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Part 30

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I thanked Kongpob for the tea, "Has Jessica been here?" I couldn't help asking quietly, already dreading the answer.

"No, you're my first visitor."

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I could see that baka's face lighting up at my answer. It's really strange what ordinary people get happy about. I don't understand why it means so much to him that he's my first visitor – after all I don't have that many friends and I really don't see the need to invite them to my apartment. 

I went to call my mother and proceeded to have a really unsatisfactory – but expected conversation with her. When she knew that Arthit was at my place, she made up lots of feeble excuses including that it was snowing and she didn't want to go out, the car had broken down etc etc, finally concluding that she would pick Arthit up tomorrow. Actually, I already predicted her reaction when I first invited Arthit home, which was why I hesitated slightly at Sotus before making my decision.

I didn't want that baka to get the wrong idea about spending the night at my place.

"My mum doesn't want to venture out into the cold," My tone was slightly sarcastic. "You'll have to stay here till tomorrow." 

I saw his eyes widened as his jaw fell open. Then, he swallowed nervously and rubbed his small hands together. Looking at his hands made me realize that I didn't have much food at my place because I always ate at Sotus. 

I recalled how his hand was pressed against his abdomen just now when I barely caught him fainting, preventing him from hitting the ground...and how that small touch had made my heart...

"I'm going out to get dinner." With that I left, giving him time to digest the fact that he was going to spend the night at my place.

And time for myself to calm down my racing heart.

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I couldn't believe my ears even after the door shut behind Kongpob Suthiluck. 

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What?!? I was going to have to spend the night at Kongpob Suthiluck's place???

Never in my wildest dreams had I expected something like that to happen! 

OOOOHHH YEAAAAH!!!

OMGOMGOMG

This is a dream come true!!!

Yesyesyesyesyes!!!

Dan dan da daaan, dan dan daaan...Stop it Arthit! It's not the time nor the place to dream about your wedding yet!!!

Ohhh but what a wedding day it would be...

Mmmm....

When I finally calmed down a little, I decided to take a look around and clean up the place a little for Kongpob. I stood up and walked around the small living room, noting that everything was spick and span. There was nothing that I could do. 

Hesitatingly, I walked to the bedroom and slid it open. I peered into a room furnished with only a futon bed, a cupboard, a large studying desk, a table lamp and a chair. Again, everything was extremely neat and tidy. I smiled to myself, it was nice to see that Kongpob liked to keep his home clean.

The perfect husband material...awwww...

In spite of my amazement at Kongpob's neatness, I felt a little disappointed that I couldn't fulfill my wish of surprising him by cleaning up his place for him.

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"Mmm...this is so delicious..." 

There's really something quite strange with Arthit today. I mean, yes, definitely he's a chatterbox – he and my mother can go on and on without stopping for hours. However, he's been talking non-stop ever since I walked into the apartment with the food that I had packed from Sotus, and his voice is rather squeaky as well. It's almost as if he's... nervous.

What is that baka expecting???

After dinner, he jumped in shock when I took the plate from his hands and then answered my questioning look with a sheepish smile and told me everything was just dandy. Then, he did his homework whilst I continued reading the book on psychology that I had commenced reading previously. It was pretty interesting even for a light reading. 

After a while of silence, I noticed that Arthit was nodding off at the table. His head was lowered, almost hitting the desk in front of him, and his mouth was slightly open, puffy cheeks tinted faint red from the warmth of the room.

Gosh, he looks even cuter when sleeping...

"Time to sleep," I told firmly, standing up and opening the door leading to my room. "Come on," I said rather impatiently as he continued sitting there, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "Here, the bed's yours." 

I pulled out an extra pillow and two blankets and proceeded to make myself comfortable on the floor next to the futon bed. 

Arthit stood up slowly, fidgeting in one place and just staring at me wide-eyed. I really don't know what's wrong with that baka. What the hell is going on in his baka head now???

After washing up, I switched off the light and immediately heard his voice. "Kongpob, could you leave the lights on? I'm afraid of the dark." 

Scared of the dark and close to twenty? I could barely hold back a snort as I snapped the lights on again. I got back into my make-shift 'bed' on the floor and shut my eyes, but then...

"Your place is really nice, Kongpob Suthiluck..."

"Mmm..."

"Why it's so near to the restaurant, it must be really convenient for work..." 

On and on he prattled about my work and school, like a broken record. 

I was starting to feel slightly irritated – darn I needed my sleep even if he didn't.

"...Are you okay with sleeping on the floor?" 

My patience finally snapped and I sat up, glaring at him.

"If I sleep on the bed with you, you will shut up, right?" I made a move to get up and climb next to him.

Immediately, Arthit sat up in shock. "I-I'll sleep on the floor!" He blurted out instantaneously as he pulled back the covers and started to get out of the bed. 

I realized that he indeed was very nervous! Suddenly, the reason for his strange behavior hit me.

"Are you...nervous, Arthit?" I asked him teasingly.

"No, of course not!" However, the slight tremour in his voice gave him away.

I smirked to myself. Now, this is fun. "You are nervous. You have been worrying about spending the night with me, haven't you? You are afraid that something might happen between us." My voice was low and seductive. His sudden pallor and the way he swallowed hard as if a lump came into his throat convinced me that I hit the nail on the head.

"Don't worry nothing will happen." I muttered with a chuckle.

To my surprise, he suddenly turned away from me and I saw him lowering his head as he twisted his hands together in distress and humiliation. Again realization dawned on me...

"You are disappointed..." I said with a husky voice and watched as his pale cheeks reddened under the dim light. He looks super adorable when he's shy and blushing.

"No!" He cut me off before I could say anything else. However, I could see that even the tip of his ears had turned red and he was wringing his hands nervously by now. 

Strangely enough, I felt a little sorry for him and decided to explain myself a little further.

"The reason why nothing is going to happen between us is because that would be exactly what my mother wants. And, I'm not about to give her the satisfaction of telling us 'I told you so'. It's nothing personal, so lighten up..."

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I wanted to die at first from the humiliation and pain of the rejection, and the belief that Kongpob Suthiluck didn't find me attractive in the least. 

But after his explanation, I felt much better. I mean we're both still so young. I definitely didn't want anything weird to happen between us, however, it was comforting to know that it wasn't that Kongpob Suthiluck found me repulsive. At least I hope so...

I lay back in the darkness, letting his slow even breathing soothe me and gradually drifted off to sleep...

That night I had one of the best dreams in my life.

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Weeks passed and soon it was the exam period again. 

I tried to ask Kongpob Suthiluck to help him. However, he got really annoyed with me, "Why are you asking me for help yet again? We're not even doing the same subjects this year! How on earth would I know what you need to know? Isn't it time for you to learn to be more independent?" 

Well, to be frank what he said was indeed true, but his harsh words still hurt me. I guess I simply have to try hard on my own from now on. Sigh...

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I had done terribly on the first exam.

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It was still on my mind when I smelt something burning under my nose...Oooops! I had accidentally burnt the fish that I was frying. Shaking my head at my own incompetence, I threw the black mess away and had to start again. 

The Kongpob family was away today except for myself and Daniel, which was why I had to take over the chore of cooking. Fortunately I had started cooking early – it took me almost three hours just to fry a fish, cook some vegetables and prepare miso soup.

"How is it Daniel?" 

We were sitting at the table, eating dinner, but I noticed that he appeared to be rather listless – probably missing his mother I guessed. He muttered something that I took to be okay. "Well, go take a bath after dinner."

After finishing washing the dishes, I was on my way back to my room when I heard a loud groan as I passed the bathroom. Sensing something bad, I dashed into the bathroom and saw to my shock that Daniel was lying on the floor, clutching onto his stomach. His face was pale and beads of sweat trickled down his face.

"Daniel, are you alright?" My tone was frantic.

"Stomach ...hurts ... ..." 

It was evident from his pasty complexion that this was not a joke. I panicked as I stood there for a few seconds wringing my hands. Then... Kongpob Suthiluck! I quickly ran to the phone and dialed his number.

"Hello." I wanted to cry when I heard his quiet voice over the phone.

"Kongpob! T-there's s-somet-thing wrong with D-daniel..." My voice was shaking so badly that I could barely get the words out.

"What's wrong?" I marveled at his calm tone.

"He's on the floor and telling me that his stomach hurts. What should I do?"

"Okay, after you hang up, call the nearest hospital for an ambulance. That should be the Sharing Cross Hospital. Write down this number XXX-XXXX. Have you got that?" Kongpob's voice was still calm, but I could hear the tension in it as he was trying his best to stay calm and hide his worry from me.

I repeated the number immediately.

"Correct. When they come, follow the ambulance to the hospital, oh and take some money from the groceries drawer. You know it's the drawer under the sugar container. Wait for the doctor's diagnosis. I'll be on my way. And Arthit..."

I swallowed back the lump of tears in my throat.

"I'm depending on you." 

I sucked in a deep breath when I hung up the phone – Kongpob Suthiluck is depending on me, I can't disappoint him! 

My hand was still shaking badly when I started dialing the number that Kongpob gave me, but his calm words had done a great deal to help me stay sane and act exactly how the emergency service assistant told me...

Don't worry, Daniel. I've got you!

Don't worry, Kongpob. I will take care of your brother!

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