Chapter 6: The Owner of the Cowboy Hat

    Thongdee woke up at the crack of dawn, having slept poorly because Granpa Heng’s gang had been playing dice games and drinking almost the entire night. By morning, they had not bothered to clean up, so the forty-year-old cowboy hurried to tidy up almost everything himself, fearing that if the boss saw the mess, he would get a major scolding. By six, the housekeeper came to change the flowers and set a meal in front of the coffin. Not long after, Jitra came in to light incense and call to her late husband.

    "Is that you, Thongdee?"

    She remarked upon turning to see the large-framed cowboy, prompting him to raise his hands in a respectful wai and bow his head.

    "Hello, Mrs. Jitra."

    Thongdee had not expected her to remember him, as they had only met a few times.

    After Jitra divorced Thamrongsak, her two daughters chose to stay with their father. Jitra would visit Khunlakorn Mansion two to three times a week to spend time with them. This was how Thongdee occasionally encountered the former lady of the house. But as Thanrada and Tanatcha grew into young women and could visit their mother on their own, Jitra stopped coming to Khunlakorn Mansion. Especially after she remarried a New Zealander, Thongdee had not seen Jitra in over a decade.

    Jitra exchanged a few words with the cowboy before excusing herself to return to the main building. Thongdee then rode his bicycle back to his small hut, took a shower, and changed his clothes. When he saw the cowboy hat in his bedroom, it was time to reminisce once more...

    In truth, this forty-year-old man was not originally part of the Khunlakorn household.

    Thongdee's mother was a single mother who sold curry at the market. However, due to her exceptional cooking skills, she was invited to live in a wealthy household and work as a cook for the boss. As a result, six-year-old Thongdee moved with his mother and met young Sabangna, who was only five at the time.

    The two grew up together. Sabangna's parents were fond of Thongdee because he was a diligent, well-behaved child with a maturity beyond his years. They generously funded his education. Thongdee willingly worked to repay their kindness and even learned Muay Thai to protect the young lady of the house. Sabangna, in turn, always regarded Thongdee as her older brother.

    When Sabangna turned 15, she met a male friend in her class. He was a pleasant, polite, and humble young man. Thongdee did not know who his parents were, but judging by his appearance, skin, and the things he brought when he came to tutor Sabangna at home, it was clear he was from a wealthy family, much like his own employers.

    That young man's name was Tharathep, or Mr. Thep.

    He was like the warm sunlight at dawn... the man who owned this cowboy hat.

    As Thongdee's memories reached this point, he sighed and hugged the hat tightly to his chest. He wanted to continue reminiscing, but was interrupted by a loud noise at the door.

    "What are you, oh, Mr. Thee."

    Thongdee quickly put the hat back in its place when he saw Theerapat standing firmly at the door. Without a word, the young man locked the door and walked straight towards the cowboy's sturdy frame, his lips passionately kissing and nibbling along the strong neck.

    "Ah, Mr. Thee, what are you doing?"

    "I wanted to ask you something, but that can wait."

    The young man replied, biting down on the older man's tense shoulder.

    "But... this isn't appropriate."

    "Well, who told you to wear just a Pha Khao Ma? You can't blame me for being tempted."

    Thongdee had just finished showering. He had not put on any clothes yet, only a Pha Khao Ma, and his skin was still damp. But he was standing in his own house, not naked outdoors like yesterday. What could possibly be tempting this young man?

    "But I... Mmm, Mr. Thee, gently, please."

    "Hmph, don't you like it when I bite your nipples like this?"

    “Hic.”

    Thongdee gasped, watching his nipple disappear into the rosy lips before the Pha Khao Ma was pulled away from his hips. Theerapat took the cowboy's rough hand and placed it between his heated thighs, causing Thongdee's face to flush.

    "Lie down on the bed, turn your backside to me."

    The young man spoke, squeezing and kneading the firm hips before giving them a playful slap. When Thongdee tried to protest, he was silenced by a deep kiss. "Mmm," the soft tongue swirled into Thongdee's mouth, as if searching for sweet honey. The cowboy felt his legs go weak; it had been a long time since he had been kissed so deeply.

    "Sweet, indeed."

    Theerapat smiled with satisfaction, licking the corner of his mouth before pushing the older man's body onto the bed.

    "Get into the doggy position, quickly."

    Thongdee felt like he was under a spell. Every sensitive part of his body was alerted, tingling to the core. Without a hint of shame, he crawled onto the bed on all fours. Theerapat spotted a bottle of pure coconut oil—Thongdee’s own handiwork—grabbed it, and poured some into his hand before slowly sliding his slick fingers into the tight, twitching entrance that was clenching so invitingly.

    “Ugh.”

    “Don’t tense up.”

    “Mmm! Mr. Thee—ahhh.”

    Squish, squish, squish, squish.

    Theerapat’s fingertips brushed against the sensitive inner walls, scraping over that sweet spot until Thongdee trembled all over. The cock hanging between his legs was already standing tall, the flushed tip peeking out, making the younger man snicker.

    “Look at you, filthy cowboy. Just a few thrusts with my fingers and you’re already about to come.”

    Theerapat grinned wickedly, eyeing the cowboy’s swollen cock before tugging down his own pants and shoving his huge length into the soft, welcoming heat, pounding away with wild abandon.

    “So tight—fuck, this feels amazing. Mmm.”

    Theerapat growled, biting down on Thongdee’s red ear. His hips slammed relentlessly, like a buck rabbit in heat. His pale hands roamed over hard muscles, gripping everywhere, finding nothing but solid flesh no matter where he grabbed or thrust. It was nothing like the girls he had been with before—this was on a whole other level, so satisfying!

    “Oh god, Mr. Thee, I… hic, can’t take it anymore.”

    “Ready to let go already?”

    The young boss whispered, one hand gripping Thongdee’s flushed, mushroom-shaped tip tightly.

    “Yes—ooh, shit—inside, ah, Mr. Thee, you’re so deep.”

    “Do you like it?”

    Thrust! Thrust!

    Those lean hips slammed in hard, deliberate strokes, making the forty-year-old cowboy’s eyes roll back.

    “Ahh—so deep—I’m gonna burst, fuck—it feels so good.”

    “So, what’s it gonna be, huh?”

    Theerapat was having the time of his life teasing the other man. The more he saw that twisted-up face, the clear tears streaming down Thongdee’s cheek, the more he wanted to push him further.

    “Please, l…let me come, please—ah, ah, ah—”

    “You always finish before me. This time, you’re gonna wait for me.”

    Theerapat said cruelly, then lifted one of Thongdee’s legs up onto a chair, bending his knees to thrust up from below. His massive cock drove in impossibly deep. Thongdee’s eyes glazed over, tongue lolling out. He knew he was at his limit, but Theerapat would not let him go. That pale hand still gripped his burning length in a vice.

    “Do you know what they call this position?”

    The young man asked as he kept rocking his hips.

    “Mm, n-no…hic, I don’t—ahh—”

    “It’s called the pissing doggy position.”

    Theerapat whispered into his ear.

    “Hic—it’s… it’s embarrassing.”

    “What’s there to be embarrassed about? You’re clenching so damn tight.”

    Theerapat used his other hand to rub around the entrance, now smeared with creamy white foam from their rough play. Thongdee bit his lip, unable to argue—he knew all too well that he was grinding his hips back onto the young master’s thick cock just as eagerly. Seeing the cowboy’s bashful expression, Theerapat smirked and brought his palm down hard on that tanned ass cheek, sadistically.

    “Ahh... that’s good.”

    The sudden stimulation made Thongdee’s hole clench tight. Theerapat’s cock swelled, ready to explode. The young man started pounding his hips with wild abandon, sending the older cowboy’s eyes rolling back, his mind going completely blank. When Theerapat finally reached his peak, he let go of the other man’s flushed length.

    “Mm!”

    Spurt!

    Thongdee’s body jerked as he shot his load all over the bed, just as the man behind him emptied himself deep inside that tight channel, warmth spreading through his belly.

    They lay there catching their breath for a moment before Thongdee slowly pushed himself up.

    “Ah, mm.”

    The rough hand pulled his cock out of the well-stretched hole, while its owner just lay there watching, a wicked grin on his face. Theerapat grabbed Thongdee’s Pha Khao Ma to wipe himself clean, then pulled his pants back up as if nothing had happened. The older man, meanwhile, had to cover his ass with one hand and tiptoe back into the bathroom. What had just happened was pure impulse—Thongdee banged his head against the water jar in frustration, then squatted down to scoop the fluids out of his belly. When he came out, the young master was still lounging in the same spot, though he had already stripped the dirty sheets off the bed.

    “I can’t lay on filth, you know.”

    Theerapat said this with a straight face. Thongdee just nodded and grabbed some clothes from the drawer to put on. Even though he was standing off to the side, the man on the bed could see everything the cowboy was doing. He watched the big man get dressed, and when he glanced over and saw the cowboy hat sitting on the headboard, he picked it up and tried it on. Thongdee, still not done buttoning his shirt, turned and saw Theerapat, his mouth falling open in shock.

    His brown eyes went wide.

    “Nice hat.”

    Theerapat tilted his head from side to side. He had never liked anything cowboy-related—his wardrobe had never included a wide-brimmed hat like this before. But the hat he had just put on was clearly top quality. Theerapat, who had always used high-end stuff, could tell at a glance.

    “It’s a Stetson, isn’t it?”

    Stetson was a high-end American cowboy hat brand that had been around for over 150 years. Naturally, they were expensive as hell. Judging by the one Theerapat was wearing, it was probably vintage, but still in great shape—both the leather and the braided cord around the brim looked pristine. Anyone who collected vintage cowboy hats would probably offer six figures for it, easy.

    “I… I’d like to have it back, please.”

    Thongdee reached out for the hat, but Theerapat twisted away. He had never seen the man act so possessive before.

    “Why? Can’t I try it on for a bit?”

    “...”

    “Huh. Someone like you can actually afford a hat like this?”

    As he said it, Theerapat remembered seeing Thongdee’s old hat before. It was a different style—old, worn out, and now hanging by the door to the shack. But this one was different… sitting on the headboard, even with a cushion underneath.

    “Or did someone give it to you?”

    “Mr. Thee, please give me the hat back.”

    Theerapat shook his head and even took the hat off to hide it behind his back like a kid refusing to share a toy.

    “I want it. How much do you want for it?”

    He put the hat back on.

    “No, I can’t. That belongs to Mr. Thep.”

    Thongdee’s refusal was immediate. Theerapat’s ears perked up, and suddenly he remembered exactly why he had come to this run-down shack.

    “You know Uncle Thep too, don’t you?”

    Yes, exactly. He came to ask the old cowboy here if he knew Tharathep Khunlakorn, his uncle.

    “...Well.”

    Theerapat clenched his teeth as he saw Thongdee’s discomfort, yet the light brown eyes showed a clear sadness.

    A longing that was unmistakable.

    “Mother said Uncle Thep used to help out here before he passed away.”

    The cowboy’s eyes flickered before he nodded in response.

    “Yes, Mr. Thep loved taking care of the animals on the farm and enjoyed riding horses, so he came here often.”

    And Mr. Thep would wear that hat—the same one Mr. Thee was wearing now...

    Thongdee thought to himself, sneaking a glance at the handsome face of the young master. Theerapat looked so much like Tharathep... especially with the hat on. But seeing the cowboy’s gaze, Theerapat gritted his teeth. He was not stupid, and the ache in his chest felt like he had been kicked. Knowing he resembled his late uncle was not enough; this cowboy clearly regarded his uncle as someone important.

    “Did you... sleep with my uncle too?”

    Thongdee immediately lowered his gaze, his lips heavy as if weighed down by iron.

    “That’s why you’re used to being screwed, taking advantage of me.”

    “I didn’t take advantage...”

    “Because I look just like Uncle Thep, right? That’s why your ass was grinding away.”

    “...”

    Thongdee's eyes burned with heat. He did not know what to say because, in truth, when they were together, he had not thought much about the one who had passed. He only thought about wanting to please Theerapat and hoped he would be kind to him in return, even just a little.

    “And after my uncle died, you started an affair with my mother, didn't you? You're shameless.”

    “It’s not...”

    “Before you speak, look at yourself first. That ugly scar exposes everything.”

    Thongdee could still remember the feeling of the sharp blade cutting into his cheek, but why did the piercing gaze of the man in front of him hurt even more?

    “From now on, I won't bother with you anymore.”

    Theerapat took off the cowboy hat and tossed it into the charcoal stove in front of the hut before striding away quickly. Thongdee stood frozen, and when he saw the stove still had smoldering ashes, he ran to grab the hat and hugged it to his chest, wiping the heat from his eyes with his rough hand,

    as he thought back to the past.

    Thongdee grew up in the household of Miss Sabangna, the diligent son of the family cook. He had a keen interest in animal husbandry and farming. Sabangna's father supported him through his studies, and he graduated with a degree in Animal Science. He interned at Denchai Farm, where he learned that Tharathep was the heir to the Khunlakorn Family, the wealthiest family in the province. During this time, Thamrongsak was courting Miss Sabangna.

    Tharathep strongly opposed his brother's new romance because he had always been in love with Sabangna himself. The age gap between his brother and his close friend was also concerning. Sabangna was still naive about the world, while Thamrongsak had been a flirt for as long as anyone could remember. Tharathep tried to keep the beautiful Sabangna away from his brother on several occasions. However, Sabangna only saw Tharathep as a friend and was captivated by the warmth and affluence of the widower, eventually agreeing to marry Thamrongsak.

    In this relationship, if it were a boxing ring, Thongdee would be the trainer standing by the side, ready to massage and offer water during breaks. Just like when Sabangna was troubled, it was his role to comfort her. Yet, for some reason, the youngest heir of the Khunlakorn Family found solace with Thongdee as well. A lowly worker like him thought it must be a one-sided feeling. Someone as perfect as the young master would not be interested in him, especially since it was love between men; it seemed even more impossible.

    When Sabangna married into the Khunlakorn Family, Tharathep invited Thongdee to work at his home. Thongdee, already worried about Sabangna, had just lost his mother to a chronic illness and had no other ties, so he agreed to go along.

    Instead of continuing to serve Miss Sabangna, Thongdee found himself tending to Tharathep's emotional wounds. Tharathep often stayed at the small cottage with him. Many times, they slept in each other's arms without defining their relationship, but Thongdee knew that Tharathep was hurt by Sabangna's smooth marriage to his brother, and the fact that both his nieces got along well with her.

    The scraps of affection he received were only because Tharathep felt pity for someone as lowly as him.

    Tharathep began to change. He drank heavily, smoked excessively, and went out partying. From a polite person, he became irritable and sometimes secluded himself in his room for weeks. Thamrongsak thought his younger brother was seeking attention from Sabangna. Their parents, being from an older generation, did not prioritize mental health issues. A few months later, Tharathep chose to end his life with a single bullet in Thamrongsak's old office.

    The tragic event caused their parents to fall ill and pass away shortly after. Thamrongsak then took the reins, becoming the leader of the Khunlakorn Family, burdened with guilt.

    A few months later, Sabangna, at the age of 21, became pregnant.

    Thongdee had to bury his torment deep within, secretly crying over the cowboy hat—the only memento Tharathep had given him. Once he came to terms with it, he vowed to dedicate himself solely to his young miss.

    But the misfortunes did not end there, as Thamrongsak later discovered that his beautiful wife had betrayed him by having an affair.