6: How Ironic
After dinner, Carl took Kaew on a shopping spree. Kaew chose outfits that Carl thought were questionable, such as a camouflage t-shirt with big black boots, a blue and white tie-dye t-shirt with oversized sweatpants, a skull t-shirt, a Japanese cartoon character t-shirt, pajama pants, and another pair of sneakers. None of them went together, and Carl couldn't understand Kaew's fashion sense.
At the accessory shop, Kaew spent time looking at chains and leather goods. He picked them up and put them down, but when he saw a tote bag with a dog pattern, he couldn't resist. Carl smiled as he watched Kaew try a Snoopy tote bag, finding it adorable. He ended up buying two bags, one for Kaew and one for his best friend Sandee.
When they arrived home, it was already past midnight. Carl allowed Kaew to put his things away in the living room before heading to his master bedroom to take a shower and get changed. He planned to work for a bit before going to sleep. However, when he entered his room, he found Kaew lying on his stomach, scrolling through his phone. Drops of water from his wet hair were on the bed sheet.
"You took so long in the shower," complained Kaew, his eyes still locked on the phone.
Surprised, Carl asked, "What are you doing in my bedroom?" even though he was topless, showing off his firm muscles.
"It may not look like it, but my werewolf ears are really responsive. Whenever someone comes in, I'm always the first to know."
"You should worry about yourself. Are you still hurt?" Carl lowered his eyes toward Kaew's bruised hip. The skin had started to redden. It would turn all blue by tomorrow.
"Not anymore. I can recover quickly." His small hand pulled his shorts up, showing more of his bruise.
The boy was so pale that Carl thought it might hurt his eyes. He blinked at what he saw, thinking how naïve this boy was. Kaew was so reckless when it came to his own body. Why do you keep showing off your body like this? Look at those wide hips and that round booty. How are they so adorable? Carl swallowed hard, his fingers touching Kaew's bruise longingly. His eyes darkened. Someone definitely deserved a death sentence tomorrow.
"Check this out. Mr. Chiang wanted to take a bath in Turkey. I thought it'd be like what I did at the dog spa today, but I don't understand this part at all."
Started off the sensational bath in Turkey by pouring warm water over my head, then he poured shampoo on me and started washing my hair harshly. Imagine a man giving you a bath, it's never ever gentle. And my eye level was right at his big HAIRY belly. EEEEEK. I'm gonna call him Daddy from now on. So, Daddy pushed my head down as if he wanted me to give him a BJ. (I whispered to myself 'Oh my god' as I was so shocked.) After that, Daddy started massaging my neck down to my shoulders. GURL, it was UH-ME-ZING. It was so good that I started questioning my life's choices, like, what the hell am I doing here?
Carl frowned as he finished reading the part Kaew showed him. It was something with alpacas earlier, and now this activity… Carl was confused, wondering if he should explain it to the boy, or if he should recommend that Kaew follow other, more appropriate travel content. But then, Kaew was already 21… How ironic.
"When you feel curious about something, who do you usually ask for help?" Carl asked.
"Usually my Grandpa, and then Sandee, or sometimes Sandee's parents. But Grandpa would sometimes knock on my head and tell me to read books instead. Sandee probably knows as much as I do," said Kaew, laughing sheepishly.
"And how did you study?" Carl wondered if Kaew took evening classes once he became human. He tried to picture Kaew in a university student uniform, but he could only see the boy in a high school uniform with a white shirt and shorts.
"My Grandpa homeschooled me, and I took online exams with official teachers until I received my high school diploma. I received my bachelor's degree last year," Kaew said proudly.
"You have a bachelor's degree?" Carl was surprised.
"Yes, in Investment Management. Speaking of which, I'll transfer the total amount you paid for my things today before I forget," Kaew said, opening his banking app on his phone.
"Don't mention it. I told you that I would take care of you," said Carl. "And just so I don't misunderstand it, you took an online international course?"
"Consider me a graduate of the US."
Kaew smiled as Carl's eyes widened in surprise. Since he normally became a human after sunset in Thailand, it would be early morning in the US anyway. His werewolf ancestors had always adapted to survive. I don't mean to brag, but let me tell you the truth. Our clan's priority has always been education. To this day, it's much easier to take an online course with international institutions.
"I worked and made money even before I graduated. If not for my condition, I would have traveled the world without any financial issues."
"What do you do?"
"I'm an investor. Cryptocurrency is thriving and I've been making profits from it recently."
"Mmm." Another surprise.
Kaew opened his digital wallet application on his phone to show Carl. At the same time, different notifications on his phone kept popping up. They were from a Facebook page that Kaew followed, notifying him that new content had been uploaded.
"By the way, what does a BJ mean?" said Kaew just after seeing a notification.
"I think you should go to bed," sighed Carl.
Living in the moment was great, though sometimes Kaew took it too seriously. Carl would probably need to take a course on how to effectively communicate with werewolves. As he was not this werewolf boy's chaperon, Carl decided to end the conversation there, instead of explaining to Kaew what BJ meant.
"Oh right, you work tomorrow. Okay, I'm going to sleep now."
The boy snuggled under a blanket without hesitation, taking his territory at one side of Carl's bed. After reading a few Facebook posts and failing to understand most parts of them, he decided to watch YouTube videos instead.
"Go to your room." Carl flipped the blanket over, staring at the boy who'd curled himself up into a furball so that his nose almost sunk into his phone.
"But I'm staying by your side."
"Do you have a superpower or something?"
"Nope, but my hearing is quite impressive. I just told you."
"If an intruder breaks in, what will you do?"
"I'll wake you up because you have guns and knives with you." Kaew flipped to lie on his back, his eyes glancing at a side table next to Carl's bed. He could smell bullets and metal. Plus, Carl's hands gave a scent of danger yet mystery at the same time.
The man smiled at the corners of his mouth. He turned off the light, having only spotlights installed with the floor on.
Kaew's brown eyes took a glance at the person who laid down next to him. If he drank milk and exercised more, would he look as good as Carl? Well, unlikely. His figure had been always thin since he was born. He was an only child who almost didn't make it. I'll tell you more about it when we become closer.
"Do you have to work early again?"
"Yeah."
"Wake me up so we can go together."
"…"
"I'll be right by your side guarding you all day," said Kaew. He yawned despite holding a phone firmly in his hand.
Carl's thin lips curled into a soft smile, picturing a fluffy Bangkaew following and guarding him. He didn't tell Kaew what kind of business he was dealing with. But since this werewolf could smell guns and knives around him, Kaew should have understood that his job involved illegal activities.
Carl looked up at the ceiling, the blue reflection from the swimming pool outside shining through like waves in the ocean. His business had grown to the point that his life depended on it. When it came to power and money, who wouldn't want those things? And on the other hand, once you had them, you didn't want to lose them, either.
Having an imposter among his crew didn't surprise Carl anymore, but that meant the recruiting process was a problem. Who else could he trust?
"Do you know that dogs are the most loyal creatures," murmured the furball next to him, sleepily.
Are werewolves mind readers?
"You can count on me. I won't leave you. Feed a dog once and they remember you forever. But you, you fed me a hamburger… I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
The boy voiced his intention one more time. His eyelids were so heavy that they finally closed completely. Carl flipped to the side facing Kaew and patted him. He paused for a second when Kaew moaned softly before nuzzling his small nose into Carl's palm as if he tried to say something. Don't stop. Go on. It's good.
Carl's long fingers tucked a piece of Kaew's hair behind his ear gently. I guess I can't let him go now.