Kasem and Manao were in the lobby having a heated debate when Fah returned. Their discussion ended as soon as they saw Fah's face.

"Fah, what's wrong?" asked Manao as she rushed to his side and hugged him. She wrapped her arms around him. Fah stood with his arms hanging limply at his sides. She took a step back and asked, "What happened?"

"What's that?" asked Kasem, noticing the paper clutched tightly in Fah's hand.

Unable to trust himself to speak, he held the note out. Manao took it, her eyes growing ever wider the more she read.

"Fah, is this for real?" she asked. "He talks about you as if you're a prostitute, why would he write this?"

"What? May I read it?" asked Kasem. He didn't want to invade Fah's privacy but curiosity got the better of him. Fah nodded.

"Let's go back to your room," said Manao, looking around to ensure no one from their group had heard them.

Back in their room, Kasem handed Fah a bottle of water. Fah thanked him and exchanged the note for the bottle. Kasem read it but said nothing as he didn't want to hurt Fah any more than he already was. Fah sat on the bed with the siblings on either side of him.

"You two had sex and he disappeared, leaving only a note?" asked Manao. Fah nodded a pained expression on his face.

"Was the sex good?" asked Kasem. Manao shot him a dirty look but he ignored her.

Having known Fah as his sister's boyfriend for three years it was still hard for him to realize the bond Fah shared with Lom. From what he overheard from Mek and Run, and occasional comments from his sister, he couldn't fully understand their relationship.

"It was great, better than it used to be, and I know he liked it. He always wanted me to be more assertive so I was. Being together after everything we went through and the years we've been apart, was fantastic. I didn't hold back and neither did he."

"So his big issue was you not saying you loved him during sex? Why didn't you? Oh, you don't have to answer that if it's too personal," said Kasem.

"No, it's okay. We argued first, and I slapped him across the face. Hard." Fah gave a shy smile.

"What! Why?" Manao asked, her eyes as wide as they could be. Fah had never behaved like this when they dated. This was the second time Fah admitted to slapping Lom during an argument.

"He said I disrespected him in many ways and he was kind enough to list them for me."

"What's wrong with him? How dare he! He's the one who disrespected you," said Manao. Kasem nodded in agreement.

"Some of the things he mentioned, I didn't mean disrespectfully but when I looked at it from his point of view I can see how he could feel that way. What pushed me to slap him is when he said, after I spent the night with Thanwa I went to his hotel room with, and I'm paraphrasing here, another man's cum in my ass and saliva all over my body without showering and wanted him to fuck me."

"Oh shit!" said Kasem slowly shaking his head.

"That was cruel. There is no way he said that without intending to hurt you, that was pure maliciousness," said Manao. She was shocked Lom would ever speak that way to Fah. It was as if the Lom they met in Jomtien was an imposter. She wondered if the beating Ton's men gave him was so severe it had affected his brain.

"You're right," said Fah.

"How did you go from that to sex?" The group spoke of Fah's and Lom's relationship as some fairytale romance but Kasem had only witnessed mistrust, disappointment, and cruelty between the two.

"It's hard to explain but we calmed down. He had a migraine and went out for medicine. I was afraid if we didn't talk things out I might be throwing away my last opportunity to reconcile with him. After a shower, I waited for him on the bed in a towel."

"You are a whore!" said Manao, leaning against Fah and laughing. Kasem and Fah laughed with her.

"Anyway, he came back and realized I wanted him. He wanted me, too. What sucks is this was probably the best sex we've ever had although it didn't last long. After a two-year wait, both of us had trouble holding back." Fah's cheeks flushed.

"Why didn't you tell him you loved him?" asked Manao.

"Because in the heat of the moment, I only wanted to please him, to show him he was the only man I wanted. Honestly, I planned to tell him once we finished. We've always laid together and chatted afterward. I thought I'd say it then. This was the first time he rushed to the shower as soon as he came."

"Do you still love him? Even after today and getting this note?" Manao couldn't understand Fah's willingness to forgive Lom for his cruel words and treatment.

"Yes. I still love him." Fah sighed and stared at the floor. He sensed Manao and Kasem thought he was either a fool or a masochist for loving Lom. Manao's phone rang startling all three.

"Hi, Run, what's up?" Manao said as she answered.

"Hi Manao, sorry to bother you but have you seen Fah?"

"I'm with him and Kasem in their room." Fah shook his head no and motioned that he was sleeping. He was in no mood to deal with Run's opinion of Lom. "Fah's tired, he didn't get much sleep last night, and he's about to take a nap before we go out tonight," said Manao.

She said goodbye and put her phone away. Fah gave her a thumbs up. Manao walked her to the door, then turned around and spoke.

"Fah, it's your life, your choice. Whatever you choose to do, I'll support you. I'm going to head to my room to call Khemkaeng, we haven't spoken all day." She smiled and left. Kasem and Fah sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Do you think I'm an idiot? Be honest," said Fah, afraid of Kasem's answer.

"No. Like my sister said, it's your life. Only you know what's best for you. If you need to talk or if you need my help, tell me. I'm pretty sure Run and the others might not understand. Also, I imagine some things might be hard to say to Manao. Even though you two are friends now, as exes there might be things you'd be afraid to say," said Kasem.

"Since you offered, will you help me search for Lom?"

"Sure, but we're supposed to go out with everyone tonight."

"Not tonight. Tonight I'll pretend I'm happy so I don't ruin their celebration. But tomorrow I plan to search for Lom. I was trying to figure out how to get away from the group to search, but if you say we're doing something together no one will bother me."

"What about my sister? She'll probably ask to join us."

"You're right. I have to think about that."

"Let's get some sleep before heading out tonight. You need rest and I need to catch up on my texts. I haven't replied to anyone since yesterday." They headed to their beds and within minutes Kasem heard soft snores coming from Fah. Positive Fah was asleep, he made a call.

"Hi, Khemkaeng, it's Kasem. Are you on the other line with my sister?"

"No, we spoke briefly a few minutes ago but she wanted to take a shower before you all go out tonight."

"I have a huge favor to ask."

"What? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but I need you to come here as soon as possible."

"Is Manao okay?"

"She's fine, she's just been a bit mopey. We're here celebrating Run and Mek getting engaged. Ohm and Win are a couple, Khun Adi and Mint are a couple, Fah has been hanging around with me, and she and Khun Korn are left out. They're friends but their age difference makes them want to do different things during the day. Plus, both of them have single rooms so they're alone at night."

"How can I help?" asked Khemkaeng.

"Can you drive here tonight? I know Manao would love to have you here. You can stay in my room, it's me and Fah and I can give you my bed and take the floor."

"Kasem, as much as I would love to believe that your request is nothing but altruistic, there has to be another reason you want me to come."

"My future brother-in-law is too smart sometimes," said Kasem, laughing. "You're right. Fah and I want to do some things tomorrow but you know my sister, she fawns over Fah like he's going to break. Sometimes I wonder how they ever dated because she acts more like his mother than a girl his age. Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to bring up their dating history."

Khemkaeng laughed. "Don't worry, I don't feel threatened. Manao told me many times she and Fah were always more like friends than a couple. She also told me sometimes when she watches him with Lom it makes her mad because she thought he couldn't be romantic. Seeing him head-over-heels in love with Lom hurt her a bit."

"Really? I never knew it bothered her. I mean other than the way she found out, of course. She's always acted unaffected by it. I often forget they were a couple for so many years."

"Well don't let her know I told you. I guess she might have expected me to keep that private. I'm happy to come, let me pack a few things and I'll be on my way. I'm not expected in court for the next three days so the timing is perfect."

"Khemkaeng, it should go without saying you don't tell her I asked you to come for any reason other than she looked lonely."

"I know, I'm not a fool. Is it wrong that I'm glad she's been a little lonely? She's a good lawyer and can openly discuss anything but when it comes to admitting how she feels, she doesn't say too much. Okay, I'm hanging up, text me the location and you'll see me soon." They hung up and Kasem sent the hotel's location.