37 - Take a move

Macau's POV

"Hurry, babe! I say as I take my clothes off."

"Easy, let me turn on the shower. This bathroom is curious... it has a display for music and lights."

"Your bathroom looks like a nightclub. Nice! Where are you?!"

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you yet..." Arm looks around his bathroom... "I think this room was adapted for us to stay in it "

"Take off your clothes and get in the shower"

"Okay..."

"You look so sexy... " Water running down my boyfriend's perfect body turns me on right away. He looks like a Thai version of a Greek God.

"Thanks..." Arm gets shy...Now what?"

Oh... now what?!...good question...damn...now what?!

Think, Macau... what would hia do now?! I've heard my brother talking to Phi dirty things a few times...so embarrassing. Oh, I already know!

"Hey Arm...sit on the edge of the tub" The shower is above the ordinary tub.

"Oh...okay..."

"Good...can you put the phone somewhere facing you? I need to see your whole body"

"Uh....let me think...right!...done. Is this ok?!"

"Perfect...Sit down again...quick"

"Okay, bossy boy" Arm smiles at me.

I'm Theerapanyakul, what can I do?!

Oh, Wow...he looks soooo fine...

"What do you want from me now, naughty boy...?!" Arm gives me a teasing look...

"Spread your legs for me, babe"

"...uh?..."

"...w-what...?!"

Did I say something wrong?!

Ow! Damn...I'm an idiot...

"No!No!Never mind! I'll do it! I'll do it! Let's keep going..."

Come on, Macau say something lewd...uh...hmm...but what?!

Awkward silence

"...Uh..." Arm looks down slightly, closing his legs tight and hiding his core with his hands... "I'm sorry, Macau..."

Damn...I think I've just killed the mood for us...

"It was my fault ..."

"Do not blame yourself. It was just unexpected. I'm the one to blame...I just realized that I'm not being considerate of you... I still haven't opened myself up to the possibility of... you know... it's natural that you want to put..., you know..."

"No! This is not the case! I swear I..."

"It's fine, Macau, really..."

"Please, give me another try! I know I can bring our mood back!"

"KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!"

Arm looks at the door.

"Pete?!"

"ARM, I need to use the bathroom right now!!It's an emergency!"

"Oh...sure!" Arm looks back at me. "I'm sorry, kid...we can talk tomorrow again, okay?!I'll call you."

"Nonono..."

"Hey, Macau...?!"

"...don't hang up! Please!"

"Good night, babe...dream of me."

He hung up the phone.

Shit.

Please God of dreams (is there such a thing?! Oh! Whatever!)... Please God of dreams... make it wet....

Arm's POV

I put my phone on the tabletop, I wrapped a towel around my waist and opened the door.

"Hey, Pete! My phone!"

Pete walked into the bathroom in such a hurry, I couldn't get my cell phone off the sink"

Pete kicked me out.

"Pete! Pete! Are you there?! Get that phone right now, Pete!" A bossy voice echoed through the room. Bossier than Macau's.

"Khun Vegas?!"

I pick up Pete's phone lying on the floor next to his bed.

"Why the hell do you have Pete's phone? Where is he? Why are you naked?"

Khun Vegas asks me angrily, being more naked than I am.

"I just got out of the shower. Pete went into the bathroom. I think he accidentally dropped his phone."

"Right."

Khun Vegas sighs in annoyance as he wipes his hands with tissues.

I suspect he and Pete just...

"Khun Vegas..."

"What..."

Come on, Arm...just ask him...

"Well...I do like Macau a lot and...I was wondering..."

"Spit it out."

"Ahem...I'd like to be a better partner to him...a better LOVER..."

"I think Pete can advise you better than me how to sexually please Macau, since you both are bottoms..." Vegas says bluntly, sharing such intimate information with me.

"I'm not...that's why I'm asking you..."

Vegas stopped cleaning his hands and looked at his phone's camera.

"No way Macau is a bot..."

"Why not? Are you implying there's some kind of inferiority being a bottom?!Does Pete know your kind of thinking?!"

"No!! I mean... I'm not implying anything...its's just... Macau is more of an imposing type of guy..."

"Are you implying that Pete is a submissive guy?!"

"No!...I mean...shit...forget it!"

"Well... besides any stereotypes, it's not that a 'preference' needs to be defined forever...we are discovering ourselves as a couple...but let's say Macau is more like Pete and me like you I suppose."

"Like me? Like me how?" Vegas's face looks worried.

"...uh...a top?!"

"Nothing out of ordinary, right?!" Vegas asks me still with a serious face.

"Hmm...no...I guess...out of ordinary how?!"

"Never mind." He sighs.

"Can you help me?!I'm not that experienced...I'd like to make him happy and satisfied with me."

"Are we trusted friends now?!"

"You're talking to Pete thanks to me, aren't you...sir?!?!"

"Touché." He sighs again. "Okay...listen up..."

I smile.

...

Pete's POV

I let the warm water soothe and cleanse my body.

Bloody Vegas... lewd words come out of his mouth like a spell I can't break free from.

His tone of voice makes my body shiver...his facial expression makes me melt...

Vegas is pure sin.

I couldn't hold back.

I ran to the bathroom, putting Arm out.

After taking a shower, I see Arm's phone ringing.

I don't remember where I left my phone.

It's a video call.

Is Vegas calling Arm to get more information on where we are?

I answer the video call

"Hi..."

"Phi?!"

"Macau?!"

"Is Phi with Arm in the bathroom?" Macau asks in an apprehensive tone

"Of course not! He's outside. He forgot his phone in the bathroom"

"Oh!...Good!...are you ok?!We were worried about you two!"

"We're fine. But you shouldn't have come with Vegas, Macau."

"Hia takes care of Phi. I take care of Arm." Macau says resolute.

"Mhmm...you always take good care of Arm indeed. Do you want to talk with him?"

"Actually...I think I need some advice from you, Phi"

"Is there something bothering you?!"

"I wish I could be a better lover to him...intimately speaking"

"OMG! Sex talk! We haven't had this conversation yet! How can I even start?!"

I panic

"Calm down, Phi... I'm already in college, remember...?! I know where babies come from...and that Arm can't get me pregnant, don't worry."

"Ow! Okay...okay...good...so?!"

"I need to know things like...seduction games...dirty talking...this kind of stuff, you know?! ..."

Actually, I don't really know...much.

"Uhh... maybe you should have this kind of talk with your brother...He's a lot more experienced than I am..."

"Hmm...you are probably right...I'm going to talk to him right now!"

Thinking again...

"Wait! Don't!"

"..."

I don't want Macau to do to Arm exactly what Vegas does to me...it can be...terrifying..."

"Maybe I can share some knowledge about LOVE..."

"Oh! Okay!!"

...

After a good talking with Macau, I walk out of the bathroom to find Arm lying huddled on his bed, headphones on, staring intently at my phone screen.

Both almost naked, Vegas and Arm.

Disturbing thoughts crossed my mind.

"Ahem...can I get my phone back?"

I extended my hand in front of Arm who took a while to notice me there.

"Oh! Sure..." Arm took off the headphones and handed me the phone, embarrassed.

I picked up the phone to speak to Vegas.

"Vegas, I need to hang up...it's late."

"Did you have a good time in the bathroom, Pete?"

Vegas and his embarrassing questions.

"Good night"

"Wait... Hang on! Since you're going to sleep, give the phone back to Arm."

"Arm?! Why?!"

I look suspiciously at the two of them.

"In-laws talk."

Arm nods to me

"Are you guys becoming friends now?"

"Excuse me, Pete!"

Arm takes the phone from my hand, puts his headphones back on and continues to listen carefully to whatever Vegas is confidently saying.

"Okay then...good night!!" I lie down on my bed and cover myself...intrigued.

Both ignore me.

Vegas wouldn't be giving Arm sex advice, would he?!

Nahhh...he wouldn't...

...

Lian's POV (past events)

SHWAAAAAAAAAA

"Are you a fish or a rock?!"

SHWAAAAAAAAAA

"Haha"

"Haha

...

"Xiao Lian...wake up..."

"Uh!"

"Another nightmare?!...drink some water, young master."

"Thank you, aunt."

"Master requires your presence."

"..."

...

"KNOCK, KNOCK"

I walk into my grandfather's office.

"Excuse me, grandfather."

"Come closer, Lian"

"You look awful, Lian" Mei-Ling makes a disgusted face at me. "Are you not sleeping?"

"Not very well."

"Lian must be top of class like Mei-ling."

Mei-ling is 4 years older than me. She is a confident and fearless 18 years old girl. My grandfather's favorite. He nominated her The White Tower when she turned fifteen, the third in command of the white clan.

If my cousin were his direct granddaughter, she would probably be the next white king, not me. That's why I have to work hard every day to meet my grandfather's expectations.

We live by chess room rules.

Unlike other clans where families fight each other for power, in the white clan families are committed to keep balance. Since families are not necessarily blood related, this balance is maintained by restricted rules and at the expense of free will.

Those who don't fit in are dethroned.

Although my grandfather is the white king, the leader of the clan, he must guarantee white clans' interests. In fact, the entire working system of the white clan is controlled by those invisible hands of the white council. They define our lives.

Our fates are always negotiated in the chess room, which means that anyone who challenges the status quo will also find their fate in the chess room.

My grandfather needs to rebuild the white clan's command positions until his death or retirement, probably when I reach the rising age. That was the agreed terms the white clan council had given him since last dethronement.

There're missing pieces though.

"This is Tianshi, Lian."

I bow to a boy who looks about my age. I heard he came from the chess room a few years ago and has been trained and accompanied by Mei-Ling and some of my grandfather's chief bodyguards in China.

He has delicate features, but I've heard he's very skilled.

"Nice to meet you, young master Lian!" He smiles and bows to me. Tianshi looks self-confident like Mei-Ling.

I greet him back.

"Mei-Ling, take Tianshi to tour our facility."

"Yes, Master. See you later, Lian" Mei-Ling and Tianshi bow to us and leave the room.

I glance that boy one last time... something about him catches my eyes...

My grandfather gets up from his chair and looks out the window.

"Do you know the value of each piece in the white chess board, Lian?!"

"I do, grandfather."

The seriousness in which my grandfather says this strikes me.

"Each chess piece has a purpose. Do you understand this, Lian?!"

"I do."

"Good."

"Is Tianshi a member of the white clan's chess board, grandfather?"

"Yes. I named him The White Night."

"Right, grandfather..."

He turns to me.

"Do not hesitate to make difficult decisions, Lian. If you don't, someone else will do it for you. Consequences could be far worse. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I do."

"Good...very good. You may leave now."

I know this kind of consequences since I was little...will it ever change?

(Present)

"Lian?!Lian?!" Mei-ling shakes my shoulder roughly.

"What?!" I wake up.

"Were you dreaming?"

"I would say 'reliving the past with closed eyes'..."

"Damn...as if the present isn't bad enough."

"What time is it?"

"5:30 a.m. time to wake up, mister white king."

"Why are you here?"

"Because I follow your orders to the letter, Mr. Wang"

"Any news, Mrs. Lee?"

"Vegas will meet a friend tonight at De Light. Should I call Tang Yi?"

"No need...just keep watching Vegas from afar. Have you figured out how Pete and Arm came to Taipei?"

"Obviously."

"Competent as always, cousin."

"They came with..."

"Yu Ming"

"Why have you sent me to investigate it if you already knew the answer?!"

"Don't be mad...it was just a guess of mine..."

"Your close friend Jade brought Pete and Arm to Taipei on a private flight. Does he know about ...?"

"He's a jealous kid...that's all".

"A jealous kid with a great information network. He got to Pete easily, Lian."

"He wouldn't... if I didn't want him to. Unknowingly, Jade placed the pieces where I wanted them to be placed.

"Do you have a crystal ball or something to know what people are going to do?"

"No...but I study human nature a lot...and everyone around me... at the end of the day... choices taken are always the same."

"Are you predicting moves on the board wisely, cousin? Jealous kids are a lot of trouble."

"Yes, they are indeed... but we can get a good advantage over them, can't we?"

"Over Jade or Vegas?!"

"Both."

Vega's POV

"Hey! Long time no see, Vegas!"

"Hey, man...thanks for coming to see me."

"I didn't know you would be here in Taipei too. OMG, Tankhun?! Are you here too?!How are you doing?!"

"I've been better, creepy number two." Tankhun looks dissatisfied at us.

"You're still the same, Tankhun" Kamol smirks at him. "So cute." Kamol teases Tankhun, but Pol gets in front of him. He fakes an apologetic smile on behalf of his master.

"Say hi to my little brother, Kamol."

"Are you little Macau?!Do you remember me?!"

"Hey, what's up?!" Macau greets my friend his way.

"He's taller than you, Vegas! Haha"

Macau smiles widely.

"You sound like an annoying old aunt, making comparisons, Kamol."

"Don't be moody. Are you in the city for pleasure or business? Both, isn't it?!"

"For the same reason as you." I say with a smile on my face but seriousness in my tone.

Kamol narrows his eyes at me.

"Interesting. Let's go inside...I have a private room at De Light. You still remember here, don't you?"

"Sure."

Pete's POV

"What the hell is this costume, Arm?"

"Use this, Pete...no one will recognize you..."

"I asked Mr. Andy to let us wear BDSM-themed costumes tonight..."

"Is this BDSM-themed?! Are you sure it's not cosplay-themed?!"

These outfits look a lot like the kind of thing Arm used to read or watch alone in his room.

"Divine! Narong, you look soooo hot! Look at Ton! Wow! Clients will go wild!" Mr. Andy is full of praise for Arm.

"You had a fantastic idea, Narong." Ton smiles proudly at Arm.

Aren't they ashamed to be dressed as they are?!

"Hurry, Anong...are you not dressed yet?!"

"Me...wear this?!"

The three of them look at me with enthusiasm...

At last Arm got naive followers to his taste for Japanese comic books...shonen mangas...

I'm a victim here.

"Oh, Anong...you look so cute, sweetie!" Mr. Andy pinch my cheeks.

"Interesting outfit" Says a very well-dressed man, approaching us.

"Do you like it, Tang Yi!? I'm sure our customers will love it"

He looks intently at me and Arm.

From the way he looks at me, I'm pretty sure he hates this costume.

I know I hate it.

"Are these the Thai siblings you employed?"

"Yes. Narong and Anong."

We bow respectfully.

"Work Hard"

We all bow again.

"Let's go, guys...let's open the club." Mr. Andy says, following Mr. Tang Yi to his office.

Unexpectedly, as the sophisticated customers arrived, they were delighted with the attire of the nightclub staff. Many of them have chosen sexy extravagant costumes...very eye-catching.

I was surprised at how fast Mr. Andy got everything as instructed by my otaku friend, Arm.

I looked over at Arm having fun at the bar making drinks for the excited customers who stared at him, mostly women.

I hope he's getting some information at least.

"Hey, Anong...busy, huh?!" Ton tells me. "The house is full tonight!"

I faked a smile for Ton. This outfit is killing me. Even though there are plenty of people connected to the Asian mafia elite, I haven't heard anything related to the next chess room meeting."

I need to start serving the club's private rooms. Surely the most important conversations will be held there.

"Everyone is so excited, right?! May I help you to serve in the private rooms?! You seem so busy."

"Well...I don't know...usually Mr. Andy chooses the more experienced ones...but...well, you work so well, you would help me a lot. I'm sure he wouldn't object. Security guards warned me VIP customers have just arrived. We are going to welcome them, and head to the most private area of the club."

"Good."

"They must be really important... Mr.Tang Yi and Mr. Andy are at the entrance to the night club to welcome them."

We look at the night club entrance.

Oh-My-God. When the VIPs enter the room, I appreciate Arm's stupid costume.

"OMG, Anong..."

"Uh...what?!?!" Ton seems as surprised as I am.

"It's him..."

"Him...?!"

"Yeah...that Thai guy...he's here... at the entrance of the club."

"Thai guy...?!"

I keep looking at the entrance...

"...handsome one..."

"..."

Vegas.

...