Chapter 2: What are other people like?

Chapter 2: What are other people like?

The wedding was held inside the beautiful home of the Phiromsomorn family. There were fewer than a handful of private guests in attendance, all of which was in accordance with the agreement Thian had made with his mother.

The wedding must be private. The guests invited would be family members. There would be no outsiders, no police friends, and no announcements made. Because it would be a fake wedding. The detail he hadn’t yet told his mother was the six-month time frame.

Before the auspicious time arrived, the grooms stood together in the dressing room. The owner of the light brown eyes was looking at the person who now looked good from head to toe, secretly admiring him in his heart.

Inspector Thian is really handsome and charming.

Today, Thian was in traditional Northern Thai groom attire. A white, long-sleeved

mandarin-collared shirt looked simple and elegant, fastened with fabric buttons of the same color. He wore a navy blue Chong Kraben (traditional Thai pants) with a gold pattern, which was eye-catching.

“What did the Khunying say?”

“I told her we’re getting married and will gradually build our relationship from now on.” “Inspector, don’t joke around. We’re faking this marriage.”

“I know, I know,” Thian replied dismissively. “And have you told her about the timeframe?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve handled it. You can relax.”

That dismissive attitude didn’t seem very trustworthy. He was about to ask again, but the other man walked away stubbornly, so Mangkon could only play along. Now that he was on the same boat, it was hard to back out.

The ceremony began at the auspicious time of 9:09 AM. Everything was held inside the house in complete secrecy, but prepared like a typical wedding.

There was a backdrop with Thian and Mangkon’s names, and arrangements of pink and white roses, symbolizing purity and gentle, cherished love.

Now everyone was present: Police General Prinya, Thian’s father; Khunying Pharada, his mother; and the grandparents acting as witnesses. On Mangkon’s side was Butsaba, Mangkon’s mother.

Even though it was a fake marriage, with the sole purpose of reversing bad luck, both families should be informed. Mangkon’s mother didn’t object or refuse in any way, willing to help the young inspector.

“It’s time for the ring exchange.” The MC invited today was the fortune teller who predicted Thian’s misfortune.

“The groom may now put the ring on the bride.”

Shiny silver rings were placed in an open, high-quality velvet box. Thian picked up the ring on the left and carefully placed it on Mangkon’s left ring finger. But, as he was sliding the ring on, his sharp eyes stared intently at the other man.

The familiar round face looked slightly different. The traditional attire he wore enhanced his elegance, but the softness of his face was more prominent than ever. Clear, radiant cheeks, rosy lips, Thian couldn’t help but pause his gaze longer than usual.

He looks so cute today.

“Now, the bride may now put the ring on the groom.”

Mangkon also slowly slid the ring on, thinking only that he and Inspector Thian would never change from before.

Be boss and subordinate. Be senior and junior officer. Never change…

The ring exchange ceremony concluded, followed by the even more important ceremony: signing the marriage certificate. Two copies of the same data were placed in front of the bride and groom, and the district officer was a witness.

“Alright, with this, you two are legally husband and wife.” Now people of any gender can register to marry each other.

Light brown eyes glanced briefly at the other’s face, but Thian started the signing first, followed slowly by Mangkon.

The signing of the marriage certificate was complete. That meant Thian and Mangkon had full legal rights to each other.

Next, the fortune teller performed some kind of astrological ritual, which the two didn’t pay much attention to. And then time passed to the wrist-tying ceremony to bless the bride and groom.

Starting with Pharada, the groom’s mother:

“Mangkon, thank you for marrying this Gear of mine. You may not be fond of each other yet, but I hope you two will love each other. Live together, tied by fate forever, my child.”

The listener could only smile. And when he turned to meet the young Inspector’s eyes, he was met with a cheeky grin that made him impulsively want to punch the man.

The word “forever” wasn’t real, and hoping for them to love each other like that wouldn’t happen. Their timeframe was only six months. If nothing crazy connected to fate happened, then it would end in divorce.

Thian congratulated himself mentally. His mother was relieved and wouldn’t bother him. His fake marriage was still a secret. He could still flirt with girls, but the serious dating part would have to be reconsidered later.

“Gear, you’re married now. Stop with the women.”

Why did his mother speak as if she knew what he was thinking? But would someone like him stop easily? It was ingrained deeper than DNA. His role as a Casanova would definitely never end.

Butsaba, or Mangkon’s mother, also joined in congratulating the couple, wishing them to live together with mindfulness. She knew it was a marriage for appeasing fate, but nothing was certain in the future. Her son might even fall in love with Inspector Thian.

“I entrust Mangkon to you, Inspector Thian.”

“Rest assured, I will take care of Mangkon so well not even ants or dust mites can get near him.”

Oh, how sweet he talks when talking to elders. Slim lips pouted slightly.

“If there’s anything, talk to each other slowly. In a married couple, one person has to be the water to put out the fire when they quarrel.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

As far as his mother’s words, Mangkon did not really agreed. He thought that the Inspector would be the fire, while he would be like a great big fire as well, but then again, probably nothing would make them fight or misunderstand because this was a fake marriage.

They didn’t really love each other anyway.

The ceremony ended in the evening. Of course, the bride and groom had to stay in the bridal chamber on the first night according to tradition, and were forbidden to leave the room until the morning. Thian’s private bedroom was transformed into a sweet and romantic bridal suite, and the brand-new wife had to give in and follow along.

Just for tonight!

Since one of the agreements was not to live under the same roof, Mangkon would still stay at the police housing, just like before. There would be no moving into the Major’s house.

“Wow, this wedding was really exhausting.”

“I really want to sleep.” Someone was stretching and complaining loudly.

Mangkon didn’t answer. He was sitting on a large chair, looking around the room, secretly exploring Inspector Thian’s space.

The bedroom was decorated in light gray tones, giving a warm and relaxing feeling. There were few pieces of furniture, but there were art pieces decorating the walls. But what was surprising was the corner bookshelf with countless books.

“Inspector, you like to read?”

“Are you giving me that look because you don’t believe me?” The brows furrowed in a knot and the round face looking so doubtful made Thian unable to hold back his laughter.

“What? What’s with my face?”

“Nothing. It’s just you don’t seem like someone who would read.”

“A playboy like you Inspector? Who would think you like to collect books?” “Hmm? What did you say, Sergeant Mangkon?”

Seizing the opportunity to tease, the tall man slowly moved closer, his actions causing the light brown eyes to widen.

“What are you doing, Inspector?”

The traditional outfit he was wearing was being unbuttoned one button at a time, slowly, and the tight, rippling muscles were reflected in the round pair of eyes.

There was no denying how good Inspector Thian’s body was. His tanned skin, even if it wasn’t perfectly smooth, looked good in every way. Strong muscles in knots and a beautifully shaped six-pack.

“Stay away from me!” Damn, you’re too close, Inspector!

The unwavering footsteps of the Inspector which closed the distance made Mangkon immediately get up from the chair to his full height and use his hand to push the other man’s bare chest to stop him.

“What are you doing?” “Hmm? Are you shy?”

His clumsy and adorable behavior made Thian unable to resist teasing him, because the small wife in front of him was talking without meeting his eyes, and his fair cheeks were blushing.

“Ugh, get away from me.” “Where should I go, my wife?”

“They forbid leaving the bridal chamber on the first night, you know” “Inspector Thian!”

Damn it! He knew the other party was teasing him, but why was his accursed heart beating so fast just because of “My Wife?” Mangkon was suppressing his emotions as much as possible. He had to keep up with this cunning Inspector and outsmart him!

“If you’re going to take a shower, go now.”

“How about letting me touch your chest first, Mangkon?” “You’re bein…”

Before he could finish speaking, a large hand moved in and recklessly grabbed his flat chest, squeezing it lightly, causing the round-faced man to be extremely startled, instinctively shoving the bully away.

“Too bad. Small breasts aren’t my type.” “Arrogant Inspector and his words!”

“They’re flat. Not a handful at all when you grab them.”

“Sorry for not being as cute as your girls then” he was so pissed off “Do you have any manners being grabbing a stranger’s chest!?”

“Stranger? We got married, we are husband and wife already you know” a mischievous smile twitched as he said that, but punishment immediately followed. Mangkon grabbed a long pillow and struck him with full force.

Just because he was higher in rank, had a higher position, and was older, didn’t mean he wouldn’t dare! That cunning, devious man!

“Alright, alright, I won’t tease anymore. I better go take a shower.” “Hurry up and go!”

“The inspector is very cheeky, much more than I expected, that’s what I learned today”, so there was no way he would share a bed with him at all.

While the other person was taking a shower, the police sergeant quickly found a blanket that he could spread out to sleep on the floor tonight. He’d rather sleep uncomfortably than be paranoid of being teased.

As the owner of the room opened the door, his brows furrowed slightly. Someone had hauled a pillow and blanket down to sleep on the floor on the lower left side of the bed, but he didn’t say anything.

“Did you take a shower?” “Yes.”

On such a tiring day, the warm water washing over his body made him feel inexplicably good. Right now, he just wanted to collapse and fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Mangkon only spent ten minutes in the shower. His body, weary from the whole day, needed to rest immediately. After emerging from the bathroom in his little bear pajamas, he rushed to the bed he had prepared.

“Inspector, turn off the light, please. I’m going to sleep.”

“Why are you going to sleep on the floor? Come sleep up here with me.”

“Anywhere is fine, Inspector. Don’t be so fussy. Just sleep!” He’d trained in rough conditions before, what harm would sleeping on a hard floor do?

Ignoring the offer, he slipped under the thick blanket. The air conditioner kept the temperature constant. The only problem was the room was still brightly lit.

“Please turn off the light for me. I don’t like sleeping with the lights on,” the newlywed wife ordered.

“I told you to come sleep on the bed with me, Sergeant Mangkon,” a stern voice said demandingly.

“Don’t order me around, Inspector. I’m going to sleep. Turn off the light.” He retorted with command as well.

“Hmm, are you going to come up willingly?” Woosh!

In a split second, the tall man’s figure moved down to the mattress beside the bed and locked his slender waist. How could he let him sleep in such conditions like these? Thian wasn’t heartless or classist. That action caused the person, who already closed his eyes, to fully open them instead.

“Are you going to come up willingly, or…” the mischievous voice paused with a slight beat before continuing, “…or am I going to take you as my wife first?”

“You damn Inspector!” “Tsk, tsk, don’t be vulgar.”

He even used the full swear word “you damn” as a prefix, even if he still politely addressed him as “Inspector.” However, the listener didn’t seem to care at all, instead sporting a provocative facial expression and sending a flirtatious look.

“Come sleep up here, you’ll hurt your back.” “Where I sleep is my business.”

“You want to be my wife that badly, huh?”

“Damn it, you’re cunning.” Thian acknowledged to himself that there was a reason he was nicknamed “Thousand-Trick Inspector”. There’s a sky above the sky, there’s Gearthian over Ma-Ya (a play on words, “ma-ya” can mean “illusion” or “trick”).

“After you, My dear wife.” “Call me properly, Inspector.”

“Oh, but you *are* my wife, aren’t you? You’re even wearing the ring.”

Oh, god. He wanted a divorce. Did it even work? He could feel the headaches on his first day.

Inspector Thian is so damn cunning!