A week later after everything I finally got my first call in for my session with Niran, I was nervous but also excited for the pay. I did have to wait 2 weeks to get paid, I got paid after that session and with a high pay like this I get to save money and still have some left for Mae and Mali.
As I made my way to the Tharaporn estate, my nerves were doing somersaults. The bus ride felt long
M
The bus ride felt long, though it was probably just my nerves making every second drag on. I stared out the window, watching the city blur past, trying to convince myself that this was just another job. But it wasn't, not really. This wasn't like stocking shelves or serving coffee—this was me stepping into someone else's life in a way I never imagined.
When I finally arrived at the Tharaporn estate, I couldn't help but be reminded of just how different our worlds were. The grand gates, the sprawling driveway, and the sheer size of the house were enough to make me feel out of place. Still, I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and approached the intercom, pressing the button.
A familiar voice answered. "You're here," P'Sang said, his tone neutral. "Wait by the gate; I'll come get you."
Moments later, the gates swung open, and P'Sang appeared. He gave me a once-over, his expression unreadable as usual. "This way," he said, leading me toward the main house.
As we walked, I tried to focus on my breathing. I couldn't afford to mess this up—not when it meant so much for Mae and Mali. The high pay was still almost unbelievable, and it was more than enough motivation to get through whatever awkwardness lay ahead.
When we reached the front door, P'Sang paused and turned to me. "Before you go in," he said, his tone low, "just… be patient with him. He's not thrilled about this arrangement, but he knows it's necessary."
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Got it."
He opened the door, and I stepped inside. The cool air and the faint scent of lavender hit me first, followed by the sound of soft music playing somewhere in the background. Dr. Han was already there, standing near the staircase with her clipboard in hand. She gave me a small smile when she saw me.
"Right on time, Nattawut," she said. "Niran's waiting in the sitting room. Let's get started."
I followed Dr. Han through the house, the sound of my footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. The closer we got to the sitting room, the more I felt my nerves ramping up again. What if Niran refused to cooperate? What if he completely shut me out? I shook my head slightly, trying to clear the doubts. This was for his health, and I had to focus on that.
When we reached the sitting room, Dr. Han stepped aside and gestured for me to enter. I hesitated for a split second before walking in.
Niran was seated on one of the plush couches, his posture stiff and his gaze fixed on a book in his lap. He wasn't reading it, though; his fingers gripped the edges too tightly, and his jaw was clenched. He didn't look up when I entered.
"Good evening," I said, my voice tentative.
He finally glanced up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're late."
I frowned, glancing at the clock on the wall. "I'm actually five minutes early."
"Whatever," he muttered, looking back at the book. "Let's just get this over with."
Dr. Han cleared her throat, her tone calm but firm. "Niran, remember what we discussed. This isn't just about getting it over with—it's about progress. Both of you need to approach this with an open mind."
Niran huffed but didn't argue. He set the book aside and crossed his arms, his gaze flicking to me and then away again. "Fine. What now?"
I looked at Dr. Han for guidance, and she gave me an encouraging nod. "For today, we'll start with some basic proximity work. Niran, you'll focus on controlling your pheromones while Nat releases his pheromones."
"Now remember you might feel a little uncomfortable, and this might trigger more of your pheromones but it's part of the process okay?" She assured him
——————
Niran's POV
I glared at Dr. Han, my patience already wearing thin. "Uncomfortable? That's an understatement."
She gave me her usual calm, clinical smile, like she wasn't asking me to sit in a room and potentially lose control of myself. "It's part of the process, Niran. Trust me, you're stronger than you think."
I didn't feel strong. I felt like I was walking a tightrope with no safety net, and the last thing I wanted was to fall while he was here to see it. My eyes flicked to Nattawut briefly. He was sitting there, looking just as nervous as I felt, which, oddly, made me a little less angry.
"Fine," I muttered, crossing my arms tighter across my chest. "Let's just get it over with."
Dr. Han gave Nat a signal, and I saw him take a deep breath before closing his eyes. It started slowly—just a faint whiff of something warm and grounding, like the first hint of rain on dry earth. But then it got stronger, seeping into the air around us like a tide rising too fast.
I tensed immediately, every muscle in my body screaming to retreat, but I forced myself to stay still. The scent wasn't overpowering like most alpha pheromones. It wasn't harsh or suffocating. If anything, it was…soft. Familiar.
Dr. Han's voice cut through the haze. "Niran, breathe. Focus on keeping your own pheromones stable."
I clenched my jaw, my hands digging into the fabric of my pants as I fought against the instinct to lash out. "Easy for you to say," I gritted out.
"It's not about perfection," she said gently. "It's about trying."
I inhaled shakily, the scent surrounding me making my chest tighten. It didn't feel dangerous, but it felt too much. Too close. Too intimate. My vision blurred slightly as the warmth crept over me, making my heartbeat uneven.
"Stop," I whispered, barely able to form the word.
Dr. Han didn't say anything, but I felt her presence nearby. "You're doing fine, Niran. Just one more minute."
"One more minute feels like a damn hour," I snapped, my voice cracking.
Nattawut opened his eyes then, his expression full of hesitation. "I can stop if it's too much," he said quietly, like he was afraid of making it worse.
I hated the way he looked at me—like I was fragile. Like I was some broken thing he needed to handle carefully. My pride burned, but my body wasn't listening to my pride right now.
"Just…stay where you are," I managed, even though my instincts screamed at me to kick him out of the room.
The scent settled a little, no longer climbing but still present. I gritted my teeth and tried to focus, forcing the storm inside me to quiet down. My chest felt tight, but after what felt like an eternity, the worst of it passed.
"There," Dr. Han said softly, relief in her voice. "You did it, Niran. That's enough for today."
I slumped back against the couch, my entire body trembling from the effort. I didn't look at Nat. I couldn't. My cheeks were burning with embarrassment, and I hated that he'd seen me like this.
"Can I go now?" I muttered, already standing up.
Dr. Han nodded. "You can rest for now. We'll continue next time."
Without another word, I walked out of the room, leaving the warmth of his scent behind me. But no matter how far I went, it lingered. It was like it had seeped into my skin, and I hated that part of me didn't mind.
——————
Nattawut's POV
As soon as Niran left the room, the tension in the air seemed to lift, but it didn't take the strange knot in my stomach with it. I stayed seated, trying to shake off the nerves that had built up during the session.
"Well," Dr. Han said, closing her clipboard with a snap. "That went better than I expected."
"Better?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "He looked like he was ready to bolt."
"That's normal for someone in his position. You're both adjusting, Nattawut. For his first real session, I'd call this a success." She gave me one of her reassuring smiles, but it didn't do much to ease the weight I was feeling.
I leaned back in the chair, running a hand through my hair. "He hates this. He hates me."
Dr. Han shook her head. "He doesn't hate you. He's angry at the situation, not at you specifically. You're just the easiest target for his frustration right now."
I wasn't sure if that was supposed to make me feel better, but it didn't. I'd seen the fire in his eyes, the way he'd barely tolerated being in the same room as me. And yet… there was something else there too. Beneath the anger and pride, there was a flicker of something I couldn't quite place.
As we walked out of the room Niran was standing in the hallway hugging P'Sang very closely, they were oddly close for them to be just body gaurd and young master. "Is that guy an Alpha?" I asked Dr. Han.
"No his a Beta, if he was an Alpha there's no way he would be that close to Ran." She replied.
As we continued walking down the hallway, I couldn't help but glance back at Niran and P'Sang. Niran's arms were wrapped tightly around the older man, his face buried in P'Sang's shoulder. The way P'Sang gently rubbed Niran's back, murmuring something I couldn't hear, felt oddly intimate for a bodyguard and his charge.
"Ran seems really attached to him," I muttered, mostly to myself.
Dr. Han heard me anyway and gave a small, knowing smile. "They've been together for years. P'Sang has been more than just a bodyguard to Niran—he's been a constant in his life. When you're exactly alone and locked up in your own house since birth that kind of bond becomes an anchor."
I stopped in my tracks, turning to face Dr. Han. "Locked up since birth?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.
She sighed, her expression shifting to something softer, almost regretful. "That's the way his parents chose to protect him. Niran's sensitivity to pheromones made it dangerous for him to be around others, especially Alphas. His father thought it was best to keep him at home, where he could be monitored and safe."
I frowned, the pieces of Niran's behavior starting to make a little more sense. "So he's never really had a chance to…"
"To live?" she finished for me. "Not in the way most people would consider living. P'Sang became his connection to the outside world—a friend, protector, and confidant all rolled into one. It's not surprising that Niran would cling to him the way he does."
I glanced back down the hallway. Niran and P'Sang were still standing there, the younger boy's head resting against the Beta's shoulder. The scene tugged at something in me, though I couldn't quite place what it was. Pity? Guilt? Maybe just curiosity.
"But wouldn't that just make things worse?" I asked. "Keeping him away from people, I mean. Isn't it harder for him to adjust now?"
Dr. Han nodded, her expression grave. "It has made things harder, yes. That's why his parents finally agreed to this—bringing you into the equation is part of a long-overdue effort to help Niran adapt. But it's not going to be easy. Years of isolation have left him guarded and distrustful. He's not used to anyone challenging his boundaries."
Her words lingered in my mind as we exited the estate. I couldn't shake the image of Niran leaning on P'Sang, his guard finally down in a way I hadn't seen before.
If this was the life he'd been forced to live, it was no wonder he lashed out at everyone else. But part of me couldn't help but wonder if there was more to him than the stubborn, sharp-edged boy I'd met.
And whether I was ready—or even able—to find out.
TBC