Chapter 5: Smile for Me

Gemini helped the hotel staff arrange the ingredients for the cooking workshop, looking over his shoulders at his dad who was having a 'chat' with the hotel Manager.

He let out an exhausted sigh. 

His dad has been in a bad mood since this morning when Hia Dunk hadn't showed up at the breakfast table and he had had to volunteer because he hadn't wanted his Hia to get into trouble.

But now that he was here, Gemini was realizing just how much pressure Hia Dunk was really in, because he had only been helping the staff organize the things around the room, but he was already exhausted. If this is what Dunk had to face before every event…

"Khob khun khab," he thanked the staff who had arranged the table for the contestants just the way he had wanted to. "You can go assist the chef in the kitchen. If there's anything else, I will let you know."

The woman gracefully bowed and left him standing at the table. Gem took the time to look around the main hall one last time, just to make sure everything was set the way he wanted it to be.

One of the worst traits he could've inherited from his dad was that he was just as much of a perfectionist as he was. In fact, he was bordering on the lines of OCD at the moment where he would find that if a certain thing wasn't placed in a certain way or if it wasn't just how he wanted it to be…he would stand there, trying to fix it, even if it took him hours. 

Fortunately, only Hia Phuwin had noticed his behavior so far and he didn't want to make it into a big deal because he didn't want others to worry about him. After all, some people just liked being perfectionists, like his dad…it was no big deal.

"Gemini."

Startled, he turned to face his dad with a smile as Tay Tawan lifted his hands to fix the collar of his suit jacket. "Nervous?" Tay smiled at his youngest son.

"A little." Gemini smiled back at his father. "I hope everything is up to your liking."

"It is." Tay reassured him. "I have a feeling that today's event will be great."

"I think so too." Gemini genuinely hoped he could make this event as successful as all the other events that his older brother had attended and organized with their dad. He really looked up to Hia Dunk and how he could manage his studies and learn to manage their parents business at the same time.

Speaking of, he saw his Hia Dunk and Hia Phuwin enter through the main entrance just at that moment, escorted by their Pa New.

There wasn't any specific dress code for the event, but it seems like their entire family had subtly decided to wear blue. Even Hia Phuwin, who had classes until late afternoon, was wearing a navy blue jacket over a grey shirt and blue pants.

Gemini looked at his dad's face, his eyes widening slightly as he saw him frown at Hia Dunk.

"Sawadee khab, dad…" Dunk bowed his head slightly in a wai, smiling sheepishly at his dad, trying to gauge his reaction.

"Natachai Nimtawat!" Tay called his son's full name, indicating just how angry he was. "I'm extremely disappointed in you! How can you forget about such an important appointment that we had made weeks in advance? Where were you? What were you doing this morning? No, don't answer that, let me guess…you were drunk at some party and passed out? Is that the behavior of a Nimtawat family member?"

Dunk lowered his head tensely as Gemini and Phuwin exchanged panicked glances. They were in the middle of the Nimtawat Hotel main hall where there were not only several of the hotel staff present, but also VIP guests coming in from all over Thailand and some even International guests. They didn't want this incident to blow out of proportion, especially when the paparazzi might be arriving inside the hall any minute now.

"Tawan." New's voice cut through Tay's anger as he placed his hand on Tay's shoulder and squeezed…not-so-lightly. "We can discuss this at home." New told his husband pointedly. "We have guests…let's not make a scene."

Tay stepped back from his sons, his mood still considerably foul, and New went with him, telling his younger sons to take care of their older brother.

As soon as Tay and New were out of sight, Gemini and Phuwin came over to hug their older brother tightly, making sure he was alright. Dunk returned the hug, taking comfort from his sibling's affection.

"Don't be sad, na." Phuwin said after they separated. "You know dad is just worried about us."

Dunk nodded, smiling so his brothers won't be worried about him. But time was almost up, as the doors were then opened for the paparazzi and the guests and the brothers had to get to work immediately, making sure everyone got to sit in their assigned seats.

They stuck together, helping each other out and Gemini got to learn more as Dunk explained to him what to do next, taking the back seat so Gemini could also learn to help out in the management when needed.

When everything was finally done, all of them took their seats in the first table, right in front of the stage where the event will be hosted. Tay Tawan went to sit next to his sons and New, as the MC started to welcome everyone to the event.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen to the very first International Dessert Workshop hosted by the Nimtawat International Hotel at Thong Lor." The MC greeted. "For those of you watching live, yes the event is happening at the Nimtawat International Hotel at Thong Lor, so if anyone is interested, please do drop by. However, all workshop classes have been fully booked, so better luck next time, but screening tickets and live viewing tickets are still available."

Gemini went on stage, nervously looking at his brothers who nodded in encouragement as he began his speech, introducing himself and his parents, the owners of the five-star hotel. And then it was time to announce the contestants for the first round.

"Please, give a warm welcome to our first ten participants for this evening." The MC handed the list to Gemini, who then went on to announce all the names one by one as the participants came out from the crowd and settled behind their desks.

Then it was time for one of the top international chefs's to come forward and show them how to make Lemon Meringue Pie.

"Khun Gemini." The MC called out before Gemini could leave the stage. "This is a list of the participants for the next round. There seems to be one additional guest. Should we add an extra table at the end to accommodate him?"

Gemini took the list and went through it before nodding. "Sure. I'll let the staff know immediately."

"Khob khun Khab." The MC smiled and got back to his work as Gemini hurried off the stage to get to work immediately.

"Gem." Tay called him over when he saw him about to leave the room. "Is there something the matter?"

"No, everything's fine." Gemini tried to give his best reassuring smile to his father. "We have an extra participant for the next round only. So I'll ask the staff to place one of the spare tables we prepared right out here."

"Alright." Tay nodded in understanding. "How many spare tables are there?"

The spare tables were created in case there was an accident and one of the tables got knocked over and the ingredients got ruined. Gemini had made sure to prepare a sufficient amount, but not so many that there might be food waste.

"Around three more left." He told his dad. "I'll ask the staff to have another spare table prepared, just in case."

"Alright." New gave Gemini and grateful smile. "Go, get the table set. But don't place it just yet, in case someone knocks them over. Tell the staff to be on standby."

"Yes, Pa." With that Gemini hurried out of the hall, and headed to the kitchen to give the staff all the specific instructions.

While on his way back to the hall, he stalled a bit, stopping in front of the emergency staircase, so he could pull out his phone from his pocket and make a quick call.

But the person didn't pick up.

He dialed again. But yet again, the call went to voicemail after ringing.

"Damnit! Pick up the phone!" He sighed in frustration, but just as he was about to call for the third time, a hand grabbed his arm and pulled him in the direction of the emergency exit.

Gemini tried to hide his shock, his eyes widening as the door closed behind him and warm, familiar lips pressed to his cheeks, letting him know exactly who it was.

"Smile for me, Khun Gemini." Fourth whispered in Gemini's ears, lifting up on tiptoes so he could reach his height. "Your boyfriend is here to see you."