Chapter 39

After got off the company, they arrived at their favorite café, a cozy spot where they had run into each other countless times before, and yet, it always felt like a new beginning. The familiar scent of coffee and pastries greeted them as they stepped inside.

Sky looked over at Nani, his heart fluttering just a little as he reached out and gently took his hand. His voice was soft, a little hesitant as he spoke.

"Nani" Sky started "about Chimon... Can I help too? I don't want to deal with it alone."

Nani smiled, but there was something guarded in his eyes. He knew Sky meant well, but this was his mess to handle. He chuckled softly, his fingers tightening around Sky's hand, but his response was gentle.

"You don't need to worry about it." Nani said, his voice warm but firm.

Sky wasn't convinced. He wanted to help, but he also knew there were things Nani was trying to protect him from. He didn't push it, though. Instead, they enjoyed a light meal together, talking about everything and nothing as they always did.

When they finished eating, as they walked out of the café, Sky pulled Nani's hand, guiding him to take a walk instead of heading straight to the car.

The sun was beginning its descent, casting a soft golden glow on the streets. The world around them was busy, but it felt like it was just the two of them in that moment, walking hand in hand, quietly, with no need for words.

As they walked, Sky's thoughts drifted back to when they first met. It still amazed him how someone like Nani, with his sharp, stoic demeanor, could be walking alongside him now.

They were so different, different backgrounds, different families, different personalities, goals, and even their tastes in food. Sky was like the sunniest of days, bright and warm, while Nani was the midnight rain, cool, unpredictable, but somehow exactly what Sky needed.

The thought made Sky laugh softly to himself. Nani's eyebrow quirked at the sound, his curiosity piqued. "What's so funny?" he asked, but Sky just shook his head, his smile never fading.



They walked a little farther before spotting a flower car, and Sky stopped in his tracks, his eyes lighting up. Without a word, he approached and chose a bouquet of daisies. He turned back to Nani with a soft smile, holding them out to him.

"For you" Sky said, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Nani couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head, taking the flowers with a smile that felt like it was reserved just for Sky. The act was small, but to them, it meant everything. It was part of their quiet language of love, something they didn't need to speak aloud to understand.

Sky smiled as Nani held the daisies to his chest, feeling like this was how it was always meant to be, two completely different people, but perfect for each other in ways no one could ever understand.

As Sky was still looking through the flowers, searching for something his mom would like, a group of high school girls suddenly approached him, their eyes filled with excitement.

"Excuse me" one of them said shyly, her friends giggling behind her. "Can we have your social media? Or your number? Anything is okay!"

Sky blinked in surprise before letting out a small, amused laugh. He wasn't used to getting approached like this in such a casual setting, but he appreciated their boldness.

"I'd love to give it to you" Sky said, his voice warm and polite "but..." He trailed off, his eyes shifting toward Nani, who was standing a few steps away, casually holding the daisies Sky had just given him.

"But he won't be happy about that" Sky finished with a small smile.

The girls followed Sky's gaze and finally noticed Nani. Their eyes widened in realization, and within seconds, excited whispers filled the air.

"Oh my god!"

"Wait, are they...?"

"BL couple?! We've hit the jackpot!"

Their excitement quickly turned into silent squeals, their hands covering their mouths as they exchanged glances filled with understanding. One of them even nudged her friend, practically vibrating with joy.

Meanwhile, Nani, who had been watching the whole interaction, simply raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. He sighed, stepping closer to Sky, his presence alone enough to send a clear message.

Sky chuckled, shaking his head. "See? Told you."

The girls, still internally screaming, nodded furiously before thanking Sky and practically running off, their excitement barely contained.

As they disappeared, Sky turned to Nani with a teasing grin. "You really scared them off, huh?"

Nani shot him a glare but didn't replied. Sky laughed, reaching out to take Nani's free hand. "Possessive much?"

Nani didn't answer, but the way he squeezed Sky's hand a little tighter spoke louder than words.

--

Evening

Sky arrived at the bar, the location sent to him by Nani's staff. The place was lively, filled with people enjoying their night.

When he stepped inside, his eyes immediately found Nani at a private table. Since Nani had come earlier for a business meeting, he was still in work mode, sleeves rolled up, tie slightly loosened, sipping his drink with the weight of responsibility pressing on him.

Sky sighed dramatically as he approached. "Alright, that's enough work mode."

Nani barely glanced up, instead looking toward the company staff who were already having fun at another table. "Go have fun with them. I'll wait here."

Sky didn't argue. Instead, he slid into the seat beside Nani and, without a word, slipped something into Nani's pocket before getting up and walking over to join the others. Win and Dew were already there, and as expected, Win was the one having way too much fun.

Not long after, Prim arrived and made her way over to Nani's table. As she sat down, Nani absentmindedly reached into his pocket, feeling the small object Sky had left there. When he pulled it out, his eyes softened, a single men's earring.

Nani had always liked jewelry, especially earrings, but Sky wasn't the type to wear them as much. Prim watched her brother's reaction, the way his lips curved into a small, almost secret smile as he admired the earring. She didn't need to ask who had given it to him. She already knew.

"P'Nani, stand up, please. You're falling too deep." Prim teased, signaling the bartender for her favorite drink.

Nani didn't respond, simply slipping the earring back into his pocket with care, as if it were something precious. His fingers lingered for a second before he turned his attention back to Prim.

"Did you find it?" he asked, his voice calm but expectant.

Prim tilted her head. "Find what?" she played dumb, enjoying the rare moment of seeing her composed brother affected by something, or rather, someone.

Nani sighed, giving her a knowing look. "The wedding venue."

At that, Prim's teasing expression softened. "Of course, I did. And I made sure it's perfect." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "But are you sure about this? You know what it means once you take this step."

Nani didn't hesitate. "I've never been more sure of anything."

Prim studied him for a moment before smiling. "Then I guess it's time to plan a wedding."

"Did Mom say anything?" Nani asked.

Prim shook her head. "She only said you can get married anywhere you want, but she also wants you both to do something traditional at home."

Nani nodded, taking a slow sip of his drink as he thought it over. He had grown up abroad, so a Western wedding was what he had always pictured for himself and Sky. But if his mother wanted something traditional, he had no reason to refuse. In fact, he was more than willing especially since Sky's family might also prefer something with cultural traditions.

A small smile played at the corner of his lips. No matter how the ceremony looked, the only thing that mattered was that it was with Sky.

Prim shook her head at Nani's sudden smile, knowing exactly what he was thinking. With a quiet sigh, she reached into her bag and pulled out a small piece of paper, sliding it across the table toward him.

Nani picked it up, his brows furrowing. "What's this?"

"The address," Prim said simply. "Our father's house. In Thailand."

The moment the words left her lips, Nani's expression darkened. The warmth that had been there just seconds ago vanished, replaced by something cold and sharp. Without a word, he let the paper slip from his fingers, letting it fall onto the table as something he didn't want to touch.

Prim sighed. She understood. She and Nani had a million reasons to hate their father. A lifetime of resentment, wounds too deep to heal. But despite all of that, she couldn't ignore the weight of the situation any longer.

"Dad has cancer" she finally said, her voice softer. "He doesn't have much time left. His new family said the only thing he wants before he goes is to see us both."

Nani scoffed, his voice turning ice-cold. "And you really think it's worth it? Meeting him just because he suddenly decided he wants to?"

Prim lowered her gaze, her fingers tightening around the glass in front of her. She bit her lip before speaking again. "I know it's hard to forget what he did to us, P... but he won't be here much longer. He only wants to see us one last time. Can you at least think about it? Please?"

Nani bit the inside of his cheek, his jaw tightening as he stood up and walked outside. He needed air. Needed space. Prim stayed behind, watching her brother with a heavy heart. She didn't dare say anything else, she knew all too well how much this hurt. Some wounds never truly healed, and for them, their father was a scar that never stopped aching.

The moment he stepped out, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with steady fingers, though the fire in his chest is burning.

Nani didn't know how to feel about the news. His father, the man who abandoned his own family without a second thought, who built a new life as if they had never existed now wanted to meet them before his death?

Ridiculous.

A bitter scoff escaped his lips as he took another drag of his cigarette. The smoke curled in the cold night air, vanishing just like the years his father had stolen from them. Now, when he had nothing left, he suddenly wanted to see them? To make peace?

When they returned home, Nani immediately went to bed, hoping to escape his thoughts, to shut off the storm inside his mind. But Sky, ever observant, could sense something was off. He didn't say a word, just reached out and gently pushed Nani back into a comfortable position, guiding him to rest on his chest.

Sky's arms wrapped around Nani's body, pulling him close, offering warmth and a safe place to just be. The steady beat of Sky's heart against his ear calmed Nani's racing thoughts, even if just for a moment.