Chak stepped out of the bathroom with freshly washed hair and a towel around his neck. His shirt hung over one arm while the other hand wiped away a few drops of water from the back of his neck.
He froze when he saw me standing in the middle of his room, holding a note and with slightly flushed cheeks.
"Niran?" he said with a faint smile, noticing my gaze.
I didn't move. I just looked at him. In that soft, almost unreal moment, he was something between comforting and dangerously beautiful slightly messy hair, bare arm lifting the towel, relaxed posture, and that familiar, unspoken fire in his eyes. I let my eyes travel over his body. Without a word, I stepped toward him and asked, my voice trembling slightly:
"Can I touch you?"
"Not just that you can… You always can," he replied softly.
He took my hand and placed it on his chest. "I'm yours."
I felt his heartbeat under my palm. His skin was still slightly damp and so soft. Slowly, my hand moved across his body. Chak watched me calmly. I felt like I was dreaming.
After a few moments, he asked, "Why did you come to me?"
"I wanted to show you this," I said and handed him Kit's note.
"Don't forget the pajamas – Kit." Typical Kit. Chak chuckled. "Go get your pajamas," he added, stepping to the wardrobe. He opened it and pulled out two sets.
One was sleeveless, grey cotton. The other was dark blue silk with long sleeves, slightly fitted.
"I want you to wear the dark blue one. The grey one's for when it's just us. Better to wear something more modest at Kit's," I said, turning away a little, but I could feel Chak's gaze on me.
He smiled. "Be honest you don't want me wearing the grey one because it shows too much skin, right?"
I blushed a bit. "I just don't want Kit or Taeng seeing what kind of body you have."
"I like how you think," he laughed. "So, from now on, anytime I sleep over somewhere, I'll wear a baggy shirt —Đ to keep your jealousy at bay."
He folded the pajamas neatly and placed them in a small black suitcase. "I don't need clothes for tomorrow — I have some at the office. Now we just need to pack for you."
He took my hand and we went to my room. I opened the closet, and Chak picked out the pajamas himself a short, beige-brown set with three white stars.
"Why short sleeves?" I asked.
"I like touching your skin at night when I hold you."
I rolled my eyes but smiled at him. We picked out clothes for the next day and packed everything into the suitcase. When we were done, I said, "I'm going to take a quick shower."
"I'll be in the office," he replied.
"Alright," I said.
I took a quick shower and changed into the t- shirt and pants he had recommended that morning. Then I headed to his office. Chak was sitting at the desk, reading some documents. He looked up when I walked in.
He stood and came over to me. "I really like that shirt on you," he said.
"I like it too," I replied, then added, "Shall we go put the snacks in the drawer?"
"Let's go," he said.
We went to the kitchen. Chak opened three drawers. "Pick one to be yours."
"If it's mine, then it's also yours," I said with a smile.
He smiled back and started unpacking the bags. I opened a bag of mini chocolate bars and picked one with caramel. I unwrapped it and asked:
"Want a bite?"
"No, thanks," he said.
I bit into the chocolate, the caramel stretching out. Chak stepped closer to me.
He lightly touched my lips with his fingers, then slowly took the chocolate from my hand and quietly placed it on the counter. His palms gently but firmly grabbed my hips, lifted me, and sat me down on the kitchen island.
I wrapped both my arms around his neck.
Chak leaned in slowly, his breath brushing my skin. His eyes searched mine, full of something uncertain — desire tangled with hesitation. Our lips were just a breath apart when he paused.
"I can't… I'm sorry," he whispered, almost painfully.
I reached for his hand and gently wrapped my fingers around his. "It's okay," I murmured, voice steady, warm.
With a soft nudge of my hand, I guided him back to me. "Come here," I said, barely above a whisper.
This time, I leaned in — closing the gap, giving him the chance to meet me halfway.
Our lips met in a soft, fleeting kiss. It was delicate, as if we were afraid we'd break something between us if we pressed too hard. A gentle warmth spread through me. His lips were slightly parted, hesitant but welcoming. My heart thudded against my ribs, unsure if this was a dream.
When I responded — when I leaned in just a little more — the kiss deepened. Chak exhaled quietly, then returned it with more confidence. His lips moved against mine, slow and sure, tasting like something we'd both been denying ourselves for too long.
As we kissed, I gently cupped his face, tracing his cheekbones with my thumbs. My hands slid down to his neck, feeling the soft dampness of his skin and the tension slowly melting away under my touch. My fingers played gently with the hair at the nape of his neck.
We paused. Our lips parted just slightly, foreheads touching, breaths mingling between us.
His eyes were still closed, as if the moment lingered behind his eyelids.
Then we kissed again.
This time deeper. Slower. Our mouths moved in a rhythm only the two of us knew. It was not about lust it was about trust, about choosing each other in silence. My body leaned into his, and I felt him holding me closer, as though he'd never let go.
When the second kiss faded into quiet, I smiled, my lips brushing his.
"I like chocolates," I whispered, catching my breath. "But I like you more."
Our lips slowly parted, but we stayed close, my forehead resting gently against his. My fingers were still wrapped around the back of his neck, his hands steady on my hips as if he had no intention of letting me down from the kitchen counter. There was something unspoken and tender in his eyes.
We looked at each other, still caught in the moment, until I let out a quiet laugh.
"I think we almost forgot the chocolate," I said, glancing at the half-melted piece still on counter.
Chak smiled, gently took it from my fingers, and broke it in half. "Shall we share?"
I nodded, accepting my piece as he placed the other on his tongue. His gaze remained locked with mine as I tasted the caramel—sweeter now, somehow, because of the kiss.
"Not as sweet as before," I said softly. "The kiss was better."
"I agree," he whispered, pressing a light kiss to my forehead.
Then he stepped over to the cupboard, opened the top shelf, and took out a sleek bottle of red wine and a black box of chocolates tied with a silver ribbon.
"What's that?" I asked, still lounging on the counter with my legs swinging gently.
"For Kit and Taeng," he said. "A little gesture. And a perfect excuse to make tonight more fun."
"They'll love us," I said with a grin.
"Or they'll kick us out," Chak replied. "Either way, it's worth it just to see Kit's confused face in person."
He placed the wine and chocolates into a tote bag,
After we put the sweets away in the drawers, I looked at him and said, "Chaky." Chak turned to me and looked into my eyes. I told him, "I love you." Chak came over and hugged me. "And I love you, my artist," he replied.
He glanced at the clock and said, "We have to go." We took the wine and the box of chocolates. Chak grabbed the suitcase. We walked to the car and drove off. I took his hand and held it. When he looked at me, I felt a warm feeling spread through me.
When we arrived at the parking garage, Chak parked in the residents-only section. I asked him, "Why did you park here? We don't live here. What if we get a ticket?"
"Don't worry, everything will be fine," Chak said, kissing my hand.
We went into the elevator. Then I got an idea. I turned to Chak and asked, "Do you want to prank Kit and Taeng?"
"What kind of prank?" Chak asked.
"That they find out I have a girlfriend, and you asked Taeng a questions why he never told you ."
"And when Taeng asks me what her name is, I'll say 'Chaky,'" I added.
Chak smiled and said, "Alright, let's do it."