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Part 27

And so he left...

The entire house was cast in a dark gloom and even though I tried to suppress my depressed feelings, I believe my moping was rather obvious. Upset as she was, Mrs Suthiluck even took time to comfort me.

"Kongpob will be back before we know it, Arthit." 

Looking at her brave smile, I tried to force a feeble smile onto my face in response. Even my friends in university could tell that something was wrong.

"Why are you looking so down lately, Arthit?" Aya asked me worriedly.

"Yes, do tell us. We're friends, aren't we?" May was just as concerned. So I told them.

And they were not happy to hear it.

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"Hurray!!!" 

As I was finishing explaining what had happened to my friends, I heard a loud cheer behind me and turned around to see Max executing something similar to a war dance. 

"Three cheers, Arthit is no longer staying with Kongpob!" 

I glared at him fiercely and walked away, leaving him still gloating over the fact that Kongpob Suthiluck had moved out.

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It was a week later when I was still walking around university like a zombie when Mike approached me excitedly.

"Yo Arthit!"

"Hi ... ..."

"Hey, I know where Kongpob is working!" 

Immediately, my eyes widened and I stared at h,im giving him my full attention. 

"Do you want to know where?" 

I nodded my head hastily.

"Fine, but you have to buy me lunch then," he winked. Don't say lunch, even if I had to buy him an expensive tennis racket I would have done so willingly.

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Soon, we found ourselves sitting in Sotus – a new restaurant that just opened up in the city center. 

"So ... ..." I began hesitantly, glancing around. "Don't I get even a hint first? I mean you know I'm definitely treating you to lunch already..." 

Mike simply smiled wickedly and turned his attention to the waiter.

"Welcome! What would you like to order?" I stiffened as I heard the achingly familiar voice from behind me. Turning hastily, I found myself staring directly at Kongpob Suthiluck who was dressed in the waiter's uniform. However, there was no sign of recognition in those dark eyes that looked coolly at Mike and me. 

A bright smile lit up my face as my eyes drank in his features greedily – he looked oh so handsome and just...well.

"I would like..." I could hear Mike ordering something, but my entire attention was focused on Kongpob. He seemed to be waiting patiently as I simply continued grinning at him.

"And what would your companion like?" His words roused me from my dream-like state.

"Er ... ..." I hadn't even looked at the menu. "I'll have whatever Mike's having."

"Thank you, we'll get your orders ready as soon as possible." He smiled and nodded to us impersonally as he took the menus and left for the kitchen. 

I sighed dreamily as he walked off. Yes, even if Kongpob Suthiluck pretends not to know me at all, it doesn't matter as long as he is near me.

"Where does he live, Mike?" I turned to Mike as soon as Kongpob Suthiluck had vanished into the kitchen.

"I have no idea..." he shrugged. 

Well, never mind. I'm already grateful enough that he has brought me to where Kongpob Suthiluck works. Soon he was back, skillfully balancing all the dishes on the tray as he swiftly set them out on the table.

"Kongpob Suthiluck..." I said very softly, wanting to grab the chance to speak to him before he disappeared again. "Are ... ... how are you?"

"Fine." His answer was short and cold.

"... Are ... are you angry with me?" My voice was even lower as I lowered my head, my eyes glancing at him with a pleading look.

"No, I knew you'd come one day. Just don't tell my mother." And with that, he left. 

My heart lightened immensely – Kongpob Suthiluck wasn't angry with me for trying to find him! 

Just as we were leaving, I caught sight of a notice on the wall and went to read it. Goodness, this restaurant must be really popular, because they were looking for another waitress. The wheels in my brain started to spin – Arthit, this is one great chance to work with Kongpob!!!

I quickly went to look for the manager, but as soon as I found him, I was overcome by disappointment. "Oh, I'm so sorry, we've already hired someone. She's from your university too." 

I glanced at the application form that he was holding – Jessica! My eyes widened as I thanked him hastily and then ran out to look for Mike.

"You told Jessica!" I glared accusingly at Mike, ready to crush him.

"Hold on, hold on!" He put up his hands defensively. "Is there a rule that I can only tell you?" 

Humph...fine!

I sat back defeated. Kongpob Suthiluck is not my exclusive property and since Mike is so in love with Jessica, it's really not surprising that he would tell her....anything. 

Still, I could not help but feel betrayed a bit and definitely worried. Those two can not be studying and working together as well!!!

Noooo...

ㅠㅠ

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As we left the restaurant, I saw Kongpob Suthiluck passing us by.

"Kongpob Suthiluck!" 

He paused, turning to me, his face still expressionless as ever. 

"Can I come again tomorrow?"

"No. And don't tell my mother."

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As per normal, Arthit turned up just like a bad penny, I knew that it was hopeless asking him not to come tomorrow as well, just as hopeless as asking him not to tell mama. However, I can but try. His persistence and resourcefulness (when it comes to me) has always taken me by surprise.

"Let me repeat your orders for you..." I confidently rattled off the fifteen dishes that were ordered. I saw ten pairs of eyes widen at me.

"Geez, you remembered everything by heart!" A man in his mid forties exclaimed. I controlled my urge to frown at him for stating the obvious. Hello there, I didn't write down their orders so how else did I manage to repeat them? Duh, people nowadays! Maybe Arthit isn't as intellectually challenged as I thought. 

I forced a smile and went to the kitchen, repeating orders from the four different tables that I took. The manager walked past and smiled at me – I could tell that he was very pleased with my work. Well, seeing that I haven't messed up any orders, I guess there was nothing for him to complain about.

Suddenly, I paused in mid-stride on my way to another table. There was a really familiar looking family sitting there, all of them were wearing sunglasses – yes inside the restaurant – and it was rather evident that they were wearing wigs. I groaned silently as I recognized the trio – my mother, Arthit and Daniel. Shaking my head, I went up to take their orders.

"What would you like to order Mrs Suthiluck?" I saw my mum startle in surprise when I addressed her. Come on, you of all people should have more confidence in your son's analytical abilities. 

Thank goodness, they left without creating any great scene and just ate their food quality, while keeping their eyes on me. I swear I saw my mom wipe some proud tears at the corner of her eyes – I mean having your own mother suddenly stand up in the middle of the restaurant where you work and cheering for Arthit to triumph over Jessica in "nabbing" her son isn't too bad is it? She wasn't very loud and I heard her only because I was keeping an eye on them and hovering over another table in the vicinity. I must say I definitely heaved a sigh of relief when they left though.

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The next day, no prizes for guessing correctly who I saw. 

Arthit came again. 

Geez, isn't he sick of eating in the same restaurant three days in a row? I went up to him and was greeted by the usual idiotic adoring grin. Just as I was about to take his order, Jessica came up and told me she'd take over. 

I didn't miss the clear disappointment in Arthit's face as I nodded to her and left as Jessica greeted Arthit with a super-sweet smile, ignoring the downcast look on Arthit's face as his big eyes followed my departing figure.

"Why would you like Arthit?"

"Anything's fine..." 

I heard Arthit's soft answer. 

Anything? Can't the baka even decide what he wants to eat? 

I went to show another group of customers to their table. Passing by Arthit's table later, my eyes widened at the amount of food on the table. Jessica must have ordered the supreme set menu for Arthit – the largest expensive set that we have on our menu. 

I could see that Arthit had left the biggest bulk of his food untouched, he was doing his homework, bent over his books.

"Kongpob," I paused when he called me over, hesitant.

"Can I bring back the rest of the food for Chibi?"

"Unfortunately, our restaurant doesn't have a take-away policy," I told him firmly and he lowered his eyes. I sighed, "How is Chibi?" I did miss that dog actually.

"He's grown even bigger." Arthit exclaimed with a wide smile. I chuckled at his expression.

"By the way, you've got the answer wrong, it's the inverse exponential of the equation, not the natural log of five." I told him, pointing at a section in his textbook.

His eyes opened wide, then he bit his lip nervously. "Er ... ... er do you happen to know the answer to the next question as well?" 

I frowned at him and simply turned and left. 

Don't push your luck Arthit, I'm working and have no time to help you out with your homework!

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I sighed when Kongpob Suthiluck ignored me for the rest of the evening. So I decided to go home instead. I went up to the cashier and told him the table number.

"That'll be..." 

My eyes opened wide at the total amount on display. Jessica must have ordered the most expensive set on the menu and I was so stupid I didn't even check the price – it was equivalent to almost half my monthly allowance! I sighed and paid up reluctantly.

"Mr." I paused when the cashier called for me again, wondering if my card didn't go through. To my surprise, he passed me a huge white box. "Kongpob asked me to pass this to you." 

I thanked him and quickly opened the box outside the restaurant. A warm feeling flooded through me when I saw my practically untouched lunch packed in plastic bags in the box. Kongpob Suthiluck had packed the leftovers for me even though it was against the restaurant's policy. 

Yes I know it was probably for Chibi as well, but I was touched at his kind gesture. I glanced at my watch – he would be knocking off in probably an hour's time. I decided to wait for him so that I could thank him properly face-to-face.

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I rubbed my chilled hands – finally the hour was up and Kongpob would be off work soon. It was freezing waiting in the cold, but I was confident it would be worth it. 

Just then, I saw Kongpob Suthiluck's familiar figure stepping out of the door. I was about to call out to him when I froze. He was holding the door open and Jessica stepped out after him. 

I stood there as still as a statue as they both walked off together, chatting away. My feet seemed to disobey my wishes and I found myself trailing after them like a shadow. 

After around fifteen minute's walk, I saw them enter this large elegant looking apartment building together. They disappeared inside and soon a light lit up in one of the 2nd floor rooms.

Dread clutched at my heart with its icy fingers. 

They are living together! 

The thought flashed through my brain, tearing my heart into a million pieces. I remained in the freezing cold long after, unwilling and unable to believe what my eyes had just witnessed. 

When I lifted my hand to rub my eyes, I realized that my cheeks were all wet – tears had seeped out unconsciously. Overwhelmed by the pain and the shock, it was pitch dark when I finally made my way home slowly, wiping at the tears in my eyes, unable to erase the pain in my heart.

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