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Things were starting to really look up in their careers.
After graduation, Teh worked as an actor for a theater company and even got some TV commercials under his belt. Oh-aew, on the other hand, had chosen to change majors and has now just gotten a promotion in an ad agency.
In addition, Teh had been scouted by a very known talent management company and everything felt a little dreamer ever since. He was still getting acquainted with his official manager when the good news broke: he got a role as a series regular in a promising show.
Still, everything had its pros and cons. The new exposure also called for new restrictions. At first, Chompoo, his manager, didn't say much about Teh dating another man. Nobody was actively trying to find gossip about his life when he worked as an extra in a show with modest ratings. Today, however, the situation was different — being out wasn't on the table for a potential rising star.
That's how he found himself in a meeting with said manager hours after signing the papers to accept his new role.
"I advise you to get your current lover to sign an NDA." Chompoo said nonchalantly.
"A what?!"
The manager stopped looking at her phone to bat her eyes at Teh. She resembled a teacher who's had to explain a subject too many times.
"A non-disclosure agreement, to protect you."
"What?! Protect me from what?"
Teh was getting fed up with those implications and so was Chompoo with his behavior.
"I'm not doing that, what are you saying?"
"Look, I know you trust your boyfriend and everything, but this is business and it's my job to look after you. Sometimes things don't go the way we planned and we have to make sure an ex-boyfriend won't try to expose you in the future."
To say Teh was fuming was now an understatement.
"He would never do such a thing."
"Sometimes they just get offered a lot of money by tabloids, I don't really blame them."
"Are you even listening to me?"
Chompoo sighed.
"We can't afford to have you in a scandal this early in your career. Damn, even if you were already established… You see, a rumor about a girlfriend or a hook-up is okay to handle, but a gay rumor is hard to brush off."
"Well, I am pretty much bisexual." He deadpanned.
"But the public doesn't know!" She pinched the bridge of her nose trying to find the right words. "I'm not the bad guy here, Teh… I don't mind your relationship at all, baby. But society is a bitch, you know that, and those conservative pricks love to jeopardize the careers of everyone who differs from their norm. I know it sucks, but we have to take care of your image for you to get jobs."
Chompoo offered Teh a smile and left her chair to sit beside him.
"Don't take it to heart, okay, darling?" Teh looked at her like she was absolutely crazy, but Chompoo just pretended she didn't see his expression. "It's just the way things are with social media and everything nowadays. One click and boom! The whole world knows." She did a little show of explosion with her hands for illustration purposes. Teh was tired. "We just go with the flow and try to do our best, hm?" She smiled and Teh could bet she would 100% treat a child the same way.
"So… Can I send the NDA over to you?"
"Of course not!"
Chompoo rolled her eyes.
…
"How did it go?" Oh-aew asked with a grinning face as soon as he approached Teh.
Both of them had come to the restaurant straight from their jobs in order not to risk missing their reservation. The place was nice and private, in fact it was known for being the go-to place for stellar customers because of the much appreciated privacy.
Oh-aew had convinced Teh to go because yes, they deserved to celebrate Teh's new contract and yes, he could afford it, thank you very much. Oh-aew's new job did pay well and Teh was about to consistently make some good money with the TV series and the brand campaigns he was signing, so why not dress up at a Michelin star restaurant for once?
They were half way through their dinner when Teh decided to approach the topic that was bothering him so much.
"She wants you to sign an NDA."
Oh-aew needed no further explanation to get what was going on and proceeded to do something Teh did not expect at all.
He burst out laughing.
"Oi, why are you laughing?! You and Chompoo are crazy."
Oh-aew was guilty of being too amused with his boyfriend's nerves so he tried to show some sympathy while putting down his glass of wine.
"Sorry, it's just too funny. I can't believe I didn't see this coming."
Teh looked concerned now.
"What do you mean? Oh, are you mad at me?" He asked with a small voice.
Oh-aew's heart melted at that.
"You big baby!"
Teh was utterly confused with the heart eyes he was getting. Was Oh-aew happy with the whole exchange?
"I'm not mad! It's just that this was bound to happen sooner or later, I get her."
"You what now?! I can't be the only one thinking this is outrageous…"
Oh-aew laughed.
"Teh, what are you feeling so crossed for? It's normal for celebrities to ask their flings to sign an NDA. You know, because social media and stuff-"
Teh sighed. He couldn't believe he was listening to the same discourse Chompoo had thrown his way one hour ago.
"First of all, you're not a fling. What the fuck. Second, I don't appreciate being told not to trust my boyfriend."
Oh-aew's heart eyes were back.
"You're so cute."
Teh was once again confused. He was flattered, sure, but also really fucking pissed.
"Oh-aew, I'm serious." He almost pouted, but he knew better than to feed his boyfriend's shenanigans.
"You're so cute I'm this close to getting up and kissing you right here and now. Chompoo will have to make everyone in this restaurant sign an NDA as well." He started laughing even before he was done talking because of Teh's horrified face.
"I hate you so much." He couldn't help but pout this time, a man can only take so much.
The glee in Oh-aew's eyes made up for his frustration though.
"Teh…" The man put on a serious facade Teh knew was just for show, but he appreciated the effort nonetheless. "You know the company I work for deals with this kind of contract all the time, right? It's a formality, I get why it exists and why Chompoo wants us to sign one. She doesn't know our relationship, she doesn't know me yet, she is just looking out for you."
Teh rolled his eyes, but Oh-aew remained unfazed.
"I know you're proud of us." The serious tone Oh was using was not a facade anymore. "We have come a long way, huh?" He smiled. "I'm proud too." He looked down for a bit to blink back a stubborn tear that dared to form. "Shit, why am I getting emotional all of a sudden?" A laugh escaped his lips. "Mm. What I'm trying to say is that I get this is part of your job, whether you like it or not, and I'm here for you, okay? And you don't have to do what you don't want to, Chompoo will understand."
He smiled all warmly and Teh felt like he was once again a teenager feeling dumbstruck by Oh-aew's presence. And if he was shedding some tears himself, nobody had to know.
"Teh, you're always crying."
"I'm not crying, you're crying."
Oh-aew rolled his eyes and they both laughed. He looked intently at Teh's face and decided fuck it before grabbing the hand on the table. Teh didn't seem to mind it so he felt relieved.
"It's kind of fancy to be asked to sign an NDA, no? It's like I'm sleeping with famous people now." Oh-aew just couldn't help himself.
"I'm the only person you've been sleeping with for years." Teh said matter-of-factly. "I'm the only one you've slept with in your life." He mocked.
Oh-aew squeezed his eyes like the other had just offended his mother.
"So? I can be fancy and monogamous. Whatever. Let's call it an upgrade."
Teh laughed out loud just when a waitress approached them.
"Excuse me, is there anything I could help you with? Would the gentlemen like another bottle of wine?" The elegant young woman asked.
"What do you say, love?" Oh-aew casually questioned, a hand still on top of Teh's on the table.
In other times, a younger Teh would be freaking out, scared of being seen with a man, scared of disappointing the man he loves. Today, however, he would like to assure that kid that it does get better. You wouldn't believe where we are today. We are with Oh-aew and we are proud.
"Another bottle, please." He smiled at the waitress.
"So polite, my boyfriend." Oh-aew let out once the woman had left to get their order. His smile reached his eyes as he resumed eating his steak.
"You would never sign an NDA, you like PDA way too much." Teh provoked.
Oh-aew raised an eyebrow at him.
"I would. For the right price." And winked.
They looked at each other like best friends would and chuckled.
Actually, they were both pretty aware that Teh's job came with some restraints on their personal lives. Since he was starting to gain some recognition, their relationship had to remain low-key. And they would have to live like that for who knows how many years, maybe their current dinner date wouldn't even be possible in the future. Occupational hazard, Oh would joke, despite the sad glow in his eyes.
Teh tried his best not to think too much about the weight his dreams had put on the other's shoulders. And he constantly asked himself what type of good he had done in his previous lives to be blessed enough to walk through this one with that amazing man by his side.
It was tricky to balance everything out, but right now Oh-aew looked happy and that's all he could ever ask for.