Chapter Text
Two of the richest families in Thailand were gathered in the spacious and luxurious room. The Wongtheerawit family welcomed the Chen family leaders into their mansion, Phayak Chatdecha, the current head of the business, and his father Makorn, who had retired three years ago.
The 20-year-old Wongtheerawit twins, Nong Nuea who was the eldest and Nong Diao who was the second son, were sitting on the auspicious sofa, facing an identical one that was occupied by the Chens.
Nuea looked radiant and gorgeous as ever, with his perfectly styled platinum hair framing his handsome features, wearing platform patent leather ankle boots, skintight black leather pants, and a crisp white puff-sleeved shirt, completed with a thick silver charm chain around the neck, instead of a boring necktie. The eldest son was smiling and could barely contain his excitement.
While Kon Diao dressed more soberly with dark brown shoes, pale pink dress pants, and a beige polo t-shirt. He was the shyer and quieter son, who was always in the shadow of the eldest, and at that moment he looked crestfallen, not daring to take his eyes off his hands.
Then the father of the twins solemnly announced:
“We have decided to accept the Chen family's offer. Khun Phayak will marry Nong Nuea."
Diao pursed his lips, he couldn't stop his eyes from moistening at his father's words, although they had discussed the matter between them a couple of days ago.
Their parents had gathered him and his brother in the common living room and sat them down to inform them that they had received a marriage proposal from the Chen family:
Hia Yi had asked for Nuea's hand in marriage.
Upon hearing the news, Nuea was jumping with happiness, he had had his eye on the handsome and rich Hia Yi since they were teenagers. On the other hand, Diao couldn't even congratulate his brother, he just stood up and went to his room in silence. Once there, he lay on his bed, hugging his pillow, and cried inconsolably. His heart was broken.
Like his brother, he had always liked Hia Yi, even though he was seven years older than them. Since they were young, they had seen the only son of the Chens at Club meetings, society parties, and charity events organized by the social circle they shared. In addition, their families were partners in the luxury car business, as they provided the Chens with automobile parts. Anyway, they knew Hia Yi and Hia Yi knew them.
Also how could you not have heard of Nuea, who was so popular in their circle and on social media, with his iconic way of dressing and his extroverted personality. He was quite the celebrity. Diao often went unnoticed compared to his brother and since Nuea was the eldest and the heir, their parents always gave him preference in everything. Even so, Tacha didn't hold a grudge against his brother, although he couldn't say the same about his best friend Kuea, who hated him since forever.
Lately the Chens were finishing building their Formula 1 circuit and they needed the Wongtheerawit land to complete it, but their parents thought big and instead of selling or leasing it, they wanted the two families to become one. That was how Hia Yi offered them his final deal, which all of them were all happy to accept. Except Kon Diao, who was once again left behind in Nuea's shadow.
What hurt him the most was that even to Hia Yi, he was still a shadow. Phayak had chosen his brother and Kon Diao couldn't really blame him, because it was a logical decision since Nuea was the heir, and besides... It was Nuea, the most beautiful and desired boy in their social circle. Kon Diao was the less interesting and simple-taste brother, who taught taekwondo to young children.
Tacha hadn't even told Nuea about the way Hia Yi made his heart pound. He was afraid of going up against his brother and then the matter would turn into a competition between them for Hia's attention. But in the end, as always, Nuea had won anyway.
Kon Diao asked not to be present at this meeting, however, his parents had not let him. The entire Wongtheerawit family was to be present at this crucial moment in their history. The younger one limited himself to lowering his head, looking at his hands in his lap and trying not to show his sadness. He no longer wanted to waste any more tears on Hia Yi, after what he did to him.
But then Phayak's deep, commanding voice answered the announcement the father had just made:
"There must be a misunderstanding," he said, frowning in annoyance. "I said that I agreed to unite our families, but my marriage proposal was for Kon Diao."