Chapter 17
PART 3 – WILLIAM
William woke up slowly to pale morning sunlight spilling across white hotel sheets. For several quiet seconds, he didn’t move. Didn’t breathe properly either, honestly. Because Est was asleep beside him.
Actually beside him.
Not during one of their late-night movie marathons.
Not half-dozing in the passenger seat during long drives.
Not sitting across from him at dinner with careful distance still lingering quietly between them.
Beside him.
Warm beneath tangled blankets while Singapore’s morning light painted soft gold across his bare shoulders and dark hair. One arm rested loosely against the pillow, face softened by sleep in ways William rarely got to witness.
Beautiful.
Unfairly beautiful.
William Jakrapatr Kaewpanpong had somehow survived long enough in this universe to kiss Est Supha Sangaworawong beneath Singapore skylines and then wake up beside him afterward.
Absurd reality.
His chest tightened warmly afterward.
Because beneath all the physical closeness and overwhelming attraction from last night, what stayed with William most was something quieter. Est had held him back. Kissed him first. Looked at him like he mattered.
Maybe that shouldn’t feel surprising anymore after months of growing closer, but William still carried old versions of Est in his mind sometimes: the distant senior, the composed heir, the person William admired quietly from afar before all of this became real. Now that same person had fallen asleep beside him after pulling him close repeatedly throughout the night like he genuinely wanted William there.
The thought nearly destroyed him again.
William stared silently for what was probably an unhealthy amount of time afterward. Because last night still didn’t feel real. The rooftop. The kisses. Est pulling him closer willingly. Est kissing him first again and again like he genuinely wanted William there.
And afterward-
William immediately buried half his face into the pillow beside him.
No thoughts.
Absolutely none.
His ears burned anyway.
Beside him, Est shifted slightly in his sleep. William froze immediately.
Dangerous.
Because even half-awake, Est somehow still looked devastating. Messy dark hair falling over his forehead, lips faintly swollen from last night, pale skin scattered with soft marks William absolutely refused to think about too hard unless he wanted cardiac arrest before breakfast.
Oh God.
That was him.
William still felt emotionally unstable remembering it.
He rolled onto his back dramatically and stared at the ceiling for a moment. Then immediately looked back toward Est again. Because honestly, how was he supposed to stop staring? Est looked softer this morning somehow. Like the walls around him had loosened quietly overnight. And maybe William was imagining it, but even asleep, Est unconsciously rested slightly closer toward William’s side of the bed.
The realization warmed William’s chest so much it almost hurt.
Carefully-very carefully-William slipped out of bed afterward. Mostly because he needed approximately ten business days to emotionally recover. Also because Est looked exhausted. Which-fair enough. William felt his ears become warm immediately.
Moving quickly, he escaped toward the bathroom before his own thoughts killed him permanently.
By the time William finished showering, changed into fresh clothes, and ordered breakfast and coffee from room service, he finally managed to regain approximately thirty percent of his normal brain function. Not enough. But survivable. Probably.
The suite smelled faintly of coffee now when William stepped back into the bedroom area drying his hair lazily with a towel. As he entered the room, Est frowned slightly in his sleep before slowly opening his eyes.
For several seconds, Est simply blinked upward at the ceiling, visibly disoriented from sleep. Then his gaze shifted toward William. And softened. The tiny change nearly killed William instantly.
“Morning,” William said weakly as he walked slowly toward the bed.
Est’s voice came out rough and sleepy, “Morning.” Absolutely illegal voice.
William clutched emotionally at invisible pearls.
Est looked at him for another moment afterward. Then slowly glanced downward. William followed the direction instinctively before realizing-his shirt collar sat slightly open. And apparently someone could still see the faint red marks near his collarbone.
William immediately combusted. Meanwhile-Est looked away first. And somehow that was even worse.
Because-
was Est shy?
Est Sangaworawong?
Actually shy?
William stared in complete disbelief. Then very dangerous confidence suddenly entered his body. Tiny confidence. But still.
“You’re blushing,” William said carefully.
Est immediately looked back toward him.
“I am not.”
“You absolutely are.”
Silence. Then, horrifyingly enough, the faintest trace of pink appeared near Est’s ears.
William almost ascended spiritually. “Oh my God,” he whispered dramatically. “You’re actually shy.”
Est narrowed his eyes immediately.
“Careful.”
Entirely worth it.
William sat carefully near the edge of the bed afterward, unable to stop smiling slightly despite himself. Because this felt new. Like something had shifted permanently between them overnight. And honestly? William liked it.
A lot.
Still-beneath the happiness, another quieter thought lingered briefly inside him.
Did Est love him now?
Or was last night simply closeness and attraction finally catching up emotionally?
The thought only stayed for a moment. Because then Est reached out absentmindedly and fixed the slightly damp hair falling into William’s eyes. Natural. Gentle. Not performative at all.
And suddenly William realized something important:
Even if Est was still learning how deep his feelings went-he was trying wholeheartedly now.
That alone already meant everything.
“Why are you staring again?” Est asked quietly.
William smiled immediately.
“You’re beautiful in the morning.”
Est blinked once. Then looked visibly offended.
“I am not beautiful.”
“You’re extremely beautiful.”
“I’m literally a corporate executive.”
“And currently pouting because I called you beautiful.”
Est stared at him silently. Then slowly pushed himself upright-and immediately stopped moving. William noticed at once. The subtle tension in Est’s shoulders. The tiny wince he clearly tried hiding.
Oh.
Oh no.
William bit the inside of his cheek aggressively to stop himself from smiling. Because-well.
Est noticed the look on his face immediately.
“Don’t.”
Too late. William already looked delighted.
“You’re hurting.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re literally moving like an old man, P’.”
Est stared at him flatly, “This is your fault.”
William almost combusted from happiness. Which was probably concerning psychologically. Still, before he could say anything else, Est reached for the robe hanging nearby and slipped it on carefully.
William’s eyes betrayed him instantly. Because Est in a dark hotel robe with messy hair, red marks on his neck, and visible sleepiness somehow looked even more attractive than yesterday.
Unfair universe.
“What are you staring at now?” Est muttered while tying the robe loosely.
“You.”
“That explains nothing.”
“It explains everything actually.”
Est ignored him with visible professionalism before attempting to stand from the bed. And immediately struggling. William moved instinctively.
“P’-“
“I can walk.”
The answer came far too quickly.
William blinked. Then blinked again. “…Did you just become prideful because your lower body hurt?”
“It doesn’t hurt.”
“You paused halfway standing.”
“I was thinking.”
“About gravity?”
Est narrowed his eyes immediately. Still beautiful. Still intimidating. Still currently losing a battle against basic movement. William bit his lip hard to stop laughing.
“I can help you to the bathroom.”
“I can walk from the bedroom to the bathroom myself.”
“P’Est.”
“It’s literally ten steps.”
And then-Est attempted another step. Unfortunately, his body immediately betrayed him. William watched the exact moment Est realized his legs were absolutely not cooperating this morning. There was a brief flicker of horror across Est’s face. Then he stumbled directly forward. William caught him instantly.
Warm body against his chest.
Bare legs beneath the robe brushing his own.
Est gripping lightly at William’s shoulders while visibly refusing to process what just happened.
Silence.
Then-
William lost the fight against laughter. Not loud. But enough.
“You’re enjoying this too much,” Est muttered darkly.
“A little.”
“A little?”
“You fell dramatically into my arms.”
“You’re never speaking about this again.”
William smiled helplessly afterward because honestly-this version of Est felt unbelievably precious. Not composed. Not perfect. Just sleepy and sore and stubbornly prideful while leaning against William because he physically had no better option. And somehow that intimacy affected William more deeply than expected.
Carefully, he adjusted his grip around Est’s waist.
“I’ll help you.”
“I hate this.”
“You like me.”
Est stared at him for exactly two seconds. Then muttered quietly:
“Unfortunately.”
William nearly ascended spiritually.
Very carefully afterward, Est finally allowed William to guide him toward the en suite bathroom. Slow steps. Warm hands at his waist. William trying very hard not to look too pleased with himself. Though honestly, failure was inevitable. Because Est kept unconsciously leaning slightly closer whenever his legs threatened betrayal again.
The bathroom lights turned on automatically once they entered, illuminating marble counters and glass walls in soft gold morning light.
William helped Est stop near the sink carefully. And maybe it was the intimacy of the moment. Or the robe slipping slightly lower against Est’s shoulder. Or the visible marks William had left along warm skin last night. But suddenly William’s self-control died completely. He leaned down instinctively and pressed a soft kiss against Est’s bare neck.
Immediate mistake.
Est froze. Then slowly turned his head.
William realized his error instantly.
“…Sorry?”
“Out.”
William blinked innocently.
“What?”
“You lost bathroom privileges.”
“That seems harsh.”
“You kissed me while I can barely stand.”
“You looked very kissable.”
“William.”
William laughed helplessly while backing toward the door anyway. Worth it. Especially because Est’s ears were visibly red again. And somehow-that made William feel warmer than the Singapore sunlight spilling through the suite windows outside.
William slowly close the bathroom door and then stared at it for three full seconds. He grinned helplessly to himself.
Absolutely worth it.
Inside the bathroom, muffled movement followed almost immediately afterward, accompanied by what sounded suspiciously like Est muttering complaints under his breath. Probably about William. Possibly about gravity. Maybe both.
William leaned briefly against the nearby wall, running one hand through still-damp hair while trying-and failing-to calm the ridiculous warmth inside his chest. Because honestly-this morning felt too domestic. Too intimate. Not only the kissing or last night or waking up together.
But this.
Est grumbling sleepily while showering in William’s presence. William waiting outside the bathroom while room service coffee cooled nearby. Their clothes scattered carelessly across the suite. Morning sunlight filling the room while Singapore glittered outside the windows.
It felt strangely real.
And maybe that was why William’s chest kept tightening painfully every few minutes. Because for so long, loving Est had existed quietly inside him alone. Now suddenly-Est was here too.
Not completely fearless about it.
Not loudly affectionate yet.
But here.
Trying. Opening up. Letting William close enough to see parts of him nobody else really did.
The bathroom door finally opened around twenty minutes later. And William immediately forgot coherent thought.
Est stepped out wearing a fresh white robe, damp hair pushed loosely away from his forehead while warm steam drifted softly behind him.
Beautiful.
Again.
Always beautiful.
Unfortunately-the moment Est tried walking normally toward the dining area, his expression tightened briefly. William noticed instantly.
“You’re still hurting.”
“I’m alive.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
Est ignored him with visible dignity while continuing forward carefully. Which lasted approximately four steps. Then Est paused subtly near the sofa. William bit his lip immediately. Because the tiny flicker of regret crossing Est’s face told him everything.
“Oh my God,” William whispered dramatically. “You actually can’t walk properly.”
“I can walk.”
“You’re moving like a retired mafia boss after war.” William said. “Respectfully,” he continued, already smiling helplessly, “this is still technically my achievement.”
Est stopped walking. Turned slowly. And pointed at William silently. Then, with complete calmness, he said:
“Just wait for your turn.”
William froze instantly. Completely.
“…What?”
Est continued walking again like he hadn’t detonated William emotionally. Meanwhile William stood there buffering internally.
His turn?
Oh.
Oh no.
His ears burned immediately. And somehow-despite the embarrassment, warmth spread quietly through his chest too. Because the statement sounded teasing, yes. But also strangely equal. Like Est already viewed this relationship as something shared entirely between them.
William smiled helplessly afterward before quickly stepping closer again when Est nearly lost balance near the edge of the sofa.
“No more independence,” he said firmly while supporting him carefully by the waist. “That privilege has been revoked.”
The look Est gave him afterward should have legally counted as attempted murder. William felt unbelievably happy anyway. Eventually, after another stubborn attempt at independence nearly resulted in Est walking directly into the edge of the sofa, William stepped in again before disaster occurred.
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
Same answer.
Still true.
This time Est allowed William to help without much argument, though his expression remained deeply offended while William guided him carefully toward the dining table. Warm hand at his waist. Slow steps. William trying very hard not to look too pleased. Failure again. Because every time Est unconsciously leaned slightly against him for balance, William’s chest tightened painfully with affection.
By the time they finally sat down for breakfast, William already felt emotionally unstable all over again. Tea and coffee steamed softly between them while Singapore sunlight flooded the suite windows in warm gold. The atmosphere felt quieter now. Not awkward. Just-new. Like both of them still slowly adjusting to whatever their relationship had become overnight.
William watched Est lift his coffee cup carefully before freezing slightly.
“…What now?” Est asked suspiciously.
“You’re holding the cup with both hands.”
“And?”
“That’s cute.”
Est stared blankly.
“I survived international business negotiations yesterday.”
“And now you’re holding coffee like a sleepy rich cat.”
“William.”
Breakfast unfolded slowly afterward. Coffee. Tea. Fruit. At one point William absentmindedly cut fruit for Est when he noticed Est paused briefly as he reach for the fruit. Without saying anything, he quietly reached into the paper pharmacy bag he had left near the sofa earlier that morning before sliding a strip of painkillers across the table.
Est blinked once. Then looked toward him. “You went out?”
“Very briefly.”
“When?”
“While you were showering.”
Est stared at the medicine for another second afterward. Then something softened faintly in his expression. “You didn’t have to,” he murmured quietly.
“I wanted to.”
Simple answer. Honest one. Something warm settled between them afterward. Soft conversation drifting naturally between them.
Halfway through speaking, William stopped suddenly. Because-Est was watching him again. Not teasingly this time. Something softer. Warm enough to make William’s heartbeat stumble embarrassingly fast.
“What?” William asked quietly.
Est looked away first.
“Nothing.”
Liar.
But William decided not to push. Instead, he leaned lazily against his chair while smiling slightly into his coffee. Because honestly? That look alone already meant enough.
Eventually the conversation shifted naturally toward last night. Or rather-William accidentally shifted it there himself because self-preservation clearly no longer existed inside him.
“So…” William began carefully.
Est narrowed his eyes immediately.
“That tone concerns me.”
“Hypothetically.”
“No.”
“You don’t even know the question yet.”
“I know you.”
William laughed softly before rubbing the back of his neck. Then, despite knowing this would absolutely end badly for him emotionally, he asked anyway:
“Was I… okay last night?”
Complete silence.
Then-Est froze. Actually froze. The faintest flush appeared across his face almost instantly afterward. William nearly dropped his coffee.
Oh my God.
He broke Est Supha Sangaworawong.
“You’re blushing again,” William whispered in genuine disbelief.
“Drink your tea.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Est looked away immediately afterward, visibly attempting to recover composure. Which only made everything worse. Because somehow this felt more intimate than anything physical from last night. Est being shy because of him. Because of them.
William’s chest felt unbearably warm.
A few seconds later, Est finally answered while staring very intensely into his coffee cup.
“You were…”
Pause.
William leaned forward instinctively.
Est’s ears turned redder, “…good.”
William stopped functioning. Completely. Spiritually deceased. Meanwhile Est finally looked back up and immediately regretted it after seeing William’s expression.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“How am I looking at you?”
“Like you’re about to ascend.”
“I think I already did, P’.”
Est sighed deeply. Then calmly took another sip of coffee before saying:
“You’re also overthinking.”
William blinked once.
“What?”
“You’ve been trying to subtly figure out whether you were my first.”
William nearly choked on oxygen. Est looked annoyingly calm now. Too calm for someone who turned red thirty seconds ago.
“I wasn’t trying subtly.”
“No,” Est agreed. “You’re not capable of subtle.”
Fair.
William rubbed his face weakly afterward before finally muttering, “…Were you experienced?”
Est leaned back slightly in his chair. Not uncomfortable exactly. Just thoughtful now. “I had a few one-night stands over the years.”
William tried very hard to remain normal. Failed immediately.
“Oh.”
“Mostly women,” Est added casually before glancing toward William. “Two men.”
William’s brain stopped briefly.
“…Oh.”
Est looked almost amused now watching William process everything internally. “But,” he continued calmly, “I was never the bottom before.”
Silence. William stared at him. Warmth spread slowly through his chest afterward. Because somehow-that mattered more than he expected. Not possessively. Not competitively. Just intimately. Est had trusted him with something entirely new.
After a moment, Est continued, “For my romantic past, I was in talking stage once,” he said eventually. “A woman.”
William blinked. Est rarely talked about his personal life voluntarily.
“It didn’t end well,” Est continued calmly. “So I don’t really like discussing it.”
Something about the quietness in his voice made William immediately stop himself from asking further. Instead, he nodded softly. And somehow that tiny act of understanding seemed to relax Est slightly.
William lowered his eyes briefly toward his tea afterward, suddenly overwhelmed by the realization again. At the same time, however-a smaller sadness lingered too. Because William had loved Est for so long that part of him still wished irrationally to be every first.
First love.
First person.
First everything.
But life didn’t work that way. And honestly?Looking at Est now-sleepy, soft around the edges, drinking coffee while teasing William across hotel breakfast-William realized something more important.
He wanted the future more than the past.
And at least, he is Est’s first relationship.
“I’ve never dated or in talking stage before,” William admitted eventually.
Est looked toward him immediately now.
“But,” William continued quickly before losing courage, “I did have one one-night stand.”
Est raised one eyebrow slightly.
“When?”
“Last year.”
“And?”
William groaned dramatically into his hands.
“Keen and Sea wouldn’t stop saying I was already twenty and emotionally pathetic. And well, none of us belive I will ever succeed on starting anythig with you. So…”
Est actually laughed softly. Warm. Real. William’s chest tightened immediately.
“So you listened to them?”
“I was weak.”
“And?”
William looked away instantly.
“…I topped.”
Silence. Then-Est’s lips twitched upward.
“Oh?”
William wanted to disappear internationally. “It happened once,” he defended weakly. “And afterward I realized I was very much in love with someone else already, so the entire experience became emotionally useless.”
The teasing expression faded from Est’s face slowly after that. Their eyes met quietly across the breakfast table. Warm morning sunlight spilled between them while Singapore shimmered outside the windows. And somehow-the conversation no longer felt embarrassing. Only intimate. Like they were slowly learning each other completely now.
William leaned back slightly against his chair while watching Est finish his coffee calmly. And honestly-the sight still felt unreal sometimes.
Est Sangaworawong.
Careful.
Elegant.
Composed even half-awake.
Sitting across from William in a hotel robe after spending the night tangled together beneath Singapore city lights. William’s chest tightened all over again.
“So,” William said eventually, trying very hard to sound normal despite internally still being emotionally compromised. “What do you want to do today?”
Est glanced toward him.
“We’re free today.”
Right.
No meetings. No negotiations. No formal dinners. No endless presentations about investment structures and entertainment projections. Just them.
William suddenly looked very interested in this schedule. “We could stay in,” he suggested immediately. “Watch movies. Order food. Avoid capitalism.”
Est looked faintly amused.
“A strong proposal.”
“I’m a visionary.”
“You’re dramatic.”
Est leaned back slightly afterward, quiet for a moment as sunlight spilled warmly across the suite windows behind him. Then casually-far too casually-he said, “You should move your things here.”
William blinked once.
“…What?”
“From your suite,” Est clarified calmly. “There’s no point paying for two suites if we’re staying in one anyway.”
SWilliam stared at him. Meanwhile Est reached for another piece of fruit like he hadn’t just casually detonated William emotionally before noon.
“You can check out downstairs afterward,” Est continued. “Ask them to transfer your luggage.”
William continued buffering internally. Because-that sounded so domestic. So naturally intimate.
Move your things here.
Not even phrased awkwardly. Not hesitant. Like Est already expected William beside him now.
William’s ears burned immediately.
Est’s lips twitched faintly afterward. Tiny. Soft. “You don’t have to look so shocked,” he murmured.
“That’s easy for you to say,” William muttered weakly. “You’re not the one being invited into your fiancé’s suite after losing your mind last night.”
Est calmly sipped his coffee.
Then:
“You lost your mind before last night too.”
Cruel. Accurate. But cruel.
William covered half his face dramatically while Est watched him with visible amusement now.
BmAfter several seconds of emotional suffering, William sighed deeply, “…Okay.”
Est raised one eyebrow slightly.
“Okay?”
“I’ll move my things.”
Pause.
“…But I’d like it officially documented that I’m very brave.”
“You’re very dramatic.”
Est looked away afterward, though William still caught the faintest hint of color near his ears.
The atmosphere softened comfortably again after that. Warm sunlight. Singapore glittering endlessly outside massive windows.
Then Est spoke again.
“We should go outside first.”
William blinked.
“Outside?”
“Lunch,” Est answered simply. “Maybe sightseeing afterward.”
William immediately looked toward him suspiciously.
“What about your waist?”
Est froze for exactly half a second.
There it was.
The rare Est embarrassment William had become increasingly addicted to witnessing.
“I’m fine,” Est answered calmly.
“You walked like a war veteran twenty minutes ago.”
Est narrowed his eyes immediately.
“You’re becoming bold lately.”
“That’s because I experienced personal growth.”
“Unfortunately.”
William grinned. Then softer this time, “Seriously though. Are you okay?”
The question settled differently between them now. Not teasing. Not flustered. Just genuine concern. And perhaps that was why Est’s expression softened slightly afterward. “The shower helped,” he admitted quietly. “And the medicine probably will too.”
William felt absurdly pleased hearing that.
“I’ll probably feel better this afternoon,” Est continued while avoiding direct eye contact now. “So stop looking at me like I’m injured.”
William stared at him for a moment longer. Because honestly-Est being slightly shy discussing the consequences of last night somehow felt more intimate than the actual physical closeness itself.
“You’re blushing again,” William said softly.
Est immediately looked offended.
“I am not.”
“You absolutely are.”
Eventually Est stood carefully from the chair. More stable now. Still slower than usual though. William instinctively started rising too before Est pointed at him immediately.
“Don’t.”
“I wasn’t doing anything.”
“You were preparing to hover.”
Fair accusation. William sat back down obediently. Mostly because Est still looked unfairly attractive while bossing him around in a robe.
A few minutes later, after changing into casual clothes suitable for sightseeing, William went downstairs toward the hotel lobby to arrange the suite transfer.
And honestly?
The entire situation still felt surreal.
Because somewhere between rooftop kisses and sleepy breakfast confessions and casual invitations to share a suite-their relationship had quietly stopped feeling temporary.