needed to take a smoke, so he excused himself and headed towards the balcony.

Mike came closer to Singto, "Your dad, he's quite a ....."he paused searching for the right word..

"Character?"Singto supplied smiling..

"Yeah, that would be a right word, thank u..he's quite unique.. So... you and Krist were friends from childhood?"he probed, he had been curious since he saw the way Singto looked at Krist, like a predator watching it's prey.....with longing.....but with a hint of pain...

"Yes, we grew up together, so we were pretty close.."

"It was like tat was it?"Mike smirked.

"It was like that.." Singto didnt deny..

Singto saw his father's steps falter. "I'd  better go rescue my dad before he gets an attack from over exertion, "he told Mike and started walking to the dance floor..

Krist had been enjoying himself with Papa, no one could tell the man's age, he was still fit and energetic but after a few mins, when Papa missed a step ,he started to worry..Thankfully he saw Singto walking towards them..
He tapped on his dad's shoulder..

"I believe it's my turn to dance now."he said extending his arm to Krist..his father conceded and walked towards the chairs in the sidelines..

Singto's arm came perfectly around Krist's waist,settling with familiarity on the slim hips..his other hand, fingers interlocking and gripping the other's tiny fair one in a soft grip..the band had started a slow one now and they swayed in time to the music..Krist trying to control his breathing and look anywhere but at the dark orbs probing his face...trying to read the emotions flickering through it...

"I shouldn't have asked Papa to dance," he mumbled apologetically.

"He apparently enjoyed it..so don't fret," Singto eased his thoughts..

"Still, I am glad you interrupted us and let him rest.."he meant it..

"It just seemed so natural Kit, another dance.. another dance floor, just like the old times..It's a habit tat I find hard to break."

"Do you remember so many of our dances?" Krist asked tilting his head to look at his P'.

"When I am with u, yes I do remember them, as vividly as if they were yesterday. "

"Yet, 10 years have passed," still the feel of his arms on him were way too familiar, his reactions similar to way they were then..nothing had changed..yet everything was lost...

Mentally shaking off that image Krist smiled,"We were so young and carefree then. We had some pretty good times. "

"Ten years...I do believe u haven't aged a day since then Kit. You still look as dashing as when u were at 17."

"Yeah and all those times u accused me of trying to flirt with someone else using my looks. We sure argued a lot,but I don't remember any of those fights..I wonder why?"

"Maybe because we never argued about anything serious..it was always over silly everyday things."

"I wonder why we even argued then.."

"Maybe because that's wat ppl who are always together do? And it was fun..we were young and knew wat set off each other, so maybe we just pushed those buttons to get back at each other, at times."

"I guess you're right, " Krist sighed..

"I never meant to hurt u Kit" yet Singto knew he had hurt him very badly..though the younger never showed it to him..

Krist smiled back, "I know you didn't P'Sing, " he lifted his chin in an assertion of his pride.."I forgave u a long time ago P'."

He had forgiven...but not forgotten..Singto saw that..just as he understood that behind the breezy fun loving face, is a headstrong and willful man.

He didn't say anything, but he still remembered how Krist had felt in his arms..so pliant, warm and giving..he still did..Singto's gaze settled on the pink lips, remembering how they could heat with just a brush over his..

Krist turned his head away, surprised that he could still read the elder's thoughts and feel his pull and desire for him..and surprised by how his own body reacted the same way..

He shook away those thoughts and turned back with a serious face,  "I thought I would drop by on Monday to get the plantation keys from your office P'Sing.. is that ok?"

"That would be fine..I also need you to go over some paperwork regarding your father's will.." Singto added..

"Aargh P'Sing,  you should know by now all those paperwork are French and German to me. " Krist sighed..

"Greek and Latin you mean?" Singto teased raising a smooth dark brow with a slanting smirk of his lips..

"It's all the same, unintelligible to me," Krist muttered trying to hide the fast pace of his heart,which had picked up the minute he saw the dark brow arch.."Thank God dad had the sense to name you his executor.."

"You would have managed if u had to Kit," Singto said with conviction,  Krist was never known to back out of a task.. he had mastered the piano, riding and shooting all at a mere young age through sheer determination..not passion..

"True, after all the forms I have filled for mom, I should be.."he sighed..

"How is she?"Singto enquired, his eyes softening..

"The same , stabilized and in remission. She may live a thirty more years,but can never come home again. "

"Kit.."

Krist saw the sympathy in the dark orbs looking down at him.."I don't want to talk about it P'Sing..not tonight"he declared.

"Ok" said Singto letting the topic go..but he couldn't help thinking of all that Krist had to undergo, his Dad's death, his mother's illness and his career..but he pulled through it all with a strong mind and a smile on his lips..

He admired that, unconsciously drawing him closer, inhaling the soft floral- minty scent of the younger..they danced around the floor, with the ease of a couple who had known each other all their life..

*****

Namtarn paused at the steps leading to the terrace, she could see Khun Chan talking to someone else and he had his head dipped down,listening attentively with interest. Her lips thinned in irritation thinking tat she would have to wait some more and did not want to look as though she was waiting..

She looked around and caught Earth coming out of the balcony after a smoke.."Earth, how nice to meet you here."she said extending her hand which he was forced to take..

"Namtarn,  u look pretty in that dress." He smiled back, offering a brief shake and letting go of her fingers..

"As do you, dashing as ever..I do regret selling u ur house on Millionaire's Mile though..you're hardly ever here.."she chided..

"You know how it goes, I am really busy.."he said, thinking that she reminded him of a cunning cat..

"Yes your new film is the talk of the town..speaking of which,there's Khun Chan, I wanted to speak to him." Spotting the billionaire was alone again..."Excuse me Earth..and don't forget to let me know of I can help with any lodging or locations for the film." she said and moved away smoothly, pretending to have just noticed the man.

Namtarn smoothly blocked Earth out of her mind and crossed over to stand before Lazada's CEO..

"Khun Chan, the party s a success, the food, the decor, the atmosphere are all being talked about..you really outdid it this time."she smiled..

"Coming from you that's a huge compliment Namtarn, "Khun Chan replied.

"Oh you're so kind to indulge me..by the way I almost called u today, had I not known u would be here I would have. "

"Really.."he asked uninterested.

She tensed at his lack of interest but continued to smile, "yes, this commercial block downtown is up for sale..I have the entire plan done up and ready. You only have to..."

"I am not interested. " he cut her off..

"But it's an entire block, "Namtarn was not expecting his lack of interest..

"Namtarn I never guessed u were this slow in picking up hints..how many commercial properties have u shown me and had me reject?"he asked patiently..

"Many,"she replied confused.

"I thought by now you would have got the hint..I only go for unique, larger than life stuff Namtarn.  What I want is another Phuket...a place to call as paradise within paradise..so until u find something that fits that description, don't waste my time. " he said walking away..

Namtarn stood still controlling her anger and registering wat he had said..She had underestimated the size of the man's ego..curbing her anger she abruptly turned to go back to Singto when her eyes fell on the dance floor..

The way Singto held Krist and the look in his eyes was enough to set her blood boiling..she knew their past. The town had been buzzing with it when Singto had married Neen.

No it wasn't going to happen again. She wouldn't let another steal her love a second time..she wouldn't lose him again...

As Singto and Krist joined their group of friends after the dance, Namtarn walked upto them..Singto didn't remove the arm on Krist's back even after she was near him. It made her frown deeper..

"Krist,  I think you know Namtarn, my sister in law?" Singto asked noticing her presence..

Krist smiled and acknowledged her as he began introducing his friends..Namtarn didn't bother to remember their names..

"Where is Papa?"she asked turning to Singto and tugging at his arm..

"I think I saw him walk towards the bar. " Mike offered..

"Maybe we should look for him"she said hoping to move Singto away from here..

"I enjoyed our dance" Singto said smiling at Krist.

"So did I, maybe we should do it again sometime. " he smiled..

"Like I said old habits die hard Kit..I ll see you on Monday then."he said giving a small wave.

Krist waved back his smile wider.

Singto turned around with his arm on Namtarn, when he felt her flinch from his touch..

"Is something the matter" he asked scrutinizing her face,  but as usual it was a blank slate..

"Nothing, my talk with Khun Chan didn't go well. "She said.

Singto let it go at that, as it was her business..

*****

"If tat s his sister in law,where s his wife?" Mike asked curiously as Krist watched Singto disappear into the crowd..

"He's a widower.."

"Wow that term sounds so old fashioned and it definitely doesn't suit him.."

Krist nodded,agreeing as he scanned the crowd for off..he felt a pair of hands brushing his shoulders.."Looking for me?" Earth whispered in his ear..

"You wish..I was looking for my friend from earlier.."Krist laughed..

"Wrong line baby,here's where u say yes and hug me " Earth chided..

"Really wats my motivation?"

"Maybe you wanted to dance with me?"

"I thought you would never ask P'..let's go.." and they hit the dance floor grooving to the racy beats the band was playing now...

After dancing for about an hour, Earth went to get them drinks and Krist paid a visit to the men's room..he used a closed stall for some much needed privacy.

As he was adjusting his coat he heard a voice that sounded like Off..he turned to open the the door but paused when he heard the words..

"Don't be naive Gun, ofcourse Krist slept with Earth. How else would he land a part in a top movie after all these years."

Krist froze,too stunned to move.

"Did he tell you tat?"the other man, obviously Gun, asked eagerly.

"Ofcourse he denied it.Which didn't surprise me. He was always so virtuous in school too. It was so disgusting at times."

There was more but Krist couldn't hear it . He had expected this kind of talk, maybe in the industry or even from the public. He had always laughed it off as jealous remarks of wannabe's.  But now, coming from a person who he had known all his life and considered his best friend, was accusing him of sleeping his way to stardom, it hurt. He felt betrayed...

As he heard the voices fade, he unlatched the door and made his way out..

Earth was waiting with the drinks.  Krist gratefully took one and downed it in one go.

It felt tasteless, "P'Earth,  I have a headache can we leave?"he asked.

"Wats wrong,"he asked feeling something amiss with the younger.

"The music just seems louder.  My head can't take it anymore. " he said.

"It has ,hasn't it?" Mike agreed.."but wat about the friend you wanted to catch up with?"

"I guess I lost him somewhere. It doesn't matter,"Krist shrugged it off...

But it did matter..