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The Prince in Shining Armor

Part 4

The next morning, I saw this huge crowd of people looking at the notice board. I wonder why there was so much interesting news in this school. Max was staring at it too and evidently it had caused him much agitation, because he was struggling against his two sidekicks who were holding him back and screaming "No, this can't be true! No way, let me go!" all over again.

I walked up to the noticeboard and froze. A picture of me sleeping next to Kongpob Suthiluck on my desk was pasted all over the board. I gasped aloud – how on earth did they get this picture!?? Then it slowly dawned on me – the envelope that Mrs Kongpob gave me! I recalled how last night she asked me if I had liked what was in the envelope. When I told her shamed-facedly that I had actually dropped it, she had reassured me not to worry about it as she had lots more of the same. Then the next moment, she asked me to help her sort out all the photos that she had taken secretly of Kongpob Suthiluck and myself while we'd been sleeping. I was so shocked by her extensive collection that I had not made the connection between the two events.

My only thought was to get it off the board before Kongpob saw it. Just as I was struggling to fight my way through the crowd to the board, I froze as I saw Kongpob Suthiluck standing a few feet away, staring at the board in clear shock. Apparently he had been doing so for a while already.

"Kongpob, it isn't true that he's staying at your house is it?" Jessica, an extremely attractive, rich and brilliant (she was from A class as well) girl having the hots for Kongpob Suthiluck was standing next to him, clutching at his arm, whilst his admirers were hanging around them waiting for his answer.

Reluctantly, he nodded. A collective sigh, or rather wail echoed through the girls as they all started crying aloud and Kongpob quickly moved away from them. Just then, he saw me staring at him and stopped. The flash in those dark eyes petrified me and I stood there motionless on trembling legs as he strode up to me.

"You baka," he hissed ferociously to me. "Thanks for messing up my life."

"I'm sorry... I dropped it by accident..." My lips started quavering as tears welled up in my eyes. I really didn't mean to create any more trouble for him. Then I turned in my spot and fled, not wanting to burst into tears in front of him.

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I was furious at the scandal that the photograph was creating, but then I spotted my target and and made for her ready to attack. Arthit was looking like a deer trapped in the headlights of an approaching car, his large long lashed eyes were wide open with a scared expression.

"Thanks for messing up my life."

After saying those words to him, I felt some stirrings of guilt for the first time when he ran off, obviously crying. I have never made someone cry before and to be fair as he was in the picture, my dearest mama must have been at least partially responsible. What happened to your manners, Kongpob? Thanks to his irresponsible behavior, I would have to put up with all the gossips for the next couple of weeks at least.

I gritted my teeth and hardened my heart thinking of forthcoming intrusion into my private space by all the weak-minded busy bodies speculating to themselves (if I was lucky) or crowding around me with stupid questions regarding my private life (if I was unlucky). Why was I so darn unlucky to have him staying with me?

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I was knocking on his door softly waiting for it to be opened. As per normal, when Arthit didn't appear for dinner, guess who got sent to get him down? I frowned when I received no answer and decided to just go in with or without permission. Pushing the door open, I saw his crouched up figure huddled on the floor apparently asleep.

I was about to leave the room, when a white envelope caught my eye on his desk. Bending down to pick it up, I noticed it was addressed to me – oooh this was the love letter that he was going to give me back then.

Curiosity got best of me and I decided to have a look at what this baka was capable of writing. It was only fair that I intruded on his privacy seeing how he had disturbed my peaceful life. Anyway, the letter was meant for me. I flipped it open and skimmed through the short note.

"Hi Kongpob Suthiluck,

I know you probably don't know that I exist, but I'd just like to tell you that ever since I first saw you up on stage giving a speech two years ago, I've never been able to erase your image from my mind. Or my heart. I think you're simply great – you're so handsome, intelligent and so good at sports, I mean you can do anything. I know that I have no hope of you ever liking me back, but I just wanted you to know. I like you very very much...

Arthit Rojnapat ❤︎"

It was written so simply, no poems and no artifice unlike the many lovey dovey letters that I have received over the years. I could just imagine him slaving over this short note for many sleepless nights. It must have strained all his capabilities to the limit to write this, I thought wryly.

Then I noticed that the letter had many blotches on it and I examined it more closely. The words had been blotched several times by...tears. I folded the letter and placed it back on the desk, then I looked at the peaceful expression on Arthit's tear stained face.

"You really are a baka, aren't ya?" I muttered in a bare whisper, before heading back downstairs to the dining table.

"Where's Arthit?"

I have no idea why mama has been so stern with me lately. I know she's fond of Arthit, but to side with a complete stranger over your own flesh and blood? Fortunately, my face revealed nothing of my thoughts as I looked at her.

"He's sleeping, probably too tired."

Immediately, she stood up and started putting away a large portion of food for Arthit.

"Mary," Mr Rojnapat was looking rather embarrassed. "If that lazy son of mine is still sleeping, let him eat whatever is left over, please don't bother keeping so much food just for him."

"He deserves it for doing so well in the exams. Surely you must be proud of him? He got the 100th place this time."

I looked at my mum quietly before continuing with my meal but I was mildly annoyed at the injustice. Firstly, the reason why he could do so well was because of your son sitting here! Secondly, yours truly had gotten 1st and Arthit had only gotten 100th! Guess what praise did I receive? None!!!

Not that I needed any because the exam was really too simple, but sometimes my mum is just so biased. I shook my head silently and decided to ignore their antics. Glancing at Daniel, I saw a rebellious expression on his face. He was obviously pissed that such a fuss was made over Arthit. He's still young and it's only natural for him to feel jealous that his mother is taking so much notice of a what he calls a "stupid boy". Well, with his IQ (that is similar to mine), he's rather precocious - actually, mum and dad should take more notice of him.

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"Ouch," I tried to straighten my back only to find it too painful. Thanks to falling asleep in that cramped position on the floor, my back is aching so much that I can hardly turn. The good thing is, I feel bright and cheerful, ready to face the world again! Humming a happy tune, I burst into the dining room and greeted Mrs Kongpob with a bright smile.

"Good morning, auntie!"

My mouth dropped open at the sight of the breakfast that she had prepared for me. "0_0...w ... wow ..." I stammered looking at the array of sushi and sashimi that was placed by my seat. Strangely enough I was the only person who had such a large meal. She beamed at me.

"Arthit, you missed dinner last night! So I've taken out your dinner, you need to eat more. We didn't want to wake you up, because we thought you'd be tired after your exam..." she chattered away nonstop as I smiled at her and sat down to eat as much as I could. I really was starving.

I snuck a peek at Kongpob Suthiluck to see if he was still angry with me because of the notice board. To my relief and disappointment, he was looking his usual impassive self, quietly slurping his soup and rice, while Daniel greeted me with his usual perpetual glare. I wondered why he hated me so much, before my brain clicked – his room you idiot! I was staying in his room! This must be it! Damnit...

I decided to ignore him and started shoving down my "breakner" (combination of breakfast and dinner).

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Today's train was exceptionally crowded and I pressed tight against other people. I hated the morning commute. Suddenly, I felt a strange hand behind me on a certain part of my backside that had no business to be there. I flushed and squirmed as another hand was placed close to the other hand. I wanted to twist around and elbow the two molesters in the ribs, but my back was hurting too much for me to turn, and I was squeezed too tight by other passengers that I couldn't move even if i wanted to. I started wriggling in earnest, hoping that they would be scared off, but I could still feel the two hands squeezing my butt. I could feel tears of frustration and anger starting in my eyes when suddenly I heard a low husky voice that I never dreamt of hearing.

"Stop your disgusting behavior this instance and take your dirty hands off him."

Immediately, the hands were removed and the passengers around me eased a little, allowing me space to turn around. I couldn't believe my eyes. Kongpob Suthiluck was standing in front of me, shielding me from other people as his face was impassive as always, staring down at my molesters with his arms folded across his chest. They looked like office workers in suits, one in his 30s and one in his 50s. I fumed inwardly, such disgusting behavior should never be tolerated.

"What do you mean?" One of them tried denying it.

"Yeah, get out of here you little punk before I beat the crap out of you." The younger one said aggressively, clenching his knuckles tightly.

"Before you do that, I recommend you take a look at section 30 subsection 3 paragraph 1 line 2 of the constitutional law for the ruling on sexual harassment and paragraph 4 for violence, as well as section 200 (A) subsection 6 paragraph 7 for potential penalties against violence."

I stared at awe at the words that rolled over Kongpob's lips at an inhuman speed. He sounded like a real lawyer, my Kongpob Suthiluck – my knight in shining armor. My eyes shone like stars as I looked at his profile, the firm set of the chiseled jaw and the feisty gaze in those stern dark eyes.

"Wha ... at?" The two idiots sounded really confused and a little intimidated as they both took a step backwards. "Who are you trying to kid, you little punk?"

"Hey!" I couldn't resist at this point in time and shouted angrily, glancing over Kongpob's shoulder. "Watch what you're saying, he has an IQ of about 210!"

Immediately, they retreated with scared looks and the rest of the passengers backed away as well. Kongpob's scowl was still there, but he uncrossed his arms, his posture relaxed and the dark eyes looked at me.

"Go to the front of the train near the door." He commanded, pushing me towards the front. I obeyed instantly and everyone parted before me, hastily retreating as far as they could as we walked through. I looked at Kongpob Suthiluck who was leaning against the side, glancing out through the window.

"Thank you so much, Kongpob Suthiluck," I whispered softly. I was overwhelmed. My shining Prince had rescued me, and I wanted to kneel down and kiss his shoes – I was that grateful! Pathetic isn't it? But I simply loved him so much!

He turned to look at me. "You better be more careful next time. Scream the moment someone touches you."

His cool eyes held my gaze a second longer before he turned back to the window.

Nothing had changed he was still the same cool Kongpob Suthiluck.

But the only problem was that after that incident, I was even more madly in love with him than before.

Oh gosh, I'm so doomed...

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Author's note: Ahhh our prince in shining armor!