Italy had a different kind of silence, one that wrapped around Karan's heart like a warm blanket and an invisible knife at the same time. The colder the nights became, the more he tried to convince himself he could live without Arthit… without Sakda… without danger.
But fear never left.
It only slept.
Karan stood at the balcony of his academy apartment, staring at the glowing cityscape when a voice interrupted him.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Karan turned. It was Lean—the talented Italian chef he met one month ago. Sharply dressed, tall, with soft brown hair and warm hazel eyes. He smiled the way sunlight touches cold water—gentle, comforting.
Karan smiled back softly. "Yeah… beautiful."
"You look lonely tonight," Lean added, leaning on the railing next to him.
"I'm always lonely," Karan whispered before he could stop himself.
Lean didn't push. He simply stood beside him, close enough to offer warmth, but far enough to give space. That was how Lean worked—quiet, patient, observant.
"Tomorrow is your big chef competition," Lean said. "You're ready, right?"
Karan nodded, though his smile faded. "I'm trying."
Lean tilted his head. "Trying to win? Or trying to forget someone?"
Karan tensed.
Lean frowned. "Sorry. Too direct?"
"No… you're right," Karan admitted, gripping the railing. "There was someone I… cared about. Too much."
Lean watched him carefully, expression softening. "He hurt you?"
Karan shook his head. "…No. Life hurt us."
Lean didn't ask more. He placed a supportive hand on Karan's shoulder—warm, grounding.
"Whoever he is, he's a fool," Lean muttered. "To lose someone like you."
Karan lowered his gaze, throat tightening.
Lean's touch lingered a second too long.
And Karan felt it—
Not pressure.
Not desire.
But concern.
And something deeper… something Lean wasn't hiding anymore.
"Lean…" Karan whispered.
Lean stepped back immediately. "Sorry. I crossed the line."
"No, you didn't," Karan said softly. "You've been… very good to me. Thank you."
Lean's eyes shone with something unreadable. "I only want you to be happy."
---
THE COMPETITION — THE TWO CHEFS OF ROME
The culinary arena buzzed with cameras, lights, and elite judges. Lean and Karan stood side by side in their white uniforms, gloves on, knives gleaming.
"You ready?" Lean asked.
Karan took a deep breath. "With you, yes."
Lean smiled at the answer, even if it meant more to him than Karan intended.
Throughout the contest, Lean stayed close—showing Karan ingredients, steadying bowls, shielding him from the chaos of other competitors. They worked like a well-balanced duet.
Lean's hand brushed Karan's occasionally.
He leaned close to whisper cooking adjustments.
He stood behind Karan protectively when cameras came too near.
And from the outside—it looked intimate.
Too intimate.
But to Karan, Lean was comfort.
Nothing more.
He needed someone—anyone—to feel safe with for the first time after Arthit.
When the competition results came, the crowd erupted:
**"Winner — Team Lean & Karan!"**
Lean grabbed his shoulders, ecstatic. "We won, Karan! Look at you!"
Karan laughed—a true, bright laugh he hadn't felt in so long. Lean pulled him into a tight hug, chest against chest.
Karan stiffened for a second… then relaxed.
It wasn't love.
It was relief.
But cameras flashed wildly.
---
THE SHATTERING NEWS
Arthit sat on the edge of the boxing ring, chest heaving after hours of training for the deal his father forced him into.
He still had bruises.
He still had fear.
He still had hope—
Until his father walked in, holding an envelope.
"I think you should see this," Mr. Sakda said calmly.
Arthit grabbed the packet, ripping it open.
Photos spilled out.
Karan…
Smiling with another man.
Cooking with him.
Laughing with him.
Held tightly in his arms.
Arthit froze.
His heartbeat broke.
His vision burned.
"No…" he whispered, voice cracking. "No… that's not… Karan wouldn't…"
Mr. Sakda shrugged lightly. "People move on quickly when they are far away."
Arthit felt something inside him collapse.
"Karan… you promised me," he whispered, voice trembling.
But the next photo ended him—
Lean kissing Karan's forehead after their win.
Arthit's entire world flipped.
His joy.
His love.
His reason to fight—
All turned to ash.
Mr. Sakda leaned close, cold voice slicing him.
"And this is the man you wanted to protect? This is who you disobeyed your family for? Karan has already replaced you."
"SHUT UP!" Arthit roared.
But the damage was done.
His heart cracked open.
Arthit crushed the photos in his fist, chest rising with pure heartbreak and rage.
"Fine…" he whispered darkly. "If he wants to forget me… I'll forget him too."
Mr. Sakda smirked. "Then win the competition. Prove you are worthy of leading our legacy."
Arthit's eyes turned ice cold.
"I'll win," he said.
"For myself.
Not for him."
---
THE BOXING ARENA — THE BIRTH OF THE MONSTER
The night of the match, Arthit moved like a storm.
Every punch was sharper.
Every kick was deadlier.
Every dodge was fueled by betrayal.
Anant watched silently, jaw tight.
His opponent taunted him mid-match:
"Your lover left you, huh? News travels fast."
Arthit snapped.
With one final brutal strike, he knocked the man unconscious.
The judges didn't even need to vote.
**Winner: Arthit Sakda.**
And his expression wasn't victory—
It was deathly cold.
Anant approached him.
"Arthit—are you okay?"
Arthit didn't look at him.
"Don't say his name. I don't care anymore."
His voice was flat.
Emotionless.
Hollow.
Arthit Sakda—the warm, fierce lover—
died in that ring.
Left behind was something new:
A man who loved too deeply once
and now hated with equal intensity.
---
BACK IN ITALY — THE FORGOTTEN LOVER
Karan stood with Lean at a quiet riverside. They ate gelato, laughing softly as they talked about new recipes.
"You're smiling again," Lean said warmly. "I'm glad."
Karan nodded, unaware of the photos, unaware of the heartbreak oceans away.
"I'm trying to move forward," he whispered. "But fear still haunts me. Sometimes I feel like someone is watching."
Lean touched his hand gently. "You're safe with me."
Karan gave a weak smile.
But in his heart, a shadow whispered:
*Arthit… I hope you're okay.*
He didn't know Arthit had already begun to break.
He didn't know the world misunderstood his friendship.
He didn't know he had just become Arthit's greatest pain.
---
END OF CHAPTER 25