"I love you."
New rolled his eyes at Tay for the nth time. He couldn't even count how many times Tay had said those words ever since that morning.
That day was special. Special because it was their fourth year anniversary and he couldn't help but get excited over the fact that they had surpassed another year of being together.
He didn't even expect Tay to be the romantic type. On their first anniversary, he surprised him with a trip to Phuket. For their second one, he rented the whole amusement park which they frequented and presented him a massive fireworks display with the words "Happy Anniversary." On their third one, they went on a trip to Korea which turned out to the best trip he ever had. Their fourth one was probably the only one when Tay didn't have any tricks on his sleeves and he was just fine with that. In fact a simple dinner would suffice.
For the past years, their relationship was nothing but pure love and happiness, well, they do bicker at times too, but Tay would always give in to his caprices, making him win in almost every argument they had.
He had also transferred to Tay's unit with both of their parents' approval. Their parents seemed to be the best of friends now. Their mothers even went to spa and salon together and their fathers could always be seen talking about business and other related stuff every time their families went out for dinner.
He still worked as Tay's company but he was no longer his secretary. After a tedious discussion and a series of explanation as to why it was beneficial, he was able to convince Tay. He was appointed as the head of the marketing team after the previous one resigned due to transfer of residence.
"Tsss. How many times have you said that one today?" he chuckled and placed a piece of meat on Tay's plate.
He had also learned to cook a lot of dishes for Tay since he loved authentic Thai food and they still argued about his unending love for sweets.
"Yah, why are you eating that one instead of real food?" Tay asked as he took a bite on his cupcake.
"Huh? Why? This is food too," he replied and took another bite.
"Seriously, babe you should really watch out for your sugar level. Drink a lot of water and please minimize your sugar intake."
He beamed at him and send him a flying kiss. They had always been like that and he couldn't just get enough of Tay being sweet.
And the most surprising part was he didn't even get mad when Kay visited him at the company one time and even accompanied him when he told Kay to stop pursuing him. Tay had also became friends with Earth and even attended business conferences together, but he still wouldn't let him within an arm's reach from Earth.
"Yes baaaabe. This is gonna be the last one for today."
"By the way, let's have dinner at our favorite restaurant tonight. I already made reservations, okay?"
Tay held his hand on the table and smiled at him.
"Okay," he smiled back at him.
"Happy fourth anniversary."
"Happy fourth anniversary.".
_____
He looked at the mirror and fixed his hair excitingly. He looked at his watch and fished his phone out of his pocket to message Tay.
He was about to type a message when Tay beat him to it.
From: Babe ð
Baabe. I'm so sorry but I have to cancel our dinner. I have an urgent business dinner with an investor and I couldn't say no.
Just see you at home, okay. I love you. ð
He frowned as he read the message. All his excitement went down the drain. He had been looking forward to that evening as he was all excited about their dinner.
He plopped down on his seat and unbuttoned his shirt. He was about to type his reply to Tay when Fiat, their marketing assistant came rushing to him.
"Sir. I'm so sorry to disturb you after office hours but I really need your help."
"What's wrong?"
"These documents need Ms Panhan's signature but I forgot to let her sign earlier. Please sir I'm begging you, help me on this matter. We both know she doesn't like to be disturbed after office hours but I'm afraid I'll lose my job if the higher ups found out about my negligence."
He sighed and looked at him.
"Okay, don't worry. I'll just bring these documents to her and make her sign these, okay. Do you have any ideas where she is right now?"
"Yes Sir. She stays at The Empire Building."
"Okay. I'll handle this."
"Thank you very much Sir!"
He smiled at him and told him he could go. He then fixed his shirt and grabbed his bag.
_____
He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he waited for the cars to move. As it was still early in the evening, the traffic was slightly heavy.
He glanced at the folder on the passenger seat.
"Guess everything happens for a reason," he murmured and stepped on the gas when the traffic started to move again.
He parked the company car in front of the building. Since he came to work with Tay earlier, he had no choice but to take the company car as he was not really fond of public transportation.
He approached the receptionist and eventually noticed her eyes sparkling at the sight of him.
"Good evening, I'm here for Ms Panhan."
"Good evening, Sir. May I have your name?"
"New Thitipoom."
"Oh, wait for a while, Sir."
She then dialled something on the telephone. He furrowed his eyebrows when she moved slightly away from him and spoke in a hushed tone.
"She's in room 1512 Sir. You may go up. She's already expecting you."
He furrowed his eyebrows even more. Ms Panhan was known to be very meticulous and strict in terms of time so he wasn't expecting her to agree on meeting him right there and then.
"Okay, thank you."
"You're welcome, Sir."
He proceeded to the elevator and pressed number 15. He hummed a tune he created on the spot whilst the elevator was moving. Fortunately, it didn't stop in any other floors, something that confused him and at the same time made him happy since he would eventually reach the 15th floor.
He fished out his phone from his pocket and typed a message to Tay.
To: Babe ð
Babe, I just have something to attend to. Will be home late.
The elevator dinged signifying that he had already reached the 15th floor.
He had just stepped out of the elevator when all of a sudden, everything turned black, leaving him in the dark.
He immediately turned his phone's flashlight, using it so he could see the way.
"Hello?" he called out but he didn't hear any response. He looked out the glass wall and saw that there were lights in the other buildings.
"Is there anybody out there?" he called out again as he waved the flashlight in every direction.
He swallowed the lump in his throat when he realized that he was alone, and he didn't even know why the entire floor seemed to be empty.
"Where the heck is everyone?" he muttered.
He dialled Tay's number but didn't get any response from the other line.
He was about to type him a message when something caught his eyes. He looked out the glass wall and gasped when he saw the building across being lighted.
He bit his lips as he tried to stop himself from crying as he watched a video of him and Tay being played on the building's exterior screen, making it look like a giant television.
The video was a collection of their pictures and video clips including the ones he secretly took during their University days. There were also pictures from their trips together, most of them were stolen pictures of him while sleeping and eating, all of which were taken by Tay.
He couldn't help but laugh as he remembered the days when he would just steal glances at Tay playing basketball or when he ditched his class to sneak into Tay's. He didn't even know how Tay got those pictures from when they were still students.
He wiped the side of his eyes as the video came to an end. He didn't know that Tay would go as far as that for their anniversary. He was about to call out his name when he suddenly heard the strumming of a guitar.
In your smile I find comfort
And in your eyes I find hope
With one look my heart shivered
You stole my heart from the start
Darling, I'm in love with you
Every day I'm drawn to you
The area was then filled with lights and he could only gasp as he saw the place being decorated with blue balloons and different types of flowers and in the center was Tay with a mic in his hand.
You're full of wonder, full of grace
You got me settled in your embrace
You're beautiful from the inside
And I am glad for you are mine
Darling, I'm in love with you
Everyday I'm drawn to you
Although these words they don't deserve you
I say it 'cause I want to
So that you know that I love you
Tay then slowly approached him while he stayed rooted on his place. His heart was beating fast and his hands were shaking for no apparent reason. His breathing was unstable due to the sudden rush of emotions that he felt like the world stood still with no one else but him and Tay.
You belong to me just like I belong to you
I wanna love you better than I loved you yesterday
I, I give my all to you because of what we have is true
Each time you say you love me
I love you too and more
Too and more
Tay then held out his hand and continued singing. No words came out of his mouth as he watched Tay in front of him.
Don't you worry like I do
'Cause there is no way I'm leaving you
To the moon and back again
Until forever and then again
Darling, I'm in love with you
Everyday I'm drawn to you
Although these words they don't deserve you
I say it 'cause I want to
So that you know that I love you
Tay smiled at him and grasped his hand tighter. Tears were starting to well up in his eyes so he tilted his head back to stop them from falling.
You belong to me just like I belong to you
I wanna love you better than I loved you yesterday
I, I give my all to you because of what we have is true
Each time you say you love me
I love you too and more
You can count on me to make your life complete
I will love you better than I loved you yesterday
Love, you have my heart, you have my life
Each time you say you love me
I love you too and more
He wiped the sides of his eyes as Tay ended the song.
"Yah, I thought you didn't have any tricks for this day," he sniffed as he hit Tay's arm, dropping the folder he had been carrying all along on the floor.
Tay didn't say a word and just gestured him to look outside.
Quite confused, he slowly looked back at the building earlier. His eyes widened upon realizing that the pictures earlier were now replaced with words, words he didn't expect to read or hear that day.
Hin, marry me, please?
He froze. His heart was beating even faster as he read the words over and over again to make sure that he was reading the right thing.
He looked back at Tay and clasped his hand on his mouth when he saw him kneeling in front of him with a ring on his hand. It was a thin silver band which was lined with small diamond studs.
He started crying even more, covering his face with his hands as he stifled a cry.
"H-hey, I'm sorry. Did I scare you?" Tay immediately stood and checked on him.
"Yaaah. I wasn't expecting this," he sobbed and continued wiping his face.
Tay chuckled and patted his head.
"Well, the surprise is successful though. Soooo... what's your answer?"
He sniffed again and wiped his tears dry. He then reached out his hand to Tay.
"Quick. Insert the ring."
Tay scrambled to grab his hand and swiftly inserted the ring in his finger.
"This looks expensive. How much do you think will I get if I sell this?" he joked.
Tay then snaked his arms around his waist and whirled him around.
"Yaaaah! Tay!"
Tay's laughter filled the area as he hit his shoulders. He was starting to get dizzy as Tay whirled him around in his arms.
"Tss. You better not sell that or I'll punish you in every possible way you could think of."
"Yah, put me down. I'm getting dizzy."
Tay then put him down and hugged him again.
"Thank you, Hin. I love you."
"I love you, too."
Tay then leaned closer and he automatically closed his eyes, expecting for a kiss. But before Tay's lips could touch his, he heard several murmurs and shrieks.
"What?"
He turned to look at their parents and friends who were smiling widely at them but what caught his attention was Apple who was shouting and cheering them on.
"Oh come on! Just fucking kiss!" she shouted with her fist up in the air.
He chuckled when his mother turned to look at her to which Apple responded with a peace sign.
He also saw Fiat among the crowd and he gasped as he remembered what he was supposed to do in the building.
He scanned the floor and saw the folder which he dropped earlier.
"Wait, I have to meet Ms Panhan to have her sign this!" he immediately grabbed the folder but Tay held his arm.
"Hey. You don't have to worry about that. She knows about all of this."
He then hit Tay's arm with the folder.
"Tss. You scared me for nothing!"
Tay just laughed at him and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.
"I love you, Hin. I promise to be the perfect husband there is for you."
"I will always say yes to you in all my lifetimes, Babe. I love you, too and more," he replied as Tay leaned closer and kissed him fully on the lips.
_____
New raised his hand as he blocked his eyes from the sunlight, his ring glistening against the sun's powerful rays.
Last night just felt surreal that he still didn't know if it was real or not, until he felt a light kiss on his cheek.
Tay then beamed at him, looking as dashing as ever in his suit, his hair swept to the side.
"Hi, babe," he muttered and reached out to fix Tay's crooked tie.
"Hi, husband."
He snickered upon hearing the word to cover the sudden change in his heartbeat.
"We're not even married yet."
"But I know you're mine to keep," Tay pinched his nose before grabbing his hand.
Hand in hand, they entered the company together and was greeted by flower petals being thrown in the air. They both chuckled when they saw a huge Congratulations banner being held by the company staff.
"Thank you everyone," Tay smiled at all of them.
"Don't we get a kiss?" Fiat's voice caught everybody's attention.
"Yeah! Even just one!" the other staff seconded the motion.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
He felt his face heating up as the crowd cheered them on. Tay on the other hand scratched the back of his head.
He laughed nervously at the crowd and was about to say something when Tay cupped his face and kissed him fully on the lips earning a loud shout from the audience.
"Yaaaah, it's embarrassing," he whispered when Tay let him go.
Tay just chuckled and patted his head.
"We're gonna do this in front of many people on our wedding day anyway. Might as well practice as early as now."