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Part 19

Finally the day for the tennis match has arrived. I swallowed nervously, my heart beating extremely fast. I caught sight of Mike about fifteen minutes ago. He had this huge grin that was threatening to split his face in two. It was so obvious that he was completely sure that history would repeat with him and Jessica whipping Kongpob Suthiluck's and my asses. I'm sure they will tho...

As I watched him snickering to himself, I had to remind myself that he is actually a friend and is always very nice to me, outside the tennis court. Otherwise, I would have cheerfully poured my bottle of water over his irritatingly smug face.

I started to do some warm-ups and accidentally knocked into a chair. Ouch! I sighed and shook my head ruefully as I saw a new bruise appearing alongside my existing collection of colourful bruises.

When Kongpob Suthiluck wants you to train hard, he definitely means it. I'm lucky that I suffered only bruises and no other more permanent injuries such as broken bones.

I was shaking in my shoes as I walked next to Kongpob Suthiluck.

When we walked into the court, he threw me a quick look. I must have looked as nervous as I felt, because he was actually decent enough (for the first time) to make an attempt to calm me down.

"It's okay Arthit, you're not alone. With me here, you don't have to worry."

Although his face was expressionless as his voice, I was so touched by his concern that tears almost came to my eyes. On second thought, maybe it wasn't so much concern as trying to calm me down so that I would perform better, I shouldn't be so presumptuous. Whatever his reason for, I was still pathetically grateful.

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Why wasn't I surprised when he missed Mike's first serve? And if that wasn't bad enough, instead of gearing himself for his next serve, he had to spin around immediately and bow to me in apology!

"I'm so sorry Kongpob Suthiluck!"

"Baka! Focus on the ball," I gritted out. How dare he!? He decides to have a conversation with me in the middle of a match! God please spare me...

A second later, he actually manages to hit Mike's next ball, but when he tried to return his serve, the ball fell to the ground after hitting the net.

"Didn't you have enough breakfast today? Where's all your energy gone to? Baka!" I gave him a tongue lashing. He lowered his head meekly, but when he turned to face Mike and Jessica again, his face was set with renewed determination.

I secretly smiled to myself. I always knew that the more Arthit was reprimanded, the harder he would try. What a strange person!

I glanced at Mike and Jessica and this time, I could not prevent the slight smile from appearing on my face. They both looked totally shocked that Arthit could even block the ball with his racket. I couldn't help feeling smug — I know I had only trained Arthit for three days but they should never have underestimated the capabilities of a genius...

My smile appeared more frequently as the game continued. After the first two poor attempts, Arthit actually managed to return the rest of the serves from Mike and Jessica.

Of course, I was watching out for him and whenever I felt that the he would not be able to return the ball, I told him to scram and I would take it instead. This time, he obediently stepped away from the ball and I successfully hit the ball back.

I could see Mike getting more and more frustrated as it was obvious that Arthit and I were winning. His hair became more tousled as the game progressed and he was turning redder and redder.

However, the game ended on a surprising note. Mike had smashed the tennis ball across the court right at Arthit. Frankly, there was no way I could get there in time. I watched helplessly as Arthit fumbled and tripped. However, miraculously, as he fell, his racket came into contact with the ball and it rebound (because Mike had hit it so hard). We all watched in disbelief as the ball barely scrapped by the top of the net and...We've won!

Immediately, the crowd went wild. It had been a well-fought match. I heard several loud cheers for Arthit and turned in surprise. There was a group of familiar faces — the nerdy people from the Manga Club who had wanted Arthit as one of their main characters. A few of them were actually crying with joy — how juvenile and imbecilic! I walked to Arthit who was still sitting on the ground, looking very dazzled, making no attempt to get up.

"Good job." I raised my voice slightly, wanting Mike to hear. After all, I still bear a grudge against him for using such underhanded means in an attempt to beat me at tennis. A quick glance showed me that he was now maroon and a muscle was twitching in his jaw. Well, I really hope he wouldn't burst a blood vessel. I mean we are so far from the city, it would greatly inconvenience us to send him to a hospital.

When I looked at Arthit again, his usual idiotic grin was lighting up his entire face and his eyes were gazing at me with his familiar adoring lovestruck expression.

Why did he look so cute when smiling at me...?

Sigh...

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Kongpob Suthiluck praised me — he actually praised me! This is the first time he has ever said anything approving to me, I'll treasure this moment forever. My head was still in the clouds when I heard someone saying, "Time for another match."

I tried to stand up but found that I couldn't. My left ankle — the one that I had previously injured was hurting awfully bad and I gasped with the sharpness of the pain — either I had sprained it again or my old injury was acting up. It hurt too much to even move and I felt tears stinging in my eyes.

Immediately, Kongpob Suthiluck was at my side. His eyes narrowed as he saw me clutching at my ankle.

"We can't play anymore. Arthit's injured," he straightened and looked at Mike. "Let's go," he turned his back to me. I made another attempt to stand — this time, the pain brought tears into my eyes as they trickled down my cheeks.

"Kongpob Suthiluck...I— I can't stand up," I bit my lip.

Immediately, his eyebrows drew together in a dark frown. "I can't believe you cannot play one game without injuring yourself," he commented irritably.

I bowed my head at his reprimand, knowing that I was causing him trouble again. I expected him to go and get a stretcher, but to my shock, he simply bent down and picked me up bridal style.

"Ouch!" I clung onto him tightly when his movement hurt my foot. He took in a deep breath and frowned even more deeply, but I could tell that he was trying to keep as still as he walked in order to avoid causing me any more pain. Although it was only for less than half a minute in his arms and I was still in incredible pain, it felt like heaven. I timidly placed my arms around his neck, laying my head on his shoulder as he walked out of the court with me in his strong arms.

If only this moment could last forever...

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"Here we are!" I called out cheerfully as the cab pulled outside my new home. I smiled at Kongpob Suthiluck as he stepped out and helped me out of the vehicle.

This had to be one of the best days in my life in spite of a swollen ankle. After carrying me to the first aid tent and waiting for the nurse to bandage up my ankle, Kongpob Suthiluck actually decided to send me home!

How lucky can I get!?

"It looks nice," his voice was expressionless as usual. I couldn't tell whether he was sincere or just being polite. I knocked on the door.

"Papa, I..." my jaw fell open as an old man opened the door.

"What did you say?" He was evidently rather deaf because he placed a hearing aid into his ear before turning his head in my direction.

"What...what are you doing here?" I stammered, too shock to be coherent.

"I rented this place!" He was very indignant. "Don't play stupid games, young lady."

With that, the door was shut in my face. Kongpob Suthiluck was still standing at the side, there was no change to his expression and his hands were in his pockets. It almost seemed as if he expected that something like this would happen to me.

I bit my lip... what was I to do now? I hobbled to a nearby payphone and tried to call my dad's restaurant, however, no one picked up the phone. I shook my head as I came out of the phone booth, a defeated expression on my face.

"Come back with me first. Nothing we can do at this moment. We'll try to contact your Dad again later." I followed him gratefully as he flagged down another cab and we got into it. Thank goodness he was around to help me out.

Throughout the entire journey to his place, we were very silent. We both looked out of the window, but every other moment, I would find my eyes drawn back to him...

Gosh how handsome he is...

We both got out of the cab and then stood transfixed, staring at the building in front of us. I rubbed my eyes again as Kongpob Suthiluck simply stared. Was this the Kongpob residence? Why was the building now painted white instead of the original green? The garden had apparently been revamped, filled with rose bushes now. Despite the changes, I felt a warm feeling overtake me. I missed this home.

Just then, the door opened and Daniel ran out. I let out a secret sigh of relief. Thank goodness! For a moment, I had thought that the driver had dropped us off at the wrong house.

"Brother, mama is—"

But before Daniel could complete his sentence, Mrs Suthiluck ran out to meet us, a bright smile lighting up her lovely face.

"Ah Kongpob and Arthit! Good you've both come back home!" She was actually rubbing her hands in delight.

"Mama..." Kongpob Suthiluck began. However, she cut him off.

"Arthit, I've renovated the house. You and your father will be staying with us again. I have such a lovely room for you now! Kongpob and you will simply have to be together now."

"Auntie, but..."

"Mama, but..."

Both Kongpob Suthiluck and I were starting to protest together.

"No buts! No more buts!" There was a sly look on her face as she suddenly nudged Kongpob Suthiluck who was looking extremely shocked. "I know you have kissed Arthit already..."

"Whaaaat? Is that true brother?" Now Daniel was looking at Kongpob Suthiluck with a horrified expression on his face.

As Kongpob Suthiluck turned to me, I quaked at the murderous expression in his eyes and the muscle twitching in his jaw.

Ohoh!

"I swear, it wasn't me, I never said anything." I whispered to him quickly. His hands were balled up in tight fists. However, my obvious fright must have convinced him that I was telling the truth because all he did was to grit his teeth and walk into the house quickly.

"We'll be eating at Arthit father's restaurant today," Mrs Suthiluck called cheerfully after Kongpob's rapidly disappearing back, totally unconscious of the tension in the air.

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...

How the hell does she know about the...kiss???

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