Phayu regarded the boy in front of him. Something about the way he held himself reminded Phayu so much of his own self. Phayu had known from a young age that he was different. He had two fathers, and while that was never an issue for him, it did make him face a bit of ridicule, until age 8, when he had broken a classmate's nose. At first, there had been threats of repercussions, but when the boy's family had found out who exactly Phayu was, they had backed off with innumerable apologies. So they had moved him, Fah and Pai to another, more exclusive, yet more inclusive school. Phayu had chafed at that, but he had held his peace, knowing that his younger siblings were happier now. Although Fah was his twin, and Pai was barely weeks younger, Phayu had always played the oldest card really well, and was highly protective of his brothers. This had continued as they had grown older and more children had been added to the compound. He continued to be the wall in front of all of them, becoming more and more closed off as life battered at him. And he could see some of that same look in Rain's eyes. Phayu didn't know what experiences had brought that look in the Nong's eyes, but he was pretty sure that there was something major, and while he did have an entire network behind him to give him that information, he was willing to wait until Rain was ready to talk to him directly.

"May I?" Rain asked, and Phayu nodded, watching carefully as the younger boy plugged in the USB into the slot given. He started explaining what exactly he had planned and why he had planned it this way. Phayu was shocked and mesmerised despite himself. This was some amazing, next level work, and he was highly impressed with how Rain had blended modernism with tradition, perfectly married with sustainability. This project, this particular resort could well become one of the biggest jewels in the Theerpanayakul hotel chain crown, and Phayu couldn't wait to get to work on it. After Rain was done, Phayu asked him several questions, and Rain answered them with clarity. Phayu nodded several times. "Well Nong, you have done your job, and done it well. I will need to sit down with you and go through some minute changes that I feel would incorporate better, but I think all in all, I am ready to approve this. However, that will come later. I now request you to wait unless called for again. Good job," he said. Rain waiied and Phayu watched him leave before turning back to the management team. "Would you care to explain what the fuck just happened?" he asked, his fury barely controlled, as he watched the whole lot of them fall over each other to explain away the idiocies that they had come up with!

By lunch, news of Rain standing up to the management had spread through the company. All of the lower level employees, the ones who were at Rain's level, or just above him, had gone through the same trauma time and again. They had seen how people with calibre were overlooked in favour of those who had family or other kind of direct support from the upper echelons. Many of his colleagues were open in their show of support, bringing him chocolates, or coffee, and even a packet of his favourite cookies. Other were a little more subtle, a pat on the back as they walked past, a small smile and a nod as they caught his eye. And there were yet another few who were blatant in their praise, congratulating him on a job well done. They all knew that what Rain did could most likely be construed as a rebellion of sorts, but that notwithstanding, they wanted him to know that they would stay by his side. For Rain, that was his biggest victory. When Phayu stormed out of the conference room 20 minutes later, a few men in suits went back in, and all the members of the upper management were quietly escorted back to their cabins, and then out of the company. Every single person let out a cheer, and turned around, thanking Rain profusely for in a way standing up for all of them. They were asked to take the next couple of days off, while things could be decided, and since it was already Friday afternoon, they would get the next two and half days off, thrilling all of them.

Phayu looked up as the door of his office opened and Vegas and Pete walked in. "Is it true that you dismissed the entire management team at Anakhot?" Pete asked. Phayu nodded tersely. He explained everything that had happened and Vegas and Pete looked both annoyed and surprised. "He is a sweet boy, but looks like he has claws, that bunny," Vegas said, laughing and shaking his head. "I told you. Bunny porcupine," Phayu smiled for the first time since the whole drama had played out. "And brilliant too, by the way," he added. 'What? Why?" Pete asked. "That resort is going to be our best yet Papa, I swear to God! It was fricking amazing! Despite being an architect for longer than him, I can tell you, I have never seen a project this fantastic!" Phayu said, sounding so fond that his fathers looked at him in surprise. "I see you have not changed your mind about the boy," Vegas said. "I told you Dada. He is it," Phayu said, smiling happily. Vegas and Pete looked at each other. It was time to talk to the bunny their son found so fascinating!

"Sky, I have no idea why you choose not to work at Anakhot before, but now be the right time to jump into the company," Phayu said, as the whole family sat about at dinner. "What do you mean Phi?" Sky asked, sounding surprised. "What are you thinking lu?" Chay asked. "I want Sky to run the day to day workings with Rain," Phayu said, as Sky stared at him in surprise. "Rain? Where does Rain come into the picture here?" he asked, the shock on his face mirrored in his voice. Phayu recounted the events that occurred earlier in the day and by the time he was done, the entire family had gone from enjoying Rain's sassiness to being livid at the treatment meted out to the younger or newer employees and interns. They were completely okay with the fact that he had thrown out the management and wanted to bring the company to new heights. "Rain behaves like a newbie there, but if he was your batch mate, he is most likely the most senior architect in the current team. And the project was more than perfect," Phayu said. "Rain is brilliant. His creative skills are second to none Phi. You can directly put him in charge. Why include me?" Sky asked.

"If I put Rain in-charge immediately after today's debacle, others may think that anyone and everyone can get away with flouting the company rules. If you come in, recognise Rain as your peer, it puts him directly a cut above the rest. Moreover, you can ensure that he gets the post he deserves thanks to you appreciating his work, and not because he spoke up against the management," Phayu said. Sky nodded thoughtfully. A direct promotion could put Rain in the hot seat, but if Sky was there, and he got Rain on board after a few days, Rain would have a more solid footing to step up to management.

"Okay Phi. I will do it," he said. "Wow! That was quick," Pai said. "What is that supposed to mean?" Sky asked. "You have always refused to work in any company related to our world. Why this sudden change of mind?" Porche asked. "Because it is for Rain," Sky said, smiling, unfocused at some far away memory that seemed to have resurfaced. "You okay my Sky?" Pai was immediately solicitous when he saw Sky phase out. "I can't say anything, because it is Rain's story to tell, but I can tell you this. When it comes to him, there is nothing I wouldn't do for him. He is literally the keeper of my soul, in the most platonic way of course, but still. So I will take it up, if that helps him in any way," Sky said. Everyone looked at each other. "Thank you Sky. Will you come into the office with me on Monday then?" Phayu asked. "Phi, Monday is too soon. Tuesday? Can you take care of things for that day?" Sky asked. Phayu nodded. "That sounds doable. And I can discuss the resort plans with Rain as well," he said, the smile on his face a clear indicator that he was thrilled at the thought.

Sky looked down at his phone. He desperately wanted to call Rain and tell him about the change in management. But he knew Rain well. If he felt in any way that Sky was going there to help him out, he would leave the company, and there was no way Sky wanted that to happen. Sometimes, Rain had too much pride, and it was always a problem. But Sky couldn't blame him. His need to do better than what his family thought of him was so deep-rooted that it was almost a reflex action by now. Sky had seen him at his worst, when he had struggled to get closer to his dreams. Both his elder brother and his younger sister, they were the privileged ones. But somehow, Rain was an outsider. Even his looks didn't match anyone in the family. His life had been filled with cold disdain and apathy, and Rain had done his best to get himself out of that vicious cycle. Even though no one in his so called family had ever raised their hand or voice at him, sometimes Sky felt that Rain would have preferred that. At least that way, he could feel that they cared for him in some way. Sky couldn't wait for Tuesday. He knew that Rain might be a bit angry, but he knew Rain well. He was sure he would be able to calm him down soon enough.

Phayu entered the office on Monday morning and watched from the doorway. Everyone was busy with their chores, except Rain. There were several ongoing projects for the empire, and all the employees seemed engrossed in their work. Rain was not there, so finally, Phayu strode up to where he had seen Rain sitting last. He knocked on the cubicle and a girl with gorgeous black hair and amber eyes looked back at him quite suspiciously. "Rain?" Phayu asked. "Design room 2. He is working on a project with Nysa and helping her with the CAD drawings and input," she said. "Thank you Nong," Phayu said, as he went directly to the design room and opened the door. He stopped short and his mouth opened and closed like a guppy fish. Rain and that girl were sitting too close for comfort, and Phayu didn't like that at all. He cleared his throat, and Rain looked up. The girl did as well, her annoyed look changing to one of fear as Phayu stared at her, coming off harder than he should. His look was completely Venice at that point, and no one, absolutely no one would want to cross him when he flashed his black eyes on her. She felt like she was staring into the pits of hell. She got up and smiled an extremely stricken smile and waiied politely before rushing out. "We will finish this tomorrow P'Rain," she said, before running out of the room at double speed.

"Hi Rain. I thought we could discuss the project, if you are okay with that?" Phayu asked, wanting to get to know Rain more, but genuinely interested in the plans too. Rain nodded. "Why don't you wait here Khun? I will go and get the necessary documents," he said, and Phayu nodded back. Rain was back soon, and the two of them pored over the blueprints. Phayu gave some suggestions and Rain pondered over them and made them if he felt they would be good. If they were something that didn't feel right, then Rain would forward his doubts, and the two of them discussed back and forth, before reaching a proper conclusion. Phayu had never enjoyed his time with anyone quite like this, someone so knowledgeable and intelligent and he was having so much fun.

"Wow Rain, I don't think I have ever had someone challenge me as much as you have done," Phayu said, leaning back, pretending to wipe his forehead. "I am sorry Phi, if I overstepped," Rain said immediately. "Absolutely not! And absolutely not necessary to say sorry. I meant it in a good way, I promise," Phayu said, smiling broadly. Rain smiled as well, and Phayu stared at him, mesmerised. If Rain had been ethereal as a ghost, this smiling face, and Phayu was a goner. Rain was stunning, his eyes twinkling, lit up with the light of a thousand suns, and Phayu could feel himself drowning into them. As he stared, and Rain looked back, their eyes locking, something shifted in the air around them. Both of them jolted when Phayu's phone buzzed. Rain immediately stood up. "I will go and do the necessary changes," he said, and escaped.

Rain leaned against the wall next to the conference room and licked his lips. He was no one's fool. That look they had shared.. the heat and the lust in Phayu's eyes had been so clear that Rain had wanted to throw all caution to the wind and just jump the man. He took in a deep breath and went back to his seat, and set his stuff down, preparing to make the changes. "Was it okay?" Yihwa asked, leaning over. Rain was startled. "You okay?" she asked, surprised. "I am fine. It went well. Just very few and very minor changes. Rest seems to be cleared," he said. "There is news that Khun Venice is bringing someone from the outside of the company to replace the entire top management, just one person though. Apparently, this person will then choose the best people from within the company to take over necessary posts," she said. "Isn't that good? No bias then," Rain said. She nodded. "That's true. I hope this time they choose wisely. And I am rooting for you," she said. "Why me Phi?" he asked, looking at her in shock. "Because of two main reasons. One, even though you may call me Phi, I know that you have way more experience than I have, than most of us here have. Two, you are the best architect in this company. Your designs are brilliant and fantastic enough to be displayed on an international level. So you are the best man for the job Rainy boy!" she said, smiling at the sweet young man in front of her.