Love Business

"Teerak!"

Zee put his bag on a small table next to the fridge. He roamed around the house, looking around. The house was quiet and empty. He chuckled as he checked his watch. Immediately, he left the living room and went straight into a room, a bit secluded at the back of the house.

"Teerak..."

"Hey! Don't come in, ai kwaii!" Pan put down the polymer stirrer once she saw Zee walk into the room.

"Why?"

"I'm preparing lye! You might get itchy!" Pan pushed Zee out of the room. She followed behind, taking off her goggles and thick rubber gloves.

"I've told you many times, don't come into the room bare like this!" Pan smacked Zee's arm. He whined in pain because the slap was quite sharp.

"I'm wearing a t-shirt, Pan... How can you say I'm bare? Do you really want to see me strip down here?" Zee lifted his t-shirt, causing Pan to shriek in horror.

"Are you mad?! Neighbors can see you!"

"Possessive, huh?" Zee smirked.

"It's not about being possessive. It's about the community's mental health. I don't want my neighbors to have nightmares because of my boyfriend!" Pan playfully choked Zee's neck. When she saw Zee couldn't handle her strength, she let him go. Zee stumbled back, tiny laughs escaping from his lips.

"Go inside. I have an order to fill."

"Massive?"

Pan nodded.

"There's a group of tourists visiting Thame's place in two days. She ordered a bunch, so I have to make a delivery in two days," said Pan.

"Wow, business is growing, huh?"

"Well, yeah. Thank God it is!" Pan sighed.

"Hey... What's with the face, huh? Everyone loves your rose soap bar because it's good. And you're the best! My girl is the best!" Zee hugged Pan's waist tight. He dragged her closer, planting a kiss on her forehead.

"I know... But..." Pan stared deep into Zee's eyes. She was lost for words, somehow soaking in his mesmerizing eyes.

"It's fine. Do it as much as you can. I'll wait inside, okay? Finish your job and come to me fast. Promise?" Zee's voice sounded melodious to Pan. The girl nodded and slowly Zee let her go, walking straight back into the house.

***

Pan's body swayed inside and outside the room, making Zee smile like a fool. She had taken a shower and had her dinner while Zee was waiting for her in bed.

"Zee..." Pan reached out to him, laying her body next to Zee. The man smiled, stretched out his hands, and pulled her into his embrace.

"Are you done?" Pan nodded. She laid her head on Zee's chest. The man looked out the window from his spot, appearing to think about something.

"Teerak..."

"Hm?" Pan replied shortly.

"I have something to tell you..."

Pan sat up straight. She looked at Zee with sorrowful eyes.

"You're leaving again for Pattaya?"

"No! No..." This time, it was Zee's turn to sit up straight. He grabbed Pan's hands and kissed them both.

"How long have we been living together?" Zee asked.

"Two years. Why?" Pan asked him back. Zee let go of Pan's hand. He took out something from the drawer.

"Pan, I have nothing to give you but hardship in life. Yet, you never complain about anything. Even though I treat you poorly, you never once leave me behind..."

Zee opened his palm to reveal a small velvet pouch. He took out the contents and showed Pan.

It was a gold ring.

"I want you to be by my side forever, Pan. No one else can stand me but you. You give me hope and make me happier than ever before. So, will you marry me?"

Pan's jaw dropped as she looked at the ring and then at Zee. She halted for a second, trying to process everything. After some time, she finally grabbed Zee's hand.

"Yes."

Hearing Pan's answer, Zee almost leaped for joy. He wiggled his body a bit before grabbing her hand and sliding the ring onto her finger. He then kissed her many times until Pan shrieked and whined.

"Zee!!"

Zee stopped, looking at Pan with glistening eyes, like a fool in front of her.

"Tomorrow, let's go to the temple and have the ceremony first. We'll register legally next year," said Zee. Pan nodded, still silent. She gave him a faint smile, stroking Zee's hair softly.

"Pan... You have no idea how much I love you..."

Zee softly brushed her lips before slowly leaning closer and planting a deep kiss on her lips. They were locked in a deep kiss before Pan's body slowly leaned back onto the bed. Zee moved down to kiss her neck, intoxicated by Pan's scent.

Pan let Zee enjoy himself as much as he wanted. Silently, she glanced at the side table. A piece of white A4 envelope caught her eye—a college admission letter that arrived that afternoon. She bit her lips, suppressing her devastated feeling inside.

"Pan..." Zee stretched up and kissed her lips, bringing Pan back to reality. Zee stripped off her pajama and took off his t-shirt as well. He was ready to sway with Pan all night long. When he saw Pan was ready as well, he continued their game respectfully.

As he was about to reach the moment of sealing the deal, he remembered he was out of rubbers. However, instead of halting the game, he continued.

"Zee... Rubber..." Pan tried to stop him.

"We're getting married tomorrow, teerak..." Zee brushed a strand of hair from Pan's face. "Please let me..." he pleaded softly.

Pan finally agreed. Sooner or later, they would have to start a family. There was no way Pan could escape from the fact.

So, she just let him enter bare. As Zee entered her, Pan crossed her fingers and prayed silently.

I hope I made a good decision...

***

"What are you doing here?"

Zee's thoughts snap back to reality. He turns around to see Pan standing at the door. She stares at him, standing alone in the middle of the workshop.

"I was roaming around when I saw this workshop. You're still making soap bars?" Zee wipes his eyes a bit.

Pan nods slightly. She walks in and grabs two aprons and two pairs of gloves.

"Wear this. You shouldn't enter the workshop in bare," she hands out the gloves to Zee before putting the apron on him.

"Turn around..." Pan instructs. Zee slowly turns around, allowing Pan to tie the apron strings from behind.

"Pan..." When Zee turns his body to face Pan, his eyes slowly beam while staring at her. Seeing Zee's gloomy face, Pan quickly turns away. She grabs a tray and takes out some soap bars from the silicone mold, unloading them onto the tray.

Zee, however, can't move on from his overwhelming emotion. He slowly pulls Pan into a huge back hug and presses his face into her neck. He cries immediately when her scent hit his nose.

"Zee..."

"Stay still, Pan! Don't leave me again, please..." says Zee between his sobs. Pan puts down the tray and sighs. She hold still, leaving Zee channel all his emotion inside.

This workshop... It really hits off those memories. Those days, when Pan used to be his lover. How she kept her days busy by making soap, not only to fill her day, but to help him support financially for the house.

"I'm sorry..."

That's all Zee can says to Pan. Even a short sentence, it feels heavy in Pan's heart. She puts down the tray on the table and sighs.

"Hmm..." She continues collecting those soaps, even though she us broken inside after listening to Zee's plead. But, for their own good, Pan shuts her eyes blind.