𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲

𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑚𝑦 𝑋 𝑎𝑐𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑘𝑦𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑖 𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑠. 𝑋 - _𝐩𝐫𝐭𝐭𝐲𝐯𝐱𝐥𝐚𝐧_

The Theerapanyakun ballroom glowed like a palace pulled from a dream. Crystal chandeliers spilled light like liquid gold across polished marble floors. Every corner glittered-ivory drapes cascading down from gilded ceilings, roses and orchids arranged in towering vases, the scent of luxury heavy in the air.

A string quartet filled the room with music that hummed beneath the chatter of businessmen, politicians, celebrities, and the country's most powerful families. Even the President himself had made an appearance, a subtle reminder of just how untouchable the Theerapanyakuns were.

Vegas moved like a shadow of control through the crowd, exchanging handshakes, offering smiles laced with calculation. Clara and her daughters lingered in a far corner, their jeweled gowns catching the light as they whispered among themselves. Conversations rose and fell in rhythm-until the sharp creak of the second-floor doors silenced everything.

Every head turned upward.

And there they were.

Sky and Nani.

Descending hand in hand like they owned the world. Matching suits-sharp, tailored perfection. The cut of Nani's jacket hugged his waist like it was made for him alone, while Sky's dark suit carried the quiet power of a man born to rule. On Nani's finger, diamonds blazed like starlight, while Sky's hand bore a ring of simple elegance that somehow spoke louder than gold.

A soft smile touched Sky's lips, measured and restrained, but enough to send murmurs through the crowd. Beside him, Nani grinned wide and unrepentant, his beauty dazzling beneath the chandeliers, the ring on his finger catching the light like a crown jewel.

The world seemed to hold its breath.

The heir of the Theerapanyakuns, the spoiled prince of the Hirunkits-together, stepping into the ballroom as if the night itself had been built for them.

And perhaps it had.

A ripple of whispers swept through the ballroom like a tide.

"They look like royalty...""Diamonds on his hand? Bold.""That's the Theerapanyakuns for you. Even the President stands to greet them.""Truly a perfect match... though some will choke on that truth."

Eyes followed their every step, admiration dripping into envy, envy into hushed gossip. Some whispered about power, others about beauty, but all of it circled back to the undeniable fact-Sky and Nani were untouchable, together.

Sky carried himself with an ease born of dominance, shaking hands, offering polite nods, the controlled smile never leaving his lips. Every politician wanted his ear, every businessman wanted his time. Vegas watched with satisfaction from a distance, knowing his son already had the room in the palm of his hand.

But while Sky was the center of attention-Nani was burning.

He sat poised at their table, legs crossed, diamond ring flashing with every irritated flick of his fingers. He watched Sky glide from guest to guest, his laugh quiet but charming, the kind of laugh that used to be reserved for him alone. His jaw tightened. He hated this. He hated the way people touched Sky's arm when speaking to him, hated how Sky didn't immediately look back at him.

When Sky finally returned to the table, Nani tilted his head, a sweet smile plastered over lips hiding fire."You seem very busy, love," Nani said softly, almost purring, though his eyes were sharp. "I was starting to wonder if I should book an appointment just to get your attention tonight."

Sky's brow arched, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Jealous already?" he teased, sliding into the seat beside him.

Nani leaned closer, his perfume intoxicating, his voice a whisper meant only for Sky. "Don't test me. You know I don't share." His hand brushed against Sky's thigh beneath the table, nails grazing lightly through the fabric, a silent warning. "Not your smile. Not your time. Not you."

Sky chuckled, low and amused, though his gaze softened at the fire in Nani's eyes. "You're adorable when you're possessive."

Nani scoffed, leaning in until his lips brushed the shell of Sky's ear. "I'm not adorable. I'm deadly. Don't make me prove it."

Sky's fingers caught his chin, turning Nani's face to him, their eyes locking. The tension melted into something heavier, magnetic. The noise of the ballroom dimmed, and for a moment, it was just them.

"Careful, little one," Sky murmured with that dangerous calm of his. "If you bite too hard, I might bite back."

Nani grinned, sharp and bright, the diamonds on his hand glinting as he let his palm slide higher up Sky's thigh. "That's the point."

The ballroom glittered with lights, laughter, and clinking glasses. Sky stood composed, speaking with the Chief of Police, his tone calm, respectful, commanding without effort.

"And here," the Chief said with a gesture, "is one of our promising agents recently transferred to Bangkok-Agent Ohm Pawat."

Sky extended his hand, his expression polite but sharp, assessing. Ohm grasped it firmly, eyes steady, though there was a flicker of something restless in his gaze.

Before Sky could speak, a familiar voice laced with honey cut through the noise.

"Honey?"

Sky turned, and there was Nani, gliding toward them, white suit gleaming under the chandeliers, his presence impossible to ignore. He slipped into Sky's side, hand brushing his arm casually-yet possessive enough for anyone with eyes to notice.

"Papa Pete is looking for you," Nani said sweetly, though his eyes lingered on Sky's face more than the words themselves. He turned slightly to leave, and that was when his gaze fell on Ohm. His eyes widened, recognition flashing like lightning.

"Ohm Pawat, isn't it?" Nani said smoothly, tilting his head, his voice carrying both surprise and amusement.

Ohm stiffened, chest tightening at the sound of his name spoken by Nani's lips. He hadn't realized... he hadn't known this was the engagement he was stepping into. All the rumors, the whispers-it hadn't clicked until now. And now that it did, it hurt more than he could rationalize.

"Yes," Ohm managed, his eyes locked on Nani, unable to look away. Admiration bled through, unhidden, no matter how he tried to school his features.

Sky's eyes flickered from Nani's retreating figure to Ohm, his brow lifting ever so slightly as he caught the way Ohm was still watching.

There was an edge to his smirk as he asked, "So... you know him, Nani?"

"At the last seminar before finals," Nani replied smoothly.Nani's lips curled into a polite smile, masking something deeper, and he turned back to Sky.

"I'll go to Papa Pete. Don't make him wait too long," he murmured, his hand brushing Sky's wrist for a moment before pulling away.

Sky's eyes narrowed, catching the way Ohm's stare followed Nani, unblinking, almost reverent. He didn't say anything more, but his silence carried a weight, a warning. Then, with his usual composure, he turned back to the Chief.

But the thought lingered.

And Ohm's chest-tight, aching-knew one truth in that moment. He was too late.

Papa Pete's voice rose over the hum of chatter, sharp enough to turn heads from the nearby tables."Pooh! What he is doing sitting in the corner like that? Not drinking, not mingling, just-" his eyes narrowed, "-sticking his face into that iPad again. Does he think this is a lab or a party?"

Nani, standing beside him, tried-and failed-to hide the laughter bubbling up in his throat. His hand came up quickly to cover his mouth, but his shoulders shook.

Sky, arriving just in time to witness the scene, shook his head with a sigh. "Papa, you know he's not a social person."

"That's not an excuse!" Pete snapped, waving his hand dramatically. "At least try to talk with someone! You-" he jabbed a finger in the air toward the bar where Pooh sat, eyes glued to his reports, "-you're already engaged and soon to be married. Your big brother already told me he's seeing someone and will bring him to your wedding. And what is our younger one doing? Stuck between the lab, home, and football field, nothing else!"

"Papa..." Nani finally managed through his grin, his tone indulgent. "Calm down. Pooh will be just fine once he meets the right one."

Sky nodded, agreeing with a soft hum. "Exactly."

But Papa wasn't done, his lecture flowing without pause. "Still, at least he should try! If people approach him, he doesn't have to glare like they're criminals. What kind of Theerapankyun gives side-eyes at an engagement party?"

Sky's lips quirked faintly, but he cut in before the scolding spiraled. "You guys continue. I'll join later." His voice was calm, but something in his eyes had shifted.

Nani, curious, raised his brows and subtly followed the direction Sky had glanced toward before leaving.

The crowd blurred together in fine suits and glittering gowns, but there-half-hidden in the corner of the ballroom-was a gaze he knew all too well.

Even through the disguise of gray contact lenses, Nani recognized those eyes instantly.

His lips curved into a small, knowing smile just as the person tilted their head, a wink tossed his way like a spark in the dark. And then, as if summoned by the very air, the figure turned and began climbing the staircase, disappearing upstairs.