The shadow behind the curtains...
"I had heard about it. They said Young Master Daeng was so beautiful that people would even volunteer for chores just to see him. When I first heard that, I thought it was just an exaggeration."
" But now that I see him... I think I have already fallen."
"Even his lips are as red as a rose. His eyes are so beautiful that I can see them even without the moon. His hair is such a mess that I want to touch it. His bare skin... oh... what am I even thinking?"
" I am so lost in my thoughts that I have forgotten the time."
Just as the wind waves the white curtains, the shadow slowly approaches Daeng.
Daeng is lost in his colors, while the one looking is lost in Daeng.
While walking, lost in Daeng and without looking where he was going, the one watching Daeng accidentally stepped on an open bottle of paint.
Clack.....
Shatter.....
The noise made Daeng wake from his painting.
Both were shocked and found themselves looking at each other, their eyes locked as they were lost in one another's gaze.
Suddenly, Daeng spoke. "You... you... who are you? Chim! Chim!"
As Daeng called for Chim, the stranger quickly covered Daeng's mouth.
While trying to cover the paint that had spilled on his feet, he slipped.
As he fell, he grabbed Daeng, and they both tumbled together. But the stranger protected Daeng from getting hurt, and now Daeng was pulled against his chest.
Daeng could hear the sound of the man's heart and feel the heat of his breath.
"Sorry, Young Master... I am not a stranger, so please don't call anyone," he said as they looked at each other on the floor.
Daeng slowly tried to get up, but he failed.
The person helped him, and they both stood up, looking messy and covered in paint.
"You... who are you? Why are you in my space? This is not for outsiders!" Daeng spoke quickly, trying to catch his breath. "I don't care, just get out!"
Kiat laughed softly as he looked at Daeng.
Daeng thought to himself, " What a crazy, weird person. He only has his looks."
"I am Kiat , not a stranger. I am the cousin of Khun Kaew, your brother's wife, khrab..."
Kiat laughed again. "I saw you in the main room of the mansion, but you didn't see me.
" Oh... I thought so. You didn't even look at me. Young Master, I know you aren't interested, but it wouldn't hurt to just give a look... a glimpse," Kiat said, his voice lowering and becoming soft.
"I don't care who you are. No one can enter the Third Mansion, especially not here. This is my personal space—not even my Mae enters without my permission," Daeng said, looking away, his voice filled with anger.
As he spoke, Kiat moved closer. Daeng pulled back, but Kiat sat on the floor and tried to lift Daeng's foot.
"What are you doing?" Daeng asked in shock.
"Let me clean your feet. They are covered in paint." Kiat looked up at Daeng and pleaded.
"No, I will do it. You can go," Daeng said, still without looking at him.
"How can I do that? I am the one who caused the trouble. Let me..."
Kiat ignored the protest and placed Daeng's foot on his lap. He took out his white handkerchief and slowly started to wipe the paint away.
Standing there, Daeng could see the sweat on Kiat's face as he cleaned.
As Daeng watched him, he caught himself smiling. He paused and thought, " Why am I smiling? Stop it, Daeng."
Kiat looked up and said, "It's done. It's not fully clean, you still need to wash it."
Daeng quickly pulled his foot away and grabbed the handkerchief. "You need to go."
"Khab... I will go." Kiat looked back one last time before heading outside.
Daeng pressed the handkerchief to his chest, breathing deeply.
He looked at the floor, where Kiat's footprints were all marked in the color of red paint.
As he looked at the floor and deep breathily and his heart was beating so fast he could feel it—it wasn't normal.
On the outside, Kiat was also grabbing his chest. It's almost out of control. " What am I even thinking?" he thought as he ran downstairs.
As the white full moon faded, the dewdrops on the leaves finally fell, and a new, brighter day began to wake.
Every morning, Daeng greeted everyone in the kitchen—it was a routine for him.
On his way, he would take a small walk through his private gardens.
"Young Master... Young Master! How many times have I called you?" Chim said, panting as she spoke.
"Chim... why are you calling me? Is there a problem with my painting?" Daeng asked.
"No..." Chim replied, still catching her breath.
"Then is it Nong Aung? Did she run off and get hurt again?"
"No," Chim said, still panting.
"Then is someone sick?"
"No," Chim said.
"Then is it about Mae?"
"No, Young Master," Chim said, finally catching her breath.
"Oh, Chim. Then why are you calling me and disturbing my time with my babies?"
"Babies? Oh... Young Master, if you were married, you would have a real baby now.
Look at who is looking at flowers like they are babies," Chim teased.
"Chim, don't tease me. Now, tell me what happened." Daeng walked over to her, but she simply grabbed him and led him toward the kitchen.
As they entered, they found Kiat talking and helping.
The entire kitchen was loud with laughter as everyone admired him.
"What's going on? My kitchen is always peaceful and quiet, except for Nong Aung... I want my kitchen back," Daeng muttered.
"Chim, do something! Get him out!"
He looked at Chim, but she was staring at Kiat as if she wanted to eat him.
"How can someone be so handsome? Look at his body... he is so strong. Look at him, he's not dull, he's like a light. If only..."
Daeng slowly flicked her forehead. "You aren't just thinking those things, Chim, you're speaking them out loud."
"Oh... Young Master, I think it slipped!" Chim said with an awkward smile.
They both looked at each other and smiled, acting playful.
But then Kiat looked over at Daeng. The moment their eyes locked, Daeng turned away and headed outside to his lotus pond to begin his painting.
Kiat slowly followed him, without anyone else knowing.
Daeng sat in his chair, but he couldn't start. " " Weird... why am I thinking about someone so rude?" he thought.
"Sawasdee khab, Young Master Daeng..."
Kiat slowly leaned in and whispered. The heat of Kiat's breath made Daeng's ears turn as red as a peach.
He slowly turned his head toward Kiat, and their lips almost touched. Both were surprised, but neither pulled away.
It was difficult to breathe. It was a cold morning, but slowly, everything began to feel warm.
"Why are you here?" Daeng asked, quickly turning his face back. He was flustered, avoiding Kiat by staring at his blank canvas.
Kiat wiped his own sweat and stopped for a moment, his face also flustered.
"May I have the honor of a painting?" Kiat asked. "I am opening a shop. Can you paint one for me?"
Daeng was still flustered. "No... I don't sell them. I only paint to pass the time," he said.
"Please, khab..." Kiat leaned in and asked again.
"Which painting do you want?" Daeng asked, still avoiding his gaze.
Kiat thought for a moment, looking at Daeng. "How about we go out, and then we can decide? Okay, khab?"
Daeng hesitated, but then he looked back at Kiat. "Okay. If I paint it, you will stop coming here, right?"
Kiat looked at Daeng, not wanting to answer, but then with a sad face, he said—
"Khab... I will stop."
Daeng avoided his eyes and started to look at his canvas, but his gaze drifted back to Kiat.
They stood there, both wanting to say something more, but neither found the words.