Pie's POV
"Pie, I know it might be difficult for us but I will let you go. Let us just put an end here." Kim said to me without any single sense of guilt in her voice. I stared at her face for the longest second. She was staring back at me; fidgeting on her own feet.
"You're free now." Kim added and I felt my blood temperature elevated. I walked briskly to her direction – Kim stood still, looking conflicted herself.
"Are you alright with it?" She asked me when I stood right in front of her with a comfortable distance between us. What did she expect me to answer her? Her senseless saying made me saw red.
"Pie..." She called me again but all she got as my response was a hard slap on her left cheek. I felt my right palm burning – the stinging pain spread all over my entire form and just imagined how Kim felt on the other side. She held her face with her hand while gazing at me in startle.
"I knew it. I shouldn't believe you!" I shouted on her face. Kim tried to get me but I stepped backward hastily. My eyes started to lose their held of a clear vision – yet I realized I was nearly broke into tears.
"Pie, I do this for you." Kim told me. I shook my head – indignant with the insensate excuse she gave. Kim was selfish. She fooled me and I was such an idiot for believing her. She wanted a breakup and she lied to me that we would make everything work together.
"You're a liar!" I shouted again. Resentment filled every fracture of my heart. The hatred grew stronger each time I looked at Kim. It was just too painful to learn the truth; I should have known that love is not as wonderful as people always believe it could be. It was just a nasty and ruthless feeling which could destroy many lives and souls. I have learned about it since I was young; love was anything but a betrayal of the trust.
"Pie..." Kim arranged a long stride to me and the only thing I knew I didn't want her to touch me. I turned around quickly – I needed to escape from her. I don't think I could handle this heart break – not when I have trusted my heart to her and she wasted it for nothing. I was just about to manage my step when suddenly my feet tripped over something I couldn't see what the object was. I lost my balance and my face hit the ground with a sickening thud.
I gasped loudly and my eyes fluttered open at any instant. My heart pounding uncontrollably as if I had spent a long mile of running and what came to worst, I was panting in difficulties desperate to inhale the air to my suffocated lungs. The surrounding was dark, contrasting the scene where I used to have a heart breaking talk with Kim; we broke up. The sudden realization dawned on me – it was impossible that I was transported to a different place in a short instant. My eyes found an object from a distant and I focused my gaze to it. I saw the dream catcher which I gave her a few weeks ago swayed gently at the corner of bed pole. I was in a bedroom – Kim's bedroom! I groped for Kim. To my horror the space on my right side was empty. Panic struck me; what has happened?
Out of nowhere, I heard the clicking sound of the switch. Someone just switched off the bathroom's light. Kim emerged from the door awhile later. She didn't aware that I was looking at her. Kim went to her wardrobe and picked up her formal attire; a grey suit and also a matching pant. When she turned around to go somewhere, her eyes met mine.
"You're awake." She said, walking to my direction. My hands spontaneously curled into fists – the sudden feel of rage and hatred enveloped me.
"Why are you frowning, Pie?" Kim took her seat at the edge of the bed so close to me. She reached out her hand and fondled my cheek gently. The look in her eyes was a genuine expression of affection. How she managed to be that innocent when she just broke my heart.
I pushed away her hand harshly and saw Kim startled to her utmost disbelief. "Didn't we break up already?" I spat and it invited a horror expression from Kim.
"Ow, is that how a good morning wish supposed to sound?" Kim rubbed her head in conflict. "I presume your hormonal imbalance is getting worse." Kim shook her head. I watched her as she rose from the bed and continued to dress up. Why didn't she bother that much with it? And how she could act that innocent in front of me after the mess she made?
"Don't leave me hanging. Explain!" I demanded.
Kim glanced over her shoulder and shrugged at me. "First, we are back to Thailand." Kim told me. She walked to the other spot of the wardrobe and reached for her neck tie. "Secondly, you might suffer from jetlag again and it was somehow affecting your brain and last but not least, I think you are having a nightmare where it happened in the dream that we breakup." Kim stifled a laugh. Wait, could she reverse the last reasoning? I was having a nightmare?
"I have never said anything that will lead us to a breakup, Pie." Kim sighed. "Do you need a hug to make you feel better?" She asked me. Should she really ask me for that? I nodded my head at her.
Kim came to me again and settled down to a comfortable position in between us. I fitted myself into her embrace and she gave me the comfort I needed. "You're thinking too much nonsense, Pie." Kim whispered softly as she patted my back. I dunk my face deeper to her chest, inhaling the citrus scent of hers. It calmed me in a very strange way; the tense in me loosened a bit.
"I had a bad dream. You were letting me go and I dislike the idea." I told her.
"Is that so?" Kim asked. I felt her body began to shaking. She was trying to stifle her laugh but she failed when she let out a hearty chuckle.
"It wasn't hilarious, Kim. It felt so real." I scowled.
"I will never let you go, Pie." Kim assured it to me. "However, I need to go now." Kim said. I dodged away from her with a speed of a reflect action. What was she trying to say to me now? Am I still dreaming? This could be the worst nightmare ever.
"I need to go to the office." Kim said. I glanced to the digital clock on the nightstand. It showed 8.00 a.m. I averted my eyes to Kim – she raised her eyebrows to me, conveying that what I saw was indeed the exact time it supposed to be.
"Please stay with me. I don't feel well." I pulled a long face. Couldn't she wait? My whole body felt weak after the long hours of flight, I presumed Kim did feel the same. Didn't she need rest too?
"You should have known that we are back because someone is demanding for my presence immediately." Kim told me. The face of Mr. Jittaleela came to my vision. Recalling the way his piercing eyes met mine when we first met made me shudder without any reason.
"I wish I could stay with you, Pie but I hope you understand me." Kim said again. I supposed that Kim might have to endure the consequences for a week of escape to London. I couldn't help her either. The question is what I could possibly do?
"I'll make your breakfast." I went down from the bed in hurry.
"It's fine." Kim stopped me. "You should get back to sleep." She lifted me up and tucked me into the comforter again. "Don't forget to take your medicine. I've prepared them all." She shifted her eyes to the nightstand. I gazed to the same direction and saw the small kit on it.
"Come back for lunch, alright?" I held her hand when she was about to go.
Kim nodded at me. "I can't promise you that but I will call you." Kim said. A week ago, she always stuck by my side but now, when we got back to our basic, the thought that she would part away from me made me feel sad. Kim was still there yet I felt lonely in her presence.
"Be a good girl for me, could you?" Kim bent down and levelled her gaze to mine. What I could possibly do rather than nodded my yes? I nodded again at her just like an animate puppet doll.
I was aware that Kim was about to kiss me on my forehead. I took the opportunity to switch how it could possibly be. In one swift movement, I grabbed her face, led her head down to mine and crushed my lips to hers. Kim gasped in startle but then I felt she smiled against my lips. It wasn't only me who enjoy this, this pervert tom was so glad to have it. Don't you think so?
"Ugh, I might change my mind now but... I just can't do it." Kim groaned as soon as our lips parted. I sighed in contentment. I was just too irresistible, she should have known that.
"You should go." I hid my mischievous smile. "I'm not going to entertain you in the bed for the whole day." Kim's jaw dropped upon hearing my statement. Let's say that she didn't expect me to utter such thing to her. My sexual humour did work.
"I'll call you later. Take care." Kim straightened her posture straight away.
"I'm going to miss you." I told her. Kim ruffled my hair and walked away the second later. The moment she gone from my sight, I began to realize that my life wouldn't be the same without her.
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When I woke up again, it was nearly noontide. I grabbed my cell phone on the nightstand but accidently knocked down the small medicine kit to the floor. I didn't bother to check whether the kit was broken or the content spread all over or what not. I peeked up to my cell phone, hoping that there was at least a message of concern from Kim. Once I got to unlock it, it came to my disappointment that I found nothing on the screen. However, the wallpaper managed to cheer me up a second later. It was the picture of Kim and me when we spent our time near the lake at the caravan site. Lilith took it secretly and sent it to us when we were about to leave the other day.
I glanced at the clock just to find that it was near to lunch time. God! How could I forget to cook our lunch? Kim will come home soon and I haven't prepared anything yet. I rushed to clean myself and went down to the kitchen. I checked for the ingredients in the fridge and was too shock to figure out it was nearly empty. I stood there in conflict while trying to think the meal which I could possibly cook with a few of the ingredients left. Eggs, bacon, salad, pasta, naan bread, chicken... perhaps I could make something from them. At last, I decided to search some online recipes and ended up with a few of brilliant yet simple idea for the lunch.
I served the prepared lunch on the table. All I needed to do was waiting for Kim to return. Then, it dawned on me Kim didn't call me as she promised this morning. I wondered if she was so occupied with her work. Without a second thought, I delivered a message to her, asking whether she would come back for lunch. An instant later, my cell phone rang loudly. Kim's image appeared on the screen, indicating the caller. I picked it up gladly and heard Kim's voice at the end of the line.
"Hello Pie?" She said.
"Kim."
"I'm sorry. I don't think I manage to come home for lunch." She told me apologetically. I averted my sigh to the meal which I have cooked for her. Who's going to eat all of them?
"Have you eaten your lunch?" Kim asked me – guilty. I shook my head but then I realized she couldn't see my gesture.
"Not yet." I told her truthfully. I was starving to death and all I wish was to at least we could eat our lunch together. After somewhat hearing that she couldn't make it, I lost my appetite already.
"Well, you should eat now and don't forget to take your pills. Are you alright?" Kim sounded concern.
"I'm fine. Don't forget to have your lunch too. I'll see you later." It was me who ended the call. I threw the cell phone and let it slid on the table. Again, I took a look to the meals on the dining table. Pasta salad and chicken wraps. I made a huge effort to prepare them for Kim and she just informed me that she wouldn't come back.
"I hate you Kimhan." I murmured to the empty air. How many times did I tell that I hate her?
The sudden comprehension struck me. How long I spent my time, being immature in this adult hood life? We promised to make this relationship works and it was me who needed to do a lot of changes – to myself and also to my attitude. If Kim couldn't get back for lunch why don't I go and meet her instead. She was wrapped in her works and I got a lot of free time. It was nothing wrong to visit your 'fiancée' at her office right?
I rose up from the chair and get the containers to pack the food. I'm going to take them to Kim so that we could have our lunch together. I wanted her to know that she was important to me though I didn't have the courage to tell her that I love her. Kim said, actions speak louder than words, right? So, let's make the actions speak themselves.
I don't have my specific chauffeur because it was Kim who being my driver all the time. I need to meet Kim and I guessed I have to take the cab. It wasn't that difficult really, one of the guards who manned our house had called one for me. Mr. Jittaleela was very concern about our safety after somewhat Mike barged in a few weeks ago. He kept our housing area under a tight security right after the incident. I imagined myself as a princess in a crystal castle. Sometimes, it was just too disturbing when every movement of ours were restricted.
"Miss. Pie, shall I come along with you? Your safety is our first priority. It was the instruction from Mr. Jittaleela." The man with the black shades asked me politely. Actually, all of them looked almost the same to me. Tall and strong men who dressed in black suit with their eyes covered with the dark shades. They must come from a private agent. I saw that they were equipped with a few instruments with them. A small Bluetooth earpiece on either side of their ears, though I couldn't see it, I knew there were hidden gun somewhere inside their jacket. They looked like a team of spies.
"It's alright." I waved my hand, not wanting anyone inside the cab but me. Though I couldn't see his real expression, I realized he was afraid that he might be discharged from his work because his failure to comply the order. "Don't worry, I'll be fine." I assured it to him. "And I would guarantee that you wouldn't lose your job." I added and saw he startled momentarily. A smile appeared on his face right after he recovered.
"Here, Miss. Pie." He handed a small kind of wrist watch to me. I scrutinized it carefully. What was it for?
"If something threatening happens, push the red button and it will directly alerted us." The man explained to me. I took a look at the object again. There were three different buttons on it – all with different colours. The red button one located at the end of the row after the green and blue coloured one. What would happen if I push another button instead of the instructed red? Here we go, did I really need this spy equipment just to go out from the house and reach to Kim's office? This sounded ridiculous.
"Well, thank you." I smiled at him. "I think I should move now. You're wasting my time." I pushed the automatic button and the window started to close, blocking the man in suit from talking to me.
"Mister Driver, we can go now." I spoke up and with a slight nod from the driver; the vehicle began to hit the road with its medium speed. This would be a surprise to Kim. She must have not expected that I would come to her today. What a sweet Pie!
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The familiar figure of the woman caught my attention from a distant. Just like she could feel the presence of a foreigner inside the building, her eyes landed to me as if they were created for an automatic detector. She narrowed her eyes, making sure that her sight was telling the truth as her brain has depicted it for her and an instant later, she made her way to me in haste.
"Good day, Ms. Pie, may I help you?" Jane greeted me with her so – called friendly yet professional gesture. Even though, she approached me nicely but her body language was implying the opposite nature. She disliked me and I knew it from the start.
"I'm very well fine." I said to her. "And to answer you, I would like to see Kimhan. Is she there?" I pointed to a room on my right side. The door was tightly close that I doubt Kim was inside. She might not be around.
Jane rolled her eyes at me while muttering something I heard as "You spent the whole week with her, wasn't that enough for you?"
"Ms. Kimhan is here. You might enter the room as you wish for." Jane told me while chewing the bottom of her lip – growing green each time she gazed at me. I thought it was clear that I'm the fiancée to Kimhan Jittaleela. That's mean Kim was taken already. It's as simple as that.
"By the way Jane, I bought something for you." I searched for the souvenir inside the huge paper bag I took with me and handed it to her instantly. Jane seemed surprise as she took it from me. Gradually, her face broke into a sincere smile. She looked cute herself when she flushed. Who wouldn't get excited when they received a free gift from the over sea?
"This is for me?" Jane asked to me, disbelief with her own sight.
"Sure. Thank you for arranging the vacation for us." I patted her shoulder and walked to Kim's room straight forward. I glanced over my shoulder as I were about to enter the room. Jane was still standing at the exact spot where she met me earlier. I hope she loved the gift. It wasn't nothing much – just a nice shirt from London.
I knocked the door twice before I turned the knob and stepped into the room. Kim wasn't seated at her desk but I saw her at the couch with a woman. That woman was the one who took in charge to see who has come to the room and disturbed them. I didn't mind if the woman was someone else but my clear state mind couldn't deny that the woman was exactly Fern.
"Pie?" She uttered my name. Kim looked up and seemed to be surprise to see my presence there.
"I'm sorry if I did disturb you." I spoke to Kim. There's no need to apologize to that woman. I would just presume she didn't exist there.
"Good that you know." Fern interrupted. I glared at her before returning my gaze to Kim. Calm down Pie. Please stop being immature and tried to think rationally. First, remember that their parents are related in business partner and Fern might be here to discuss one with Kim. It was strongly supported with the sight of a pile of documents and a huge plan on the table right in front of them. Secondly, Kim didn't manage to come home for lunch not because she wanted to spend some time with Fern but she just couldn't make it because her work was more important than a meal in the midday.
"No, you didn't Pie." Kim rose from her seat and walked briskly to my direction. "What takes you here?" She asked me while scanning my figure from the head to the toe.
"I brought the lunch." I showed her the paper bag. "Let's eat together?"
"Hello, Kim. Don't forget that I haven't eaten my lunch too." Fern interrupted. This woman, I could kill her by now. Why she was being noisy?
Kim turned around to look at her but it was me who began to speak. "I'm sorry. I didn't know that we have an extra guest today. I only packed it for two." I told her.
Instead of seeing a frustrated expression on her wicked face, she smirked at me shortly before she spoke, "It's alright, Pie. I can share it with Kim." Gosh! What? How could she be that shameless?
"You don't have the right to make the decision here." I walked to the couch and placed the bag on one of the file. Kim reached the table immediately and shifted the things on it to the other empty side of the couch.
"I will share the lunch with Kim and you can have the other one." I thrust a container to her. Fern took it hastily and scowled at me. I dragged Kim to sit on the couch of the opposite position to Fern. This would be a great fun if I managed to manipulate the situation.
As far as I intend to show our affection to each other in front of Fern, Kim seemed used to feed me whenever we eat our meal. She made me seated so close to her, opened up the lid of the container and grabbed the spoon provided with it. She chose to eat the pasta first.
"It's so good." Kim praised after she tasted it. I wasn't sure if she was telling me her genuine comment or what not but I felt glad she liked it.
"We are running out of ingredients at home." I told her as we enjoyed the food. I tried to look for Fern through the corner of my eyes. She wasn't really paying attention to us or she just couldn't help to witness my closeness to Kim.
"We shall shop for them then." Kim said.
"Are you alright?" Kim asked me. She touched my forehead and I pouted to her.
If I told Jane I was all good in health just now, it seemed like I wasn't for this moment. "Not really."
"You shouldn't come here. I told you to take your rest at home." Kim tucked a few strand of my hair behind my ear and let out a long breath.
"I miss you." At the moment I said to Kim, we heard a puking sound echoed through the room. Fern rolled her eyes in disgust at me – I guessed she was just jealous. Didn't she?
"Do you need water, Fern?" Kim was being concern as she always been. God! This tom is just too plain that she didn't understand the mocking gestures Fern made. It was obvious that Fern tried to express her annoyance to us – or me to be exact.
"Yes please." She nodded ardently while wiping the corner of her lips with the tissue paper. She put down the silverware she used to eat and corrected her posture of sitting to her comfort.
Kim went to get some drinks from the mini fridge inside her office room. Did I tell you that her room resembled a mini apartment itself? I guessed it undergone some renovation after the last time I met her here. Kim took three bottles of juices which one she handed to Fern while the rest were ours. I watched the woman from our distant. How Fern could possibly does everything in her graceful and perfect manner? The way she loosened the lid, the way she sipped the juice until she was done; her comportment differed from mine like the hell and heaven. She carried herself like a monarch even if she wasn't the noble herself. I saw perfection in hers and it was impossible if Kim didn't realize it either. I felt insecure.
"Shall we continue with our discussion, Kim?" Fern looked up. She glanced once at me before shifting her gaze to Kim, waiting for any words from her.
"Sure." Kim nodded. Fern put the food container into its place, back to the paper bag and Kim finished her last bite at any instant.
"Thank you, Pie." Fern said to me. Did I hear it right? She was trying to be kind to me. Crossed that! She was pretending to be kind to me in front of Kim.
"Welcome."
"Pie, what are you going to do today?" Kim queried to me. I haven't planned anything yet. "Wait!" Kim raised her hand to my face, blocking my view from her. "How did you get here?" She asked suspiciously.
"I took the cab." I grinned. Kim's eyes widen in disbelief. Everybody thought that it was always dangerous for me to come out alone.
"You are not supposed to go out alone. Do you know that?" Kim fumed. Here we go, Fern was going to watch the lovers' quarrel.
"The guard gives me protection bangle. It functions like a detector." I showed it to Kim.
"You should go home now and stay inside." Kim dictated. She took out her cell phone and dialled a number. I think I knew it; she called for the chauffeur.
"The driver will be here in minutes. I'll see you later, okay?" Kim said to me.
"I'm not going to being locked up in the house for the whole day." I protested. I could stay here with her. Why did she insist to make me go home?
"Look Pie. We got important thing to do here. I can't keep you entertain here and you might die in boredom if you wished to stay." Kim ruffled her hair. I managed to catch the glimpse of Fern – she smirked at me with a smug look on her face.
"Then, I'll just head home now." I gathered the things I brought with me earlier. "See you later." I was ready to leave.
"Wait a second." Kim caught my wrist. I twisted and faced her once again. Kim slid her hand to the other pocket of her pants and took out her wallet.
"Here, take this." She gave me the golden credit card. "Keep yourself entertain until I'm done with my work. Call your sister to accompany you if she could." She added. I was fortunate enough to have it but did she really think it was all I has always wanted. I; Pie Mindara Manaying will and always been the gold digger to Kimhan Jittaleela's eyes. I wasn't and it was not my intention to be one. Sometimes the duress in our life forced us to change and that happened beyond our willingness. As for my case, my improper judgement has brought me to Kim and it was just lucky for me that my victim turned out to be the one who was good at heart. I was my fortune to meet her.
Though, I didn't think I need the card, I took it despite my own refusal. I stepped forward and hugged Kim tightly before she walked me to the door. "Be careful." She caressed my face as she gazed into my eyes longingly.
"You should take care of yourself." I warned her with a look. "Your ex – girlfriend is there with you, how do you expect me to pretend I was all fine with it?" I crossed my arms to my chest. People said a woman can conceal her feeling for the one she loved for months or perhaps years but when it comes to jealousy, she couldn't wait any single second to show how frustrated she was with it.
"Hey, there's no need to be jealous." Kim pinched my cheeks. "We are dealing for a business and let's say that it's a professional settlement."
"You do know your limit, Kim. I shall leave now. See you later."
"Pie, you forgot something." She called me. I turned around abruptly just to find that she was standing so close to me.
"What?"
"I love you." Kim uttered. I arched my eyebrows up in question. It was too fast to even realize how it coming but Kim pecked my lips quickly and spun on her heels, heading back to her room. My feet riveted on the floor; unable to move an inch and my face blushed red from the embarrassment. Everybody who present around the office area was looking at me. Perhaps everyone could figure out now that their employer is a gay.
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The chauffer didn't take me home; instead we were heading to the mall. My sister would wait for me there. She said she was going to introduce someone to me. My instinct told me that she is in love with somebody and only then it dawned on me that my younger sister has grown up. I walked to the restaurant my sister mentioned to me and soon later, I saw her at one of the table. She was facing the entrance and right next to her, was a young gentleman who was about her age. Hongyok waved her hand to me when she caught the glimpse of my figure. I walked gingerly to the table. Both of them rose up from their seat as I arrived.
"Sawadeeka na P'." Both of them greeted me in unison. I observed the gentleman carefully. He didn't look like a real boy. Don't tell me that it's SHE.
"P'Pie, this is P'Nan and P'Nan, meet my sister, P'Pie." Hongyok took in charge in introducing each of us to the other. I nodded my head knowingly and we all took our seats when we returned the handshakes gesture.
"So, what's going on here?" I asked to them. My initial plan supposed to be; my sister and I hang out together today but now, it seemed like we have a semi formal meeting.
Hongyok and Nan exchanged their gazes before they looked at me again. Nan fidgeted in her own seat while Hongyok seemed anxious.
"Let's make is straight forward, P." Nan began. I loved the idea. I didn't like it when people kept twisting stuffs and ended up telling me brief information with a lengthy introduction. It was such a waste in time.
"I would like to ask your permission to be with your younger sister." Nan stuttered on her words as she spoke. How cute they were! I didn't know that they still manage to do this traditional way of seeking the blessing from the elder just because they wanted to date in a serious relationship?
I leaned back to my chair and gazed at each of them alternately. Hongyok chewed the bottom of her lips – looking conflicted herself while Nan stared back at me anticipating the words of my approval.
"What did you do for life?" I threw my first question to the love of my sister's. If this person is going to protect my sister, he or she; I wasn't sure should have a stable financial state to support her. Tell me, is there any elders would love to see their loved one suffered throughout their life? We have gone through a lot of difficulties and I wanted a promising future for my sister.
"I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth but we do survive in this civilization. I'm working this hard for my future and that would include for your sister as well." Nan told me, highly confident with her assurance.
"Was he the one who has helped you a lot while I'm not around?" I turned to ask to my sister.
"Yes, SHE is." Hongyok stressed it to me. I wasn't surprise to know Nan's truest gender. It was just my intention to check it out.
"I see." A long sigh involuntarily escaped from my lips. How do I suppose to react to this? I'm in a relationship with a woman as well yet I felt so wrong that my sister was deviating all along just like me.
"Things might be difficult later on." I said to them. Hongyok shook her head at any instant when I was about to continue my words.
"My case is differs from yours." Hongyok caught me off guard. She did know something about me. "The only thing that differentiate my relationship with P'Nan compared to you with P'Kim is that, I knew exactly what I wanted for my love life." I was taken aback.
"What are you talking about?" I snapped out of control.
"You do know what I'm talking about P." Hongyok halted. "So, what do you say?" She altered the tense in the air immediately.
"If I told you not to meet each other, both of you will still do it secretly, don't you?" Both of the girls grinned at me.
"Go on. Do whatever you like but know that everything has its own limit. No sex until Hongyok graduated." I spat it out straight forward to the point. Hongyok's face grew redder while Nan choked to her utmost disbelief.
"You're nasty!" Hongyok complained.
"Well, if the temptation is irresistible just do it in a protective way." I added. Hongyok hid her face to her palms. Nan stifled a laugh because of it.
"I'm sorry for my sister." Hongyok said to Nan. "It's kind of rare to see her to behave this way. I presumed she learned a lot while she was having a vacation with my soon to be sister in law." My sister was trying to counter attack me.
"We shall wait for the baby." Hongyok smirked. Nan gazed at me – bewildered. I shook my head ardently; denying every senseless rumour my younger sister has set up to this conversation. It was insane. I have not had any sexual intimate with Kim and it was beyond possibility that it could bore us a baby! Wait! What did I think about? Shake it off.
"Do you want to eat anything?"
"If it's your treat, then I would like to." Hongyok answered immediately. We spent almost an hour, talking to each other and exchanging our stories. Hongyok was so interested to know about my vacation but I knew she was more curious about what has happening between Kim and me. I got to learn some details about Nan and I could trust her for now. She was such a lovely person and Hongyok was lucky to have her. The way they looked into each other was more than enough to depict how they love each other. My sister was braver than me. She was in love and she loved fearlessly.
Soon, it was time for us to part. My sister and her girlfriend got an errand to be done. There were a few hours left before Kim is done with her work for the day. I assumed that I would just walk around to keep myself entertain. From store to store, I entered and exited them without buying anything. I have almost everything back at home; those from what Kim bought for me and some were the gifts from Mrs. Jittaleela. I haven't really checked for each of them but I thought there were some of my belongings inside the wardrobe which were left untouched since I first bought them. The last store at the row was a toy shop. Perhaps if Lilith was here, she would surely like it.
When I stepped into the store, I was greeted with giant frog mascot. Good thing that it was so cute. Do you know that I fear frog the most? I just couldn't stand any species of them. I just couldn't.
"Welcome to our shop!" The mascot said. "May I help you?" The giant mascot touched my nose with its big hand.
"Yeah. I'm looking for your kids." I told her. Kim's image flashed through my mind. She was the Frog Prince. I thought it would be nice if I could find a plush frog toy for her in return to the teddy bear she has given me the other day.
"My kids?" The mascot pointed to itself.
"Yes. Do you have any froggy toys here?" I wandered my eyes around to spot for their presence.
The frog mascot laughed at me. "Yes. My kids are all ready to be sold." It guided me to the centre of the shop.
"There you go. They are all here." He presented. I looked to the tall shelf which stood right before my eyes. There were various colours and sizes of them in each of the rows. Green, yellow, red, blue and purple; they were just too cute that I wanted to buy them all.
However, there was the only one which caught my interest. It's the blue coloured toy which was placed at the top of the shelf with sized nearly as big as me.
"I want the blue one." I pointed to it. The mascot nodded at me and gone somewhere. Awhile later, he came back with the other staff. The other one had a ladder with him.
"Goodbye my son." The mascot said to the toy when it was being handed to me. He really made my day!
"Do you accept credit card and provide delivery service?" I showed the golden card to him. When he nodded his yes, I just couldn't contain my excitement. I'm going to surprise Kim too.
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I waited for the chauffer to fetch me but many minutes have passed that even his shadow has not come to my view. If I were about to report this to Kim, he would surely get fired from his job. I decided to have a seat at the nearest ice – cream stall. Not wanting it to seem that awkward, I'd order one for me – chocolate as always. I was enjoying my ice – cream when someone approached me. The person took his seat next to my stool and I knew he was trying to talk to me.
"Hey, are you alone?" He asked. Didn't it obvious that there was no one beside me?
"No. I'm not alone. You sat on my friend. Don't you see her?" I rolled my eyes though I wasn't interested to look at him.
"Wow! I like a mysterious girl like you." He chuckled to his amusement.
"I'm sorry but I'm married." I told him. Yam told me it was a good tactic to avoid from talking to strangers in public. When we told the flirty men that we are taken, they won't bother us.
"My heart is aching." The man said dramatically. "But you look single and available." He seemed not to give in. He was such a bothersome.
"No. I'm not availabe. We have a daughter and her name is Elara Eirween Jittaleela." I blurted out a random name from my thought. It sounded great!
"Oh." He went silent momentarily.
"She must look as cute as you." The man said out of sudden. God! Couldn't he go away already? His presence was disturbing.
"Our daughter is a perfect combination of the genes. Her other mother, Kimhan Jittaleela is a good looking woman as well." I snorted. I just couldn't believe myself. I just told him a complete lie which sounded great to me. My gene combining with Kim's; we would produce a super cute baby. Don't you think so?
"You're a gay." He gasped.
"So what?" I snapped at him. "I have a good life. I love my wife and also my daughter. Just because I'm a gay or a so – called lesbian, does it mean that I don't deserve to have a family of my own? " I turned to face him. The moment my eyes landed to the person, I could have sworn that I was going to commit suicide right on the second. The annoying man slowly removed the dark shades from his eyes, pulling off the fake moustache above his upper lips and took off the cap he was wearing.
"KIMHAN!" I stifled my shout. Kim cackled loudly to see my reaction. It was so embarrassing. Why didn't I take a look carefully to the person for the first place? Where do I have to put my face now?
"Hello there sweetheart." Kim reached out a hand to caress my cheek. "Elara Eirween Jittaleela. I love the name but it sounds too Western." Kim mused. "We shall find an Asian sound – like name for our daughter." Kim put her arms around my shoulder and wagged her eyebrows teasingly at me.
"That's not going to happen." I pushed her away. The overwhelmed embarrassment gradually engulfed me. "What are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious? I'm here to fetch you." Kim shrugged. She took the ice – cream cup from me and scooped one into her mouth.
"Why did you even have to wear all those things?" I picked up the fake moustache from the table and observed it to my curiosity. Silly, Kim.
"I was spying on you." Kim said truthfully. I gasped internally. Did she saw me buying the plush frog toy?
"And the finding was satisfying." Kim added, bringing me back to my mind.
"When did you arrive here?" I asked for a conformation.
"Just when I saw you went to this ice – cream stall." Kim told me. It was such a relief to me. It did mean that she wasn't here when I chose to gifted a plush toy to her. It should be a surprise. Kim shouldn't know it.
"Let's go home now? Or shall we shop for some groceries first?" Kim suggested.
"Let's go to the supermarket. I'll cook for our dinner."
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It was such an exhausting day yet I insisted to cook for the dinner. It was enough that we have spent a week of eating outside. My late mother always taught me that those dishes which you prepared with your own hand are the best one you should serve for your loved one. When you cook, do it with your heart and everything which come from your sincerity will turn out to be fine.
I was chopping the onions when I realized my eyes were in tears. I sensed Kim sneakily wrapped her hands around my waist from the back. She peeked down to my face and saw my tears rolling down my cheeks.
"Are you alright, Pie?" She queried worriedly. Kim twirled me around until I was facing her completely. "Is there anything that bothers you?" She shook my form a little, alarmed with the sudden change in me.
"Yes." Kim frowned upon knowing it. "Please continue to chop these onions. They made me cry a river." I handed the knife to Kim. Kim's mouth fell open in disbelief. Did I tell her wrong?
"Would you help me?" I asked again to her.
"You're just overreacting. I thought it was something else." Kim muttered. After all, she still helped me with the stuffs.
The door's bell rang to our alert. Kim was surely didn't expect for any guests around this hour. It was only me who knew what's happening. "I'll get the door." I told her.
I walked briskly to the entrance. Once the door opened, I saw a delivery man assisted with two men in black – I mean the security guards stood in front of me.
"It's your package, Ms. Pie." The delivery man handed me a huge box. I took it with all difficulties. It was almost the size of me. I put the parcel aside, giving me space to look at the delivery man. He looked anxious himself with the presence of the two strong men in black at his both side. It must felt like he was entering a castle where the noble lived under a strict control of well trained guards and I'm the princess. Daydreaming, Pie!
One of the security guards took care of the parcel for me. He scanned for the parcel thoroughly with a portable laser scanner. Where did Mr. Jittaleela find them? Their technologies never failed to impress me for now.
"No threat is detected." He told the other security guard and I saw his friend nodded knowingly.
"Please sign here." The man handed me a paper together with a pen. I was about to take the pen from him when suddenly the other security guard took it away from me.
"Hey!" My patience was growing thin.
He made a brief check for the pen and handed it back to me. "No threat detected." He confirmed it. I'm getting tired of this. Why couldn't I live in freedom and be normal as usual? Now, it dawned upon me that being a princess was not as wonderful as it has always seemed. You were being caged, restricted under the rules and supervision you wished you could avoid it. It was no joy at all; only a damsel in distress.
Done with signing what was needed, the delivery man excused himself. I went inside with the huge parcel. Even though the security guard offered to help me, I refused to let him to enter the house. Their coverage area was outside the house and inside the house, was my territory. I walked through the living room, carrying the parcel with a great care. Where should I place it? It shouldn't be seen to Kim's sight for now. I decided to give it to her later.
"Pie?" I didn't see her coming. Kim prodded my shoulder from the side. I jumped out to my shock. The parcel slipped from my held and landed right on Kim's foot.
"Ouch!" She yelped in pain. The parcel wasn't that heavy though.
"You scared the hell out of me." I scolded her.
"I was just calling your name." Kim retorted. She averted her eyes to the parcel which lay down near to her feet. Kim was about to pick the parcel up when I snatched it from her. She looked surprise herself once she figured out that the parcel wasn't as heavy as it seemed.
"What is that thing?" Kim pointed to the box with a finger. Instantly, she crossed her arms in front of her chest. There was a huge expression of suspicious drawn all over her face.
"I bought something from the mall." I told her. I didn't tell her a lie, right? It was just a method of covering the truth.
"Oh I see. It's another handbag or perhaps a shelf of blouses and skirts, right?" Kim surmised. Hey! Am I that terrible spender? Exhausted to lengthen the talk, I rolled my eye at her.
"Pie, I'm hungry. Could you please cook for me now?" Kim made a face. She thought she was adorable in such a way but know one thing, she would always be a hideous frog prince to me.
"Kim." I called her. She gazed at me intently. "Actually, I have something for you."
I walked myself to the couch and Kim trailed behind me. Placing the huge parcel on the coffee table, I slid it right in front of her.
"Do you want me to have a look on your things?" Kim queried quizzically yet she took the parcel into her hand.
"It's yours. Open it." I told her. Kim clasped her hands excitedly as she eyes the parcel from the top to the bottom. She turned it around twice for the reason I wasn't sure of what it was about.
"It's so big." Kim exclaimed. She wasn't that differ from an excited toddler who was about to unwrap her Christmas gift.
"Can I open it now?" She asked, gazing at me and then to the box alternately.
"Sure."
"Oh, I'm so nervous." Kim talked a lot today.
"Just open it!" I snapped. Kim put a hand to her chest.
"You scared me." Kim complained. She began to untangle the ribbon which wrapped around the parcel. It was so big that I thought I could fit into it.
"Do we have an instant baby here?" Kim asked, haven't take a look inside the box yet.
"Crazy! No."
"Oh! It's a blue alien!" Kim faltered as she took out the plush toy. It wasn't supposed to be an alien. It's a frog.
"Where did you get this alien and why did you give it to me." Kim slumped down the giant plush toy next to her. My inner self started to feel ashamed. Kimhan Jittaleela didn't suffer from any vision impairment, right? It's a frog!
She scrutinized it again. "Oh, it's a frog! A giant blue frog!" Kim chuckled, amused by her own silliness. Finally she did realize it.
"Do you like it?" I found myself asking. Kim let out a long deep breath and I fear she dislike it.
"Why it's blue in colour?" She queried instead of responding to me.
"It's because it has the blue blood." I told her. Kim returned a bewildered look at me, indicating she didn't get my mean.
"Blue blood represents royalty, Kim. You're the Frog Prince and this is the mini you. I'm trying to be sweet here. Can't you see it?" I groaned loudly. She was giving me a headache. Where the wise yet intelligent Kimhan Jittaleela has gone to? My plan didn't go along as well as I had arranged it. It supposed to impress Kim, in any way round she didn't.
"I was just joking." She smiled. "Come here." She beckoned me to come to her. I didn't need any further instruction though – I willingly made myself seated on her lap. Kim's arms curled around me as she drew me in for a long hug. She was absolutely right; a warm and tender hug from your loved one could change your entire day.
"Thank you for the Frog Prince toy. However, I think I'm much cuter than it." Kim giggled.
"You're always hideous." I shook off her assumption.
"Speak yourself! Our daughter is a perfect combination of the genes. Her other mother, Kimhan Jittaleela is a good looking woman as well." She recalled the thing I used to tell her the moment I thought she was a stranger. My face flushed red. I shouldn't have said that. It would bring me trouble forever!
"It was just a lie. I was trying to avoid from talking to a stranger who turned out to be you." I protested.
A small smile appeared at the corner of Kim's lips. She secured her arms around me and began to speak again. "If it happened that the stranger wasn't me, do you think all your saying was indeed the words of your heart?" She queried and I started to feel guilty. I didn't answer her. I stoned there in conflict.
"Do you want to know something Pie?" Kim asked me. I shifted myself to a straddling position.
"I have no idea on how I could possibly fall in love with you." She began. "The only thing I keep telling myself since the first time I met you was I will always love you." My heart melted to the truthful confession she spoke to me.
"Kim, my Mom once told me that everybody could say 'I love you' that simply to anybody but somehow, at the right time, at the right sequence and for the right person, that 'I love you' wouldn't mean the same as it sounded to be. 'I love you' means I trusted my heart to you, please take a good care of it. I love you; I want you to know that I will always be there for you and I love you; I pray that we would last forever."
"I really like you, Kim. I really do." I told her.
"And I know you don't love me." She interjected. A hurtful smile emerged from her sad expression.
"I didn't say that." I brought my hand to caress her face. The tense in her gradually subsided.
"When the right time comes Kim; my heart and my entire being will be yours."