It's been 2 weeks since Pete has been going over to the Theerapanyakul's mansion and he must admit, it wasn't all too bad. He was dreading being Vegas' tutor when he first started out, but it turns out, the playboy was kinda nice to hang out with.

Well, just when Pete was going to compliment him further, the door swung open revealing a disheveled Vegas and Achara making out passionately in the hallway. Vegas had his shirt unbuttoned, and a hand on her waist as Achara threw herself all over him.

"Ah, Mr Pete. Sorry about that, Vegas is-" The butler of the house appeared to be flustered too as she greeted Pete hastily, while gesturing awkwardly at the pair.

Vegas stopped immediately upon seeing Pete, earning a whine from Achara. But the girl quickly kept her mouth shut after a glare from Vegas', warning that she shouldn't speak further.

"Hey Pete." Vegas wiped off his lips, as he gestured for Achara to leave them alone which the girl did, albeit reluctantly. She was clearly displeased that her happy time with Vegas was shortened because of Pete, so she made sure to bump Pete harshly by the shoulders before she left.

Pete wasn't sure what to make of it, but if anything, he was definitely feeling something weird inside. If he hadn't known Vegas, he figured he probably couldn't care less really if the latter was out making out somewhere.

The problem was - he did.

And that's why seeing Vegas being intimate with someone was uncomfortable to watch.

"Sorry about that. She was getting on my nerves." Vegas explained, although Pete didn't know why an explanation to him was necessary. He was just the tutor, nothing else.

"No worries." Pete brushed it off like he didn't mind at all when in reality, he can't help but feel that something was amiss.

Pete started helping Vegas with some questions he had problems with last week, but even he was distracted. Pete was always focused when it came to doing things and he hardly got sidetracked (even with Pol and Arm around).

But today was different, and he didn't know why.

Pete hurriedly erased off what he had written upon realizing he had made a mistake which was why they weren't able to solve it even after 10 minutes. "Sorry, let's start over. If we shift this equation to-"

"Are you disgusted?" Pete heard Vegas asked.

"By?"

"Me."

"Why would I?" Pete asked in return, seemingly confused by the latter's question.

"You seemed preoccupied." Vegas responded, and there was something in his eyes that made Pete feel he was hurt somehow. "And I believe I was the cause of it."

"I am distracted, yes. But it's not because of you." Okay, it is but Pete isn't going to tell Vegas that he was uneasy not because he found the latter repulsive, but because he was upset that Vegas was being touchy with someone else. As to why he felt this way, even Pete didn't have an answer.

"Really?" Vegas asked to confirm like he didn't believe it.

"Yes." Pete assured him. "I'm not going to judge you just because you enjoy flirting or messing around. I just hope whatever you're doing, you're happy."

Vegas stared at him, wordless. His mouth was agape like he was trying to say something but just couldn't piece the words together. He was not expecting such a response, and the fact that Pete saw through him made him feel vulnerable and scared inside.

Pete noticed it too. He knew Vegas wasn't happy. He could see it with his own two eyes how the latter never once looked at any of the girls he had dated in the eye, never once told them he loved them and it was as painful as it is for him when he tries to force himself to be someone he doesn't want to be.

Pete didn't know what made Vegas hurt himself like this but his heart wrenched in pain just by thinking about it. The suffering in Vegas' eyes was one that had accumulated for years until it no longer hurt, not because the wound had healed, but because it was buried behind the mask Vegas had stayed hidden behind for years.

The mask was his safe haven.