Here's the more serious battle that War had to endure for being Yin's partner in the world of elite people.
-............-
War originally wanted to keep his relationship with Yin private. They're already had the whole campus know about them and War didn't want other people outside the campus to know as well. It's not that he was ashamed of Yin but for someone who grew up in an ordinary household, War just didn't think he could handle all the attention. Yin understood and even though he wanted to publicize their relationship (to ward of 'pests' but don't tell War that) he respected his boyfriend's wish.
That was before War learned that people from this elite community could go so far just to get in between them.
War already experienced being looked down by people who think they're the better choice for Yin since they started dating. War also learned how to deal with them, not to mention, Yin would always got his back and put everyone back in their place, if they disrespected War right in front of his eyes.
War initial thought to keep their relationship private dissolve as their relationship progressed and he eventually agreed to let Yin launched his public Twitter account and made their relationship public with his very first post.
After that, things did get a little bit easier. War could handle a few stares when he's out with Yin in formal events but he was glad they encountered no incidents. This continued until they graduated and entered work force.
Yin took over the chairman position immediately as grandma retired. War worked as junior chef in Wong's restaurant headquarter in Bangkok. As they were gradually becoming more and more busy, their meeting time was limited.
Both of them already knew about this and decided to move into one room to accommodate their limit time together. It's hard at first but they're adapting well. This continued until they were fully fledged adult in early twenties and War was grateful that Yin was still as in love with him as when they were in college.
That time War was about to find out that there would be time when he doubt Yin's love for him. The first time it happened was barely two years after they graduated.
It was Sunday and a rare day off for both Yin and War. Despite that, both of them had a busy day ahead as it was Yin's retirement day from racing community. He was almost 24 and getting too busy with his CEO duty to join any race. Yin reported his wish a month ago and they arranged a retirement race party for him.
War was a little bit sad that Yin had to leave his hobby to focus on his work. Not to mention, he also stopped joining competitive swimming since they graduated, but Yin assured him that he was okay with it. In fact, he had been planning to retire at around this time so he was ready to let go.
Win was over the moon though, he hadn't stop talking about it since the day he knew about the race. Because, he was finally pass the age limit to come and watch the race beside the one his brother and hia Yin took him when he was fourteen. War also suspected that Win wanted to meet up with his friend, a boy named Bonadol who would also participate in the race that day. Bon, who is two years older than War's nong, has been close to him since the first day of college orientation. Win, who was much younger than the other freshmen, was confused about finding friends and the social butterfly Bonadol approached him first. War actually knew that the older one already consider Win as more than just a friend or nong but he didn't want to interfere.
Win could be so oblivious and War found the whole thing amusing to witness. War wanted to tease his brother when Bon picked him up from the mansion with a sport car that he would use for the race but he held himself. He did tease Bon by whispering 'If you don't move faster someone might snatch my nong before you could' and enjoyed the surprised expression followed by the reddening face that the boy showed.
Though a little bit bittersweet, War actually excited to see the race because he too missed seeing his boyfriend in action. After all, one of Yin's strong point is his ability in a race. The ride to the circuit was pleasant and they got to meet their long friends Prom who just went back from another video game convention where he did a presentation on his company's new game series, also, Ohm and Fluke who would be married in the next two weeks. War was so happy when he heard about the news for the first time as his best friends had been engaged for years.
Not going to lie, War also felt a little jealous of them. It's not that he needs an engagement ring as a proof of their love, he just thought what a nice feeling if he could take another step with Yin.
"Phi, do you think hia would win?", Win asked beside him as he munched on his snack.
"Of course, Yin always win", War turned to his brother, "Or.... do you want your boyfriend to win instead?", War said with a teasing grin.
"Wh-what boyfriend? h-hes not my boyfriend are you crazy?", Win said acting unbothered but War could see his reddening ears.
"Oh? I don't mention any name yet you know who I'm referring to", War teased.
"Ohooo? Win has a boyfriend?"
"What? a boyfriend that we haven't approved yet?"
"Aww, that's cute, is he your first boyfriend?"
Prom, Ohm and Fluke took turns teasing Win after they overheard their conversation, making Win even more red and embarrassed while War just laughed at him.
"Oh? you're here too? I never thought you would be interested with sport"
A voice interrupted their banter, when War turned around he saw two girls. One seemed a little younger than the other. For some reason, this felt like a deja vu for War.
"Fern", Win sounded a little too uncomfortable to War's liking. Confirming his suspicion that their relationship might not be starting in a good note.
"Oh? aren't this, War. War Wanarat right?", the other girl spoke.
"Yes, that's me", War carefully schooled his expression, just in case this was another important relations "I'm sorry, but I don't recognize you"
"Oh, that's fine. We've never met before. I'm Mel, this is my little sister Fern, nice to meet you", she wai then introduced the girl earlier.
"Our father is Wong's business partner for years, he's invited to this race as Khun Yin Anan is retiring but he couldn't come so we are here in his stead", she politely explained.
"Ah, I'm sure Yin would appreciate the effort, thank you for coming", War, who had been beside Yin for years, had learnt to deal with this kind of situation with business relatives, calmly greeted her.
War then asked if she would like to be escorted to her seat and after she politely declined, the sisters left them alone. By this time, War realized that his friends had gone rather a little too quiet.
"is there something wrong?"
"Phi, you're too busy managing the restaurant that you don't keep up with the gossip on hia's side at all, I'm worried about you for real", Win said.
"Nong Win....", Prom warned him.
That is the first time the unsettling feelings made an appearance in War's heart.
"What? What do I not know?", War turned to his friends.
For a moment the three of them only look at each other but Fluke who sat directly beside War turned towards him.
"This is just an old rumors but there were a marriage talk between Yin and her when we were in high school. Yin's late parents were so close to her parents and they were a loyal business partners. I don't think it was serious tho, so you don't have to worry ", Fluke slowly explained.
"...... why am I just hearing about this now?.........Yin never told me about this......"
"It was just a mindless talk over alcohol tho, nothing's been confirmed and I'm sure Yin never told you about it because he don't think it's serious as well"
"Then how do you guys know about it?"
"Well, Mel never shut up about it, it's honestly annoying. Even though Yin had said that he never intended to proceed with the engagement, she only thought that was a joke. That's why we were nervous when she talked to you, was kinda expecting an insult since your relationship with Yin isn't a secret but she didn't.....maybe she finally got the hint", Fluke said.
War honestly didn't know how to react to that. As what Fluke said, maybe she got the hint and stopped but the unsettling feeling in his heart didn't go away, in fact it grew stronger. So, he decided to ask Yin about it at the after party.
"Oh, I never really thought it's real tho and she knows it's not serious. I don't think it's a problem that's why I never told you about it", he said as nonchalantly which for some reason made War a little upset.
"Huh? don't tell me...... baby are you jealous?", Yin teased his lover.
"Nooooo, you.... ah forget it", War sulked and let Yin hug him while laughing.
To be honest, it's not exactly jealousy because if Yin said he never romantically involved with her then War trusted him. But, his gut feeling just refused to make this unsettling feelings go away.
"But if you met her again, please be nice to her okay? Business relations aside, I do think of her as my friend, she's not a bad person, I promise."
oh
Yin might have said that while stroking War's head but for some reason what he said just set another feelings of doubt in his heart.
-...............-
The second time War met Mel, his resolve actually crumbled. On that day War learned a bitter lesson that, no matter how strong the love you feel towards your partner, it still can be shaken by a test that can break your heart.
It was such a festive and beautiful day as their long friends, Ohm and Fluke finally got married. War could tell that the grooms were in a bliss and extremely relieved. It was so beautiful that Bever and Prom actually cried when they heard the grooms said each their vows to each other. He got teary eyed himself as someone who had witnessed their love since they were in college, it was truly a beautiful true love's end.
Later, the newlywed held a beautiful outdoor reception with the sun setting in the background. Casting a beautiful golden light as the couple took their first dance. Soon, Yin offered his palms and asked War to dance as well. It was calm and once again, War was glowing under all the attention and affection that Yin was giving him.
It was a happy night, until it was not.
War was left alone at the table while Yin said he'd get some drinks for both of them. War could see his boyfriend getting distracted and was talking to a seemingly important business partner so he expected him to come back a little later.
"Oh? Khun Wanarat?"
"Oh......Khun Mel..........swadeekhab"
War's gut feeling was screaming at him, not to get too close with her but then Yin said to be nice to her and War respected his wish.
"Swadeekha.......", she eyed the card on his table (it said Yin and War) "You and Yin, still together?"
"......yes. Is there something wrong with that?"
"Ah, no, I'm sorry if this sounded rude but, don't you think it's time to call it off?"
"Sorry?"
"Yeah, I mean, your relationship with Yin. You don't really think it will last until you get married, right? Yin needs to continue his blood line and he can't do that if he's with a man"
War was between believing and disbelieving hearing the sentence that had just come out of this girl's mouth.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think his love life is any of your business"
"Of course it is, I'm his real fiance!", she said with such a smug look on her face.
"But Yin said...."
"It's not real? well, it looked pretty real to me", She said. War noticed her polite speech are slipping off.
War stood his ground and he put on a professional smile.
"My lover is a very honest person. He said it is not real, it never was, then I believe it isn't real. Maybe, you're the one who need to move on from this whole thing. After all, it was just a lip service over alcohols"
War could see the anger set in her face as the time ticking away.
"Be careful of what you say to me Khun Wanarat, he's literally talking to my father right now. Do you want to ruin one of his business support?"
Oh, so that was her father? No wonder.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think this has anything to do with the business that they're doing and I'm not going to stay silent when someone insult my relationship with Yin"
At this point, some people already noticed that something was wrong. At the peripheral of his sight, War could see Prom getting up from his seat.
"Listen here you wretched loser. Yin has an important duty to fulfill as the next heir and even if you can give him a family, I don't think he should've ended up with an orphan from a questionable family line"
War lost his composure when he heard his family getting insulted. War was fine if it was him but not his family. He stood up and leveled up to her.
"My family might not be rich or have a huge company but they know how to respect others. My parents raised me and my brother with love and compassion and you have no right to insult them"
"What's happening here?", Prom finally caught up to both of them.
War took a deep breath, he wanted to go home. His energy already drained.
"I think we're done here", War said and turned around but a hand stop him.
"I'm not done with you", she yanked War back and pushed him so he stumbled back.
"Hey!", Prom snapped, "I know your dad is an important person but you have no right to do that!"
"What? I just told him that it's time for him to break up with Yin, it isn't real anyway, right? No sane person would think a same sex relationship would last and Yin has to marry a suitable woman from a respectable family, sooner or later, but this wretch bitch thought he has the right to tell me I'm wrong!"
"What the fuck did you just call him?", Prom said in a voice so low that it sent shivers down War's spine. He didn't think he ever seen him this angry before.
"Prom", War touched Prom's arm to prevent him doing something he might regret later. "It's okay, I - I wanna go home please"
War sounded so defeated that Prom's heart dropped to his stomach.
"Okay, I'll take you to Yin, he's rig-"
"No, just...my nong, nong Win, I'll go home with him. I think Yin still has some people to greet so I don't want to bother, just get Win", War stopped him.
Luckily, Win approached them, worried seeing his brother wearing such a horrible expression, before Prom walked away.
"Phi, what happened? P'Prom?"
"Nong, take your phi home, you drove here right? I'll tell the grooms and the others"
"Okay... c'mon phi", though confused, Win still grabbed War's hand and lead him out.
"Wait, I said I'm not done with you!"
Mel charged at War and was trying to push him but Win reacted in time by pushing his phi to the side. She lost her balance and fell down while grabbing a table cloth, now her dress also stained with red wines from the glasses that fell down.
"What's going on in here?", a middle aged man approached them, with Yin following closely behind.
"Papa! Help Papa, he pushed me! he made me fell down, look what he has done to me!"
War who hasn't recovered from his initial shock could only stood there frozen when Mel pointed a finger at him. He knew people are starting right now, it made him dizzy and it's getting harder to breath.
"War? What's happening? What?", Yin finally stepped in, grabbing War's arm.
"He pushed me! He's the one who pushed me!", Mel was still screaming and crying.
"War, what's gotten into you? I told you to be nice to her didn't I?"
Yin was stroking War's shoulder and his tone told War that he wasn't angry, but it's the fact that he scolded War before actually asking him if it's true was what made his tears dropped.
The unsettling feeling that had been growing inside War's heart finally shown it's thorn, piercing him right when it hurts.
War knew his feet would gave up as he's progressively getting overwhelmed by all the stares and he needed to get himself out of there before it happened. War stared at Yin with tearful eyes before pushing his hands away and ran. Ignoring all the calls and shouts, he just kept running.
War wanted to get away, he had to get away from there.
-...............-
So.......... hello everyone. It's been so long since the last time I updated here. I had an exam week and was focusing on that.
So yeah... here's a new chapter, I hope you don't mind the cliffhanger :D
The next chapter would be tomorrow, so stay tuned!