It had been an hour since Artit and Toffee arrived at Artit's maternal home.The car was parked in front of the house.
The house carried a sense of history. It looked like an old mansion…
Two hands clutched a pale white shirt, sweating, refusing to leave the car.
"Hia… I think this is a bad idea. Can we go back?"
In a soft voice, trying not to laugh, Artit replied, "Baby, we're already here. Let's greet them, then we can go."
Feeling betrayed, Toffee thought, "How can you say that, Hia? You don't know anything." His mind filled with all the dramas he had watched.
With an intense and dramatic expression— "Leave my grandson alone! This is a blank check."
"Oh! What if it really happens?" he murmured.
"Hia, I think I will faint."
Toffee started whining.
Artit struggled to hold back his laughter, wondering what was going on in that little head. Then he pinched Toffee's cheek.
"My baby, didn't I say if I'm here, why are you worried?" He gently brushed Toffee's ear. It turned blushed like a faded rose.
Artit leaned closer and whispered, "If you keep staying like this, I don't think I can control myself."
Toffee shot him a sharp look while Artit acted like a hungry wolf.
Toffee swallowed hard. "Then let's go. No need to waste time."
Artit unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned toward Toffee. His fingers brushed Toffee's lips before he lightly licked them.
"Hia…"
Trying to steady his breath, Artit muttered, "Baby, let's go…"
Artit pulled himself back, forcing himself not to get carried away.
They stepped out together, their hands still tightly held.
The veins on Artit's hands stood out, and Toffee's gaze lingered on them.
"Baby, you can bite if you want."
"Who said I want to?" Toffee pouted. "Will the offer still be there tonight?" he wondered.
"Hia, I would definitely get lost if I came here alone. But why does it feel like a Chinese style house?"
"Because my mother's family originally came from there. We've been settled here for years."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I was never interested in those stories."
"As expected from the young master of Phass…"
Artit covered Toffee's mouth. "Don't, baby…" Then he pinched his nose lightly. "You're really teasing me, right?"
"Why can't I?"
"You can," Artit smiled softly at him.
They walked through a large door as Toffee took in the surroundings, his face serious.
"Be careful, the floor is slippery…"
Toffee tightened his grip on Artit's arm.
From inside, a shadow appeared. Someone was waiting for them.
Her hair was tied neatly. Her skin was dark but glowing, her beauty striking.
"It's been a while, young master."
Artit stayed silent. Toffee stood between them, feeling the tension and awkwardness.
"You must be Toffee, right?"
Toffee spoke with a heavy heart, "I am…"
Her tone was firm. "The chairman is waiting for you. He's already aware you've arrived. You may go."
"Thank you, khrap," Toffee greeted her politely.
After greeting her, they moved forward while she remained standing there.
Toffee glanced back one last time. "Hia, why didn't you speak? Don't tell me she's a demon."
"Hia, don't tell me you're also a demon… are you?"
Artit let out a long sigh. "Baby, what is that little brain imagining? My family is normal."
"Hia, after everything that has happened to us, you're saying we're normal? If someone hears this, they'll send us to a mental hospital."
Artit suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?"
"Baby… really? Let me be honest—my family is completely different from what you think. You'll understand after you see them. Also… I never really spoke properly with anyone here, so I don't know what to say…"
"I don't know who she is. No one knows—only Grandpa does."
"If my baby is curious, I can ask."
"No, who said I'm curious." Toffee hesitated, though his thoughts said otherwise.
"Still… I am curious," he wondered.
"Forget it. Let's go." Toffee pulled Artit along.
"Baby, do you know where to go?"
With an awkward smile, Toffee answered, "No…"
"Hia, don't tease me."
They stopped in front of a door.
Toffee looked himself over, top to bottom. "Why does this feel familiar?" "It's okay…" he mumbled.
"Hia, where are we?"
"Give me a second, baby."
Artit carefully raised his hand.
Knock… knock… knock…
"Grandpa… Grandpa…"
Knock… knock… knock…
Toffee, who had almost forgotten how to breathe, grabbed Artit's shirt tightly.
Clack—
The door swung open violently. A stick nearly touched Artit's throat, but he had already dodged it.
"You little—! How dare you touch my precious painting—!"
The stick swung again. Toffee quickly hid behind Artit.
Someone cleared their throat from inside. It was the grandfather's secretary.
That's when the grandfather noticed Toffee.
The room fell into an awkward silence. The grandfather froze in place, looking slightly embarrassed and speechless.
Clack—
The stick slipped from his hand.
His eyes scanned Toffee from head to toe, almost popping out.
"Oh my god. What in the world? You little brat! How dare you humiliate me in front of my son-in-law? What if he runs away thinking I'm crazy? No, I can't let that happen. I need him—a normal one in this house."
The grandfather's mind raced with worry.
Artit and his grandfather exchanged silent looks—
Why didn't you tell me you were coming with him?
I forgot.
You forgot something important?
I think so.
The grandfather's eyes flashed with anger, but then—
He cleared his throat and regained his composure.
"You are Toffee, right?"
"Sawasdee khrap…" Toffee clasped his hands and bowed.
"As expected, finally…"
The grandfather's face lit up with joy.
"Come inside, don't just stand there."
The room was his office. They stepped in and sat down.
Toffee watched the grandfather, eyes filled with wonder.
His wrinkled skin showed his age, his hair completely white, but his voice and presence were strong. A sharp and experienced man.
Even though the Phassakorn family was an old wealthy family, their success continued because of his leadership.
"Wow… I've only seen him once on the news, because of my brother. Who knew I would sit in front of him. He's not like people say, something feels different…"
Toffee let out a quiet breath, his thoughts overwhelmed.
From below, a cold hand reached for Toffee's.
Toffee turned to Artit.
Artit widened his eyes slightly and gave a gentle smile.
For a moment, they seemed lost in each other.
The grandfather and his secretary watched them, unsure what to do.
"You, do something."
"But Chairman, how can I—"
"Are you asking me? Aren't you a married man? Do something! They might do something in front of me!"
"But Chairman, you have more experience than me."
"Are you questioning me?"
"No… it's just—"
The secretary quickly slapped the table.
The sharp sound startled both of them.
Toffee pulled his hand away at once, while Artit looked slightly annoyed.
The grandfather observed Toffee in silence.
"It's so good to see you. I've been hoping for this for a long time.Then,
Toffee, are you staying here today?" the grandfather asked, almost like a hopeful child.
"Well, we—"
Artit cut in, "We're going somewhere, so we won't be staying here."
Toffee stared at him, then pulled him aside. "Hia, you didn't tell me anything. Are you lying?"
Artit shook his head. "How can I lie to you?"
"Then at least dine with us. Artit never stays or spends time with me, I'm getting too old…"
Noticing the grandfather's sad face.
"Actually, we didn't plan to come here. But we'll visit again sometime—and next time, we'll stay for a while," Toffee assured him.
A smile spread across the grandfather's face. "Really, that's good."
His expression softened. "I never thought you would come here. Artit never planned to get close to you, even after finding you… Let me tell you, he's a complete fool. If I were him, I would just kidnap you and—"
A loud throat-clearing came from behind.
A warning from the secretary.
"What I mean is… what if he loses something he can't replace? Artit never say what was truly on his mind. You're just like him—no, even better than him. So you can call me Grandpa, don't hesitate."
Toffee paused, then looked at Artit. Artit blinked at him.
"Grandpa, thank you…"
The grandfather stayed silent, hiding his happiness.
"Go and meet the others. Everyone should know you're here. Don't waste time with this old man."
"No, it's not. Actually… I never saw my grandparents. They passed away before I was born, so this is my first time."
"Then come here often. Spend time with me. I'll teach you old games—look, I'm addicted to chess. Do you know chess?"
"No…"
"Then I'll teach you. Next time, okay?"
"Khrap…" They both smiled.
Quietly, they stepped outside.
"They are meant to be together, right?"
"I think so, Chairman."
"I miss that boy who used to play with me, but I don't think it will take long to get our old Artit back."
The old man slowly relaxed his clenched hand.
"I miss my daughter."
He hid his sorrow behind a calm face, while Artit already understood—but chose to pretend otherwise.
After that, Toffee met the family members one by one. Artit's family was large—more than fifty members, including those who worked there.
While a loud voice came from a distance.
Panting…
"Kids, when did you come?"
"Uncle Chai… Toffee, this is my uncle—my mother's older brother."
"Sawasdee khrap, I am—"
"Toffee," Uncle Chai interrupted. "I know. How could I not know?"
"You're sweating, Uncle…" Toffee said with concern.
"That's because I ran when I heard you were here."
Uncle Chai thought to himself, "I already told your grandfather to move to the city. I can't keep running around this house like this anymore. I'm getting old…"
"Are you guys leaving today?"
"Yes… we'll leave in the evening."
"Really? Then why did you even come?" Uncle Chai lightly hit Artit's shoulder, complaining as they walked toward the dining area.
As the lights brightened every corner, the sound of talking and laughter filled the place.
After dinner, Artit and Toffee prepared to leave after meeting the grandfather and the other family members.
Uncle Chai walked with them to where Artit's car was parked.
"Artit, you need to tell me beforehand. Toffee, you should tell me if he forgets."
"Khrap, Then we're leaving…"
"Go, take care." He opened the door for Toffee.
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Okay, drive safe, Artit."
Looking at Toffee, he added, "When you have time, come here, son. We're planning to visit your house soon. I'll inform you before we come."
"Khrap…"
As the car moved, Uncle Chai watched them.
"I'm glad you finally found him."
"He even changed Artit." He sighed, staring into the distance. "My daughter… Does she even know I'm alive? I miss my dear daughter..."
His phone suddenly vibrated.
He took it out of his pocket and checked it.
A photo appeared—his daughter was driving, while on the passenger seat a man looked half unconscious.
"Shit… did she kidnap him? When did she leave the temple?"
He looked at the image again, eyes widening.
"Wait… isn't that Mix?"
Another photo popped up, this time clearer.
With a caption—
Finally found him… I'm going. Don't forget your daughter.
"When I found out I had a daughter, I thought I was the happiest man in the world. Now I regret it. Did I do something wrong in my past life…?"
"Hang in there, Mix. You got this... "
He let out a heavy sigh, exhausted, and leaned his head back toward the vast sky.
Inside the car…
"Baby, here—drink some water."
"How did you know, Hia, that I'm thirsty?"
"You know, before coming here, I already gathered enough energy. They're all too talkative—and crazier than you think."
Toffee laughed. "I like that they talk a lot… but what's hard is how they kept giving me deeds one by one. Hia, I think I'm richer than you now…"
"But I'm upset with someone who didn't even have time to look at me."
"Hia, don't sulk… How can I, when I am talking to them?"
"Still…"
"Wow… I never thought I'd see this side of you, Hia…" Toffee laughed again.
"But where are we going…?" Toffee turned and looked out the window.
"Hia, open the window."
The wind brushed through Toffee's hair, briefly blocking his view as Artit slowed the car.
The sun slowly sank into the sea, casting a mysterious shimmer across the water.
Toffee could finally see the ocean clearly. He leaned toward the window, taking in the view.
Then he turned to Artit.
"Hia, are we staying there?" he asked, pointing at a resort.
Artit nodded.
"We'll be alone now…" Artit whispered.
A smile slowly formed on Toffee's face as he admired the sea.
Overwhelmed with happiness, he leaned in and kissed Artit's cheek.