The annoying beeping of the heart monitor annoyed Lien, who was waking up. When he opened his eyes, he saw an unfamiliar white ceiling, and turning his head to the side, he saw Kin asleep in his chair. Yesterday, after meeting Nan, Keene thought it was suspicious that Raed hadn't called him so he took a cab to his house. The time was almost 3 o'clock, after 5 minutes of constantly pressing the doorbell, there was still no answer. Kin entered the password and upon entering saw his friend lying on the floor next to boxes of dicks. Smiling at the extent of Nan's offense, Kin went to the bathroom to get some ammonia. Lien was unresponsive and he immediately called the emergency room and Nanfha. The mobster was ready to rush to his Rabbit, but Kin forbade it. If he came now, then yesterday's pain would have to be experienced again. Kin promised Nan to stay with Lien until he woke up.

- Kin... - he called out to his friend and he stretched and yawned.

- You awake, sleeping beauty? I called work and told them you're taking Monday off. P'Sam said you've got five years' worth of vacation time and two more full vacations. So lie back and rest," Keene got up from his chair.

- Why are you here? - Raed asked, looking around the room and pressing the headboard button to sit up.

- Yesterday... I was having a drink with a friend and decided not to go home, but came to see you. You were lying in the hallway, unresponsive to the smelling salts. I called an ambulance. Why didn't you tell me you were having panic attacks again? - Kin explained, and then his tone became disgruntled.

- They haven't happened in a while. I don't know what triggers them... - the man mumbled.

- Tell me, friend, what the fuck do you need six boxes of dicks for? - Raed's friend teased.

The beeping became faster, indicating the patient's rapid heartbeat, and Lien felt his hands shaking again.

- The phone! Where's my phone? - The man asked in a trembling voice and Kin, seeing his condition, nodded toward the table by the bed.

Reaching the table, Lien shakily tried to take the smartphone, but it slipped out of his hand and onto the floor. Kin walked over, picked up the device and held it out to his friend. Raed opened Line, trying to call Nan, but saw that it was blocked. The call to the SIM card ended with short beeps. Lien began to gasp again, dropping the phone from his hands onto the bed. The voice... He just needed to hear Nan's voice to calm down.

- Breathe, Lien... Breathe in... exhale. listen to my voice. inhale. exhale... - Kin held his friend's hands, speaking slowly and measuredly.

After 5 minutes, Lien felt better and Kin decided to finish the man lying down: -What's going on, Lien? What did you do that your hubby isn't picking up the phone?

A punch in the face and last night's fight appeared in front of Raed's eyes.

"What you do from this second on doesn't concern me anymore..." - A cold phrase said before Nan left.

- Yesterday... "Nan returned my 'trophies' from the cup, the boxes in the hallway are from him too," Lien looked at the phone between his legs and spoke in a trembling voice.

- Gave up, then... well, I hope you're happy now? You've got a house full of toys and numbers to suit every taste... Have fun, friend. - before Kin could say anything, his phone rang.

- I'll talk in the corridor, I won't disturb the "sick", - Kin irritably threw and went out into the corridor, answering the call.

- Yes...

- How is he? - a worried baritone asked the man.

- He'll live, don't worry. Just a panic attack. Saw the blocked call alerts, didn't you? - Kin faced the door to his friend's room so he could start lying at the right moment.

- You think he's gonna miss me...? I'm calling to give him a heads up. I'm flying to Busan after the fundraiser tonight, I'm having trouble with the construction company, and it's urgent that I fly myself. I'll be gone for about a week," Nan explained calmly.

- You want me to keep an eye on him, don't you? - Kin smiled, realizing the reason for the call.

- 'Nan... I know my friend... But can you bear it if he sleeps with someone else? - Kin asked a serious question, and Nan fell silent.

- Я... I don't know, Kin... - The mobster answered uncertainly, realizing that if he found out, he would be hurt.

Click...

Kin quickly turned his back to the door and ostensibly continued the conversation: - Yes, Ni. Now I'm pretty sure I saw Nan at the club last night...

- Lien's around, right? I'm disconnecting," Nan realized everything and disconnected because he knew if he heard Raed's excited voice, he would definitely come.

- Yes! I don't know what that idiot said to him yesterday, but Nan gave him the tissues and now Lien can open his sex shop. He's got six huge boxes of toys in his house. Noan doesn't answer his calls. Either she's still asleep or she's still drinking... I think it's the end, Nitta.... - Kin spoke as if he hadn't noticed his friend leaving the room.

- What did you just say? - Lien asked quietly, and Kin turned around.

- Ni, did you hear that? Our friend is not only stupid, but he doesn't know that it's not good to eavesdrop on other people's conversations. Okay, I'll see you tomorrow night. Thanks for inviting me. Ciao, Baby," Kin pretended to end the call and put the phone in his pocket.

- I said, what did you just say about Nan?! - Lien repeated in a louder voice, but Kin only gave his friend a disapproving look.

- I'm allergic to your split personality, Lien! Don't expect me to tell you anything about it. Feeling better? Then go home and I'll go to Rose's," Kin growled and turned away from his friend.

Snatch

- Don't go... - Raed grabbed Kin's hand and squeezed it tightly, asking quietly.

- 'I've already told you, haven't I? I won't comfort you if you do something stupid. I'm not your babysitter, Lien! It's only because you're my friend that I haven't hit you yet. You're a heartless monster who only thinks with his dick. I hope Nan finds someone who will genuinely love him and not use him as a living dildo. I don't even want to know what you did or said yesterday. I refuse to participate in your torture of this man! - Letting out an angry tirade, Kin wrenched his hand away and staggered toward the elevator.

Lien stood alone in the hallway, pondering his friend's words. He pulled out his phone, dialing Nanfha's number over and over again, but the result was the same.

"You didn't take anything I said seriously before.... Why didn't you just fuck me for my words yesterday?" - scolded the mobster Raed in his thoughts as he headed to the front desk to check out.

Back home, Lien spent almost 3 hours sorting through boxes and shoving toys around the house. Sweating from running around the house, he made his way to the kitchen to get a drink of water.

Unexpectedly...

In the refrigerator were a bar of chocolate with orange pieces and a glass of cold frappuccino with caramel syrup. It was usually something Foxy bought him when he was worried about him, to make him happy. Not even Kin and Nitta knew about it. It was their couple's delicate little secret. Lien got them out of the fridge and sat down at the table, eating the chocolate, washing it down with coffee.

Remembering the dishes in the dishwasher, the man opened the cabinet, about to put the plates in it and froze.... Quickly checking the dishes in the machine, Lien dazedly sat back in his chair.... Realizing that if he didn't find something to distract himself with, he would have another attack.

"Wipes! I saw an athlete's number in there somewhere..." - Lien thought and went to the cup.

After rereading about 30 numbers, he found the right one and dialed the number. The call was answered and Lien was even recognized, but the guy refused to date. They had had fun three years ago when he was single, and now he had a man he loved and a newborn son.

Picking a few more numbers at random, the result was the same. The men were in relationships. As it turned out, none were sitting around waiting for him to call, although every other one said that if he were free, they'd meet up for a fling. Lien tossed the "busy" napkins into the trash.

- Last number... If this one refuses too, I'll just go to the club," the man urged himself.

Dialing the number, the man smiled with luck. The young man was happy to hear from the long-legged handsome man and agreed to meet at the hotel in the evening. Satisfied Lien walked over to the mirror, assessing what to wear.....

- Right! I need to trim my hair a little, it's too long," Raed tidied up the bangs falling over his eyes.

Taking his keys, he drove to a barbershop not far from his apartment, where he usually went for a haircut. An hour later, satisfied with himself, the man returned home.

Ding.

There was a message on my phone from Ni.

Favorite Bitch <Want you to come to the fundraiser tomorrow?

Lien <I promised, so I'll be there. >

Favorite Bitch <Don't forget to bring the ammonia. If you faint there, I'll kill you myself!

Lien < It starts at 5pm, right? I'll try not to overdo it tonight so I can look stunning!

Favorite Bitch <I don't want to know about your plans. It's your life and your business.

Beloved Bitch <I hope you know what you're doing and realize the consequences of your actions.>

Lien <I'm a free man, not like you in marriage slavery.

Favorite Bitch <At least I'm not lying to myself.>

Lien <Oh, that's it. I don't have time, I have a hunt in 5 hours and I haven't bought a suit for tomorrow yet.>

Favorite Bitch <No details, Lien.

Finished texting his friend, Lien was once again frustrated that Nitta wasn't willing to listen and support him. Deciding while there was still time to make a trip to the store for a suit, Raed drove to Siam Paragon.

He decided not to change his habits and bought a suit at GIEVES&HAWKES. The good-natured girl consultant was smilingly asking the long-legged man what he would like to try on, but he was suddenly distracted.

- I didn't expect to see you here, Khun Lien," a cheerful voice and a sweet smile spread across the face of a short, handsome young man.

- Khun Fai, right? - The man interjected and Fai nodded.

- 'Kai, go for a walk, I'll have a friend keeping me company. I'll call you if I need you," the young man continued to smile and his bodyguard bowed his head and left.

- Oh, kid, you changed your mind and decided to fuck me? - Raed smiled cheekily, running his index finger along the boy's shoulder.

- Ahahahaha, you want to go 'you', fine. Sorry Lien, your charms don't work on me. I can only be your friend, I have a husband, you have a husband. If we sleep together, half the town will be your "silent patients", how much work do you want? By the way, have you come to get a costume for tomorrow's exhibition? - Fai laughed, noting to himself how interesting this man is.

- How do you know I'm going to the exhibition? - Lien asked, because he hadn't told anyone which store he was going to go to.

- Oh! I know a lot of things... For example... - Fai looked around the store and nodded towards the cute guy standing there with the salesman.

- Look, that's Nanfha's ex. He seems nice... - He smiled as Smart told Fai about their fight at Wongsawat's house and recounted his meeting with Kin and Ni at the club.

Fai realized that Lien was traumatized from the boyfriend's death. Despite his constant smile and jokes, the man had ashes inside. And Fai, more than anyone else, was well aware that it was all just a contrived screen and defense mechanism. The walls of Lien are so high and well guarded that no one for eight years could get within half a meter of them. And Nan didn't just walk up, he dug a hole in it, brazenly climbed in, and started a new fire that the defense system is trying to put out.

- Exactly! It's nothing like that! Silicone surrogate! - Raed looked at the boy with an appraising gaze, feeling a twinge of unease in his heart.

- His name is Akara. 24 years old. Nanfha dated him a year ago. They broke up because there was a Senate election and the kid's father didn't want his son's orientation to tarnish his reputation in the campaign. Nan liked him a lot, but I think if it wasn't for Akar's father's request, they'd still be together. Akara must have heard that Nan would be at the exhibition tomorrow, so he decided to dress up.... - Fai repeated what Smart had told him, deciding to support the trio's plan and help Lien.

- And where did you get such detailed information from, Fai? - The man, suppressing the resentment inside and the jealousy eating away at his soul, decided to distract himself from the conversation about Nan.

- I have a very capable assistant. Also... San Kahlan is trying to persuade Nanfha to marry his daughter. Fictitious, of course, but the fact is... I offered to help your husband with San, but he said he could handle it on his own," Fai continued to add fuel to the fire, watching the man's reaction.

- He's not my husband," Lien mumbled, but Fai only laughed.

- Well, well, well. A "not husband" who drove halfway across town to buy you chocolate and coffee in the morning before work? And then drove them to your apartment? Okay, uh. here's the deal. I'll help you pick out your costume and you help me with the crib? - Puppy wouldn't stop, but Smart warned of the panic attack symptoms that were beginning to show and Fai changed the subject.

- A crib? Are you pregnant? - Raed chuckled, stroking Fai's tummy.

- It's actually hard to explain, but if you want to listen, I can tell you," the young man offered and Lien agreed.

For a while they picked out a costume for Lien for tomorrow night, and then a crib for Tirak. In the meantime, Fai told him the story of his life from his parents' divorce to his sister's successful surgery, leaving out the part about Smart, simply referring to him as his personal assistant.

- I know it's hard for you after Fox's death. When Hima was in a coma, I thought I was going to die without him.... I understand how you feel. But I believe you're stronger than you think, Lien. Yes, Nan may be at risk of being killed, but every new day is like a gift from fate. The fact that you're hiding your feelings from yourself right now only makes it worse for you. Imagine Nan is no longer in your life. Not at all. You'll never see him again, never hear his voice, never feel the warmth of his body. Won't you regret being around him? My friend is a lot like you... only he was just having fun with guys to the extent of his pampering, not like you hiding his pain behind it. But when he met Dao, everything changed. Just before you do or say anything, imagine if Nanfha did it, how would you feel? - The boys sat and talked over coffee and pastries.

- Aren't you a little too mature for your age, kid? - Lien teased Puppy, poking him quietly in the forehead with his finger.

- It's not about age, Pi'lien, it's about experience. By the way, give me your Line. If you ever need help with anything, anything at all. Find someone or find out something, you can text me or call me. By the way. I suggest you check out the Earth Angel painting at the exhibit. They say it's gorgeous, but unfortunately it's already been bought. I envy the one whose house it will decorate..... - the young man continued to talk Raed's ear off as Kai approached him.

- Boss, the bed for the young lady has already been sent to the mansion. Meeks called, he says he got some... "mosquito bites." I couldn't quite make it out because Sakda was laughing next to him," Kai reported, and Fai nodded.

- Oh, right! Thank you, Lien. You helped the boy and his fathers without even realizing it," Fai thanked, because he knew that the 70 million suddenly appearing in Tipakorn's account was only because of this man.

- What? When did I have time? - Raed asked in confusion.

- Remember when I came to your house? I came to talk about work. Wei Xin's bought men had tried to rape a 5-year-old boy in front of his father to frame Nan. Me and my guys got here just in the nick of time. The boy's fine, the father's recovering. And your husband transferred 70 million into his account, 35 from him and 35 from his wife. Now Sakda and Ti are safe and don't owe anyone any money," Fai explained and Lien remembered this conversation at breakfast.

- 'Nan just asked me how much money I would give for attempted child rape. I said the first thing that came to mind. So I didn't take credit for it. Well, wait a minute. what does this have to do with Meeks? If I understand correctly, Sakd's father is T? - Raed denied it, but in his heart he felt proud of Nanth.

- And you're attentive, Mr. Forensic Medical Examiner. Meeks accompanied me when I came to you, remember him? Now he's Sakd's favorite daddy, making T insanely jealous of his son," Fai smiled and his phone rang.

- 'Yes, Hia... We are coming to the hospital soon.... Yes, a friend helped me choose a crib and matching furniture for my room.... Of course you did, my little one Daddy didn't forget the strawberries... and the elephant. Yes, sweetie, I'll be right there. give mommy the phone. Honey, I got a little carried away with the toys. so I'm gonna have to make a playroom. I got the elephant, it's a swing set. Just don't tell her, okay? Oh! You're always doing what she wants you to do. I just want to surprise her when she gets home.... No, I haven't walked much.... My back doesn't hurt... I had Lien and Kai with me... Hia! Don't wake the tiger.... Yes, we're on our way out.... You too," Fai finished saying while Lien looked at him with a smile.

- Mommy? Your husband... mommy? - Fai teased Lien, but he only looked at the man with a satisfied face.

- My mom always told me that I looked a lot like my father. I guess that's why Rak calls me daddy. When she grows up, she'll have two daddies. And right now Hima doesn't take offense, I'd even say he likes it...'' - Fai smiled, and said the last phrase very ambiguously.

Ding

A text message arrived on Lien's phone and he quickly pulled out the device, hoping it was from Nan... His excitement quickly vanished when he saw that the text was from Baks. Smart had relayed to Fai that Raed was expecting a guy at the hotel in two hours, and Fai frowned.

- 'I have to go now, P'lien. I hope you won't be late... I'll see you at the gallery," the young man said goodbye, trying to hint unobtrusively about being late with Nan.

- See you later! - Lien smiled and walked towards the parking lot.