"Do you really have to go that far with him?" Lam asked, eyes narrowed as he watched Forth meticulously adjust the hidden cameras in the corners of his own room. "You've already tied the knot."
Park, ever possessive, slipped his arms around Lam's waist and rested his chin on his shoulder. "Don't tell me you're feeling sorry for him now?"
"Stop it, Park. He's already Forth's husband. Your jealousy won't change that," Lam said, stepping out of Park's grasp and turning back to Forth. "Are you even listening?"
Forth, as usual, ignored the chaos around him. Focused. Methodical. He was securing the final camera. Park let out a sigh and walked over to the control tablet.
"Check the angles," Forth commanded.
"Yes, Boss." Park tapped through the surveillance feeds with a mischievous grin. "Your room's covered from every angle. If we wanted, we could shoot a whole movie here."
Forth smirked. "No need. A five-minute trailer will do the job."
Lam snapped. "This is insane! You're seriously going to film your wedding night to blackmail him?"
Forth finally turned to face Lam, his expression unreadable. "Don't you think you've grown soft ever since you started dating Park?"
"No, man. Park didn't make him soft - he gave him a heart," Max said from the side, finally joining the conversation while Tul just blinked quietly beside him.
"He's already yours," Lam snapped. "You married him for real, not a contract or anything. You say you like him - so why this?"
Forth's voice was low but firm. "Because I love my baby brother Wayo. If I don't tie Beam down, he'll run back to Phana. Again. And Phana… Phana always chooses Beam over Wayo. I need to make sure that doesn't happen again. If Beam's mine, he stays mine. He has nowhere else to go."
Lam's face twisted in disbelief. "So, this is about Wayo?"
Tul finally spoke, his voice soft but clear. "Actually… I think Forth's doing all this for a little revenge, too."
Everyone turned toward him.
"Go on, baby," Max encouraged.
Tul smiled. "It's just an observation. Forth could've gone for a fake marriage or a casual fling, but he chose the real thing. Why? Because Beam rejected him once. He's not just protecting Wayo - he's also satisfying his own bruised ego. This isn't just about Wayo. It's about winning back pride. This is a… Revenge Marriage."
Park clapped slowly. "Forget arranged marriages or love marriages - our boss is inventing new trends."
"Enough," Forth said, annoyed. "It's already two in the morning. Get out."
Tul waved cheekily, "Congratulations, Boss." Max hugged Forth before leaving.
Lam left without a word, shooting a final glare toward Forth. Park stayed a moment longer, receiving instructions.
"Are all the arrangements done for tomorrow?" Forth asked quietly.
"Yes," Park confirmed.
"And… about Lam?" Forth added with hesitation.
"I'll manage him. Don't worry."
Forth nodded, his gaze drifting toward the figure curled up in his bed. Beam was asleep, looking peaceful for once. Forth sat beside him, gently brushing a lock of hair away from his face.
"I'm sorry for this," he whispered. "But everything I'm doing… it's for Wayo. Someday you'll understand. Until then, try to survive this revenge marriage."
Eight Hours Earlier,
Wayo opened his eyes to see Forth sitting by his bedside. Without a word, he moved his head into Forth's lap and began crying softly.
"Stop, baby," Forth said gently. "You'll get sick again."
"Let me cry. Maybe then he'll care about me," Wayo mumbled, burying his face deeper.
Forth helped him sit up and cupped his face. "You love him that much? Enough to hurt yourself just for his attention?"
Wayo nodded. "I'd die for it."
Forth sighed and wiped his tears. "Then let's fix this tonight. Go to Phana and invite him - and his friends - to the hotel's opening event. Don't mention me. Just say it's for staff and you want them there."
"But… the hotel launch was supposed to be next week…"
"I can't watch you cry till next week. This ends tonight," Forth said, pressing a kiss to Wayo's forehead.
"Are you going to kill Beam?" Wayo blinked.
Forth chuckled. "No. And start calling him P'Beam from now on. Okay?"
Wayo gave a tiny nod. He didn't know anything, but he trusted his brother's ability to act in shadows. He knew Forth was bi. He also suspected that something had happened between him and Beam the night of the challenge - but he didn't know how deep it went.
"I don't want to lose P'Phana," Wayo said quietly. "I know they're just friends, but sometimes… it doesn't feel like that. I don't hate P'Beam, but I hate how P'Phana spoils him."
"You won't have to feel that again," Forth assured, hugging him tight.
Later That Night - The Event
At the hotel, the venue buzzed with subtle luxury. Everything was in place.
Beam arrived with Kit, only to be immediately intercepted by Ming, who whisked Kit away with a boyish grin.
Park, Lam, Max, and Tul approached Beam like a silent wave. Max sized him up, then leaned toward Park.
"Do you have a death wish?" Park muttered.
"No. Just wondering what's so special about him."
Lam overheard and snapped, "Forth worships him the way you worship Tul."
Max blinked. "Ooooh."
Meanwhile, Tul had wandered closer to Beam. "Hi, Doctor. How are you?"
Beam raised an eyebrow. "Sorry… do I know you?"
"No, but I know you," Tul replied sweetly.
Beam tilted his head. "And how exactly do you know me?"
"F - "
Before he could finish, Max appeared and wrapped an arm around Tul's waist. "Sorry, Doc. My boyfriend forgot his manners. Baby, introduce yourself first."
Tul giggled. "I'm Tul. Nice to meet you."
Park and Lam walked up, with Park saying, "Hope you remember us, Doctor."
Beam nodded slowly. "Yes… we met during an.....event." He doesn't want to talk about the firing session happened in front of him.
Right on cue, Wayo and Phana entered.
"Looks like everyone's getting along," Wayo smiled. "P'Pha, meet P'Park and his boyfriend P'Lam. P'Lam's P'Forth's childhood friend. P'Park joined him in university."
Phana shook Park's hand politely, then turned to Max and Tul.
"They're my favorites," Wayo grinned. "P'Max and his sweetheart P'Tul. They've been together since forever. P'Max is P'Park's cousin, and both joined P'Forth in university too."
Phana went to offer a handshake, but Max pulled him into a hug. "No need to be formal. We're practically family. And Wayo's our baby, so you better treat him like royalty."
"And since we just heard about your engagement, a toast is in order," Park said, raising his glass.
Phana hesitated. "We just got here - "
"P'Pha, please," Wayo cut in. "Let them celebrate with us."
Phana relented. A tray of drinks arrived, courtesy of a smiling Lam. He subtly slipped a pill into Beam's glass.
They all raised their glasses.
"To new beginnings," Park said.
And with that, they drank.
Lam stepped closer to Park, who pulled him into a quiet embrace. "We're done here. Want to check the rest of the plan?"
Lam nodded, their silhouettes disappearing into the crowd - leaving behind a slowly dissolving illusion, and a trap set to spring.