[Prapai's POV]
Prapai had been conducting surveillance for exactly twenty minutes when he walked into the café and saw Rain for the first time..
The file photos hadn't done him justice.
Rain was beautiful—not in the conventional sense, but in a soft, gentle way that made Prapai immediately understand why Phayu had become obsessed.
He had delicate features, expressive eyes that currently held a sadness that made Prapai's chest tighten, and an air of vulnerability that activated every protective instinct Prapai had.
He was sitting with another young man—Sky, according to the file—and they were deep in conversation.
Rain looked tired, like he hadn't slept well, and there was a tension in his shoulders that spoke of stress.
This is the boy who has Phayu losing his mind, Prapai thought.
And looking at him, I can almost understand why.
But understanding Phayu's obsession didn't mean condoning it.
Prapai had planned to observe from a distance, gather information, report back.
But when Rain looked up and their eyes met, something unexpected happened..
Prapai felt a jolt of recognition, like meeting someone he'd known in another life.
Rain's eyes widened slightly, a faint blush coloring his cheeks before he looked away.
Prapai ordered his coffee, his mind working.
He could leave now, continue his surveillance remotely.
That would be the smart thing to do.
But as he waited for his order, he heard fragments of the conversation from Rain's booth.
"...you need to end this completely..."
"...I'm afraid of what he might do..."
"...guys like that don't just let go..."
Prapai's jaw tightened.
So it was true. Phayu had crossed lines.
His order was called.
Prapai collected his coffee and made a decision that would change everything.
Instead of leaving, he walked toward Rain's booth, his most disarming smile in place.
"Excuse me," he said, his voice warm and apologetic. "I'm so sorry to interrupt, but aren't you in Professor Sakchai's Architecture Design class?"
Rain looked up, surprise evident on his face.
"I... yes? I am. How did you—"
"I'm auditing a few classes this semester,"
Prapai lied smoothly. "Trying to understand design principles for a business project. I thought I recognized you from the lecture hall." He extended his hand. "I'm Pai."
It was a nickname, one only close friends used, but "Prapai" would raise immediate red flags if Rain had any knowledge of Phayu's family.
Rain hesitated for just a moment before taking his hand.
His grip was gentle, his hand small in Prapai's larger one.
"I'm Rain. This is my friend Sky."
Sky was eyeing Prapai with suspicion, clearly protective of his friend. Prapai respected that.
"Nice to meet you both." Prapai gestured to the crowded café. "I don't suppose you'd mind if I joined you? Everywhere else is full."
It was a bold move, Sky's expression suggested he was about to refuse, but Rain surprised them both.
"Sure. Have a seat."
Sky shot Rain a look that clearly said what are you doing? but Rain ignored it.
Prapai slid into the booth across from them, noting how Rain sat a little straighter, how his fingers fidgeted with his cup, how he seemed simultaneously nervous and... interested?
"So," Prapai said, keeping his tone light and friendly. "Architecture. That's a challenging field. What's your focus?"
"Sustainable design," Rain answered, and just like that, his entire demeanor shifted.
His eyes lit up, passion replacing the sadness that had been there moments before.
"I want to create buildings that work with the environment instead of against it. Spaces that heal rather than harm."
Prapai found himself genuinely interested.
"That's a beautiful philosophy. Do you have any projects you're working on now?"
Rain launched into an explanation of his current assignment—a community center design that incorporated green spaces and natural light optimization.
As he talked, using his hands to illustrate concepts, Prapai saw glimpses of who Rain must have been before Phayu dimmed his light.
This wasn't just a victim to be pitied.
This was a person with dreams, with passion, with so much potential that was being suffocated.
Sky watched the interaction with narrowed eyes, clearly trying to figure out Prapai's angle...
"What business are you in?" Sky asked, his tone polite.
"You mentioned a business project?"
"Hospitality and real estate development,"
Prapai answered, which was technically true. "My family has several hotels and properties. I'm working on a project to make them more environmentally sustainable, which is why I'm auditing design classes."
Another partial truth.
"That's really forward-thinking," Rain said, genuinely pleased. "Most developers just care about profit margins."
If only you knew, Prapai thought, but pushed the guilt aside. He was here for information, to assess the situation.
Except... talking to Rain didn't feel like surveillance.
It felt natural, easy.
Rain was intelligent and thoughtful, with a gentle humor that emerged when he felt comfortable.
And the way he looked at Prapai—with interest but without the desperate intensity that probably characterized his relationship with Phayu—made Prapai want to keep talking.
They spent an hour discussing architecture, sustainability, and Rain's dreams for the future.
Sky eventually relaxed slightly, though he never fully let his guard down.
Finally, Prapai checked his watch with genuine reluctance.
"I should go. I have a meeting this afternoon." He stood, then pulled out his phone. "Could I get your number? I'd love to hear more about your sustainable design ideas. Maybe you could consult on my project?"
Rain hesitated, and Prapai saw conflict flash across his face. Sky's expression clearly said don't do it...
"I... I'm not really in a place to take on consulting work right now," Rain said carefully. "But... maybe we could just talk about it sometime? As friends?"
The word "friends" had a slight emphasis that Prapai understood immediately: I'm not available for anything more.
"Friends sounds perfect," Prapai said warmly, and watched as relief flooded Rain's expression. He input his number as Rain recited it. "I'll text you so you have mine."
As Prapai left the café, he felt Sky's suspicious gaze boring into his back.
That young man was smart, protective, and clearly knew something was wrong in Rain's life.
He'd be a problem if Prapai wasn't careful.
Outside, Prapai pulled out his phone and sent a message to his fathers..
Prapai: I Met the boy,
Prapai: Phayu needs help. Rain is not his possession, and he's clearly been traumatized.
Prapai: We need to handle this carefully. I'm going to maintain contact with Rain, gain his trust, figure out how bad it really is.
The response from Kinn came quickly.
Kinn: Be careful. Don't get emotionally involved.
Kinn: This is reconnaissance, not rescue.
Kinn: And whatever you do, don't let Phayu find out.
Prapai looked back through the café window.
Rain was smiling at something Sky said, and for a moment, Prapai saw who he could be without the weight of Phayu's obsession crushing him..
Too late, Prapai thought.
I'm already involved.
He just didn't know yet how deep that involvement would go, or how much it would cost everyone.
[Phayu's Penthouse - afternoon]
Phayu stood in front of the wall of monitors in his private office—a room even his fathers didn't know about.
Twelve screens showed feeds from cameras he'd installed around Rain's life:
his apartment building, the university, the café he frequented, the route he walked home.
He'd been watching all morning, had seen Rain meet with Sky, had seen them talk with their heads close together, clearly discussing something serious.
Then he'd seen him.
A man. Walking up to Rain's table. Shaking his hand. Sitting down..
Phayu's hands clenched into fists as he watched Rain smile—
—for the first time in weeks.
Watched him lean forward, animated and engaged, in a way he hadn't been with Phayu lately.
They talked for an hour.
And at the end, they exchanged phone numbers.
Phayu's phone was already hacked into Rain's, of course. He pulled up the new contact: "Pai."
Just Pai. No last name. No other information.
But Phayu had facial recognition software, and within minutes, he had his answer.
The screen populated with information, and Phayu felt his blood run cold.
Prapai
His own cousin. His own fucking family.
"No," Phayu whispered, then louder, "NO!"
His fist smashed into the monitor, shattering the screen.
Blood dripped from his knuckles, but he barely felt it.
Prapai had approached Rain.
Had charmed him.
Had made him smile.
This wasn't a coincidence.
This was a move.
Either the family had sent Prapai to assess Rain, or—worse—Prapai had seen Rain and wanted him for himself.
Either way, it was betrayal.
Phayu pulled out his phone and sent a message to Rain, keeping his tone light despite the rage burning through him.
Phayu: Hey baby. I've been thinking about what you said. You're right, I've been too intense. How about we talk tonight? Just talk, I promise. I want to make this right.
The message showed as read immediately, but no response came.
Phayu waited five minutes.
Then Ten... then Fifteen...
Finally, his phone buzzed.
Rain: I need more time, Phayu. Please respect that.
More time to fall for Prapai?
More time to forget who Rain belonged to?
Phayu made a call.
It was answered on the first ring.
"I need surveillance on Prapai," Phayu said coldly.
"Everything... Where he goes, who he talks to, every phone call and message. And I need information on all of Rain's friends, especially the one called Sky."
"Sir, surveillance on family members requires authorization from—"
"I don't care what it requires. Make it happen, or I'll find someone who will."
He ended the call and turned back to the monitors, his eyes fixed on the one showing the exterior of Rain's apartment..
Rain thought he could take a break.
Thought he could explore whatever this thing was with Prapai.
Thought he had choices.
But Rain had never understood the fundamental truth of their relationship.
Rain didn't get to leave.
Rain didn't get to choose.
And Phayu would do whatever it took—hurt whoever he had to—to make sure Rain remembered that.
[Rain's Apartment - Evening]
Rain sat on his couch, phone in hand, staring at the new message from Pai.
Pai: It was great meeting you today. Your passion for architecture is inspiring. Would love to continue the conversation sometime.
It was friendly, nothing more. So why did Rain feel guilty?
He hadn't done anything wrong.
Phayu wasn't even his boyfriend right now—they were on a break. Rain was allowed to make new friends.
Except... it hadn't felt like just making a friend.
There had been something else in the air when Pai looked at him, something warm and interested that made Rain's heart skip in a way it hadn't in years.
And that terrified him.
Because Phayu would never allow it.
Even on a break, even if Rain had officially ended things, Phayu would see this as betrayal.
Would see Pai as a threat.
You're not Phayu's property, Rain reminded himself, trying to channel Sky's words.
You're allowed to have friends.
You're allowed to move on.
But the fear lingered.
Still, there was something about Pai—something safe and genuine—that made Rain want to take the risk.
He typed out a response.
Rain: I enjoyed meeting you too. Maybe we could get coffee again sometime?
He hit send before he could overthink it, then immediately panicked.
What if Pai thought he was being too forward? What if—
His phone buzzed.
Pai: I'd like that. How about this weekend? I know a great place with the best view of the city.
Rain smiled, genuinely smiled, and typed back an acceptance.
He didn't notice the nearly invisible camera in his smoke detector, recording everything.
He didn't know that three different people were tracking his phone.
He didn't know that he'd just set in motion a chain of events that would destroy everything before it could rebuild.
All he knew was that for the first time in a long time, he felt a tiny spark of hope.
And sometimes, hope is the most dangerous thing of all...