"Start preparing for your engagement.....start preparing for your engagement...."

The words echoed loudly in Pha's mind as he returned swiftly to his office. His father only said this much and dismissed him and all of his questions has fallen to deaf ears. He knew that he was supposed to be ecstatic with happiness right now, however, he also knew that his father wasn't accepting this relationship whole heartedly. There must be reason behind his drastic decision and he was bound to find it out one way or a another.

As soon as he entered his office all thoughts went out of his mind at the sight of his baby working diligently behind his desk. A warm and loving feeling overwhelmed him and felt instantly at peace. Yo looked up at the sound of the door opening and smiled brightly.

"P'Pha, you're back."

"Did you miss me?"

His baby pouted and glared at him, "I did but you refused when i suggested to come with you."

Pha looked at him lovingly and tapped his nose with a long finger, "I was barely gone for 10 minutes love and you know in how much of a rush I was."

"I know." Yo stood up and circled his arms around his waist. He looked up at him with his big, doe eyes, "what's wrong P'Pha? What did your father told you?"

The big man sigh and put his chin on top of his head, "I don't know whether it's a good thing or bad one."

"Try me."

"Not now, give me a little time to think and to do some research first."

Yo nodded, he understood that he was very troubled right now because of his brother so he didn't pressure him. Pha let go of him and went back behind his desk. They worked silently for 5 minutes before Pha suddenly stopped and looked at him, "by the way baby, what kind of wedding would you want to have someday?"

Yo looked startled at the question but he quickly started thinking about it. He reflected dreamily then murmured softly, "the fairy tale one."

Pha smiled and craved the little piece of information deep into his mind for future use. They started working quietly again, with Yo paying no attention of why Pha has asked him that question out of the blue. They ordered lunch and ate it between discussion of different strategies to save their company. They were almost at a breakthrough when Josh bursted in shouting happily, "we did it guys! Japan sent an email just 5 minutes ago and they are ready to do business with us. That's an opportunity in a lifetime and with Japan backing us up, we will soon get out of this crisis."

"That's great news P'Josh!" Yo exclaimed but Pha was unmoved. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and asked curtly, "why did they change their mind? I thought P'Forth was going tomorrow."

Josh reeled back on his heels and put a hand on the back of his head sheepishly, "errr, I don't know but who cares. They are ready to work with us, isn't that great? Our only concern right now is too impress them enough to extend our branch to Japan."

"Yes P'Pha, this is a very great news! You should be happy right now." Yo admonished him gently as Josh excused himself when his phone started ringing.

"I don't know baby, it's all too suspicious. Yesterday they were ignoring all contact with us and now all of a sudden they are back, something doesn't ring right."

Yo paused and thought about it, he was right. Why did Japan changed its mind at the last minute? Their thoughts got interrupted when the door burst open again but this time it was Forth who came stalking in. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked enraged. He stopped in front of Pha and snarled, "what did father tekk you?"

Pha looked at him then at Yo. He appeared conflicted for a second before he quickly masked it and replied back in his usual voice, "nothing."

"I'm not in the mood to play games Phana, I know you were called into his office and right after that he called me and told me to cancel my Japan meeting. And now I received news that they accepted our proposal, so what's happening? What happened between you and father like that?"

Pha frowned as something came into his mind but it was all too confusing. Only one person could answer their questions, and that is his father himself. Standing up he kissed Yo hard on his forehead and said hurriedly, "I will be right back baby, we need to clarify something with our father."

Yo watched as Pha dragged Forth away from his office and slammed the door hard behind him. He glanced at the work spread out in front of him and groaned, he has to back back to work but this time alone.

Forth and Pha went directly to their father and luckily he was still in his office, however they had to swallow back the questions burning at the back of their throats because his father was obviously very busy on the phone. After 15 minutes he finally had time for them.

"So what brings my boys here?"

"Dad, tell me honestly. Why did you ask me to get engaged with Yo so quickly?"

Forth looked at him sharply in surprise but Pha ignored him as he looked searchingly at his father. Code didn't let any kind of expression appear on his face as he responded blankly, "didn't you already sleep with the boy? So obviously you got to take responsibility and it is a perfect time because the news of your engagement can overshadowed Forth's scandal."

Pha wasn't fooled, he could see that his father wasn't telling the whole truth. However, Forth was deadly quiet, he appeared in shock and his eyes were burning red in anger. He took a step back and started cussing under his breath.

"Mind your tongue Forth!" His father scolded but Forth wasn't having none of it. He swirled to his father and snapped back, "don't you dare tell me what to do! How can you stoop so low? I thought we were stronger than this, I thought we were self-made hardworking men who takes pride in that. How could you destroy generations of righteous Kongthanin just like that!"

"I don't know what you are talking about and I certainly don't have time to listen to it. Get back to work, now that Japan has accepted our proposition, we have a lot to do."

Forth breathed hard from his outburst and stared at him in disbelief, "so you are going to ignore the fact that you sold your own son to save this company?" His voice became strained and weak as he continued, "did you have so little confidence in me? Didn't I worked hard enough to prove my competence to you?"

Pha sat down feeling drained. He massaged his head as he felt a raging headache coming on, he suspected it as soon as the deal with Japan came in but hearing Forth saying it aloud was more shocking and unpleasant. Not that the idea of being with Yo was unpleasant, in fact he couldn't want for anything more than to spend the rest of his life with him. It was the idea that his father has seeked help from another businessman that was troubling him and left a sour taste in his mouth. Like Forth said, they were a proud bunch and this news was humiliating, leaving them helpless and for the first time ever he wasn't feeling up to par.

If it felt like that to him, how much worst was it for Forth then? Among the two of them, Forth was the most responsible and hardworking one. He took great pride in everything that he managed to achieve in his own and this was surely a fatal blow to his ego.

Code leaned back heavily on his seat and replied coarsely, "I did not such thing, we only helped each other out. He did me no favor because I will pay a much greater price."

"Then why the hell did you do it?" Forth shouted, his voice echoing harshly around the room.

His father stood up and slammed his fist on the table startling them, it was the first time they ever saw him lose control like that.

"We were failing Forth, our shares prices went down to the lowest ever since we build our company from scratch and we were losing the confidence of our share holders rapidly..."

"But I was going to succeed, I was going to convince Japan personally and I had a plan!"

"What if they still would have refused? What would have happened to this company then, have you ever thought about that? The pain of seeing my company crumbling to the ground was crippling!"

They were both shouting by now and none were ready to back down.

"You think I didn't think of that possibility? I had a plan devised already to counter attack but you didn't give me the chance! This is not only your company but mine also, I worked hard and gave my all for it so you think it wasn't paining me? I just needed a little time to plan wisely something but you went off and sold us shamelessly."

"SHUT UP!" Phana's voice rang out and silenced the two men. He snarled at his father, "what was the deal?"

Code stared back at him and Pha asked coldly again, "what was the deal father? Why is it so important that I get engaged to Yo so quickly?"

"I thought you couldn't wait to marry him."

Pha scoffed and glared at him, "and I still can't wait to spend my life with him but not in those circumstances. What will he think if he knows I proposed to him over a deal? Did you even think how must that will hurt him, hell, he might even think that I don't truly loves him."

Code sat down again and replied back just as coldly, "then you have to think of something fast because you can't get out of this."

"You didn't reply to my question, what is the deal?"

For the first time ever, Pha saw something that he never saw in his father, nervousness. Code looked at his Forth and indicated for him to take a seat before he decided to tell the whole truth. They listened quietly and by the end of it Pha gave out a short laugh, "that man is more cunning than I gave him credit for, I can't believe he got you like that. Can't you see dad? You fell right into his trap."

Code sighed and looked down at his hands playing mindlessly with with phone, "I'm regretting it now but it's too late. I was blinded by panic and didn't reflected well."

"If he knows that i was capable of handling this big business alone, then he must also know that I am capable of convincing Japan on my own. It was all a ruse, he wanted Pha for his company and he got him." Forth finished sarcastically.

"I accept it."

"Humm..?!"

His father and Forth looked at him like he was crazy but Pha shrugged and stated, "if he wants me working as his son-in-law then I will. It's actually a good idea, I mean if I will stay here then Yo will be by my side. We both won't have it either way, wherever I am, I want him beside me and his father knows that well. So when it comes to his business, his eldest son is not interested and his youngest won't take responsibility unless I'm there. Therefore, this way, we will work together and won't be separated. It actually works in my favor. Mr Panichayasawad was thinking about who will run his business but in the end it favors me because I can't bear to be apart from his son. He showed me the perfect solution."

Forth shook his head at the lovesick fool and excused himself, he was still hurting from his father's lack of confidence in his capability, despite the fact that he proved himself again and again. Pha also excused hit shortly afterward and left wondering about how was he going to convince Yo that he wasn't get engaging with him because of the deal. He decided to keep it to himself and refer to discuss it later on quietly when everything would calm down else it might end up hurting him especially if he misunderstood.

The rest of the week went flying, they were too busy to realise when the days passed and nights came. Diane's lover came forth and declared publicity that they were having an affair for the last two years despite her being married. The nation was shook and people were starting to loose their confidence on her. Soon, more and more lover started coming out and even a couple of one-night standers confessed. Of course, some of these people came out willingly for their two-second frame but the others were threatened to reveal their identity and even a couple of pictures were accidentally leaked for further effect. This was the work of the detective whom Phana recompensated handsomely.

The role was now reversed, it was Forth who was being pitied for living with such a despicable woman. However, pity wasn't something that he needed, certainly not at such a time where people in the office has started to suspect the real reason behind the Japan deal. They weren't aware of the whole deal, they were just suspicious that they received help from an outsider and Forth was taking it badly. He heard the whispers and knew what they were all thinking, that the Kongthanin weren't capable enough to handle it on their own. His self ego was badly bruised and he immerged himself mercilessly into work without any break.

The company was slowly gaining stability and Yo took a heavy part in implementing new policies over every sections. It was all going smoothly until Pha's father reminded him of the engagement. He went directly to his office and started searching secretly for engagement rings online when Yo came in with an angry little face, his chubby cheeks were red and he was breathing hard.

"Ok P'Pha, out with the truth. Did my father helped or made some kind of an investment in your company?"

Pha quickly closed his tap and looked at his lover coolly, "what are you talking about love?"

"I'm not a fool. The majority of the deals that are coming here are from my father's friends, business acquaintances or they are simply connected to him in one way or another. Now it makes sense why Japan accept the deal, my father must have told them to! But the real deal is, what did Kongthanin offered in return? Because I know my father very well, he will never give without gain."

Pha swallowed nervously, Yo has catch on unexpectedly well. Just as he was about to open his mouth Yo intervened, "don't even think about lying, I will know it instantly."

Pha deflated and gave up. He waved a hand and burst it out casually, "he wants us to get engaged."

Yo's mouth fell open in shock as Pha turned his gaze to his laptop in guilt. He was afraid to look at his baby fearing his reaction. After a full minute of complete silence, he risked a look up and shot up immediately from his seat to run to Yo.

"What.. what's wrong baby?"

His heart has started beating crazily the moment he noticed the big, fat tears rolling down Yo's flawless cheeks. Shit, now he surely hate him and think that he was going to marry him only for the sake of the company. He wiped his tears gently with his hands and hugged him, "it's ok baby, it's ok."

Yo pushed him back with all of his force and shouted, "nothing is ok, don't you dare tell me the contrary."

At Pha's conflicted and panicked face he soften his expression but he was still crying.

"Why are you crying then? I swear I love you with all of my heart."

Yo looked up at him and sniffed, "then.....why don't you want to get engaged to me?"

Pha looked surprised, "who said I don't want to get engaged to you?"

"You! You say my father wants us to get engaged but it's been more than 2 weeks and you still didn't propose..." He trailed off in a whiny and cute voice.

Pha let out a relieved laugh and bent instantly on one knee. He looked around and snatched the black roses bouquet from Yo's desk and asked passionately, "my baby, my love, my heart, my life, will you do me the honour of giving me your hand in marriage and vow to always be beside me because I can't breathe a second without you. I swear to love and cherish you infinitely."

Yo started to cry again but this time it was tears of extreme happiness. With a squeal he threw himself at him and hugged him tight, "yes, yes P'Pha. I love you and I will spend the rest of my life glued to your side for always and forever. I love you so much that sometimes it aches and I find it hard to breathe."

Pha secure Yo to him with one hand and with the other hand he started unbuttoning his shirt. The little guy looked at him in anticipation, he was sitting on his bent knee with his head in his shoulder. Pha took his hand and placed it over his beating heart, "I don't have a ring right now but I am giving you something that can be shared only by the two of us. Here, feel it. I gave you my heart at first sight itself and I want to protect it forever."

Yo nodded eagerly and happily, "I will P'Pha, thank you for this priceless gift." He kissed Pha and they together they felt as his heart beat faster. Pha deepened the kiss but Yo tilted his head back and looked at him with a gleam in his eyes.

"So when are we getting engaged P'Pha? Tomorrow?"

Author's note:

Hey guys, a late update for the weekend because I was too busy wallowing in self pity to be able to concentrate on writing. Something happened and I was temporarily depressed. But now no more, I decided that Monday is a new day, bringing new hope and expectations.

Regards,