*Warning this chapter contains violence and suicidal themes read at your own risk*
Arthit
Arthit laughed as he swam inside the pool and Yo launched himself into his arms giggling when Arthit caught him. Both were in swim trunks and simply having a good time together. They had been living in the Suthiluck Mansion for three weeks now and so far things had been getting better.
Every day, he would make breakfast, afternoons were spent in therapy for at least an hour. With the difference now being that Mrs. Suthiluck he could no longer be his therapist, now that they were living together. She had referred him to one of her colleagues. Her name was Yihwa. She was rather young but was not afraid to ask hard questions and really challenge him to dig deep.
The hardest topic so far was about Sirikit. The woman whom he thought was his mother. Since finding out the truth about her, Sirikit had been arrested. In fact, she had made the news for what she had done as it had been revealed she had been keeping him with her and all that she had done including murdering her own daughter which she was still denying. Because of the power of the Jaturapooms people were unable to get his name out even if they'd wanted to. Just like they had been unable to put photographs of him out.
Even so, it had felt overwhelming to suddenly have your life out there for everyone to judge. Despite the fact that there had been many sympathetic people, others were more curious to see the face of "The Long Lost Jaturapoom heir".
In order to calm some people down a photograph of Arthit when he was a child had been released. His records had not been released and Dusit Jaturapoom had a team that was in charge of anything that happened and made sure that the website crashed within seconds and no one could access without getting a virus.
Byul and Ming had recommended Bright and Rome for that. He had the opportunity of meeting them and was very thankful for their help. So far nothing had been leaked about him in the past couple of weeks.
Some desperate media people were still trying to get a photo of him and had tried doing so by following Forth and Dusit. It had been a good thing after all that he had chosen to live with Kongpob and Yo. Media had gotten a bit suspicious when Forth visited him on Wednesdays. In order to avoid any speculation he had come with Byul, Ming, Jae Ha, Phana, Beam, Prem, Wad, and Bright and Rome.
Not wanting people to speculate as to who was "The Lost Jaturapoom heir" Beam had as he put it "Nipped it in the bud". As soon as he had seen Forth he had proceeded to kiss him. In fact, had Byul not cleared her throat and told them that children were watching. Both would have continued to make out in front of everyone.
Beam had simply walked away as though nothing had happened only to find an article written about him the next day. Doctor and Lawyer. Jaturapoom's heir's secret Romance revealed.
The paparazzi had then forgotten all about him and centered themselves on harassing Beam and Forth. Beam was losing his mind and had continuously yelled at Forth as though it had been his fault. Forth had taken it in stride and it became quite obvious that he was attracted to Beam. Arthit had found the entire thing quite amusing. Forth had come up with a plan that involved he and Beam to fake date. Oddly enough Beam had agreed after the fuss that he had made. Arthit was sure that the stubborn man was also attracted to Forth.
Then there was the Suthilucks. It had become a tradition that he, Kongpob, and Yo would join Mr. and Mrs. Suthilucl for dinner or Fridays. They would either cook together or each would bring a dish for everyone to enjoy. Saturdays were spent with Kongpob and Yo in their home, going shopping for groceries and the occasional outing to the park with Yo. Sundays were dedicated to private dinners with Dusit, and Forth Jaturapoom. Kongpob and Yo would go with him as they were his family.
The best thing that happened so far for him was getting his job back. Dusit had asked him if he wanted his job back and Arthit had agreed right away. If there was something that he had greatly missed in the past few months it had been teaching. He had missed his students.
When he came back it was easy to slip back into a routine. However, there were some minor changes. He could drive to work, unfortunately, he drove too slow for that and Kongpob had agreed when Dusit and Forth wanted to have bodyguards with him at all times.
It felt suffocating a bit but as opposed to with Knot where he was afraid of them. He knew that those men were there to protect him. It helped a lot that Jae Ha was willing to be his main driver and bodyguard; despite the fact that he had a company to run himself that involved the top security, in fact the men that Dusit used were from Jae Ha's company. Very rarely would those bodyguards interact with Arthit as Jae Ha was personally the one that was in charge of him.
Arthit would go to school every day in the afternoon and he would get to go home with Yo. They would always prepare dinner together and wait for Kongpob to get home. Since everything happened Kongpob had quit his old law firm.
Arthit had been worried because it meant that Kongpob was without a job. He knew how important Kongpob's work was to the man. It was his passion and Arthit had felt guilty thinking that he had taken that away from Kongpob.
Kongpob had simply told him not to worry and it was Forth that offered Kongpob for them to work together. He was welcome to be a partner at his law firm instead. Kongpob had readily agreed and both Prem and Wad had come with him along with May and Em who had unfortunately been fired by Knot who thought they were somehow involved in helping him and Kongpob.
Arthit had felt bad for them and had apologized to them. May and Em were both very nice to him and had also apologized for making assumptions about him. Arthit had met a lot of new people recently. Including Kongpob's youngest sister Ema. She had come to visit Mrs. Suthiluck one Friday and they were able to meet. Arthit thought that Ema was very nice. She and Porshe seemed happy together and she had told him she approved of him and Kongpob despite the fact that they told her they were not together.
Boonsri, Kongpob's oldest sister he was yet to meet. He had only seen a few photographs of her but he had listened to several piano concerts of hers. He found her music soothing.
"Daddy!" Arthit's thoughts were interrupted when Kongpob pulled up to their home. He was in the golf cart and he looked visibly exhausted. Arthit was aware that a lot was going on around him that people were keeping from him. Kongpob only told him things that he needed to know. Like the fact that Sirikit had been arrested. Her trial would be soon but Arthit was unsure that he would be able to face her. Nothing like this was being asked of him but Yihwa thought it was important that he close this chapter of his life soon so that he could move forward.
Yo jumped out of the pool and proceeded to run to Kongpob's arms. Arthit smiled when he saw how Kongpob's eyes light up and smile genuinely at his son.
"Hi buddy. How was your day?"
"Fun! We painted butterflies today." Yo spoke in excitement. Kongpob's eyes drifted towards Arthit and they both smiled at one another.
"Having fun?" Kongopb questioned. Arthit smiled at him and nodded.
"Tough day?" Kongopb groaned but nodded as he sat by the pool while Arthit looked at him.
"I'm just tired. I have a lot on my plate right now."
"I'm sorry," Arthit spoke feeling guilt.
"It has nothing to do with you."
"Don't lie to me. I overheard you on the phone with P'Forth last night." Arthit tells him. He knows that Knot had filed a kidnapping claim against Kongpob. The only reason the police had not shown up was because Forth and Dusit had gotten involved. Kongpob shook his head.
"Don't worry about it okay. I'll handle it."
"But it is my business Kong. It's my fault."
"It's not. Please don't blame yourself okay."
"Daddy come swim with us," Yo spoke as he came around to climb on Kongpob's back and wetting him. Kongpob chuckled and stood up carrying Yo on his back. Yo then managed to maneuver himself into Kongpob's arms. He was like a little Koala. Kongpob began to swing Yo in his arms while Yo giggled. Yo squealed as Kongpob threw him gently in the pool. When Yo resurfaced he laughed and splashed Kongpob. Arthit laughed at their antics and shook his head. He smirked internally as he spoke up.
"Can you help me get out," Arthit spoke up. Kongpob nodded and extended his hand out to help Arthit out of the pool only to have Arthit pull him in. Kongpob yelped as he went inside the pool. Yo laughed as did Arthit as he watched Kongpob resurface.
"I'm wearing shoes," Kongpob spoke which only caused Arthit to laugh. Kongpob smiled at him chuckling as he took off his shoes, shirt, and pants staying only in his boxers. Arthit didn't think much of it considering he too was only in his swim shorts.
"Come here." Kongpob joked to Arthit who tried to swim away only to have Kongpob catch him by the waist. He laughed in Kongpob's arms while Yo began splashing water on both of them and they did the same. Things like these were typical for them now and Arthit wouldn't change it for the world.
The sun had gone down by the time they were out of the pool. They gave Yo a bath first before each of them slipped into the shower later. In the end, they had a small cookout outside and for dessert they had smores.
They stayed outside simply enjoying the comfortable night. Yo fell asleep in Arthit's arms which left Arthit and Kongpob to talk comfortably.
"Let's go out tomorrow. Just the two of us. I know that Dusit and Forth had to cancel last minute because of a business trip they both needed to go on," Kongpob said to him. Arthit was taken back for a moment unsure of what he had just heard. He couldn't help but smile as his heart raced.
"Just the two of us?... Like a date.?" Kongpob nodded and Arthit grinned, unable to hide his excitement.
"Okay..."
***
Arthit was nervous. He didn't know what to wear. Kongpob had asked him out on a date. Despite the fact that he had been married and unfortunately still was, this was in fact his first REAL date. He had hardly been able to sleep because of how excited he was. Kongpob didn't tell him where they were going just that he should dress nicely.
It had been why he had called Byul and Ming to ask them for help. The two had come to pick him up late in the afternoon as his date with Kongpob would be later at night and he had at least three hours to get ready. Kongpob had to take care of some things at Forth's law firm. From what Kongpob had also shared with him Knot had finally agreed to buy him out of their partnership. Forth was the one that had been in charge of handling that with Kongpob. Arthit was glad about that, he could tell that Kongpob and Forth were getting along and he would be lying if he said that was not important to him. In the past few weeks that he had gotten to know Forth, he really did start to like him.
He was a nice person and he learned that they did have a lot in common. Just like him, Forth seemed to really like robots. In fact, at one point in time Forth had considered being an engineer as had Arthit. With Dusit, Arthit felt it was much easier to get along with him. They had known each other before knowing they were father and son. Arthit had always seen the man as good and understanding.
Now, because he had returned to school to teach he would see the man six out of seven days of the week. He was able to have a late lunch with Dusit by arriving an hour before school ended and sometimes Forth would join them.
"Try this on," Byul spoke up to Arthit. They were at her studio with both she and Ming pulling outfits for him to try on. Giggling was heard and Arthit smiled. Yo was running around the studio wearing a very large green blazer jacket while Pha chased after him wearing a black blazer jacket. Because they were wearing adult clothes the two had fallen on numerous occasions; tripping over the sleeves of the blazers. Sweet Pea and Bolt were also playing together. The two little skunks would roll around whenever Yo and Pha fell down imitating them. It was long overdue but both little skunks we're scheduled to have their scent glands removed. Porshe would be in charge of that.
"Arthit," Byul spoke with a smile as she realized he was watching Wayo and Phana play.
"As long as they're not pulling each other's hair it should be fine," Byul commented. More laughter was heard as Phana fell on top of Wayo again and both Bolt and Sweet Pea imitated once more. Arthit took the clothes out of Byul's hands, they had been trying outfits for the past thirty minutes, with both Byul and Ming giving him options on what to wear. He went into the makeshift changing room they had. He was given a red shirt, a blue blazer, and a pair of blue dress pants. He wasn't too sure about the outfit he was never one to choose what to wear. For most of his life, he had to have others decide for him. First Sirkit, then Knot, the only time he'd had that option was with Kongpob and he'd only chosen comfortable clothes from online shops.
"I'm not sure about this," Arthit spoke up when he walked out of the dressing room.
"That's because it's not done yet. We need to do your hair and some accessories. If you don't like it we can take it off but I think this has been the best so far. You trust us don't you?" Ming questioned.
"In theory..." Arthit replied. Both his friends laughed and began to pick out the accessories. Ming then did Arthit's hair and when he was done Arthit couldn't help but feel surprised as he looked at the mirror from the vanity in front of him.
"Is that me?" He questioned. Byul smiled at him and laid her chin to rest on Arthit's shoulder.
"It is. You're handsome." Byul said to him.
"Why do you think you were approached by the modeling agency," Ming said to him with a smile.
"Wow!" Yo spoke up from behind when Arthit stood up from the chair he was sitting in.
"What do you think Yo?" Arthit questioned.
"Teacher Art looks like a beautiful Prince." Arthit squatted down to Yo's level. Yo grinned at him and clung to Arthit's neck as he picked him up. Yo pressed his cheek against Arthit and patted his cheek with the other. Arthit smiled at Yo who pouted when Ming tried to take him out of his arms.
"Kongpob should be here to pick you up soon Arthit. Yo is going to spend the night at our home for a sleepover with Pha." Ming spoke up.
"We're going to make a house for the skunks," Phana announced happily. Yo grinned at him.
"Don't fight with him okay," Arthit spoke to Yo who nodded.
"Even if he makes you angry, use your words, and don't kick him anywhere." Yo laughs but nods. Byul's assistant, Zon walked into the room and gave a polite wai to them.
"Ms. Kim, Mr. Suthiluck is here for Mr. Arthit," Zon informed. Arthit immediately felt butterflies and his palms began to sweat.
"You'll be fine," Byul told him with a smile.
"And if he behaved like an asshole you can always just do what his kid does. Kick him in the balls." Ming says. Arthit laughs and Byul hits Ming in the arm.
"Thank you..." He tells them both.
"We'll come back for you in the morning okay," Arthit says to Yo who nods. He walks down the elevator, his heart is racing a mile a minute. He's both excited and nervous, he doesn't know what to expect, and yet the minute he gets down to the first floor and he sees Kongpob he can't help but feel like things are going to be okay. Is his heart still racing? Yes, more than before. Does he still feel nervous? No. Because this is Kongpob. The person that he loves who loves him back. Arthit knows that Kongpob is nothing short of a gentleman and regardless of anything else that happened in his life Kongpob was the only man that had never let him down.
Looking at the other man Arthit couldn't help but feel breathless. He looked incredibly handsome. Kongpob was in a gray turtle neck, a brown blazer, and his hair was styled differently. The earring that he wore on his ear made him look more handsome.
"You look handsome Arthit." He was unable to stop the blush that appeared on his cheeks as he heard Kongpob say these words to him. His heart was racing and he couldn't stop the happiness that he felt at the words that Kongpob had said to him. Was this what it felt like to have someone flirt with you? If it was, then Arthit wanted Kongpob to do it again.
"Let's go," Kongpob said to him. Arthit nodded and when Kongpob took his hand Arthit found himself walking on air while following him mindlessly. It took him a moment; once they were outside of Byul and Ming's building, to realize they were not heading to Kongpob's car.
"We're walking?" Arthit questioned to Kongpob as he pulled him along the street. Kongpob's hold was gentle and Arthit knew that if he really wanted to let go of him, he could. There were a few people walking along the street making Arthit feel a little shy. A few girls were looking at them and giggling which caused Arthit to blush. He had not realized they were stopping; as they reached the crosswalk until he crashed on to Kongpob's back.
He gasped softly and moved back only to bump into the person behind them.
"Watch it!" A guy behind them snapped, he glared at Arthit who felt intimidated as the man was rather large, almost like a bear. A hand was wrapped around his waist and he could only stare back at Kongpob who pulled him close.
"Sorry about that," Kongpob spoke calmly. The man simply grunted as a response and continued to ignore them.
"Sorry..." Arthit whispered quietly. Kongpob looked at him and offered a soft smile.
"Don't worry about it. Just stay close to me." Kongpob said to him. Blushing Arthit found himself nodding. When the light turned green, they along with a few other people continued to walk across the street. Kongpob's arm remained on his waist as they walked. Arthit felt himself radiating with happiness but he worried that Kongpob would be able to hear how his heart was racing. Even so, he was incredibly happy.
They continued to walk like this for another three blocks. Until they reached a large building that Arthit recognized. It was one of the art galleries that Arthit had visited in the past; the Bangkok Art and Culture Center. His eyes lit up as he looked at Kongpob.
"Come on. I have something special prepared for you." Kongpob said to him.
"Isn't it closed?" Arthit questioned. Kongpob grinned but nodded.
"I'm friends with the owner," Kongpob said to him.
"We have to go through the back because the front is already locked," Kongpob said to him. Arthit nodded as Kongpob slipped his hand into his once again.
They went through the back where the door asked for a key code that Kongpob plugged in before opening the door. Once they were inside Kongpob turned on the lights. One by one there was the sound of lights being turned on all across the gallery.
"I remember that you mentioned you wanted to come here."
"Exhibitions are always changing..." Arthit said to him. Kongpob nodded.
"It might not be exactly as you thought... as you said exhibitions change but I-"
"I like this," Arthit assured Kongpob. Arthit found himself standing in the middle of the first floor and felt a little overwhelmed, yet he could not stand the joy that he felt as he stood there.
Kongpob squeezed his hand and then pulled him towards the right where the paintings began. Arthit could not hide his excitement. There were a total of five exhibitions in the art gallery. There were photography pieces, paintings, sculptures, love and relationships, visual and hearing where you walked around the gallery seeing and experiencing sounds inaudible to the naked ears while viewing the entire city. For most of their viewing, they were completely alone. There was at least one staff member on each floor mainly to help them if anything was needed.
Arthit enjoyed each and every single art piece and he loved talking to Kongpob about each piece. Most of the time their views on certain pieces were the same but when it wasn't, they were both able to expand their knowledge and interpretation on each piece of art, or painting. The stores that were on each floor they were able to visit only briefly. They purchased a few things here and there. Arthit wished they had brought Yo along but he was not sure that the child would appreciate the experience much. Yo liked art, but it might be too boring for him here.
When they reached the final floor Arthit was excited. The brochure that Kongpob handed to him at the start said there was a new artist that was being featured. Their generation's genius. He wondered who it could be. It was strange to Arthit that the lights were off. But the minute they stepped foot out of the elevator the lights turned on along the entire hall.
Kongpob guided him down the hallway towards the first piece. Arthit found himself gasping and tears began to fall down his eyes as he realized they were the paintings he once thought were destroyed by Sirikit.
"How?..." Arthit questioned Kongob who offered him a bright smile and reached to wipe away Arthit's tears gently.
"After Sirikit was arrested, I thought about the paintings. She stole your mother's paintings and tried to sell them on the black market for millions. I thought that maybe she would try to sell yours too."
"But I'm not-"
"You are." Kongpob cuts him off.
"You're very talented Arthit. What you create is nothing short of magical." Kongpob tells him.
"Where did you find them. She told me she burned them. Knot and I once went to her house. It was right after I tried running away..."The memory of that brings him pain and it's only after Kongpob squeezes his hand that he's able to come back from the pain and continue to speak.
"I checked every room in the house. I told them I was going to the bathroom while they talked..."
"Prem, Wad, Em, and I went back to check the house. Your father mentioned that they had not been able to find your paintings no matter where they looked. There was a bookcase in the living room. We would have missed something if it had not been for Em who noticed it wasn't properly screwed to the wall. When we moved the bookcase and found that the wall there was hallow. We knocked down the wall and found several of your paintings. I don't know if that is all of them.
Arthit is looking at the other man, unable to hide his admiration for him. He hugs Kongpob who at first is surprised but slowly wraps his arms around Arthit and hugs him back.
"Thank you. This means so much to me." Arthit tells Kongopb who offers him a smile. He takes Arthit's hand and pulls him towards the paintings that Arthit had not seen in years. There were a few paintings that caused him pain. All of them were an expression of creativity and all were an expression of the things he was living. There were a few that were his favorite. He walked Kongpob to one that he liked the most.
*I do not own the rights to this painting/image, this is something that I found online using google*
"This is my favorite." He said to Kongpob.
"Why?..." Arthit smiled at Kongpob as memories came back to him.
"Mai... Sirikit never cared about me. But I always felt like Luna did. She always treated me with love. She was a dancer. A ballerina, when she had recitals I was never allowed to go see her. She would always wait for M- Sirikit to leave us alone and she would put on her ballerina outfits and music and she would dance for me. When I was old enough to work and when she came home from her recitals I would always greet her with flowers. I painted that for her and she had it up in her room for about a day until my- her mother noticed the painting. She beat me and would have destroyed the painting if Luna had not begged her not to." Tears were threatening to fall from his eyes and Kongpob pulled him into a hug.
"She can't hurt you anymore." Arthit smiles and hugs him back. Despite the fact that he knows this, he still fears her. He has not gotten the courage to confront her yet. Arthit pulls away from the hug and then takes Kongpob's hand again. He smiles at him sniffling before he begins to lead him towards another of his paintings.
They do this for a few minutes more with Arthit explaining his paintings including some portraits that he had made of his friends. He enjoyed going through memory lane and he realized that in fact, he had grown. His paintings today, he felt were truly more colorful and happy, especially the ones that he had painted since meeting Kongpob.
Arthit liked the way in which Kongpob looked at the paintings. There was admiration in his eyes which Arthit liked. When they finally came to the painting which Arthit knew Kongpob had wanted from him Arthit removed it from the display and handed it to Kongpob.
"I know you wanted to have it."
"I did... but I don't want it anymore," Kongpob said to him.
"Oh." Arthit as having a hard time hiding his emotions. Then he recalled Kongpob had wanted it for his ex-wife.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to bring up your past I."
"That's not what I meant." Kongpob chuckles.
"I meant that these are yours. I can always look at them and I have you... I don't need them." Arthit blushed but found himself smiling.
"Let's have dinner okay." Arthit nodded and when Kongopb took his and led him towards the elevator Arthit squeezed his hand.
"Your paintings will be sent to you later. I'm having someone deliver them." Kongpob explained to him once they left the museum. Once more, they walked down the street holding hands. Arthit made sure to stay close to Kongpob as they walked along the street together. They reached a small restaurant that had a large line of people waiting and hoping to get a table without a reservation, but Kongpob made his way towards the front.
"Kongpob Suthiluck." The host that was at the front offered a smile after checking if Kongpob's name was on the list.
"Just in time. Right, this way." The man spoke up before guiding them inside the small restaurant. Based on the very large line Arthit knew that the restaurant must have been pretty popular considering there were many people hoping to be able to simply walk in.
They were lead to a table for two and soon enough a waiter came over and handed them their menus. A bread basket was placed in between them and a glass of water was served to them once the waiter came back to take their order.
Arthit saw many things that looked incredibly appetizing. In the end, they both settled for a pork chop in a red wine sauce with a salad on the side.
For dessert, they both chose a slice of red velvet cake.
They were each served a glass of wine to go along with their dinner. Arthit smiled to himself humming softly at the red wine sauce that completely complimented the pork chop. He wondered if he would be able to find an online recipe.
Kongpob who was observing him quietly chuckled.
"What?" Arthit questioned.
"I'm sure you'll be able to cook this quite easily. You know how to make a lot of complicated dishes." Kongpob spoke knowingly. Arthit grinned at him and took a sip of his wine.
"I can make the red velvet cake for Yo, I'm not so sure about the wine sauce," Arthit spoke.
"You can always replace it with grape jelly." Kongpob joked. Arthit laughed but they both spoke at the same time.
"Yo only likes Strawberry jelly." This earned laughter from both of them as they knew Yo would not have pancakes or peanut butter and jelly unless it was with strawberry jam.
"You've really done a lot for us Arthit and I want to thank you for that. I will always be grateful." Kongpob spoke.
"You saved me when you didn't have to. You risked a lot for me. There's nothing more to say than that. I'm grateful Kong. But everything I did for you and Yo is because I wanted to. You're a good man." Arthit tells him.
"But you also saved me and Yo." Kongpob begins.
"Two years ago I was really a mess. I was drinking quite heavily trying to forget my problems and I believed that there was no such thing as love or a person that would be selfless and not want anything in return at least when it came to me." Kongpob began.
"You saved Wayo when he ran away and I will always be grateful to you for that. That was a wakeup call for me. I was a mess trying to erase my problems with alcohol. I didn't start drinking heavily until she completely signed away her custody of Yo and I realized she didn't care for him. All she really wanted was my money. That really did hurt the most and I didn't deal with it in the best way. But I got myself together. I still drink..." Kongpob spoke to him.
"I went an entire year without drinking. I'll occasionally have a sip no more than a glass of anything. But very rarely, never by myself. I don't keep alcohol at home and if I do it's in the back. I've never slipped into a spiral or felt the need to drink... Yo is very important to me and I never want to hear him say that my life would be better without him."
"Yo loves you very much."
"And I love him very much. He's the most important person in my life." Arthit smiles as he hears this and it only further lets him know how wonderful the man in front of him is.
"You're also very important to me Arthit and I want you to be incredibly happy," Kongpob tells him.
"I am happy as of now... with you and Yo." There's a look in Kongpob's eyes that Arthit doesn't quite understand... sadness... Arthit isn't quite sure. Kongpob takes out an envelope inside his coat pocket and places it on the table pushing it towards Arthit.
"What is this?" Arthit questions confused as he takes the envelope and then opens it. At first, he's confused but as he begins to read the letter he realized it's an acceptance letter; to an art school in Paris, France.
He looks up at Kongpob and despite the fact that he wants to feel happy, he feels sad.
"You... you're sending me away?..." His voice is just above a whisper as he fights back tears. Kongpob reaches for his hand squeezing it gently.
"Of course not. But Arthit... isn't this what you've always dreamed of?"
"It is... it was... but... I want to go... with you and Yo..." He says softly. It might just be a stupid dream he realizes when Kongpob says nothing. His heart is hurting and part of him thinks that he's made a fool of himself.
"Is this what this date was about?" He questions.
"Arthit..." Kongpob begins as Arthit stands up from his chair. He looks at Kongpob while trying to fight back tears.
"I know that I've caused trouble for you and Yo... I'm sorry but all you had to do was tell me that." He doesn't say more as he runs out of the restaurant. Tears are blurring his eyes and he doesn't get that far before Kongpob catches up to him. He grabs his arm and spins Arthit around to look at him.
"Arthit. Please listen to me love." Kongpob tells him, that word which had made him so happy now feels like a dagger stabbing at his heart. Kongpob pulls him into a hug that Arthit pushes himself away from Kongpob as sobs escape his lips.
"Arthit... baby.." Kongpob grabs his face in his hands, tears are falling down Kongpob's own eyes.
"I love you. But I can't hold you back. Yo and I, we will always be here and a year from now if you chose to come back we will be waiting for you."
"I don't want to go. Not without you and Yo." Arthit is crying.
"You need to do this Arthit and you won't be on your own. Your Father and P'Forth have both agreed to go with you." Sobs escaped Arthit lips and he can only shake his head at what Kongpob is saying.
"Why not you? Why can't I stay with you? I'm happy. I don't want to go to Paris anymore. I don't need it. I just need you and Yo."
"Yes you do. You need to do this. It's your dream and Yo and I are not going to be the reason for you not living your dreams Arthit."
"Why? Why are you doing this? Why can't you be selfish and come with me? Why do you always have to be so selfless." Arthit cries as he hits Kongpob's chest with his fist weakly.
"Because everyone has always been selfish to you Arthit. They've taken things from you and I won't be that way. I'm making you chose yourself because you need this. You need to go there and you need to live your life independently. You need to grow more and come into your true self. You'll only do that away from all of this. Even me and Yo..."
"No, I need you. You're not hurting me, you make me happy."
"Maybe. But you need to make yourself happy too Arthit. I want you to be a confident person. I want you to smile every single day. I want you to live your dreams in Paris... Maybe I'll be losing you. Maybe you'll fall in love with someone else. If losing me, means that you'll be able to find yourself then I won't regret it ever because it means you'll be happy." Sobs continue to escape Arthit's lips and all he can do is continue to hit Kongpob's chest with his fist.
"I hate you. Why are you so good to me" Arthit cries. Kongpob smiles at him wryly as he pulls him into a tight hug. Arthit no longer struggles in his arms.
"Because I love you."
"What about Yo?" Arthit questions as Kongpob reaches to wipe away his tears.
"He'll understand love. You need to do this for yourself and let me worry about Yo."
"But."
"Don't worry about us. We'll be okay. I just want you to be happy. I know that you love me but you also need to love yourself more Arthit." Arthit knows that Kongpob is right, he sighs sadly as he reaches out to cup the handsome man's cheek.
"I love you," Arthit tells Kongpob who smiles at him.
"I love you too Arthit." He doesn't have to ask Kongpob to kiss him this time when their eyes meet their body seems to move on their own accord but before their lips can meet someone calls out to them.
"Arthit!" The anger in that person's voice, his tone brings Arthit to a panic and he freezes as he turns to look at Knot, the cause of all his torment. He isn't alone, in fact, Arthit recognizes his old "Security."
"Kong..." Arthit says in fear. Kongpob doesn't say anything, instead, he takes his hand and they begin running. He can hear Knot angrily calling after them as they run down the street. They manage to cross the street despite the fact that cars are honking at them all Arthit can think about is running away. He holds on to Kongpob's hand tightly, not willing to let him go. They manage to lose them when they turn a corner, there's an alley that they can cut through, Kongpob is taking out his phone and calling their own security that Arthit had not realized was most likely following them.
However, they both freeze when they realize that both sides of the alley are blocked by Knot and his men.
"Kong..."
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to you I promise." Kongpob is telling him.
"Arthit. Come here!" Knot says angrily to him. Memories of his torment with Knot continuously flash in Arthit's mind. He clings on to Kongpob's back who is standing protectively in front of him. Arthit finds himself presses against the wall of a building while Kongpob stands in front of him protectively.
Knot is glaring at them as his men move forward.
"Get out of the way Kongpob. How dare you try to kiss him." Arthit is shaking but despite that he finds himself speaking.
"I wanted him to." Knot glares at him the rage in his eyes is incredibly visible.
"You're my husband and you are going to learn to respect me again Arthit." Knot gives a signal and his men move toward he and Kongpob who also move forward. There are six men around them and all of them move to attack Kongpob who is defending himself as best he can. Arthit knows Kongpob can fight but there are too many of them and Arthit is afraid, more so when Kongpob is punched and he falls to the ground.
"Kong." He tries to go to him but Knot grabs his wrist so tightly Arthit fears it will break.
"Let go of him!" Kongpob stands up tacking Knot who abruptly lets go of Arthit and he and Kongpob begin to exchange punches.
"Run Arthit!" Kongpob tells him. Arthit's feet seemed glued to the floor unable to leave Kongpob. Knot's men remove Kongpob from him and begin to hit him.
"Run Arthit! Now!" Kongpob shouts to him. Arthit's own feet take off when Knot stands up and turns to look at him. His mind goes blank and he can hear Knot yelling after him.
"Help me!"
"Somebody help me!" Arthit is shouting as he rushes down the street that is by now empty. He hopes that someone, anybody will hear him. He is about to cross the street when his arm is grabbed by Knot.
"Let go of me!" Arthit shouts as he tries to struggle away from Knot's grasp.
"You belong to me Arthit and you're coming home with me."Knot tells him.
"No! I don't have to do anything. I want a divorce." Those words send Knot into a rage who slaps Arthit's across the face. His head recoils from the harsh impact and he can feel blood at the corner of his lips but Arthit ignores all that trying to break free. Unfortunately, Knot is much stronger than he is and he pulls him closer to his body holding him tightly in his arms against his chest, his arms are forcefully crossed around his chest to keep him from sturggling free. From a distance, he can hear Kongpob yelling after him, he can see some of their security coming with Kongpob. A van parks in front of him and Knot, traffic around them is still busy, yet cars continue to pass so nonchalantly.
"Help me ! Somebody!" Before Arthit can say anything more he is picked up a hand is to his mouth in order to keep him quiet and the van door opens.
"No! No!" His mind is shouting. Kong!...
At that moment as he is being hauled into that van and is looking at Kongpob trying to get to him, he realizes that this won't ever stop. He will never have happiness. The man that is pulling him inside the van by his legs has a gun Arthit bites Knot's hand and the man lets him go dropping him. Before Arthit can pick himself up he's grabbed by the other man, his eyes lock on his gun and he punches the guy and reaches for his gun.
Knot and the other man freeze as they let go of him. Arthit stands in front of them looking disheveled from the struggle he doesn't point the gun at them. No, instead he points it at himself. When Knot's man tries to move forward Knot stops him, he's in shock at what he's seeing.
"Arthit! Put that down now!" Knot orders.
"Shut up!" Arthit shouts as tears fall from his eyes. By this time, Kongpob and his own security have arrived. Arthit is looking at Kongpob in tears as he presses the gun to his head.
"Do what I say Arthit!" Knot is shouting angrily.
"No!" Arthit shouts angrily at Knot.
"Arthit... love... put the gun down please baby." Kongpob is begging him.
"I can't do this anymore.... he's never going to let me go Kong... It's never going to end..."
"It will please Arthit don't do this. Think about me and Yo please." Kongpob is near tears and Arthit by now is sobbing. Arthit turns to look at Knot.
"This is the only way. You said so yourself. Unless I'm dead you won't ever let me go... please... just let me go now I can't do this anymore." Arthit turns to look at Kongpob sadly.
"I love you... I'm sorry." He pushes the trigger just as Knot manages to pull the gun away from his head, in the process the bullet goes through the arm of Knot's guard who cries out in pain. Arthit panics when he realizes that he's not dead. He pushes himself away from Knot and rushes past everyone and on to the street of cars that are continuing to drive by. His mind is telling him that he needs to get away, he doesn't know where he is running to.
"Arthit!" The last thing Arthit hears in Kongpob's voice as car honks at him, and then, darkness.
Thank you guys for reading I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to vote for this chapter, add this story to your library, and leave a comment. There are a few more chapters left we're almost at the end guys.