Chapter 3: Saved by Gem

Dunk parked his car in front of his parent's three storied luxury mansion in Sathorn, Bangkok. It was a centrally located house and the envy of many, however, for his dad Tay Tawan, acquiring this property had been just like acquiring any of the hundreds of hotel chains he owned: just another business project to boast to his competitors just how powerful he was.

If it wasn't for his father New, he was pretty sure his Dad would've become like one of those arrogant dads in Thai lakorns who kept their daughters locked up in their rooms so they didn't fall in love with a lower class man and arranged her marriage with some equally rich, arrogant prick. Thankfully, they didn't have any sisters. 

Dunk only had two younger brothers. But being a member of the Nimtawat family was never easy. It came with a lot of responsibilities and they always had to appear 'perfect' in front of the numerous press conferences that were always being held in one of their father's five star hotels.

"Su su na, Dunk." He said to himself as he let out a huge sigh, his whole body still aching and his head still pounding like someone was sitting inside it, drilling a hole into his brain. "If Dad and Pa are home, then I'm royally screwed."

He didn't see the Porsche that his Dad usually drove to work, so it was safe to say that he was probably already at work, considering it was almost ten in the morning. However…he wasn't so sure about his Pa New.

He got out of the car and locked it before stealthily heading inside the house.

The living area was clear of any people, so he stepped inside and shut the door behind him, looking around to see if anyone would notice. But just as he thought that the cost was clear, his Pa's voice rang out from the dining room, right opposite to the living area.

"Where have you been all night?"

Dunk paused, wincing because he knew a lecture was incoming. "Sawadee…Pa." He gave a nervous laugh. "You haven't gone to work yet?"

New came out into the living area, dressed in a navy blue T-shirt and dark blue pants with a jacket of similar color slung over one arm. "Dunk, did you forget that you had to come with us today? For the International Dessert Workshop at our hotel in Thong Lor?"

"Shiaaa!" Dunk cussed before placing his hands in front of his face; his eyes widening in embarrassment as he looked at his Pa in horror.

The Dessert workshop! How could he have forgotten? It was an important day! And he had totally screwed up! He knew that his dad was going to be furious with him!

"Don't worry; you won't get grounded this time." Pa New shook his head calmly as he walked closer to place a hand on his eldest son's shoulders. "Luckily, Gemini was up early this morning and he offered to go with your Dad. You're luck he's such a nice and obedient kid. And about to be a doctor too. Someone's gotta save the medical bills when the rest of you keep raising your dad's BP."

With that, New gave a pat to Dunk's hair before he exited through the door, leaving Dunk in the middle of the living room, astounded and partially scared of what he might have to face when his father's got home later that night.

Not wasting any time, he ran upstairs to his room and slammed the door shut, before diving into his bed and screaming his lungs out into his pillow.

Could the day have gotten any worse? He asked himself. And it was just ten in the freaking morning! How much worse was it going to get?

He owed Gemini big time, and knowing his brother, he was probably going to ask him to buy him tickets to a Jeff Satur concert…expensive VIP ones…so not only was his reputation going to take a hit, but so was his wallet. And he had been saving up that allowance to get something for his birthday.

Something that he wanted and not something that his parents thought was necessary for him.

He sat up in bed, feeling drained and exhausted, and wondering exactly how hammered he had gotten last night that he couldn't even remember having sex with his enemy, Joong. But his body remembered and it was aching all over. He definitely needed a hot shower to take care of the sore muscles.

'Ai Hiaa, Joong! How rough were you with me? You're an animal!'

Sighing, he got out of bed in preparation to take a long, hot bath. He placed his hands inside his pockets to take out his car keys and place it on the bedside table, but as he was doing so, he decided to check on his other pocket…and much to his surprise…his hands touched something that hadn't been there last night, when he had gone to the party.

Curiously, he took it out of his pockets, only to drop it onto the floor as his eyes widened in horror. "The fuck!"

It was a condom pack…and it was empty…

Fucking hell! How many times had they done it last night? No wonder he was sore as hell!

Ai Joong! You really are an animal!

"Hia!" 

Just then, the door to his room burst open as his younger brother Phuwin called out to him, looking like he was in a hurry. 

"Phu?" Dunk kicked the empty box under his bed quickly, so that his younger brother wouldn't see it. "What are you doing here?"

"Oho, Hia, didn't you hear me calling you a thousand times already?" Phuwin puffed his cheeks in annoyance. "I'm late for Uni and I have a flat tire. Can I borrow your car?"

Dunk looked at his car keys and then back at Phuwin skeptically. Normally, he would offer to drive his brother, but today he was utterly exhausted. He didn't want to risk going to the University and then coming back again because he had taken a day off so he could attend the Workshop.

"Here." He threw the keys at Phuwin, who caught it mid-air. "I'll take care of your tire for you."

"Khob Khun na Hia," Phuwin waved at his older brother, about to turn and leave for Uni, but Dunk stopped him.

"Diao, Diao." Dunk walked up to the door so he could talk to Phuwin without raising his voice, even though no one was at home at that moment. "When do you get home from Uni today?"

"Around four in the afternoon." Phuwin looked at his brother in confusion. "Is there something wrong? Do you need the car before then?"

"Mai…" He gave him a little smile. "Let's go to the Workshop together this evening. To cheer for Gem. It's his first big event."

Phuwin raised his eyebrows. "Which should've been yours. Are you sure you don't just want to go because you're feeling guilty?"

"A little." Dunk admitted sheepishly. "That's why I want us all to go. As a family."

Phuwin pretended to think about it before nodding his head. "Okay." He smiled. "Let's go. But pick out a suit for me to change into, or we won't have enough time before the event."

"Gotcha." Dunk waved his brother goodbye as he watched him skip down the stairs.

Yes, he did want to go because he was feeling a bit guilty about leaving Gemini to face the event alone. He had only just turned nineteen and had a lot on his plate, but still he never once complained about what was being thrown at him.

But today, Gemini had saved him from their father's anger and he was grateful for that. And as the older brother, he wanted to be there as he hosted the event.

He knew Gem was a perfectionist and would never complain or ask for help. But that was one of his virtue as well as his disadvantages. But everyone loved Gemini nonetheless.

And that's why; he needed to be there to support him…after he took a long, hot shower and possibly an even longer nap.