Chapter 35

Dinner at Ngern's family home had been as warm and welcoming as ever. His grandmother was all smiles, patting Jes's hand affectionately when he greeted her. Mali, now a little bigger, recognized Jes immediately and reached for him, babbling happily as Jes hesitantly took her into his arms.

Ngern watched the scene with a small smile. Jes fit in here so easily.

The meal was lively, with Ngern's parents and sister chatting about their week while Jes chimed in naturally. He had even brought homemade dessert, which earned him another round of praise from Ngern's mother.

But then, just as they were finishing up, a knock at the door changed the peaceful atmosphere.

"Oh! That must be the Chans," Ngern's mother said, rising to answer the door.

Ngern barely had time to process the name before a familiar couple stepped inside—their former neighbors from years ago. Their daughter, who had been just a kid the last time Ngern saw her, was now standing beside them, smiling sweetly.

"Ngern! It's been so long," the woman greeted warmly, hugging him briefly.

Ngern gave a polite smile. "Yeah, it has. How have you all been?"

As the adults caught up, Jes stayed seated, listening with mild interest. That was, until the daughter—now a young woman—stepped forward and locked her gaze onto him.

"And who's this?" she asked, smiling in a way that instantly made Ngern bristle.

Jes blinked in mild surprise before introducing himself. "I'm Jes. Ngern's... friend."

Her smile widened. "Nice to meet you. I'm Pim." She extended a hand, which Jes shook out of politeness.

Ngern's jaw tightened as he watched the way Pim's eyes lingered on Jes, the way her expression softened as she spoke to him.

"So, you're a friend from work?" she asked, tilting her head.

Jes chuckled. "Not exactly. I—"

"He's a photographer," Ngern interrupted, his tone just a little too sharp.

Jes glanced at him, an amused glint in his eyes. "I was about to say that."

Pim didn't seem to notice the shift in Ngern's mood. If anything, she looked more intrigued. "Oh, that's so cool! Do you do portraits? Maybe I could hire you for some pictures."

Jes smiled politely. "I dont do portraits actually..."

Ngern clenched his fists under the table.

Jes. Doing portraits. For her?

Not happening.

His grandmother, ever perceptive, glanced at Ngern and let out a soft chuckle. "Pim, dear, Jes is quite busy these days. But perhaps he can recommend someone else."

Jes shot Ngern's grandmother a quick look, as if he'd caught onto her subtle interference. He didn't argue, just nodded along.

"Oh, I see." Pim pouted slightly before brightening again. "Well, maybe we can exchange numbers anyway? Just in case I have more questions about photography."

Ngern had had enough.

"Jes's phone is actually broken," he said smoothly before Jes could answer. "And he's been so busy lately that he barely has time to check messages."

Jes turned to him, eyebrows raised. "My phone is fine—"

Ngern kicked him under the table.

Jes let out a slight grunt but caught on immediately, his lips twitching.

"Oh. Right. Yeah. My phone's been acting up," Jes said, shooting Pim an apologetic look.

Pim looked mildly disappointed but nodded. "Oh, okay. Well, maybe next time then?"

Ngern forced a smile. "Maybe."

Jes bit back a laugh. Maybe was the politest way Ngern could say not in this lifetime.

As Pim turned back to her parents, Ngern felt Jes lean in slightly, his voice low and teasing.

"Are you jealous?"

Ngern scoffed, taking a sip of his drink. "Of course not."

Jes smirked. "Mhm. Sure."

Ngern didn't reply. He just sat back in his chair, arms crossed, watching Pim from across the table.

She could try all she wanted. But Jes wasn't going anywhere.

................................................................................

As the evening carried on, Ngern remained just a little too aware of Pim's presence. She was polite, friendly even, but too interested in Jes for his liking.

Jes, on the other hand, seemed unfazed. He kept up his usual relaxed demeanor, answering questions, making light conversation—but never in a way that encouraged Pim. If anything, he was more amused than anything else.

Ngern's grandmother eventually excused herself for the night, and Ngern used the opportunity to subtly steer Jes away from Pim's orbit.

"Jes, help me bring these dishes in," he said, grabbing Jes's arm and tugging him up from his seat.

Jes didn't protest, though his lips twitched in amusement. "Sure, sure. Anything else, sir?"

Ngern ignored his teasing tone as he dragged Jes into the kitchen. Once they were out of sight, Jes leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching Ngern with a knowing smirk.

"You're acting weird."

"I'm not."

Jes lifted a brow. "You literally dragged me out of there."

Ngern busied himself with rinsing a plate. "We had to help clean up anyway."

Jes chuckled. "Right. Had to. Nothing to do with you getting all tense every time Pim looked at me, huh?"

Ngern let out a sharp sigh and finally looked at Jes, who was still standing there, far too entertained by the whole thing.

"She was flirting with you."

Jes blinked innocently. "Was she?"

Ngern narrowed his eyes. "You know she was."

Jes shrugged, pushing off the counter and stepping closer. "And? What, you think I'm going to run off with her?"

Ngern said nothing. He just kept scrubbing the same plate, his grip on the sponge tightening.

Jes huffed out a soft laugh before reaching out and tapping Ngern's wrist, making him stop. "Ngern."

Ngern swallowed, keeping his eyes on the plate. "...What?"

Jes nudged his arm again, and finally, Ngern met his gaze.

"Stop sulking," Jes said, his voice quieter now. "I'm not interested in her. I wasn't even paying attention to her, you know that."

Ngern didn't respond right away, but Jes could see his shoulders relaxing just a bit.

After a beat, Jes smirked. "Didn't think you had such a jealous streak."

"I'm not jealous."

Jes laughed. "You've been glaring at her all night. If looks could kill, she'd be six feet under."

Ngern huffed. "I was just...watching."

Jes grinned, clearly enjoying this more than he should. "Watching me? Or watching her watching me?"

Ngern scowled. "Shut up."

Jes leaned in slightly, voice dropping lower. "You know, if you want to make it clear to people that I'm off-limits, you could always—"

Before he could finish, Ngern pressed a hand over Jes's mouth, his face burning. "Stop talking."

Jes's eyes crinkled with laughter as he mumbled something against Ngern's palm, but Ngern refused to move his hand.

"I swear, Jes—"

Jes pulled his hand away gently, grinning. "Relax. It's cute."

Ngern groaned, turning away to hide his face. Cute? He didn't want to be cute.

Jes chuckled, bumping his shoulder against Ngern's. "Come on, jealous boy. Let's finish cleaning up before your grandma finds us bickering in her kitchen."

Ngern sighed, but he couldn't help the small smile forming at the corner of his lips.

Jes was right. Pim could flirt all she wanted.

At the end of the day, Jes was here. With him.