Chapter Text
The humid Bangkok air hung heavy, a fragrant mix of street food spices and frangipani blossoms. Fourth, Nattawat Jirochtikul stepped out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, a tailored suit clinging perfectly to his frame, a smirk playing on his lips. Singapore had been…interesting, but Bangkok was home, a playground of familiar faces and fresh opportunities. And, of course, the gossip mill. He already knew he was the hot topic. "Fourth's back," they'd whisper, a mix of admiration and apprehension in their voices. He’d cultivated that reputation carefully.
His driver, a perpetually stressed man named Somchai, bowed deeply. "Welcome back, Khun Fourth. Your friends are expecting you at The Velvet Monkey."
"Perfect," Fourth drawled, tossing his Louis Vuitton duffel bag into the car. "Just the kind of welcome a prodigal son deserves."
The Velvet Monkey, a swanky rooftop bar overlooking the glittering cityscape, throbbed with music and the murmur of affluent conversations. Fourth surveyed the scene, spotting his usual crew huddled in a VIP booth. Phuwin, ever the worrier, was gesticulating wildly. Perth, laid-back as always, was scrolling through his phone. Mark and Satang were engaged in a heated debate, probably about the latest football scores. Ohm and Prom, the resident comedians, were attempting to juggle cocktail shakers with predictably disastrous results.
As Fourth approached, the chatter died down. "Fourth!" they chorused, a mixture of relief and playful exasperation in their voices.
"Miss me?" Fourth asked, flashing his signature grin.
"Like a toothache," Phuwin deadpanned, though a smile tugged at his lips. "Singapore treat you well?"
"Let's just say I learned a lot about…international business," Fourth replied, a suggestive glint in his eyes. He knew exactly what they were all thinking. His reputation as a heartbreaker preceded him. And they knew he hadn't changed.
The evening was a blur of catching up, laughter, and thinly veiled warnings. "So," Fourth began, swirling the ice in his glass, "anyone interesting grace Bangkok with their presence while I was gone?"
A hush fell over the group. Phuwin cleared his throat. "There's…someone," he said cautiously.
"Someone special?" Fourth raised an eyebrow.
"Let's just say he's…memorable," Perth offered, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Memorable how?" Fourth pressed.
"Gemini Norawit Titicharoenrak," Mark said, the name rolling off his tongue with a mix of reverence and dread. "He's…complicated."
"Complicated?" Fourth scoffed. "That's my middle name."
"No, Fourth," Satang interjected, "this is different. Gemini…he's on another level. Beautiful, wealthy, charming…and absolutely ruthless."
Ohm and Prom, finally succeeding in their cocktail juggling, chimed in, "He's like a black hole, Fourth. Sucks you in and spits you out."
Fourth leaned back, intrigued. "Sounds like my kind of guy."
"Fourth, I'm serious," Phuwin pleaded. "Everyone knows his track record. He leaves a trail of broken hearts wherever he goes. He doesn't do relationships. He…collects trophies."
"Trophies, huh?" Fourth chuckled. "Well, I've always liked a challenge."
Prom grabbed a stray olive from the table and tossed it at Fourth. "Don't say we didn't warn you."
Fourth caught the olive mid-air and popped it into his mouth. "Warnings are for the weak," he declared, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He had a feeling Bangkok was about to get a whole lot hotter. He could practically feel the burn. He was going to play with fire, and he was going to enjoy every second of it. He just needed to find Gemini first.
.
.
.
.
.