Chapter 03 - This Is Our Little Secret

Ohm's POV

"Drake, have you ever kissed your best friend?" I asked Drake. We were having lunch at the cafetaria. "Huh? What do you mean?" Drake looked curious. "*gasp*, don't tell me...don't tell me... you... you wanted to kiss me?" He pretended to be shocked. I slapped his head with a tray. "Are you out of your mind?" Drake always joked around like this. It's no use asking him a serious questions. "Hmm, I never kissed any of my friends if that's what you asked." he explained. "But a friend of mine kissed his best friend, on the lips, isn't that weird?" I asked him. "Of course that's weird, are you sure they're just friend? Maybe they're in a relationship?" he tried to make a point. "No, he said they're just friends." I explained. "That can only mean one thing then" Drake made a hand gesture like this 👉🏻👌🏻. Gross. "Meaning?" I tried to made sure. "Meaning they're friends with benefit. Friends that hooked up on the side. That's the only possible explanation." He made a good point. So Nanon and Sea are hooking up. I tried to imagine them actually kissing and hooking up, and I slammed the table hard, surprising everyone around me. I left the cafetaria and head back to class.

In the evening, Nanon arrived and we continued our study session. I couldn't concentrate at all. I'm super curious about his relationship with Sea but I can't ask him the question without it being weird in the end. I mean, he can hook up with whoever he want, that's his business. I just couldn't see Nanon as the type who likes to sleep around. But what did I know. In the end, Nanon had to explain multiple times because I keep saying "huh". "Really Ohm, what happened to you? Is there something wrong? You can't concentrate, you can't answer the simple questions, and you keep saying 'huh'. Come on, what's on your mind?" He started to get impatient. "Nothing, I'm just a little bit tired, that's all." I gave him an excuse. In the end, I still can't focus on his explanation. He got fed up in the end and we decided to call it a night. I didn't drive him home today. I'm just not in the mood, so he ordered an online taxi and left.

Later that night, after Nanon went home, he texted me.

N : ohm i forget to tell you

N : i can't tutor you tomorrow

O : why

N : busy

O : doing what

N : nosy

O : tell me

N : no

O : meet up with sea?

N : ???

N : none of your business??

O : so it's true

N : no?? 

O : i can't believe it

O : you're going to ditch me because of him

O : hurt

N : huh??

N : are you okay

N : you're being weird

N : ohm?

O : 😭

N : okay, got it. Hotel A 7pm. Nanon'll be there. 

N : *message deleted*

N : sorry, wrong text

N : study on your own tomorrow

N : see you

N : bye

Okay, I already read the text before he deleted it. Hotel A?? 7pm?? What's he up too? I'm curious now. Hotel A is that five star hotel in the heart of the city. It's one of the most luxurious hotel in the country. Why would Nanon go there? Maybe I should go check on him. Hmm, should I go, should I not go. Hmm.

(Tomorrow evening) I sat around in my apartment, deciding what to do. On one hand, it's definitely 100% not my business, and I'm becoming a nosy bitch, intervening in someone else's business. On the other hand, this is Nanon, and I'm super curious of what's going to happen. Is he going to meet up with Sea? But why at the hotel, though. They can just hooked up at Sea's apartment. "Or maybe he's about to hook up with someone else?" My blood boiled just from imagining Nanon kissing someone else. "I have to stop him." So in the end, my curiousity won. I drove to the hotel A where Nanon said he's going to be. 

I arrived at the hotel, park my car, and wait in the lobby. I looked at my watch, it's almost 7 now, so Nanon is going to arrive anytime soon. I sit on the sofa. From here, I can see the entrance. Nanon finally arrived a little while later. He dressed up real nice. With that suit, and look at that shoes. All branded items. Wow, does he look real nice. And then I noticed something. He's not alone. He's with someone around my dad's age. Someone old enough to be his dad. And then the old man draped his arm around Nanon's shoulder. They smiled, and laughed. And the old man kissed Nanon's cheek. Oh my God, I know what this is all about. He's going to sell his body to that old man. I have to stop him.

Nanon's POV

Today is my dad's birthday, and we're going to celebrate at the hotel. I waited for my dad to pick me up. We were supposed to meet at the hotel. I planned on ordering an online taxi, but dad texted me that he's going to pick me up. Dad arrived around 6.30pm. Dad got off the car and hugged me. "Where's pa?" I asked dad. "He's still at his office, finishing some works. He's going to meet us at the restaurant." he said. We entered the car and dad's driver drove us to the hotel. "You know, I really am uncomfortable with you living on your own, you should just go back home and live with me." he tried to convince me. "Hmm. Nanon kind of enjoy it. Turns out it's fun. Really, dad. And also....your bet, you almost lost, right?" We laughed. "Yes, I bet you won't last 6 months, and it's almost time's up." I pouted. "But I really missed you. I mean, I'm worried about you everyday. Do you eat right? Can you sleep at night? Are you cold? Do you have any friends? We used to talk everyday, but now we're just texting. Dad's sad and worry, you know." He hugged me real tight. I know my dad loves me very much. I'm his youngest, and I kind of grow attached to him since my mom left us to be with someone else when I was still at a very young age.

We arrived at the hotel. My dad put his arm around my shoulder and we walked to the elevator. The restaurant is at the rooftop. It has a nice cozy atmosphere, and p'Tay closed the whole restaurant just for tonight's event. But it was just a family dinner, just dad, pa, me, my brothers, grand dads, and my uncles and cousins, and some of dad's friends. Just an intimate dinner. Dad also asked me to invite Sea, but he couldn't come because he has deadline for his homework. 

We were walking and chatting, heading to the lift, and suddenly someone grabbed me from behind. I got startled and turned around. It's Ohm. "Nanon, please don't do it." he said. "Huh?" I'm confused. "I know you need money but don't do it." he continued. Again, "huh?". "You're going to sell your body to this man, right?" Whaattt.. "It's bad enough that you hooked up with Sea, now you're whoring yourself out? You know I can lend you, no, give you money if you ever need it. Just tell me how much, I'm going to transfer it to you right now." He won't stop talking. "Nanon, what's he talking about? You're whoring yourself out?" dad joined the conversation. "Wait... YOU hooked up with Sea?" he's so shocked. "Okay, that's it, you're going home. No more living on your own. This was a big mistake." Dad got mad. "Wait. What's happening? I'm not... you're not... what???" Okay, now I'm dizzy. And as if it's not enough, suddenly p'Jimmy appeared from behind me. "What's going on? Why is everybody here?" he asked. "Nanon's hooking up with Sea" dad answered. Okay, why would he said that. "He did what now? You hooked up with my boyfriend? Nanon how could you? I thought he said it's just a friendly peck on the lips" now p'Jimmy's upset too. "That's what I thought too. Turns out they were hooking up behind us. And also, Nanon is whoring out his body because he needs money. Nanon, that's not a right thing to do. Just go home, okay, I'll give you back your credit cards, all of them." Okay, dad's crazy. I don't know what's happening around me. "Whaatt.. No way. Nanon, why? You know I can give you money if you ever need it. How much do you need, I can transfer it to you right now. Don't whore yourself out, that's not a good thing to do. Dad, I told you he's too spoiled to live on his own. Look at what's happening now. Pa is going to be very disappointed when he heard about this." P'Jimmy is crazy too. And it's all because of Ohm. Everyone started shouting, and yelling. Something about stupid rule, how can dad do like this, and stuffs. I can't take it anymore. "EVERYBODY JUST BE QUIET....!!!!!!" I shouted. Everyone went silent.

I took a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Okay. "Okay, everyone stay quiet while I explained. Don't say another word, got it?" They all nodded. "Okay, first thing first. Ohm, this gentleman here is my dad. And this is p'Jimmy, my step brother, AND Sea's boyfriend. Do you get that clear?" Ohm nodded. "Second, dad, I'm not whoring myself out. I never whore myself out, and I never will. You need to trust me, I didn't do anything like that. Got it?" dad nodded. "P'Jimmy, IT is just a friendly peck on the lips, and I never hooked up with Sea either. I mean, why would I hooked up with him. Eeww.. Are we clear?" He nodded. I turned to Ohm. "And you, you crazy son of a bitch, where did you actually got the idea of me hooking up with Sea? And worse, whoring?? Really, you motherfucker, you almost ruined my life, you know, saying something like that in front of my dad. MY DAD." he was about to say something, but I cut him off. "No, this is my turn to talk. You shut your damn mouth and listen. I can't believe you ever thought of me like that. First you thought I was a low life creature, and now you thought I was a whore. Fuck, Ohm, you a brain damaged son of a bitch." I almost ran out of breath shouting to him. "Are you done? Can I say something now?" He grabbed my shoulders. "Okay, go ahead." I wanted to hear his explanation. "Wait, wait. Dad, you and p'Jimmy can go to the restaurant first, I'll join you guys later." I told dad. "Oh no, I'm staying, this is so much more interesting than my party. Tay couldn't find an entertainment like this." He looked amused. Really dad? Really? I waved him off.

Ohm started talking. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry because I said something harsh when we were arguing. I'm sorry it just slipped through my mouth. I never thought of you as someone from low social status or something like that. I'm not that kind of person, and I'm sorry. I'd like to bury this matter into the ground once and for all. Can we please not talk about this ever again?" I nodded. I wanted to bury this old matter anyway. "About Sea, I'm sorry. I never saw a friendship like yours and him, the one where you guys kissed on the lips, so I kind of just assumed that you two are friends with benefits, you know, the one that...do it on the side. Again, I'm sorry." Okay, so Ohm is not the first person who thought my friendship with Sea is weird. Even p'Jimmy thought that we were in a relationship when he first saw us, that's why he didn't pursue Sea up until now. But we don't care, this is our friendship, nothing else matters. "Last, about you selling your body. That was 100% false accusation. I would like to deeply apologize for that. It's just that, I care about you so much, you know. That's why I run and tried to stop you from making a wrong choice. You're my friend, and I care about you." Okay, should I be happy or sad? He care about me, but as a friend? Shit, now my heart hurts. "Mister, I would like to deeply apologize to you because I accused your son of selling his body. I'm deeply very sorry I disturbed your evening, and I hope you could forgive me. Oh, and I wish you a happy birthday. I'm gonna excuse myself now" he started to leave. "Wait" it was my dad. "Do you want to join us for dinner?" Again, "huh?". 

Ohm's POV

Okay, I really have no idea what came over me. When I thought Nanon was going to sell his body, I got so mad, my blood boiled. I know that's none of my business, but I really don't like it. I know I was wrong but I couldn't helped it. I couldn't just let it go. And the next thing I know I grabbed him and started rambling, causing everything to went south. But I'm glad we can clear all that up. Now there's no more misunderstanding between us. So I ended up joining Nanon and his dad for his birthday dinner. This is where I got confused. Cause turns out, Nanon IS rich. Turns out, his father is the owner of hotel A, which means he's the owner of "A" group, which means he's the owner of A hospital, and A hotel group, and A supermarket and a lot more. But if Nanon is his son, how come I never heard of him before. Really confusing. "Ohm, is everything alright?" Nanon asked me, waving his hand in front of my face. "Yeah, I'm fine." I looked at him. Now I see the resemblance between him and his dad. Nanon joked around with his dad and his brothers. "Okay, dad almost lost the bet, so who's still in the pool?" Nanon asked. P'Jimmy, p'Tay (Nanon's brother) and 2 other persons raised their hand. "Okay, if I can outlast 4 of you, the money is mine. New shoes, here I comeee.." they laughed. "What are you guys betting?" I asked Nanon. "Oh, they bet about me living alone, how I'm going to come home crying because I can't live by myself." he smiled. "But I'm going to proof to them that I can live by myself. So far so good." he smiled. "Whose turn is this after dad?" he asked. "It's my turn" p'Jimmy said. "You're going to lose" Nanon challenged him. "I'm going to fill your apartment with roaches and rats so you can't live there." P'Jimmy joked around. "Pa, p'Jimmy's teasing me again" he told who I assumed is his stepdad. "Jimmy, leave your baby brother alone." Nanon stuck his tongue out to p'Jimmy, and p'Jimmy hugged him and ruffled his hair. They both laughed. He's so darn cute. Okay, one thing about his family. It's warm. They're not like your typical rich family. You know, we're usually very strict with rules and stuffs. But his family is different. For example, Nanon didn't hesitate when he hug his dads or brothers, so I guess skinship is a common thing in his family. I like it. 

We finished dinner, and it's getting kind of late. I asked Nanon if he wanted to go home with me. He said yes. We waved his family good night.  We entered the car and drove off from the parking lot. "Sooo..." I tried to open the conversation. "I know. You must have a lot of questions in your head. Which one do you want to know first?" he asked me. "How many are your family members?" That's a very weird questions, but I really wanna know. "Hmm. From my side, my dad and two brothers. You've met my oldest brother p'Tay today, he's the owner of the restaurant, and he also managed the hotel. And I have an older brother named p'Joss, but he couldn't attend today because he has some work overseas. But his girlfriend attended, you know, her name is p'Namtan. And then we have my pa, p'Jimmy, and my oldest brother p'Luke and his girlfriend p'Mook. Sea couldn't attend because of his homework deadline. Sea and p'Jimmy just started dating, but he's my bestest friend so he got invited too." he looked excited when he explained his family to me. "Should I tell you more?" he asked. "There's more?" I'm surprised. "Well, there's my mom, I mean, my biological mom. But she doesn't want anything to do with me or my brothers. Said she's not build to be a mother. Funny, she said that after three kids." he sounded bitter. "What about yours?" he asked me. "Well, definitely not as big as yours. It's only my dad, my older brother, and me. My mom already passed away, so I don't have one. I also don't have a stepdad, or stepmom." And my dad and my older brother is not on speaking term right now. But I don't need to tell him that. We went silent for a second. "Okay. So, how do I say this. You're rich. Turns out you're rich. No wonder you can operate a luxury car like it's nothing. Why do you live like that? I mean, at first I thought it was because your dad didn't love you or shit, but then I saw it you guys are pretty close." I started rambling. "Well, our family has rules that when you go to college, you have to try living on your own, to value more about life and money. But it's not mandatory. That's why dad offered me to move back in to the house. Everyone always saw me as a spoiled little brat, daddy's favorite son, who won't be able to live on his own without daddy's money and credit cards to support him. That's why the bet exists. But it's okay, I can live on my own. It's just, sometimes it gets lonely." he smiled. "And no one knows about this?" I asked. "No one knows, except for Sea, of course, because we've been friends for so long. But nobody else was supposed to know. Not even Perth. But now you know. Please don't tell anyone." he looked at me. "Okay, this is our little secret. Just the two of us." I showed him my pinky, and he accepted it. We pinky promise. "I like it, the secret." He smiled and I blushed. Luckily it's dark so he can't see me. 

To Be Continued...