Mother's Watchful Eyes

Chapter 14

Bangkok University

Nani and his friends carried on with their classes as usual, their routine uninterrupted until there is important guest arriving at the university to meet Dew. The announcement caught everyone off guard, especially the F4 gang.

"Who on earth would ask to meet Dew?" Win said, raising an eyebrow as they all gathered in their usual spot.

"Important guest? Sounds serious," Prim chimed in, leaning forward with curiosity.

"Dew doesn't usually talk about his personal life, let alone someone important enough to seek him out here," Groya added, glancing toward Dew, who seemed as calm as ever.

As they speculated, Dew remained quiet, sketching in his notebook as if the conversation didn't concern him.

"Come on, Dew, spill it," Bright teased. "Who's this mysterious guest?"

Dew closed his notebook and finally looked up, his expression unreadable. "To be honest, I don't know either."

"What? You don't know?" Bright exclaimed, his surprise evident as he leaned closer, as if trying to decipher whether Dew was serious.

Dew glanced at the staff member waiting patiently at the door. "I guess there's only one way to find out." He stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder, giving his friends a small, reassuring smile. "I'll let you know what happens."

As Dew walked off, the group exchanged glances, their curiosity only growing.

"Mark my words," Win said, narrowing his eyes dramatically. "This is going to be something big."

As Dew arrived, he hesitated briefly before pushing the door open. Stepping inside, his eyes immediately fell on the poised figure waiting for him. Mrs. Hari, Nani's mother, sat gracefully at a small table, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

"Dew, long time no see. son" she greeted Dew by hugging him warmly.

Dew blinked in surprise. Of all the people he could have expected, Nani's mother was not one of them. He quickly composed himself. "Aunt I wasn't expecting you. Is there something I can help you with?"

She gestured toward the seat across from her. "Have a seat. I wanted to speak with you personally about something." Her tone was gentle, but there was an undeniable weight behind her words. "I realize it might seem a bit extra for me to pose as a guest just to meet with you. But I have my reasons. If I'd approached you directly, your friend would have caught on immediately, and I don't want him to know that."

Nani's mother is a gentle woman who was born into a powerful family with strong military influence. However, her life took a different path when she defied her father's wishes to marry Nani's father, a man with significant influence in the underground world. Though she was cut off from her family, her life was never difficult, as Nani's father love her deeply, treating her as if she were his very breath.

"Is Nani seeing someone recently?" Mrs. Hari asked, her tone calm.

Dew's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected question. Don't tell me the serious situation Auntie wanted to discuss is about Nani's relationship, he thought, struggling to keep his expression neutral.

"You don't need to hide your surprise, Dew," Mrs. Hari said with a small smile, her tone gentle but firm. "I know you might think it's not important, but it is for me. When my stubborn son suddenly starts behaving like the most happiest person on earth, I can't help but notice."

Dew blinked, unsure how to respond.

Mrs. Hari continued, her gaze softening. "Normally, Nani doesn't come home often, he stays at his condo. I've never said anything about it because I already know he's bringing someone there. What could I say? When my son acts like this, I can only blame his father for being the cause of his condition. "

Nani once had a lover during high school, someone he loved deeply and wholeheartedly. However, everything changed when she accepted a scholarship offer from Nani's father in exchange for breaking up with him. The betrayal left a deep scar, and Nani nearly lost himself during that time.

It took a long while for him to recover, but even when he did, he never let anyone into his heart the way he had before, until he met Sky.

Mrs. Hari could not be able to help her son during his darkest time, and as a mother, it pained her deeply to witness Nani nearly lose himself. The helplessness she felt back then still lingered, which is why she now worried so much about him.

"Aunt, you've already noticed the change in Nani," Dew said carefully. "So, you must have an idea who's behind it, right?"

Nani's mother smiled faintly, her sharp gaze resting on Dew. She was a perceptive woman, and Dew could tell she wasn't asking because she didn't know, she was testing him.

"You're still the smartest among Nani's friends," Mrs. Hari said with a small, approving smile. "If only my son could be a little more like you, I wouldn't have to be here today."

(Why is it always me caught in these situations?) Dew thought to himself, remembering how Bright's parents had questioned him when they found out about Bright's relationship with Groya, too.

Mrs. Hari's expression shifted, her tone taking on a more serious edge. "I know he's from a well-off family, but what concerns me is that he's an actor. You know the reputation actors often have—playing around and not taking things seriously."

She had discreetly instructed her husband's men to investigate Sky. It hadn't been difficult to gather information about that boy, especially since he seemed to be around Nani. What surprised her the most was how willingly her son allowed someone to be presence in his life—something Nani had never done before.

Dew felt a slight pang of nervousness under her piercing gaze, but he took a deep breath before responding.

"I understand your concerns about Nani, Aunt, especially given what he's been through in the past. And I can't promise that Sky will never hurt him, no one can promise such a thing but I can say that He's brought a kind of light and healing to Nani that none of us could manage. Sky has a way of understanding Nani, reaching his heart in a way that no one else ever has."

Dew continued since Mrs. Hari doesn't replied.

"I hope aunt will consider getting to know him better before making a judgement about whether he's right for Nani. Nani is taking their relationship more seriously. If their relationship is opposed, I'm really concerned that Nani might fall back into the state he was in before and none of us want to see that happen again."

Mrs. Hari chuckled softly at Dew's heartfelt explanation, her expression warm with amusement. "If Nani knew how much effort you're putting into defending his relationship, he'd probably hug you right now," she said, her tone gentle and teasing.

She couldn't help but admire Dew's sincerity and the care he showed in trying to help her understand her son. It was precisely this thoughtfulness and honesty that made Mrs. Hari trust him so deeply. Whenever she needed insight into Nani's world, Dew was the one she turned to. His genuine concern for Nani and his perceptive nature never fail to impress her.

"Since you're putting in so much effort, I'll trust your judgment this time," Mrs. Hari said with a small smile as she rose from her seat. Dew quickly stood as well, politely walking her to the door.

As she reached the threshold, she paused, her tone turning teasing yet affectionate. "And one more thing—don't get so caught up in your friends' problems that you forget you have someone of your own to care for, too. " she said with a knowing look.

Dew blinked, startled, but quickly composed himself, offering a small, polite laugh. Mrs. Hari, of course, was well aware of the bond between Dew and Tee. Having known Tee's mother as a close friend, she couldn't help but also aware of the deep connection between Dew and Tee.

Left alone in the room, Dew let out a soft sigh, his gaze drifting to the floor. "How could I forget him when he's so important?" he murmured to himself, the words barely audible but carrying the weight of his emotions.

Nani arrived at his family home, answering his mother's unexpected call to join her for dinner. He didn't think much of it, assuming it would be just another ordinary evening.

As he stepped inside, however, the sight of his father's men stationed throughout the house immediately soured his mood. This was one of the many reasons he disliked staying here. The constant presence of bodyguards and enforcers, a testament to his father's dangerous world, made the place feel more like a fortress than a home.

The moment Nani appeared, the men lining the hallway straightened up and bowed slightly, their voices ringing out in unison: "Young Master."

Nani stopped in his tracks, his jaw tightening. "If I hear anyone call me that again, I'll break their hands. Just call me by my name. Do you understand?" His tone was sharp.

Silence filled the room as the men hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Nani's frustration bubbled over. "I asked, do you understand?" he repeated, his voice firm.

"Yes, Khun Nani," they answered, quickly correcting themselves.

He let out a small breath, muttering under his breath about how much he hated this part of his family's life. Without another word, he strode toward the kitchen, expecting to find his mother. But there is no one in the kitchen.

Nani wandered out to the backyard, where the serene glow of the pool reflected under the evening sky. He spotted his mother sitting by the poolside, gently stroking her cat.

Nani decided to sneak up on her.

"Mom!" he suddenly shouted, breaking the silence.

Mrs. Hari gasped, startled by his shout. Her hand jerked, almost sending the cat into the pool, but Nani was quick. He reached out and caught the cat just in time, cradling it gently in his arms.

"Nani!" Mrs. Hari scolded, a mix of relief and exasperation in her tone. "You nearly gave me a heart attack—and almost sent Kuro into the pool!"

Grinning mischievously, Nani gently handed the cat back to her. "Mom. You're too easy to startle."

Mrs. Hari couldn't help but shake her head, her initial annoyance fading into an amused chuckle. "One of these days, you'll get yourself in trouble with these antics."

"But not today," Nani quipped with a cheeky grin.

Nani couldn't help but admit, even though he didn't say it aloud, that he loved his mother more than his father. Growing up, he always felt a deeper connection with her, as if they shared a bond beyond blood. It was something subtle, like how his love for soft and cute things came from her. Meanwhile, his older brother, was more like their father. He shared his love for rough sports and activities that Nani could never bring himself to enjoy. There was a quiet understanding between him and his mother, one that had always been a source of comfort for Nani.

"What do you want to eat for dinner, Young Master?"Mrs Hari tease her son, she knows that Nani doesn't like to be call like this.

Nani sighed and stretched out on the swimming bed where his mother sat, resting his head on her lap. "Mom, you know I don't like being called that. We've talked about this before."

Mrs. Hari chuckled softly, gently running her fingers through his hair. " I know. But it's so fun to tease you."

Nani smiled at her warmth, enjoying the comfort of her presence. Even with the teasing, it was clear that her love for him was unwavering.

"I've always wanted a puppy, but someone once told me he didn't like them. But now, that same person has gone ahead and gotten himself a giant puppy." Mrs. Hari teased with a light smile. She watched her son's reaction carefully, enjoying the playful jab.

Nani's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he heard what his mom said, a small hint of confusion and curiosity in his expression. "What do you mean by that, mom?" he asked, looking at her with a playful suspicion.

"Well, someone who follows you around all day when he's free and someone you like to call a puppy. When do you plan to introduce him." Mrs. Hari teased, a small smile tugging at her lips as she watched Nani's reaction.

Nani's eyes wild in surprise as he quickly raise up from his mother lap. "Mom, did you ask someone to check on me again?" Nani asked.

Mrs. Hari raised an eyebrow, her composed demeanor betraying no guilt. "And if I did? Would that be so surprising?" she asked, her tone calm but with a hint of amusement.

"Mom, we've talked about this. You can't just have people snooping around!"

Mrs. Hari leaned back, her expression calm but tinged with amusement. "I didn't have anyone snooping," she replied smoothly. "It's not my fault you're so obvious. Always smiling and acting like a teenager with his first girlfriend."

She paused for effect, raising a brow as she added, "And that boy? He's even more obvious than you are, following you around like he's afraid you'll disappear if he looks away."

"Mom," Nani whined softly, pouting as he dropped his head back onto his mother's lap, trying to avoid her gaze.

Mrs. Hari chuckled lightly, her fingers gently pinching his cheek. "I'm your mother, Nani," she said with a knowing smile. "Just looking into your eyes, I can already tell when you're hiding something."

Nani groaned, half-annoyed and half-amused, as he covered his face with his hands. "Why do moms always have this sixth sense? It's unfair."

"It's called love, my dear," she replied warmly, brushing his hair back. "And maybe a little experience from raising a son who thinks he's better at keeping secrets than he actually is."

Nani peeked through his fingers, groaning dramatically. "Fine, fine. You win. What do you want to know, Mrs. Hari?" he teased, emphasizing her name with a cheeky grin.

Mrs. Hari arched a brow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "I don't need to know anything. I've already got all the information I need," she replied smoothly. "But if this is someone you're serious about, I want to see him in person. Bring him to meet me."

Nani sighed, dropping his hands and sitting up straighter. "Mom, you're impossible, you know that?" he teased, though the corner of his mouth curved into a reluctant smile.

Mrs. Hari leaned back slightly, crossing her arms with an air of triumph. "Impossible? No, just thorough. And as your mother, it's my right to make sure the person who's captured my son's heart is worth it." Her tone was playful, but there was an undeniable warmth and care in her words.

"Captured my heart? Mom, you make it sound so dramatic." Nani grumbled.

She chuckled, reaching over to gently pinch his cheek. "Oh, come now, Nani. Your face gives away everything. So, if this Sky is as special as you make him sound—"

"He is." Nani interrupted softly.

Mrs. Hari's expression softened, her teasing momentarily giving way to genuine affection. "Then bring him to see me, Nani. I want to meet the person who's making my son smile again."

"But.." Nani hesitated.

"Nani," she interrupted gently, placing a comforting hand on his cheek. "I'm not asking you to rush things. I just want to meet him so I can feel at ease knowing you're spending time with the right person. You've been hurt before, and as your mother, I don't want you to fall for the wrong person again."

Her words hung in the air, heavy with a mother's unwavering concern and love. Nani sighed, leaning slightly into her touch. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

She smiled softly. "Never, my dear. Not when it comes to your happiness."

Nani took a deep breath, leaning into his mother for a hug. His voice was quieter now, tinged with both guilt and sincerity. "When you get to know him, Mom, you won't be worried that he's going to hurt me. Because, from the start... it's me, your son, who hurt him."

She pulled back slightly to look at him. "Nani... what do you mean?"

He sighed, his eyes downcast. "I didn't realize how much he cared at first. I took him for granted, pushed him away when I shouldn't have. And now, I'm trying to make it right."

Mrs. Hari studied her son's face, her worry softening into a gentle reassurance. "Everyone makes mistakes, son. What matters is that you learn from them and grow. As long as you're willing to change, everything will work out fine."

A small smile tugged at Nani's lips as he leaned in for another hug. Mrs. Hari wrapped her arms tightly around him, holding her son close. She didn't need to hear any more, the way Nani spoke, the way he couldn't hide the warmth and tenderness in his voice, told her everything she needed to know, that her son won't let go of that boy easily.

After dinner, Nani drove toward his condo. As he reached the entrance, he slowed down, his gaze fixed on the familiar building. For a moment, he simply sat there, the soft glow of the streetlights reflecting off his windshield.

Then, with a small sigh, he made up his mind and eased the car forward, driving past his condo. Something in his heart urged him to keep going, as if the night still held something unresolved.

At Sky's cozy condo, Billkin and PP sat comfortably on the couch, sharing a large bowl of popcorn. The TV screen flickered with the light of the movie they were watching. Meanwhile Song and Jame are on the trip to aboard together.

Sky appeared from the kitchen with a tray of drinks. a sudden knock at the door broke through the sound of the movie in the room. Sky open to door and find Nani stand in front of him.

"Nani?" Sky's voice was gentle, his smile growing when he saw who it was.

Nani didn't say a word. Instead, he stepped forward and leaned into Sky, resting all his weight on Sky like he was too tired to stand on his own.

"Carry me." Nani whispered softly, his face pressed against Sky's chest.

Sky froze for a second, surprised. Nani was never like this—usually, it was him who clingy to Nani.

"Are you sure?" Sky asked, glancing over at Billkin and PP, who were watching with wide eyes and amused smiles.

Nani frowned slightly but kept his eyes closed, his voice a quiet grumble. "Don't ask. Just do it."

Sky smiled a little and guided Nani's arms to wrap around his neck as he slipped his arms under Nani's thighs, lifting him effortlessly. As soon as Nani was off the ground, he buried his face into Sky's neck, letting out a small, tired sigh.

Sky held Nani close, his hands steady as he carried him toward his room. "Let's get you comfortable," he said softly, his concern clear.

Billkin and PP exchanged looks, their grins showing they found the situation amusing. Hearing their laughter, Nani lifted his head from Sky's shoulder. His eyes met theirs, and for a brief moment, he froze, realizing they were watching him.

A hint of surprise flashed across Nani's face, his body shifting slightly as if to pull away. But before he could react, Sky held him tighter to make sure he didn't fall.

"Careful," Sky murmured softly, his voice calm and soothing as he adjusted his grip on Nani.

Nani glanced up at Sky, ready to scold him for not telling him there were guests. But then he remembered the look Sky gave him at the door, and his stomach twisted with embarrassment. (F*ck, I should've looked around before doing this.) he thought, cheeks flushing a deep red.

He quickly avoided eye contact with Billkin and PP, who were still chuckling from the unexpected sight of Nani draped over Sky like that.

"Well, hope you're comfortable there, Nani," Billkin teased, his tone light but clearly amused.

Nani felt his face grow even hotter, wishing he could just disappear. He leaned back into Sky's neck, not sure whether to say.

Sky, sensing Nani's discomfort, gave him a gentle squeeze and whispered, "It's alright, just ignore them."

As Sky entered the room, he gently placed Nani on the bed. Nani sat down, Sky could tell that Nani had been a little overwhelmed by the earlier teasing.

Sky sat beside him, his hand softly guiding Nani to lie down. Nani settled into the bed, but just as he was about to close his eyes, he move to rested his head on Sky's lap, wrapping his arms around Sky's waist, seeking the comfort and warmth.

Sky was a little surprised at first, but he didn't pull away, his hands went to Nani's back, smoothing Nani's shirt as he adjusted his position to make Nani more comfortable.

"You okay?" Sky asked, his voice softer than before, concerned as he noticed the way Nani's hand slipped around his waist, pulling him closer.

Nani didn't answer immediately, instead just closing his eyes and leaning further into Sky. The warmth of the moment, the comfort of being with someone who cared for him, made it all feel a little easier.

His mom had just found out about Sky, and now he couldn't help but worry about how much longer he could hide this from his father. The thought of his father doing something to hurt Sky made his chest tighten with anxiety. He couldn't let that happen. No matter what, he would protect Sky. Even if it meant facing his father or going against everything his family expected of him.

The memories of June, his first love, resurfaced, bringing a familiar ache. He had truly believed they were meant to be, that they would spend their lives together. They had dreams, plans, a future they'd talked about so often. But everything crumbled when she chose his father's offer over their love. It wasn't just the betrayal from his father that hurt—it was how June walked away from him, choosing something else over what they had.

Nani closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a soft breath.

Nani won't let his father take Sky from him, his heart heavy but determined. the quiet promise echoing through his mind. Sky wasn't like June, he wasn't someone who could be swayed by promises of wealth or status. Nani knew that for sure. Sky had become a part of him and the idea of losing him... it just wasn't something Nani could accept.

Sky ran his fingers gently through Nani's hair. "I'm here. Rest as long as you need."

The room was quiet, with only the sound of their breathing. Sky stayed close, letting Nani fall asleep peacefully.